Arlo vs. Blink: A Home Security System Comparison
Let’s explore which security camera system is the best fit for your needs.
Let’s explore which security camera system is the best fit for your needs.
Both Arlo and Blink stand as two of the most well-known home security companies. Both provide DIY security camera systems for your home, with comparable features. The question is: Which one is better for you, Arlo vs. Blink?
Let’s compare their most popular cameras so you can come up with your own answer. Here’s our Arlo versus Blink comparison.
Founded in 2014, Arlo offers a comprehensive DIY home security ecosystem, including security cameras, video doorbells, an alarm system, and Professional Monitoring services. Blink was founded in 2009 and focuses solely on home security cameras. Besides that, both companies offer similar business models. You can purchase multiple security devices and choose a subscription plan to add extra features to them.
Arlo offers smart home integration with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, IFTTT, and Samsung SmartThings. It allows you to connect your Arlo security devices to your favorite smart home, providing a more flexible approach to home automation. Blink, owned by Amazon, integrates well but is limited to Amazon Alexa and IFTTT.
Yes, both Arlo and Blink offer optional subscription plans designed to enhance their respective security systems. With both systems, you get free live feed through convenient apps and motion-activated notifications.
The Arlo Secure Plan enhances the Arlo security cameras with 30-Day Cloud Storage for event recordings, AI Object Detection, and smarter notifications. Additionally, its higher tier includes 24/7 Professional Monitoring, and One Tap Emergency Response. Arlo Secure starts at $7.99/month for a single camera or $12.99/month for unlimited cameras.
On the other hand, while Blink subscription plans are cheaper than Arlo’s, they only offer the bare minimum. For $3 per month for a single camera or $10 per month for unlimited cameras, you get 60-Day Cloud Storage for event recordings and nothing else. There are no additional features, unlike Arlo’s subscriptions.
Our goal is to provide a fair comparison, so you can choose the most suitable home security system for your needs. All comparisons are drawn from available online information. We aim to compare equivalent products within the same price range across each primary product category.
Both the Arlo 2nd Gen Essential Security Camera and the Blink Outdoor 4 wireless cameras feature 2-Way Audio and Motion Detection. They are also compact and weather-resistant.
However, starting at $49.99, the Arlo 2nd Gen Essential Camera offers several key features not found on the Blink Outdoor 4 camera. For example, it has a motion-activated Integrated Spotlight, an Integrated Siren, and Color Night Vision. It’s also considerably cheaper, priced at half the cost of the Blink security camera. Plus, you can get the Arlo 2nd Gen Essential 2K model for the same price as the Blink Outdoor 4, with double the video quality and resolution. Both Arlo models are battery-powered and rechargeable.
The more expensive $99.99 Blink Outdoor 4 operates with 2 AA batteries, features Night Vision, and is only available with HD video. The Outdoor 4 comes with a slightly wider Field of View of 143° compared to Arlo’s 130° and enables you to store video locally out of the box with the included Sync Module 2. With Arlo, you can opt for an Arlo SmartHub for local storage, longer-range connectivity, and better battery life.
Overall, both options are high-quality, budget-friendly home security cameras. However, at the same price, the 2K Arlo Essential Camera offers higher resolution, in place of local storage, and a set of additional security features. It’s also worth noting that Arlo offers a wide range of outdoor security cameras to choose from. You can explore high-end models like the Arlo Ultra 2 Security Camera with 4K resolution or the Arlo Go 2 Camera with 4G LTE connectivity.
Both Arlo and Blink offer wired indoor security cameras with similar features. The Arlo 2nd Gen Essential Indoor Camera and the Blink Mini feature 2-Way Audio, Night Vision, and Motion Detection. The Arlo 2nd Gen Essential Indoor Camera is available in HD and 2K models, priced at $39.99 and $79.99 respectively.
On the other hand, the Blink Mini is only capable of HD video recording and comes in two models: the regular Blink Mini for $29.99, and the Blink Mini Pan-Tilt Camera for $39.99. Unlike the Blink Outdoor 4, the Blink Mini does not feature Local Storage out of the box. You’ll need to buy the hub separately.
While the HD model of the Arlo 2nd Gen Essential Indoor Camera costs $10 more, it adds an Automated Privacy Shield for safeguarding private moments. Both Arlo cameras also feature a wider 130° Field Of View, compared to the 110° from the Blink Mini. However, the Blink Mini Pan-Tilt Camera compensates for the slightly narrower FOV with a 350° pan range and a 135° tilt range.
Overall, both cameras are excellent options for indoor protection.
The Arlo Video Doorbell is available in two models: the HD version for $79.99 and the 2K version for $129.99. Both models feature Night Vision, Motion Detection, an Integrated Siren, and an ultra-wide 180° Field of View. You can choose to install it wired or wireless.
On the other hand, the $59.99 Blink Video Doorbell also features Night Vision and Motion Detection, but lacks a siren and offers a more limited 135° horizontal Field of View. Plus, it’s only available in HD. You can choose to install it wired or wireless, but for the latter, you’ll need the Sync Module 2, sold separately.
For front-porch protection, a siren and a wide Field of View are recommended. So, although $20 more, the HD Arlo Video Doorbell could be the better choice.
While both companies offer wireless floodlight cameras, they’re not quite comparable. The Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight Camera is essentially a 700 lumens floodlight mount bundled with the Blink Outdoor 4 camera discussed earlier. It’s priced at $129.99 as a bundle or $39.99 for the floodlight mount only.
In contrast, Arlo offers the $249.99 Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera. This is a high-end 2K security camera with HDR video and up to 3000 lumens—more than four times the brightness. The Arlo Pro 3 is a premium, fully-featured floodlight camera that is built to last. This difference is, of course, reflected in overall cost.
Blink offers easy-to-install security camera systems with good budget options featuring moderate video quality and local storage. Arlo, while still budget-friendly, offers more robust cameras with additional features and higher video quality. Arlo Secure, Arlo’s subscription, also provides more features. Keep this in mind and remember: Ultimately, your choice depends on your specific security needs and budget.
