Amazon’s Blink Doorbell Gets a Major Upgrade: Is It the Best Budget Security Option?
Amazon's Blink has just launched its second-generation Blink Video Doorbell, offering significant improvements over the previous model while maintaining an impressively affordable price point. But is it the right choice for your home security needs? Let's dive into what's new and what you need to know before you buy. The competition in the smart home security market is heating up, and Blink is looking to stay ahead of the curve with this updated device.
One of the most notable upgrades is the new "head-to-toe" HD live view with a 1:1 aspect ratio. This long-awaited feature provides a fuller view of your doorstep, allowing you to monitor packages and visitors with ease. The field of view has also been expanded to 150 degrees, up from 135, and the resolution has been bumped from 1080p to 1440p, promising improved video quality across the board. According to Jonathan Cohn, Blink’s head of product, this will deliver clearer footage.
Durability has also been enhanced with an IP65 rating, making the new Blink doorbell better equipped to withstand the elements. Furthermore, a significant addition is person detection, available with a Blink subscription plan. This feature minimizes false alerts by distinguishing between people, animals, and other movement, ensuring you only receive notifications when a person is at your door. This is powered by on-device computer vision, so it doesn’t require the cloud.
Battery life remains a standout feature, with Blink promising up to two years of operation on the included AA batteries. CNET's home security editor, Tyler Lacoma, has been testing the Blink Outdoor 4 camera with a similar two-year battery life promise and reports it's on track to meet that rating. This long battery life is thanks, in part, to Blink's custom silicon, which is optimized for power management.
However, the updated Blink Doorbell does come with a catch: it now requires the Sync Module Core, which is not included in the base $59.99 price. While a bundle including both the doorbell and the Sync Module is available for $69.99, the Sync Module Core lacks the local storage option offered by the older Sync Module 2. Storing video feeds locally requires either the Sync Module 2 ($50) with a USB flash drive or the Sync Module XR ($70) with a microSD card slot, significantly increasing the overall cost. The Sync Module Core helps extend battery life and range and enables on-demand live view and two-way audio.
For users who don't mind storing their video in the cloud, Blink offers a basic $3-per-month subscription that provides 60 days of video storage. Comparatively, Blink’s sister brand Ring’s lowest-priced battery-powered buzzer costs $99, and it only claims six to 12 months of battery life. This is a feature Blink boasts over other competitors on the market.
Despite its limitations, the new Blink Video Doorbell remains a compelling option for budget-conscious consumers. Its improved video quality, wider field of view, person detection, and impressive battery life make it a strong contender in the crowded video doorbell market. The cost savings could make this new device worth the minor downgrades.
Are the new features and the low price enough to make you consider the Blink Video Doorbell despite the Sync Module requirement and limited local storage options? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.
