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How do we test smart home security systems?
We conduct extensive research and analysis on smart home security products from Blink to provide tips and recommendations on the best setup for your home, and what to consider when engaging in the world of smart home security.
How does a smart home security system work?
Smart home security systems have gained significant popularity since their inception. Once considered a costly luxury technology requiring installation by professionals, they are now user-friendly and convenient, providing an extra layer of protection for homeowners.
Advancements in technology allow smart home security systems to connect with smartphones, tablets, and computers, offering remote access, control, and monitoring of smart home security devices. Modern products provide more convenience than traditional security systems and enhanced protection, with the ability to check on your property from anywhere in the world. Increased connectivity enables compatibility with popular voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant/Google Home, and Apple HomeKit, creating a useful and practical system for homeowners.
Blink, like many of its competitors, offers live streaming from devices, real-time instant alerts, and local or cloud storage, giving homeowners more visibility into who is at their home and the ability to respond quickly to emergencies. Advanced features such as high-definition video, night vision, and motion detection enhance security and access, providing users with a comprehensive and secure experience.
Overview of Blink
Blink has established a strong foothold in the home security systems industry; it was founded in 2009 by Immedia Semiconductor Inc., and the company originally grew through a Kickstarter campaign in 2014 to fund its first indoor security camera.
Thereafter, Blink expanded its product line, releasing a video doorbell and an outdoor security camera within three years. After being acquired by Amazon in 2017, the company developed more products, including a compact indoor security camera and various accessories, including floodlights and solar panels, enhancing its position in the smart home security market.
Smart home security systems like Blink provide a high level of security and protection, as products like outdoor cameras and video doorbells offer easy monitoring of access points, helping to deter crime and enabling quick responses from emergency services. Furthermore, features like night vision, motion alerts, and video recording give homeowners more ways to remotely monitor their properties, providing peace of mind when they’re away at work or on vacation.
Quick Review
Rating: ★★★★
Blink is a reliable and user-friendly brand in home security that offers a wide range of affordable products. The devices include indoor and outdoor cameras, video doorbells, and accessories such as solar panels and floodlights, all of which can be controlled via the Blink app or Blink Sync Module 2.
With a focus on DIY installation and affordable pricing, Blink provides a straightforward solution for those on a budget or living in rented accommodations who want to enhance their home security.
How we test smart home security systems
We conducted research and testing on several home security systems to provide fair, objective, and accurate recommendations. We compare products, features, quality, and costs alongside what others in the industry say and how customers have reviewed their experiences.
Our rating for the Blink review was determined based on the following categories: reputation and credibility, security and performance, features, plans and pricing, customer experience.
We
We study 35 elements within these categories including: monitoring services and types of contracts, data backup and storage, warranties, flexibility/customization in packages, quality (image, sound, product), installation.
All our articles about home security are vetted by our internal fact-checking team to provide consumers with the knowledge they need to make an informed, reliable, and up-to-date decision. For more information, read our article on how to review home security systems.
How does a smart home security system work?
Smart home security systems have gained popularity since their invention. Once considered a costly luxury technology requiring professional installation, they are now user-friendly, convenient, and provide an extra layer of protection for homeowners.
Advancements in technology allow smart home security systems to connect to smartphones, tablets, and computers, providing remote access, control, and monitoring for smart home security devices. Modern products offer more convenience than traditional security systems and enhanced protection, with the ability to check the status of your property from anywhere in the world. Increased connectivity enables compatibility with popular voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant/Google Home, and Apple HomeKit, creating a useful and practical system for homeowners.
Blink offers, like many of its competitors, live streaming from devices and real-time notifications, along with local or cloud storage, giving homeowners more visibility into who is in their home and the ability to respond quickly to emergencies. Advanced features like HD video, night vision, and motion detection enhance security and access, providing users with a comprehensive and secure experience.
Overview of Blink
The cost of equipment includes: prices range from £29.99 for integrated indoor security cameras, £69.99 for wireless indoor security cameras, £89.99 for wireless outdoor security cameras, £59.99 for video doorbell cameras, to £124.98 for flood cameras. The monthly cost includes: £2.50 for the basic Blink plan (one device) and £8 for the Blink Plus plan (unlimited devices).
How does Blink compare with its competitors?
Compared to SimpliSafe, Ring, ADT, and Verisure, Ring offers the cheapest subscription fees with no contract, while ADT and Verisure require a minimum monthly commitment – the former for 36 months and the latter for six months.
Blink does not offer traditional smart home security packages in the same way as its competitors – instead, users are encouraged to create custom packages that fit their needs, although some packages can be purchased together.
