Home security cameras empower homeowners to monitor their properties remotely while deterring crime with surveillance. As this technology advances, two leading options stand out — Blink and Arlo.
These wireless, wire-free camera systems deliver core real-time video features along with next-gen smart functionalities. But how exactly do they compare when securing your smart home?
In this 2500+ word guide, we’ll compare every aspect of Blink vs Arlo security solutions to reveal the best choice for your needs.
Overview of Blink and Arlo Home Security
Before diving into specific products, let’s briefly introduce both platforms.
What is Blink?
Founded in 2009, Blink was acquired by Amazon in 2017 as their integrated wireless security brand. Their lineup focuses affordably priced smart cameras and doorbells supporting Alexa voice commands.
Key Blink Strengths:
- Inexpensive wired and wireless cameras
- Long two-year battery life
- Alexa support and tight Echo integration
- User-friendly mobile app
According to Blink’s website, their mission is “making powerful home security technology accessible to millions more families”. So their systems cater especially for convenient budget-minded security.
What is Arlo?
Developed under Netgear, Arlo became an independent public company in 2018. They manufacture wire-free cameras boasting advanced detection features, smart home expansibility, with both DIY and pro installation options.
Key Arlo Strengths:
- Feature-packed wire-free 4K HDR cameras
- Smart emergency response and detection features
- Compatible with leading smart home ecosystems
- Flexible packages for every surveillance need
With over 7 million users securing households globally, Arlo aims to provide premium-tier monitoring to mass market consumers.
Now let’s see how Blink and Arlo security solutions stack up across critical categories.
Security Camera Comparison
A home security system lives and dies based on the quality of its cameras. Blink and Arlo take decidedly different approaches to their camera gear spanning core functions, video footage, smart features, and speciality options.
Indoor Cameras
We‘ll start our comparison with indoor monitoring needs before expanding outdoors.
Blink Indoor Cameras
The compact 1080p Blink Mini ($34.99) leads Blink’s indoor camera selection. Designed for plug-in flexibility, it requires a power outlet rather than batteries like some models.
| Video Quality | 1080p HD |
| Power | Wired (Micro USB) |
| Viewing Angle | 110° |
| Night Vision | IR LED |
| Storage | Cloud Plan |
For $20 more, the rechargeable battery-powered Blink Indoor camera delivers wire-free flexibility perfect for renters, convenient placement, and multi-cam setups.
So Blink focuses primarily on providing reliable wired or wireless 1080p indoor security on a budget.
Arlo Indoor Cameras
Arlo Essential Indoor ($99) cameras land at the entry-level tier of Arlo‘s offerings with impressive features given the friendly price point.
| Video Quality | 1080p HD |
| Power | Wired Micro USB |
| Viewing Angle | 110° |
| Night Vision | 850nm LEDs |
| Storage | Local SD Card |
Going cordless, the Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight bundles a 160° 2K HDR camera with color night vision and integrated spotlight starting at $180.
Higher still, the Arlo Ultra 2 4K model ($249) touts upgraded components like a 180° view, dual noise-cancelling mics, and the option for local backup.
As shown above, Arlo indoor cameras scale more processing power, smarter features, expansive coverage, and top-tier 4K image quality absent from Blink‘s lineup.
Indoor Camera Verdict
Arlo provides greater selection including both basic wired and next-gen wireless 4K cameras better catering to diverse needs and budgets. Blink cameras compete well on price alone but can‘t match Arlo‘s wider indoor offerings and video quality innovations.
Outdoor Security Cameras
Now let‘s move our Blink vs Arlo comparison outdoors.
Blink Outdoor Cameras
Blink introduces minor weather resistance capabilities on its sole Blink Outdoor battery-powered camera ($99).
| Video Quality | 1080p HD |
| Battery Life | 2 Years |
| Wireless Range | Up to 15 Feet |
| Weather Resistance | IP65 Rating |
| Field of View | 110° |
This single sub-$100 cordless option is competent for minor outdoor monitoring duties but lacks higher-end capabilities.
