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Looking for an Alexa-compatible indoor smart camera to keep tabs on my elderly dad when I’m out the house…
Naturally, I compared Ring #ad and Blink smart home cameras, because both are Amazon companies, so they work well with Alexa. So Alexa works well for you.
“Alexa, please keep my house safe from harm, thank you.”
Ultimately, my family chose to buy Blink instead of Ring because Blink’s swivel capabilities work best for our indoor needs while buying fewer cameras.
At first look, you think Blink only has two types of cameras - the Blink Mini and the Blink Mini Pan-Tilt Camera.
Now I know… The Blink Mini Pan-Tile Camera is actually two standalone parts you can buy together at a fair price and plenty of 4.5-5 star ratings to ease the nerves.
The Blink Mini Pan-Tile Camera is actually the Blink Mini plus the Blink Pan-Tile Mount.
You can confidently buy that swivel knowing it’s the set plus the thing.
Visit the Official Ring Store on Amazon.com.
Visit the Official Ring Website.
Ring lets you “see, hear, and speak to visitors from anywhere.” In 2023, Ring offers advanced home security solutions for home-owners and apartment dwellers.
Ring is most popular for their smart doorbell technology.
And in 2023, they offer a very highly rated outdoor and indoor cameras along with the ability to upgrade to a complete alarm system to prevent burglars and alert you in case of break-ins.
What started with the Ring Doorbell has become a really good solution for most people.
You can use Ring devices and its app for free without a subscription. You can upgrade if you choose to a paid subscription to enable the most advanced home monitoring features offered by Ring.
But most people get by just fine on the free version of Ring IoT services (after device purchased).
Visit the Official Blink Store on Amazon.com.
Visit the Official Blink Website.
Blink is “smart security designed for every home”. Blink is the simple home security camera system for people living in homes and apartments.
Blink is most popular for their indoor security camera, the Blink Mini. Because it’s nice and inexpensive, and Blink has a 360-view pan-tilt mount Ring doesn’t have.
In 2023, Blink offers both indoor and outdoor security cameras.
Blink started off as the simple-to-use home security camera for most people.
That’s one reason my and my retired mom and elderly dad like Blink. We probably won’t need Ring’s advanced features, not in our lifetimes. We just want a simple solution like Blink.
Compared to Ring, Blink’s simplicity is probably best for old people.
Also comparable to Ring, you can buy a Blink camera then use it for free without a subscription. Or you can upgrade to the paid subscription, but most families won’t need to, so the free version of Blink IoT services is enough (after you purchase the Blink device).
Blink’s indoor security camera design is like a cubic square, which is notably different from Ring’s vertical column
Blink’s outdoor security cameras without floodlights are square in black, while Ring’s are thick vertical columns in white.
Blink’s outdoor security cameras with floodlights have similar design as Ring’s. Aside from the camera and color, they're hard to tell apart.
Now we see why Ring is considered the “Smart Home Alarm System” that Blink isn’t.
Ring’s entry-level smart home alarm kit (most affordable with fewest devices) includes one base station “hub”, one 9-digit style wall-hanging keypad, one contact sensor white thing, one motion detector white thing, and one range extender white thing.
Blink on the other hand, just has a nice looking doorbell and a “Sync Module” (Blink) hub equivalent to a “Base Station” (Ring) hub.
Now we see why Ring offers more advanced security.
But my family probably doesn’t need all that. We just want to keep an eye on our mobility-challenges old dad when we’re out running errands, and when paid caregivers come over-to-visit ‘n we’re-not-home.
In terms of visual and physical product, the Blink doorbell is tall and black with smooth edges, while the Ring doorbell is tall and silver with a black camera and straight cylindrical edges.
Some parts of Ring and Blink systems are almost apples-to-apples.
Blink’s doorbell and Ring’s doorbell both have a blue circle light.
I’m a geek for futuristic eldercare, so I considered Astro - the Amazon robot you can buy.
Well, not exactly. In August 2023, you have to be invited, and you can request an invitation.
Other people may have gained earlier access than you and me, but Astro has been on my radar since May 2023.
Real consumers - people like you and me - are using Astro in 2023, and you might nab your invitation to buy this home monitoring robot if you ask Amazon to give you and invitation here.
The peculiar thing is…
“Amazon Astro [is the] household robot for home monitoring with Alexa and includes 30-day trial of Ring Protect Pro”
Wait - they said Ring?
I thought myself a smarty pants when I confirmed Amazon owns the Blink company.
Astro taught me Amazon owns the Ring company.
It’s a fact, both Blink and Ring smart security cameras are owned by Amazon.
This is part speculation, not fact:
Combined, Astro’s indoor and Ring’s outdoor security specialties work well together.
The reason Amazon Astro Home Security Robot is compatible with Ring (and not Blink, the other Amazon-owned smart security system for your home), is because Ring is the original the doorbell security camera, while Blink was originally the indoor security camera.
Both Astro and Blink are primarily made for indoor monitoring, while Ring is primarily made for outdoor monitoring.
That’s why Astro (indoor) chose to pal up with Ring (outdoor) instead of Blink (indoor).
Easy-to-use for seniors, elderly caregivers, and family members? Ring and Blink offer smart home security systems that are good for families who own Echos, because they’re both awesomely Alexa-enabled.
The choice between the two - Ring vs Blink for smart home security cameras and safety monitoring - often boils down to simplicity and compatibility.
Ring and Blink are both companies and products owned and operated by some corporate tango with Amazon. So they’re friendly business competitors and home security technology neighbors.
Offering indoor and outdoor cameras, doorbells, motion detection, and two-way intercoms via user-friendly apps on your iPhone or Android, Ring and Blink both got options to ensure vigilant home protection.
My family’s personal choice to end the tiebreaker lies in simplicity and the swivel. We finally chose smart, easy, and affordable Blink to keep tabs on my elderly dad while we (the family caregivers) are out the house.
