Blink Vs. Yi Camera: Which Home Security Camera Is Better?

Home security cameras have become increasingly popular for monitoring your home and providing peace of mind. Two budget-friendly options are the Blink and Yi camera systems.

But which one is better for your needs? This comprehensive guide compares the key features and performance of Blink and Yi cameras to help you decide.

A Brief Comparison Table

Features	Blink	Yi
Video Quality	1080p HD	1080p HD
Field of View	110° diagonal	130° diagonal
Night Vision	IR up to 26 ft	IR up to 33 ft
Audio	Two-way audio	Two-way audio
Storage	Cloud	MicroSD card
Smart Features	Motion detection, custom activity zones	Human detection, custom activity zones
Weather Resistance	Outdoor rated	Outdoor rated
Power Source	Battery or wired	Battery only
App Platform	Blink app	Yi app
Price	$99 per cam	$39 per cam

Overview of Blink Cameras

Blink is a reputable security camera company owned by Amazon. Their wireless cameras provide reliable performance at an affordable price point.

Blink offers both indoor and outdoor cameras. The outdoor model has a rugged weather-resistant design. Key features include:

• 1080p HD Video – Records crisp high-definition footage day and night.
• 110° Field of View – Provides a wide viewing angle to capture more area.
• Infrared Night Vision – Sees up to 26 feet in total darkness.
• Two-Way Audio – Listen and speak through the camera’s built-in microphone and speaker.
• Cloud Storage – Video clips are stored and managed through Blink’s cloud service. No need for an SD card.
• Battery or Wired Power – Runs on two AA lithium batteries or connects to an outlet via micro USB. Batteries last up to two years.
• Customizable Motion Zones – Only detects motion in selected zones to reduce false alerts.
• Smartphone App – View live video, arm/disarm, customize settings, and more through the Blink app.

Overview of Yi Cameras

Yi is a consumer electronics company that makes affordable and feature-packed security cameras. Their cameras offer a wide 130° field of view and long 33ft night vision range.

Key features of Yi cameras include:

• 1080p HD Recording – Captures video at 1920×1080 resolution with sharp detail and accurate color.
• 130° Diagonal Field of View – Ultra wide viewing angle captures more of the scene.
• 33ft Infrared Night Vision – Provides visibility even in pitch black conditions.
• Two-Way Audio – Built-in mic and speaker enables voice communication through the camera.
• Local Storage – Save video clips to a microSD card up to 128GB. No monthly fees required.
• Human Motion Detection – Uses AI to only alert you to human activity, reducing false alarms.
• Weather Resistant – IP65 rated for use outdoors in tough conditions.
• Rechargeable Battery – Lasts up to 100 minutes per charge. Easy to swap batteries.
• Yi Home App – View live stream, configure settings, download video clips, and more.

Also Read: Differences Betwwn Annke And Hikvision.

Key Differences Between Blink and Yi cameras

Now let’s take a deeper look at how Blink and Yi cameras compare across key factors:

·         Video Quality

Both Blink and Yi cameras record video at 1080p resolution, resulting in sharp high definition footage. The level of fine detail is similar between the two when viewing footage side-by-side.

Blink offers a max resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels while Yi cameras go up to 1080p at 30 fps. The Yi camera does have a slightly wider 130° diagonal field of view compared to 110° on the Blink. This gives you a broader monitoring angle. But Blink’s quality is very good for the price.

Overall video quality is on par between the Blink and Yi cams. You’ll get bright, crisp 1080p HD recording with accurate colors during the day and night.

·         Night Vision

Seeing clearly at night is crucial for home security cameras. Blink and Yi both use infrared (IR) technology to deliver night vision capabilities.

Blink cameras can see up to 26 feet in total darkness. The IR LEDs surrounding the lens produce infrared light that’s invisible to the naked eye. This illuminates the scene so the camera can pick up details even without any ambient light.

Meanwhile, Yi cameras provide 33 feet of night vision range. The extra distance allows you to monitor a larger area at night. Yi’s night vision video remains black and white, just like Blink’s.

Both produce decent quality night vision footage. But Yi Cameras have a slight edge with their longer 33ft IR range.

·         Field of View

The field of view determines how wide of an area the camera can see. Yi has the advantage here with a 130° diagonal field of view, versus 110° on the Blink cameras.

This allows a single Yi cam to cover a larger space. You can potentially use fewer cameras to monitor the same area. The trade-off is objects will look smaller on screen since it fits more of the scene in the frame.

But Blink’s 110° FOV is still pretty wide. It can easily view an entire room or large sections of a yard. Overall field of view is one of the strengths of Yi cameras compared to Blink.

