Blink vs Ring

• Both Amazon companies, Ring and Blink offer cameras that integrate well with Alexa.
• Affordability is Blink’s strong suit; Ring’s is tech and features, as shown in our review of the high-tech Spotlight Cam.
• Video storage is not a problem with either Blink or Ring, as their cloud subscriptions are both affordable. Blink starts at $3 per month; Ring starts at $3.99 per month.

When two similar brands are owned by the same parent company, you would expect the lack of competitive pressure leads to only minor differences between the two. In the case of Amazon-owned home security companies Ring and Blink, that expectation largely holds true. On paper, the differences between product lines look marginal at best. However, when we tested both systems, the differences came into stark relief.

Ring products are of a higher quality than those from Blink. For example, Ring cameras had higher quality video and more smart home features. But you get what you pay for, as they say. Blink products are at a lower price point, but they still deliver when it comes to essential functions. We also grew to appreciate the local storage options offered by Blink, as well as impressive battery life. Curious what else we learned about these two Amazon companies? Keep reading.

Overview

Ring has four security cameras available for sale:

• Ring Indoor Cam
• Ring Stick Up Cam
• Ring Spotlight Cam
• Ring Floodlight Cam

Except for the Ring Indoor Cam, each Ring camera is available as battery-powered, solar-powered, or hardwired. The Ring Indoor Cam is only available as a plug-in device. Incidentally, the Ring Floodlight Cam can be directly connected to a junction box. While we tested all four types of cameras from Ring, we didn’t test two of the same camera types that each use a different power source.

With Blink, each camera type is either battery-powered or hardwired. Some battery cameras can be powered using a solar panel. Blink also doesn’t have as many accessory options as Ring.

Here are the four options from Blink:

• Blink Mini
• Blink Indoor
• Blink Outdoor
• Blink Wired Floodlight Camera

The other noticeable difference between Blink and Ring is that Blink security cameras are more affordable. The plugged-in Blink Mini Pan-Tilt is just $40, whereas the Ring equivalent, the Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam, is $50. The battery-powered cameras are more expensive but still cheaper than Ring.

The Wired Floodlight Camera is the odd duck of the lineup. It requires hardwiring, so installation by an electrician might be required. Compared to other cameras with built-in floodlights on the market, it’s affordable. The Ring Floodlight Cam Plus starts at around $220, while the Blink Wired Floodlight Camera costs less than half at only $89.99. It’s a steal at that price.

Key Similarities

It’s inevitable; despite offering vastly different security camera lineups, Blink and Ring have lots of similarities, from how their equipment is set up to how they are monitored.

• No Contracts: Monthly subscriptions are not obligatory for either Blink or Ring, but if you do choose to sign up for a cloud recording plan like we did, you won’t need to sign a contract and you can cancel anytime.
• Easy DIY Installation: There were a few exceptions, like the floodlight camera models from each brand, but in general, installing a Blink or Ring camera doesn’t take more than 10 minutes. It usually involves powering up the camera, installing the companion app, and setting up the connection. After that, it’s just a matter of placing the camera where it needs to go.

• Indoor/Outdoor Cameras: Blink currently sells three indoor cameras (the Blink Indoor, the Blink Mini Pan-Tilt, and Blink Mini 2) and two outdoor cameras (the Blink Outdoor and Wired Floodlight Camera). Ring offers one indoor camera (the Ring Indoor Cam), two outdoor cameras (the Ring Spotlight Cam and the Ring Floodlight Cam), and the Ring Stick Up Cam, which is made to work both indoors and outdoors.

• Remote Connectivity: This feature comes standard with any modern security camera, but the remote connectivity experience with both Blink and Ring was exceptional. Both have a functional app that’s easy to use, responsive, and filled with the features you need to protect and monitor your home. For example, you can trigger a camera’s siren from both the Ring and Blink apps.
• Affordable cloud storage: Besides not requiring a subscription, Blink and Ring offer affordable cloud plans for those who want it. Cloud storage for one Blink camera starts at $3, while Ring starts at $4.99. But if you want storage for unlimited cameras, both offer a $10-per-month option.

