I purchased Arlo video camera in May of 2015.
You can read my detailed review of it here (original review and updates through the years). During a recent Prime day Blink video cameras were on a good sale and my I decided it would be interesting to compare the two and if see if we can use Blink camera as a wild life camera so we can watch for our favorite visitor (blank bear!) on the phone rather having to remove the video card from the wild camera cams we have set up.
This review compares the two cameras.
1. Both cameras produce high quality high definition videos. I think Arlo's video is somewhat better but they comparable. The video you see in this review is taken by Blink video camera, you can see Arlo videos in the Arlo review referenced above. I call this comparison even.
2. Blink camera feels very light and has a feel of cheaply constructed camera. Arlo is relatively heavy, has a very solid feel to it, does not feel cheaply made. Edge to Arlo.
3. Arlo has a magnetic mount which makes it very easy to mount and dismount when the battery needs to be changed. Blink camera mount feels very flimsy. To remove the camera you need to unsnap it from a thin plastic mount which feels like it is not going to last too many snaps and unsnaps. If the camera is mounted high then unsnapping is a bit tricky as you need to do it a certain angle to be gentle. Arlo is very easy to position on its holder (it is a ball so any angle works), and Arlo's app provides further control over the position and zoom. Edge to Arlo.
4. Arlo runs on four RCR123A batteries. I buy them in packs on 20. I tried a variety of batteries through the years (both primary and rechargeable) and found that Panasonic batteries sold by Amazon (not third party dealers which tend to sell older batteries) work best. They last 2 to 4 months (less in the winter, more in the summer). Blink runs on two lithium AA batteries. We have not had Blink long enough to determine battery longevity, but from reading other people reviews a claim of battery lasting over a year is exaggerated. However even if the batteries only lasts several months the edge goes to Blink here, as AA lithium batteries are more common and cheaper batteries.
5. Arlo videos can be viewed both on the desktop via a Browser and through a phone App. Blink only has a mobile app. Arlo provides more flexibility, being able to apple to access videos via a desktop app is important to me and Arlo has a big edge since Blink just does not have this functionality at all.
6. Both Arlo and Blink store videos stored in the cloud. At no additional cost Arlo keeps the videos for 1 week. If you want to pay for a subscription you can get longer storage. Blink provides somewhat longer storage, but only from the mobile app. For my usage Arlo gets an edge because having videos accessible through a desktop is important.
7. Arlo Video Camera has been in service without any issues for over 3 years. It even survived clumsy drops by owner (me!) without damage. It stayed attached through a hurricane wind (with some protection given by the house) without falling to the ground. I have concerns concerns about Blink's thin plastic clip, but Blink is too new at this time to comment on its longevity. So I will leave this comparison open and update in a few years.
Overall, I like the Arlo camera better. I compared a variety of features, the two key things for me are Arlo's superior clip system and availability of video recordsing from the browser on the desktop. I rate Arlo as 5 star product, I rate Clip as 4 star product.
You can locate Blink Video System on Amazon by following this link.
You can locate Arlo Video System on Amazon by following this link.
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