·         Two-Way Audio

Two-way audio allows you to listen and speak through the security camera. This is useful for hearing what’s happening and potentially deterring an intruder.

Both Blink and Yi cameras have built-in microphones and speakers that enable two-way communication. You can hear audio coming from the camera’s location and talk through the app.

The audio quality is relatively similar between the two brands. It’s sufficient for basic communication but can sometimes sound compressed or robotic. Still, two-way audio is handy to have and works decently on both camera systems.

·         Storage & Footage Accessibility

One key difference between Blink and Yi is how they store and manage recorded video clips.

Blink uses cloud storage, meaning footage is uploaded and stored on Blink’s servers. You have to pay for a monthly Blink subscription plan to access, download, and share video clips. Plans start at $3/month per camera.

Yi cameras take a local storage approach, saving video to a microSD card you insert into the camera. Cards up to 128GB are supported for ample footage storage. There are no monthly fees to access your own recordings. But you need to remove the card to download clips.

Both methods work fine. Cloud storage makes accessing footage easier and more secure, while local storage avoids monthly costs. But Blink limits you to 60 sec clip lengths on the basic plan. Yi lets you record longer events.

Also Read: Comparison Between Blink and Kasa

·         Smart Detection Features

Today’s home security cameras use intelligent software to detect people and motion, while ignoring things like trees blowing. This improves monitoring accuracy and reduces unwanted alerts.

Blink cameras offer basic motion detection zones. You can define areas of the camera’s view where you want motion to trigger recording and notifications. This helps cut down on false alerts.

Yi takes things a step further with advanced human motion detection. Using built-in AI, Yi cams only alert you when a person is detected. This virtually eliminates false triggers from pets, swaying objects, and other sources. However, vehicle and animal detection requires a paid plan.

For avoiding excessive notifications, Yi cameras have a clear advantage thanks to their selective human detection skills. Blink only offers basic motion zones.

·         Weather and Power Source

Since home security cameras are often placed outdoors, they need to withstand the elements. Both Blink and Yi cameras have weather resistant designs:

• Blink – Rated IP65 for dust and water resistance. Operates in temperatures from -4°F to 113°F.
• Yi – Also IP65 weatherproof rating. Functions in -4°F to 122°F temperature range.

The outdoor models from both brands can be exposed to the rain, snow, heat, and sun without issue. The Yi camera’s operating temp range is slightly wider.

For power, Blink offers more flexibility:

• Blink – Runs on two AA lithium batteries for up to two years per set. Or can be hardwired using a USB cable and power adapter.
• Yi – Relies on an internal rechargeable battery that provides 100 minutes of use per charge. Keeping spare batteries on hand is recommended.

Blink lets you choose between long-life batteries or an unlimited wired power source. Yi cameras need their battery swapped out and recharged periodically.

Also Watch This Review Video:

·         Mobile App

Blink and Yi both offer mobile apps for iOS and Android to view live video, playback clips, adjust settings, and more.

The Blink app provides smoother performance and slightly better reliability according to user reviews. But both platforms offer adequate functionality for basic security camera needs.

You can quickly open a live view, record clips, configure motion detection, and access video history from the apps. Layout and controls are straightforward. Scheduling and geofencing options are included as well.

Ease of use is similar between the two camera brand’s apps. Blink just has a reputation for being more polished and dependable.

·         Pricing

When comparing Blink vs Yi cameras, pricing is a final factor to weigh:

• Blink Indoor Cam – $99.99 per camera
• Blink Outdoor Cam – $99.99 per camera
• Yi Indoor Camera – $39.98 per camera
• Yi Outdoor Camera – $59.99 per camera

Yi cameras are significantly cheaper upfront, especially if you need multiple cameras to monitor larger areas. But keep in mind:

• Blink subscription for accessing footage adds $3/month per camera
• Yi requires microSD cards for local storage which is an extra cost

Still, Yi cameras are the budget option if you want to minimize initial purchase costs. Blink costs more upfront but includes cloud storage.

Also Read: Choose Between Lorex And Annke.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Final Thoughts

Blink and Yi both provide capable 1080p home security cameras loaded with useful features. For those seeking minimal upfront cost, Yi cameras are the most affordable at less than $40 per camera. They offer expansive 130° viewing and long night vision reach.

Blink costs more at around $100 per cam, but deliver excellent performance for the money. Cloud storage options and long-life battery power make them convenient to own and operate.

Ultimately, choosing between Blink vs Yi cameras comes down to your budget, usage needs, and which features are must-haves. Either brand can serve well for basic home monitoring and give you peace of mind.