Blink, a company now owned by Amazon, makes small, affordable security cameras. Blink has three models available for purchase currently; Blink Indoor, Blink Outdoor, and Blink Mini. This article discusses the difference between those three models.
I’ll start out with a summary of the differences, give you a table of the differences between the Blink camera models, and then dive into more detail.
What’s the difference between the Blink Indoor (Gen 2) and the Blink Outdoor? The difference between the Blink Outdoor and Blink Indoor cameras is that the Blink Outdoor has a wider operating temperature range (-4° to 113° F vs. 32° to 95° F) and an IP-65 rating to protect it while used in an outdoor environment. The Indoor and Outdoor otherwise have identical specifications.
What is the difference between the Blink Mini and Blink Indoor? The main difference between the Blink Mini camera and the Blink Indoor camera is that the Blink Mini is smaller, uses a different algorithm for motion detection, and must be plugged in. However, the Blink Mini does not have to be connected to a Sync Module.
What is the difference between the Blink Mini and Blink Outdoor? The main difference between the Blink Mini camera and Blink Outdoor camera is that the Blink Mini is smaller, is for indoor use only, uses a different algorithm for motion detection, and must be plugged in. However, the Blink Mini does not have to be connected to a Sync Module.
Since the Blink Indoor and Outdoor are so similar, you can expect that the Blink Mini will have similar differences. Those differences can be seen in the table below. The table is an adapted version from the version Blink created, which can be seen on their website here.
Table of Differences: Blink Mini vs Blink Indoor vs Blink Outdoor
| Blink Mini | Blink Indoor (Gen 2) | Blink Outdoor | |
| Motion Detection | Pixel Difference Analysis with adjustable sensitivity range: Approximately 20 feet | Infrared hardware detection with adjustable sensitivity.Range: Approximately 6 – 20 feet (2m to 6m) | Infrared hardware detection with adjustable sensitivity.Range: Approximately 6 – 20 feet (2m to 6m) |
| Activity Zones | Mask off regions to selectively prevent motion alerts. | Photo zoom functionality for advanced zone selection. | Photo zoom functionality for advanced zone selection. |
| Radio | 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi | 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 900 MHz Blink Protocol | 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 900 MHz Blink Protocol |
| Audio | Built in Microphone and Speaker | Built in Microphone and Speaker | Built in Microphone and Speaker |
| Status LEDs | Green LED: power Blue LED: internet connection / Recording(Disable the recording LED in the Blink app) Red LED: no connection/system error | Blue LED: internet connection / Recording(Disable recording LED in settings screen) Red LED: no connection/system error(The intermittent flash behind the camera PIR sensor indicates lost connection to the Sync Module and is distinct from the status LEDs on the front of the camera.) | Blue LED: internet connection / Recording(Disable recording LED in settings screen) Red LED: no connection/system error(The intermittent flash behind the camera PIR sensor indicates lost connection to the Sync Module and is distinct from the status LEDs on the front of the camera.) |
| Power | 5 Volt/1 Ampere USB-Micro connector | AA 1.5v Lithium Metal non-rechargeable batteries x 2 (included) | AA 1.5v Lithium Metal non-rechargeable batteries x 2 (included) |
| Battery Low Indication | N/A | Yes (in app) | Yes (in app) |
| Battery Life | N/A | 2 years* with standard use (approx. 53,870 seconds of motion alerts and Live View sessions) | 2 years* with standard use (approx. 53,870 seconds of motion alerts and Live View sessions) |
| Sensors | None | Temperature | Temperature |
| EnvironmentalRating | N/A – indoor use only | N/A – indoor use only | IP-65 |
| Outdoor Operating Temperature | N/A | N/A | -4° to 113° F (-20° to 45° C) |
| Indoor Operating Temperature | 32 to 95 F (0 to 35 C)designed for indoor use | 32° to 95° F (0° to 35° C) | N/A – See Outdoor Temperature Range |
| Dimensions | 1.89 x 1.89 x 1.39”(48 x 48 x 34 mm) | 2.8 x 2.8 x 1.39”(71 x 71 x 34 mm) | 2.8 x 2.8 x 1.39”(71 x 71 x 34 mm) |
| Weight | 1.7 oz, Camera 3.17, Camera and mount | 4 oz (with 2 AA Lithium batteries) | 4 oz (with 2 AA Lithium batteries) |
| In box equipment | USB Cable and Power Adapter;Mounting stand with two #6 1-1/4″ Phillips head screws | Mounting stand with two #6 1-1/4″ Phillips head screws | Mounting stand with two #6 1-1/4″ Phillips head screws |
What is the difference between Blink indoor and Blink outdoor?
Let’s start out discussing the two most similar cameras that Blink offers currently.
As I stated earlier, there are two main differences between the Blink Indoor and the Blink Outdoor; the temperature rating and environmental rating. According to FCC documents filed by Blink, there are no differences in the electronics, only in the plastic enclosure.
“The two models are electrically identical. The difference between these two models is the plastic external enclosure.”
