So you‘re trying to choose between Blink and Nest for your new DIY home security system? Smart thinking protecting your property, I‘ll help explain the key differences between these two popular options.
First, what are Blink and Nest exactly?
Blink is a home security company owned by e-commerce giant Amazon. Originally founded in 2009 under the name Immedia Semiconductor by entrepreneur Peter Besen, Blink was acquired by Amazon in 2017.
Blink sells home security cameras, video doorbell systems, related accessories and offers corresponding mobile apps and cloud services. Their product line includes:
- Blink indoor/outdoor security cameras
- Blink video doorbells (wired and wireless)
- Blink Mini pan-tilt camera
- Solar panel chargers for outdoor cameras
- Sync modules to manage multiple cameras
Nest originated as Nest Labs, founded in 2010 by Tony Fadell, creator of the original iPod for Apple. Tech powerhouse Google purchased Nest in 2014 for $3.2 billion to accelerate their Internet of Things developments.
In addition to home security cameras and doorbells, Nest product offerings include:
- Nest Learning Thermostat
- Nest Temperature Sensor
- Nest Protect smoke + CO detector
- Nest Secure alarm system
- Nest x Yale smart locks
- Nest Home hub display
So while Blink focuses specifically on security cameras/doorbells, Nest provides a wider range of smart home devices.
Camera lineup comparison
Both companies offer indoor and outdoor camera options for monitoring your home‘s perimeter as well as interior spaces. Let‘s examine how Blink and Nest cameras stack up:
Blink camera models
| Model | Type | Resolution | Field of view | Night vision | Audio | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blink Mini | Indoor | 1080p | 110° | Infrared | Two-way | Wired |
| Blink Indoor | Indoor | 1080p | 110° | Infrared | Two-way | Battery |
| Blink Outdoor | Outdoor | 1080p | 110° | Infrared | Two-way | Battery |
| Blink Floodlight | Outdoor | 1080p | 110° | Infrared | Two-way | Battery |
- Weather resistance: Outdoor is IP65 rated
- Battery life: 2 years typical
Nest camera models
| Model | Type | Resolution | Field of view | Night vision | Audio | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Cam Indoor | Indoor | 1080p | 160° | Infrared | Two-way | Wired |
| Nest Cam Outdoor | Outdoor | 1080p | 130° | Infrared + color | Two-way | Battery |
| Nest Cam Floodlight | Outdoor | 1080p | 130° | Infrared + color | Two-way | Wired |
- Weather resistance: Outdoor is IP54 rated
- Battery life: Up to 7 months for Outdoor
Now examining the specs side-by-side:
- Blink cameras have slightly narrower fields of view
- Nest cameras offer color night vision on higher-end models
- Blink battery life is 2-3X longer than Nest outdoor battery life
- Both provide 1080p HD, two-way talk, wireless syncing
- Nest has wider operating range: -4°F to 104°F vs 14°F to 104°F for Blink
So while the cameras offer comparable core functionality, Nest differentiates on premium features while Blink offers outstanding battery efficiency.
Video doorbell showdown
Like with security cameras, both companies provide video doorbell options to enhance front door security. Let‘s see how they compare:
Blink video doorbells
- 1080p HD video
- Infrared night vision
- Two-way talk
- Wireless and wired models available
- Uses 2 AA batteries
- 6 month typical battery life
- Motion detection alerts
- Works with Alexa voice assistant
Nest video doorbells
- 1080p HD video
- Color night vision
- Intelligent motion and person detection
- Two-way talk
- Wired and wireless/battery models
- Rechargeable battery in wireless model
- 3 month typical battery life
- Works with Google Assistant voice control
- Differentiates between people, pets, vehicles for smart notifications
The core features are quite similar: 1080p HD recording, night vision, motion detection alerts, etc.
However, Nest doorbells use intelligent recognition to classify visitors by type for smarter notifications. And Nest color night vision provides clearer imagery in low light versus Blink‘s infrared.
But Blink offers around 2X better battery life in their wireless video doorbell. And Blink doorbells work with Alexa for Amazon Echo integration while Nest partners with Google Assistant.
The power of smart connectivity
Aside from security-centric features, what also separates Blink vs Nest is how the systems enable smart home integrations.
For example, all Nest cameras and doorbells use intelligent algorithms to interpret captured video and imagery. So rather than just detecting motion, Nest devices can recognize:
- The difference between a person, animal, and vehicle
- When familiar faces like family members arrive home
- Unusual activity in monitored zones
Nest cameras then send specific alerts based on those sophisticated analyses to your phone. Rather than sifting through generic notifications, this intelligent monitoring platform analyzes footage for you.
Plus, Nest security devices seamlessly integrate into Google‘s smart home ecosystem. You control Nest products including cameras, doorbells, thermostats, smoke alarms, and displays all through the Google Home app.
And Nest security cameras can broadcast live streams to Google Assistant smart displays like Nest Hubs. This unified environment tightly links all Nest products for whole-home awareness and control.
By comparison, Blink focuses specifically on security cameras and doorbells. Blink devices integrate well with Amazon‘s products like Alexa digital assistants and Echo smart speakers for voice commands and alerts.
But Blink lacks native connectivity with other smart home systems. And Blink‘s motion detection isn‘t as advanced for customized monitoring alerts.
