If you’re on the hunt for the perfect pocket-friendly smart doorbell then you’ve come to the right place – the ultimate showdown of Blink vs. Ring Doorbell.
Ever stood at the doorstep wondering if your package got swiped again or wished you could see who’s knocking without getting off the couch? We’ve all been there.
The world of smart doorbells can be overwhelming but we’re here to break it down, lay it all out, and help you decide which doorbell will earn that prime spot by your front door.
So let’s cut the noise and dive into the Ring vs. Blink doorbell analogy and give these doorbells a run for their money because your home’s security deserves nothing but the best!
Ring vs Blink Doorbell – Detailed Analysis
Welcome to the ultimate faceoff: Ring vs Blink Doorbell. In this section, we’ll be looking at some of the key differences and similarities between the Blink Doorbell and the Ring Doorbell 2nd Generation 2020 release.
Let’s dig in and see who comes out on top for the best value for money smart doorbell as both these doorbells fall under the same price point and have more or less similar features.
Ring vs Blink – 13 Key Similarities
- Video Quality: Both the Blink doorbell and the Ring doorbell offer high-quality video resolution at 1080p HD.
The video quality during the daytime ensures that you won’t miss any important details, whether it’s someone dropping off a package or a friend stopping by.
- Audio Quality: When it comes to audio, both doorbells excel with their two-way audio capabilities. The noise cancellation feature in the Ring Doorbell ensures that your conversations are clear and free from unwanted background noise.
- Motion Detection: Both the Blink and Ring doorbells are equipped with advanced motion detection technology.
What’s great is that you can customize the motion zones to focus on the areas that matter the most to you. This way, you’ll prevent false alerts & receive alerts only when someone approaches your doorstep or enters specific zones.
- Night Vision: Both doorbells are equipped with night vision capabilities. However, Blink does have quite a bit of room for improvement in this area.
But, you’ll still be able to see what’s happening whether it’s a nighttime visitor, a delivery after hours, or simply checking your doorstep in the evening.
- Power Source: Both the Blink and Ring doorbells offer versatile power options. You can choose to power the Ring doorbell through built-in rechargeable batteries while the Blink runs on 2AA batteries that can last up to 2 years.
Or you can hardwire them to your existing doorbell wiring for continuous power, ensuring that the doorbell is always operational.
- Weather Resistance: Both doorbells are designed to withstand various weather conditions. However, they may not perform optimally under severe weather conditions.
- 2-Way Audio: The 2-way audio feature on both doorbells allows you to have real-time conversations with the visitor at your doorstep with clear audio quality. You can do this from practically anywhere without even having to be present inside the house.
- Alexa Integration: Both the Blink and Ring doorbells seamlessly integrate with Alexa-enabled devices. Your Echo Dot or Echo Show can be turned into a chime device, announce alerts with custom chime tones, and you can also engage in 2-way conversations using voice commands.
- Wi-Fi Connectivity: Both doorbells operate on the 2.4 GHz frequency, which is a common wifi band used in households.
- Subscription Plans: Both the Blink and Ring doorbells offer subscription plans that provide additional features.
These plans, available for a monthly fee, allow you to record and store video footage, review past events, and share videos and photos.
- Privacy: Both companies prioritize user privacy and provide control over how video data is managed, accessed, and stored.
- Included Accessories: Both doorbells provide you with mounting hardware inside the box with an easy installation guide that can be followed by novice installers.
- Responsive: Both doorbells have a nice click, so the visitors know they actually pressed it. Since it can be annoying pressing someone’s doorbell and not knowing if it rang. The light on the doorbells also lights up briefly to confirm it was pressed.
Also, both can be hooked up to your existing doorbell chime and we highly recommend you do that if you’re not in the Blink or Alexa ecosystem because the chime on the doorbell isn’t loud enough for it to be heard inside the house.
Ring vs Blink – 7 Key Differences
- Power Options: The Blink doorbell provides the option to power it using two non-rechargeable AA lithium batteries. On the other hand, the Ring doorbell is designed with a built-in rechargeable battery that you can charge regularly.
- Battery Life: Blink claims that their doorbell is power efficient and the batteries can last up to 2 years. While the Ring doorbell, If not hardwired, the battery doesn’t last super long. You have to recharge it about once a month or once every 2 months which varies based on usage. Charging takes several hours. Not hard, just tedious.
- Integration with Other Devices: In scenarios where you want to use your doorbell as an indoor chime, the Blink doorbell lets you integrate with the Blink Mini camera (sold separately).
This turns the Mini camera into an indoor plug-in chime that alerts you to doorbell activity. This gives you a 2-in-1 functionality as a security camera and a chime.
While the Ring Doorbell is only compatible with Ring Doorbell chime or Alexa-enabled devices to act as a chime.
- Field of View: The Blink doorbell offers a field of view with a 135° horizontal and 80° vertical range. The Ring doorbell provides a broader field of view with a 155° horizontal and 90° vertical coverage. This wider angle captures even more of the surroundings.
