Blink just launched a new version of its best-tested video doorbell camera
Today, Blink is launching a new version of its affordable smart video doorbell. The Amazon-owned smart security camera company has been releasing budget-friendly and highly reviewed alternatives to Ring for years now. We thought so highly of the original front porch monitor that it earned a spot as the best budget video doorbell camera on our list. Now, a new version has arrived with upgraded features.
Blink Video Doorbell (2025)
Blink's latest doorbell may have added several new bells and whistles, but it's still one of the cheapest on the market. The upgrades don't raise the price from the original, either. The starter kit clocks in at $70, while those upgrading an existing setup can buy just the doorbell for $60. Blink first launched its original video doorbell all the way back in 2021. Nearing its fifth birthday, the smart home accessory is beginning to show its age in an era of more intelligent and more energy-efficient cameras. That hasn't stopped us from ranking the original so highly, but there's certainly room for improvement with its budget-friendly design. The new version of Blink Video Doorbell delivers exactly that.
Amazon's budget security camera company isn't completely going back to the drawing board this time around, but there are some notable adjustments. The new Blink Video Doorbell is slightly larger than the previous version, mostly so it can accommodate three AA lithium batteries (the original had two AAs) to ensure it keeps the same two-year battery life as the first-generation version, even with all the new functionality.
Person detection is easily the biggest upgrade, a feature that improves upon the motion alerts that my colleagues highlighted in our guide to the best video doorbell cameras. Instead of just pinging you when the camera notices movement, it can now alert you when it detects an actual person at your door. I appreciate that Blink is accomplishing this with on-device computer vision, which forgoes the need to send footage up to the cloud.
Speaking of footage, the video quality offered by the camera is also being enhanced. There's now 1440p x 1440p image resolution, which is a notable improvement over the original's 1080p recordings. Blink also offers a larger 150-degree field of view with a 1:1 aspect ratio to ensure more of your porch and front yard are included in the shot. By comparison, the first-generation version only featured a 16:9 aspect ratio.
Blink is improving its popular smart home camera with the launch of a new iteration. Despite packing so much new technology into the enhanced version, Amazon's budget camera is still staying true to its customers by keeping the pricing the same as the original. It's rare to see a company not raise prices these days when debuting a successor like this.
If all the new features don't catch your eye, I'd be remiss not to mention just how good a value the original model and our current best-tested pick are by comparison. On sale at Amazon, the first-generation Blink Video Doorbell is still our favorite budget camera for your porch — for the time being. It won't be long before my testing colleagues get their hands on Amazon's latest release to see how it fares against the competition for themselves.
Blink Video Doorbell
Amazon's original Blink doorbell camera may be on the older side, but it's a value-focused alternative for those who can rely on 1080p recordings and basic motion detection alerts. Read our review The following FAQs were answered by senior deals editor Rikka Altland, based on reporting and research she conducted.
Does the Blink Video Doorbell require a subscription?
Does the Blink Video Doorbell require a subscription?
No, the new Blink Video Doorbell works without a subscription. However, some functionality is locked behind a $3 per month ($30 per year) plan. Features like person detection alerts, as well as the ability to store your footage in the cloud, are included in that monthly subscription. The camera includes a free 30-day trial of a Blink Subscription Plan with purchase.
Can you see live video on the Blink Video Doorbell?
Can you see live video on the Blink Video Doorbell?
Yes, the new version of Blink Video Doorbell offers on-demand live video as well as two-way audio when paired with the included Sync Module Core hub.
Does the Blink Video Doorbell require a hub?
Does the Blink Video Doorbell require a hub?
Yes, the video doorbell needs to connect to the Blink Sync Module Core or Sync Module 2. The complete starter kit comes with the former, while existing Blink users can buy just the doorbell camera on its own to pair with an existing Sync Module.
