Home security is a serious concern for millions of householders. Today, people are investing in various smart gadgets that can help them increase their overall security levels. There are hundreds of products on the market that promise to create functional security systems.
One of the most prominent devices that increase the overall safety of your house is a security camera. There are dozens of security camera manufacturers stating that they create the most promising and reliable gadgets.
Two of the most popular and well-known manufacturers are Arlo and Blink. These two companies have created some of the most durable and powerful security cameras that have thousands of satisfied customers and are among the highest rated.
To find out how the highly popular security cameras of Arlo and Blink compare, we must find out if there are significant differences, how are they similar and which of these two takes the top spot.
In this Blink XT vs Arlo Pro article, we'll review, compare and evaluate the most critical aspects of these security cameras. We'll present several interesting charts, and lastly, we'll conclude the comparison article with a reasonable verdict.
Table of Contents
Blink XT vs Arlo Pro: Pros & Cons and Verdict
Blink and Arlo are renowned for their creation of exciting and innovative products. Both of these companies are well-known for inventing promising and out-of-the-box products.
Blink Home Security Camera and Arlo Pro are the two of the most frequently bought smart security cameras. They offer unique features, flexibility, high reliability and maximum user-friendliness.
1. Setup Process
Let's start with the basics. The first thing a buyer needs to know about the product they're about to purchase is if it's easy to install. Luckily, setting up both of these security cameras is quite simple.
Blink XT Home Security Camera Setup
Setting up Blink Camera is pretty straightforward, and it only takes a few minutes to complete. Blink is a DIY security camera, and it doesn't require any professional knowledge or assistance for its setup.
I'll write a small guide to give you a brief understanding of the installation of Blink security camera. In order to activate our Blink Camera, we need to complete three simple steps:
- Download the Blink Mobile App – download the mobile application of Blink by typing in the search bar a simple keyword ‘Blink Home Monitor', create an account with a valid email address, and you're good to go.
- Set up the Sync Module – Sometimes people get confused about this part so instead of writing a guide, I'll drop a vid below (the video shows the first generation Blink, but the process is the same) that perfectly explains how to complete this sync step.
- Add Cameras – At this point, you'll see an ‘Add a Blink Camera' button; pressing this button will bring up a prompt where you enter the serial number of your security camera; then all you need to do is complete the final, simple steps.
That's everything you should need to know for the setup process of Blink XT Security Camera. If you somehow get lost during the process, you can use the user's manual for further guidance or another option is reaching out to the support team of Blink. They'll gladly assist with your queries.
Arlo Pro Security Camera
Arlo Pro is well-known for being the most straightforward security camera to set up. It takes a few minutes to complete, and there's no way to get confused during the setup. I won't write a step-by-step guide to the setup process of Arlo Pro since Arlo uploaded an excellent guide that explains how to do it.
It's a piece-of-cake process that takes a few minutes to complete. It's so intuitive that even a novice user like me managed to finish it without any references and additional assistance.
If the vid posted above didn't provide enough information for you, check the user's manual for further guidance and as a last resort, reach out to Arlo's support team. They'll help you solve any issue you might have.
2. Design
Today, it's essential for a modern gadget to look attractive as well as be functional. Smart home shoppers rarely purchase smart products based solely on their functionality, so it's vital for our security cameras to be both functional and visually appealing.
Blink Security Camera
Blink XT Security Camera is one of the most attractive security cameras I've seen. Blink has thousands of owners, and I've talked with several. All of them mentioned how beautifully designed Blink is and how their visitors love to compliment its looks.
Visually, Blink XT is a beautifully designed smart security camera that is only available in black. Compared to other security cameras, Blink takes one of the top spots in terms of visual appeal.
As you can see from the picture above, the simple and minimalistic design ensures that Blink looks good in situ; so, as well as being an excellent security camera, it can enhance the look of your property.
The dimensions of Blink XT Security Camera are 3.23 x 8.98 x 9.06 inches, and it weighs around 2 pounds. The neat dimensions make it easy to fit just about anywhere you'd like to place it.
Arlo Security Camera Pro
While Blink Security Camera is one of the best-looking products on the market, the general consensus is that Arlo Pro is the most beautifully-designed security camera. Owners of the Arlo Pro security camera express how much they enjoy its aesthetics.
The dimensions of Arlo Pro are 2.8 x 1.9 x 3.1 inches, and it weighs about 1 pound. So Arlo Pro can be easily placed in your chosen spot, whether indoors or outdoors.
