Wyze Cam v4 vs Blink Mini 2: Which budget security camera wins?

Blink and Wyze make some of the best home security cameras we’ve tested. Both companies focus on affordable smart home devices, but Blink is owned by Amazon, while Wyze is a smaller independent company. These brands have established a David and Goliath-like rivalry over the years to earn a spot as the best budget security camera.

Both companies’ flagship security cameras cost less than $50 and are IP65 weatherproof, so they can be placed indoors or outdoors. The latest of these hybrid models is the Wyze Cam v4 and Blink Mini 2. Both cameras are useful additions to any home, but which one you should buy depends on how you plan to use it and what smart home platform you use. Read on for a breakdown of the features and costs of both to find which is the best option for your smart home.

Blink Mini 2 vs Wyze Cam v4: Pricing

The Blink Mini 2 security camera comes in black or white for $39. I recommend purchasing it with the Outdoor Power Kit for $49 if you plan to use it outdoors. This will seal the rear port and the longer, stronger power cord will withstand the elements better.

The Wyze Cam v4 comes in white or light gray for $35. Ships with a weatherproof power connector installed right out of the box.

Winner: Wyze Cam v4

Blink Mini 2 vs Wyze Cam v4: Subscription costs

To use all the features of either camera, such as the ability to save videos to the cloud or enable person detection, you will need to pay for their respective subscriptions.

Both Blink and Wyze will cost you $2.99 ​​per month for a single camera subscription and $10 per month for an unlimited number of cameras; Both are among the best security camera storage plans. However, Wyze only gives you 14 days of video history, while Blink offers 60 days.

Winner: Blink

Blink Mini 2 vs Wyze Cam v4: Specs compared

Blink Mini 2 vs Wyze Cam v4: Design

Both the Blink Mini 2 and Wyze Cam v4 share a similar 2 x 2-inch cubic body style. Both designs are weather resistant and allow the cameras to rotate along their bases to capture video at different angles. Both have the same hardware design with a bright spotlight on top, a camera lens in the center, and speakers placed at the back above the power port.

The Blink Mini 2 is a little smaller and has a Go-Pro-type ball joint on the bottom so it can get on and off a base or lay flat. I like the Wyze’s design better as its base folds against the bottom of the cube and can be unfolded to add height while standing or mounting it on a wall.

Although you won’t be able to remove the Wyze Cam v4 from its base, you won’t want to. Its versatile magnetic design allows you to instantly mount it in different locations. I moved it quickly between rooms using the metal corner of my walls or even the screws of an outdoor plant hanger as a point of contact. Plus, I don’t have to change power kits when I move it outside like you do with the Blink Mini 2, which is one less thing to worry about.

Blink Mini 2 vs Wyze Cam v4: Video quality

The Blink’s camera has a 1080p resolution, while the Wyze has a sharper 1440p camera. And while resolution isn’t always king, in our side-by-side testing, we found that the Wyze Cam v4 delivered better images, both indoors and outdoors.

When we took a photo of a bright window from the inside, the Blink camera focused on the sunlight, leaving the entire room black. The Wyze camera overexposed the view through the window so we couldn’t see what was happening outside, but it adequately exposed things inside.

Outside at night, the Wyze camera did a much better job of illuminating our backyard than the Blink; We were able to see our grass and outdoor equipment much more clearly on the Wyze camera. However, the Wyze camera has a much narrower field of view, 116º compared to the Blink’s 143º.

Winner: Wyze Cam v4

Blink Mini 2 vs Wyze Cam v4: App

Both security cameras have a similarly simple setup process that involves downloading the app and connecting to the cameras via Bluetooth. Then simply enter your Wi-Fi password and update both to their latest firmware.

Blink’s lightweight interface is devoid of ads and feels spacious, as it’s free of suggestions that clutter most camera app interfaces. You can easily view your devices, jump through event clips, and access granular settings like motion sensitivity with a single press. Navigating these three tabs is simple and doesn’t feel like you’re trying to upsell a device or subscription.

Creating privacy or motion zones is equally easy on the Blink and Wyze apps because they both use a grid system. There is no need to stretch the corners of shapes or draw barriers to ignore certain areas. Simply tap the grid points to activate the areas you want the camera to focus on and double-tap the areas you want to ignore.

