Blink Video Doorbell Review: The Budget Doorbell Camera That Punches Above Its Weight

Here's the uncomfortable truth about smart doorbells: most of us don't need a $200 video doorbell. We need to see who's at the door, talk to delivery drivers, and catch porch pirates on camera. The Blink Video Doorbell does all of that for roughly $50. We've been testing it for four months against Ring's flagship doorbell, and the results might convince you to pocket that extra hundred bucks. Here's everything you need to know.

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Blink Video Doorbell Overview

Amazon owns both Blink and Ring, and that creates an interesting dynamic. Ring is the premium brand with all the bells and whistles. Blink is the scrappy budget option that quietly delivers 80% of the functionality at half the price. The Blink Video Doorbell exemplifies this perfectly: it won't impress your tech-obsessed neighbor, but it will absolutely get the job done without draining your bank account.

The doorbell comes in one version with two power options:

• Battery Powered: Pop in the included AA lithium batteries and mount it anywhere. No wiring required, no electrician needed, no permission from your landlord. Perfect for renters and anyone who dreads the word "installation."
• Wired Installation: Connect to your existing doorbell wiring (8-24 VAC) for unlimited power. Your doorbell chime even works as it always did. The batteries stay in as backup during power outages.

Blink Video Doorbell Features: Full Breakdown

Video Quality Analysis

At 1080p Full HD with a 135-degree field of view, the Blink Video Doorbell captures everything you need to see. Faces are identifiable, package labels are readable, and the wide angle means you won't miss visitors standing off to the side. Is it the sharpest video we've ever seen from a doorbell? No. Is it plenty sharp for security purposes? Absolutely.

Daytime Performance: Colors look natural, details stay crisp, and the camera handles harsh sunlight better than we expected. The HDR processing isn't as sophisticated as Ring's, but you'll still see faces clearly even with the sun behind them.

Nighttime Performance: Infrared night vision kicks in automatically when light drops. The black-and-white footage is surprisingly detailed up to about 15 feet. Beyond that, you're looking at shapes and movement rather than fine details. For most porch situations, it's more than adequate.

Two-Way Audio

Talk to visitors through your phone, wherever you are. The speaker quality is decent for a $50 device, though we'd describe it as "functional" rather than "impressive." Visitors can hear you clearly, and you can hear them. There's a slight delay, but nothing that makes conversations awkward. Pro tip: the half-duplex audio means you can't talk and listen simultaneously, so wait for the other person to finish before responding.

Motion Detection

The Blink Video Doorbell uses passive infrared (PIR) motion detection, which means it responds to body heat rather than pixel changes. In practice, this reduces false alerts from passing cars, swaying branches, and shifting shadows. You can adjust sensitivity levels and set activity zones to focus on areas that matter.

• Motion zones let you define specific areas to monitor and ignore everything else
• Sensitivity settings range from low to high, letting you find the sweet spot for your situation
• Retrigger time controls how long the camera waits before recording another event
• Night infrared intensity is adjustable if the IR LEDs create too much glare

Alexa Integration

This is where Blink shines. Say "Alexa, show me the front door" to any Echo Show, and boom, live video. Someone presses the doorbell, and every Echo device in your house announces it. You can even answer the door through your Echo Show without touching your phone. If you're already in the Amazon ecosystem, the Blink Video Doorbell feels like it was designed specifically for you.

Specifications Table

Pros and Cons

Installation Guide

Blink designed this doorbell for people who've never installed anything more complicated than a smoke detector. Whether you go battery or wired, you're looking at a 15-20 minute project tops. Here's how both options break down.

What's in the Box

• Blink Video Doorbell
• Two AA lithium batteries (pre-installed)
• Mounting bracket and wedge
• Mounting screws and anchors
• Wiring connector for hardwired installation
• Quick start guide

Battery Installation (Easiest Option)

1. Download the Blink app and create an account (2 minutes)
2. Add the doorbell to your account by scanning the QR code
3. Connect to your Wi-Fi network
4. Choose your mounting location (4-5 feet high is ideal)
5. Use the included template to mark holes, then drill
6. Attach the mounting bracket with the included screws
7. Slide the doorbell onto the bracket until it clicks
8. Adjust the angle using the wedge if needed

Wired Installation

1. Turn off power to your existing doorbell at the circuit breaker
2. Remove your old doorbell and note the two wires
3. Connect the wires to the included wiring connector (polarity doesn't matter)
4. Attach the mounting bracket to the wall
5. Plug the wiring connector into the back of the Blink doorbell
6. Slide the doorbell onto the bracket
7. Turn the power back on at the circuit breaker
8. Complete setup in the Blink app

Blink Video Doorbell vs. Ring Video Doorbell

This is the comparison everyone wants to see. Both doorbells are owned by Amazon, but they target different buyers. Here's how they stack up head-to-head:

When to Choose Blink

• Budget is your priority: At half the price, Blink delivers remarkable value
• You want local storage: Pair with Sync Module 2 to avoid monthly fees entirely
• Battery life matters: Blink's 2-year battery life crushes Ring's 6-12 months
• You're already using Alexa: Integration is seamless and works brilliantly
• You hate subscriptions: Basic functionality works without paying monthly

When to Choose Ring

• You want the widest view: Ring's 155-degree field of view is noticeably wider
• Full-duplex audio matters: Natural conversations without the back-and-forth
• You need advanced features: Package detection, person alerts, pre-roll video
• Weather extremes: Ring's slightly better IP55 rating provides peace of mind
• You're building a Ring ecosystem: Better integration with other Ring devices

Storage Options Explained

Here's where Blink offers something Ring doesn't: a subscription-free path to video storage.

Cloud Storage (Blink Subscription Plan)

For $3/month per device (or $10/month for unlimited devices), you get 60 days of cloud video history, photo capture, and video sharing. It's affordable, but it's still a recurring cost that adds up over time.

Local Storage (Sync Module 2)

Buy the Sync Module 2 ($34.99) and insert a USB drive, and you've got local storage with zero monthly fees. All your clips save locally, accessible through the Blink app. This is the setup we recommend for budget-conscious buyers who want to avoid subscriptions entirely.

Who Should Buy the Blink Video Doorbell?

Best For:

• Budget-conscious buyers: You want smart doorbell functionality without the premium price tag
• Renters: Battery installation means no wiring, no permanent changes, no security deposit at risk
• Alexa households: If you've got Echo devices, this doorbell integrates beautifully
• Subscription avoiders: Local storage option means you never pay monthly fees
• Battery life prioritizers: Two-year battery life is genuinely impressive
• First-time smart home adopters: Easy setup, low commitment, great entry point

Consider Alternatives If:

• You need advanced AI features: Package detection, facial recognition, and pre-roll video require Ring
• You want continuous recording: Blink only records when triggered
• Extreme weather is common: The IP54 rating handles rain fine, but harsh conditions might warrant a more rugged option
• You're building a Ring ecosystem: Stick with Ring for better cross-device integration

Related Guides

• Complete Ring Video Doorbell Guide - Compare all Ring doorbell models
• Ring vs Blink Comparison - Which Amazon camera system is better?
• Best Video Doorbells 2025 - Top picks across all price ranges
• Blink Camera System Guide - Build a complete Blink security setup