Ring this (door) bell if you hate subscriptions as much as I do

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At a look Knowledgeable's Ranking Professionals

Head-to-toe area of view gives superb protection of customer and package deal zones

Operates on both battery or hardwired energy

2-year battery life on AA lithium batteries

Easy DIY set up and versatile mounting (wi-fi or wired) make it excellent for first-timers

Cons

Cloud storage and superior detection options require a subscription

Push-to-talk audio (not full duplex)

Restricted native storage choices (included Sync Module Core doesn’t assist USB storage)

No coloration evening imaginative and prescient

Our Verdict The Blink Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) delivers clear video, broad protection, dependable alerts, and an extended battery life at a remarkably low worth. Should you don’t want superior options like ultra-sharp decision, or full-duplex audio, this doorbell is a real cut price.

Worth When Reviewed

This worth will present the geolocated pricing textual content for product undefined

Greatest Pricing As we speak

Worth When Reviewed $59.99, examined as a bundle with the Sync Module Core. Worth as reviewed: $69.99

Greatest Costs As we speak: Blink Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)

$69.99

Blink is Amazon’s price range line of good residence merchandise. Whereas Blink gear may not match the commercial design or superior options of Amazon’s premium Ring merchandise, Blink delivers important options at a a lot cheaper price. Fewer options additionally imply the Blink Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) is less complicated to arrange and simpler to make use of.

Customers get clear video, broad protection, dependable alerts and an extended battery life. For a lot of households, particularly renters or first-time good doorbell consumers, that’s precisely the form of system they want. Should you want (or simply actually need) ultra-sharp decision, pro-grade audio, or a product that has a broader good residence ecosystem, you’ll must spend extra.

Set up

<img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Blink-Video-Doorbell-2nd-Gen-out-of-the-box.jpg?quality=50&strip=all&w=1200" alt="Blink Video Doorbell 2nd Gen out of the box" class="wp-image-3030247" width="1200" height="800" loading="lazy"/> You’ll want one or one other mannequin of a Blink Sync Module to attach a Blink Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) to your own home community. The SKU we reviewed included a Blink Sync Module Core (proven on the far proper on this picture).

James Barber/Foundry

Blink doesn’t embrace a lot in the way in which of directions within the field. The Fast Begin information suggests downloading the Blink app for iOS or Google. When you’ve accomplished that and fired it up, you principally get step-by-step directions for organising and putting in your doorbell system. Skilled good residence system customers will understand that set up ought to begin with the Sync Module, however the app doesn’t recommend that step in the event you begin with the doorbell itself.

The Blink app connects the Blink Sync Module Core to your own home Wi-Fi, a step that’s normally straightforward. Blink cameras hook up with that, and from there to your own home community. The Sync Module Core is included with the doorbell, however if you'd like native storage, you’ll must buy one of many higher-end fashions.

There’s the $50 Blink Sync Module 2, which has a USB-A port you may plug a thumb drive into (max capability 256GB), or the $70 Blink Sync Module XR, which has a microSD socket (identical capability restrict as the opposite mannequin). The XR additionally delivers longer vary for as much as two Blink Out of doors 4 cameras (as much as 250 toes in XR mode and as much as 400 toes in XR+ mode). Each sync modules assist as much as 10 Blink cameras.

I encountered some hassle with my setup utilizing the Sync Module Core. After a number of unsuccessful tries, I deleted the Blink app and restarted my iPhone earlier than reinstalling the app. Beginning over with the set up didn’t instantly resolve the problem, however I finally bought the Sync Module Core to hook up with my community. I’m simply not precisely certain if I did something to make that occur or if the problem fastened itself.

As soon as these points have been resolved, the remainder of the set up was straightforward. The app gave well-illustrated directions for connecting and mounting the doorbell. I selected to make use of the included AA batteries as an alternative of hardwiring the doorbell into my present setup. As soon as I did that, the steps have been tailor-made to my alternative and I didn’t see any of the wired directions in my Blink app.

<img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Blink-Video-Doorbell-2nd-battery-mounting-template.jpg?quality=50&strip=all&w=1200" alt="Blink Video Doorbell 2nd battery mounting template" class="wp-image-3030250" width="1200" height="800" loading="lazy"/> Blink gives a paper mounting template that makes it straightforward to drill pilot holes 4 mounting the Blink Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) in the proper areas.

James Barber/Foundry

I put in the doorbell in a slim slot between my residence’s brick wall and its storm door. The sting of the storm door gasket made it unattainable for the mounting plate to sit down flush in opposition to my door jamb, so I swapped out the included screws for barely longer ones I had available.

The included paper drilling template made set up far simpler than pushing a pencil via the mounting plate screw holes to attract circles that mark the drill targets. I’ve put in fairly a couple of doorbells and different residence safety merchandise over the previous couple of years, and that is the primary one I’ve encountered that got here with a template. That will seem to be a trivial addition to the set up package, however I’m now questioning why everybody doesn’t embrace them.

If the Sync Module would have related on the primary strive, your complete course of would have taken lower than ten minutes. Even with a irritating delay attributable to these connection points, your complete course of took lower than half-hour. The Blink Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) set up ought to be straightforward sufficient for absolute freshmen even when the preliminary steps require a bit extra endurance.

Video high quality & protection

<img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Blink-Video-Doorbell-2nd-Gen-app-screenshots.png?w=1200" alt="Blink Video Doorbell 2nd Gen app screenshots" class="wp-image-3030252" width="1200" height="800" loading="lazy"/> The Blink Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) comes with an easy-to-use app and captures video with a 1:1 side ratio and 1440 x 1440 pixels.