- Night Vision: The Blink doorbell features infrared night vision that isn’t the best here. The quality is significantly worse when compared to the Ring doorbell which comparatively offers crisper and clearer visibility in the dark.
- Video Storage/Subscription Plans: The Blink Subscription Plan is available for a monthly fee of $3 per device. This plan provides unlimited cloud storage for recorded videos and clips, allowing you to securely store and access your video history for 60 days.
If you’re in the Blink ecosystem, then you might be interested in the second plan which is $10 per month or $100 annually for video recording from unlimited Blink devices.
However, the cool thing about Blink is, that it comes with a device called the Sync Module 2 which enables you to get video storage locally without a subscription.
The Ring Protect Plan comes with two subscription tiers:
Basic Plan: Priced at $3 per month or $30 per year, it covers one device and provides video history for up to 60 days.
Plus Plan: Priced at $10 per month or $100 per year, it covers all devices at one location. This plan offers extended video history for up to 180 days.
- Live View: Ring offers a 24/7 live view of your front door through the app without any additional fee while with the Blink doorbell, if you don’t purchase it with the Sync Module 2 or if it isn’t wired, you will not have the live view feature on the Blink doorbell.
Reasons to Buy – Ring Video Doorbell
1. Easy Setup
- Setting up the Ring Doorbell is a breeze, with straightforward instructions that guide you through the process effortlessly.
2. Seamless Integration
- The Ring Doorbell easily syncs with your existing smart home devices such as Echo Dot and Echo Show along with other Ring devices, allowing you to create a comprehensive security ecosystem.
3. Clear Video Quality
- With stunning 1080p HD video, you’ll enjoy a clear and detailed view of your doorstep and surroundings, ensuring you never miss a detail.
4. Two-Way Audio
- The built-in two-way audio feature lets you communicate with visitors, and delivery drivers, or even deter potential intruders without opening the door.
- A true convenience whether you’re inside or outside your home. Managing deliveries and interactions with guests has never been more convenient.
5. Motion Detection Alerts
- Receive timely alerts whenever motion is detected on your property, giving you real-time updates and enhancing your vigilance.
- Customize motion zones by specifying areas where you want and don’t want motion to be detected for a personalized secured environment.
Doing this can also save your doorbell’s battery life and prevent unnecessary motion alerts from random things going on throughout the day.
6. Remote Monitoring
- Monitor your home from anywhere using your smartphone, enabling you to keep an eye on your doorstep, even when you’re away.
7. User-Friendly App
- The Ring app is intuitive and easy to use, providing quick access to video feeds, alerts, and device controls.
8. Wide Range and Night Vision
- The Ring Doorbell excels in both range and night vision, ensuring you have a clear view even in low-light conditions.
9. Wireless Convenience
- The convenience of not dealing with wires while still enjoying optimal functionality is a huge win. Unlike Blink’s wireless version, it doesn’t have the live view feature without it being wired or shelling some extra bucks on the sync module 2.
10. Value in Subscription
- The one-month free video recording is a taste of what’s possible. Opting for a subscription should feel like a no-brainer for most people. The peace of mind it offers, along with access to past recordings, is worth every penny.
Reasons to Avoid – Ring Video Doorbell
1. Motion Detection
- The Ring Doorbell has occasional difficulty in detecting fast motion, if someone runs by it, it might or might not notify you.
- Despite its potential as a motion detector, the battery version of the Ring Doorbell falls short in motion recording.
- The device tends to start recording motion with a delay, often resulting in pixelated images that clear up just as the moving object is about to exit the frame.
2. Battery Limitation
- The inability to use traditional batteries to recharge the doorbell is an inconvenience. Users must take the doorbell offline for prolonged periods to recharge the battery, disrupting its functionality.
3. Network Problems
- A critical setback is the device’s struggle with maintaining a stable Wi-Fi connection. The doorbell may occasionally go offline, requiring the users to be physically present to reconnect them.
4. Compromised Credibility
- The system’s frequent false motion detection prompts users to either ignore alerts or disable the system altogether. That is why it is necessary to have custom motion zones where you need motion alerts the most.
5. VPN Compatibility
- Ring’s decision to block VPN connections is puzzling. This change disrupts the device’s security framework, rendering it ineffective for users who prioritize secure connections.
6. Subscription Requirement
- To access past recordings and motion events, a subscription is necessary. So, if you’re someone who was really looking for a doorbell without a subscription without any unexpected costs, then this doorbell might not be the one for you.
Reasons to Buy – Blink Doorbell
1. Seamless Integration for Existing Blink Users
- If you’re already enjoying the benefits of Blink Cameras, you’re in luck. Adding the Blink Doorbell to your arsenal is as effortless as adding another camera.
- No need for a second sync module; just integrate it into your existing account and you’re good to go.
2. Tailored Motion Detection
- Customization is key. Choose between motion detection and doorbell ring alerts. Keep an eagle eye on your doorstep’s activity with motion detection, or conserve battery life by focusing on doorbell activations. The choice is yours.
3. Clear Two-Way Audio
- While the audio might occasionally encounter minor static, the convenience of interacting is undeniable.
