Blink suits renters and homeowners who want simple wire-free cameras that run for up to two years on batteries. Ring suits people who want a full security system with doorbells, alarms, professional monitoring and longer video history. If you want a few cameras up quickly, pick Blink; if you want the whole house covered and watched, pick Ring.
Blink and Ring are closer cousins than their ads suggest. Blink's App Store listing says using its app means agreeing to Amazon's Conditions of Use, and both work with Alexa, so this is a choice between two styles of home security. I read both makers' sites, Ring's plans page and both App Store listings.
Blink and Ring side by side
| Blink | Ring | |
|---|---|---|
| Best known for | Wire-free battery cameras | Video doorbells, cameras and alarms |
| Battery life | Up to two years on wire-free devices | Not stated on the pages I read |
| Video history | Cloud clips with a Blink plan | Up to 180 days on Ring plans |
| Monitoring | Not covered on the pages I read | 24/7 Professional Monitoring on Ring Pro |
| Alexa | Works with select Alexa devices | Alexa+ Greetings on select doorbells |
| Free plan | Not named | Not named (free 30-day plan trial) |
What Blink does
Blink is all about easy cameras. Its site says the wire-free devices get up to two years of battery life, and its listing says Outdoor 4 runs that long on a single set of AA lithium batteries. There's a 2K range, battery and wired doorbells, a Mini plug-in camera, a Mini Pan-Tilt with 360-degree coverage and floodlight cameras with a siren.
You set activity and privacy zones in the Blink app so you're only alerted about what matters. With a Blink plan you can save and share clips in the cloud, watch up to 90 minutes of continuous live view and turn on person detection. Every Blink camera comes with a 30-day free trial of the Plus plan.
What Ring does
Ring is the bigger system. Its site covers doorbells, indoor and outdoor cameras, alarm kits, smart lights and a smart lock, and its plans page builds up from there. Ring Solo and Ring Multi give you up to 180 days of video playback and person, package and vehicle alerts. Ring Pro adds 24/7 Professional Monitoring, and Virtual Security Guard adds live video monitoring by trained agents.
Ring also offers 24/7 continuous recording on eligible cameras, smoke and carbon monoxide monitoring, an SOS button in the app and Alexa+ Greetings, where Alexa+ greets visitors and handles deliveries on select doorbells.
Batteries or a full system
The real fork here is how far you want to go. Blink's strength is that you can stick a camera almost anywhere with no wires and forget about it for a long time, which suits renters who can't drill or run cables. Ring's strength is everything joined up: a doorbell, cameras, alarm sensors and people who can call for help when your alarm goes off.
One detail from Ring's own pages: its Professional Monitoring covers all 50 US states and Canada, excluding Quebec, and some newer features aren't available in Illinois. Check that the parts you want are offered where you live before you plan around them.
Who each camera system suits
Blink suits renters, holiday homes and people who want a couple of cameras watching the door and garden. Ring suits families who want a doorbell, cameras and an alarm working together, and anyone who'd like professional monitoring. If you work from home, it's also worth reading how to secure your remote working business and these tips to stay safe from cybersecurity threats, because a camera is only one part of keeping your home office safe.
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My advice on Blink or Ring
Walk round your home and list the doors and spots you want covered. If it's two or three cameras and you can't drill, start with Blink and use its free Plus trial to see whether you need cloud clips. If you want a doorbell, an alarm and someone watching when you're away, go with Ring and choose the plan that covers the devices you own, not more. Either way, set up motion zones on day one so you're not drowning in alerts about the neighbour's cat.
Do you make home security or smart home products? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place in comparisons like this one.
Frequently asked questions
How long do Blink batteries last?
Blink says its wire-free devices get up to two years of battery life, and Outdoor 4 runs that long on a single set of AA lithium batteries.
How much video history does Ring keep?
Ring's plans page says Ring Solo and Ring Multi give up to 180 days of video playback.
Does Ring offer professional monitoring?
Yes. Ring Pro adds 24/7 Professional Monitoring, available in all 50 US states and in Canada excluding Quebec.
Do Blink and Ring work with Alexa?
Yes. Blink works with select Alexa devices, and Ring offers Alexa+ Greetings on select doorbells.
Is there a free trial of Blink or Ring plans?
Yes. Blink includes a 30-day free trial of its Plus plan with every camera, and Ring offers a free 30-day Ring Plan trial with a device.
