The New Blink Mini 2: A Versatile and Affordable Security Camera for Your Smart Home
The cost-effective and adaptable Blink Mini 2 is a great budget option for indoor and outdoor surveillance.
Small yet powerful Blink’s affordable camera is now suitable for outdoor use.
📸 Image: Blink Mini 2 mounted in a chicken coop
Security cameras can be a contentious topic. While some may feel uncomfortable with the idea of being watched, these gadgets provide undeniable benefits such as pet monitoring, home security when you’re away, and the ability to catch trespassers in your backyard after dark. If you’re in the market for an affordable and feature-packed security camera, look no further than the Blink Mini 2 by ENBLE.
The Blink Mini 2, priced at just $39.99, is a solid choice for both indoor and outdoor use. Whether you already have an Amazon Alexa smart home or are invested in Blink’s battery-powered camera lineup, this camera is sure to impress you. With its latest features and improvements, it ticks all the right boxes.
🎯 Highlighted Features
Here are some of the notable features of the Blink Mini 2:
- 💰 Inexpensive and very small: Suitable for any budget and can be discreetly placed anywhere.
- 🏡 Indoor / outdoor: Designed to be versatile and withstand the elements.
- 🔦 Now with a spotlight: Illuminates the area for clearer nighttime recordings.
- 👥 Person detection ($): Alerts you when a person is detected.
- 💾 Option of local storage: Store your footage locally for added security.
- 🎥 Improved 1080p HD video: Provides high-quality video for enhanced clarity.
- 🗣️ Works with Alexa, IFTTT: Seamlessly integrates with your smart home ecosystem.
⚠️ Pros and Cons
Like any product, the Blink Mini 2 has its strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a quick look at what they are:
Pros: – ✔️ Inexpensive and compact – ✔️ Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use – ✔️ Offers a spotlight for better nighttime vision – ✔️ Provides the option of local storage – ✔️ Improved video quality and person detection – ✔️ Compatible with Amazon Alexa and IFTTT
Cons: – ❌ Additional storage options can increase the cost – ❌ Audio quality can be staticky – ❌ Grainy color night vision – ❌ Clunky Blink app – ❌ Subscription required for cloud video and person detection – ❌ No rich notifications – ❌ Not compatible with Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, or Apple Home
Get the Blink Mini 2 for $40 at Amazon.
🏆 ENBLE Score: 6/10
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s dig deeper into what makes the Blink Mini 2 a great choice for your security camera needs.
💡 Upgrade Your Security with the Blink Mini 2
Blink, known for its affordable battery-powered cameras, has expanded its lineup to include three mains-powered models: the Blink Mini (1 and 2), the Blink ENBLE Floodlight Camera, and the Blink Video Doorbell. These cameras stand out from the competition thanks to Blink’s custom-built chip, ensuring super energy efficiency and on-device computer vision (CV) capabilities. With person detection and the latest features, the Blink Mini 2 sets itself apart.
The Mini 2 is an impressive improvement over the original Blink Mini. It offers compatibility for both indoor and outdoor use, a new spotlight for better visibility, on-device person detection, and USB-C power. With a wider field of view, improved image quality, better low-light performance, and a sleek design, this camera is a significant upgrade. You also have the option to add local storage via a Blink Sync Module 2 and a USB stick.
📸 Image Comparison: Footage from the Blink Mini (left) and the Mini 2 (right)
The Mini 2 is extremely versatile and can fit in almost any location. Whether you need to monitor your backyard, chicken coop, office, or kitchen, this camera delivers clear and crisp video. While the infrared night vision performs decently, the color night vision with the integrated spotlight may appear grainy. However, the camera’s motion and people notifications are lightning fast, ensuring you stay informed about any activity.
Blink Mini 2 Specs: – Price: $39.99 ($49.98 with 13-foot outdoor power cable) – Power source: Plug-in – Field of view: 143 degrees diagonal – Image quality: 1080p HD, 30fps – Night vision: Infrared or full color with integrated spotlight – Weather resistance: IP65 – Size: 51 x 51 x 40mm – Operating temps: -5 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit – Connectivity: 2.4GHz Wi-Fi – Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, IFTTT
Mounting the Blink Mini 2 is a breeze, thanks to its ball and socket base. You can easily adjust the camera’s angle and position even after mounting it on a wall or ceiling. Alternatively, you can place it on a flat surface without the base, allowing for flexibility in placement. This tiny camera, smaller than most competitors, offers a range of mounting options.
🔒 Privacy and Security
Your privacy and security are of utmost importance when it comes to any smart device. The Blink Mini 2 takes this seriously. The Blink app includes features like customizable privacy and activity zones, two-way talk, and enhanced motion sensitivity. The app, while basic, provides ample customization options and scheduling capabilities. However, compared to its sister company Ring’s excellent app, the Blink app may feel clunky and outdated.
Blink’s commitment to privacy and security is commendable. All cloud footage is encrypted at every stage, including in transit and at rest, with no room for unauthorized access. Blink’s custom-built chips ensure that privacy and security are built directly into the camera itself, eliminating the need to rely on third-party manufacturers.
It is important to note, however, that Blink is an Amazon subsidiary, and Amazon’s policy allows law enforcement access to footage in emergency situations without a warrant.
Without a subscription, you can still receive motion alerts to be notified of any activity at home. However, to unlock person detection, cloud storage, and extended live view times, a subscription is required. If you opt for local storage using a Sync Module 2, you can avoid cloud storage fees, but you won’t have person detection without a subscription.
The Blink Mini 2 works seamlessly with Amazon’s Echo smart displays, allowing you to view live streams and receive motion or person detection alerts on your Echo devices. Unfortunately, it does not integrate with other smart home platforms like Google Home or Samsung SmartThings (although IFTTT support is available).
Blink Mini 2 in the Chicken Coop
🕹️ Comparable Options and Final Thoughts
While the Blink Mini 2 is an excellent choice for an affordable security camera, there are comparable options available. Two notable alternatives are the Wyze Cam v3 and Tapo C120. Priced at $36 and $40 respectively, these cameras offer indoor and outdoor capabilities, smart alerts, and local storage using an onboard microSD card. The Tapo C120 even features 2K video, dual spotlights, and free smart alerts for people, pets, and vehicles. It’s worth considering these options, especially if you prioritize certain functionalities or smart home platform compatibility.
Overall, the Blink Mini 2 is an impressive upgrade to an already popular budget-friendly security camera. Its ease of use, versatile mounting system, and outdoor capabilities make it a stand-out choice. With the added benefits of person detection, improved video and audio quality, and affordability, it’s a great option for anyone seeking a reliable security camera within a smart home ecosystem.
In Conclusion The Blink Mini 2 offers great features at an affordable price, ensuring that you can keep an eye on your home without breaking the bank. If you’re in the market for a compact and versatile security camera, this is the one for you.
📚 References
- Blink Mini 2 Review on Digital Trends
- How to Utilize Alexa’s Drop-In Feature
- Blink’s Custom-Built Chipsets and Energy Efficiency
- Download Movies and Shows from Amazon Prime Video
- Best Security Cameras in 2024: Expert Researched and Reviewed
Disclaimer: Images and screenshots by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The ENBLE.
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