The Blink Video Doorbell was introduced a short while ago and is the Blink’s first generation of this device. We have to admit, they did a really nice job at a very attractive price.
We’ve looked at several Blink cameras in the past including the Blink Outdoor and Blink Mini. Blink makes competitively priced security cameras with a long lasting battery. They’re not the cheapest around, but certainly not the most expensive.
This camera came in with some really nice features for the price.
Like every other Blink camera (except the Blink Mini), this camera can attach directly to WiFi but for optimal functionality, use a sync module too. This connects to a sync module. These are sold in kits that includes the camera and sync module. They are also sold as individual add-on cameras which are great for adding a second camera to an already existing sync module. Initial purchasers must go with a kit that includes a sync module as these aren’t going to work without one. We’ve seen other manufacturers do it this way such as Wyze. We’ve also seen others do it without an external module like RIng.
Software
You can access the Blink Outdoor Security Camera with your iPhone or Android phone. A web based interface is unavailable.
Like other Blink cameras, there is very little documentation in the box. Download the Blink app, scan the UPC and follow the prompts in the app.
The camera connected flawlessly but I ran into issues because the house power to the doorbell wasn’t sufficient to do a hardwire connection. It can run with batteries that last up to two-years. The hardwire would have allowed the home’s chimes to ring when the doorbell was pressed. Absence of a functioning hardwire means it will only ring on the phone.
Moving on.
Similar to what we have seen on other Blink cameras, motion settings include sensitivity, re-trigger time and clip length. There is also a toggle to end the clip early if motion stops. This helps to save on battery and recording space.
Activity zones are supported on the Blink Video Doorbell. Activity zones will help eliminate false motion alerts. Select the areas where valid motion will likely appear and deselect the places where invalid motion might be encountered. Useful applications of activity zones can exclude things like leaves on a tree from creating motion alerts. The camera also has a feature called Privacy Zones which do not trigger a motion event and will not record video.
The default clip length of 10 seconds suffices for ordinary monitoring and we like to use a 20 second re-trigger time. Try a sensitivity of 5 on the motion sensitivity to only record close up motion.
Three video qualities are presented which can be selected called Saver, Standard and Best. The top delivers 1080p video quality.
Battery status is shown however it’s not displayed as a percentage. It’s going to say OK or Replace.
Video history can be viewed on a micro SD card stored within a Blink Sync Module 2. Subscription plans are available for cloud storage. Accounts that were created on, or before April 15, 2020 are still entitles to 7200 seconds (2 hours) of cloud storage per Sync Module. The Blink Video Doorbell will use that cloud storage.
The Blink Video Doorbell will work with IFTTT and Alexa. The Alexa integration is nicely done as your device can double as a door chime and allows you to use the voice feature of the doorbell.
Hardware
The size is similar to other video doorbells coming in at 5.1″ x 1.7″ in size.
The Blink Video Doorbell attaches to a mounting plate. This was a bit of a challenge to attach. Push it forward then press downwards and your should feel it snap in place. Blink provides a tool for detaching the doorbell which will prove useful when you need to change the batteries.
Power is provided by a pair of lithium AA batteries. The manufacturer does not recommend rechargeable batteries. A pair of lithium batteries are included with the camera.
The Blink Video Doorbell is rated IP65 and has a supported temperature range of -4 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit. IP65 means it’s rated for outdoor use and it’s ok to get it wet.
Audio is fully supported. Tap the microphone in the app to have a two-way conversation. Audio quality is acceptable.
A 110 degree wide angle lens is average and will work well to get a view of an area. See our comments in the mount section of this review for more information.
The 1080p (1920 x 1080) lens renders video at a variable 15-30 frames per second. Video playback is good and doesn’t skip around.
Very clear night vision is provided with 850nm infrared video light. This proved sufficient for use at night.
The button on the camera light up and the visitor will hear a “ding-dong” from the doorbell when pressing it.
Connectivity
The Blink Video Doorbell can connect to WiFi directly but opt to connect to a sync module as well. The sync module connects via wireless to your router.
Mounts
This isn’t a difficult doorbell to mount. It uses two screws. One at the bottom, one at the top. The issue is the screw holes may not line up with what you already have.
Consider adding a corner mount for difficult angles. This will be prove useful to get a better view of someone at your door.
Fun and Different
Integrate the Blink Video Doorbell with Alexa to use your devices as a chime. This is a real lifesaver for those (like me) that cannot hardwire the doorbell.
Summary
The Blink Video Doorbell is a well priced doorbell with a lot of features. It’s less expensive than most of the competition, provides good battery life and has some excellent features.
It’s a good video doorbell and we recommend it for those wanting to save some money and get a video doorbell.
Quick Specs:
| Video Quality | Field of View | Cloud Support | SD Support | Night Vision | Mobile/Web App | Alerts | Outdoor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 110 Degrees | Yes | No | Yes | Yes/No | Yes | Yes |
Manufacturer Link: Blink