Ring vs Blink Comparison

Editor’s Note: Ring and Blink recently released a new line of cameras. Both are largely the same as their previous models, except with better resolutions. Ring’s new cameras feature 4K resolution while Blink’s new cameras feature 2K resolution.

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

So we’ll just say it up front: Blink isn’t quite as impressive a system as Ring, especially when it comes to technology. It’s not entirely one-sided, but overall, Ring’s more feature-rich.

The included stand made it easy for us to use the Blink Mini on the bookshelf in our office.

Blink Features & Tech

Blink doesn’t manufacture stripped-down cut-rate equipment. This is a company with enough high-tech tricks up its sleeve to stay competitive. For instance,

• High-Capacity Sync Modules: You can link an unlimited number of Blink cameras to your system, so it makes for an especially good option if you have a large number of spaces to monitor. Note that Blink’s battery-powered cameras require a Sync Module (hub), and each module is limited to 10 cameras. That’s still a lot of devices routed through one system.

We tested three different Blink cameras so we could check out their full set of features.

• Internal Storage:All Blink cameras feature local storage of up to 256 GB. That’s only a quarter of the capacity of the Lorex cameras we tested recently, but it beats Ring’s absence of local storage. To store footage with Ring, you need to sign up for one of their cloud storage plans.
• Affordable storage plans: If 256 GB isn't quite enough for you, Blink offers cloud storage plans that store 60 days of clips. It costs just $3.99 per month for one camera or $11.99 monthly for unlimited cameras. That makes it one of the most budget-friendly cloud storage options available.

• Easy DIY Installation: Despite needing to pair our Blink cameras with the Sync Module, it only took about five minutes using the mobile app. All we had to do next was put the cameras where we wanted them and they were ready to go. The whole setup took us about 15 minutes.
• 1080p HD Image Quality: All Blink cameras feature 1080p HD resolution. While it’s not the best, 1080p is clear enough to identify whoever or whatever happens by your home. We were even able to identify the neighbor’s cat digging up our front porch flower pots.
• Camera Selection: Blink doesn't offer as many cameras as Ring, but they cover all the essentials. There are several indoor and outdoor cameras along with a video doorbell. Depending on the model, they include core features like built-in spotlights, night vision, and person detection. There’s even a pan-tilt indoor camera with a 360-degree field of vision.

Ring Features & Tech

Boxed Up Ring Security Cameras

So now that we’ve seen what Blink has going for it, let’s turn to Ring’s assets.

• Sensors: Blink doesn’t have a full-home security system with sensors like Ring does. Strategically placed sensors can work just as well as cameras for securing your home, except they cost a lot less. Check out our hands-on review of Ring Alarm to see a full breakdown on Ring’s security system.
• Doorbell Cameras: Ring offers over a dozen models, more than anyone else on the market. They all work seamlessly with other Ring cameras, too. Each one features 1080p HD image quality or higher, enhanced night vision capabilities, and advanced two-way talk with noise cancellation. For a full breakdown, check out our Ring Video Doorbell review.

Ring Video Doorbell 3, Installed

• Indoor/Outdoor Cameras: Ring dominates this category with over 15 different models. Among those 15 models, there are spotlight cameras, floodlight cameras, and even a Car Cam for vehicle monitoring. Most models are also available in a wired, wireless, plug-in, solar-powered, or Power over Ethernet (PoE) configuration.

• Home Automation: Ring offers home automation options, including full Alexa or Google Home integration. Plus, the system works with more than 10,000 smart home devices from Nest thermostats to Hue Philips light bulbs. With that kind of connectivity, you can set your air conditioner to come on the moment your garage door opens and never come home to a hot house again.

Ring Floodlight Cam Mounted Outside

Blink and Ring Similarities

For all their several differences, Blink and Ring also have a fair number of similarities.

