Ring vs Blink Comparison

Here’s a situation we don’t come across much: two home security brands offered by the same company. Granted, Amazon is enormous, but it’s still a bit unusual to find two entirely different home security options – Ring and Blink – sharing space under the same corporate umbrella.

Unsurprisingly, Blink and Ring have a good deal in common. Both brands offer high-tech equipment at an affordable price; both are firmly focused on DIY home security; and both offer a wide range of products so it’s easy to get exactly what you need. These two brands also have some crucial differences, and if you want to choose which one is right for you, you need a solid handle on those.

You’ve come to the right place. Below, we take a deep dive into these two home security brands, unpacking everything from installation processes to smart home features. By the time you’re done, we feel pretty certain that you’re going to know which of these two best suits your particular security needs.

Blink and Ring Features & Tech

We said it in the beginning: Blink isn’t quite as impressive a system as Ring. Still, these devices do have a few tricks up their sleeves.

Jaime Fraze Unboxing a Blink Security Camera

Blink Features & Tech

We said it in the beginning: Blink isn’t quite as impressive a system as Ring. Still, these devices do have a few tricks up their sleeves.

• High-Capacity: There’s no limit to how many plug-in Blink cameras you can link into your home security system. Battery-powered cameras require a Sync Module (hub), and each module can handle up to 10 cameras. That’s still a pretty healthy number. Ultimately, between its high capacity and its affordable devices, Blink makes it easy to outfit your entire home with cameras.

Blink Cameras

• Internal Storage: Blink cameras include internal storage. That’s a bigger deal than you might think. Here’s the thing – both Ring and Blink give you the option to self-monitor your system. That can save a bundle over the long haul since you don’t have to worry about paying a monthly professional monitoring fee. Even if you’re self-monitoring, though, you’re going to want the ability to save video clips. They’re extra handy when you need evidence of porch pirates to turn over to the police. Ring only offers cloud storage, and in that case, you’re back to paying a monthly fee. Blink’s Sync Module, on the other hand, stores clips locally. All you need is a microSD card (or a USB flash drive if you opt for the Sync Module 2). Presto, you have instant storage of up to 256 GB. True, that’s not as much as you get with the Lorex cameras we tested recently, which hold 1 TB of videos or more. Still, it’s free, and you can’t beat free.
• Affordable storage plans: If 256 GB isn’t quite enough for you, Blink also offers cloud storage plans with virtually unlimited capacity. In this case, you do have to pay a monthly subscription fee. However, that fee is just $3 per camera or $10 for unlimited cameras.

• Easy DIY Installation: These days self-installed systems are a dime a dozen. They aren’t all as DIY as you might expect, though. Plenty of companies offer confusing instructions or don’t manufacture their equipment with self-installation in mind. Not so with Blink. We managed to get our entire system installed in a matter of minutes. In part, that’s because there’s no required wiring and no required drilling. It helps that all Blink products are battery-powered. That also means the system is easy to adjust if you decide you’d rather get a different angle on your living room.
• 1080p HD Image Quality: All Blink cameras – both the outdoor and indoor models – come with 1080p HD resolution. Are there cameras out there with higher resolution? Sure. Lorex, for instance, offers some great models with 4K. Still, 1080p is the industry standard, and there’s a good reason for that. It’s crisp and clear enough to identify whoever or whatever happens by your home. We had no trouble identifying the neighbor’s cat who was digging up our front porch flower pots.
• Camera Selection: Blink doesn’t offer the selection Ring does, but it definitely has the basics covered. Inside, the Blink Indoor lets you monitor kids and nannies or keep an eye on your family dog while you’re at work. Outside, the Blink Outdoor (3rd gen and 4th gen) provides total coverage of your front and back yards. The Blink Mini and the Blink Mini 2 offer more compact options. Or for more coverage, you might want to check out the new plug-in Mini Pan-Tilt, with 360 degree rotation. There’s a video doorbell to keep an eye on your front door, and even a wired outdoor camera with built-in floodlights.

In addition, you might want to check out the new plug-in Mini Pan-Tilt. It can cover a whole room thanks to its 360-degree field of vision which can be remotely accessed from the Blink app. It’s a Blink Mini with a mechanical mount that makes the camera pan and tilt.

Ring Features & Tech

Boxed Up Ring Security Cameras

So what does Ring have going for it?

• Sensors: In contrast to Blink, Ring offers a complete range of home security products, not just cameras. That includes entry sensors, which let you know any time someone opens a door or a window in your home. Ring also offers stand-alone motion detectors. These devices can’t show you what’s happening at your home, the way a camera can, but they’re far cheaper than most cameras, so you can add extra protection to your property without breaking the bank. For more, check out our hands-on review of Ring Alarm.
• Doorbell Cameras: So Blink does offer a doorbell camera. It’s just that, well, when it comes to doorbell cameras, Ring is in a class by itself. Never mind the fact that Ring literally invented these devices, it also offers eight – count ‘em, eight – models to choose from. All of them work seamlessly with other Ring cameras to provide you 24/7 access to real-time video. In addition, all of them feature 1080p HD image quality or higher, night vision, two-way talk, and a list of additional features too long to include here (though, you can, of course, visit our complete  Ring Video Doorbell review). Blink just can’t compete.