I own the Arlo Pro security camera and can say for sure that it attracts a lot of attention. Visually, it's one of the most exciting and eye-catching security cameras ever created. Frankly, if you want a stylish, modern and functional security camera, Arlo Pro is one of the best options out there.
3. Features
Discussing the features of these security cameras is one of the most critical aspects of our comparison article. Before we decide which security camera to purchase, we need to know the features of these two models to know precisely which of them meets our needs.
Hence we've created a fantastic chart that shows the features of both, Arlo Pro and Blink XT Security Camera.
| BLINK XT SECURITY CAMERA | ARLO PRO SECURITY CAMERA | |
|---|---|---|
| 100% Wire-Free | 100% Wire-Free | |
| Built-in Motion Detector | Night Vision | |
| Advanced Home Surveillance | Live View | |
| 720p (1080p Capable) HD Video | FREE Cloud Storage | |
| Sync Mode | 720p HD Video | |
| FREE Cloud Storage | Local Storage | |
| Instant Alerts | 2-Way Audio | |
| Visual Verification | Smart Siren | |
| Low-Light Illumination | Rechargeable Batteries | |
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Judging from the chart above, both of these security cameras have pretty good features. Still, there is some significant difference between them where Blink XT is slightly better due to its camera capabilities.
For instance, the ‘Sync Mode' (a paid service) has transformed the way security cameras work. Even if your internet is down and the power is out, Blink XT will continue to function.
4. Performance
Knowing the performance capabilities can be considered the most important aspect of our comparison article. As it's essential to know how well Arlo Pro and Blink XT Security Camera can perform, we need to analyse and compare their performance rates and figure which takes the top spot.
Blink Security Camera
Blink XT is one of the most outstanding security cameras on the market and has proven its worth a thousand times.
In terms of its uniqueness and specifications, let's start with the most important things. Blink XT has infrared night vision that provides a clear image at night. As we've tested, Blink XT allows it to see up to 20 feet.
The video quality is the most crucial aspect of a security camera, and while Blink XT delivers sharp 720p recording capabilities, it'll soon be able to record in 1080p. Compared to other wireless security cameras, Blink XT is a top-notch player that delivers out-of-the-box recordings.
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The motion sensors of Blink Security Camera are pretty good, and, luckily, we have the motion sensor controller; so if you're experiencing false alerts, you can simply adjust the sensitivity levels.
As soon as Blink XT detects movement, it'll send notifications to your mobile application. What I love the most about the Blink cam is the battery longevity. The company stated that the XT model's battery lasts for two years. But there's a catch here. You must place the Sync Mode (the base station that communicates with the security cameras and does all the ‘heavy-lifting'), indoors so that the batteries won't overload. (NB: the Sync Mode is a ‘must buy'/add-on unit).
While Blink XT can be placed anywhere outside, it's essential for the security camera to be in range so that the Sync Mode doesn't lose control over the camera.
Don't expect Blink Security Camera to record videos continually. Like other security cameras on the market, Blink will only start recording if any activity is detected. You'll also receive a notification on your smartphone if Blink detects any movement or action.
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Unfortunately, Blink doesn't offer local storage, so when it records a clip, the system uploads it to the cloud. Every user gets about 7,200 seconds worth of footage until old clips get removed, and the new ones added. It might not be much, but it can meet the needs of some customers.
If for some reason you want to keep the old recordings, it's possible to download those vids on your smartphone. You won't be able to share live streams with other people, but after downloading the vids, you can quickly send them via email or other platforms.
Night vision footage was high quality and we didn't expect anything less from Blink XT. Regarding quality, the recorded clips were as sound as the live stream. We had a few false motion detection triggers at night, which could be a problem, but luckily there's an easy solution – by adjusting the sensitivity levels, you'll have zero trouble.
What you need to know about the Blink XT is that you need to Arm and Disarm your security camera manually. But Blink has the schedule feature that allows you to set specific time frames when Blink XT should get Armed or Disarmed. This way, it's still possible to automate the process.
The two major flaws of Blink XT are the lack of the two-way audio and smart motion features. Blink has a hard time detecting whether a tree or a car triggered the motion sensors. That's important for an outdoor security camera since the security camera might start sending a lot of false alerts.
Arlo Pro Security Camera
Many think of Arlo Pro as the complete security camera on the market. With its innovative features and capabilities, Arlo Pro exceeds every other security camera regarding performance.
Like the Blink Security Camera, Arlo Pro will only record clips when it detects activity in its field of view. We did say that many consider the Arlo Pro as the most advanced and complete security camera, but it has its flaws which sometimes can be quite annoying.