Key Differences

So far, we’ve seen two almost identical security camera brands. That’s not really surprising given that they are both Amazon-owned brands. This time though, let’s talk about the differences. Pay close attention because these features are likely going to be your biggest deciding factors.

• Professional Monitoring: Professional monitoring for security cameras is something we don’t see everyday. Only a handful of companies offer such services at the moment, and Ring is one of them. Blink, unfortunately, is not. That said, it’s not a huge deal-breaker for Blink as the service from Ring is expensive anyway. The monthly fee alone starts at $99. It may be good for small businesses, but it’s not yet for the average homeowner.
• Cloud-Based vs. Local Storage: Both offer affordable cloud plans, but cloud-based recording is too reliant on the internet. That’s why we recommend having local storage working as backup. Both offer the option, but it’s significantly easier to use local storage with Blink. You only need a Sync Module 2 ($49.99) and a USB flash drive up to 256 GB. With Ring, you’d need the Ring Alarm Pro security system (starts at $299), a professional monitoring plan ($20 per month), and a microSD card.
• Battery Life: This comes from personal experience. The battery-powered Blink cameras we tested have lasted more than one year on non-rechargeable AA lithium batteries. They have impressive longevity. The Ring battery-powered cameras, however, could last for three to six months only, but Ring cameras are rechargeable. We prefer spending money every year or so on batteries rather than recharge our cameras every few months.

Camera Selections

Now that we know what Ring and Blink are about, let’s start breaking down their respective features. For that, we’ll take a close up look at what each brand offers in terms of hardware, installation, recording options and so on. Of course, if you want a more detailed review, always feel free to visit our Ring camera review and Blink review.

We chose our assortment of Blink equipment based on our home’s specific needs. First, we purchased a Blink Sync Module 2 for $34.99, which acts as a base station and local storage for up to 10 Blink cameras. We then selected our combination of Blink cameras, which included:

• One Blink Indoor for $79.99
• One Blink Outdoor for $99.99
• Two Blink Minis at $34.99 each

Note that the Blink Outdoor is now on its fourth iteration. This latest version features person detection when paired with a Blink subscription plan. That’s worth noting because none of Ring’s cameras offer person detection. They have PIR motion sensors that detect only movement with heat signatures, but that’s not as good as cameras that can detect people. 

The Blink Mini 2 recently came out. Unlike the first generation Blink Mini, the Mini 2 can work indoors and outdoors. For outdoor use, it has to be plugged into an outlet using the weather-resistant adapter, which is not included in the base package ($39.99). Adding the adapter increases the package price to $49.98. We are yet to test the Blink Mini 2, but some of the hardware improvements we saw was a built-in mini spotlight and color night vision. It also offers person detection like the Blink Outdoor 4, but only with a cloud subscription.

For Ring, we decided on:

• One indoor camera for $59
• One Stick Up Cam (both indoor and outdoor) for $99
• One Spotlight Cam for $199.

You may notice one key difference right away: With Blink, we had to set up a Sync Module for the Blink Indoor and Outdoor, but with Ring, there’s no such requirements. The Ring cameras connect to Wi-Fi directly, making it much easier to expand a Ring security camera system than a Blink system.

That being said, a Sync Module or base station isn’t entirely a bad thing. It acts as a bridge between your security cameras and Wi-Fi router, so if your network is already crowded, it might make sense to choose a camera system with a base station like Blink. With Ring, if you’re setting up five cameras, five cameras will each connect to your Wi-Fi. With Blink, only the Sync Module 2 needs to connect. And if you use the new Sync Module XR, it will even extend some Blink cameras’ wireless range.

Ring, however, has another trump card. We were able to incorporate our Ring cameras into a full security system called Ring Alarm, which has motion sensors, contact sensors, and so on. Doing so gave us more than just video coverage, but also monitoring through security sensors. Better still, there’s a Ring Alarm system called the Ring Alarm Pro that doubles as a Wi-Fi router, so you can pair your Ring cameras to it to reduce network clutter.

