Blink's Video Doorbell Plus: A Promising Concept Hampered by Frustrating Execution
The smart home security market is a crowded space, with manufacturers constantly vying for our attention with new features and ever-lower price points. Blink, a brand known for its accessible and battery-powered cameras, has entered the video doorbell arena with its Video Doorbell Plus, bundled with the Sync Module 2. At a retail price of $69.99, it promises a compelling entry into home security, particularly for those already invested in the Blink ecosystem or seeking a budget-friendly wired or battery-powered solution. However, after extensive testing, I find myself deeply disappointed. While the concept is sound and the price attractive, the real-world performance and user experience fall far short of expectations, making this a product I struggle to recommend.
First Impressions: A Familiar, Yet Underwhelming, Build
Unboxing the Blink Video Doorbell Plus reveals a device that feels… fine. It’s constructed primarily from plastic, which is expected at this price point. The design is utilitarian and unobtrusive, available in a classic black finish. It doesn’t exude premium quality, but neither does it feel exceptionally cheap. The included Sync Module 2 is a small, rectangular unit that plugs directly into a wall outlet, serving as the bridge between your Wi-Fi network and the doorbell itself. This is a crucial component, as it’s responsible for local storage of video clips via a USB drive (not included) and managing communication for multiple Blink devices.
Installation, whether you opt for battery power or wired connection, is relatively straightforward. Blink provides the necessary mounting hardware and clear instructions. The battery option utilizes two AA lithium batteries, which Blink claims can last up to two years – a bold statement that I’ll address later. The wired option requires connecting to existing doorbell wiring, offering continuous power and the convenience of being able to ring your existing chime (though this functionality can be inconsistent, as I discovered).
My initial impression, however, was one of cautious optimism tinged with a growing sense of unease. The materials, while functional, don't inspire confidence in long-term durability. In a device intended for outdoor use, exposed to the elements, a more robust build would have been preferable. This is a product that feels like it might weather a year or two, but I have serious doubts about its ability to withstand the rigors of extended outdoor exposure without showing signs of wear and tear or, worse, failure.
Key Features Deep-Dive: Where Potential Meets Pitfalls
The Blink Video Doorbell Plus offers a few key features that, on paper, are quite appealing for its price bracket:
- HD Video Recording: The doorbell captures video in 1080p HD, which is standard for most modern video doorbells.
- Two-Way Audio: Allows for communication with visitors through the Blink Home Monitor app.
- Motion Detection: Alerts you when motion is detected in the camera's field of view.
- Sync Module 2 with Local Storage: The included Sync Module 2 enables local storage of video clips onto a USB flash drive, reducing reliance on cloud subscriptions.
- Battery or Wired Power Options: Flexibility in how you power the device.
- Infrared Night Vision: Provides visibility in low-light conditions.
Let's break these down, focusing on how they perform in practice.
HD Video Recording & Night Vision: The 1080p resolution is adequate for identifying people and general activity. However, the image quality is surprisingly grainy, especially in less-than-ideal lighting conditions. Even during the day, there's a softness to the image that makes distinguishing fine details a challenge. Colors can appear washed out, and the dynamic range is rather poor, leading to blown-out highlights and crushed shadows. The infrared night vision is functional, illuminating the immediate vicinity, but it produces a very noisy, black-and-white image that lacks clarity. Compared to competitors in a similar price range, the video quality is decidedly mediocre.
Two-Way Audio: This is arguably one of the most frustrating aspects of the Blink Video Doorbell Plus. While the feature is present, the audio quality is abysmal. There’s a significant delay, making conversations feel disjointed and unnatural. Furthermore, the microphone and speaker are not particularly sensitive, often requiring you to speak loudly and clearly, and even then, the audio on the other end can be muffled or distorted. Trying to have a coherent conversation with a delivery driver or a visitor becomes a test of patience, often devoluving into shouted questions and confused responses.
Motion Detection: This is where Blink's historically inconsistent performance rears its head again. The motion detection is overly sensitive or frustratingly unresponsive. I found myself receiving a constant stream of motion alerts for passing cars or swaying branches, even after adjusting sensitivity settings. Conversely, there were instances where people approached the door directly without triggering a motion event, leading to missed notifications and a compromised sense of security. The lack of granular control over motion zones, a common feature in higher-end doorbells, is keenly felt here. You're essentially given a broad stroke, and it's difficult to fine-tune it effectively.