What we've noticed is that when Arlo Pro detects activity and a notification pops up on your phone, there might be a 3-second lag where it delays the deployment of the live feed.
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The video of Arlo Pro is fantastic, and I can say that it records in perfectly clean quality. Some might not agree that the 720p camera is enough, but if you think about it more, it makes sense why Arlo Pro didn't upgrade to 1080p.
Since Arlo Pro offers FREE Cloud Storage, videos recorded in 720p quality take less space so that there's more room for other clips to get included.
If you're interested how well can Arlo Pro record clips, I'll drop a nice vid below that perfectly shows the quality of the security camera.
The video quality is pretty good and detailed. Arlo Pro provides identically good live feeds and recorded videos. So don't worry that the recorded clips will be less visible/clean.
Another thing you must be aware of is the sensitivity levels of Arlo Pro. When I first got my Arlo Pro, it frequently sent false alerts, and I was pressing the ‘live' button now and then.
A bit later, I figured that there was an option that lets the owner control the sensitivity levels of the security camera. So if you start getting false alerts from Arlo Pro, you can just adjust the levels to an optimal setting.
The 130-degree viewing angle of Arlo Pro is slightly narrow compared to other security cameras. I first thought that it would be a serious issue, but it played out pretty well. I've never had a problem controlling the indoor or outdoor activity.
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The black-and-white night video of Arlo Pro, unexpectedly, came out pretty sharp and detailed. It's hard for security cameras to record in such quality at night.
The two-way audio is one of the most significant and exciting features of Arlo Pro. Unlike other security cameras, Arlo Pro offers its owner the ability to talk directly to an intruder or a visitor. For example, if you're seeing someone trespassing your property, they can be easily scared away if you instantly alarm them from your Arlo Pro.
The voice sometimes sounds a bit robotic (due to the wireless aspect and power saving), but you'll get used to it pretty soon. One of my favourite things about Arlo Pro is the extended Wi-Fi coverage. We tested it, and Arlo Pro works perfectly beyond 200 feet. It started having problems when we reached 220 feet.
Note: The Wi-Fi range might be different for you since it strongly depends on the router and the power of your internet connection.
5. Mobile Application
Having a functional, easy-to-navigate and intuitive mobile application is essential to satisfy and meet the needs of a security camera user. How well we manage and use the recorded data is heavily linked to the quality of the mobile application.
Consequently, it's essential for Blink Security Camera and Arlo Pro to offer top-notch mobile apps.
Blink XT Security Camera
Before you even start using the Blink Security Camera, you need to get familiar with the mobile application since it's the only way you'll be able to activate it.
The mobile application itself is pretty sweet. It's user-friendly, intuitive and it guides you directly to the next step avoiding any chances of misunderstanding or ‘getting off track'.
The homepage of the Blink Security Camera on both iOS and Android displays the last images captured by the camera. If you want to view the clip, you can press the video button at the corner of the image.
There's a folder icon at the top right corner where you can view all the recorded clips. If you want to remove old footage, you just need to open the folder and press the clip you'd like to review.
Plus, if there are clips you haven't watched yet, Blink App will put a blue dot next to it so you know which ones are yet to be reviewed.
What I don't like about the Blink Security Camera is that there's no paid subscription option. In other words, if you run out of your cloud storage, your only option is to remove the older clips so that there's space for the incoming ones.
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The ‘Camera Settings' section lets you customise your Blink Security Camera. If you want to change the sensitivity levels, clip recording length, retrigger time and audio settings, visit this section of Blink mobile application.
All in All, Blink app is pretty decent. It has some nice features, it's easy to navigate and offers some great insights. There are some bugs and crashes, but the mobile application has been improving pretty fast lately. With the newest updates, Blink has solved the majority of issues users have reported.
Arlo Pro Security Camera
The interface of the Arlo Pro security camera is quite simple and easy to navigate. I own the Arlo Pro and have discussed this matter with other owners. The majority of the Arlo Pro users have rated the mobile application highly. They've also mentioned that some bugs and glitches needed to be solved pretty fast. I've had cases when Arlo's mobile application refused to load, or it crashed upon sending me mobile alerts.
Since the Arlo Pro is the first security camera to support 2-way audio, the mobile application has just added the feature.
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Due to this, it would sometimes crash. In the event of this glitch, you sometimes needed to relaunch the mobile application. Luckily, the latest update has solved the issues, and it's been more than a month since I've had a similar problem. So we can say that it's now fixed.