CNN Underscored has a team of writers and editors with many years of product testing experience as well as experience researching and recommending other buys, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when relevant to ensure we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. Senior deals editor Rikka Altland has personally been reviewing all kinds of tech and home goods for nearly a decade.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
28 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Faruqi & Faruqi Reminds NET Power Investors of the Pending Class Action Lawsuit with a Lead Plaintiff Deadline of June 17, 2025
Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses In NET Power To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options If you purchased or acquired securities in NET Power between June 9, 2023 and March 7, 2025 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310). [You may also click here for additional information] New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - June 7, 2025) - Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against NET Power Inc. ('Net Power' or the 'Company') (NYSE: NPWR) and reminds investors of the June 17, 2025 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company. [ This image cannot be displayed. Please visit the source: ] Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: (1) Net Power was unlikely to complete Project Permian on schedule, and the project was likely to be significantly more expensive than Defendants had represented, because of, inter alia, supply chain issues and numerous site- and region-specific challenges; (2) accordingly, Defendants' projections regarding the time and capital needed to complete Project Permian were unrealistic; (3) the increased time and capital needed to complete Project Permian were likely to have a significant negative impact on the Company's business and financial results; and (4) as a result, Defendants' public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. On November 14, 2023, during pre-market hours, Net Power issued a press release announcing its third quarter 2023 results and providing a business update. Therein, the Company disclosed that "[d]ue to . . . tightness in the global supply chain, we are incorporating a 12-month cushion into our expected schedule for Project Permian' with Defendants 'now expecting to achieve initial power generation sometime between the second half of 2027 and first half of 2028.' This represented a significant delay from Defendants' initial schedule to have the plant operational by 2026. On this news, Net Power's stock price fell $2.47 per share, or 18.54%, to close at $10.85 per share on November 14, 2023. On March 10, 2025, during pre-market hours, Net Power issued a press release announcing its fourth quarter and full year 2024 results and providing a business update. Therein, Net Power disclosed that it 'now estimates Project Permian's total installed cost to be between $1.7 billion and $2.0 billion"-significantly higher than its last estimate of $1.1 billion-"which is inclusive of non-recurring first-of-a-kind, Project Permian site-specific and owner costs[,]' advising that 'there are a number of site- and region-specific challenges which impact cost.' The Company further advised that Project Permian 'would come online no earlier than 2029[,]' representing a significant delay from its prior timeline of sometime between the second half of 2027 and first half of 2028. In addition, Net Power reported that it ended 2024 'with $533 million in cash, cash equivalents, and investments, down from $580 million last quarter, primarily due to $13 million in operating cash outflows and $29 million in capital expenditures for La Porte upgrades and SN1 development.' On this news, Net Power's stock price fell $2.18 per share, or 31.46%, to close at $4.75 per share on March 10, 2025. Then, on April 15, 2025, Net Power issued a press release announcing that its President and Chief Operating Officer ('COO') and Chief Financial Officer would depart the Company on May 1, 2025, and that the Company had appointed a new COO, effective immediately. On this news, Net Power's stock price fell $0.13 per share, or 5.75%, to close at $2.13 per share on April 16, 2025. The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not. Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding NET Powers' conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others. To learn more about the NET Power class action, go to or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310). Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, on X, or on Facebook. Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP ( ). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner. To view the source version of this press release, please visit
Yahoo
31 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Judge turns back challenge to MBTA housing law; Holden among plaintiffs