4. Broad View
- It’s a fishbowl view. The Blink Doorbell offers a wide-angle perspective, ensuring your front porch is thoroughly covered.
5. Cost-Effective
- Unlike other doorbell systems, the Blink Doorbell doesn’t burden you with additional expenses. The app is free, cloud storage is free (with Sync Module 2), and accessing your images and videos is free.
6. Effortless Setup
- Whether you opt for battery-powered simplicity or venture into hardwiring territory, setup is a breeze.
7. Clever Night Vision Enhancement:
- While Blink’s night vision might need a bit of adjustment, Amazon has your back. By harnessing the power of Alexa and smart lights, you can seamlessly enhance night vision.
- When the Blink camera detects motion, it triggers your smart lights to illuminate the scene.
8. Monitoring on Your Terms
- Monitor your home security from anywhere, anytime. Use your iPhone, Fire TV, or Fire Stick to view live feeds and recorded footage.
9. Snapshots
- The doorbell takes snapshots at intervals all day long. It’s like having a personal paparazzi on your porch. Whether it’s a package drop-off or a surprise visitor, you’ll have the scoop.
Reasons to Avoid – Blink Doorbell
1. Tricky Installation
- If you want the camera to face just right, you might need a “wedge.” Now, the included back plate isn’t exactly the best quality, but the wedge makes the installation more solid.
2. Motion Detection
- If you’re used to Blink cameras, you know they’ve got two types of sensors. The cheaper one’s fooled by light changes, like leaves in the wind.
- Sure, the doorbell has more zones to exclude, but still, it’s all about where you put it.
3. Night Vision
- Sure, it’s HD 1080, but the difference is massive, especially at night. The night video quality? Grainy. Like, almost unusable grainy.
4. Subscription Sneakiness
- The sync module 2 was a bonus, but those subscription reminder notifications? Already on the scene. It’s like they’re baiting you to pay up.
5. The Extra Costs
- If you want an internal chime, say goodbye to an extra $34.99 for a Blink indoor security camera, which comes with that chime.
- And hey, want a live feed? Slap down $39.00 for a sync module. Oh, saving your footage? Either cough up $3.00 a month for Blink cloud service or grab a flash drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to change blink doorbell battery?
Flip the Blink doorbell to locate the security clip at the bottom of the doorbell. Use a flat-head screwdriver and insert it in the slit as shown in the image below. Push upwards to disengage it from the ledge underneath.
Push it upwards and the backplate should come right off. Now you can replace your blink doorbell batteries. It is recommended to use lithium-ion AA batteries as they tend to last longer than regular ones.
To snap the backplate back simply hold the doorbell on the backplate – slightly above the exact alignment. Then push it downwards to engage all the 6 clip cutouts to lock the doorbell in place.
How to reset blink doorbell?
To factory reset your Blink doorbell, simply open the Blink app. Click on the three lines (doorbell settings) on the top right-hand corner of the doorbell preview for the doorbell you wish to reset.
The next step is to simply scroll to the bottom of the settings page where you’ll find the “Delete Doorbell” option. Click on it and you’re done.
Your Blink doorbell is now in setup mode. You can confirm that by seeing if a red LED is flashing in the doorbell.
How to connect blink doorbell to alexa?
Visit the Blink support page to watch and learn how to connect the Blink doorbell to Amazon Alexa.
Also, if you want to learn how to connect Ring doorbell to Alexa, we’ve covered it in a separate step-by-step guide.
How much is ring doorbell subscription?
The Basic Ring Protect Plan is available for $3 per month or $30 annually for a single device. The Plus plan on the other hand is priced at $10 per month or $100 annually for unlimited Ring devices per household.
Is ring doorbell waterproof?
Ring doorbells are weather-resistant, which means they can handle rain, snow, and all that jazz.
But, they’re not fully waterproof. So, a bit of drizzle won’t hurt, but you don’t want to submerge it in water. They’re built to handle outdoor conditions but aren’t meant for a swim!
Why does my ring doorbell keep going offline?
Your Ring doorbell might go offline if the connection between it and your wifi isn’t strong enough. If the wifi connection is stable then the only reason for it to go offline is low power.
Make sure the Ring doorbell has ample charge for it to function optimally. Or another reason could be that you received a faulty doorbell and should get it replaced.
Final Verdict On Blink vs Ring Doorbell
Now the choice between the Blink vs Ring doorbell ultimately comes down to your specific needs and preferences.
Remember, when deciding between the two, consider factors like power options, audio quality, two-way communication, video storage plans, video quality, privacy controls, and budget.
These doorbells won’t break the bank, yet they’re packing some serious features. It’s proof that you can get top-notch security without blowing your wallet.
Sure, they might not have all the fancy tricks that some pricier doorbells brag about like recognizing faces or being super fancy with motion detection.
But they got the essentials down pat. Both of them have their quirks but for a reasonable cost, they’re a pretty nifty addition.
Whether you prioritize advanced night vision, broader coverage, or flexible subscription plans, understanding these key differences empowers you to make an informed choice that aligns perfectly with your home security needs.
