All-new Blink Xt2 Outdoor/indoor Smart Security Camera Review
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Since their acquisition by e-commerce behemoth Amazon in 2017, Blink has experienced skyrocketing success as a make of meaty HD cameras that brand cocky-monitoring and installation a breeze for almost anyone.
With their latest releases1 – Blink Outdoor, Blink Indoor, and Glimmer Mini – the make proves they're here to stay, remaining a popular pick for low-maintenance dwelling house security and energy efficiency.
From left: Glimmer Indoor, Blink Mini, Blink Outdoor
It's nice to see that in 2022, Blink is still putting out solid battery-operated cameras that provide upward to two years of continuous use and affordable video storage, keeping both upward-front and monthly costs depression. They've also added a few dandy upgrades over their previously released XT2 indoor/outdoor photographic camera to circular out the organization, which I'll dig into shortly.
I took Blink'due south 3 cameras for a spin recently, noting how they worked in the nooks and crannies of a modest single-family home. You'll learn whether this organization is equally dependable as other leading camera brands in capturing potential danger in the nick of time – arguably the about vital role of any dwelling security device. And, equally e'er, I'll share whatsoever drawbacks worth noting in a full suite of Blink cams. And for more than money-saving tips, cheque out our total guide to choosing home security cameras.
That said, let'southward take a deeper look at all that a Blink system has to offer.
Blink Photographic camera Pros & Cons
PROS
- Fully Wireless Cameras
- Piece of cake DIY Installation
- Lightweight, Minimalist Pattern
- 1080p HD Video Resolution
- 2-Way Talk
- Infrared Nighttime Vision
- Depression-Cost Deject Storage
- Local Video Storage
- Smart Dwelling Integration
CONS
- Lacks Advanced Move Features
- App Setup Tin Be Glitchy
- Relies on Wi-Fi Connection
- No Continuous Recording
- Requires Dissever Hub to Connect
Unboxing and Setup
Blink Packaging
With equipment that'south ready to apply practically right out of the box, it was evident that Blink wasn't going to be a hard installation. I opened the three Blink boxes that round out the system to find a very simple configuration: ane camera, one sync module (this is required in every Blink camera except the Glimmer Mini), two screws for mounting, i plastic mount, and a handy bombardment replacement tool to open up and close the back of the camera.
Blink Indoor Equipment
Not handy around the firm? No trouble. Similar a multitude of DIY cameras in this market, the Blink cameras follow an intuitive setup that more often than not consists of scanning a QR code, naming the cameras, and post-obit in-app instructions to sync the photographic camera to your smartphone via the Blink Home Monitoring app.
The simply cameras I can recall that had an easier setup were from Wyze Cams. If you're into elementary wireless tech, you lot'll appreciate Blink and Wyze. Not only do they resemble each other somewhat in appearance, the cameras also cost less than much of the competition. Y'all tin detect much more on Wyze in my easily-on Wyze Cam review.
But as far as setting up a Blink camera, it's pretty hard to mess this part upward, since you're talking nearly a relatively elementary slice of tech and an equally uncomplicated, intuitive app (see more Glimmer app images beneath). But I do think information technology'due south worth emphasizing non to rush through this process. The setup process is a actually adept time to get to know your camera and make it work for your space, so take your time and take patience here.
Glimmer App – Video History
It'southward not simply about entering Wi-Fi passwords and allowing your telephone (or Alexa device) to pair with the cameras; I'g talking about things like motion sensitivity, which is a key tool in making sure you lot don't become false or unwanted alerts; or adjusting the infrared LEDs to make sure the camera'due south dark vision is articulate and glare-free.
Those are adjustments you generally won't know you lot need to brand until you lot've set up the whole system and have made your fashion through the app. But once you do, you lot'll see a much better performing photographic camera system, and more insightful alerts.
Glimmer Mini – No Stand
Every bit for installing Blink, the cameras all echoed pretty much the same installation and setup process. The merely exception is the Blink Mini, which is essentially a miniature of the Glimmer Indoor but with wired installation instead of a bombardment. You'll learn more than about each camera's nuances and quirks in simply a moment, only for at present, allow'south just say this: It'due south non every mean solar day yous can say you lot installed a whole system of security cameras in under 30 minutes.
Pro Tip: If you're looking for home security with a lot of customization, Glimmer might non exist the best fit. Instead, Vivint, a professionally monitored arrangement, might suit you better. Cheque out our hands-on Vivint system review.
Next, we'll dive into the Blink arrangement a chip more than, camera past camera.
Just first, hither's a brief look at Blink's stats, including how nosotros review them:
Blink Camera Features
| Days Tested | 50+ |
| No. of Cameras | iii |
| All-time Nugget | Easy Installation |
| Video Resolution | 1080p HD |
| Toll | $34.99+ |
With that, we'll begin our easily-on feel with the smallest in the agglomeration: Blink Mini.