So while Blink covers security basics very well, Nest technology leverages state-of-the-art techniques like facial recognition and human detection for next-generation monitoring.
Handling the elements with IP ratings
For outdoor home security cameras and doorbells, a major factor is surviving the elements year-round. Companies use Ingress Protection (IP) ratings to specify device durability.
These IP codes designate resistance levels to dust and moisture on a scale from 0 to 6. So higher numbers indicate more durable equipment:
- IP65: Protected from low pressure water jets
- IP54: Protected from splash water
Under this rating system:
- Blink‘s Outdoor camera is IP65 certified
- Nest‘s Outdoor camera is IP54 certified
So Blink cameras tested slightly better against wet weather, with protection from window sprinklers vs just splashing. Both companies‘ outdoor cameras operate fine from frigid -4°F to scorching 113°F temperature extremes.
But neither security camera is fully waterproof. For that, you need IP66 or IP67 ratings often found on rugged cameras. Avoid submerging Blink or Nest outdoor cameras.
All-in-all, Blink and Nest outdoor systems deliver adequate weather resistance for mounting outside your home. I suggest installing under shelter like a porch ceiling for added protection.
Battery efficiency
Self-contained battery power provides placement flexibility for wireless security cameras and doorbells. You don‘t need convenient electrical outlets to benefit from motion-activated monitoring.
In optimal conditions, here is how the battery life for Blink vs Nest devices compare:
- Blink Indoor/Outdoor cameras: 2 years
- Blink video doorbell: 6 months
- Nest Outdoor camera: 6-7 months
- Nest video doorbell: 3 months
So across the lineup, Blink battery life significantly outperforms Nest power efficiency.
Expect to recharge Nest products at least twice as often. However, Nest does sell solar panel charging accessories to continually replenish batteries through sunlight.
If you install cameras in bright locations, solar power can offset some Nest battery disadvantage. But cameras mounted in covered areas rely fully on battery capacity.
Subscription plans
While Blink and Nest both offer very capable monitoring devices, you need corresponding cloud services and storage to archive and review security footage:
Blink subscription plans
-
Basic: $3/month per camera
- 60 days video storage
- Advanced motion detection
-
Plus: $10/month per camera
- 60 days continuous recording
- Advanced object detection
Nest Aware subscription plans
-
Basic: $6/month
- 30 days event video history
- Intelligent alerts
-
Plus: $12/month
- 60 days 24/7 video
- 10 days 24/7 video history per camera
Blink provides very affordable coverage for accessing older security clips. And their object detection upgrade costs just an extra $7 per month.
Nest plans are slightly more expensive overall BUT include that intelligent alert filtering in the base package. And longer 10-60 day storage is available for non-stop recording.
So depending on your budget and recording needs, both companies offer solid cloud services.
Smart home ecosystem integrations
As mentioned earlier, Nest security devices integrate tightly with Google‘s partner smart products for seamless whole-home awareness and control.
Let‘s examine how Nest security cameras and doorbells interoperate with other popular Nest-branded devices in their lineup:
Nest Learning Thermostat
- View live video feeds from home cameras right on the thermostat screen
- Adjust home temperature remotely via smartphone when away
- Leverage motion detection from cameras to automatically alter HVAC usage
Nest Protect Smoke/CO Detector
- Get alerts on your phone if Nest Protect goes off while you‘re out
- View live camera feeds to check for fire or carbon monoxide threats
- Nest Protect events trigger Nest cameras to begin recording as well
Nest x Yale Smart Locks
- See visitors approaching your door via the video doorbell
- Remotely view live footage while talking through the doorbell speaker
- Grant access permissions to guests by unlocking the door remotely
This integration enables exciting use cases like altered home climate when Nest Protect detects a fire or letting in house cleaners with the smart lock while viewing them arrive on camera.
Blink devices currently lack native interoperability with third-party smart home systems. But Blink cameras integrate well with Alexa/Echo products for voice control.
Verdict: Which home security system is best?
Now that we‘ve explored Blink vs Nest systems in-depth across all facets, let‘s summarize the key pros and cons of each platform:
Blink pros
- Very affordable upfront pricing
- 2 year+ battery life reduces maintenance
- Easy to install DIY cameras
- Generous 60 day cloud storage plans
Blink cons
- No integration with other smart home devices
- Less intelligent alert notifications
- No free storage without subscription
Nest pros
- Smart person/vehicle/pet detection
- Works with Nest Learning Thermostat, Nest Protect, Nest Locks, etc.
- 10-60 day 24/7 recording history available
- Color night vision on higher-end cameras
Nest cons
- Cameras and subscriptions cost more
- More frequent battery recharges needed
Depending on your home security priorities, either system can be a great option:
Blink home security cameras provide reliable monitoring at very wallet-friendly pricing. The long battery life and free cloud storage make ongoing costs affordable too. So if budget is your main concern, start with Blink!
However, Nest technology showcases considerably more advanced smart features. Person/vehicle detection and integrations with other Nest products enable cutting-edge, automated security. So for premium capabilities, albeit at higher prices, Nest systems excel.
I hope mapping out the critical differences between Blink vs Nest cameras and services assists your buying decision! Let me know if any other questions come up.
