Blink Home Security System 2024: Tested & Reviewed

How does Blink work?

To get a Blink security system, you purchase individual devices or equipment bundles on Amazon. From there, you download the Blink for Home app, where you can also sign up for a subscription plan to access advanced features if you want.

Without a subscription plan, you can still arm and disarm the system from the app, receive basic notifications and watch your home live on your cameras. All Blink devices can be Alexa-enabled for voice control, but unfortunately Blink devices don’t integrate with other smart home systems, including Google Home.


	Starts at $39.99 for one camera or $199.97 for a whole-home bundle.

	DIY. No professional install available.
	$0 is self-monitor without advanced features. Blink Basic: $3 per month lets you stream your camera feeds for up to 90 minutes at a time; provides recordings with 60-day cloud storage and other features for one camera. Blink Plus: $10 per month gets you the Blink Basic plan, but for an unlimited number of devices, as well as a longer warranty, motion summary reports and ability to snooze devices.

Blink pros and cons


Cameras have high-quality view and easily differentiate between people and other motion, which other providers don’t do as consistently.	No alarm system or door/window sensors, just cameras and doorbells.
Offers both wired and battery-powered devices. Some devices can do both, and battery-powered devices have a two-year battery life.	No professional monitoring available.

How much does Blink cost?

Blink equipment

These are the list prices of Blink’s home security equipment.


		Indoor/outdoor use, night vision, spotlight and two-way audio. Plug-in only.
		Night vision, two-way audio and two-year battery life.
		Two-way audio, can be wired or battery-powered. It connects with the Sync Module for live view anytime (instead of just when something moves or the doorbell rings).
		Two-way audio and night vision. Indoor and plug-in only.
		Two-way audio, night vision, 2600 lumen LED lights and security siren. Plugs in outdoors.
Wireless floodlight camera		Two-way audio, night vision, 700 lumen LED lights and two-year battery life.
		Attaches to the Outdoor 4 camera for four years of battery life instead of two.

Blink equipment bundles

Blink also offers product bundles at a discount. The prices below are list prices.


		Outdoor 4 camera, Mini 2 camera, video doorbell and Sync Module 2, which connects up to 10 devices.
Video Doorbell and Outdoor Camera Bundle		Outdoor 4 camera, video doorbell and Sync Module 2.

Monitoring plan features

Without a monitoring plan, you can arm and disarm your Blink system from the app, receive motion-activated notifications and see a live camera view for up to five continuous minutes.

Blink Basic

These are the additional features you’ll access with a $3 monthly plan, which covers one camera:

Lets you watch your camera feed for up to 90 minutes continuously.
Saves live view and motion event recordings.
Unlimited cloud storage for up to 60 days.
Automatically backs up to local storage with a Sync Module.

Blink Plus

These are the advanced features you can access with a $10 monthly plan, which covers unlimited devices:

Blink Moments, which combines multiple motion recordings from different devices in the same time period into one video.
Ability to snooze motion-activated alerts for up to 24 hours.
10% off additional Blink devices.
Extended warranty coverage.

Setup pro

Straightforward instructions

Blink had one of the easiest setup processes of the home security systems we’ve tested. Step-by-step instructions for downloading the app and setting up the device are on the inside of the box for each item, and a “quick start guide” booklet is also inside the box itself.

The app setup walkthrough is simple and clear. The mounting instructions for any device that needs to be screwed onto a wall are on the Blink support website, which has a web address on the box or can be accessed in the device settings in the app.

Video quality

Blink’s cameras had some of the sharpest video and sound quality of those we’ve tested. The cameras were the only ones we’ve tried that didn’t emit a high-pitched interference noise when we watched the live feed while right next to the device, though there is a one- or two-second playback delay.

Blink’s motion detection was also very fine-tuned, immediately and reliably sending different notifications for people and other motion. However, you’ll need a monthly Blink subscription plan to access this feature.

Customizable features

We found Blink devices very customizable. In device settings, we could:

Rename the device. This let us label the devices according to where they were or what they were guarding.
Change the motion settings. We could turn on/off motion detection, record all motion or record only people, adjust motion sensitivity on a 1-10 scale, select activity and privacy zones and change the “retrigger time” (time after a motion during which the camera will not detect motion).
Change video and photo settings. We could change the length of the motion clip; change video quality to battery saver, standard or best; flip the video upside down; turn night vision on or off; adjust infrared LED intensity for nighttime; turn on once-per-hour photo capture when armed and end a clip early if the motion stops.
Change the brightness and volume. We could adjust the speaker volume of the camera, change the light brightness, change the light timeout and motion-activate the lights.
Change the feed. We could turn on or off video recording and audio streaming.
Get help. We could call tech support in-app.

Setup cons

Wi-Fi connection difficulties

We had some trouble connecting the first Blink device we tested (the Mini 2 camera) to Wi-Fi. At first, the app said that it was “Unable to communicate with Mini 2 camera” over the network, and we had to start over the in-app setup process. Then, we were able to join our Wi-Fi network, but when we returned to the app’s home screen, it said that the camera was offline and there was no connection.

Finally, we started over a third time and were able to go through the setup process and successfully connect the camera to Wi-Fi. We didn’t have this issue with any other device.

Alternatives to Blink

SimpliSafe Security System

NerdWallet rating

NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.

NerdWallet rating

Equipment cost

$249.96

Base kit includes one base station, one keypad, one entry sensor and one motion sensor. Sometimes you can get a free Smart Alarm wireless indoor security camera and a free trial of professional monitoring if they’re running a promotion.

Professional monitoring monthly cost

$19.99

Self monitoring available for $9.99 per month. You can also access basic features with no plan.

Hazard detection

Add-on smoke/CO detector, water and temperature sensor.

NerdWallet rating

Equipment cost

$244.95

Base kit includes alarm base station, keypad, door/window contact sensor, motion detector, alarm range extender and free 30-day trial of Ring Protect professional monitoring. Pro starter kit comes with a Wifi router.

Professional monitoring monthly cost

$20

Other features/self monitoring available with plans starting at $4.99 per month. You’ll need at least the basic plan to arm and disarm your system remotely.

Hazard detection

Add-on smoke/CO detector and listener, flood and freeze sensor.

NerdWallet rating

Equipment cost

$199.99

Base kit includes one keypad sensor hub, two sensors, and a free three-month pro monitoring trial.

Professional monitoring monthly cost

$24.99

Some sensor features not available without subscription. Self monitoring for cameras starts at $7.99 per month.

Hazard detection

Sensors can detect water and temperature and alert you when a smoke/CO detector goes off.

No actual smoke/CO detector, and you’ll need a paid monthly plan to use the sensor’s alarm listening feature.

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