James Barber/Foundry

The upgraded sq. side ratio (1:1) and expanded 150-degree area of view allow you to see a customer’s face, a package deal on the bottom or anybody standing on the door edge. Decision is improved over the earlier Blink mannequin—1440 x 1440 pixels—however choosing that highest high quality will decrease the doorbell’s battery life (that’s not a difficulty in the event you’re utilizing hardwired energy).

In observe, picture readability is sweet for the worth, however not beautiful. I’ve examined video doorbells with picture high quality suggesting a 4K film. You would possibly consider the Blink Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) as DVD high quality, a decision that was as soon as thought of a miracle.

In low gentle, you’ll discover the absence of coloration evening imaginative and prescient. Should you stay in a location with very dim lighting, you would possibly get shadowy footage in the event you don’t have a entrance porch gentle or it’s not all the time on at evening. That is the only lacking function that may tempt customers to improve to a pricier system, however I feel the picture high quality was greater than adequate for many customers.

Battery vs. hardwired set up

<img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Blink-Video-Doorbell-2nd-battery-compartment.jpg?quality=50&strip=all&w=1200" alt="Blink Video Doorbell 2nd battery compartment" class="wp-image-3030251" width="1200" height="800" loading="lazy"/> Blink says the Blink Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) can function for so long as two years on three AA lithium batteries. You even have the choice of hardwiring it to a transformer.

James Barber/Foundry

As with Blink’s Out of doors 4 digicam, battery endurance is among the massive positives right here. Blink claims as much as two years of battery life with AA lithium in typical use with Sync Module.

In real-world use, the determine will range primarily based on Wi-Fi power, movement frequency, recording size, whether or not wired or wi-fi), however even a yr of trouble-free battery life can be glorious. Should you don’t need to fear about fixed recharging or pulling new wiring, this can be a massive win.

The wired possibility continues to be current in case you have an present doorbell circuit, supplying you with the advantage of utilizing your in-home chime.

Utilizing the Blink app

The Blink app is required to arrange your Blink doorbell. It’s additionally the place you may watch any stay video or recorded clips or talk with anybody standing in entrance of your doorbell. Blink gear is optimized to work with Alexa, and you'll join your Amazon and Alexa accounts within the app.

A lot of the performance constructed into the Blink app is designed for Blink’s intensive line of residence safety cameras. Should you get pleasure from their doorbell, Amazon hopes you’ll add a half dozen cameras and construct a full Blink monitoring system that you just’ll management within the app.

Subscription plan choices

You should use the Blink Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) in its primary mode with out paying for a subscription, however you'll not get its full function set. And not using a subscription, you may have entry to a stay view, alerts on door-press/movement, two-way speak, and restricted video seize (in the event you additionally buy a Blink Sync Module 2 or Sync Module XR).

<img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Blink-Sync-Module-Core.jpg?quality=50&strip=all&w=1200" alt="Blink Sync Module Core" class="wp-image-3030249" width="1200" height="800" loading="lazy"/> Should you don’t have already got considered one of Blink’s Sync Modules, you should purchase the doorbell bundled with a really primary Sync Module Core, however each the Blink Sync Module 2 and the Sync Module XR provide the choice of 256GB of native storage (USB or microSD respectively).

James Barber/Foundry

A Primary Plan subscription ($3.99/month or $39.99/yr) covers one Blink system. You get particular person and automobile detection, movement occasion recording, as much as 90 minutes of stay view recording (you’re restricted to five minutes of stay viewing with no subscription), and cloud storage for as much as 60 days, Blink Moments (which mixes associated clips throughout gadgets into one video), the power to snooze notifications to quickly pause alerts for as much as 24 hours, and an additional 10 p.c off future Blink gadgets on Amazon.

There’s additionally a Plus Plan that ($11.99/month or $119.99/yr) that covers an infinite variety of Blink gadgets in a number of areas and extends the guarantee protection on all gadgets for so long as the subscription is energetic.

Not like some opponents or prior Blink fashions, native/USB storage is now not built-in by way of Sync Module Core. Should you want video storage, you need to issue the $40/yr Primary Plan into your calculations.

Worth

This Blink doorbell is a robust contender within the entry-level bracket ($60 to $80). Many different price range doorbells price extra, provide much less battery life (or require hardwired energy), or present an much more restricted set of options.

Mid-tier fashions ($100 to150 vary) get higher analytics, coloration evening imaginative and prescient, native storage, and superior sensors, however normally require a dearer subscription along with their greater price. The Blink Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) represents a “adequate” possibility for many customers. Not everybody wants essentially the most superior options, and it’s exhausting to beat the Blink’s worth when the doorbell on sale (it was going for as little as $30 throughout the latest holidays).

Must you purchase a Blink Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)?

Blink nails the fundamentals with this video doorbell. Should you simply need to see who’s at your door and speak with them by way of app from the opposite facet of the home, it’s a easy answer at a outstanding worth.

A $40-per-year subscription provides virtually all of the recording options you may want; and/or if you'd like native storage, take into account including one of many higher-end Blink Sync Modules. You received’t get the highest-definition video or the highest quality audio, however both of these choices will provide you with an efficient file of what’s occurring at your entrance door.

Amazon’s Blink Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) lowers the barrier to entry for residence safety to a spot the place it’s reasonably priced for nearly anybody. You get a top quality product with the assist of a serious firm that has years of success within the area and keep away from the shoddy high quality (and questionable safety) of no-name manufacturers obtainable on-line.