Categories: Outdoor

How Much Does a Blink Camera Subscription Cost?

Published by
James marcus

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  • Typical Range: $3 to $10 per month

You’ve implemented several home security tips to help make your home a safer place, including tidying up the landscaping and increasing front door security. The next logical step is to add some video monitoring for security, but maybe you don’t want all the bells and whistles of a professionally monitored system. Maybe a DIY system would be a good option? The battle of the DIY-installed security cameras has raged for several years. With its acquisition of Ring and subsequently Blink, Amazon has put the two services side by side and become a powerhouse in the DIY security market. Blink’s cameras and doorbells, which can be installed easily by most homeowners and renters, can be purchased independently or through Blink camera packages for bundled savings to build one of the best wireless home security systems. Blink camera pricing is straightforward, and there are several options, including the Blink Outdoor camera, the Blink Indoor camera, and the Blink Mini, all of which are available in regular and night-vision versions. The new Blink Video Doorbell is also available, along with a host of accessories. However, there aren’t so many options that customers are overwhelmed.

There’s no required Blink camera monthly fee; once customers have purchased the cameras, they’ll have access to basic functions, though Blink storage in the cloud is a feature limited to paid subscribers. It’s pretty easy to assess a home, decide where to place security cameras, select the hardware, and then install them, although the cost of professional installation is often worth it and recommended for cameras mounted in high locations that may be dangerous to access.

However, to really maximize the security impact of a Blink purchase, customers will want to explore the option of the Basic and Plus plans, which are billed monthly or annually. The ease of access, additional storage, and other features make these relatively low-cost plans a worthwhile addition to a home security budget. A Blink Subscription costs $10 or less per month, and the return in security and peace of mind makes it worth consideration.

Factors in Calculating Blink Camera Subscription Cost

Blink’s subscription plans are fairly straightforward. There’s no need to untangle elaborate lists of charges based on types of recordings, maximum storage amounts, or image quality—there are two plans with two payment options each. The choice of plan is based primarily on the number of devices that will be in use, and the payment options are simple and clearly outlined, so there’s no mystery and there are no hidden fees or charges.

Number of Devices

How many Blink devices will be installed? If it’s just one, the cost of the Blink Basic plan is $3 per month for each device. However, if more than three devices will be installed, then the Blink Plus plan will be a better option; the Plus plan costs $10 per month and includes an unlimited number of devices. The cost of the Plus plan will remain steady no matter how many devices are added.

Monthly vs. Annual Plan

Customers can access a fair amount of savings by selecting an annual plan rather than a monthly plan. The Basic plan rings up at $3 per month per device, but when paid annually costs $30 per device. Similarly, the Plus plan costs $10 per month for an unlimited number of devices, but annual subscriptions are $100. Essentially, paying annually saves the cost of 2 months of service.

Trial Period

Blink Video Doorbells, along with Blink Mini, Outdoor, and Indoor cameras, include a free 30-day trial of the Blink Plus plan. There are no charges during this time. Some cameras include an extended trial, which also incurs no fees or charges.

Extended Warranty Coverage

All Blink products include a standard 1-year warranty. Extended warranties are available at no additional charge to customers who subscribe to the Blink Plus plan. To access the extended warranty, customers must enroll in the Blink Plus plan while the devices are still covered by the initial warranty; once a customer has subscribed, the devices will be covered by the extended warranty as long as the customer remains enrolled in the Plus plan. There is no extended warranty coverage available if the customer does not enroll in the Plus plan before the original warranty expires.

Types of Blink Camera Subscriptions

Home security costs don’t have to be sky-high. Some home security companies have many different coverage options for customers to choose from (with a raft of different charges to accompany those choices). Blink has opted for a more streamlined set with minimal options and straightforward cost structures. It’s important to note that customers do not need to purchase a plan in order to use their Blink devices; customers without a plan will still enjoy motion-activated notifications and live-view streaming on their mobile apps. With the purchase of a Sync Module 2 (Blink’s device hub, which can be physically connected to a USB storage device), non-subscribing customers can record and store their videos and images as well. But subscriptions include other benefits that enhance the functionality of the Blink system, and they are well worth their comparably minimal cost.

Basic

The Basic plan is substantially similar to the Plus plan. Unlike some companies who dangle the more desirable services in a higher-cost plan, the Blink plans are almost entirely differentiated by the number of devices allowed. Basic plan subscribers receive motion-activated notifications and live-view streaming, just as non-subscribers do. Subscribers, however, also enjoy motion-detection video recording and 60-day unlimited video history, so it’s easy to look at recordings immediately and also pull them back up later for reference or, if necessary, to share with law enforcement. Videos can be shared with others from the app and can also be backed up to local storage devices for permanent access. Photos are also captured periodically for more complete coverage, which are also stored for 60 days. Customers with the Basic plan who register Mini cameras also enjoy Extended Live View, which includes longer time spans of live feed without interruption.

Plus

Upgrading to the Plus plan offers customers the ability to add an unlimited number of devices to the plan. While the initial jump from the Basic plan’s $3 per month cost to the Plus plan’s $10 may seem large, the significant savings that customers can rack up as they add multiple devices to the Plus plan without additional charges is impressive.

What does the Plus plan offer that the Basic plan does not? Because the plans focus on the number of devices, the Plus plan offers everything the Basic plan does, with only two additional perks. One is a 10 percent discount on all Blink-branded devices at Amazon.com, and the other is an extended warranty on all devices purchased while subscribed to the Plus plan or enrolled in the Plus plan before their original warranty expired.

