Ring vs. Blink: I compared the two most popular security camera brands, and here's who wins

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Amazon owns not one, but two security camera companies, much to the vexation of many smart home enthusiasts. Ring and Blink are both Amazon brands that integrate seamlessly with Alexa’s smart home ecosystem, making them perfect for Alexa users. Beyond that, they’re excellent options for home security, featuring battery- and plug-in cameras designed for both indoor and outdoor use that support live viewing, two-way audio, and motion alerts.

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There are, however, marked differences between Ring and Blink devices. Since both brands offer a large number of products, I’ll break down the key differences between the broader Ring ecosystem and the Blink ecosystem, rather than focusing on individual products. 

You should buy a Ring device if…

1. You’d like more choices in video doorbells

The biggest difference between Ring and Blink is that the latter offers a smaller lineup of more affordable products compared to the former. Blink only offers a single video doorbell model, and its product lineup is more limited compared to Ring’s. 

As a brand, Ring offers a range of six different video doorbells, including HD and 4K models, as well as wired and battery-powered options, catering to both entry-level and high-end users. You can get a Ring Video Wired Doorbell with HD resolution and advanced motion detection for only $50, all the way up to a Ring Wired Doorbell Pro with 4K video capture and high-quality low-light night vision for $260. 

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There are also excellent battery-powered Ring Doorbells, including models with a removable rechargeable battery, such as the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus for $150 and the Ring Battery Doorbell Pro for $200.

2. You want more future-proof hardware

Both Ring and Blink have kept their security cameras on the market for years — they’re not brands that replace their products each year. Ring is one of the pioneers in the video doorbell market; however, it has been known to occasionally include existing and even discontinued devices. 

Most recently, Ring upgraded some existing cameras from HD to 2K resolution through a free software update, including the Floodlight Cam Pro and Spotlight Cam Pro. New Ring devices also feature the upgrade to 2K and 4K resolution, a first for the brand, offering some of the highest image resolutions to Ring users.

3. You want a whole-home security system

Blink offers fewer models of video doorbells, but its core products are security cameras. Ring, however, has honed its full scope in the home security market with Ring Alarm. This is a home security system that works seamlessly with Ring security cameras and Alexa devices. 

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The Ring Alarm system has multiple types of sensors, including contact and motion sensors, and features a Base Station that connects the security devices, serves as a 104-dB siren, and acts as the system’s backup battery.  You can purchase the Base Station separately and expand with individually purchased sensors, or opt for a 5-, 8-, 10-, or 14-piece kit that includes a variety of sensors, keypads, and a Base Station.

You should buy a Blink device if…

1. You’d rather save some money on startup costs

Blink is a decidedly more affordable brand of home security devices, offering a Video Doorbell and Sync Module Core for $70 (and even cheaper during sales events), as well as Outdoor 2K+ security cameras for $100 and the indoor/outdoor Blink Mini 2K+ for only $50. 

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Many smart home enthusiasts often wonder why Amazon maintains two separate home security companies that produce the same types of devices. The primary reason is that each brand caters to two distinct audiences: Ring is an established security camera brand renowned for its high quality and longevity, while Blink is an affordable brand that is ideal for entry-level and modular setups. 

2. You want the option of local storage (and no monthly fees)

A Blink Subscription Plan starts at $4 per month for the Basic option, which supports one device, and can cost up to $12 per month for a Plus subscription that supports unlimited devices. Blink, however, gives users the option of local storage, rather than limiting them to cloud storage. The addition of a Blink Sync Module XR to a home security setup enables local recording on a microSD card of up to 256GB, in addition to extending the coverage area for up to two Blink Outdoor 4 cameras by 400 feet. 

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Ring offers subscription plans that cannot be bypassed with local storage. A Ring Home subscription starts at $5 per month for a Basic plan that supports one camera, while a Standard plan costs $10 per month for all devices. Ring offers a Premium plan that provides devices with more advanced AI features, including Video Descriptions, Smart Video Search, AI Single Event Alerts, and 24/7 Recording, for $20 per month. 

ZDNET writer’s choice

While choosing between Ring and Blink is a highly subjective matter, I compared video quality, local storage options, the convenience of using lithium batteries over wired setups, and up-front costs versus affordability. Ultimately, I’d choose a Blink setup for a smaller home or apartment, where I’d prioritize easy installation. For a larger home, I’d opt for Ring, provided affordability isn’t a significant issue.