Blink Home Security recently released its second generation Indoor Security Camera. So, how does this new product compare to the first-generation device as well as the Blink Mini?
You can find out in this versus guide between the three home security cameras.
Quick Summary
When compared to the original Blink Indoor, the second generation Blink Indoor and Blink Mini support infrared night vision, a higher video capture resolution and local storage support.
The Gen 2 Indoor Camera has several advantages over the Mini as the former comes with the Sync Module 2 (which you need to purchase separately for the Mini if you want local storage) already included and also features temperature monitoring.
Overall, the 2nd Gen Blink Indoor Security Camera has the best specs and most features out of this group.
If you don’t mind missing out on some of the aforementioned features (such as temperature monitoring as well as the lack of local storage if you don’t get the Sync Module 2 add-on), then the Blink Mini Security Camera may be the better option as it is the more affordable.
1st Gen Blink Indoor vs. 2nd Gen Blink Indoor vs. Blink Mini Comparison Chart
You can take a look at Seeking Tech’s comparison table between these security cameras below.
| 1st Gen Blink Indoor Security Camera | 2nd Gen Blink Indoor Security Camera | Blink Mini Security Camera | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 71mm x 71mm x 30mm | 71mm x 71mm x 31mm | 50mm x 49mm x 36mm |
| Weight | 70g | 48g | 48g |
| What's in the Box | 1st Gen Blink Indoor Camera Mounting kit Sync Module Power adapter USB cable 2x AA 1.5v non-rechargeable Lithium Batteries Quick start guide | 2nd Gen Blink Indoor Camera Mounting kit Sync Module 2 Power adapter USB cable 2x AA lithium metal batteries | Blink Mini Camera Stand Power adapter USB cable 2x mounting screws |
| CPU | ISI108, 4 cores / 100Mhz. | AC1002B, 4 cores / 200 MHz | AC1002B, 4 cores / 200 MHz |
| LED Light | Blue LED indicating when camera is active | Blue LED indicating when camera is active (optional) Red LED indicating when night vision camera is active | Blue LED indicating when camera is active (optional) |
| Supported Smartphone Operating Systems | Android 5.0 or higher Fire OS 5.1 or higher iOS 10.3 or higher | Android 5.0 or higher Fire OS 5.1 or higher iOS 10.3 or higher | Android 5.0 or higher Fire OS 5.1 or higher iOS 10.3 or higher |
| Alexa Compatibility? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi Connection | 2.4 Ghz 802.11g/n | 2.4 Ghz 802.11g/n | 2.4 Ghz 802.11g/n |
| Audio | One-way audio recordings | Two-way audio recordings Speaker output | Two-way audio recordings Speaker output |
| Infrared Night Vision? | No | Yes | Yes |
| Camera Resolution | 720p | 1080p | 1080p |
| Camera Frame Rate | 30 frames per second | 30 frames per second | 30 frames per second |
| Live View | Daytime | Daytime Nighttime | Daytime Nighttime |
| Temperature Monitoring? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Motion Activated Recording? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cloud Storage | Free | Free Blink Subscription Plan trial until Dec. 31, 2020. $3 a month per camera or $10 a month per unlimited cameras in a single location after free trial ends. | Free Blink Subscription Plan trial until Dec. 31, 2020. $3 a month per camera or $10 a month per unlimited cameras in a single location after free trial ends. |
| Local Storage? | No | Yes with Blink Sync Module 2 (included) | Yes with Blink Sync Module 2 (sold separately) |
| Power Source | Camera: two AA 1.5V lithium metal non-rechargeable batteries Module: 100-200V AC to 5V DC converter | Camera: two AA 1.5V lithium metal non-rechargeable batteries Module: 100-200V AC to 5V DC converter | 100-240V 50/60 HZ. 0.15A |
| Battery Life | N/A | Around 2 years | Around 2 years |
| Warranty and Service | 1-year worth of limited warranty and service | 1-year worth of limited warranty and service | 1-year worth of limited warranty and service |
| Pricing | Check price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned) | Check price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned) | Check price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned) |
Dimensions
The second generation Blink Indoor is slightly thicker than the first generation.
You can find the full measurements for both, as well as the Blink Mini, below:
- 1st Gen Indoor: 71mm x 71mm x 30mm
- 2nd Gen Indoor: 71mm x 71mm x 31mm
- Mini: 50mm x 49mm x 36mm
Weight
When compared to the original, Blink managed to reduced the weight significantly with the new generation. The Gen. 2 Blink Indoor Camera also weigh the same as the miniature version.
