What are the differences between Blink and Ring, and which is a better fit for you? Both brands offer a variety of security cameras and systems, each claiming to provide the best protection for your home.
We explore the key differences and similarities between Blink and Ring to help you make an informed decision on which security system is best suited for your needs.
Table of Contents
Blink vs Ring Overview
Brand Background
Blink
Blink is a home security camera company founded in 2009 with the goal of providing affordable and easy-to-use home security solutions.
The company offers a range of wireless cameras, including indoor and outdoor options. Some of their notable features include:
- Narrow 110-degree field of view
- Battery life of up to two years
- Local storage option (up to 256 GB through the Sync Module 2)
Ring
Ring was founded in 2013, originally known as Doorbot. The company specializes mainly in video doorbells but also offers security cameras and other smart home devices. Ring’s popular features include:
- Wider field of view on outdoor cameras (compared to Blink’s cameras)
- Battery life of around 6 months with normal use on battery-powered products
- Integration with other smart home devices
Amazon Ownership
Both Blink and Ring are owned by Amazon, which acquired Blink in 2017 and Ring in 2018. This has led to increased integration with Amazon’s smart home ecosystem, particularly Amazon Echo devices. Some benefits of Amazon ownership for both brands include:
- Easy compatibility with Amazon Alexa voice assistant
- Access to Amazon’s resources and support
- Greater ability to compete with other major smart home security providers
Product Offerings
Security Cameras
Blink and Ring offer a variety of security cameras catering to the needs of indoor and outdoor home security. Here is a comparison of some popular models:
Blink security cameras:
| Model | Features |
|---|---|
| Blink Mini | Priced at around $35, this compact indoor camera offers good video quality with a 110º field of view. |
| Blink Indoor | Available at $79 per camera, this model focuses on indoor security and offers bundle savings. |
Ring security cameras:
| Model | Features |
|---|---|
| Ring Indoor Cam | This indoor camera offers a slightly wider field of view at 140º and is available for $60. |
| Ring Spotlight Cam | Designed for outdoor security, this camera offers multiple power options and additional features such as built-in LED lights and a 140º field of view. |
| Ring Floodlight Cam | This outdoor camera provides additional security with its floodlight feature, illuminating the surrounding area when motion is detected. |
Both Blink and Ring cover indoor, outdoor, and floodlight camera categories. The major difference is that Blink mainly emphasizes battery life, while Ring focuses on smart home integration.
Video Doorbells
Blink and Ring also offer a range of video doorbells to enhance home security further. Here is a comparison of some popular models:
Blink video doorbell:
| Model | Features |
|---|---|
| Blink Video Doorbell | This is the primary offering from Blink, providing essential video doorbell features at an affordable price. |
Ring video doorbells:
| Model | Features |
|---|---|
| Ring Video Doorbell Wired | This affordable wired option offers essential video doorbell features with the benefit of no battery changes. |
| Ring Video Doorbell 4 | This battery-powered doorbell comes with a range of advanced features, such as Pre-Roll technology, to enhance security. |
| Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 | This premium wired doorbell offers advanced features such as 3D motion detection and a wide field of view. |
Ring has a more extensive selection of video doorbells compared to Blink, catering to various preferences of wired and battery-powered options. Both brands provide adequate security measures, with Ring showing a slight edge in advanced features and smart home integration.
Key Features Comparison
Resolution and Video Quality
Blink and Ring security cameras both offer 1080p video recording, which ensures high-quality footage. While their indoor camera options have an identical 110-degree field of view, Ring’s outdoor cameras have a wider field of view than Blink’s offering.
Night Vision
Both Blink and Ring cameras come equipped with night vision capabilities. This feature allows you to keep an eye on your property even in low-light or dark conditions.
Two-Way Audio Communication
Each brand has cameras with built-in two-way audio communication. This enables you to communicate with people on your property or alert potential intruders.
Local Storage and Cloud Storage Options
Blink offers local storage of up to 265 GB through the Sync Module 2. Both companies also provide cloud storage subscription options.
Battery Life and Power Options
All Blink cameras are wireless, except for the Blink Mini, which needs an outlet. Ring offers cameras powered by rechargeable batteries (lasting up to a year), power cords, or solar power.
Smart Home Integration
Blink and Ring security cameras integrate with popular smart home systems like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This lets you control your cameras with voice commands for added convenience.
Mobile App and Control
Both Blink and Ring have companion smartphone apps that allow you to monitor and control your cameras remotely. You can view live footage, receive motion alerts, and manage settings from your device.
Weatherproof and Outdoor Capabilities
Blink’s only outdoor wireless camera competes with Ring’s Stick Up Cam, both offering weatherproof features for reliable outdoor use.
By comparing key features like resolution, night vision, storage options, and smart home integration, you can make an informed decision on the best security camera system for your needs.
