Prime Day Update: You don’t need to spend a lot of money home security with Prime Day supplies fully now. This bundle offer includes two Blink Outdoor 4 cameras and a video doorbell, and Prime members can grab it now for just $45. That’s a 76% discount and saves you $145 compared to the regular price. You can also take just a camera for $28 — more than $50 off.
Highlights taken by CNET
- I Blink Outdoor Security Camera 4 it comes with lithium AA batteries that have lasted me over a year, unlike competing cameras that need to be charged regularly, as often as every month.
- The Blink Outdoor 4 is one of the more affordable cameras, and it’s often on sale.
- The Blink app is limited to Alexa support only, which means you can’t connect to Google, Apple or other third-party smart platforms.
Blink’s Outside 4 cam came with a big promise when I first reviewed it: the lithium AA batteries could last two years without needing to be replaced. That’s a ridiculously long time wireless security camerausually with batteries that need to be charged every few months.
I was skeptical at first, but Blink’s camera kept working on my phone, not just for a few months but season after season while I waited, and I was becoming more and more impressed.
While my Blink Outdoor 4 model didn’t quite make it to the full two years that Blink rates its wireless camera batteries, a year and a half is a long way to go for any wireless camera with a rechargeable battery, like the Ring or Nest. As far as I know, those rechargeable batteries usually last a few months before you have to put them in for a recharge or take them out with a new battery pack.
That recharging is annoying in the cold winter or for wireless cameras that are shipped out of reach and require a ladder to remove the batteries. And if your cameras are running all the time, the batteries run out even faster. I don’t mind leaning over to grab the doorbell for a quick charge, but for some outdoor cameras, it becomes an unnecessary and inconvenient task.
Flash, on the other hand, promises long-lasting batteries that you’ll replace, not charge, when the time comes. Those new batteries cost $4 to $5, which works out to about 22 cents a month so it’s easy not to bother. I’ve found it to be a very useful option for an external camera that I can set up and leave to do its job, giving me one less thing to worry about.
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My experience with Blink Outdoor 4
The Blink Outdoor 4 is completely wireless and is the most compact outdoor camera.
I consider the Blink Outdoor 4 a “jack of all trades” outdoor camera, which is why it earned a spot on my list Best outdoor security cameras. It’s also the best camera for battery life, which is why I often recommend it to someone looking for an all-purpose camera at an affordable price.
From 1080p resolution and Alexa support to two-way audio and motion detection, the Outdoor 4 does a little bit of everything in a compact, weather-resistant design. But where it really shines is that extended battery life.
Long lasting battery options
The Blink Outdoor 4 uses two lithium AA batteries (included) mounted on the back. Remove the back cover and you can have new batteries inside and out in a minute. I just did this part after a year and a half of use, and the hardest part is remembering how to remove the Outdoor 4 from its mount without breaking it.
Unlike some batteries with “lithium” in the name, these are not rechargeable. They offer other benefits instead, including more power compared to traditional AA batteries and an extended shelf life of up to 25 years, so you can buy a pack without worrying about them dying. There is currently a pack of 24 lithium AAs sells for $35
If one to two years of battery life isn’t enough, you can also buy a Blink extension pack ($30) adding extra batteries so the camera can last longer, which is possible if you want to place it in an out-of-the-way location.
Blink Outdoor 4 uses long-life lithium batteries.
Mounting and placement
The Blink Outdoor 4 uses a small screw-in mount. I can’t wrap anything in my waterproof fiber cement, but the wire posts have proven to be the perfect option for watching my yard and the various wildlife shows.
The mount is a bit stiff and needs to be carefully adjusted when angling, but other than that it’s no problem. With an operating temperature range of -4 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit, I watched my Blink Outdoor 4 through hot summers and winter snowstorms without complaint, the internal batteries still working.
Blink Outdoor 4 has an adjustable mount that is strong enough to keep it in place.
A foolproof battery life monitoring app
I’ve worked with a lot of home security apps, and Blink is still one of my favorites. The Blink app has a welcome combination of simplicity and accessible camera features. A few taps can get you almost anywhere you need to go, including instant camera live view and two-way audio chat.
The app also lets you check battery life so you can tell if it’s “OK” or reaching dangerous levels — until, as I’ve found, it dies completely, at which point you can’t check battery life.
The Blink app provides motion alerts and human detection based on your settings. It also enables installation connections Synchronize Module 2with a USB port that you can use to store video clips, making Blink’s subscription services ($4 per month) completely optional.
The Blink app is refreshingly straightforward and easy to use.
Blink solar option
I can’t talk about battery life without talking about solar panels. Many are available in Blink Outdoor 4, and if you have space, you can add one. Some work better than others, and the best, like them this model retails for $26have their own built-in battery to power the Blink because those lithium AA batteries are not rechargeable.
With a long battery life, a solar panel is not that necessary, but this is an option if you place your Blink camera in a sunny location and don’t want to worry about battery life at all. I haven’t tested the solar panels with the Blink Outdoor 4, but I have tested them with many other security cameras, and I can say that they keep the batteries off, especially in the summer months.
Details of Blink Outdoor 4
- Size: 2.76×2.76×1.61 inches (70x70x41 mm)
- Weight: 5.0 oz (141 g)
- Main battery: 2 AA 1.5V rechargeable lithium batteries
- Optional: Weatherproof Power Adapter (sold separately), 4 External Battery Extension Pack (available in US and Canada)
- Battery life: Up to two years with default settings. Custom settings, usage and environmental conditions can affect battery performance
- Field of view: 143 degrees diagonal
- Solution: 1080p HD video
- Photos: View images captured in 640×360
- Frames per second: Up to 30fps
- Communication: High-speed Internet connection (such as broadband, fiber or DSL), Wi-Fi network: 2.4GHz 802.11b/g/n
- Hub support: The camera is compatible with all Blink sync modules
- Sound: Two-way audio
- Lights: 1 blue LED to know when it’s working (if you want), 1 red LED to record with night vision
- Operating temperature: -4 to 113 F (-20 C to 45 C)
CNET’s shopping advice
Blink’s Outdoor 4 camera is not only easy to use, but it also lasts ridiculously long on each charge.
If you find recharging batteries every few months annoying, Blink’s lithium AA batteries give you that extra convenience. To me, it’s well worth the extra $4 to replace them every year or two.
Those long-lasting batteries also make it easy choosing a location that’s hard to reach but perfect for a high place, like above the garage door, because you know you won’t have to make frequent trips up there to recharge.
Close it with an easy-to-use app and a reasonable price compared to other external cameraslike the Ring Spotlight for over $200, and the Blink Outdoor 4 should be on your list if you’re looking for a wireless camera. As a bonus, it’s usually on sale, right now.
If you’re looking for an outdoor camera with more bells and whistles, smart features and voice assistants beyond Alexa, I recommend the Arlo Pro 5S. You’ll need to recharge its battery more often, and the camera does require registration (for a fee) to flash, but it can do almost anything and includes Arlo’s AI-enhanced customization options.
For more great discounts on home security cameras, check out our list of Best outdoor home security cameras that does not require registration. Finally, check Amazon’s full list of Blink camera salesincluding bundles, accessories and other accessories.