Benefits of a Blink Camera Subscription

Blink cameras function without a subscription at a very basic level via the companion app. But most customers who purchase Blink devices want more functionality than those simple services provide. By subscribing, customers can maximize the security features the Blink system offers.

Motion-Activated Notifications

Blink cameras and doorbells are activated by motion in the range for which they’re set. When the sensor is triggered, the camera will begin recording video and the customer will receive a notification through their smartphone app. This function alerts customers to the fact that someone or something is near their home and that they should pay attention. The Blink Mini is one of the best night-vision cameras, which means it can keep the home safe even in the middle of the night.

Rapid Video Access

Received an alert but missed the live video by a few seconds? A subscription allows customers to immediately retrieve and view their videos and images rather than having to wait until they’re transferred, buffered, and stored. This can be important when something has happened in the home that requires instant review, such as a package delivery that needs immediate pickup or a child entering a restricted area of the home who needs supervision.

Live Streaming

Sometimes camera owners simply want to do a quick check on an area covered by a camera—perhaps to make sure the garage door is locked or that they remembered to let the dog back inside before leaving—or specifically check on infirm family members or children who have arrived home from school. Subscribers can access live video feed from any of their devices with a tap on their mobile app. Depending on the device, they may also be able to speak to people near the camera through the app as well.

60-Day Video History

Often, customers don’t realize they need to take a look at video feed until well after the video has been captured. For example, a neighbor may realize days later that a customer’s camera may have captured a crime that occurred on their property and ask if there’s any relevant footage. In the past, security cameras often removed their footage 24 to 48 hours later, but Blink’s 60-day storage allows customers to reach back much farther to access and share their video recordings.

Video Sharing

Local neighborhood groups on social media are awash with security camera video clips. Why? Well, if one neighbor’s camera captures a porch package theft, sharing their recorded video of the criminal, any vehicles associated with the crime, and the way in which the home was approached can be very helpful to others in the neighborhood and help law enforcement identify the perpetrators. Blink subscribers can share their video feed with neighbors, with law enforcement, or with online groups to help protect others and identify criminals.

Blink Product Discount

Available only to Plus plan subscribers, the 10 percent discount on Blink products purchased on Amazon.com makes it less costly to purchase more Blink devices and accessories—and customers can add those devices to their Plus plan at no additional cost. This benefit can be maximized by subscribing to the Plus plan with the first device purchased, then gradually adding components using the discount.

Extended Warranty Coverage

All Blink products include a basic warranty, but subscribers to the Blink Plus program extend the warranty on their products for the length of time they continue to be Plus subscribers. There’s no additional fee for this coverage; the only caveat is that the customer must subscribe to the Plus plan while the devices are still covered by their original warranty or purchase them while already subscribed. The warranty is limited, but it does provide repair and replacement services for covered devices.

How to Save Money on Blink Camera Subscription Cost

Compared to their competitors, the Blink security camera subscription plans have a relatively low monthly fee, but there are still ways to save on a subscription.

  • Choose the annual payment option to essentially get 2 months for free.
  • For up to three devices, choose the Basic plan and pay only $3 per device.
  • If you have more than three devices, choose the Plus plan and add as many more devices as you’d like.
  • Purchase a Blink device, connect it to an Amazon.com account, and subscribe to the Blink Plus plan. Then use the 10 percent discount to purchase additional components to build the system you need.

FAQs

Choosing a home security system can be a big decision. If you’ve decided to go with Blink for your home security, you may have some lingering questions about the devices and the subscription plans. The answers to the following commonly asked questions can help provide some clarity.

Q. How many Ring devices can you have on one account?

As with a Blink account, Ring allows an unlimited number of devices on a single account to enjoy Ring Protect features through either the Ring Protect Basic plan or Ring Protect Plus plan. However, all of Ring’s video storage is cloud-based, whereas Blink’s Sync Module permits subscribers to save video to local storage for long-term preservation. As a result, Ring users with extensive systems may run short of cloud storage space sooner than Blink users.

Q. Do Blink cameras record all the time?

No. Blink cameras can be armed or disarmed, and when using the Sync Module, whole groups of devices can be armed and disarmed at the same time (or on a schedule), so users can be confident that the cameras are turned off when disarmed. When armed, however, the Blink devices begin recording when triggered by motion, so in high-traffic areas of the home or yard, the cameras may record fairly continuously.

Q. How long does Blink footage last?

Blink cloud storage lasts for 60 days. Local storage to a USB drive or computer connected to a Sync Module can be stored indefinitely.

Q. Can I save Blink videos without a subscription?

Unfortunately, no. Non-subscribers will receive an alert when their Blink device senses motion, and they can immediately view the live feed. Swift-fingered users might be able to screen- capture the video, but otherwise there’s no function to save. Free trial users and subscribers can save to the cloud or local storage.

Q. What happens when the Blink free trial ends?

When the trial ends, the additional services provided by the free trial will end and no additional videos will be saved or stored. VIdeos already saved will still be accessible for a length of time based on the settings the customer selected in the app, for up to 60 days after recording. Customers will have the option of choosing to purchase a subscription at that time.

Q. How long does a Blink free subscription last?

For 30 days, Blink free-trial subscribers will enjoy all the benefits of the Blink Plus plan, with the exception of the 10 percent discount. During that time, Blink will send emails with reminders and offers to purchase a paid subscription, and a banner will remain in place on the app screen to let customers know how much time is left in their free trial.

James marcus

Garden Courte is a blog written by [James Marcus], a passionate gardener and writer. She has been gardening for over 20 years and has a deep understanding of plants and how to care for them. In her blog, she shares her knowledge and experience with others, providing tips and advice on gardening, plant care, and more.

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Published by
James marcus

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