Video doorbell brands like Blink and Wyze have made home security more accessible to many through their line of budget smart security cameras. Amazon company Blink recently launched its tiniest indoor camera to date, the Blink Mini. How does it fare against high-end indoor cameras such as the Google Nest? We review the Blink Mini and the Nest Cam Indoor by Google to find out which indoor camera is the better buy for your home.
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Blink Mini vs Nest Cam Indoor Camera Comparison Chart
| Model | Blink Mini Indoor Camera | Google Nest Cam Indoor |
| Amazon product | Amazon product | |
| Price | Amazon product | Amazon product |
| Dimensions | 50 x 49 x 36 mm | 114 x 73 x 73 mm |
| Max Resolution | 1080p HD at 30fps | 1080p HD at 30fps |
| Field of View | 110°diagonal | 130° diagonal |
| Power Source | Plug-In | Plug-In |
| Motion Sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Custom Motion Zones | Yes | 4 (with Nest Aware subscription) |
| Temperature Monitoring | No | Yes |
| Two-way Audio | Yes | Yes |
| Compatibility | Amazon Alexa | Amazon Alexa Google Home Philips Hue IFTTT |
| Geofencing | No | Yes |
| Scrollable Timelapse | No | Yes |
| Cooldown Period | Customizable | 10 minutes |
| Storage | Cloud Storage (Subscription-based) Blink Sync Module 2 (not yet released) USB | Cloud Storage (Subscription-based) |
| Subscription Service | Free Blink Subscription Plan until 12/2020 3 USD/month/device | Nest Aware Starting at 5 USD/month |
| Colors | White | Black |
Design and Installation
The Blink Mini and the Nest Cam Indoor sport different aesthetics and the Nest Cam Indoor offers better flexibility and adjustments
At a glance, you will notice significant differences in the Blink Mini and the Nest Cam Indoor by Google. The Blink Mini is shorter and its cube-shaped frame has a white, glossy finish. In contrast, the Nest Cam Indoor comes in a round camera frame, in a black, matte finish that gives it a more premium look. Its body also feels more robust than the Blink Mini’s.
Both the Blink Mini and the Nest Cam Indoor can be mounted with their stand or attached to walls and ceilings. These indoor security cameras can also be rotated in different angles to suit your preferred view. However, the Nest Cam Indoor offers slightly better flexibility and convenience in terms of installation. Its round camera can be detached from its frame to be attached to walls. In addition, it is slightly easier to install as it comes with a magnetic mount and base that lets you attach and detach the camera in a breeze.
Video and Audio Quality
Both the Blink Mini and the Nest Cam Indoor can capture HD videos and feature two-way audio, but the Nest Cam has better sensors and field of view
The Blink Mini and the Nest Cam Indoor security cameras can both capture 1080p HD videos at 30 frames per second. However, it is worth noting that the Nest Cam Indoor has better sensors that allow its camera to adjust the video’s lighting better than most budget indoor cameras like the Blink Mini.
Another area where the Google Nest Cam Indoor wins is in its wider 130° diagonal field of view compared to the 110° angle captured by the Blink Mini. The Nest Cam Indoor can also automatically zoom into specific areas where the motion was detected.
Both the Blink Mini and the Nest Cam Indoor let you talk through your security camera as they feature two-way audio. While the Nest Cam Indoor has slightly better audio, the Blink Mini offers decent audio quality for its price.
Motion Notification and Subscription
The Blink Mini offers a more affordable subscription plan than the Nest Cam Indoor
Both security cameras store their video recordings in the cloud and on a monthly subscription basis. Blink users can enjoy free access until December 2020, but in January 2021, it will cost 3USD/month to store and access footages recorded by the Blink Mini. A local storage option will be available when the Blink Sync Module 2 is released, but at present, it only relies on free cloud storage. On the other hand, the Google Nest Cam Indoor requires a Nest Aware plan subscription. This plan starts at 5USD/month, depending on the Google Nest Aware plan you’re getting.
Another common feature of the Blink Mini and the Nest Cam Indoor is their customizable motion zones. The Blink Mini lets you set certain areas into “active” or “inactive” so it will only trigger the motion sensor when there’s movement in the activated areas. Meanwhile, the Nest Cam Indoor only lets you set 4 custom motion zones and only when you’re subscribed to the Nest Aware plan.
Both security cameras also alert you when they detect motion. Blink security cameras usually send alerts within one to three seconds after the motion is detected. Meanwhile, the Nest Cam Indoor’s notification is slightly more delayed, which is a disappointment considering its hefty price tag.
Verdict
The Blink Mini gives better bang for your buck, but if you have a Google-integrated home, the Nest Cam Indoor will be a worthwhile purchase for you
Amazon productWhile the Blink Mini can offer most features that the Nest Cam Indoor has, it’s not as reliable and smooth to use as the Google Nest Cam Indoor. If cost is no object, the Nest Cam Indoor is the better indoor security camera for its better build quality and more reliable connectivity and features. However, for its price, it can do better in the motion notification department.
With that said, it’s hard not to recommend the Blink Mini when choosing between the two for its attractive price point. It still does its job well and offers similar features as the Google Nest Cam Indoor. However, the Wye Cam Indoor Camera is a more affordable and reliable option that you might want to look into.