Blink Mini Security Camera Full Review

Buy it on Amazon - lon.tv/jpr48 (affiliate link) - Amazon's Blink division is the little sibling to Ring but they are still cranking out low cost camera products. The new Mini is designed to be competitive with Wyze and Yi cameras but is limited by its subscription requirement. See more Blink: lon.tv/blink and subscribe! lon.tv/s
VIDEO INDEX:
0:00 - Intro
01:36 - Hardware Overview
01:39 - Price
01:50 - USB Powered
02:12 - Indoor only
02:18 - Camera Functionality
02:53 - Mounting Base
03:26 - Compatible with third party Blink mounts
04:15 - No more free cloud storage
04:56 - Subscription pricing
05:49 - Setup & Configuration
06:06 - Using with existing blink cameras
06:18 - No Temperature Sensor
06:53 - Motion Detection
09:26 - Non-Subscription Experience
10:16 - Livestreaming
11:29 - Pulling off Footage
11:54 - Quality
12:11 - Night Vision
12:34 - Two Way Communication
13:18 - Microphone check
13:42 - Amazon Alexa Integration
14:42 - IFTTT
15:27 - Conclusion
Subscribe to my email list to get a weekly digest of upcoming videos! - lon.tv/email
See my second channel for supplementary content : lon.tv/extras
Join the Facebook group to connect with me and other viewers!
lon.tv/facebookgroup
Visit the Lon.TV store to purchase some of my previously reviewed items! lon.tv/store
Read more about my transparency and disclaimers: lon.tv/disclosures
Want to chat with other fans of the channel? Visit our Facebook Group! lon.tv/facebookgroup
Want to help the channel? Start a Member subscription or give a one time tip!
lon.tv/support
or contribute via Venmo!
[e-mail]
Follow me on Facebook!
/ lonreviewstech
Follow me on Twitter!
/ lonseidman
Catch my longer interviews and wrap-ups in audio form on my podcast!
lon.tv/itunes
lon.tv/stitcher
or the feed at lon.tv/podcast/feed.xml
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

[@outbackeddie]

Excellent review. I couldn't figure out how to detach the ring on the base from the rest of the base and you quickly resolved that issue for me. I never thought about the IFTTT integration and I will definitely check that feature out.

[@westondaniel]

The $3.00 a month is not a deal breaker for me. I only have one camera and the features offered is well worth it.

[@GlowingMpd]

So nice to see a review video that’s not all about the reviewer’s personality. Great to see a reviewer who is clean-shaven, A. K. A. , good looking! Very informative too. 👍

[@kennyskywalker59]

Bought this yesterday, didn't know about the cloud subscription. I'm going to return this!

[@ericaespinosa4030]

That's what I did with Ring when I found that out too. So disappointing

[@kennyskywalker59]

@@ericaespinosa4030 currently checking out the Wyze cameras on youtube.

[@canpin]

Yes subscription for me is a deal breaker.

[@devildogg1993]

Great review! Very helpful on learning everything about the product. The camera is simple and just what I needed

[@patriciacooper484]

I have a question,can the mini blink record at night thru your window

[@patriciacooper484]

I just added two and they do nothing, please reply

[@denisestoker5944]

Thank you for doing an honest review I purchased two of them

[@hammer86_]

This is why I like my Amcrest cameras. They can store to SD card or any server via FTP or NFS. Ready for that Flowbie video :)

[@westondaniel]

What if the SD card is stolen?

[@naotomorita1621]

Really clear concise review. Thanks

[@lancerc123]

If you are an existing customer you do not have to worry about subscription. It stores to your existing account. This may of course change but Blink have been very clear about this.

[@1stLabradorlover]

Great review. Appreciate your efforts.

[@serrot1001]

Actually if you have a blink security system like the x2, you can add it to your module and you don't have to pay for any cloud storage I have one, for more info refer to reviews on the camera

[@MrErnestlawson]

I got this free today on Prime Day. I wanted to use this as a baby monitor. Live feed. If I heard you correctly, I can still do this?

[@msphenonmenalwoman]

Loved your review, looking for my 1st security camera, won't be mini blink going to wyze.

[@lisaconrad1498]

My question if I cannot pay after the year trial, I could still used it?

[@cloakofanonymity]

Love Blink. Own 6 XT2's but Wyze beat them to the punch on indoor cams. You can just about get 2 Wyze cams for the price of 1 Blink plus free cloud storage. Blink with their Mini missed the boat.

[@franjoacva]

Hi! Could be possible use this cam like IP Cam, connecting local network with his ip on chrome navigator for example?

[@alyssachasse1661]

Hello I was wondering if I turn off the led on the blink mini will that affect the quality of the night vision? Or if I cover the blue and red led lights with black tape would that affect the night vision at all? The lights bother my partner lol so I really want to cover them!