If you're interested in the interface of Arlo Pro security camera, I'll drop some pictures below that perfectly showcase how the app looks on the inside.
So we have three main sections to navigate:
- Mode – The first section is ‘Mode'. Currently, we have three modes to use with our Arlo Pro Security Camera; Armed, Disarmed and Geofencing. For instance, if your Arlo Pro is in the ‘Armed' mode, it'll record a 5-second clip whenever it detects activity and will send a notification to your phone.
- Devices – This one is simple. The ‘Devices' section shows the current status of our Arlo Pro cameras; the latest feed with screenshots; live; battery life of the security cameras; and the connectivity.
- Library – Whenever Arlo Pro detects activity, it'll take a video and store it in the Library. If you later decide to review the footage, you can do so by visiting the Library section.
Before we move to the next topics, you need to know what the Geofencing does. It's still in beta mode, but the concept is pretty impressive. Here's how it works: Geofencing relies on your mobile’s GPS, and when you leave home, Arlo Pro will automatically turn on the motion/sound detection so that it won’t miss any unusual or suspicious activity.
That's an entirely different level of home security, and the Geofencing mode of Arlo Pro Security Camera seems to be working pretty well. I rarely have issues with it.
Also, Arlo's mobile application allows the owner to create custom modes. So if you have different needs, you can create a mode that'll meet your requirements.
6. Advantages and Disadvantages
What we need to talk about next is the pros and cons of Arlo Pro and Blink Security Camera. We cannot make the final call without knowing the advantages and disadvantages of these security cameras.
Hence we've created two charts that show the advantages and disadvantages of both, Arlo Pro and Blink.
Blink XT Security Camera
| PROS | CONS | |
|---|---|---|
| Interesting, Compact Design | Manual ‘Arm' and ‘Disarm' | |
| 720p (1080p Capable) HD Video | No Zoning Option | |
| FREE Cloud Storage | ||
| Flexible Mobile Application | ||
| Inexpensive | ||
| Motion Detection | ||
| Sync Mode | ||
| Infrared Night Vision | ||
| 2 Years Battery Life | ||
| Easy to Install | Purchase Blink XT |
Arlo Pro Security Camera
| PROS | CONS | |
|---|---|---|
| Two-Way Audio | Mobile Application Lag & Bugs | |
| 720p HD Video | Costly | |
| 130° Field of View | ||
| Flexible Mobile Application | ||
| Several Modes to Use | ||
| Rechargeable Battery | ||
| Email & Mobile Notifications | ||
| Live Stream | ||
| Sharp Night Vision | ||
| Works Well Over 200 Feet Distance | Purchase Arlo Pro |
So both security cameras have pretty awesome features with a few cons. If compared, these two are nearly at the same level. While Blink XT and Arlo Pro offer unique capabilities, both have all the essential features of a security camera.
7. Support
When people purchase smart gadgets, they sometimes have a query and find themselves stumped about how to find the answer. They start looking everywhere, in the user's manual, forums, web, YouTube, etc. When they fail to find the answers, the last resort is reaching out to the support team.
If a company this important has a poor customer service, they'll see clients running away. Frankly, it's essential for Blink and Arlo to have top-notch support teams to answer every question their customers have.
Luckily, both of these companies are well-known for having responsive customer services. I've tried reaching out to both and found that they operate on a high level.
I've asked easy and hard questions and the person I talked to always provided professional answers and tips. There are several ways to reach Blink's and Arlo's support teams.
For Blink, you can only send them an email and wait for a reply. They answer pretty quick, though.
As for Arlo, there are several ways to contact the support team:
- Live Chat – You might need to wait 5-10 minutes to talk with someone
- Phone – You’ll get an answer in a minute or two
- EMail – Sometimes takes up to 1 business day to answer
- Community – Option to communicate with other Arlo owners via an online forum for discussion of queries, solutions, general topics, etc.
So, yes, the customer care of Arlo is superior and way better. You get answered in minutes, and there are different methods to use.
