Blink vs. Ring Security Cameras

As if one brand wasn't enough, Amazon is the proud owner of two of the most popular wireless home security camera brands: Ring and Blink. But instead of having them work together, Amazon encourages a bit of sibling rivalry.

Ring is our top choice for the best Amazon camera brand, thanks to its superior product selection, including several video doorbell options. But Blink cameras are easier on the wallet and have serious battery life endurance. We bring Blink and Ring cameras into the arena to help you decide if Ring deserves the win.

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Ring's biggest advantage over Blink is how versatile its device selection is. There’s security system gear and a wealth of security camera and video doorbell options. You're sure to find a specific device for your needs—like a Ring Stick Up Cam Battery or Ring Spotlight Cam Mount.

While storing video with Ring isn't too expensive for most people, its mandatory monthly fee puts strain on your budget more than Blink's one-time local storage costs. Ring cameras also have shorter battery life, but at least they use rechargeable batteries. Overall, there's not much that Ring can't do that Blink does—aside from local storage and long battery life.

It might not seem as revolutionary now, but Blink was one of the first brands to sell a wire-free security camera—with free cloud storage—for under $100. This was in 2015—around two years before Wyze and YI paved the way for cams under $50, including the Blink Mini.

While Blink's latest cameras have long since abandoned free cloud storage, it's no surprise that it remains a strong contender in the budget category. Everything about Blink is incredibly affordable, right down to the equipment, local storage option, and service plans.

Blink and Ring security cameras are more alike than not. The most uncanny similarities come from the paid subscription plans and smart home integrations. Here’s what they have in common:

• Mobile app: Both apps put your cameras front and center and make it easy to view a live feed and change settings. That said, the Blink app has a simpler user interface since it doesn't support a security system like the Ring app.
• Paid features: Essentially everything about the Blink and Ring camera plans is identical: plan names, pricing structure, cloud video storage history, number of cameras supported, and even the extended warranty on the high-tier plan.
• Installation: Both Blink and Ring's installations just take a few screws and a Wi-Fi connection. The biggest difference is that Ring sells more cameras that use wired power sources instead of batteries.
• Smart home: Both brands work with Amazon Alexa and not much else. While it's understandable for Amazon to push its smart home platform, this leaves Google^† and HomeKit users with few options for using these devices. IFTTT also works with Ring and Blink, but it's not as easy to use as Alexa's built-in home automation tools.
• Video quality: Aside from Ring's generally wider fields of view, there's not much difference in video quality between the brands. Practically none of Ring or Blink's cameras supports anything higher than 1080p. We’re curious when Amazon will decide to compete with the higher pixel count of brands like Arlo, Eufy, and Reolink.

While shared traits tell us a lot about Ring and Blink cameras, their differences surface some of their strengths:

• Camera prices: Because these are both Amazon brands, it doesn't make sense for Blink and Ring to have the same camera prices. This means that Blink takes on the budget role, with most of its camera lineup costing less than $100, while Ring caters to everyone else. (Ring sells some budget cameras too, but they're never cheaper than Blink's offerings.)
• Video storage: Although the cloud storage plans for Ring and Blink are more or less identical, Blink's support for local video storage on the Sync Module 2 means you can store videos on a USB stick without a subscription. In contrast, Ring ties all video storage to a subscription plan.
• Spotlights and floodlights: Ring sells several camera models—notably the Ring Spotlight Cam—with built-in spotlights that make it possible to record color video at night. We suppose the relatively dim light of the Blink Floodlight Camera qualifies as a spotlight camera.
• Ecosystem: Ring fully fleshes out its home security offerings with various security devices, including smart lighting and an alarm system that supports professional monitoring. While Ring doesn't make smart locks or thermostats, it supports using third-party products alongside its security system. By comparison, Blink's camera lineup is smaller than Ring's, and it doesn't sell any other kinds of security devices aside from some camera accessories.

Ring's equipment selection extends beyond security cameras into a full-fledged security system with professional monitoring. You'll need to pay for the Ring Protect Pro plan (about $20 a month) to use the monitoring service—it even includes the perks from Ring's cheaper, camera-only plans.

With a Ring Alarm system, you can add door sensors, motion detectors, and smart locks that aren't usually compatible with Ring security cameras. Ring Alarm is also a great way to use Z-Wave devices with your Amazon Echo, which supports only Zigbee smart devices. Ring also sells quite a few smart lighting options for enhancing your yard's security and landscaping design at night.

We're also big fans of how many accessories Ring sells for its security cameras, like various mounting brackets, spare batteries, power cords, solar panels, and wireless doorbell chimes.

For more questions about Ring security, check out our Ring FAQ.

When you include every possible variant that Ring sells, it comes to 20 models—over four times more than Blink. Still, most of these are variations on five core models:

• Ring Indoor Cam (one version)
• Ring Stick Up Cam (four versions)
• Ring Spotlight Cam (four versions)
• Ring Floodlight Cam (four versions)
• Ring Video Doorbell (seven versions)

While it would be boring for everyone here to explore all 20 models, let's do a quick rundown of some notable models:

Learn more in our Ring camera reviews:

• Ring Stick Up Cam Review
• Ring Spotlight Cam Review
• Ring Floodlight Cam Review

Learn more: How do Ring Video Doorbells Work?

Learn more in our Ring Video Doorbell review.

Do you rent? Check out our Ring doorbell picks for renters.

Every Blink camera supports the Sync Module 2 (about $35), which includes a USB port that works with USB flash storage up to 256 GB. This means you can store video recordings without paying for a Blink storage subscription. This is an especially nice perk for the Blink Video Doorbell since most video doorbells don't support local storage in the slightest.

We like that the Blink Sync Module 2 is an optional add-on for the Blink Mini and the Blink Video Doorbell, though we think it's worth buying for the added storage options. Although you need a Sync Module to use the Blink Indoor and Blink Outdoor, it comes in the starter kits so you have everything you need in the box.

Blink's battery-powered cameras boast a two-year battery life—the best in the industry. This is more than quadruple the rated battery life for Ring security cameras. The long battery life is possible because the wired Sync Module 2 handles the power-hungry Wi-Fi connection. Meanwhile, the cameras connect using more efficient wireless tech.

Uniquely, Blink cameras use run-of-the-mill AA batteries, so you don't need to buy a pricey Ring battery pack to keep spares around. (Though you might consider getting some rechargeable batteries to cut down on waste.)

Blink sells just five security camera models—though you could say four cameras since the Blink Floodlight Camera is an accessory for the Blink Outdoor. While these cameras run the gamut from indoor to outdoor, they don't hold a candle to Ring's massive selection. Here's what Blink offers:

Read our full Blink cameras review to learn more about this buzzworthy budget brand.

We like Ring just a bit more than Blink when it comes down to brass tacks. Ring's diverse product selection is more likely to have the camera you need, and you can expand into full security systems. Still, Blink is the obvious choice for anyone wanting to save as much money as possible.

Ring Stick Up Cam Battery: Portable outdoor camera with great video quality and affordable cloud storage

Blink Mini: Bargain price for an excellent indoor camera with optional local video storage

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