Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell vs Blink Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)

The Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell is the stronger pick overall: cheaper, better rated, with wider platform support (Google, SmartThings, Home Assistant) and more alert types. The Blink Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) wins on battery life and fits the Blink ecosystem but is Alexa-only and can't tune motion sensitivity.

Integrations and detection. The Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell works with Google, Alexa, SmartThings and Home Assistant and detects people, packages, vehicles and animals, while the Blink Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) supports only Alexa (plus IFTTT) and offers customizable motion zones but fewer alert categories.

The Blink Video Doorbell (2nd Gen), which runs on 3 AA batteries rated around 2 years, far longer than the rechargeable Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell. Both can also be wired, and both need a subscription for saved video and smart alerts.

No. Neither the Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell nor the new-generation Blink Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) has local storage; both push you to a paid cloud plan for recordings, so budget for a subscription with either one.

Buyers who want broad smart-home support (Google, Alexa, SmartThings, Home Assistant) and richer person, package, vehicle and animal alerts, and who are committed to paying for Arlo Secure.

Alexa and Blink households who value very long AA battery life and customizable motion zones, and who don't need extra platforms or the ability to fine-tune motion sensitivity.