The Blink Mini (2nd generation) is Amazon's entry-level indoor security camera, retailing in the UK for around £29.99. It's a plug-in camera — no battery to charge — and it pairs directly with the Blink app and Amazon Alexa. For anyone building a budget home security setup, it's one of the most affordable starting points available. But cheap cameras come with caveats, and this one is no exception.
Quick Verdict
The Blink Mini 2nd gen is a solid buy if you already own Alexa devices and want a no-fuss indoor camera. Video quality is good for the price, setup takes minutes, and the free local storage option (with a separately purchased Sync Module 2) makes it genuinely usable without a subscription. The main weaknesses are the ongoing cloud storage cost if you want remote clip access without the Sync Module, and the lack of a built-in siren or continuous recording.
Design and Build
Compact and discreet. The Blink Mini is a small, square camera roughly 51mm across. It's white, lightweight, and designed to sit on a flat surface or mount to a wall using the included clip. The USB-C power cable plugs into a standard USB adapter (included in the box), so you'll need a nearby mains socket. There's no option to go battery-powered — this is strictly a plug-in camera.
The 2nd generation model added a built-in privacy shutter, which slides across the lens when you want to block the camera's view. That's a welcome addition over the original Mini and something competitors at this price point often skip.
Setup
Straightforward for most users. Setting up the Blink Mini takes around five minutes. Download the Blink Home Monitor app, create an account or sign in with your Amazon account, then scan the QR code on the back of the camera. The app walks you through connecting the camera to your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network. Note that the Blink Mini does not support 5 GHz Wi-Fi — if your router broadcasts both bands under the same SSID, you may need to separate them temporarily during setup.
Once connected, the camera appears in the app and on any Alexa-enabled device. You can ask Alexa to show the camera feed on an Echo Show or Fire TV almost immediately after setup.
Video Quality
1080p HD with a 143° field of view. Video quality is good for a camera at this price. The 1080p resolution is clear enough to read text on packaging or recognise faces at close range. The 143° wide-angle lens covers a large room without too much distortion at the edges. Night vision is infrared and works well in complete darkness out to around 3–4 metres, though colour night vision is not available on the Mini.
Live view loads quickly via the Blink app on a decent broadband connection. Motion-triggered clip recording captures events in short clips rather than continuous footage, which is standard for cloud-connected cameras at this price.
Motion Detection
Reliable, with some customisation. Motion detection is PIR-based (passive infrared) on the 2nd gen Mini. You can set activity zones within the Blink app to exclude areas of the frame — useful for ignoring a busy road visible through a window, for example. Sensitivity and re-trigger intervals are also adjustable. In everyday use, false alerts from pets or passing shadows are manageable once zones are configured.
Motion alerts arrive on your phone within a few seconds of an event. If you have a Blink Subscription Plan, a short clip is uploaded to cloud storage. Without a subscription or Sync Module 2, you'll see the alert but won't be able to review the footage.
Two-Way Audio
Clear enough for basic communication. The Blink Mini includes a built-in microphone and speaker. Two-way audio is push-to-talk via the Blink app: you press and hold a button to speak, release to listen. It's functional rather than impressive — audio quality is decent for letting a delivery driver know where to leave a parcel, but don't expect the clarity of a video call. There's no hands-free mode.
Storage Options
This is the most important decision before you buy. The Blink Mini offers two ways to store footage, and neither is truly free:
Blink Subscription Plan
Blink's cloud storage plan costs around £2.99 per month per device (or £9.99/month for unlimited cameras on one account). This gives you 60-day rolling cloud storage for motion clips, accessible from anywhere via the Blink app. It's convenient but adds up — a single camera costs roughly £36 per year in subscription fees, more than the camera itself.
Local Storage via Sync Module 2
The alternative is the Sync Module 2, which retails for around £34.99. This hub connects to your router and accepts a USB flash drive (not included). Motion clips are saved locally to the USB drive rather than the cloud. There's no monthly fee, but you do need to buy the Sync Module 2, a USB drive, and be comfortable retrieving clips via the app over your local network. Remote access to local clips is not supported — you must be on the same Wi-Fi network to view them.
For a budget security setup, the Sync Module 2 route is better value over the long term, especially if you plan to add multiple Blink cameras. It can manage up to 10 cameras on one module. If you're already looking at this option, also consider reading our best Eufy security cameras UK guide for local-storage alternatives that don't require a separate hub.
Alexa Integration
One of the best Alexa-native cameras available. As an Amazon product, the Blink Mini integrates seamlessly with the Alexa ecosystem. You can view a live feed by saying "Alexa, show me the [camera name]" on any Echo Show, Echo Spot, or Fire TV. Camera feeds appear in the Alexa app too. You can also set Alexa Routines to trigger based on Blink motion alerts — for example, turning on smart lights when the camera detects movement. This level of integration is hard to match at the Blink Mini's price point.
Value for Money
At around £29.99, the Blink Mini 2nd gen is one of the cheapest 1080p indoor cameras on the UK market. The price is competitive, but factor in the total cost of ownership. If you need cloud storage and no Sync Module, add £36/year per camera. If you buy the Sync Module 2 instead, add £34.99 upfront. Either way, the headline price understates what a complete, usable setup actually costs.
For a broader comparison of budget indoor cameras, see our Ring Indoor Camera review, which is a similarly priced alternative from the same Amazon family. If you're building a full system, our best home security system UK guide covers how to combine cameras with alarms and sensors.
You can buy the Blink Mini on Amazon UK — prices vary by retailer and promotional periods.
Verdict
The Blink Mini 2nd gen earns its place as a strong entry-level indoor camera for UK homes, particularly for Alexa users. Video quality, motion detection reliability, and the privacy shutter are genuine strengths. The storage situation is the main friction point — you'll either pay a monthly subscription or invest in a Sync Module 2. If you're comfortable with that trade-off, it's a capable, easy-to-use camera for the price.
Related: Blink Outdoor camera review, Blink vs Ring doorbell comparison, and best smart CCTV system UK.
