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Blink vs. Ring
Blink vs. Ring
$40 – $130 Blink camera cost
$3 – $10 Blink monthly subscription cost
$60 – $350 Ring camera cost
$5 – $20 Ring monthly subscription cost
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Blink vs. Ring
Amazon's Blink and Ring brands both offer quality DIY home security solutions with their own strengths. Blink is ideal for those seeking an affordable camera-based system with basic features. Ring is better suited for users who want a more comprehensive security setup with advanced features and professional monitoring options.
Factor | Blink | Ring |
---|---|---|
Camera equipment cost | $40 – $130 per camera | $60 – $350 per camera |
Monthly cost | $3 – $10* | $5 – $20* |
Average annual cost | $30 – $100* | $50 – $200* |
Equipment options |
|
|
Installation | DIY | DIY or professional |
Subscription | Not required, but very limited features and capabilities without one | Not required, but unable to access video recordings of events without one |
Data storage | Local or cloud-based storage | Cloud-only storage |
Audio & video | Standard quality | High quality |
Smart home integration | Works only with Alexa & IFTTT | Compatible with Alexa, IFTTT, and several other platforms |
Monitoring options | Self-monitoring only | Self-monitoring or professional monitoring |
*Costs are $0 if you opt out of a subscription plan.
Although Blink and Ring do not require a subscription, their features and capabilities are quite limited without one.
With both Blink and Ring, you save $6 to $40 when you choose to pay annually versus monthly, depending on the plan.
Affordability
Blink has the edge when it comes to affordability. They have lower upfront costs for equipment and a free local storage option, and if you do opt for a subscription, their plans are cheaper. This makes Blink ideal for those on a tight budget or looking for an entry-level doorbell camera with basic features.
Ring costs more, and if you buy their alarm system devices and want to receive alerts and control them from the mobile app, you'll need a subscription. However, the higher price is worth considering if your long-term goal is to have a robust home security system with multiple types of devices.
Equipment
When it comes to equipment, Ring has the edge over Blink due to its broader product lineup and more comprehensive security solutions.
Blink focuses primarily on cameras and video doorbells. They offer indoor, outdoor, doorbell, mini, and floodlight cameras, as well as a sync module for local storage.
Ring offers a much wider range of equipment, allowing for a more comprehensive home security setup. Options include several types of cameras and video doorbells, smart lighting, alarm systems, panic buttons, and various sensors (motion, contact, flood).
Ease of installation
Ease of installation is a key strength for both Blink and Ring, as they both promote user-friendly, DIY setups for their products. Each brand offers wired and battery-powered options, straightforward mounting processes, and detailed video instructions in their apps and online.
However, many users report Blink has an easier setup process which is a good thing since they do not offer an alternative. On the other hand, Ring offers professional installation services through OnTech for an additional fee, ranging from $159.99 to $229.99, depending on the product.
Camera quality
While both brands perform well, Ring offers slightly better audio and video quality, with higher resolution options and wider viewing angles on some models. Blink cameras still provide clear HD video that's suitable for most home security needs. However, some users report poor-quality images at night or in low-light conditions.
Product Spec | Blink | Ring |
---|---|---|
Resolution | 1080p HD on all models | 1080p HD (some models offer 1536p) |
Field of view (FOV) | 110 degrees for most models | 140 degrees or wider for most models |
Night vision | Standard infrared night vision | High-quality infrared and color night vision (some models) |
Audio | Comparable to Ring (standard and Plus models) | Noise cancellation on Pro model |
![Ring doorbells and security cameras Ring doorbells and security cameras](https://static.homeguide.com/assets/images/content/homeguide-ring-doorbells-and-cameras.jpg)
Data storage
When it comes to video data storage, Blink and Ring differ tremendously. Blink's free local storage option is a significant advantage for budget-conscious users or those concerned about privacy, but it's not available on all models. Ring's cloud-only storage offers flexibility but carries higher long-term costs.
Blink storage options:
Free local storage with a Sync Module 2 device (up to 256GB with USB drive)
Cloud storage available with a subscription
No continuous recording option
Ring storage options:
Cloud storage only (subscription required)
Continuous recording available on some models (with higher-tier subscriptions)
No free local storage option.
Local storage capability is available with the "Ring Alarm Pro Base Station" and a microSD card, but you must have a Ring Protect Pro subscription.
Subscriptions & features
There’s no clear winner in this category; it depends on your needs. Blink offers simpler, more affordable subscription options, while Ring provides advanced features and professional monitoring. The “Basic” plans for both Ring and Blink cover one camera only, but their "Plus" and "Pro" plans include all devices at a higher price.
Blink subscription prices start at $3 per month and offer basic features that may be sufficient for many users. Ring subscription prices start a little higher at about $5 per month, offering more advanced features, especially in its higher-end models and subscription plans. The following table details the subscription plan features, which vary depending on the model you choose.
Features & costs | Blink Basic | Blink Plus | Ring Basic | Ring Plus | Ring Pro |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Subscription cost | $3/month or $30/year |
$10/month or $100/year |
$5/month or $50/year |
$10/month or $100/year |
$20/month or $200/year |
Unlimited video storage | 60 days | 60 days | 180 days | 180 days | 180 days |
Continuous live view & recording | 90 min. | 90 min. | 90 min. | 10 min. | 10 min. |
Two-way talk | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Night vision | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Image notifications | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Person detection & recording | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Package detection & recording | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Advanced video features | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
Custom notifications | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
Extended warranties | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
Professional monitoring | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
Local storage* | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
10% off additional brand devices | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
*Requires Sync Module 2 (Blink) or Ring Alarm Pro (Ring)
A note about Blink's and Ring's "no plan" options:
Neither Blink nor Ring require a subscription. However, without a subscription, you are limited to motion or doorbell alerts, two-way talk, and real-time viewing. Recording and other features are not available, and some users report loading speeds are too slow to view someone when they ring your doorbell.