How much does Blink home security cost?
Unlike other home security brands, Blink does not offer comprehensive smart home security packages. Instead, you can create custom packages and integrate additional products as needed, making Blink more suitable for those with specific security needs.
Since Blink packages are not available, the cost of home security from Blink can vary greatly, allowing you to choose the products you need more freely. Blink regularly offers discounts on individual products and smaller packages as well.
This solution would be best for those on a budget, or for those looking for individual components. If you are looking for a comprehensive home security solution, it is advisable to consider SimpliSafe, Ring, ADT, and Verisure, all of which offer home security packages that cover user requirements more broadly.
Overview of Equipment
All Blink products come with the necessary components for self-installation. Most products are battery-operated and easy to use, with additional accessories like solar power or flood lights that can also be easily installed.
Our experts analyze the Blink catalog to provide an overview of each device.
Blink Sync Module 2
The Blink Sync Module 2 acts as the hub for your entire home security network (Blink)
The Sync Module 2 serves as the hub for your home security network, connecting all your Blink devices under one umbrella. You’ll need to connect it to a constant power outlet and a stable Wi-Fi connection. It is also required to control some Blink products.
Blink Indoor Camera
The Blink Indoor Camera can be used to monitor indoors, such as the entryway or living room (Blink)
The Blink Indoor Camera features a strong battery life of up to two years, offers HD video recording, and has a 110-degree field of view. It can be mounted on a surface or wall, works with Amazon Alexa, and comes with two-way audio, along with motion detection alerts.
Blink Mini Camera
The Blink Mini Camera is the only wired camera from the company. The high-definition camera utilizes night vision, with motion detection and two-way audio, allowing you to check on pets or family members while you’re away from home.
Blink Mini Pan Tilt Camera
The Blink Mini Pan Tilt Camera provides a more comprehensive view of the room through pan and tilt functionality (Blink)
The Pan Tilt Mini Camera can be purchased with or without the Blink Indoor Camera, but it only works with that model. It provides 360-degree coverage of the room, and videos can be viewed on your smartphone, tablet, or compatible Alexa device. It has a diagonal angle of 110 degrees and a pan range of 350 degrees and a tilt range of 125 degrees, which can be adjusted via the Blink app.
Blink Outdoor Camera
The Blink Outdoor Camera has a weather-resistant casing to protect it from harsh weather conditions (Blink)
The Blink Outdoor Camera is designed to monitor the exterior of your home and comes with HD video recording with a 110-degree field of view. It runs on two AA batteries for up to two years and is easy to use, requiring no professional installation. It features two-way talk, customizable motion detection, along with infrared night vision.
Blink Solar Panel Mount
The Blink Solar Panel Mount means you won’t have to remember to change the batteries for your Blink Outdoor Camera frequently (Blink)
The Blink Solar Panel Mount works in conjunction with the Blink Outdoor Camera to provide an additional power source. It requires no drilling or screws, with an option to mount it directly to the camera unit or place it nearby (within 60 cm).
Blink Floodlight Mount
The bright lights on the Blink Floodlight Mount act as a deterrent for potential intruders (Blink)
Compatible with the Blink Outdoor Camera, the Floodlight Mount provides a lighting source of up to 700 lumens (lm) of motion-activated light. It can be mounted by hook on plastic surfaces, but will require drilling on other surfaces.
Blink Video Doorbell
The Blink Video Doorbell features two-way talk so you can communicate with anyone at your door, even when you are away from home (Blink)
The Blink Video Doorbell can be installed as a wired or wireless security camera, where the wireless model does not provide audible sound unless paired with the Blink Mini Camera. Both models require two AA batteries to operate – the wired model connects only to your doorbell system – with the installation kit and required screws provided in the box.
High-definition daytime and nighttime vision is supported, along with two-way talk, motion detection, and smart integration with Amazon Alexa. Using Wi-Fi connectivity, custom alert notifications are sent to your smartphone, tablet, or compatible Amazon Alexa device.
WhatWhat do customers say?
Blink customers in the UK gave a low rating of 1.2 stars out of 5 on Trustpilot, slightly lower than the rating of 1.6 stars from the US.
Negative reviews point to a lack of information regarding product compatibility, mobile app issues, and poor customer service. Positive comments, on the other hand, focus on helpful customer service, impressive image clarity, and app functionality.
It’s important to note that Blink is a subsidiary of Amazon, where most customers leave their reviews on that platform, with only 298 reviews on Trustpilot. Over 128,000 customers have left reviews on Amazon, many of whom leave ratings of four stars or higher.