Price and Subscription Plans Comparison
Equipment Pricing
Blink and Ring security cameras have different pricing structures based on their features and models. Here’s a brief overview of their equipment pricing:
| Model | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Blink Indoor | Retails for $79 per camera, but you can save up to $100 or more by purchasing 2-camera, 3-camera, or 5-camera kits. |
| Blink Outdoor | Pricing varies depending on the model and features. You can find single cameras, as well as 2, 3, and 5-camera bundles with discounts. |
| Ring Alarm | Has a variety of camera models with prices ranging from $99 for a single Ring Stick Up Cam Battery to more expensive options like the Ring Floodlight Cam, which costs around $249. |
Monthly Subscription Plans
Both Blink and Ring offer subscription plans that provide cloud storage and extra features for their security cameras. Here’s a comparison of their monthly subscription plans:
Blink Subscription Plans
| Plan | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Blink Basic | $3 per month for a single camera, and covers 30 days of cloud storage. You also get various video recording features and alerts. |
| Blink Plus | $10 per month (or $100/year) for unlimited cameras at one location. It includes 60 days of rolling cloud storage, local storage option, and 10% off Blink devices. |
Ring Subscription Plans
| Plan | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Ring Protect Basic | $3 per month (or $30/year) per camera. It includes 60 days of video history, video saving and sharing features, and snapshot capture. |
| Ring Protect Plus | $10 per month (or $100/year) for unlimited cameras at a single location. It covers all the Basic plan features, plus 24/7 professional monitoring, extended warranties for devices, and a 10% discount on future purchases. |
In summary, Blink and Ring offer competitive pricing on their security cameras and subscription plans, providing customers with flexibility and affordability when building their home security systems. Both also provide various options for cloud storage coverage, ensuring your data is securely stored and accessible.
Ease of Installation and Setup
DIY vs Professional Installation
Both Blink and Ring security cameras are designed for easy DIY installation, eliminating the need for professional assistance. This allows users to save on installation costs and easily move or reposition the cameras as needed.
Wired Camera Setup
Ring offers both wired and wireless camera options. For wired cameras, users will need to connect the camera to an electrical outlet, which may require some drilling or cable management. However, installation is still relatively simple and can be done without professional help.
Wireless Camera Setup
All Blink cameras, except for the Blink Mini, are completely wireless, making installation even more straightforward.
They are battery-powered, with a battery life of up to two years. Ring also offers wireless cameras, powered by batteries that can last up to one year, solar panels, or cords.
Wireless cameras can be easily mounted on walls or other surfaces with minimal tools required.
Setup Process
Setting up both Blink and Ring cameras is user-friendly and involves pairing the devices with their respective smartphone apps.
The apps guide users through the process, making it quick and efficient.
Once the cameras are connected to the home network, they can be easily adjusted, monitored, and controlled via the apps.
In summary, both Blink and Ring security cameras offer easy DIY installation and setup for wired and wireless options.
Their user-friendly apps make the process simple for homeowners, without the need for professional assistance.
Pros and Cons
Blink Advantages and Disadvantages
| Blink Pros | Blink Cons |
|---|---|
| Battery Life: Blink’s battery life is up to two years, which is significantly longer than Ring’s battery-powered products, which last about 6 months with normal use. | Field of View: Blink’s cameras have a narrower field of view (110 degrees) compared to Ring’s outdoor cameras, which offer a wider field of view (up to 160 degrees). |
| Affordability: Blink Mini, priced around $35, is cheaper than Ring Indoor Cam and offers similar video quality. | Sync Module: To use Blink cameras, users need to have a separate Sync Module, adding an extra piece of hardware to their setup. |
| Limited Smart Home Integration: In terms of smart home automation options, Blink falls short compared to Ring when it comes to the variety of integrations, specifically with Amazon Alexa. |
Ring Advantages and Disadvantages
| Ring Pros | Ring Cons |
|---|---|
| Wider Field of View: Ring cameras offer a wider field of view (up to 160 degrees) for their outdoor cameras, providing better coverage than Blink’s 110-degree FOV. | Battery Life: Ring’s battery-powered products last about 6 months with normal use, which is much shorter than Blink’s two-year battery life. |
| Amazon Alexa Integration: Ring’s products are easily integrated with Amazon Alexa, enhancing the overall user experience with smart home capabilities. | Higher Price: Ring’s Indoor Cam, priced at $59.99, is more expensive than Blink’s indoor security camera, which is priced at $34.99. |
| Professional Monitoring: Ring’s professionally monitored security system, Ring Alarm, provides a comprehensive home security setup not offered by Blink. |
Summary
Blink and Ring both offer reliable home security camera options, each with its respective advantages. In this section, we’ll briefly highlight the key differences between their products to help you make an informed decision.
- Field of view: Blink cameras generally have a narrower field of view at 110-degrees, while Ring’s outdoor cameras offer a wider field of view. The indoor cameras for both brands are similar in this aspect.
- Pricing and subscriptions: Blink cameras are generally more affordable, with their cloud storage and advanced features requiring monthly or annual subscriptions. Ring experienced a price hike in 2022, making Blink a more budget-friendly option for most users.
- Battery life: Blink boasts a battery life of up to two years, which is significantly longer than Ring’s 6-month battery life for battery-powered products, making Blink cameras more convenient in this regard.
- Smart home integration: For those interested in home automation, Ring is the standout winner, with a wider range of smart home options and compatibility.
In summary, Blink offers a more affordable and longer-lasting battery option, while Ring provides better smart home integration and a wider field of view for outdoor cameras. Consider your unique requirements and preferences when choosing between these two effective home security camera brands.