Source: https://fccid.io/2AF77-H2041670
The IP-65 environmental rating of the outdoor camera is partially achieved by a change in the camera’s housing. If you look at the back of the cameras, you’ll notice that the Blink Indoor has air holes around the edge, whereas the Blink Outdoor has a grille for the speaker just above the mounting bracket.
Having a speaker grilled makes it easier to prevent water, dust, and other debris from getting inside the camera and damaging the electronics.
I haven’t been able to find a teardown of the Blink Indoor or the Blink Outdoor aside from FCC documentation. The FCC documentation is a government requirement because the Blink Cameras wirelessly transmit data. The FCC documents related to the Blink Indoor and Outdoor cameras state that the electronic parts are the same.
The only physical difference between the Blink Indoor and the Blink Outdoor is that plastic enclosure.
The Blink Indoor and the Blink Outdoor are the same as far as camera image, resolution, and other features like motion tracking are concerned. One is not limited more than the other in terms of software.
There is one more difference in that the Blink Outdoor costs a few more dollars than the Blink Indoor.
Can blink outdoor cameras be used indoors?
If the Blink Indoor and Blink Outdoor have virtually the same specs, you may be wondering if you can use the Blink Outdoor inside.
I’ve heard that some people would prefer a black camera instead of a white camera. I get that! A white camera could stick out like a sore thumb against some backgrounds. So, can you use the Blink Outdoor inside?
The Blink Outdoor camera can be used inside just like the Blink Indoor camera. The Blink Outdoor comes with the same mounting hardware as the Blink Indoor camera. The Blink Outdoor and Blink Indoor have the same software features.
Anything you can do with the Blink Indoor, you can do with the Blink Outdoor. The only difference from a user’s perspective will be the color of the camera. The Sync Module 2 that comes with the Blink Outdoor is the same as the Sync Module 2 that comes with the Blink Indoor. The Sync Module 2 has a white border, differentiating it from the original Sync Module with a black border.
What is the difference between Blink Mini and Blink?
Now that you know the differences between the Blink Indoor and the Blink Outdoor let’s look at the Blink Mini. The Blink Mini is unique in the Blink lineup of cameras, and not just the same parts in a different body. The features are different!
Blink Mini Differences from the Blink Indoor and Blink Outdoor
- The Blink Mini is smaller by about an inch in height and width
- The Blink Mini is for indoor use only (Blink Outdoor difference only)
- The Blink Mini is powered by USB, not batteries. It must be plugged in
- The Blink Mini does not have a temperature sensor
- The Blink Mini has a Green LED status light to indicate power
- The Blink Mini does not require a Sync Module
- The Blink Mini uses Pixel Difference Analysis for motion detection
Blink Mini Size vs. Blink Indoor and Outdoor
While the Blink Mini is smaller in height and width, it does have the same depth as the other Blink cameras. The smaller size, and lack of batteries, have this camera weighing in at less than half that of its larger counterpart. The Blink Min weighs 1.7 oz, whereas the Blink Indoor and Outdoor weigh 4 oz. with batteries inserted.
Blink Mini – Indoor use only
The Blink Mini, like the Blink Indoor, is rated for inside use only. The Blink Outdoor is the only camera currently offered by Blink that is rated to be used outdoors.
That said, the inside use only rating hasn’t stopped some people from using the Blink Mini outside. You can read more about that in my article Is the Blink Mini Waterproof? Can The Blink Mini Go Outside?
Blink Mini Is Powered By USB, Not Batteries
The Blink Mini is the only Blink camera that requires constant power. The Blink Indoor and Outdoor can be powered by AA batteries or USB if desired. If you would like more information on how the Blink Mini is powered, check out my article Does Blink Mini Have A Battery? Does Blink Mini Need To Be Plugged In?
Blink Mini Does Not Have a Temperature Sensor
The Blink Mini does not have a temperature sensor built-in like the Blink Indoor and Outdoor models do. It will not show you the temperature and cannot send you temperature alerts.
Blink Mini Does Not Require a Sync Module
The Blink Indoor and Outdoor require a Sync Module in order to connect to the cloud and be connected to the Blink app. The Blink Mini does not require a Sync Module and connects directly to the internet.
That said, you may still want to connect it to a Sync Module 2 so that you can use local storage. Learn more in my article Can I Use Blink Mini Without A Subscription? Is A Subscription Required?
Blink Mini Uses Pixel Difference Analysis for motion detection
I realize the terms may be getting somewhat technical here, but give me a moment to explain. The Blink Mini uses Pixel Difference Analysis, meaning that it detects motion by comparing changes in the pixels. If there is enough of a change, it will send a motion alert. The sensitivity can be changed in the Blink app.
The Blink Indoor and Blink Outdoor use PIR (Passive Infrared), which detects heat changes. For example, a human body or an animal. It wouldn’t (or at least shouldn’t) catch a leaf blowing across the driveway.
Blink has a support page that explains in more detail, which can be found here.
Related Topic:
Do Ring Cameras Record All the Time: The Truth Revealed!
How Many Blink Cameras Can You Have on One Module? Revealed!
Arlo Pro 4 vs Pro 5: Which One is the Best Security Camera
10 Best Settings for a Blink Outdoor Camera for Great Quality