[@veronicabe7902]

Lon, do you think if anyone can get into those Blink cameras and delete clips if and when it's not their's. do I need a hard Yubikey to open the app everytime to view and expect someone else to have to do the same as me? also, I'm having the same problems with the Wyze cam V3, and having no clips of someone's here earlier, can this camera's have these vulnerability also. what about the Blink, is it too had been targetted? thanks

[@Bdavie69]

I have one on beta test and it’s a solid camera. Very great quality video. I never had a Wyze to compare. The power cord is an issue for me. Only being indoor cam sucks but a subscription service? That’s a deal breaker. They forgot to tell us beta testers about that.

[@catherineramsey5375]

They forgot to tell those of us who bought them about it too. Surprise, surprise. Won't buy another because of that.

[@conbrod731]

Bought 2 and both failed motion detection after 6 weeks, apparently a known issue which occurs overnight and freezes cameras until you live view them. Community posts about issue go back a year so fix unlikely. Only minis have this issue their other cameras seem fine, maybe a bad production batch but regarding security id try something else ,XT’s seem good.

[@NewAgeDIY]

I really don’t like the subscription based system. I only have one camera now and wait for the new recording hub is released before I buy any more cameras. Other then that I like the low cost and features. Good review as always.

[@drumrboynoid]

Question. I just bought a bunch of these cameras thinking that they would turn on when they detect motion, but as far as I can tell they will only send you a notification. Please tell me I'm wrong. I'm looking for a system that I can have throughout my house that will help monitor my kids. Instead of having a monitor that has 9 cameras displaying constantly, I'd like it if they only turned on as they detect one of my kids walking towards the other end of my home. Any advice?

[@demosantonopoulos4959]

Is there a way to view 24/7? I don't need the recording, I want to use it as a baby monitor but the feed shuts off after a few minutes.

[@lillianallende9862]

I have one but I can't seem to get the to work. I will try again. Thank you for the details. I will try again. Thanks again.

[@piratesmurf4251]

How can i save the video. Or send it to my pc

[@biblegirlmcrae8502]

Hi how do I get the camera to show full video clip? It want allow me to see the video bigger?

[@donnagipprich6939]

I bought the blink mini and then suddenly I find out that the cloud storage was no longer free. At first I couldn't figure out what happened to my camera. So thank you for explaining the whole change to me. At least I know that it isn't a problem with my camera. And of course I will have to pay for the subscription since the camera isn't much use without the recording.

[@John-ob7dh]

Not sure of this.Mine record without a subscription.??

[@johndoe-ow2ns]

Thanks for the great video. Can this camera send me more of an alarm type notification instead of just a push notification. I want something that is going to wake me up in the middle of the night if someone breaks into my house. Thanks!

[@kimcastiglione2251]

When I take the charging plug out it don’t work ? Can you watch on blink app if it’s also connected to my Alexa app ?

[@yassejyma9776]

I need help please...my cam won't stop lagging I have it connected to the wifi and everything is great except for the lagging and the late motion notifications..can I reset it without having to make another account?

[@KatieJoMikell]

bifurcated?! Wow, learn something new every day 😊

[@margaretmarjoram2136]

Hi will this camera work looking out through a window from inside?

[@veronicabe7902]

I also think that the Blink Mini as similiar to the wyze cam v3 but not as good with nite visions. but both plugged ins. but for other features, I prefer the Blink Minis. just because my wyze app freeze up on me. and the clips are not as fast as blinks.

[@christinestachelski5164]

If I’m not home and I see someone on my iPhone can’t I take a copy of it. I just put it in my pictures and I will not need cloud?

[@lwcutway]

Will this connect with Alexa Dot?

[@daveschmarder-1950]

Everything is becoming a subscription. I can't wait for my toilet to go subscription. Forget one payment and you're in deep ****. :)

[@Bdavie69]

Dave Schmarder it kinda is. 2/3 of my 165 water bill is for sewer. If I go once a day that’s 100.00 divided by 60 or 1.66 per poop 💩💩

[@keithrose6931]

If you already have a blink camera (xt xt2 ) you will have free cloud storage when purchasing this product.

[@joyace9674]

Is not that bad device I have a very small apartment in San Diego what’s helpful is that the building don’t aloud you to have locks on the door like NY 🤣and when management sends someone to come into your apartment because they need to fix something this device can show me someone was there that’s what I like about it and it will be helpful for me also to be save in case someone is in my home when I am out and about I ordered this can’t wait to try it 😊

[@GabrijelPezelj]

honestly, YI home cameras are still be4st budget solutions. no subscriptions, recording 24/7, very solid and I tried a lot of others, including waze.

[@happyface2373]

My Link mini detects a car right before it shows up on the screen but if there are people in the yard or just walking by my yard it doesn't show up

[@danh7804]

i have question my land lord has the blink out door if i get this will it be visible to his system ?

