Do you need a security camera for your home, but don’t want to spend a lot of money? Do you want a camera that is simple to set up and use, and that can record high-quality videos? If so, you might like the Blink Mini camera. This little camera can do a lot of things, like detecting motion, talking to people, and working with Alexa and IFTTT. But is it worth buying? What are the good and bad things about it? How does it compare to other cheap cameras? In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about the Blink Mini camera and help you decide if it is right for you. What is the Blink Mini Camera?

What is the Blink Mini Camera?

The Blink Mini camera is a small and simple indoor security camera that you can plug into an outlet and connect to your Wi-Fi network. It has a wide-angle lens that covers 110 degrees of your room and an infrared LED that provides black-and-white night vision. You can control the camera with the Blink app on your phone, where you can view the live stream, adjust the settings, and receive alerts. You can also use voice commands to control the camera with Amazon Alexa or create routines with IFTTT.

The Blink Mini camera is available in white or black, and you can buy it for $34.99 on Amazon and other online outlets. You can also buy it in packs of two or three for $64.99 and $89.99, respectively. If you want to pan and tilt the camera manually, you can buy the Blink Pan-Tilt Mount accessory for $29.99.

Pros of the Blink Mini Camera

The Blink Mini camera has some advantages that make it a good choice for budget-conscious buyers. Here are some of the pros of the Blink Mini camera:

• Affordable: The Blink Mini camera is one of the cheapest security cameras on the market, and it offers good value for money. You can monitor your home without breaking the bank, and you can buy multiple cameras to cover different areas of your house.
• Easy to set up and use: The Blink Mini camera is very easy to set up and use. You just need to plug it into an outlet, download the Blink app, scan the QR code on the camera, and follow the instructions. You can then view the live stream, adjust the settings, and receive alerts on your phone. You can also use voice commands to control the camera with Amazon Alexa or create routines with IFTTT.
• Good video quality: The Blink Mini camera records clear and sharp 1080p video in full color, and it has a decent night mode that switches to black-and-white when it gets dark. You can see the details of your room and the faces of the people and pets in it. You can also zoom in and out of the video, and take snapshots of the scenes.

Cons of the Blink Mini Camera

The Blink Mini camera is not perfect, and it has some limitations that you should consider before buying it. Here are some of the cons of the Blink Mini camera:

• Requires a subscription or a hub to save recordings: The Blink Mini camera does not come with free cloud storage or local storage. If you want to save your motion event recordings and view them later, you have to pay for a subscription plan or buy a separate hub. The subscription plan costs $3 per month per camera, or $10 per month for unlimited cameras in one location. The hub called the Blink Sync Module 2, costs $34.99, and you have to plug a USB stick into it to store your recordings. This adds to the cost and complexity of the camera, and it might not be worth it for some users.
• No person detection or smart alerts: The Blink Mini camera does not have advanced features like person detection, facial recognition, or smart alerts. It only detects motion, and it does not distinguish between humans, animals, or objects. This means that you might receive a lot of false alerts, or miss some important events. You can adjust the motion sensitivity and activity zones, but you cannot customize the alerts based on the type of motion or the time of day.
• No support for Apple HomeKit or Google Assistant: The Blink Mini camera only works with Amazon Alexa and IFTTT, and it does not support other popular smart platforms like Apple HomeKit or Google Assistant. This limits the compatibility and functionality of the camera, and it might be a deal-breaker for some users who prefer to use Siri or Google Assistant to control their smart devices.

Blink Mini vs Wyze Cam OG: Which One is Better?

The Blink Mini camera is not the only budget security camera on the market. Another popular option is the Wyze Cam OG, which costs $23.99 and offers similar features as the Blink Mini. How do these two cameras compare? Which one is better for your needs? Here is a table that summarizes the main differences between the Blink Mini and the Wyze Cam OG:

As you can see, the Wyze Cam OG has some advantages over the Blink Mini, such as:

• Lower price: The Wyze Cam OG is cheaper than the Blink Mini, and it also offers free cloud storage and local storage options. You can save more money and have more flexibility with the Wyze Cam OG.
• Wider field of view: The Wyze Cam OG has a wider field of view than the Blink Mini, which means it can cover more area of your room. You can see more of what is happening in your home with the Wyze Cam OG.
• Color night vision: The Wyze Cam OG has a color night vision mode, which can provide more details and clarity than the black-and-white night vision of the Blink Mini. You can see more colors and contrast in the dark with the Wyze Cam OG.
• Person detection and smart alerts: The Wyze Cam OG has a person detection feature, which can distinguish between humans and other objects. This can reduce the number of false alerts and help you focus on important events. You can also get smart alerts that tell you the type of motion, the time, and the location of the event. You need to pay for a Cam Plus subscription to access these features, but it is cheaper than the Blink subscription.
• Support for Google Assistant: The Wyze Cam OG works with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, which gives you more options and convenience to control your camera with voice commands. You can also integrate it with other smart devices that work with these platforms. The Blink Mini only works with Amazon Alexa and IFTTT, which might be limiting for some users.

However, the Blink Mini also has some advantages over the Wyze Cam OG, such as:

• Easier setup: The Blink Mini is easier to set up than the Wyze Cam OG. You just need to scan the QR code on the camera and follow the instructions on the app. The Wyze Cam OG requires you to press a button on the camera and wait for a voice prompt before scanning the QR code. You might also need to update the firmware of the camera before using it.
• Better sound quality: The Blink Mini has a better sound quality than the Wyze Cam OG. The two-way audio is clearer and louder on the Blink Mini, and the microphone picks up less background noise. The Wyze Cam OG has a lower sound quality, and the audio might be delayed or out of sync with the video.
• Lightweight and mountable: The Blink Mini is more lightweight (only 1.7 oz) than the heavier Wyze Cam OG (3.52 oz). This makes it easier to install and mount on the wall or ceiling. You can also buy the Blink Pan-Tilt Mount accessory to adjust the angle of the camera manually. The Wyze Cam OG is bulkier and harder to mount, and it does not have a pan-tilt option.

Conclusion: Is the Blink Mini Camera Worth Buying?

The Blink Mini camera is a decent security camera that offers good video quality and easy setup for a low price. However, it also has some drawbacks that might make you think twice before buying it. You have to pay extra to save your recordings, you do not get smart alerts or person detection, and you do not get support for Apple HomeKit or Google Assistant.

If you are looking for a cheap and cheerful security camera that works well with Amazon Alexa and IFTTT, the Blink Mini camera might be a good option for you. But if you want more features and flexibility, you might want to look at other security cameras that offer free or cheaper cloud storage, local storage, smart alerts, person detection, and support for multiple smart platforms. Some examples are the Wyze Cam OG ($23.99), the Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera ($139.99), and the Eufy Indoor Cam 2K ($39.99).

We hope this article helped you decide whether the Blink Mini camera is right for you. If you have any questions or comments, please let us know. Thank you for reading!

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