Blink vs Ring Doorbell — One of These Wireless Video Doorbells Wins Out, According to Our Reviewers

We recommend buying the Blink model with the Sync Module 2 bundle — especially if you're not wiring in your doorbell. It's just $5 more for Prime Day, and increases its functionality dramatically.

For a slightly more elevated look than it's standard silver faceplate, we like this Venetian Bronze design — it has the same discount applied this Prime Day, too.

Aesthetically-speaking, the design of the Ring isn't our favorite of all video doorbells. It's less sleek than many, and makes a feature of the faceplate when not in the black colorway, which means it stands out, rather than fading into the background. The Ring Video Doorbell series, including the 2nd Gen, Doorbell 3, and Doorbell 4, has a recognizable silver rectangular shape with a blue glowing light at the center. The 2nd Gen model stands out with its 'Venetian Bronze' faceplate, allowing for easy customization. The series' weather-resistant casing and compact build house a high-definition camera, motion detectors, and a two-way audio communication system, all integrated to maintain the device's aesthetic appeal.

Blink wins out on with a sleeker, more minimalist aesthetic. The Blink Video Doorbell stands out with its subtle design. It comes in black or white, offering a discreet yet stylish appearance. The minimalist casing houses advanced technology, including a strategically positioned camera and a motion-activated LED ring. The device's wire-free installation, powered by two AA batteries, ensures easy setup and flexibility in placement.

Standard Ring doorbells can be used wirelessly or connected to existing doorbell wiring, while the Pro models and the Ring Video Doorbell Wired don't run on battery life. So, if you don't want to pay for professional installation, you must go for the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Gen models.

Charging is pretty simple, though the 2nd Generation Ring doesn't have an easy-eject button for the battery pack, so it must be removed entirely from the door when it runs low.

Video is 1080p Full HD with two-way communication and night vision, and all Ring Doorbells work seamlessly with Alexa smart assistants.

Local storage is not an option, and cloud storage requires a Ring Protect subscription at $39.99 per year or $3.99 monthly. You will also need to pay extra if you want a chime other than your mobile device—essential if you don't always have your phone with you—with the Ring Chime Pro costing $59.99.

The Blink Video Doorbell can be used wirelessly or fitted with existing wiring. The difference is that the battery power comes from 1 x AA lithium batteries rather than a charging pack like Ring's wireless doorbells. These, therefore, need to be changed periodically, which is a small extra cost.

The video is also 1080p Full HD with two-way communication and night vision, and the Blink Video Doorbell works brilliantly with Alexa.

If you're not wiring the doorbell, you must purchase a Blink Sync Module to use live view and in-the-moment two-way communication (though both are available without the Sync Module whenever the doorbell is pressed). Still, this module can be used with a USB drive to store footage locally to avoid paying the $3 monthly fee for cloud storage.

Choice and ease of use. You'll want to go for this if you just want something you can have ready to use almost straight away. While the basic features of both doorbells are similar, Ring makes it a lot simpler to access all of the extras and add-ons you could want. The chime is an extra cost, but the doorbells are generally more useable without needing to be tied to a smartphone. The wireless models are also slightly easier to keep charged.

Affordability. The Blink Video Doorbell is currently almost half the price of Ring's oldest model and more than $200 cheaper than its most advanced. I really don't think you're sacrificing too much for that price cut, especially if you just want a doorbell with basic functionality. Its monthly subscription is also slightly cheaper.