On the other hand, the Wyze app is designed for advanced smart home users. Your home page is optimized with thumbnails of each of your devices. Above these are rule buttons for one-touch routines. These include programs like “I’m Out,” which activates all security cameras and locks the door. While useful, these buttons and hints make the app feel much busier. Wyze also has ps dedicated to “Home Monitoring” and “New (products).”

This home monitoring feature allows you to arm or disarm the camera as an alarm system if you subscribe to the service. If the armed camera detects motion, it will send the clip to a live agent who can dispatch emergency services on your behalf 24/7. This is useful if you are on vacation. That said, this tab is useless if you don’t pay for its subscription. Also, the purchases tab to purchase other Wyze devices seems like an unnecessary UI.

Winner: Blink Mini 2

Blink Mini 2 vs Wyze Cam v4: Features

Wyze Cam v4 focuses on the most advanced AI-assisted smart home and security features. Its higher resolution and larger sensor create a smoother, more vibrant image that shows more details. Blink’s basic HD camera offers simplicity so you can set and forget motion zones and only receive notifications when a person is detected.

People detection

Both cameras are equipped with computer chips that can recognize and alert you to motion events caused by a person. That way, you won’t have to be notified if an animal or swinging tree branch comes into view. Wyze goes even further with package and vehicle recognition for more specific alert types.

Subject Tracking

Bink cameras do not follow subjects. Wyze Cam v4’s highly intelligent Smart Focus feature zooms and follows a person as they move through a space. This improves the footage by capturing more details, such as the text on your t-shirt or the tattoo design.

Custom movement zones

Both cameras make it easy to create custom motion zones to reduce unnecessary motion alerts. Both Blink and Wyze employ a grid system so you can easily tap boxes to identify ps you want the camera to ignore.

Activate smart home routines

The Wyze camera can be used as a trigger for smart home automation. For example, if it detects that you’ve entered a room, it can turn on the lights or turn up the smart thermostat. The Blink Mini 2 is linked to the Alexa smart home, it cannot be used to initiate automated actions in the same way.

Siren

Both cameras illuminate paths and deter thieves using the built-in spotlight that can be activated via hand or motion controls. Once again, Wyze goes a step further with its 99-decibel siren that emits a loud screech to alert neighbors and scare away intruders.

Advanced detection
The Wyze Cam can detect sounds like breaking glass, crying, talking, barking, or even gunshots. It also passively listens for smoke or CO alarm beeps (standard T3 or T4 tones) and can alert you with a push notification if they activate while you’re away from home. If you’re subscribed to the Cam Plus plan, you can also use Wyze’s Friendly Faces feature to recognize up to 10 people. Registered faces will trigger personalized notifications telling you exactly who activated which camera and where.

Winner: Wyze Cam v4

Blink Mini 2 vs Wyze Cam v4: Smart home compatibility

Both the Blink Mini 2 and Wyze work with Alexa. Since Amazon owns Blink, that’s as far as the Mini 2 goes. Wyze’s independence gives it an advantage, as its more universal third-party approach can be used with Alexa, Google Home, and IFTTT for even more complex automation.

Wyze’s Cam v4 can be used to activate smart home devices and display live video streams on more of the best smart displays and web browsers. The best thing about Blink outside of the Blink and Alexa apps is that it also works as a doorbell for the Blink video doorbell, which is certainly pretty useful.

Winner: Wyze Cam v4

Blink Mini 2 vs. Wyze Cam v4: overall winner

The Wyze Cam 4’s sharper image quality, advanced features like subject tracking, and more versatile location options give it a clear advantage over the Blink MIni 2. The Wyze Cam v4 is cheaper and offers security help in many more scenarios thanks to its advanced sound. detection and ability to connect with a live agent 24/7 (as long as you pay the subscription fee). The Blink Mini 2 is much more limited in value, especially if you don’t have an Amazon smart home.

That said, the Blink Mini 2’s cleaning app is much easier to use and integrates very well with your Alexa smart home. These simplified controls make it the strongest option for someone who simply wants a camera to monitor their home. There’s no artificial cooldown period between notifications, its timeline makes it easy to scroll between events, and you can quickly share screenshots if you’re feeling overwhelmed by tons of buttons or feature options.

Ultimately, your choice comes down to what you are looking for in a security system. For top-of-the-line home management, you’ll want to opt for the Wyze Cam v4. But if you simply want to get into your house, quickly manage clips, or want a wider field of view, then the Blink Mini 2 is the best option.

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