It’s no secret that home security is a big deal. And if you’re like most people, you’re probably on the lookout for a good, affordable system that will keep your family safe. Having the ability to monitor your property even if you are not there with security cameras is important. And there are two brands that are solid entry-level home security systems: Ring and Blink. But which one should you choose? We break down all the ins and outs as we compare and contrast what you need to look for in an entry-level home security system.
Ring Vs Blink: Comparison
I love entry-level DIY home security systems. Why? One reason is these security cameras and video doorbells cost significantly less than your high-end CCTV systems. Alternatively, they can store video locally, accessible anytime via WiFi. Blink and Ring might be on your radar if you’re looking for easy-to-use DIY home security. Amazon owns both brands, but how do they compare? Ring and Blink differ in their focus.
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At the root of their products is security, but the value prop differs slightly. A Ring Security System combines cameras, doorbells, sensors, and smart lights, while Blink offers affordable cameras. They do have a video floodlight now added to the lineup, but Blink is all about cameras.
Ring Vs Blink: What’s Similar
Both Ring and Blink offer a variety of products and include well-designed features of their product offering. Both are founded on simplicity. Both allow you to easily integrate their devices into existing smart home automation. Here are a handful of other similarities:
- You don’t have to sign long-term contracts. If you want to cancel, you can. If you don’t want a long-term contract or you don’t want to sign up for a plan, you can still use the devices!
- Ring and Blink setup was easy. For ease of use, each brand provided videos and top-notch How-To content.
- A variety of Blink cameras are available. Ring offers multiple indoor and outdoor cameras: the Indoor Cam, Spotlight Cam, and Floodlight Cam.
- Each system lets us monitor our homes using a mobile app. Each app is intuitive and is one you will find yourself using often.
- Both work with Alexa.
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Ring Vs Blink: What’s Different
For all the ways these are the same, there are some differences between Ring and Blink. Most of your differences will reside in the tech and each tech’s purpose. With Ring, you get cameras, lights, sensors, and a hub. You also get additional community features and emergency support. With Blink, it’s just about visual monitoring through cameras. Here are some of the key differences of note:
- Blink offers 30-day refunds. The Ring can’t. However, if you buy from Amazon you will get to take advantage of their 30 days refund policy (make sure you buy from Amazon).
- Cloud storage is available from both companies, but only Blink offers local storage of up to 265 GB, but you have to have the Sync Module 2.
- All Blink cameras are wireless except the Mini. Ring cameras accept batteries, cords, and solar power, and Power modes are even available.
- Blink is about self-monitoring through video. Ring is geared towards whole-home security.
Ring Vs Blink: Streaming Video And Audio
Video and audio quality between Blink and Ring cameras are generally similar. Testing both brands’ products has always shown clear video and audio. Blink and Ring motion-activated cameras capture HD color video during the day. Some Ring and Blink home security cameras include integrated lights to record color video at night.
Blink’s cameras are slightly inferior to Ring’s. First with the view field. Outdoor Ring cameras cover about 140 degrees, while indoor Blink cameras cover 110 degrees. Covering a wider area prevents blind spots. This can be remedied with more cameras, but fewer cameras mean less money in the long run. The two-way audio features for both systems are really good. Having used both of these, I’d say the Ring is slightly better and doesn’t have as much of a feed lag as Blink, but both have great sound quality.
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People Only is also available on Ring’s cameras that only alert you if someone moves. Blink doesn’t offer this feature. Blink does have motion activity and you can set up zones (via a still image), so you can kind of achieve the same effect. But the People only feature on the Ring is solid.
Winner: Ring
Ring Vs Blink: Setup
Blink and Ring work well. Each system took less than an hour to install. For novice users, neither of these DIY home security systems should take more than an hour. If it is, seek their support or opt-in for a professional installation. Professional installation is only available from Ring. I haven’t tried it out, but I do know people who have had Ring professionally installed and it’s done by contracted professionals based on your region. It’s an extra fee, but if you are REALLY green in this setup area…Ring has the edge here.
What To Expect With A Blink Setup
Overall, it’s an easy setup for Blink cameras. You’ll want to sign up for Blink’s subscription plan to unlock all the features of its services. You can get a free trial. We needed a module system too. It’s Sync Module 2 and it supports Blink Minis as well. We plugged in Sync Module 2. After that, we had to set it up our WiFi. This process up to this point took like 15-20 minutes.
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We then set up the cameras. We installed the batteries using the included tool. QR codes connect Sync Modules to the devices. Following the installation process, we renamed the cameras in the app. Went off without a hitch. You can mount all Blink cameras on the wall, table, ceiling, or shelf. We mounted our Blink Indoor at the back of our house and our Blink Outdoor at the front to deter burglars.
Winner: Ring
Ring Vs Blink: Connectivity And Apps
Ring Protect subscribers can also view previous footage captured with the Ring app. You get a similar feature with Blink’s subscription. I’ve tried using both systems without the plans and quite honestly, I really like to be able to look at the footage in the cloud from a month ago. There are ways to store that footage in a NAS device, but that’s for more advanced users and would require you to purchase one like the Synology NAS unit. Additionally, both platforms notify your smartphone with detailed alerts.
Alexa integration is no surprise since Amazon owns both. Alexa-enabled smart speakers let you speak to anyone in the camera’s field of view or make noise when motion is detected. And you can view both feeds on Amazon’s smart displays.
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I love the ability that both systems have with IFTTT. Blink has some quality IFTTT integrations and recipes to take your smart home automation to the next level. You can do things like automatically arm your Blink system when you leave your home or get a text message when motion is detected at night. Don’t fret, Ring has these IFTTT integrations as well. In fact, Ring has a more robust offering when it comes to these automation recipes.
Winner: Ring
Ring’s Professional Monitoring
Professional-grade monitoring is only available on Ring. Ring Protect Plus provides 24/7 monitoring and motion sensors send alerts to the monitoring center in case of a break-in. The Ring has account reps who review alerts and surveillance footage to determine if a home is in danger.
A Side Note About Self-Monitoring
Although you won’t get professional monitoring from service with reps that help you keep your home safe, self-monitoring your home is easy with Blink. Mobile notifications alert you when movement is detected. In response, you can check your recorded clips or log in to see our live stream.
In A Nutshell
Blink and Ring are both simple and effective entry-level home security. With a Blink security camera, you’ll save money and space. On the flip side, Ring has more features geared towards whole-home security. Determining which one is better, really comes down to which one is more aligned with your needs for home security. It’s an important thing to consider. If you want just a casual system where you do most of the monitoring and you don’t want something too robust, Blink is a great option. Personally, I love Ring. All of their products sync together nicely so you can start out simple with a video doorbell and then build a home security system tailored to your needs. I love that Ring works well with Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and Samsung SmartThings. I love that Ring has the Neighbor app where I can real-time and up-to-date community reporting on crime and nefarious activity. The list of things I love about Ring is long, which is why