Considering that security cameras deter home burglaries and that the average home burglary costs homeowners an average of $2,800,1 we liked the affordability of both Blink’s and Rings cameras.

In the end, it all boils down to your security needs. Blink is definitely more affordable, but it has a much more limited product catalog. Does it have all the types of cameras you need? If yes, then the more affordable products from Blink may be more appealing to you. Otherwise, go with Ring for slightly more expensive equipment but a wider selection of products.

Installation

Blink and Ring are both DIY security cameras, and in our experience, most cameras from both brands take two to five minutes each to set up and install. There are a few exceptions, like the floodlight camera from both brands that require hardwiring. But generally speaking, installing either Blink or Ring is no trouble.

Blink

Setting up our Blink cameras requires no special tools or expertise, but one caveat is that we needed to set up a Sync Module 2 for our Blink Indoor and Blink Outdoor. Those two models don’t connect to Wi-Fi directly, so you need the router-like bridge to pair them to your network. The Blink Mini and Blink Floodlight Camera don’t require a Sync Module since they are Wi-Fi-capable.

Next, we set up the cameras. We inserted the provided batteries into our Blink Indoor and Outdoor cameras by opening their back casing using the included tool. They booted up quickly, and once they were powered on, we connected them to the Sync Module by scanning a QR code on each camera. When the app and cameras finished syncing up, we returned to the home screen and renamed our cameras based on where we planned to place them (e.g. Living room, Kitchen, Backyard, etc.).

While all Blink cameras are built capable of resting on a table or shelf, the Blink Indoor and Outdoor cameras can also be mounted on the wall. We placed our Minis on an end table and a bookshelf. Since the majority of burglars enter through a first-floor door or window,2 we used the mounting instructions and kit provided to secure our Blink Indoor on the wall near our back door and our Blink Outdoor at the front of our porch.

Ring

Our installation for the Ring cameras was somewhat similar to that of Blink. Once we downloaded the Ring app, we selected “set up a device” and “security cameras.” Then, all we had to do to connect our cameras to the app was to scan the QR code on the back or in the battery compartment of our cameras.

The process was somewhat quicker since we didn’t need a base station like the Sync Module, but keep in mind that connecting multiple security cameras to Wi-Fi could affect your network traffic and cause congestion. Also take into account the range of your Wi-Fi signal, especially if you’re using a 5 GHz or dual-bad (2.4 and 5 GHz) router. The 5 GHz band may be faster, but it has a more limited range than the slower 2.4 GHz band.

Next, we decided where we wanted to place each camera. We used the mounting tools included to mount our Spotlight Cam and Stick Up Cam. Mounting only took us an extra 10 minutes for each camera, and the only additional tool we needed was a Philips Head screwdriver. In total, we spent just slightly over half an hour installing our cameras.

Professional Installation

We found both DIY installation processes to be a breeze but appreciated knowing that there’s always a backup plan with Ring. If you’d rather have an expert technician install Ring cameras for you, you can order professional installation from Ring starting at $129. The service is provided by OnTech, a third-party partner.

Professional installation is a great option especially for Ring’s hardwired cameras, like the Spotlight Cam Pro Wired and Floodlight Cam Wired Plus. Those cameras require wiring to a junction box, which is not something we’d recommend doing on your own.

Features

At Security.org, we evaluate cameras by comparing them against the industry standards for video, audio, night vision, storage, and more. Below, we’ve detailed our comparison of Blink and Ring for these key features.

Video Resolution

On paper, comparing Ring and Blink’s video resolution seems unnecessary. All Ring and Blink cameras offer a 1080p HD resolution, which is the current industry standard. You’re not going to find any 2K or 4K cameras from either brand, even with the newer cameras they released recently.

That said, we liked Ring’s video quality more. This is why we test security cameras. There are just some things you can only find out by testing the units yourself.

What we liked about Ring’s video quality is the wide field of view. All Ring cameras have a 130-degree or more viewing angle, which is the minimum we recommend. That means they’ll be able to capture a wider field and protect a larger area. For example, our Spotlight Cam from Ring was able to monitor our entire front yard with its 140-degree FOV. That’s a pretty huge gap compared to the Blink Outdoor’s 110-degree viewing angle, which had blindspots on both sides.

