Here is what we know about the Blink Video Doorbell and when it will be available.
The Blink Video Doorbell is available for pre-order for $49.99 and will begin shipping on October 21.
The Blink Video Doorbell is priced very competitively, $10 less than Ring's least expensive video doorbell, the Ring Video Doorbell Wired, and about the same price as the Wyze Video Doorbell.
The Blink Video Doorbell has a 1080p camera that records video at 30 fps. The viewing angle is 135 degrees horizontally and 80 degrees vertically, similar to a video doorbell like the $59 Ring Video Doorbell Wired. Therefore, it cannot see as far as the front stoop as, for example, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 or the Nest Doorbell (battery operated).
The Blink Video Doorbell measures 5.1 x 1.65 x 1.1 inches, which is fairly slim by video doorbell standards; it is about the same size as the Arlo video doorbell; it is also about the same size as the Arlo video doorbell. Like most video doorbells, Blink's product has a camera at the top and buttons at the bottom. They are available in black or white.
Inside are two AA batteries, just like Blink's outdoor cameras. The doorbell can also be connected to an existing wired connection. When connected this way, it will also work with the existing doorbell chime - something Ring Video Doorbell Wired cannot do.
Unlike the Ring Video Doorbell, Blink does not currently offer a wireless chime, so if you use Blink as a wireless video doorbell, to be notified (other than by phone) that someone is at the door, you must connect to an Amazon Echo device need to connect to an Amazon Echo device.
Unlike Blink's other wireless cameras, the Blink Video Doorbell connects directly to a Wi-Fi network rather than a synchronization module. However, it can be linked with the Blink Sync Module 2 ($34.99, sold separately) if you want to store video locally rather than in the cloud.
Like Blink's cameras, the Video Doorbell has custom motion zones (which are very easy to set up), but no detection of people, luggage, or vehicles, a feature that is becoming more common. For example, Ring Video Doorbell Wired has a people-only filter.
The Blink Video Doorbell is also classified under the same subscription as the company's other cameras. To store and share video, you must sign up for either the Blink Basic plan ($3/month), which covers a single camera, or Blink Plus ($10/month), which has no limit on the number of cameras How Blink's plans differ from Ring and Nest, See our comparison of the best security camera storage plans.
The Blink video doorbell is one of the least expensive video doorbells we've seen, at $49. The fact that it can be used as a wired or wireless video doorbell makes this product even more interesting. We also like the fact that it works with existing doorbell chimes, which the Ring Video Doorbell Wired does not.
There are some compromises, however: the Blink Video Doorbell is more likely to receive more notifications because it does not have person, package, or vehicle recognition. However, its low price may cause some to overlook that limitation. We hope to be able to try it out soon and report on how usable it actually is.
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