A Brief Background
Ring and Blink have taken two different approaches within the home security camera market, despite both being owned by Amazon.
Ring exploded in popularity as the first company to truly mainstream the video doorbell. Expanding rapidly from there into all-encompassing smart home security, Ring aims to provide easy-to-install systems that integrate with your smartphone and smart assistant for whole-home coverage.
Blink, on the other hand, targets budget-focused consumers who prioritize affordability and simplicity from their home security cameras and systems. With versatile wireless cameras and free cloud storage options, Blink removes complexity to offer straight-forward indoor/outdoor monitoring.
While Ring offers more robust features and pro monitoring services, Blink‘s cameras deliver impressive capabilities considering models start under $100. This comparison guide will analyze the key strengths and limitations of both brands.
Camera and Hardware Options
The most noticeable difference between Blink and Ring product lines is that Ring offers comprehensive whole-home security with video doorbells, indoor/outdoor cameras, alarm systems and more. Blink focuses specifically on wireless cameras for affordability and flexibility.
Video Doorbells
Ring popularized smart video doorbells with internet-connected HD cameras, motion alerts, two-way talk and integration with other smart devices. Ring‘s newest Video Doorbell Pro 2 captures head-toe view in 1536p HD with enhanced night vision and 3D motion detection.
Blink more recently launched its long-awaited Video Doorbell model in late 2021. The Blink Video Doorbell is wireless, runs on two AA lithium batteries, and starts under $50 – making it one of the most affordable options available. However, resolution maxes out at 1080p and lacks some of Ring‘s advanced detection capabilities.
Indoor/Outdoor Cameras
Ring offers various indoor/outdoor camera models including Stick Up Cams powered by battery/solar/AC power, Floodlight Cams with ultra bright LEDs, and Indoor Cams optimized for room monitoring. Video resolution reaches up to 1080p HD quality with 140° field of view on outdoor models.
Almost all of Blink‘s security cameras are designed for both indoor and outdoor usage, with the exception of its Mini line intended solely for indoor monitoring. The 1080p Blink Outdoor camera is weather-resistant and powered by two AA lithium batteries lasting up to 2 years.
Alarm Systems
Ring Alarm brings professional monitoring with 24/7 emergency police, fire and medical dispatch, cellular backup to prevent outages, optional Alexa Guard+ with smart alerts, and comprehensive components like smoke detectors, sensors, keypads and more.
Conversely, Blink focuses solely on security cameras and does not offer any first-party home alarm systems or extended monitoring services. This gives Ring a notable advantage for customers wanting a complete DIY home security platform beyond basic cameras.
Installation and Setup Process
Installing Blink and Ring hardware is designed to be DIY-friendly for most homeowners without requiring professional installation. Both brands offer wireless cameras powered by battery or solar eliminating the need for electrical wiring.
Ring cameras come equipped with mounting screws, plates and brackets in the box for versatile placement. Blink has introduced new Outdoor Mount accessories to easily install cameras under eaves. Connecting devices to WiFi can be done in as little as 5 minutes directly from your smartphone app.
For hardwired video doorbells and wired security cameras, the installation process is moderately more difficult. This requires correctly wiring power cables to an existing doorbell chime or nearby power outlet source – a job some homeowners prefer to hire out.
Winner: Draw
Video and Image Quality
While 1080p HD resolution has become standard, only Ring‘s priciest Pro 2 Model reaches higher video quality at 1536p. For their cost, both Blink and Ring cameras produce good color night vision, crisp imagery during daylight, and decent 130°-140° viewing angles for most home security needs.
However, Blink cameras strangely lack basic zoom capabilities that Ring does provide within its mobile app. This limits examining footage up-close when incidents occur far distances away.
Winner: Ring
Motion Detection, Notifications and Field of View
Detecting movement and sending alerts instantly to your smartphone plays a crucial role in home monitoring. Ring developed intelligent computer vision specifically to recognize people versus general motion. This reduces unwanted notifications like trees blowing or cars driving by.
Blink cameras send motion alerts with decent accuracy, but lacks smart AI and person detection resulting in excess alerts. Field of view is slightly wider on Ring devices topping out at 160° diagonal compared to Blink‘s 125° which captures more areas.
Winner: Ring
Smart Home Integration
With Amazon owning both companies, Ring and Blink offer tight integration with Alexa devices and routines for hands-free voice control. You can view live camera feeds on Echo Show screens, leverage Alexa Guard to listen for smoke/CO2 alarms or breaking glass when you‘re away, set up announcements when doors open or motion triggers, and more.
Ring provides additional support for third-party platforms like IFTTT plus Works with Ring partner integrations connecting with smart lights, locks, alarms and more. Blink focuses mainly on internal Amazon-owned ecosystems when it comes to smart home compatibility.
Winner: Ring
Local Storage vs Cloud Storage
A key area where Blink pulls ahead is local storage built directly into Sync Module 2 hub devices supporting up to 256GB via USB stick or hard drive. This means video clips remain stored entirely offline without relying on cloud plans. Ring offers no local storage capabilities at all with videos exclusively saved through cloud subscriptions only.
Both brands provide free cloud storage for short event clip storage without any monthly fees. Ring includes rolling 24-hour event timelines while Blink‘s cloud goes up to 7 days. For longer 30+ day archiving Blink provides paid cloud plans ($3-$10 month) with Ring‘s subscription model being the only option.
Winner: Blink
Subscription Plans and Pricing
Ring Protect basic plans start at $3 per month to add 30-days of video recording and sharing for one camera. Ring Protect Plus covers every camera at a property for $10 monthly. This adds benefits like extended warranties and product discounts. Upgrading to the Ring Protect Pro plan ($20 month) bundles in professional monitoring, cellular backup for the Ring Alarm system and other premium perks.
By comparison, Blink‘s paid cloud storage subscriptions are more simplified without offering professional monitoring extras. The Blink Basic Plan covers one camera for $3 monthly while the Blink Plus plan covers every camera you own for $10 per month. Local USB storage remains free for offline access.
Winner: Toss Up – Ring provides robust monitoring services but Blink offers cheaper camera-only plans
Reliability and Customer Support
Both Blink and Ring cameras deliver reliable connectivity when set up properly with consistent video quality. Being wireless devices relying on WiFi and batteries, placement is important for best results. Connection issues or bugs commonly stem from shoddy internet connections, congested networks, distance from routers and environmental interference.
Ring appears to have achieved greater system stability through its years in the market while Blink still grapples with some lingering software problems for newer early adopter customers. However, both brands offer responsive customer support channels to swiftly address technical problems.
Winner: Ring
Final Verdict: Key Use Cases and Our Recommendation
For whole-home monitoring with professional smart security, Ring simply offers the best end-to-end platform including cameras, alarm components and insightful monitoring tools. The ecosystem provides comprehensive protection that serious homeowners demand.
Blink wireless cameras cater best for basic video coverage with remarkably long battery life at affordable prices. They work great as standalone cameras or supplementing more advanced systems. Limited smart detection and local storage offer pros for privacy-focused consumers too.
In summary, for an easy-to-install camera on a budget for low-maintenance protection, choose Blink. If you want a full-scale DIY home security system with high-end features, Ring remains the best option. Both serve great purposes in keeping your property protected with advantages unique to each brand.