8. Comparison Chart: Blink XT Security Camera vs Arlo Pro
Before we conclude our Blink vs Arlo article, let’s compare these two security cameras one more time. We've created a detailed chart that compares Arlo and Blink in the most critical aspects. This chart will help you gauge which of these two top-notch security cameras is right for you.
| NAME OF THE SECURITY CAMERA | Blink | ARLO PRO |
|---|---|---|
| Video Quality | 72op (1080p Capable) HD | 720p HD |
| Field of View | 110° | 130° |
| Mobile Application | Yes | Yes |
| Night Vision | Infrared | Yes |
| Motion Detection | Yes | Yes |
| Intelligent Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Audio Capabilities | No | Yes |
| Live Stream | Yes | Yes |
| Third-Party Friendliness | Average | High |
| Easy to Set Up | Yes | Yes |
| Notifications on Phone | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions Of The Product | 3.23 x 8.98 x 9.06 inches | 3.1 x 1.9 x 2.8 inches |
| Problems | No Two-Way Audio | Mobile App Bugs |
| Unique Feature | Sync Mode | Rechargeable Batteries |
| Warranty | 1-year | 1-year |
| Check Price |
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| Security Camera Name | Blink XT | Arlo Pro |
We've discussed the most important aspect of these security cameras, compared them and rated their features. What I want to add is the third-party friendliness.
Arlo Pro happily integrates with the major names in the industry. For example, Arlo supports some of the most widely used: IFTTT, SmartThings, Xfinity, etc.
As for the Blink Security Camera, it's well-known for being not so integration-friendly. It happily works with Amazon Alexa and IFTTT, though.
The Bottom Line
Both Blink and Arlo Pro offer great features and capabilities. These two security cameras are well-known and are best-selling products on Amazon. Blink and Arlo have thousands of satisfied customers, and today, many consider them as the industry-leading products.
Still, we need to choose one of these security cameras as the superior one to point the reader in the right direction when making a purchase decision.
Arlo Pro is the industry-leading security camera. With its innovative features and enhanced capabilities, Arlo Pro can meet and exceed expectations. I've personally owned security cameras from different manufacturers, and none of them has impressed me as Arlo did.
On the other hand, Blink XT is a newly-released device that became the ‘Amazon's Choice' security camera. It's quite popular, has hundreds of positive reviews with thousands of satisfied customers. Blink plans on scaling up and announced some interesting home security products that'll integrate with the rest of Blink's devices.
Still, taking into account that Blink XT is a newer model and requires a lot more testing, we can't say for sure that it's as durable and reliable as Arlo. So if you want to own a well-built, best-selling, highest-rated security camera, purchasing the Arlo Pro is the right decision.
The pros of the seven days free cloud recording, being completely wire-free, amazing recording capabilities and Amazon Alexa integration make Arlo Pro desirable and tempting.
For sure, Blink offers some great things, and it's a decent security camera. If you're on a budget and can't afford the Arlo Pro, purchasing the Blink XT can be a wonderful decision since it's the best budget choice camera.
| Security Camera Name | Blink XT Security Camera | Arlo Pro Security Camera |
| Amazon Link |
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Lolly says
Leaning towards the Blink. I have to set up a camera in the corner of my property where a nuisance neighbor keeps running into my fence. How is the audio on the blink??? Will it catch conversation and from how far away ???
Lee says
I purchased a Blink camera system new from Ebay – the Sync unit failed within a few weeks and Blink would not replace it because it was purchased on Ebay. Fortunately the Ebay seller agreed to send me a replacement. The replacement is currently working fine.
I really needed another Sync unit due to the distance involved in my home, so I purchased another camera and Sync unit from Blink direct – not wanting issues with replacing anything if needed. Sure enough, after a few weeks, the Blink purchased unit did the same thing – now I have 2 faulty Sync units (with one still working) and currently in discussion with Blink seeking a result. Hopefully they’ll help get sorted satisfactorily.
From my experience I am losing faith in the Sync modules.
Jeremy Jauncey says
Try getting one directly from Blink (if you can afford the XT model, even better). If the issues persist, you can return it.
Andrea says
you say “The dimensions of Blink XT Security Camera are 3.23 x 8.98 x 9.06 inches, and it weighs around 2 pounds.” inches???, pounds??? that is huge for a supposedly discrete security camera.
Bruce says
It is actually about 3x3x1 inch, and 4 ounces, according to the tech specs (I am converting roughly from 70x70x30mm).
Ron says
Good comparision. I have both brands. My Blink has over 2 years of battery life versus Arlo has about 6 months. I would like to hear your experience with the battery life.
Karen says
I just received mine and it says 100 feet.
George says
Dear Jeremy, Great comparison review on Arlo Pro vs Blink XT. I’ve notice the one advantage Arlo Pro has is that it still works well over 200ft distance. What about the Blink XT’s performance in terms of distance? Thanks again for a great review. Sincerely G. Y. Los Angeles.