Over the years, Blink and Wyze have established a David and Goliath-like rivalry to earn a place as the best budget security cameras.
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But which one is better? There is no simple answer to that question. Which brand you should buy depends on your needs and how you plan to use it.
We know the struggles of choosing the best security system for your home, particularly if you are down to two just options. So, we will take a closer look at each brand to help you decide which one best fits your home.
Key Points
- Wyze and Blink are budget-friendly smart home security solutions.
- Both offer cameras that integrate well with Alexa and Google Home.
- However, Wyze is the only one that offers professional monitoring.
- On the other side, local storage and battery life are Blink’s strong suit.
Wyze Vs Blink: A Quick Glance
Wyze and Blink are very common smart home security companies that make wireless security cameras for residential consumers. These two companies need no introduction, but let us start with a quick look at what they do.
1. Blink
Blink is an American home automation company owned by Amazon and has been since 2017. Their goal is to help people feel safe in their homes by making security devices that are smart, low-cost, and easy to use.
This company started off with two battery-powered cameras namely Blink Indoor and Blink Outdoor. But they have since added:
- Blink Outdoor
- Blink Indoor
- Blink Wired Floodlight Camera
- Blink Mini
- Blink Video Doorbell
All these come with different wired and hardwired options, as well as battery-powered and solar-powered models for some. And, to top it all, they come armed with HD video, customizable motion detection, two-way audio, and more.
2. Wyze
Ever heard of Wyze Labs? It's a Seattle-based company started by a bunch of folks who used to work together at Amazon. They saw a need for affordable, reliable smart home devices and decided to create their own. Now, Wyze is a big name, offering homeowners all sorts of cool gadgets to make their lives easier.
They focus on smart home devices, like wireless cameras you can put inside or outside to keep an eye on things. They've also got smart plugs and bulbs to control your lights with your phone, door controllers for keyless entry, and even smart locks for ultimate security.
Wyze's first-ever product was the WyzeCam. Despite being a young player in the market, Wyze has already established other cost-effective and reliable options, such as:
- Wyze Video Doorbell
- Wyze Outdoor Camera
- Wyze Bulb
- Wyze Plug
- Wyze Cam Pan
- Wyze Sense
The company keeps adding cool features to their products, and the prices are still super affordable. Plus, the video quality is amazing, you can catch every detail with the motion detection, and even talk to whoever's on camera with the two-way audio!
Find out if Wyze Cams can operate without internet connection. Learn about their functionality offline before setting them up.
Wyze and Blink: The Similarities
Even though Blink and Wyze offer indoor and outdoor cameras, these two brands have so much in common. Their similarities include:
- Easy DIY Installation: Since most Blink and Wyze devices are battery-powered or plug-in, they’re squarely easy to install and set up, even for users with little to no technical knowledge. The packaging includes mounting hardware, meaning most setups will take less than 10 minutes.
- Cloud Storage Pricing: Blink and Wyze cameras do not have free cloud storage, so paying a monthly fee is optional to store recorded videos.
- Remote Connectivity: Both systems boast user-friendly mobile apps that let you see exactly what's happening at home, anytime, anywhere.
- Video Quality: You can’t catch thieves if you can’t see them. Even with their affordable cost, Blink and Wyze cameras provide clear 1080p HD video resolution. They take sharp pictures with true colors in daylight and keep impressive details in low-light conditions.
- Two-Way Audio: This is a staple feature most people look for in a security camera, and both Blink and Wyze offer it. As such, you can hear what's going on and even speak directly through the camera.
- Night Vision: Blink and Wyze both offer night vision. Of course, this is still a must-have feature to look for as you will want to observe what is happening around your home, even in the dark of night.
- Free Storage: The Blink security system records footage to a central hub, which can hold up to 245 GB of video. With Wyze, you can record video from 32 GB up to 256 GB on their MicroUSB local storage—And because you are not using the cloud, you won’t have to pay a dime for this storage.
- Warranty: Blink and Wyze come with a limited warranty that covers manufacturing flaws for up to one year from the date of purchase. Both also have the option of purchasing an extended warranty.
Curious if Blink Cameras offer continuous 24/7 recording? Get insights on their recording capabilities to make informed decisions.
Wyze and Blink: Key differences
Blink and Wyze do have some overlap when it comes to their offerings, but the differences between the two are minor or even superficial. They include:
- Professional Monitoring Services: With a Wyze Alarm system, you could sign up for 24/7 professional monitoring, which is a huge advantage for Wyze. Blink does not have an alarm system; thus, professional monitoring is not available.
- Power and Battery Features: Both cameras sport amazing battery life, though the Blink wins this contest by a wide margin. While the Wyze has a respectable 3-6-month battery life, the Blink batteries can last up to two years with its two AA batteries.
- Field of View: Blink has cameras that boost up to a 110-degree field of view, while many of Wyze’s cameras offer a slightly wider field of view at 130 degrees. However, Blink now offers 360-degree coverage with their new Mini Pan-Tilt.
- Intrusion Protection: Remember that Wyze sells an alarm home security system. This adds another layer of security around your property, with motion detectors, window/door sensors, keypads, and a Wyze Sense hub with an in-built siren. Unfortunately, you don’t get any of this with Blink.
Blink Vs Wyze: A Detailed Overview
Now that we know what Blink and Wyze are about, let's start breaking down their respective features. Choosing between them is probably going to come down to which features appeal to you most.
