BlinkVideo

BlinkVideo is a home security range that mixes budget-friendly cameras and a compact doorbell with a no-frills mobile app.

How to use BlinkVideo

1. Order the chosen model from the BlinkVideo site or a retailer.
2. Download the Blink Home app on iOS or Android and create an account.
3. Plug in the Sync Module, follow the on-screen code scan, then add each camera or the doorbell one at a time.
4. Mount the unit with the supplied bracket; for the doorbell, align it at chest height so parcels stay in view.
5. Set motion zones and clip length inside the app, then test a live view to check signal strength.
6. Choose local storage with a USB stick in the Sync Module or activate the optional cloud plan for rolling video back-ups.

Hands-on overview of BlinkVideo

After a week around the flat, the kit left a mixed impression. Setup really did take under ten minutes per device; the absence of wires on the outdoor cam meant I could screw it to a fence post without drilling through brick. Daytime picture quality looks crisp enough for faces at the end of a six-metre drive, matching the 8.4 out of 10 score we logged in our test sheet. The newest doorbell finally widens the field of view, so dropped parcels appear on screen instead of vanishing under the lens. Indoors, the tiny Blink Mini gave clear footage and surprisingly punchy audio, which made it handy as a pet monitor.

Price is the headline win. Sixty pounds for a smart doorbell undercuts nearly every rival, and extra cameras cost less than most single-device subscriptions elsewhere. Battery claims of up to two years will need longer observation, yet after seven days the cells still show full bars.

Advantages

• Quick installation: colour-coded prompts in the app guide each step, so even first-timers finish fast.
• Affordable hardware: the doorbell and Mini camera cost less than half of many equivalents we have tried.
• Decent daylight video: 1080p clips keep details sharp enough for plate numbers in short driveways.
• Compact design: modules blend into shelves and porch frames without drawing attention.
• Local storage option: pop a USB stick into the Sync Module and skip subscription fees.

Drawbacks

• Limited night vision: infrared range struggles beyond four metres, leaving dark corners murky.
• Slim feature set: no person detection, no package alerts, and only basic activity zones.
• Cloud plan confusion: the app nudges you toward paid storage during setup, though local saving exists.
• Plastic mounts feel flimsy: outdoor brackets flex when tightened and may not survive repeated repositioning.
• Notification lag at times: a two-second delay between motion and phone alert occurred on our busiest Wi-Fi evening.

Our verdict

BlinkVideo nails the basics: straightforward setup, fair prices, and clear daytime video. Anyone after richer smart features, longer night vision, or rugged mounting hardware may need to look elsewhere, yet for simple home monitoring on a tight budget the range delivers solid value.