Ring Video Doorbell 3, Installed

• Indoor/Outdoor Cameras: Again, Blink certainly offers cameras. That’s all the company sells. And there are indoor and outdoor models to choose from. It’s just that Ring offers a much wider variety of security cameras. There are indoor and outdoor models available in both wired and wireless packages. There are spotlight cameras and floodlight cameras. Heck, Ring even makes cameras for your car. All of them are long-lasting and reliable. Outdoor cameras are built to handle harsh weather conditions, so you can protect your home, rain or shine.

• Home Automation: Ring offers more than security equipment. Ring offers home automation options as well. For starters, you can control all of your Ring devices through Alexa or Google Home voice commands. In addition, Ring systems work with thousands of smart home products, from Chamberlain garage door openers to Schlage front door locks to Honeywell thermostats to Hue smart lights. Connect smart equipment and your house can turn the heat on as soon as it spots your car in the driveway.

Ring Floodlight Cam Mounted Outside

Blink and Ring Similarities

If you’ve been paying attention, you’ve probably already realized that these two brands have a fair amount in common. That’s not terribly surprising given the fact that they’re both owned by Amazon. So let’s take a little time here and highlight some of those similarities.

• Affordability: As we already suggested, Blink is probably the better option for homeowners looking to safeguard their bottom line. All Blink equipment is priced at the lower end of the market, and that means you don’t have to pick and choose to ensure you’re saving money. That said, Ring offers some very affordable options as well. You can pick up a Ring camera for as little as $60 retail, and it’s often on sale for much less. OK, so Ring also offers some pricier camera models, but both companies let you purchase equipment a la carte. That means you don’t have to buy equipment you don’t need. Both also offer DIY installation, meaning you don’t have to pay to get your system set up. Need to save even more money? Both offer self-monitoring for free.
• HD Video: Despite their affordability, both Blink and Ring provide significant value for the money. No matter which company’s cameras you choose, you get crystal-clear 1080p HD resolution with every model. Sure, Lorex security offers some fancier models that provide 2K and even 4K resolution. Unless you’re trying to read addresses off the packages left on your porch, you don’t really need that kind of power. 1080p is the industry standard, and it’s all you need to identify any porch pirates who might be coming after those packages.

Ring Stick Up Cam Video Quality

• Wireless Home Security: Ring and Blink both offer wireless home security options. Wireless equipment doesn’t need professional installation, which saves you money upfront. You don’t have to worry about where you place equipment since you don’t have to worry about wires. Alerts and footage get sent directly to your mobile app so you know in an instant when something’s happening at home. Note that, if wireless systems appeal to you, you can find more options in our best wireless home security systems guide.
• DIY Installation: If you’re fretting over the fact that both of these systems require DIY installation, don’t. Both of these companies were built for DIY, and both have invested a great deal of time, energy, and money in perfecting their DIY setup processes. Put simply, anyone can install these systems. Both companies specialize in battery-powered and plug-in devices. In addition, most equipment makes use of Wi-Fi connections. With no wiring to worry about, you can put devices anywhere. Heck, depending on what you purchase, you might not have to do anything more than set a camera on an end table. Obviously, some equipment may require more know-how. If you purchase a wired video doorbell from Ring, you’ll have to turn a screwdriver and twist a couple of wires. If you want to position a Blink outdoor camera on the top of your roof, you may need a ladder and someone to spot you. You get access to clear instructions, though, and if that’s not enough, both companies offer video tutorials and extensive customer service options.
• Two-Way Talk: This is fast becoming a home security camera feature, but both Blink and Ring were early adopters. That’s the thing about these companies – they’re forward-thinking, always looking for new technology that can make life easier and safer. Two-way talk means we can find out who’s at the door without getting off the couch. That’s so convenient that we sometimes forget the fact that two-way talk ensures we never have to open the door to a stranger to find out who’s knocking.
• Night Vision: Another high-tech feature we don’t want to live without? Night vision. All Ring and Blink cameras come with night vision. The quality of that night vision varies depending on how much you’re willing to pay, but both companies recognize that nighttime is when most threats occur and you need to be able to see what’s happening outside your home even if it’s dark.

Ring Indoor Cam Night View

Blink and Ring Differences

Blink and Ring do have some overlap when it comes to their offerings, but there are several key differences that you need to consider before plunking down the credit card. You’ll note that almost all of these differences are in Ring’s favor, one reason why we chose them right up front as the better option.

