Home security has really come into its own over the last few years. It’s pretty much impossible to walk down a street now and not pass at least one video doorbell — give it a go, it’s a fun challenge on a dog walk. They are only the beginning when it comes to home security though.
Outdoor wifi security cameras and indoor cameras are also both doing their bit to keep homes safe and the options available are substantial, from small and discreet devices to high-resolution options delivering great picture quality. Can you imagine how much calmer Kate McCallister would have been in Home Alone if the technology we have now was available then?
The Blink Mini 2 is one of the smallest security cameras on the market but it packs a punch when it comes to features, many of which are available without a monthly subscription. That makes it one of the best options out there if you’re looking for budget home security.
Blink Mini 2: At a glance
Cons
- Clicking noise when night mode kicks in
- Blink app is a little basic
- Night footage is a little grainy
Key specifications
| Field of view | 143-degrees |
|---|---|
| Two-way audio | Yes |
| Recording resolution | 1920 x 1080 |
| Night vision | Black and white, or colour with LED spotlight |
| Siren | No |
| Power | Mains power |
| Dimensions | 5.1 x 5.1 x 4cm |
| Weight | 65g |
| Suitable for outdoors | Yes, with weather-resistant cable |
Blink Mini 2: Design and installation
The thing I love most about the Blink Mini 2 is its small and compact design. I never thought I would describe a smart home camera as cute (honestly that’s almost as bad as my dinner party chat always reverting to vacuum cleaners), but that’s exactly what the Mini 2 is.
I’ve tested a lot of smart home cameras in my 10 years as a technology journalist, from the Nest Cams and Ring Cams to the larger Philips Hue Secure, and the Blink Mini 2 is smaller and more discreet than every single one.
You’ll barely notice it sitting on a shelf or placed on top of a TV unit, though it can also be easily wall-mounted or used outside. The only factor you need to consider is that it isn’t battery-operated, so it does need to be plugged in, which restricts placement somewhat. Meanwhile, if you want to use it outside, you’ll need to buy a separate weather-proof cable.
Installation is super simple, however (a matter of minutes), and while I would say the Blink app is a little basic compared to some others, it is easy to navigate. That means turning the Blink Mini 2 on or off, viewing recorded clips or filtering notifications are all quick to access.
Blink Mini 2: Features and performance
The second thing I love about the Blink Mini 2 is it offers a range of features, from activity zones and privacy zones, to scheduling and person detection. Many of the features are available without signing up to Blink’s Plus Plan monthly subscription too, and that can’t be said for all smart home cameras.
Things like accessing recorded video clips does require a subscription, though it is cheaper than the likes of Nest and Ring starting at £2.50 a month. Being able to filter your notifications to only when a person is detected also needs you to pay every month, as does capturing images.
Activity zones and Privacy Zones are both included without paying extra, however, as well as scheduling, two-way audio and the real-time doorbell alerts if you have a Blink Video Doorbell.
When it comes to picture quality, the Blink Mini 2 records in up to 1080p resolution across a 143-degree field of view and it offers coloured night vision thanks to the built-in spotlight. It’s not the sharpest footage you’ll get from a smart home camera, but it’s more than adequate and the Mini 2’s motion sensitivity is excellent.
The night vision can be a little grainy, and there is a very annoying click when night mode kicks in — something I noticed as my Mini 2 is in the living room — but overall, there’s great performance here for the price.
The Mini 2 is compatible with Alexa too, which I mention because if you are someone with an Amazon Echo Show, you can link up your Blink and Alexa accounts so you can then ask Alexa to show you your Blink Mini 2 feed on your Echo device. It’s easier than getting your phone out and it’s a nice seamless experience.
Good Housekeeping’s verdict on the Blink Mini 2
Overall, the Blink Mini 2 is a great compact smart home camera. It’s discreet and offers a range of great features for its very reasonable price.
The app could be more exciting, it doesn’t offer the highest resolution footage out there and it has a couple of small quirks, but they are minor grievances in what is otherwise a super home security option.
Simple to set up, easy to use and packed to the brim with features — many of which you don’t pay extra for — the Blink Mini 2 is easy to recommend as an excellent value indoor and outdoor security camera.
Britta O’Boyle has been a technology journalist since 2003. She’s covered everything from phones, tablets and fitness devices, to smart home, and beauty tech. You’ll find her name on reviews, explainers, roundups and expert tips, covering Apple, Google, Samsung, Sonos, Dyson and many more.
She’s always tried to take a more simplified approach to products, focusing on what she thinks actually matters in use, rather than getting caught up in the jargon. She was one of the first journalists in the world to try Apple’s Vision Pro headset, she’s gone behind the scenes at Peloton and she can give you more than 40 fun facts about Mac.
Britta has a First Class Honours degree in Fashion Journalism from the University of the Arts London and prior to a 10-year stint as deputy editor of Pocket-lint from 2013 to 2023, she wrote about interiors for 3 years, covering the rise in technology in the home.
As a freelance journalist, she co-founded The Disconnekt and she’s Editor-at-Large for The Ambient. You’ll also find her byline on several prestigious titles including The Telegraph, British GQ, The Express, The Mirror, TechRadar, T3, Stuff, TechAdvisor, Trusted Reviews, Expert Reviews, Wareable and iMore.
She’s also been a guest on several radio stations, including BBC Radio, Siren FM and Academy FM, discussing features to implement on devices to keep children safer online. You’ll never find her without her Apple Watch on (usually alongside another fitness tracker she’s testing), aiming to complete her rings so she can justify the extra bar of chocolate. When she’s not recording the dog walk as an Outdoor Walk, she’s trying to keep up with her two young children.