![Blink Mini 2 camera Blink Mini 2 camera](https://static.homeguide.com/assets/images/content/homeguide-blink-mini-2-indoor-camera-on-dresser.jpg)
Mobile app
We’re going to call this category another tie as it really depends on the user. Both Blink and Ring have dedicated mobile apps for iOS and Android devices. The Blink app is more straightforward, while the Ring app offers more features but may have a steeper learning curve.
The Blink Home Monitor app has a clean, simple, and intuitive interface. It's easy to navigate and has basic features like arm/disarm, live and recorded views, and customizable motion alerts.
The Ring Always Home app has a more comprehensive interface with additional features like home integration and a community feed for local alerts. However, some people find that it feels cluttered with multiple devices.
Smart home integration
As could be expected, both Blink and Ring integrate well with Amazon's ecosystem, but Ring is somewhat superior, offering more extensive smart home integration. While Blink only works with Amazon Alexa and IFTTT, Ring's compatibility extends to other smart home platforms, such as Apple HomeKit, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings.
Monitoring
Professional monitoring is a key differentiator between the two systems:
Blink is designed for self-monitoring only, with no option for professional monitoring services. You can receive notifications when the camera detects movement, and view the recorded clips or live video, but the system does not notify police or other authorities.
Ring has both self-monitoring and 24/7 professional monitoring options, offering a more comprehensive security solution. However, the professional monitoring service requires a Ring Protect Pro subscription, which costs $20 per month, plus a permit fee in some areas.
If professional monitoring is important to you, Ring is going to be the better option because it offers the service and Blink does not.
Blink vs. Ring doorbell
Ring is the winner here, offering a wider range of doorbell options. Ring doorbell prices range from $50 to $350, with more advanced features in higher-end models. Blink currently offers only one doorbell camera for $60, with the option of including a Sync Module 2 local storage device for $10 more.
Both brands offer solid doorbell camera functionality and a similar installation process. However, some users report intermittent connectivity issues with the Blink unit.
Feature | Blink video doorbell | Ring video doorbell |
---|---|---|
Price range | $60 – $70 | $50 – $350 |
Video resolution | Up to 1080p HD | Up to 1536p HD |
Field of view (FOV) | 135° horizontal, 80° vertical | 160° horizontal, 90° vertical |
Night vision | Standard infrared | High-quality infrared, color night vision (some models) |
Audio | Two-way audio | Two-way audio with noise cancellation |
Power options | Wired and battery-powered options, 2-year battery life | Wired and battery-powered options, rechargeable battery |
Storage | Local or cloud storage | Cloud storage only |
Additional features (some models) |
– | Pre-roll video capture, advanced motion detection, dual-band Wi-Fi, removable battery pack, and more |
Blink vs. Ring pros and cons
As you’ve seen, there are some key differences between Blink and Ring. To summarize, here's a quick list of pros and cons for each system:
Factor | Blink | Ring |
---|---|---|
Pros |
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Cons |
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Is Blink or Ring better?
Which option is right for you? Choosing between Blink and Ring ultimately depends on your budget, desired features, and overall security goals. Consider your priorities and compare the specific models that interest you before making a final decision.
Choose Blink if:
You're on a tight budget.
You prefer simpler, easy-to-use systems.
You primarily need camera-based security.
Local storage is important to you.
Long battery life is a priority.
You don't need professional monitoring.
Choose Ring if:
You want a comprehensive security ecosystem with a wider range of product options.
Professional monitoring is important to you.
You need advanced features like package detection and color night vision.
You want extensive smart home integration.
You don't mind paying for a subscription for cloud storage and additional features
Blink & Ring vs. other security brands
If neither Blink nor Ring is your cup of tea, there are many other options to choose from in the home security space. Some companies like Wyze offer DIY equipment similar to Blink and Ring, while other companies like ADT and Brinks offer professionally installed home security systems with 24/7 monitoring.
The table below provides a cost comparison of several popular home security companies.
Company | Upfront installed cost | Monthly monitoring cost |
---|---|---|
Ring | $50 – $600 | $5 – $20 |
Blink | $40 – $230 | $3 – $10 |
Wyze | $129 – $539 | $10 – $22 |
ADT cost | $599 – $1,449 | $45 – $82 |
Brinks cost | $430 – $800 | $40 – $50 |
Vivint cost | $599 – $999 | $41 – $46 |
A security camera costs $125 to $450 on average with installation.
A complete home security system costs $199 to $900 for the equipment and labor, plus $25 to $50 per month for monitoring.
![Smart doorbell on a light green house Smart doorbell on a light green house](https://static.homeguide.com/assets/images/content/homeguide-smart-doorbell-on-a-light-green-house.jpg)
Questions to ask a security system installer
While Blink and Ring are designed for DIY-friendly installation, some users may want to hire a pro for the job to ensure everything is installed and integrated correctly. Asking the right questions when evaluating potential companies can help you select the best security system installer near you:
Are you licensed and insured?
Can you provide a list of local customers I can contact for reference?
Does your estimate include labor and all other fees?
What home security items do you recommend for my home?
How often would I have to replace the battery on a wireless security camera?
How long will it take to complete the installation?
Do you do the online setup or just the physical installation?
Does your company offer any discounts or deals?
Who should I contact if I experience problems after the installation?