Arlo Outdoor Cameras
Alternatively, Arlo’s outdoor security roster contains far more variety.
The previously mentioned Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight brings weather resistance to its spotlight, motion detection, 2K video specs.
For multi-cam setups, Arlo‘s wire-free 4K Ultra 2 system ($797 for 6 cameras) adds ultra HD 4K vision, auto zoom and tracking, noise cancellation, and color night footage across a 180° view. It‘s also rated IP65 for dust and rain endurance.
And specializing for more rugged use, the Arlo Go 4G LTE cellular model enables live streaming and video recordings even in remote areas lacking WiFi.
So whether you need a single long-lasting cam or wide-area pro monitoring, Arlo manufactures advanced outdoor cameras for every user profile where Blink offers just one.
Outdoor Camera Verdict
Arlo dominates with the category‘s best rated wireless outdoor cameras thanks to excellent construction, smart safety features like spotlights and sirens, and footage flexibility spanning 1080p to best-in-class 4K. Blink only provides a single halfway decent model falling far short of Arlo‘s stellar lineup.
Spotlight and Floodlight Cameras
Let‘s shine a spotlight on how integrated lighting cameras compare. These security cams illuminate the area while capturing the action.
Blink Spotlight Camera
The straightforward Blink Floodlight Camera comes as an $80 add-on integrating one fixed 700 lumen LED beam alongside the regular 1080p shooter.
Arlo Spotlight & Floodlight Cameras
Arlo Floodlight Camera ups spotlight capacities to a customizable 2000 lumen output while recording sharper 2K HDR footage and enabling color night monitoring. It costs $250 standalone or comes bundled with Arlo‘s higher-end wireless cameras.
The impressive Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera then climbs to police-grade white lighting reaching a retina-searing 3,000 lumen max brightness. Its physically imposing design also includes an ear-piercing 100+ decibel siren to actively deter intruders caught on its 2K sensor after dark or in dense shadows.
Verdict
Arlo unquestionably provides the superior spotlight camera experience. Brighter, louder, more adaptable, and packed with more intelligentrecording capabilities, Arlo models overshadow Blink‘s lights. Their intimidating forms even dissuade nefarious activity before it happens.
Specialty and Portable Cameras
Beyond standard setups, Arlo offers proprietary options fine-tuned for dedicated scenarios. Blink does not, so we‘ll focus just on Arlo‘s specialty camera offerings.
These include:
- Arlo Baby — Monitor feeds and track a baby‘s sleep patterns, temperature, humidity and more.
- Arlo Go — Fully mobile cellular camera works anywhere with an LTE data connection.
- Arlo Pro 3 Robot — Programmable robot base moves a camera tosurvey multiple viewpoints.
- Multi-Cam Packs — Cost-efficient multi-camera bundles like the 4K 7-pack monitoring kit.
By diversifying its spotlight into niche products, Arlo provides complete scalable solutions tailored for property size, activity needs, and specific use profiles absent from Blink‘s family-focused approach. Arlo succeeds here.
Video Doorbell Comparison
Video doorbells enhance front door security with motion detecting internet-connected cameras. Blink and Arlo each supply their own worthwhile options.
Blink Video Doorbell
Blink‘s Video Doorbell (starting at $49.99) comes in battery-powered wireless or wired variants. Both capture 1080p HD video with infrared night recording, two-way talk, and connectivity with Alexa/Fire devices for announcing visitors.
It competently covers the basics, albeit missing some of the latest smart enhancements provided by Arlo.
Arlo Video Doorbell
Arlo‘s Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free ($129) delivers a higher-resolution 2560×1440 display to spot faces and packages more clearly in full color.
Built-in radar tracks motion up to 20 feet away with smart alerts and auto Zoom. Foresight functionality even records four seconds before detections occur so you never miss a visitor.
