Blink

Why r/BuyItForLife recommends Blink

19 mentions from real owners

• #1Sep 6, 2025

  Why did we accept that security cameras need monthly fees to work properly?

  I bought a Blink system before it was bought by Amazon and has grandfathered in on “free” storage. I don’t get any new features but it does what it does pretty well.

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• #2Sep 6, 2025

  Why did we accept that security cameras need monthly fees to work properly?

  I use blink (amazon). It allows local storage for free instead of cloud subscription.

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• #3Sep 6, 2025

  Why did we accept that security cameras need monthly fees to work properly?

  My compromise for this was the blink cameras that Amazon sells. They push the subscription but you can get a sync module and plug usb storage into it. It's not a great solution but it works.

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• #4Sep 6, 2025

  Why did we accept that security cameras need monthly fees to work properly?

  If you don't want to pay monthly fees, you'll need to go for a DVR-based system, one that has a very limited, free cloud tier, or Blink with USB memory stick storage. All those servers the hours of cloud-based security footage is sitting cost the companies money to buy, install, snd maintain. Why should they give it away for free?

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• #5Sep 6, 2025

  Why did we accept that security cameras need monthly fees to work properly?

  My blink cameras save locally to a usb flash drive on the hub. They’re 3-5 years old, so I’m not sure whether that feature has changed

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• #6Sep 6, 2025

  Why did we accept that security cameras need monthly fees to work properly?

  Believe it or not, you can do local storage with blink.

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• #7Sep 5, 2025

  Why did we accept that security cameras need monthly fees to work properly?

  Idk if all can do it but my couple years old blink has local storage if you attach an SD card to the Lil hub thing. I don't pay a sub but it saves videos on that and I can look at them through my phone app or pull them out manually

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• #8Sep 5, 2025

  Why did we accept that security cameras need monthly fees to work properly?

  I didn't. Get a camera that works on your home wifi, and records to an in home memory. Blink has that option.

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• #9Sep 5, 2025

  Why did we accept that security cameras need monthly fees to work properly?

  I bought he Blink doorbell on sale for $35. It has an interior module that you can plug a flash drive into for storage.

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• #10Sep 5, 2025

  Why did we accept that security cameras need monthly fees to work properly?

  My blink cameras don’t have a sub, they connect via wifi and I get a live feed if I log into them. If I wanted to store more than a days footage I’d have to pay, but since I’ve never needed that I don’t bother.

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• #11Sep 5, 2025

  Why did we accept that security cameras need monthly fees to work properly?

  I'm not sure what we will do when our current systems are obsolete. Due to work, we split our time between two houses that are several hours apart. At one house, we have an old Wise Net wired camera system that feeds directly into our own DVR. There's an app that allows us access remotely. So far, there are no fees nor have we had any fees to any of it. I don't know if the company is still in business as we bought the system about 10 years ago. We have done zero upgrades to the system. We have it backing up to our own DVR and have a backup battery for power outages that lasts about 12 hours. The only time we don't have access is when there are power or wifi outages. It still records into our DVR with the backup battery when wifi goes outm As a renter a few years back, I got a couple of Blink cameras. That's when the cloud was free. We use this system at the other house and have been able to expand it to add a lot more cameras. Because we were grandfathered in from my previous account, we have no fees. I know this option isn't possible anymore. My parents have a Blink subscription and I believe theirs is $30/year per camera. With 3 cameras, they pay less than $100/year. I guess it all depends on what your needs are in terms of the video quality and features. I'd recommend looking into WiseNet. We got our system at Sam's Club.

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• #12Sep 5, 2025

  Why did we accept that security cameras need monthly fees to work properly?

  Blink lets you use local storage. They do make it clear that it is easier to use cloud storage, but they do have one

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• #13Sep 5, 2025

  Why did we accept that security cameras need monthly fees to work properly?

  I feel so lucky I got into my Blink cameras when the cloud storage was free for life. They're always trying to lure me into a subscription, but I'll just stay grandfathered, thanks!

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• #14Sep 5, 2025

  Why did we accept that security cameras need monthly fees to work properly?

  I paid something like $40 on Woot for a bunch of Blink cameras, and they have local storage. I also have an old Arlo camera with local storage (not one I'd recommend) and a $100 Reolink that has local storage. You can definitely get decent local storage cameras for under $180.

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• #15Sep 5, 2025

  Why did we accept that security cameras need monthly fees to work properly?

  I got flash drives for my blink so my clips are local and cycle when they fill

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• #16Sep 5, 2025

  Why did we accept that security cameras need monthly fees to work properly?

  Use Blink and store data to thumb drive. No subscription needed. That's why I switched from Ring. I didn't want to pay the monthly or annual fee.

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• #17Sep 5, 2025

  Why did we accept that security cameras need monthly fees to work properly?

  I have local storage for my blink cameras, works fine

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• #18Sep 5, 2025

  Why did we accept that security cameras need monthly fees to work properly?

  blink doesn’t- just need sd card

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• #19Jun 1, 2025

  Favorite/must haves in your home

  For sheets, I can't live without my Ettitude 100% bamboo sheets. Soft, silky, and cool. I have a Fischer's Finery silk pillowcase to match. I make my own quilts so can't say anything about comforters. For pots and pans, I have a 100 year old cast iron skillet that gets used every single day, and heavy-bottomed stainless steel sauce pans that I've had for 30 years and still use every day. I have a ceramic-lined cast iron dutch oven that I've had for years as well. Skip buying aluminum baking sheets and go for stainless steel. They'll last longer and are better for your health, plus you can clean anything off of them with a stainless steel scrub pad. We have Blink outdoor and indoor cameras and they work well. Costs me $11 a month to be able to keep the recordings. My other must haves are a good air purifier, a whole-house water filter, and light-blocking thermal curtains.

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