• Camera Selection: Blink offers a total of seven products, including at least one indoor, outdoor, and doorbell camera. That’s not bad – SimpliSafe, for instance, sells just four camera models – but Ring sells seven products in the doorbell category alone. Fewer cameras certainly isn’t a deal-breaker by any means, but there’s no denying that Ring provides more options if you’re looking for specific home security solutions.
• Range of Protection: Inevitably, more camera options is going to mean better protection. Can Blink cameras protect your home? Of course. When you fine-tune your home security, though, you’re going to catch threats more general systems can’t. A floodlight can scare burglars off in a way ordinary cameras can’t. A spotlight cam can help you see better on your way from your car to your front door. With a choice between seven different doorbell models, you’re more likely to find the one that’s going to work best for your particular home setup. Plus, with Ring, you don’t just get cameras, you get a wide range of home security equipment options, like door and window sensors.
• Reputation: Ring is a household name, while Blink is still finding its place in the market. That’s not to say that popularity means you’re getting a better product. Both Ring and Blink are great cameras in their own right. But Ring is tried-and-true with years in the industry and backed by Amazon’s deep pockets and Mr. Bezos himself. Just something to note.
• Field of Vision: Ring has cameras that boast up to a 160-degree field of vision, while many of Blink’s cameras only offer 110-degree FOV. However, with their new Mini Pan-Tilt, Blink now offers one camera with 360-degree coverage.
• Intrusion Protection: Remember that Ring sells the Ring Alarm home security system. This puts another layer of security around your home, with door/window sensors, motion sensors, and a Z-Wave hub with a built-in siren. Unfortunately, you won’t get any of this with Blink.
• Professional Monitoring: With a Ring Alarm system, you can sign up with 24/7 professional monitoring through the Ring Protect Pro plan. Essentially, you’ll pay $20 per month and Ring’s partner monitoring center will monitor your security system for you. This is a huge advantage for Ring. Blink doesn’t offer professional monitoring, so if you go with them, you’ll have to stay on top of everything yourself. That includes checking notifications when they come in, reviewing footage, and alerting the authorities when necessary.
• Pet Monitoring: Ring’s newest product is a set of custom features tailored to pet owners. Not only does Ring let you see and talk to your pets when you’re away from home, it lets you set up a pet profile so Ring Neighbors can help you track them down if they should go missing. You can even set up your Ring Doorbell to keep track of when your furry friends come and go through the front door, so you’ll know exactly when the dog walker stops by to walk them.

As you can see, we think Ring is an all-around better option compared to Blink cameras. Of course, Ring isn’t a perfect system, but there’s a reason why it ranks so high on our list of the best home security cameras available. In fact, there are several reasons!

Ring vs Blink: Snapshot of Costs and Fees

The Blink Indoor retails for $79 per camera, which is a very reasonable price considering the features you get. Keep in mind that you can also bundle and save with Blink — with 2-camera, 3-camera, and 5-camera kits saving you up to $100 or more.

The Blink Outdoor costs $99.99 and you’ll get the same packaged savings if you buy multiple cams at once. Finally, the Blink Mini indoor cam costs $34.99, and the Mini Pan-Tilt costs $59.99. Here’s our full rundown of Blink Camera pricing and packages.

Now, when we compare those costs to Ring, we find that Ring is the more expensive option of the two. Ring Indoor starts at a very reasonable $59.99, which is right in-line with Blink’s cameras. But from there, the outdoor cameras will run up to $249.99 for the newly released Spotlight Cam Pro.

Here’s where it gets tricky. If you’re looking at the bottom line, Blink is the more affordable option. It’s not always about the bottom line, though. Value is more important than price. Ultimately, Ring is worth the higher cost. It offers more options and better protections. You can get a complete rundown of all those options in our Ring Cam pricing guide. But, there’s no denying that Blink has the lower prices, as you can see below.

Blink Pricing Breakdown

And for comparison, here’s a breakdown of some of Ring’s most popular camera equipment:

A Look at Ring Cam Prices

Are Surveillance Systems Effective?

The main goals of a video surveillance system are to deter potential threats, keep you informed, and to notify you in case of an emergency. They act as a deterrent when the cameras are visible. When a criminal knows that he or she cannot enter your home without being seen (and recorded!), they will likely move on to target a different home.

Blink Outdoor Camera

Surveillance systems will also allow you to monitor your home while you are away. They’ll provide you with information such as whether you have packages waiting at the door, a visitor at your entryway, or a looky-loo trying to peek into your windows. Certain alerts and alarms will alert you in the case of an emergency situation as well. So there’s no denying the effectiveness of a camera system like Ring or Blink.

Ring vs. Blink: The Bottom Line

So there you have it: the good, the bad, and the ugly of these two camera-based security systems plus a comparison of those goods, bads, and uglies. But we know, what you really want is the bottom line. Which of these two systems do we prefer?

Well, we spent several weeks testing both Blink and Ring systems, and while we like Blink, we give the edge to Ring in this battle. Ring’s products have a better build, and their cameras come with more features. Plus, it’s easy to expand your system with Ring. They make a wide range of home security devices including a number of different cameras.

However, no security system is right for everyone. Blink has a lot going for it, too. We loved the resolution on Blink cameras, and Blink motion detectors are spot-on. Add in the fact that the company now offers an outdoor model, and you can count on Blink to keep you safe.

So, here’s the real bottom line. When it comes to the security of your home, you should do your homework (that’s why you have us!), weigh your options, and find the best system that makes sense for you, your family, and your budget. Make sure you keep in mind how many cameras you need, whether any will be used outside, how many home automation features you need, and whether or not you need a 24/7 monitoring service, and you can’t go wrong.

Video Recording in the Ring App