1. Installation
Wyze and Blink are both DIY security cameras, and in our experience, most cameras can be installed in a matter of minutes—there’s no real wiring or drilling required. Well, there are a few exceptions from both brands, like the floodlight camera that requires hard-wiring.
Another major aspect to look out for is that you need to set up a Sync Module for your Blink Indoor and Blink Outdoor. Only the Blink Floodlight Camera and Blink Mini do not require a Sync Module since they can connect to Wi-Fi directly. With Wyze, you don’t need to set up a base station like the Sync Module.
2. Video Quality
Blink and Wyze security cameras record at 1080p HD on both indoor and outdoor models, which is the current industry standard. However, some Wyze cameras have a bigger image sensor of 1440p. This resolution is plenty sharp to pick up the little details you need.
Wyze cameras also have a slightly better field of vision of 130 degrees, while Blink cameras only have up to a 110-degree field of view. This means the Wyze cameras cover more area than the Blink cameras, allowing you to monitor a considerable area from a single camera placement.
Keep in mind that there is an exception to Blink’s latest version of its outdoor camera, the Blink Mini Pan-Tilt camera, offering 360-degree coverage. The camera promises a 125-degree vertical movement (up and down) and a 350-degree horizontal range of motion (side-to-side).
And what’s more, both cameras provide infrared night vision to show you clear video in areas of complete darkness.
Compare 5 top smart indoor cameras side by side. Make an informed choice for your home security needs with our comprehensive comparison.
3. Audio
Generally speaking, Blink and Wyze have clearer, crisp audio with less background noise. However, while Wyze's audio quality is decent, some users report it being muffled or having a noticeable delay compared to Blink. Blink has a slight edge over Wyze because all their security cameras use superb echo cancellation to record and stream high-quality audio.
Additionally, cameras in Blink and Wyze systems offer two-way audio for hearing and talking through your camera. You can easily speak with whoever is on the other side of your camera or scare off intruders.
4. Smart Home Integration
Another neat feature with Blink and Wyze is that their devices integrate with Amazon Alexa, IFTTT, and Google Assistant, giving you hands-free voice control over your existing smart home setup. That means you can connect a whole host of other smart home products to your system, like:
- Smart outlets and lights
- Smart locks
- Smart blinds
- Smart switches
- Entry and Motion sensors
- Garage door openers
5. Monitoring
Blink and Wyze have the capability for self-monitoring through their Home Monitor mobile app.
You can keep tabs on your nannies and kiddos or other people inside while also keeping an eye on your front yard and backyard.
However, only Wyze offers professional monitoring around the clock. Meaning, Wyze’s monitoring center can call the cops on your behalf in case your home’s security gets breached.
Blink doesn’t offer such, so if you go with them, you’ll stay on top of everything yourself. This includes reviewing footage, checking incoming notifications, and alerting the authorities whenever necessary.
6. Home Apps
You’ll like how the Blink Home Monitor and Wyze App are both user-friendly. You receive alerts and footage directly to your mobile app, so you know in an instant when something’s happening at home.
Blink has a more lightweight interface that feels spacious and has less clutter than Wyze’s interface. You can easily get into granular settings like motion sensitivity, jump through event clips, and see your devices with just a click.
Despite the difference in app design, creating motion or privacy zones is relatively simple on both apps since they use a grid system. Simply click the grid points to activate the zones you’d like the camera to focus on, and double-tap the zones you want it to ignore.
7. Pricing and Subscriptions
While both brands sell most of their smart products for under $100, there is very little difference when it comes to the initial cost of each camera. Blink is proud to sell affordable security solutions starting at $34.99, while the Wyze cheapest Cam starts at $35.98.
Actually, you can operate both cameras without a subscription, which is nice for those who don’t want to pay for any extra costs to monitor their homes. You’ll get up to 245 GB of video storage with the Blink Sync module and record video on a 32 GB to 256 GB local storage on Wyze.
When it comes to subscriptions, Blink and Wyze both offer affordable cloud storage that lets you save live recorded videos and events for safekeeping.
Blink costs $3, and Wyze will set you back $2.99 per month for a single-camera subscription and $10 and $9.99 per month, respectively, for an unlimited number of cameras. However, Blink offers a 60-day video history, while Wyze only gives you 14 days of video history.
Wyze Vs Blink: Which Is Best For You?
While you can't really go wrong with either security system, Wyze has a slightly better field of vision of 130 degrees, which is certainly worth the extra dollar over the Blink cameras.
On top of that, Wyze overwhelms the competition with its additional professional monitoring. If you prioritize having the best possible security and the peace of mind that comes with it, then Wyze is the clear choice.
That’s not to say the Blink isn’t useful or good—it would be a great option for those looking for a simple DIY security solution that does not require hiring professional monitoring. Besides, if local storage is a must for you, or you're looking for the absolute cheapest smart product, then Blink will be your best bet.
Frequently Asked Question
Is Blink or Wyze Better?
Is Wyze Cam Owned by Amazon?
Do You Need a Subscription for Wyze Cameras?
You should know the only cost to incur is the upfront camera cost. However, you’ll have to pay $2.99 per month for a single-camera subscription and $10 per month for an unlimited number of cameras.
How Much Is a Blink Subscription?
Bottom Line
Both Blink and Wyze make great smart home products to suit every homeowner’s appetite, be it a smart outdoor security camera, a video doorbell, or a smart indoor camera.
In the end, it all boils down to your specific security needs and circumstances. Blink is definitely more affordable, but it has a much smaller product catalog. Otherwise, Wyze continues to impress with its incredible range of smart home products and professional monitoring offers.
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