Blink Mini Camera: The Full Experience
Blink Mini on Table
It might not look like much, only Blink Mini is a powerful tool in any abode security toolbox. Information technology did a groovy job taking care of the basics, and all in all, you can't actually expect more than the nuts out of a camera that'due south but $35.
My tests of Blink Mini centered around home entryways. Like all Blink cams, Glimmer Mini runs on fluid video, significant it regularly fluctuates from higher (1080p) to lower video resolutions to allow it to run more than smoothly and without gaps in your timeline. So the get-go thing to annotation: You won't find much to gripe about in terms of video quality. This photographic camera won't allow you lot downward there.
Movement Sensitivity
Every bit you'll learn in my in-depth Blink Mini camera review, the sensitivity slider in the Blink app will be your friend. Here, you can choose a lower setting to reduce the barrage of alerts you might be getting in the initial feel. This is a good time to decide if you'd rather avoid getting alerts when, say, a car shines its headlights through your front door window. Those are by and large a nuisance, you'll notice, and tend to detract from the real reason you lot added cameras in the outset place: to go on your home prophylactic.
Blink Mini and Stand
That's one affair to recall nigh Blink cameras: They're quite sensitive compared to their peers. In a contempo review of Canary cameras, for instance, I actually had to turn the sensitivity up in the Canary app to start getting any alerts at all. Conspicuously, a little tweaking goes a long style in these cameras.
Self-Monitoring With Mini
Self-monitoring is a breeze with Blink Mini thanks to the app, so you lot can easily spring betwixt checking live view and looking back at footage history. And, yous don't even need the Blink sync module to control the Blink Mini via your phone; this i works just fine directly over the internet.
FYI: Blink Mini is a smashing option for those who merely need add-on equipment for an existing Blink system. But go along in mind, this also means you'll accept to re-enter your Wi-Fi credentials if you want to move the Blink Mini to a unlike location.
Wired Installation
The only gripe I had nearly Blink Mini, for the nigh part, is that it's wired. Simply that'southward besides why it's a cheaper camera than its siblings. To avert a hassle, just program on displaying it close to a wall outlet. You know, instead of continuing on a ladder yelling, "Anyone got an extension string?" for 10 minutes until someone answers. (Nosotros've all been there, right?)
Blink Mini with Stand up
Here's the bottom line on Glimmer Mini: While it might be small and express in features, it still packs the power and convenience of Blink'due south other two devices thanks to a potent and intuitive app. That makes it a pretty worthwhile addition to the system.
That said, if you lot're looking for slick features like activity zones, person detection, and motion tracking, my Google Nest Cam review is another great place to expect. Sure, those are considerably pricier cameras, but y'all're getting much more in features and tech. You'll even get AI-powered facial recognition if yous upgrade to the Nest Cam IQ devices. Just something to consider.
Glimmer Indoor Photographic camera
At less than 3 inches tall, Blink Indoor is as modest as it is unimposing. But with the convenience of wire-free setup, you're besides getting more flexibility than you lot'd go from Ring Indoor, another Amazon-branded photographic camera. Read my total Ring Indoor camera review for more.
Video Settings and Motion Detection
This security photographic camera also made a great hallway monitor when I tested the Blink Indoor photographic camera. The Hard disk video quality and motility detection were pinnacle-notch; nighttime vision, nonetheless, isn't every bit stiff in Glimmer cameras as those in an Arlo photographic camera organization with full color night vision. Arlo cameras are some of the best in the biz, but I've establish that this feature isn't quite every bit important in indoor cameras as outdoor ones.
Field of View
There is one thing lacking in Glimmer cameras, and that's field of view. At 110 degrees, Blink Indoor'south viewing angle is somewhat narrower than other cameras. By at present, information technology's more common to come across cameras that stretch out up to 160 degrees, as noted in my full unpacking of the Arlo Pro 3 cameras.
Blink Indoor Camera
Now, as helpful as such an upgrade might be, we practice want to Now, equally helpful as such an upgrade might be, I exercise want to point out that a wider field of view isn't ever meliorate. Y'all're more than probable to find pros and cons for each configuration. Since Blink uses narrow-angle lenses in their cameras, they're best suited for monitoring specific targets, such as doorways and entrances, because objects will announced larger and more than detailed within the paradigm. In cameras with wide-bending lenses,3 objects appear smaller, and yous might come across some occasional distortions forth the edges of the frame during recording.
That said, if a wide-angle lens camera sounds appealing to y'all, take a peek at my Amcrest camera review, where y'all'll learn about a pair of solid devices with wider viewing angles, and better night vision, too.