That’s not to say that there are no Blink cameras that can support a wide viewing angle. The latest Blink Outdoor (4th generation) has a 143-degree viewing angle, which was about as good as that of the Spotlight Cam from Ring. Definitely go with the Blink Outdoor 4 instead of the older generation Blink Outdoor if you have a wide area to cover.

Audio

Cameras in Ring and Blink systems offer two-way talk, which allowed us to speak with whoever was in view of our cameras. Once again, though, Ring has a slight edge because almost every security camera from Ring uses echo cancellation to record and stream clear audio. If you live near a busy street, we’d definitely recommend Ring over Blink for audio because of that.

Night Vision

Blink and Ring cameras provide either infrared (black-and-white) or color night vision. And it’s easy to find out which cameras offer which type of night vision. Cameras that don’t include built-in lighting like the Ring Indoor, Ring Stick Up Cam, Blink Outdoor, and Blink Mini use infrared night vision. Meanwhile, those that have built-in spotlights or floodlights offer color night vision. Examples are the Blink Mini 2, Blink Wired Floodlight Camera, Ring Spotlight Cam, and Ring Floodlight Cam.

There’s use for both types of night vision, and we prefer to mix and match them. For example, outdoor cameras with color night vision provide more details like what color clothes an intruder is wearing. For indoor use, infrared night vision cameras are more subtle and discreet (they don’t emit visible lights).

It’s a tie for Ring and Blink in this area, but see our list of the best night vision cameras for better options.

Smart Platform Integration and Home Automation

As products of Amazon companies, we didn’t find it too surprising that Blink and Ring cameras are all Alexa-enabled. When our arms were full while heading out the door, we could set our alarm by simply saying,“Alexa, ask Blink to arm ‘My Home’.” To view our livestream video feed, we commanded Alexa to “Show me my outdoor camera on our Fire TV.” Ring cameras offered the same options, In addition to Alexa and IFTTT, Ring is compatible with Google Home, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, and more.

Ring’s compatibility with so many smart products stood out to us against Blink’s limited smart integrations. Despite not choosing to add them to our home’s security this time around, we enjoyed the idea of adding more of Ring’s smart home integrations in the future, such as:

• Smart locks (Yale, Kwikset, and Schlage)
• Smart outlets and lights (Leviton and GE)
• Keyless entry (Yale and Schlage)
• Light dimmers (Leviton and GE)
• Remote garage door capability (Chamberlain).

Storage

Both Ring and Blink offer cloud storage options, but only Blink comes with local storage.

Artificial Intelligence

By selecting a cloud storage subscription, we added artificial intelligence to our Ring cameras, specifically person detection and Ring’s new stay threshold. Person detection, available on all Spotlight, Flood and Stick Up Cams, helps us limit the false alarms we receive by identifying whether the motion our camera catches is from a human. The new stay threshold made sure we only got notifications if the person in our camera’s view remained in a certain motion zone for more than 10 seconds, or whatever amount of seconds we decided.

Although Ring continues to expand its use of artificial intelligence in its security cameras, Blink has still yet to incorporate any artificial intelligence into its cameras.

Cloud Storage Subscription

Cloud storage lets you store events and live recorded videos in the cloud for safekeeping. It also lets you download and share clips.

Ring and Blink both offer affordable options for cloud storage. Blink is slightly more affordable at $3 per month for Blink Basic, which covers one camera and offers a 60-day video history. On the other hand, Ring recently increased its pricing for Ring Protect Basic to $4.99, but the video history also expanded. From 60 days, it’s now 180 days, so you get to keep your videos longer.

Both Basic plans are good for one camera only, so if you have multiple cameras, we recommend upgrading to a Plus subscription. Blink and Ring are on equal grounds in terms of pricing – they charge $10 per month or $100 per year. Still, Ring’s 180-day cloud storage is three times as long as Blink’s 60 days, so Ring has a slight edge here.

