Is Blink's subscription pricing budget-friendly, yet valuable enough for the services offered?
Blink, a more affordable cousin of Ring and both owned by Amazon, offers home security solutions that cater to various user needs. The company's subscription service comes with a range of benefits and drawbacks, making it essential to understand the pros and cons before making a decision.
The Advantages of a Blink Subscription
A Blink subscription offers several advantages, including extended video storage (up to 60 days), the ability to view up to 90 minutes of footage at once, notification snoozing, and warranty coverage for subscribed devices. It also allows for unlimited cameras under the Plus tier and provides convenience for remote monitoring while traveling or managing alerts during expected activity, such as lawn service.
One of the key benefits is cloud video storage, which provides 60 days of recording access, enabling users to review longer clips and multiple connected events. The Plus tier also offers the ability to snooze notifications for a set amount of time, reducing alert fatigue. Furthermore, subscribers can enjoy a 10% product discount with the Plus tier.
The Disadvantages of a Blink Subscription
Despite its advantages, a Blink subscription does come with some drawbacks. The most significant disadvantage is the additional ongoing cost, which ranges from $3 to $10 per month or $30 to $100 per year. While this may seem like a small amount to some users, it is an ongoing expense that some may find unnecessary, especially if local storage suffices.
Another disadvantage is that Blink, being a DIY system, does not offer professional monitoring or emergency response. This means that users are responsible for their own monitoring and intervention.
The Benefits of Standalone Device Use
Using Blink devices without a subscription is still viable. Blink cameras operate well independently with core features like motion-activated alerts, live streaming, and local storage via a Sync Module hub with a USB flash drive or microSD card. This option provides basic security functionality with no monthly fee, longer battery life, easy setup, and affordability.
However, some features like person detection, facial recognition, and cloud video storage are locked behind subscriptions. Without a subscription, live view recording is disabled, and users must manage their own video storage and backups.
Key Considerations
Overall, a Blink subscription adds convenience, enhanced storage, and some usability features for a moderate annual or monthly fee but lacks professional monitoring. Without a subscription, Blink cameras still deliver reliable basic security, ideal for users wanting to avoid recurring fees and willing to rely on local storage and manual monitoring.
It is essential to consider one's needs and budget when deciding whether to subscribe to Blink's service. For those who value advanced features and remote monitoring, a subscription may be worth the additional cost. However, for those who prefer a more budget-friendly option with basic security features, standalone device use may be more suitable.
[1] Blink Subscription Features
[2] No Subscription vs Blink Subscription
[3] Blink Subscription Tiers
[4] Blink Subscription FAQs
