Blink Mini vs Blink Mini 2: What Changed
The Blink Mini 2 replaced the original Blink Mini as Amazon's entry-level indoor camera, and the two are easy to confuse when shopping in the UK. Here's how they actually compare:
| Spec | Blink Mini (original) | Blink Mini 2 |
|---|---|---|
| UK price | around £24.99, now largely discontinued | around £34.99, varies by retailer |
| Night vision | Infrared only, black and white | Colour night vision via built-in spotlight |
| Field of view | 110° | 143° |
| Person detection | Not available | With active Blink subscription plan |
| Outdoor use | Indoor only | Indoor or covered outdoor spot (weather-resistant adapter sold separately) |
| Wi-Fi | 2.4 GHz only | 2.4 GHz only |
If you're comparing listings on Amazon UK, the giveaway is the spotlight ring around the lens and the "colour night vision" callout — the original Mini doesn't have either. This review covers the current Blink Mini 2 model.
Quick Verdict
The Blink Mini 2 is a solid buy if you already own Alexa devices and want a no-fuss indoor camera. Colour night vision and the wider field of view are genuine upgrades over the original Mini, setup takes minutes, and the free local storage option (with a separately purchased Sync Module 2) makes it usable without a subscription. The main weaknesses are the ongoing cloud storage cost if you want remote clip access without the Sync Module, and person detection being locked behind a subscription.
Design and Build
Compact and discreet. The Blink Mini 2 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.
Unlike the original Mini, the Mini 2 is rated for covered outdoor use, though the included power adapter isn't weatherproof — Blink sells a separate weather-resistant adapter for outdoor installs.
Setup
Straightforward for most users. Setting up the Blink Mini 2 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 2 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 — wider than the original Mini's 110° — covers a large room without too much distortion at the edges. Night vision is where the Mini 2 pulls ahead of its predecessor: a built-in spotlight enables full colour night vision, rather than the black-and-white infrared image the original Mini was limited to.
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 Mini 2. 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. Person detection is available, but only with an active Blink subscription plan; without one, you get generic motion alerts. 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 2 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 2 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, plus person detection. 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 2 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 2's price point.
Value for Money
At around £34.99, the Blink Mini 2 is one of the cheapest colour-night-vision indoor cameras on the UK market. The headline 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 2 on Amazon UK — prices vary by retailer and promotional periods.
Verdict
The Blink Mini 2 earns its place as a strong entry-level indoor camera for UK homes, particularly for Alexa users. Colour night vision, video quality, and motion detection reliability are genuine strengths over the original Mini. 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. If you're shopping right now, check our roundup of current Amazon UK smart home deals for live pricing.
