Pros
Cons
I kept the Blink Outdoor cam up on my fence for two years, not just because I was testing the extra-long battery life, but because it was simply a great outdoor security camera. Compact, easy to install and with reliable performance from the user-friendly Blink app, there was a lot to like, even if I wasn't particularly worried about trespassers in my backyard.
Now Blink has released a new line of security cams, upgrading to a 2K resolution and other capabilities. I tested the latest offerings to see how they performed, including the Blink Outdoor 2K Plus (currently on sale for 50% off), and came away with a clear conclusion: One of the best wireless cameras I've tested is now better than ever.
Blink's Outdoor cam and its significant improvements
Blink's mount is very simple, but that makes installation easier, too.
I was happy to recommend Blink's Outdoor 4 camera as a jack-of-all-trades, a generally good battery-powered choice as long as you can drill a couple of screw holes. It was affordable, compact, durable and had lithium AA batteries that lasted well over a year. However, the camera did have room for improvement, notably in its 1080p resolution, as many security cameras have transitioned to higher resolutions.
Enter the new Outdoor 2K Plus, addressing several weak points head-on. The design is strikingly similar to the Blink Outdoor 4, except for the new lens -- which is good, because that IP65-rated model didn't miss a beat through my freezing winters and hot summers. However, it has now improved with the detail a 2K resolution brings and better color vision in low-light settings, which I tested at multiple times of day.
I came away impressed with the upgrades, although they do require you to run the cam in performance mode, which is going to cut deep into that long battery life. If battery life is your preference, switching to the energy-saving mode takes only seconds, and you can choose your preference during setup.
Speaking of setup, it's extra simple as long as you're ready to scan a QR code. Screw in the small base, add the batteries to the camera, set it up in the app and then attach the cam to the base and angle it as desired.
Still one of my favorite security apps
Blink's app remains especially simple to use while the 2K resolution really does improve the live view.
Blink's app is straightforward and easy to operate, one of my favorites in the home security world. Arming and disarming the cam, checking the live view and reviewing your video history are just a couple of taps away, with no confusing menus or clutter. It's another reason this makes a great starter cam for those who don't have any yet.
This version of the camera features a Sync Module Core, which plugs into an outlet and enables Wi-Fi connections and specific types of processing, such as object recognition. Here is my minor complaint about the camera: This Sync Module doesn't support onboard video storage, so if you want to save videos without a subscription you'll have to pay extra to upgrade to another Sync Module, like this one, and a microSD card.
You'll need an upgraded Sync Module add-on if you want local storage, but Blink's subscription is cheap.
If you prefer cloud video storage, you will need to pay $4 per month for a Blink Basic subscription. That's quite low compared with most camera subscriptions and adds smart detection for object recognition capabilities and multi-camera "Moments" support. Blink continues to make advances in its features and AI capabilities, and I'm interested in what other capabilities will arrive on the Outdoor 2K Plus over time.
That brings me to Alexa. As an Amazon-owned brand, Blink works only with Alexa, so Google and Apple Home users are out of luck. The good news is that it works especially well with Alexa and supports Alexa Plus capabilities. You don't have to worry about additional setup steps in the Alexa app, and can immediately start using extra features like viewing live video from an Echo Show. While connecting via my Show took several moments, the image was bright and crystal clear.
Blink's Arc is an interesting experiment but far less impressive
Blink's Arc system is interesting, but I can't recommend it.
What about the other new Blink arrivals I tested? The other notable outdoor option was the Blink Mini 2K, which supports outdoor use with an optional outdoor cable. It's definitely tiny, but this speaker requires a secure outdoor outlet, so it just isn't as handy as the Outdoor 2K. Also, that small size makes its speaker and mic very unreliable outside, where wind and ambient noise render it squealy and unreliable.
There's an innovative add-on for the Mini 2K, the Blink Arc, which connects to of the latest Blink Minis in a single piece, each eyeing a different direction for an extra-wide, 180-degree view. It's an interesting concept with very limited application.
Blink's Arc requires an outdoor outlet and two Blink Minis for a view that's...not really worth it.
The stitched-together Arc camera view, while wide, didn't do much for me and the work involved didn't yield impressive results, especially with the wired requirement. I would rather just have a well-placed Blink Outdoor 2K cam, and I bet you would, too.
Final thoughts
Blink's compact new Outdoor camera takes the well-rounded concept and improves it even further while keeping what worked so well with the last model. The enhanced 2K resolution and new features are welcome, even if you may have to pay extra to get a hub that supports local video storage. That said, Blink's $4 monthly subscription for cloud storage and smart alerts is one of the lowest you'll find.
Add in the relative affordability of the camera, the wonderfully simple app and long battery life, and I'm even more willing to recommend this camera and a general use wireless model for the average home. Just make sure you find the right spot to screw in the base.