Review Blink Video Doorbell + Sync Module 2

Blink Video Doorbell + Sync Module 2 Specifications

Blink is an established brand for affordable indoor and outdoor home security cameras, but its Video Doorbell + Sync Module 2 ($84.98) is its first entry in the burgeoning smart doorbell arena. This two-piece system bundles a doorbell camera and a hub (the Sync Module 2) that enables connectivity with Blink’s online services. The doorbell offers wired and wireless installation options, seamless integration with Amazon Alexa (Blink is owned by Amazon), and delivered sharp 1080p video in testing.

Design and Features

The Blink Video Doorbell + Sync Module 2 bundle includes the doorbell camera and a module that connects the doorbell to Blink’s cloud servers. You can purchase the doorbell without the Sync Module 2 for $49.99, but note that you also need the module to store video locally on a USB drive, as well as to manually record and share live video. The module extends the doorbell’s battery life, and can be used to control up to 10 Blink Indoor, Outdoor, Mini, and Doorbell cameras. If you later decide you want the Sync Module, you can purchase it separately for $34.99. You don't get a discount for buying the two components as a bundle.

In the box, you get the doorbell, the Sync Module, two AA batteries, a straight mounting plate, a corner mounting plate, mounting screws, a USB cable and power adapter, a setup guide, and a small pin for removing the doorbell from its mounting plate.

The doorbell is available in a black or white finish and measures 5.1 by 1.6 by 1.1 inches (HWD). It's approximately the same size as the Scout Alarm Video Doorbell (4.9 by 1.6 by 1.3 inches). The top portion of the doorbell houses the camera assembly, a motion sensor, and a microphone, while the bottom contains a round doorbell button surrounded by an LED ring. The light flashes blue when someone presses it and flashes red during setup.

A speaker sits at the base of the doorbell and a battery compartment for the two AA batteries is on the back. According to Blink, the batteries should last for up to two years depending on use. Alternatively, you can use your existing doorbell wiring to power the doorbell by attaching the wires to the terminals on the back of the mounting plate. The doorbell uses a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi radio to connect to your home network.

The Sync Module 2 features a black-and-white design. It measures 2.7 by 2.3 by 0.7 inches (HWD) and contains a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi radio. The Module also has a USB-A port and a reset button on the right side, while a mini USB power port is on the bottom edge. You can use the USB port to connect an external drive (up to 256GB) for local video storage and to back up cloud video recordings. A pair of small LED indicators blink during the setup process and glow solid blue and solid green when you connect the Module properly.

The doorbell can record a video clip when it detects motion or when someone presses the button, but you have to subscribe to a cloud storage plan to view and share those recordings (the doorbell comes with a free 30-day trial plan). You also need a plan to access saved clips from Live View sessions and to view video thumbnails. The Basic plan costs $3 per month (or $30 per year) and unlocks all of the above-mentioned benefits, as well as access to 60 days of video history for one camera. If you have more than one camera, the $10-per-month (or $100 per year) Plus plan includes everything from the Basic plan and support for an unlimited number of cameras. If you don't want to subscribe to a plan, you can store video recordings locally by connecting a USB drive to the Sync Module.

You can link the doorbell to your Amazon Alexa account to view video feeds on an Echo Show device, conduct two-way conversations, and create routines for the doorbell to work with other Alexa-connected devices. However, the doorbell doesn't work with IFTTT applets, nor does it support Google Assistant or Apple HomeKit.

The Blink Video Doorbell uses the same mobile app (available for Android and iOS) as the Blink Indoor and Blink Outdoor cameras. It appears on the home screen in a dedicated panel with a still image of the last captured event alongside video and snapshot buttons. Tap the video button to launch a live stream with Save, Discard, and Tap to Talk buttons.

At the bottom of the Home screen are five buttons. The Home button returns you to the main screen. The play icon opens a screen with thumbnails of event videos. Tap any thumbnail to view, delete, share, or download the video. Choose the gear button to create recording schedules and configure Wi-Fi settings. Tap the Account button to edit your email address and password, link to an Alexa device, and manage which devices can access your doorbell. The fifth button brings you to a download page for Ring’s Neighbors app, which collects alerts from your neighbors and local police.

To access the doorbell’s settings screen, tap the three lines in the upper right corner of the doorbell screen. Here, you can check the battery level, enable motion detection, set motion zones and sensitivity, configure video clip length, choose a video quality setting, enable or disable recording, and configure night vision settings.

Installation and Performance

The Blink Doorbell and Sync Module 2 are very easy to install, but the setup guide that arrives in the box is fairly useless. It demonstrates only how to install the batteries and directs you to the Blink website for everything else.

To start, I downloaded the mobile app, created an account, and selected the doorbell from the Add Device screen. The app prompted me to add the Sync Module first, and I used my phone to scan the QR code on the back of the device. I created a system, added the Module to it, and switched on the power. After one LED began to blink blue and the other turned solid green, I tapped Discover Device, selected my Wi-Fi SSID, and entered my Wi-Fi password. The Module immediately connected, and after a brief firmware update, I pressed the plus icon in the upper right corner, selected the doorbell again, and scanned the QR code on the back of the doorbell.

Then, I inserted the two AA batteries into the doorbell and tapped Continue when the LED began to blink red. At this point. you can view instructions for wiring and mounting the doorbell or skip them. To complete the process, I attached the mounting plate to my door frame using the included screws, and snapped the doorbell into place.

Image quality is impressive. Daytime videos show rich colors with a wide horizontal view, and black-and-white night video appears sufficiently bright and sharp. Motion and doorbell alerts arrived instantly in testing; we didn't experience many false motion alerts either.

I had no trouble viewing video from the doorbell on an Amazon Echo Show smart display, and an Alexa routine I set up for the Globe Electric Wi-Fi Smart Plug to turn on when someone pressed the doorbell button worked perfectly. Additionally, two-way audio sounded loud and clear.

Conclusions

The Blink Doorbell + Sync Module 2 package enables you to see and speak to whomever is at your door from anywhere. We also like the option to set it up in a wired or wireless configuration, as well as the ability to store recordings both locally and in the cloud. That said, we wish the doorbell supported more voice and smart home platforms—Alexa is your only choice here. And some features require a paid subscription.