For permanent mounting, Arlo‘s wired essential video doorbell provides continuous power cheaper at $99. Both options link with Google Assistant and IFTTT for easy integration activating lights, locks, cameras, and security systems after sensing someone approaching.
So if you want capable basic monitoring, Blink works fine. But Arlo doorbells add more intelligent tracking and detection for better catching and identifying guests and threats.
Smart Home Ecosystem Integration
Today‘s security devices also need to collaborate within a connected smart household of appliances, AIs, and internet-based systems. Blink and Arlo integrate with other platforms to varying degrees.
Blink Platform Integrations
Being owned by Amazon, Blink cameras seamlessly communicate with Alexa, Amazon Echo devices like the Show smart display, as well as Ring and Fire TV equipment.
More limited support extends to Google Assistant and IFTTT connections. But advanced setups leveraging Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, or building highly customized smart home workflows requires looking elsewhere.
So Blink devices sufficiently cover the basics yet trail behind rival cross-compatibility capabilities.
Arlo Platform Integrations
Alternatively, Arlo positions itself central to all major IoT ecosystems by directly integrating with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, IFTTT, SmartThings, and more.
Through partnerships with leading providers, over 140 Arlo devices work with preferred systems enabling security automations like:
- Activating cameras, alarms, lights, and locks when suspicious activity is identified
- Streaming live video feeds to TVs, tablets, and media displays
- Triggering sirens or sprinklers to deter intruders automatically
- Receiving push notifications from multiple connected devices in one dashboard
Arlo certainly claims superiority connecting into more smart homes and multiplying possibilities through unified platforms.
Subscription Plans and Storage
Storing, organizing, and remotely accessing video from multiple recording cameras quickly becomes complex. Blink and Arlo address these needs through optional cloud storage subscriptions.
Blink Subscription Plans
Blink sells two straightforward storage solutions.
The Blink Basic Plan covers a single camera for $3 monthly or $30 annually providing:
- 60 days of secure cloudbackup
- Video sharing tools
- Saving event clip options
Blink Plus expands coverage to unlimited cameras for $10 monthly or $100 annually adding discounts and extended warranty perks.
Local USB storage works too but requires a separate Sync Module purchase to enable continuous recording.
Arlo Smart Plans
Arlo beats Blink‘s membership value through tiered plans unlocking extra capabilities.
The Arlo Secure plan begins at $2.99 monthly for a single cam or $9.99 for unlimited devices providing:
- 30 days of 1080p recordings
- Enhanced zooms
- Rich notifications
Upgrading to Arlo Secure Plus at $14.99 monthly quadruples 4K video history and introduces emergency services dispatch and smoke alarm connectivity.
Arlo subscribers also gain access to new AI innovations like car, animal, people, and package detections rolled out continuously.
So Blink cloud plans solely cover video backup needs. Arlo‘s smarter software analyzes footage and alerts users faster when danger strikes.
Blink vs Arlo Final Verdict
Both Blink and Arlo manufacture reputable wireless security cameras advancing into smart detection and home integration. But how do they compare at the end of this head-to-head review?
Arlo emerges decisively ahead across all aspects. Their cameras deliver superior video quality with advanced components perfect for scrutinizing faces and license plates. Intelligent emergency call monitoring literally saves lives.
Hardware holds up better outdoors while third-party partnerships enable Arlo fitting in most smart homes and multi-purpose properties seamlessly. Top tier plans unlock next-gen AI to automatically flag suspicious incidents for your attention.
That said, Blink supplies really good entry-level alternatives costing far less money. Their offerings suffice for casual indoor monitoring and door watching for apartment dwellers and families on a strict budget. Although serious vulnerabilities open lacking more expansive security implemented through Arlo.
So in closing, my expert recommendation stands firmly behind Arlo systems constituting the outright finest home security investments currently available in 2024. Their foremost innovations lead the industry. Yet Blink solutions satisfyingly cover lower risk environments to a point as well.
Hopefully these insights assist selecting the ideal wi-fi camera or full netconnected surveillance bundle securing inside and beyond the home soon!