• Affordability: Blink is undeniably cheaper. That said, we consider both affordable. Ring's lowest-priced camera is $49.99, whereas Blink's pricing starts at $29.99. Compare either to SimpliSafe, and that $20 difference looks small with SimpliSafe's cameras starting at $149.99.
• HD Video: Every Blink and Ring camera features at least 1080p HD resolution. That’s the industry standard and it’s all you need to identify a porch pirate or a neighbor’s pet causing chaos. Sure, there are 2K and even 4K cameras out there, but they cost a lot more. Don’t believe us? Just take a look at our Lorex pricing guide.

Ring Stick Up Cam Video Quality

• Wireless Home Security: Ring and Blink both offer wireless home security options. That makes installation a breeze. Installation only took us about five minutes per camera from either brand. If wireless capabilities are what you’re looking for, you can find more options in our best wireless home security systems guide.
• DIY Installation: Blink and Ring mastered DIY installation. They include clear step-by-step instructions and package their products so that each component comes out in the order you need to install it. That’s why it never takes us more than 15 minutes to install their cameras.
• Two-Way Talk: Every Ring and Blink camera and video doorbell features two-way talk, which we consider an essential feature. It has multiple uses such as scaring off intruders by letting them know cops are on the way and telling delivery drivers where to leave packages.
• Night Vision: All Ring and Blink cameras come with night vision capabilities, with some newer models featuring color night vision. That provides clearer footage than black-and-white infrared, perfect for identifying clothing colors or vehicle details in low-light conditions.

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. . Of all these differences, Ring beats Blink in nearly every category. That’s why we picked them as the best option right up front.

• Camera Selection: Ring blows Blink out of the water in this category. While Blink covers all the bases with five indoor, outdoor, and doorbell camera models, Ring offers 16 models to choose from. That means you’re bound to find a camera that fits your exact needs with Ring.
• Range of Protection: With Ring, you don’t need to limit your home’s security to only security cameras. You can add a wide range of sensors, install hazard alarms, and opt for professional monitoring. Blink only offers security cameras and self-monitoring subscriptions.
• Reputation: Ring has better name-recognition than Blink. That’s because they essentially invented the video doorbell back in 2014. However, Blink has been building credibility since Amazon's acquisition. They offer reliable products at competitive prices that appeal to budget-conscious consumers, despite the lack of a reputation.
• 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 add 24/7 professional monitoring to a Ring Home plan that supports unlimited cameras for an extra $10 per month. Blink doesn't offer any professional monitoring, so you'll need to respond to every notification yourself.
• Pet Monitoring: Of course, motion alerts from both providers can help you keep tabs on your pet when you’re gone, but Ring goes a step further. They added pet profiles to the Ring Neighbors app to help reunite lost pets by alerting nearby users of the missing pet.

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 Outdoor 4 starts at $79.99, and buying in bulk gets you a discount. Three-camera bundles often sell for $190. For indoor cameras, there's the Blink Mini at $29.99 as well as the Blink Mini 2 and Mini Pan-Tilt, both of which cost $39.99. They also just released the Mini 2K+ that costs $49.99. 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. Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen) starts at $49.99, the same price as Blink’s most expensive indoor camera. From there, the outdoor cameras range up to $279.99 for the Floodlight Cam Pro with its 3D Motion Detection and dual-band Wi-Fi. To be clear, those prices are still low for the industry, but still more than Blink.

Here’s where it gets tricky. If you’re looking at just the price, Blink costs less. However, we think value is more important than price, and in that regard, Ring wins. It offers more options and better protections. 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 Ring’s security camera pricing:

A Look at Ring Cam Prices

Are Surveillance Systems Effective?

The main goal of a video surveillance system is to make your home safer. One way studies have shown they do that is by deterring crime in your area.1 When a criminal knows that they cannot enter your home without being seen (and recorded!), they will likely move on to target a different home.

We mounted our Blink Outdoor on the front of our house, overlooking our driveway.

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.

That said, if you can’t afford Ring, Blink still makes great cameras that offer excellent value. Their picture quality is clear and you don’t need a cloud storage plan to record footage if you use the local storage option. They also offer a complete lineup of cameras that can cover all of your needs from video doorbells to floodlight cameras.

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