Managing Recordings With Blink Indoor
Moving over to the camera'due south video history, you'll similar how Blink automatically produces a highlight reel of each day'southward action; this is really helpful in a pinch. You can sit down at the end of the day and, rather than poring through hours of footage you missed when you were out of the house, you can pull up i of these highlight reels to go a frame-by-frame overview of the twenty-four hours.
This clip above is an example of Glimmer's highlight reel. I run across this is another effort on Blink's role to make their cameras as convenient as possible – and an impressive addition, considering the depression toll.
And in another nod to Blink's energy efficiency, the Blink Indoor has a depression-power way to conserve battery life. The only difference in using this mode, in my tests, was nearly three-five seconds of delay from the time motion began to the time the photographic camera began recording. Generally, that's a negligible filibuster.
At $79, Blink Indoor is priced competitively, specially when you consider all that'due south included in a kit: One Glimmer Indoor photographic camera, i Glimmer Sync Module ii, durable mounting hardware, and four long-lasting AA batteries.
Blink Indoor Equipment
It's a generous package, and with everything Blink has to offer, the photographic camera however handles exceptionally well.
Glimmer Outdoor Camera
Blink Outdoor – Installed
Turning to Blink's defended outdoor camera, information technology'due south evident immediately that this ane was congenital to be discreet. It only comes in all-black, every bit opposed to the black-and-white indoor cam. As far as aesthetics, it's got a sleek terminate and takes the aforementioned minimalistic cues as Indoor. In fact, yous're talking about the same camera, essentially, equally Indoor, only with a tougher (IP65) conditions rating.
Night Vision With Blink
At the risk of rehashing old grievances, night vision was pretty weak in my hands-on Blink Outdoor camera experience. In an outdoor camera, this is a chip of a letdown.
You'll find better night vision in one of the Ezviz cameras I reviewed recently, just generally, a camera with exceptional dark vision needs some integrated lighting feature to do its best work. (Visit my Reolink Argus 3 Pro review for a really stellar night vision experience.)
Smart Home Limitations
Folks with smart abode devices might be somewhat disappointed past the options Blink offers to integrate their cameras with non-Amazon devices. Since it'southward an Amazon brand, Glimmer doesn't integrate quite every bit seamlessly with Google Dwelling house devices, so you won't be able to say, "OK Google, show me my patio" and similar voice commands to control the cameras.
Blink Mini on Alexa
Amazon Alexa users, on the other mitt, should be pretty delighted. If you lot're taking an impromptu trip out of state in the near time to come, you can use the Alexa app to check the temperature in your home (via a Nest thermostat) and, at the same time, peek into the Blink Indoor camera to make certain the dog sitter has shown upwards. Actions like this are a quick, efficient fashion to get peace of mind when you can't exist dwelling house.
Of grade, you lot've got plenty of other choices if yous're looking for cameras that do integrate with multiple platforms in improver to Alexa, similar Google Home, IFTTT, and Samsung SmartThings. In my latest review of Reolink's cameras, integrations were a bit easier thanks to a smart dwelling tab in their mobile app. This way, almost every photographic camera Reolink makes (and there are many) can exist fed into a smart home ecosystem with little fuss, with enough of cross-platform functionality to kicking.
FYI: Affordable and simple as they may be, Blink cameras are pretty weak when information technology comes to automating with non-Amazon devices. Some brands don't always play dainty with each other; read our comprehensive home automation guide to larn more.
Smart domicile challenges aside, Glimmer Outdoor redeems itself in other areas, exhibiting the same strengths that made me a fan of the make in the starting time place: Fluid video resolution at upwards to 1080p; seamless ii-way talk; customizable motility detection; and that piece of cake installation Blink is famous for.
Blink XT2 Camera
Glimmer XT2
Earlier Blink Indoor and Outdoor, there was Blink XT2, a camera kit that goes indoors or out. The brand has discontinued it and considers the two offshoots a suitable replacement. Information technology looks, feels, and works just like the sometime two, which means you'll have no trouble getting information technology upwardly and running and putting it through all sorts of tests and simulations. Merely these days, you might have trouble finding one in stock anywhere. You're better off taking a look at the latest releases in Blink's inventory instead.
A Note on Blink and Pet Monitoring
Before pivoting into pricing and storage options on Blink, I think information technology'south worth pointing out that these cameras are non ideal as pet monitors. While they're pretty sensitive to most types of motility out of the box, in my tests, none of the Blink cameras were triggered by the family dog, as wiggly and rambunctious as he is. It could exist that more than fine-tuning in the app is needed to remedy this, merely it could also exist that this $80 camera simply isn't strong in this way, and that'due south totally okay.
Blink Sync Module
Fortunately, there'southward a camera or two out there that handles this much better. As noted when I tested and reviewed YI's Abode 3 camera, the camera seemed to enjoy sending entertaining recordings of said pup in all sorts of precarious positions – no app tinkering needed. Keep in listen, too, this camera costs $xx, so at that place isn't much tinkering to be done, anyway.