Sync Module 2 and Local Storage: The inclusion of the Sync Module 2 and the promise of local storage is, in theory, a significant selling point, especially for those wary of recurring subscription fees. The setup is straightforward: plug in the module, insert a USB drive (which you'll need to purchase separately – a minor but annoying oversight), and link it to your Blink system. However, the performance of local storage is far from seamless. Clips are not always recorded reliably, and accessing them through the app can be sluggish. There’s a noticeable lag when trying to retrieve footage, and the interface for managing stored clips is clunky and unintuitive. While it’s a step towards cost savings, the trade-off in usability and reliability is substantial. Furthermore, the Sync Module 2 itself can sometimes be a bottleneck, impacting the responsiveness of all connected Blink devices.
Battery vs. Wired Power: The flexibility of having both options is a plus. However, the battery life claims are, in my experience, wildly optimistic. With moderate motion detection and daily usage, I found myself replacing the AA lithium batteries far more frequently than the advertised two years. This inconsistency in battery life necessitates more frequent intervention and adds to the overall hassle of maintaining the device. The wired connection, while providing continuous power, didn't fully resolve the performance issues and occasionally led to the doorbell failing to ring the existing mechanical chime, requiring a manual check of the app.
Performance in the Real World: A Constant Source of Frustration
Putting the Blink Video Doorbell Plus to the test in everyday scenarios revealed its fundamental shortcomings. The lag in motion detection meant I often missed the initial moments of a visitor's arrival. By the time the notification arrived on my phone, the person might have already left. This defeats a primary purpose of a video doorbell – to know who is at your door in real-time.
The two-way audio, as mentioned, is a significant pain point. Trying to communicate with someone at the door often felt like a comedy of errors, with delayed audio and poor clarity making simple interactions difficult. I found myself resorting to just opening the door to speak directly, negating the convenience of the intercom feature.
The unreliable motion alerts meant that while my phone was buzzing incessantly with notifications about leaves blowing in the wind, I was sometimes left in the dark about actual human presence. This inconsistency erodes trust in the system and undermines the feeling of security it's supposed to provide.
Accessing recorded footage from local storage was another area of consistent frustration. The app often struggled to load clips, and the process felt clunky and slow. I experienced several instances where clips were simply missing or corrupted, leaving me with gaps in my recorded history. This unreliability is a major concern for a security device where every moment can be critical.
Even the seemingly simple act of checking live view could be a gamble. Sometimes it connected instantly, while other times it took an eternity, by which point the moment had long passed.
Value Assessment: Not Worth the Compromise
At $69.99, the Blink Video Doorbell Plus positions itself as an affordable option. However, true value isn't just about the sticker price; it's about what you get for your money. In this case, the performance issues, the mediocre video quality, the frustrating audio, and the unreliable motion detection all conspire to make this a poor value proposition. You're paying for features that, in practice, are severely compromised.
When comparing it to other video doorbells in a similar or even slightly higher price bracket, the Blink Video Doorbell Plus consistently falls short. Competitors offer clearer video, more reliable motion detection with better zone customization, more responsive two-way audio, and more robust mobile apps. The allure of local storage and battery power is overshadowed by the significant compromises in core functionality.
Frankly, the money spent on this doorbell could be better allocated towards a more dependable, albeit slightly more expensive, alternative. The long-term cost of dealing with its persistent issues, the potential need for more frequent battery replacements, and the compromised security it offers make it a poor investment.
Final Verdict: Look Elsewhere for Reliable Home Security
The Blink Video Doorbell Plus, bundled with the Sync Module 2, is a product that I cannot recommend. While it offers a seemingly attractive feature set at an accessible price point, its real-world performance is plagued by significant shortcomings. The video quality is merely adequate, the two-way audio is frustratingly poor, and the motion detection is highly inconsistent. The promise of local storage through the Sync Module 2 is hampered by sluggish performance and unreliable clip recording.
For a device intended to provide peace of mind and enhance home security, the Blink Video Doorbell Plus often delivers the opposite: anxiety and frustration. The persistent lag, missed alerts, and audio issues make it an unreliable guardian. In my experience, better alternatives exist in the market, even at slightly higher price points. If you're looking for a smart video doorbell that you can depend on, I strongly advise you to skip the Blink Video Doorbell Plus and explore other options. Your security and your sanity will thank you for it.