Superior Court ruling dismissing MBTA Communities unfunded mandate challenge by Michael Elfland on Scribd A Superior Court judge on Friday tossed a lawsuit brought by nine municipalities challenging the MBTA Communities Act, ruling that the controversial zoning-reform law is not an unfunded mandate. Plymouth Superior Court Justice Mark Gildea granted the Healey administration's motion to dismiss the latest challenges to the 2021 law, which supporters see as a key tool to spur development of much-needed housing in more than 170 eastern Massachusetts cities and towns. Marshfield, Middleton, Hanson, Holden, Hamilton, Duxbury, Wenham, Weston and Wrentham had each filed legal complaints against the law in recent months, contending that it should not be enforceable after the Division of Local Mandates in Auditor Diana DiZoglio's office deemed the measure an unfunded mandate. More: Holden seeks short-term halt to MBTA housing law Plaintiffs said allowing multifamily housing by right in at least one reasonably sized zone as the law requires could force them to absorb significant new infrastructure costs with no state assistance. But Gildea concluded the possible costs are "indirect," which means the law is not an unfunded mandate, and that grant programs are available to help shoulder some of the burden. "Even if [the law] was an unfunded mandate, the Municipalities have failed to allege sufficient facts concerning any anticipated amounts associated with future infrastructure costs beyond a speculative level," Gildea wrote in a 40-page decision. Some of the plaintiffs laid out their own issues with the law as well, such as Middleton arguing that it should not be classified as an MBTA community and therefore should not be subject to the mandatory zoning reforms. Jason Talerman, an attorney for some of the towns, said in an email that plaintiffs are "disappointed with the result and find the decision to be contrary to applicable law." Most of the 177 communities subject to the law have approved new zoning reforms, putting them in compliance, according to the Healey administration. In January, the Supreme Judicial Court upheld the MBTA Communities Act as a constitutional law the attorney general can enforce with legal action. The high court required the Healey administration to redo the regulation-setting process. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Judge turns back challenge to MBTA housing law
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
3 False Alarms That Sent the Stock Market Into a Frenzy (And How To Protect Your Money)
The stock market is often driven by emotion. Information breaks about a company struggling to reach profitability or wider economic news is communicated, and it can send the markets into hysteria. Pair that with social media, and it can cause real problems. Investors choosing to act on such emotion can create a real problem for their portfolios, particularly if the information isn't 100% accurate. Be Aware: Check Out: Protecting assets is essential for Americans as misinformation or lack of clarity rattles markets. Here are three times a false alarm brought turmoil to stocks and how to protect your money in those times. Hysteria in the market doesn't always mean it's a bad day for stocks. News around President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs is one example. After Trump's Liberation Day for tariffs, the market saw vast losses impacting investors. That was until an inaccurate X post claimed the White House was considering a 90-day pause of tariffs. The news brought jubilee, with markets spiking nearly 10%, or $2.4 trillion in value, according to the Wall Street Journal. Unfortunately, the information was incorrect. The tweet, attributed to Walter Bloomberg, was ultimately deleted. The Wall Street Journal states the source of the information remains uncertain. The rally was brief, with the market closing largely flat for the day, with the S&P 500 up roughly 100 points. Read Next: Artificial intelligence (AI) has taken the markets by storm. Tech stocks, in particular, have benefited from the explosion of AI. When Chinese startup DeepSeek introduced a new, free AI assistant that claims to use significantly less data, the market reacted swiftly. On Jan. 27, investors worldwide unloaded tech stocks out of fear that DeepSeek would quickly amass power. Nvidia led the losers, creating a loss of $593 billion, according to Reuters, which was a record single-day loss in terms of market cap for any listing on Wall Street. Other companies joined in monumental losses, with the Nasdaq closing down over 4% for the day. Things aren't as bleak for Nvidia today, with the stock trading at roughly the same price it did at the beginning of 2025. The Nikkei in Japan is a leading stock exchange worldwide. It experienced tumult in August 2024 over fears related to issues with Yen carry trade. Fear spiked that investors would need to sell holdings to cover losses tied to their yen trades. The result was a loss not seen since 1987, with the Nikkei falling 12% on Aug. 5, 2024, according to Reuters. The S&P 500 followed, losing 8% in a two-day period. Thankfully, the loss was short-lived, as Reuters notes that the S&P 500 recovered its losses within two weeks, and the Nikkei followed suit in a month. Protecting assets can be a challenge for many Americans during false alarms in the stock market. Selling stocks is an understandable knee-jerk reaction. Such action can easily derail years of planning, especially if it's on the heels of fake headlines. Diversifying your portfolio weekly and rebalancing it regularly are good ways to safeguard assets. Volatility in the market is normal, but proper due diligence is crucial before making rash decisions that could result in significant losses. If you have a financial advisor, consider speaking with them to verify you're on target with your investment plan. Social media and potentially false headlines can drive emotion. Before making fearful decisions, do research to verify validity before taking action that could lead to needlessly painful losses. More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban Warns of 'Red Rural Recession' -- 4 States That Could Get Hit Hard 7 Things You'll Be Happy You Downsized in Retirement Are You Rich or Middle Class? 8 Ways To Tell That Go Beyond Your Paycheck This article originally appeared on 3 False Alarms That Sent the Stock Market Into a Frenzy (And How To Protect Your Money) Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