Who knows, maybe the dog ate jumping beans that twenty-four hours. But it's just something yous might pick upwardly from time to time when comparing dwelling security companies. Motion sensors sometimes work in mysterious means.
Blink Twenty-four hour period Vision
Snapshot of Blink'due south Pricing
When comparing pricing in security cameras, I e'er like to get-go with a disclaimer: You do get what you pay for, and so choose wisely. Blink is far from the cheapest photographic camera brand y'all'll find out there, as the industry is brimming with low-toll cameras these days. Some folks might bristle at paying $100 for a Glimmer camera, but go along in mind that this is a solid bombardment-powered camera, the likes of which usually isn't bachelor for under $100.
Of course, you could always go with the Blink Mini if yous'd rather save on equipment costs – for $35, Mini is an all-around good camera.
Beneath is a snapshot of pricing for Blink cameras, keeping in mind that the cameras also come in 2-, 3-, and five-pack systems, if you cull. Feel free to check out my Blink Camera pricing page for more than info, and while yous're at it, caput over to the latest rundown of Glimmer Prime Day deals and discounts.
Blink'due south Latest Pricing Overview:
| Blink Model | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Glimmer Indoor | $79.99 |
|
| Blink Outdoor | $99.99 |
|
| Blink Mini | $34.99 |
|
Video Storage Options
Glimmer Sync Module
Since Blink has discontinued their free cloud storage pick, you're at present left with two options to store video history with Blink: A basic plan, for $3 per month, and a premium option for $ten per calendar month.
These costs are pretty well aligned with Blink'southward close competitors. Swann'south $5-per-month plan, for instance, offers basic storage but non too many of the extras Blink includes in their subscriptions. With everything you lot'll arrive an affordable Blink system, I don't think paying $iii per month to store videos (or $thirty for the whole year) is stretching it.
Here's a breakup of Blink's storage costs, keeping in mind that yous likewise have the pick to attach a hard drive to your Blink sync module to store video on your own:
Blink Cloud Storage Plans
| Blink Plans | Basic | Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Motion-Activated Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Live Streaming | Yeah | Yes |
| Video History | lx Days | threescore Days |
| 2-Way Talk | Yep | Yes |
| 10% off Blink Products | No | Yes |
| Warranty | one year | As long as subscription is active |
| Number of Cameras | 1 | Unlimited |
| Price | $3 per month | $10 per month |
Our Final Verdict on Blink Cameras
Blink Mini (left) and Blink Indoor (right) Cameras
With Glimmer, you're promised a hassle-gratis experience, and you'll get one. Indeed, these cameras are nothing if non consistent. For folks who don't feel comfy around security equipment or just don't have the time to larn and interact with applied science, Blink is a consistent leader.
Equally a basic organization for video surveillance, Blink handles like a charm, delivering the kind of low-maintenance experience more than and more users crave. I enjoyed the no-frills approach, and having lots of flexibility to arrange and tweak settings to accommodate the cameras to their surroundings. Information technology's clear to me that Blink understands this, but with a limited viewing bending and poor nighttime vision, it'due south still worth remembering that these are "budget" cameras. (That's not a bad thing, though. Cheque out our all-time cheap security camera roundup for more on that.)
That said, Blink cameras still go my ii thumbs up as an ideal pick for the tech-averse crowd.
FAQs about Blink Cameras
How long do Blink camera batteries concluding?
With the extended-life batteries included in every Glimmer photographic camera (except Blink Mini), y'all'll get nearly two years of battery life with typical use. From what I've seen, that's a whole lot of battery life in 1 accuse.
Do Blink cameras automate with smart home devices?
Since they're owned past the same company, Blink and Alexa play well together. You lot can set up your Blink cameras to apply vocalism commands through an Amazon Echo. It does not work every bit smoothly with Google Assistant, though.
Does Blink have color night vision?
No. Blink cameras apply standard infrared night vision that is not colorized, and so you lot'll become a pretty grainy picture at night.
Can I plug in a Glimmer camera?
Yep. The cameras have USB ports, and a ability cord is included in the box, in instance you lot'd rather wire the cameras for continuous use.
Are Blink cameras inexpensive?
While not the cheapest camera on the market, Blink is generally considered an affordable brand. Their most expensive camera is $100, which isn't bad for a battery-powered camera.
How does the Blink sync module work?
The Sync Module is a minor, shallow box that comes with the Glimmer Indoor and Blink Outdoor cameras. The module receives information from Blink servers through your home Wi-Fi, and sends notifications to our telephone. Cameras receive information from the Sync Module, then transport images and notifications through your Wi-Fi. You can likewise use the Sync Module to attach an external hard drive via USB.
Source: https://www.safehome.org/home-security-cameras/blink/reviews/
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