[@patdud1979]

The subscription will kill this camera before it is born!!! The whole point of the blink system is to have no subscription plan this kill that so now it is basically like any other camera out there 🤦. I understand the need for profit margin but at least make it free cloud storage if you have Amazon PRIME that way you sell a subscription service but you provide value to the customer!!! 👍

[@ronm6585]

Thanks.

[@TheSuperSupreme]

Any way to turn it into a webcam?

[@Regulated-Liability-Network]

Honestly the Wyze cam is the way to go.

[@astyfoo]

Especially if you convert to RTSP using their firmware and connect it up to a Synology. No fees and full control of your videos!

[@farooqgondal7401]

it shows already registered device how to fix ? please help

[@mboiko]

No Thank You...and I'm a huge fan of the Bink XT2.

[@gospeljohn413]

Can Iuse my pre existing iCloud account?

[@cheapme1850]

There are much better options available today, specifically the Eufy tilt and pan or regular Eufy indoor for not much more money. The Eufy has much better video and sound and the app is much more robust. Plus no need for subscription. I compared them side by side and ended up returning the Mini.

[@IMagnus123123123]

How anout showing how to change the password. and recommend users to change the password.

[@jktrenching9181]

I realize this is 3 years old and probably things have changed but you can still store video locally for free.

[@donmonroe5642]

how to connect Blink Mimi to Module 2

[@timberrrteck]

Do you need a cell phone in ordered to use this camera ?

[@canpin]

Yes

[@benoit.gerin-lajoie]

The audio quality of the Wyse cam compare to the Blink cam is night and day...

[@shininaphilippinestv7366]

nice

[@lottrocky]

I think everyone is already getting subscription fatigue, there's only so much money to go around.

[@DuVey64]

And the mic doesn’t work on these

[@ceelin1985]

Damn subscription.

[@elizabethnowak1213]

I also hear loud crashing noises yhat get me upset while I'm away.

[@elizabethnowak1213]

The other thing I don't like about it is is, night vision looks horrible while capturing outdoor activities from inside my house.

[@kurganwins]

Looks a lot like a wyze camera, and probably is from the same manufacturer.

[@amazingworlded8206]

Unfortunately for this camera, the notification comes with a long delay during this time, the thief can hide from the field of view with impunity with the loot!????

[@TChowdhury00]

I would rather buy a Xiaomi 360 Security Camera priced below the Blink Mini.

[@qks9806]

Wyze is removing live recording feature COMPLETELY effective 2/28/2022, unless you pay their subscription fees.

[@AnnPrince1]

I am still having a problem of my WiFi recognizing the blink. I have updated my WiFi to 5G.

[@SeanCaldwellvo]

You need a 2.4G network for the Blink camera to work from what I can tell. Almost all routers can put out a signal on each band, you might have to log into your router and turn it on.

[@RFC1997]

YI home camera,100 times better for just around the same price

[@krissynow2024]

😂😂😂 my bf uses one to listen to my conversations. So maybe you can tell me how to hack into it so I can listen to him?

[@happyface2373]

I guess my blink mini is sound sensitive

[@elizabethnowak1213]

This won't work half the time when I'm away, say across town for a day or something.

[@keithrose6931]

If you already own an xt or xt2 you will have free cloud storage with this product.

[@SeanCaldwellvo]

Any idea, what you if you just bought a blink mini and set it up. Could you buy a xt or xt2 now, add it, then have free cloud storage for the whole system?

[@elizabethnowak1213]

What I don't like about it is is, it has not captured ppl vandalizing my property. That's not cool at all.

[@JRMoritz]

Disappointing news about Blink cameras

[@FLOODOFSINS]

Google meet is now free

[@thephantomharanguer]

having bought and used thoroughly for the past few months, the information presented in this presentation is, in far too many ways, sorely outdated. it's, as usual, a great vid, but today's Blink world has changed, even just this past week

[@banshee107]

Try again Blink. Do it right next time

[@doughart2987]

No Windows interface, no pan and tilt, subscription. Not happy.

[@bobf3598]

What was wrong with the Blink1/ XT2 apart from being too good. So they strike it off and replace with this joke of a camera without the "FREE" cloud service. Like all others, nickel and dime the public and join the subscription gravy train!

[@UttRConcrete]

Lons hair is getting long

[@ericaespinosa4030]

Nothing turns me off more than a free cloud enticement to later be forced to have to subscribe to it. Why? Why? It's so annoying. I'd rather have my own local in storage SD card or just free storage

[@stevensenlacere1619]

a nice product 'ring'd ' no thanks

[@frankfan2518]

4th

[@marcelomattos4899]

So disappointing! I have to press fucking continue button every 30 seconds to continue the live video