App Overview
The Blink app allows you to view live shots from your Blink system cameras.
The Blink mobile app is compatible with iOS, Android, and Fire devices. The user interface is easy to navigate, allowing you to access, monitor, and manage your devices remotely.
The Blink app is designed to provide custom control over your home security, including: Voice control: control your Blink devices using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, Live view: view live video streaming from your video doorbells and cameras, Motion notifications: receive immediate notifications when a compatible device detects motion, Two-way talk: communicate with people or pets in your home using built-in microphones and speakers, Video history: share, review, and save recorded videos when using the Blink Basic or Blink Plus plan, Armed and disarmed modes: set and schedule armed and disarmed modes to control the cameras.
Recommended Blink Home Security Bundles
Since Blink does not offer comprehensive home security bundles, our team of experts has compiled the best recommended home security bundles you can create. We considered usage conditions and budget for three typical homeowner scenarios and created bundles that we believe best meet those requirements.
Blink Sync Module 2, Blink Indoor Camera, Blink Outdoor Camera, Blink Video Doorbell: Best for the Average Home in the UK
What you get: 1x Blink Sync Module 2, 1x Blink Indoor Camera, 1x Blink Outdoor Camera, 1x Blink Video Doorbell
Initial cost: £249.96
Monthly fees: £2.50 per device for the Blink Basic plan (£7.50 total), or £8 for the Blink Plus plan (optional)
This bundle is assembled for the average home in the UK. Families with small children and whose homes are empty during the day due to work or school commitments may find the video doorbell and outdoor security camera useful as they track who enters and exits the home, but they add an extra layer of security and help deter porch crime. We recommend pairing any Blink smart home security bundle with the Blink Sync Module 2, which provides control from a central hub and can locally store videos when a recognized USB is inserted.
The entryway or hallway is the perfect place for an indoor security camera, as it can capture the entry or exit of intruders or residents entering the front door, and an indoor security camera can be a simple way to monitor pets while you are away from home. Depending on the size of the home, multiple Blink indoor cameras may be helpful, especially if you want to monitor what happens on the second floor.
The Blink outdoor camera should capture the driveway or walkway to the front door, and it can be paired with a Blink solar panel mount if you don’t want to rely on battery power. It can also be placed at the back of the house if you wish to monitor alternative access routes.
Provides
This package provides comprehensive coverage for an average home in the UK at a reasonable price. More devices can be added if necessary, but this setup will provide coverage for key entry points and high-traffic areas within the home.
Blink 2 Sync Module, Blink Indoor Camera, Blink Video Doorbell: Best for Apartments and Small Homes
What you get: 1x Blink 2 Sync Module, 1x Blink Indoor Camera, 1x Blink Video Doorbell
Initial cost: £157.97
Monthly fees: £2.50 per device for the Basic Blink Plan (£5 in total), or £8 for the Blink Plus Plan (optional)
Small properties or apartments may not require the same level of protection for peace of mind. The low price and simple installation of these products make them suitable for those on a budget or living in rented accommodations, although you may want to consider mounting the Blink Video Doorbell on an appropriate removable holder.
The video doorbell and indoor security camera will allow you to receive motion alerts for high-traffic areas and the main entry point. For added security, we recommend pairing this package with a Basic or Blink Plus subscription, which allows live video recording and cloud storage for 30 days.
Blink 2 Sync Module, Blink Mini Camera, Blink Indoor Camera, Blink Outdoor Camera, Blink Floodlight Mount, Blink Video Doorbell: Best for Large Homes
What you get: 1x Blink 2 Sync Module, 1x Blink Mini Camera, 1x Blink Indoor Camera, 2x Blink Outdoor Cameras, 1x Blink Floodlight Mount
Initial cost: £404.84
Monthly fees: £2.50 per device for the Basic Blink Plan (£7.50 in total), or £8 for the Blink Plus Plan (optional)
If you live in a larger home, you may want to consider installing additional home security cameras to ensure a high level of security. The two outdoor security cameras can be used to monitor the front and back of the house, with the floodlight mount to enhance visibility at night. The two indoor security cameras can be installed at entry points or in shared areas such as the lounge or hallways, so you know who is coming in and out of the home at any given time.
Although this package is the most expensive recommended by Blink, it will provide the highest level of protection and is more reasonably priced than competitor packages targeting large homes. It’s also worth noting that Amazon regularly discounts Blink products, so you may find the overall initial cost is lower than stated.
Independent Advisor Conclusion
Blink offers a simple solution for home security systems; although ready-made security packages cannot be purchased, the ability to
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/advisor/home-security-systems/blink-home-security-review
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