Blink’s Local Storage

While Ring’s cloud storage options are slightly better, Blink has a secret trick up its sleeve: local storage. Priced at $59.99, the add-on Sync Module XR supports local storage of up to 256 GB through a removable microSD card (sold separately) for all Blink camera models. It also offers extended range for the Outdoor 4 cameras.

Ring does also have a local storage option, but it involves buying a complete home security system built around the Ring Alarm Pro Base Station. Just to give you an idea, the smallest Ring Alarm Pro system with eight pieces of equipment costs $299. It’s affordable for a security system, but it’s not worth buying for the sole purpose of getting local storage from Ring.

Monitoring

Blink and Ring both have the capability for self-monitoring, but only Ring offers the option for professional monitoring.

Self-Monitoring

Blink’s inexpensive HD cameras are specifically designed for self-monitoring through the Blink Home Monitor mobile app. The cameras include motion detection and sent us mobile notifications if the movement was detected while our cameras were armed. Upon receiving the message, we could log in to view our livestream or view our recorded clips to see what occurred when the motion detection was triggered.

Self-monitoring Ring worked the same way, except we used the Ring app. And if we’re being honest, the Ring app is better because it works with other Ring products like video doorbells and the Ring Alarm security system. That’s a product of Ring’s broader hardware catalog, though.

Professional Monitoring

As we alluded to earlier, Ring offers professional monitoring for security cameras. Blink doesn’t, so let’s explore Ring’s offering.

There are certain requirements to enable security camera professional monitoring – requirements that put the cost way above the advertised $99 monthly fee.

For starters, you need a Ring Alarm security system. A basic kit costs at least $200. On top of that, you need to enroll that security system for professional monitoring, which is $20 per month or $200 per year. That gives you 180 days of cloud storage for your Ring cameras, though, plus professional monitoring of sensors included in Ring Alarm. To enable professional monitoring for the cameras, you need to pay $99 per month.

That’s too expensive for an average household, but security camera monitoring is geared towards businesses. So if you’re looking for a good security camera system for your business, Ring might be it.

Apps

User-friendly mobile applications are critical to the success of connected devices like security cameras. It’s these apps that we use to livestream camera footage, employ two-way audio, play back recorded clips, and more, so they must also be free of viruses and bugs. Here’s what we thought of Ring and Blink’s apps.

The Ring Always Home App

The Ring— Always Home mobile app has a rating of 4.1 out of five on the Apple store and four on the Google Play store. With both forms of the app, we noticed that when our phones were synced to the Ring Alarm System, the words “disarmed,” “home, ” and “away” appeared at the top of our screen. We found this tool to be extremely helpful since we had a number of users in our household that could arm or disarm our cameras. We also liked that the app allowed us to look at a history of events. As we browsed the recorded clips from our outdoor cameras, we discovered the identity of the porch pirate who had been stealing our packages.

Other features we appreciated about the Ring Always Home app included the opportunities to set privacy zones and change the sensitivity of our motion detector. Once we made that motion sensor adjustment, we no longer had to put up with annoying notifications about our pets exploring our home or yard.

We’d just like to put it out there that Ring’s software has had issues in the past. They’re mostly gone now, but Ring did face a class-action lawsuit in 2020 about its apps and cameras getting hacked. Ring has taken steps to improve the security of its software, but it’s also our part to make sure our security camera systems are safe from hacking by avoiding weak passwords and activating two-factor authentication when possible. After all, it’s our privacy that’s on the line.

Blink Home Monitor App

The Blink Home Monitor app is rated 3.3 in the Apple store and four in the Google Play Store.

We mostly used the Blink app to live-stream footage from all our security cameras, but we also set it up so that we received notifications if any of the cameras detected motion while they were armed. We loved how user-friendly the app was and that it allowed us to adjust for motion sensitivity, create activity zones, customize the length of event clips, and more. Our only complaint was that the app kept asking if we were watching.

Our Take: Blink vs. Ring

Since both Blink and Ring offer high-quality and affordable cameras that are easy to use, we concluded that the company with the most suitable cameras will be determined by the user’s specific needs and circumstances.

To learn about our recommendations for brands other than Blink and Ring, check out our best home security camera review page.