Blink Outdoor vs. Arlo Pro Which Camera is Best?
After a thorough investigation, I concluded that Blink Outdoor is the camera for those looking to keep tabs on their home without breaking the bank. Arlo Pro had more bells and whistles – but its price tag was far too hefty for anyone not in need of serious surveillance.
Over five intensive categories – free service, subscription plans, software/hardware capabilities and video & audio quality — it became apparent that Blink Outdoor offered customers an ideal balance between cost efficiency and monitoring capabilities!
Arlo Pro: 8/10
Free Service: B-
With seven days of cloud recording, Arlo Pro gives you plenty of storage for all your home surveillance needs – so much so that most people don’t even need the option to download clips locally! But beware: while its motion detection is better than entry-level Arlo cameras, it still can’t compete with the pinpoint accuracy and high-definition video quality offered by their top model – the unbeatable Arlo Pro 2.
Forget five minutes of footage – Arlo Pro 2 gives you the power to track motion up to infinity and beyond! Plus, Activity Zones let you narrow your field of vision, so it’s easier than ever before to make sure no one sneaks past. Dialing sensitivity down is great if nearby roads are triggering too many false alarms- simply customize how sharp those eyes in the sky need be!
Subscription Service: C+
Arlo Smart offers a reliable free plan with loads of features, so you don’t need to worry about subscribing. Enjoy up to 7 days’ worth of storage, and the Advanced AI Detection helps tell if people, cars or pets trigger your device – giving you control over what notifications show up on your phone!
Best part? You can even take action from those thumbnails – like activating an alarm siren without having to open any apps at all!
With Arlo Smart, you get the freedom to choose your plan and customize surveillance for what works best for you. And each option comes with an affordable price tag – 7 days of video storage costs only $3 a month per camera! But don’t forget two key limitations: no continuous 24/7 recording available or creating activity zones allowed. Shop smart when it comes to keeping tabs on security!
Hardware: A
If you’re looking for something more rugged than Blink Outdoor, Arlo Pro is the way to go. Not only does it come with a reliable rechargeable battery that lasts months on end – eliminating the hassle of disposable batteries altogether – but its base station can be seamlessly integrated within your home network.
Plus, all Arlo models are compatible, so you have plenty of customizing options!
With Arlo Pro cameras, you can experience the convenience of a completely wireless setup. Just place them within 300 feet of their powerful base station and enjoy features like motion-triggered sirens to ward off intruders. You’ll also be able to take advantage of its micro USB port or flash drive slots for easy recording – all while being powered by an adjoining power outlet!
Software: A
Arlo Pro is the ultimate home security system that provides an extra layer of protection and convenience. It offers seamless integration with Alexa and Google devices, while its motion-sensing alert feature allows it to detect movement ahead of a possible intruder – no waiting required!
Plus, you can customize your settings by creating rules; for example, when one camera detects motion, another will start recording automatically for 44 seconds afterward.
With a single tap, you can capture exciting footage on the fly. Unlock awesome IFTTT recipes to customize your experience and have peace of mind when away – arm or disarm automatically based on location or set schedules for minimal false alerts at home!
Record Quality: C+
With Arlo Pro’s 1080p resolution and 110° field of view, you can see plenty during the day. At night though, its picture quality is slightly clearer than that of Arlo Pro 2 but much better compared to Blink Outdoor. Although two-way audio with an integrated mic and speaker is available on this device, there’s a 3-second delay in communication which makes video chatting nearly impossible – for perfect real-time chat, consider one of Ring’s cameras instead!
Blink Outdoor: 6/10
Free Service: A+
Keep an eye out for the new Sync Module 2, coming soon! This nifty device will allow you to store motion clips on a USB flash drive without having to subscribe monthly. Plus, if you already own any of the older generation Blink cameras – XT2, XT and Indoor 1st gen – you won’t need to pay anything extra as your recordings are free-of-charge.
However, don’t forget that nothing is recorded unless there’s a subscription in place – but with real-time viewing anytime possible, why not take advantage?
Subscription Service: B
With Blink cameras, you can experience the convenience of effortless motion detection and storage with their Instant On feature. Enjoy up to 7,200 seconds worth of video clips in the cloud for free – perfect as a medium-term solution for busy homes with 30-second clip recordings!
Not enough? Customize your settings by adjusting sensitivity levels or lengthening individual clip lengths from 5 to 60 seconds. However, keep an eye on battery life when opting for higher-quality footage recording!
Rather than simply being on 24/7, Blink Outdoor allows you to set a smart clip length which automatically shuts off after motion stops. This helps preserve battery life; however, the maximum clip length is 60 seconds and retrigger time can only be shortened down to 10 seconds – so if something is in your yard for two minutes or longer, there will still be a gap of missed footage.
Additionally, features like person detection and geofencing don’t exist yet, but they have included impressive free activity zones feature where you can choose specific areas that are activated by movement without false alerts from nearby activities such as busy roads!
Hardware: D
Blink promises that two AA batteries can last up to 2 years, but tests showed otherwise. My experience with 40-second recordings in “saver” video quality and moderate sensitivity only lasted a month – hardly an eternity! The micro USB port option is great for the indoor model.
However, it sadly won’t provide the waterproofing necessary for Blink Outdoor models specifically designed for outdoor use. So if you live in a high-traffic area outside your home – I wouldn’t recommend using Blink unless you’re prepared to replace those precious batteries often!
Experience the ultimate in-home security with Blink and Blink Outdoor: no need to plug anything into your router. The Sync Module provides power for both systems, allowing you up to 10 cameras on one system and multiple total systems within the same app. You can monitor outside temperatures of 4°-113°F even when it’s raining – making sure your family is safe all year round!
Software: C-
Despite its beginnings on Kickstarter and subsequent acquisition by Amazon, Blink has considerably scaled up in recent years – no more server issues like they had earlier! Setup is a breeze with the simple yet effective app. Notifications are sent after recording instead of during – it’s easy to stay informed without being disturbed right away.
Unfortunately geofencing isn’t available natively, but that could be something for them to work on next!
With Alexa, you can easily track your security system by arming and disarming commands. Plus, record those special moments with just one click! Unfortunately, Google Assistant or HomeKit support is lacking – as well as the ability to check how much battery life remains in your device; without having to rely on a ‘Replace’ or ‘OK’ message from the app.
Record Quality: C+
Blink Outdoor offers excellent HD recording capabilities with a wide field of view, but its night vision can’t match Arlo Pro. Additionally, although you can have live conversations via the security camera’s built-in mic and speaker, they are plagued by an upsetting three-second delay and difficult two-way talking due to app mechanics – making communication from afar nearly impossible!
Which is Best for You?
Arlo Pro
Upgrade to the Arlo Pro for longer motion recordings that are still not quite up-to-par with traditional surveillance solutions. You’ll get rechargeable batteries, too –remember you’ll need Arlo Smart ($3/month) if you want activity zones as well.
To be on the safe side, don’t opt for the entry-level version, which can offer significantly lower video quality and weak motion sensing due to its disposable battery power source.
Blink Outdoor
Looking for dependable surveillance coverage? Reset your sights on Arlo Pro 2 or Nest Cam. From motion recordings to activity zones, these two devices can be trusted to monitor even the most important areas in and around your home – so you don’t have to worry about missing out on key moments!
On the other hand, if casual use is all necessary, Blink Outdoor serves as a great no-fuss option; however, it will require AA batteries relatively frequently.