You can take a look at the weight specifications below:
- 1st Gen Blink Indoor Camera: 70g
- 2nd Gen Blink Indoor Camera: 48g
- Mini: 48g
What’s in the Box
In addition to the main camera unit, each product also comes with a power adapter and USB cable. Furthermore, both the 1st and 2nd Gen include a mounting kit, two AA lithium batteries and a Sync Module.
You can find the lists of included contents in each box below:
1st Gen Blink Indoor:
- 1st Gen Blink Indoor Camera
- Mounting kit
- Sync Module
- Power adapter
- USB cable
- 2x AA 1.5v non-rechargeable Lithium Batteries
- Quick start guide
2nd Gen Blink Indoor:
- 2nd Gen Blink Indoor Camera
- Mounting kit
- Sync Module 2
- Power adapter
- USB cable
- 2x AA lithium metal batteries
Blink Mini:
- Blink Mini Camera
- Stand
- Power adapter
- USB cable
- 2x mounting screws
CPU
The second generation Indoor and Mini comes with a faster processor when compared to the original Indoor home security camera.
You can take a look at the CPU for each product below:
- Blink Indoor Gen 1: Immedia Proprietary – ISI108, 4 cores / 100Mhz.
- Blink Indoor Gen 2: Immedia Proprietary – AC1002B, 4 cores / 200 MHz
- Blink Mini: Immedia Proprietary – AC1002B, 4 cores / 200 MHz
LED Light
The first generation Blink Indoor comes with one blue LED that indicates when the security camera is active.
The second generation Blink Indoor also includes one blue LED that lets you know when the camera is activated (this can be made optional). There is also a red LED light that indicate night vision recording.
The Blink Mini comes with one blue LED to show that the indoor camera is active. This can also be made optional.
Supported Smartphone Operating Systems
The Blink Indoor Security Camera 1, Blink Indoor Security Camera 2 and Blink Mini Security Camera support the same smartphone operating systems, which you can find a list of below:
- Android 5.0 or higher
- Fire OS 5.1 or higher
- iOS 10.3 or higher
Alexa Compatibility
Since Blink Home Security is an Amazon company, all three cameras unsurprisingly support Alexa for voice controls as well as other features such as live view and viewing recorded videos.
Wi-Fi Connection
The three home security devices also requires a 2.4 Ghz 802.11g/n Wi-Fi connection.
Audio
The 1st gen Blink Indoor has limited audio features as it only supports one-way audio recordings. With the 2nd gen Blink Indoor and Blink Mini, you get two-way audio recordings as well as speaker output.
Infrared Night Vision
The Blink Indoor Gen 1 does not have infrared night vision while the other two security cameras in this strategy guide do.
Camera Resolution
The original Blink Indoor has a camera resolution that tops out at only 720p. The new Blink Indoor and Blink Mini have a camera resolution of up to 1080p for both daytime and nighttime recordings.
Camera Frame Rate
All three home security cameras support up to 30 frames per second.
Live View
While all three devices are capable of providing a live view, the first-generation Blink Indoor is only limited to daytime. On the other hand, both the second-generation Blink Indoor and Blink Mini have infrared night vision, so these two cameras can provide live view during the daytime as well as nighttime.
Temperature Monitoring
Both generations of the Blink Indoor offers temperature monitoring while the Blink Mini does not.
Motion Activated Recording
All three Blink security cameras support motion-activated instant-on recording.
Cloud Storage
The Gen 1 Blink Indoor comes with free cloud storage.
For the Gen 2 Indoor and Mini, you can get free trial for the Blink Subscription Plan until Dec. 31, 2020. After that, you have to subscribe for cloud storage ($3 a month per camera or $10 a month for unlimited cameras in a single location).
Local Storage
The first-generation Blink Indoor Camera does not offer a way to download and view video clips on local storage.
Both the second-generation Blink Indoor Camera and Blink Mini Camera do offer local storage for up to 10 cameras via the Blink Sync Module 2, which comes bundled with the Gen 2 Blink Indoor but needs to be bought separately with the miniature camera.
Power Source
Both generations of the Blink Indoor Home Security Cameras use two AA 1.5V lithium metal non-rechargeable batteries. The included sync modules also come with a 100-200V AC to 5V DC converter.
The Blink Mini Home Security Camera requires to be plugged into a power source. It comes with a micro USB as well as a power adapter with a electrical rating of 100-240V 50/60 HZ. 0.15A.
Battery Life
The battery life for the 1st and 2nd generations of the Blink Indoor is estimated to be around 2 years. The lifespan can vary depending on the usage, settings as well as the environment.
Warranty and Service
The 1st Gen Blink Indoor Security Camera, 2nd Gen Blink Indoor Security Camera and Blink Mini Security Camera each come with 1-year worth of limited warranty and service.