This Blink outdoor security camera impressed me with its battery life, and it’s on sale before Black Friday

Black Friday Deals Alert: Black FridaIt hasn’t arrived yet, but sales have already started. We’re especially excited about the great savings on several products we’ve personally tested and loved, including this security camera. the The dual camera package for the Blink Outdoor 4 currently costs $70which is an impressive $110 off the original list price. Costs for 5 packs $160 (60% off), pack of 6 pieces $195 (59% off) and a pack of 8 pieces $265 (58% discount). That’s a huge discount on a device that won a CNET Editors’ Choice award. Plus, long-lasting rechargeable batteries save you more money.

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CNET’s key takeaways

• the Blink Outdoor 4 surveillance camera It comes with AA lithium batteries that last for over a year, unlike competing cameras that need to be recharged frequently every month.
• The Blink Outdoor 4 is one of the more affordable cameras and is often on sale.
• Blink is limited to supporting Alexa only, which means you can’t connect to Google, Apple, or other third-party smart platforms.

flash External 4 cam It came with a big promise when I first started reviewing it: AA lithium batteries that could last for two years without needing to be replaced. That’s a ridiculously long time for Wireless surveillance camerawhich usually contain batteries that need to be recharged every few months.

I started out skeptical, but the Blink camera kept working on my fence, not just for a few months but season after season while I waited, and I was increasingly impressed.

Although my Blink Outdoor 4 model didn’t reach the full two years that Blink rates its wireless camera batteries for, a year and a half is far superior to any wireless camera with a rechargeable battery like the Ring or Nest used. In my experience, these rechargeable batteries tend to last for several months at most before you need to bring them in to recharge or swap them out for a new battery pack.

This recharging process becomes troublesome during cold winters or for wireless cameras that are placed out of reach and require a ladder to remove the batteries. And if your cameras are on all the time, the batteries run out faster. I don’t mind bending down to pick up a video doorbell to quickly recharge it, but for other outdoor cameras, it turns into a random and unwanted task.

Meanwhile, Blink promises long-lasting batteries that you can replace, not recharge, when the time comes. These new batteries cost $4 to $5, which works out to about 22 cents a month for the convenience of not having to care about them. I’ve found this to be a particularly useful option for an outdoor camera that I can set up and leave to do its thing, giving me one less thing to worry about.

My experience with Blink Outdoor 4

I consider the Blink Outdoor 4 a “jack of all trades” outdoor camera, which is why it earned a spot on my list of outdoor cameras. Best home security cameras. It’s also the best camera in terms of battery life, which is why I highly recommend it to anyone who wants an all-purpose camera at a fairly affordable price.

From 1080p resolution and Alexa support to two-way voice and motion detection, the Outdoor 4 does a little bit of everything in a compact, weather-resistant design. But what really shines is the long battery life.

Long-lasting battery options

The Blink Outdoor 4 runs on two slotted AA lithium batteries (included). Unscrew the back cover, and you can get new batteries in and out in a minute. I did this part after a year and a half of use, and the hardest part was remembering how to detach the Outdoor 4 from its stand without breaking it.

Unlike some batteries that have the word “lithium” in their name, they are not rechargeable. They offer other benefits instead, including extra power compared to traditional AA batteries and a long lifespan of up to 25 years, so you can buy a pack without worrying about them dying. Although they are more expensive than standard AAs, they are still relatively low cost: I can find A pack of 24 AA lithium packs sells for $37which works out to $1.54 per battery or about $3 to replace Blink batteries every year or two — not a bad price for convenience.

If one to two years of battery life isn’t enough, you can also purchase a device Shimmer Extension Pack ($30) To add more batteries so your camera will last longer, which is a possibility if you want to put it somewhere out of the way.

Installation and placement

The Blink Outdoor 4 uses a small threaded mount. I can’t install anything into my impenetrable fiber cement siding, but a fence post has proven to be the perfect choice for viewing my backyard and various wildlife sightings.

The mount is a bit stiff and requires careful adjustment when angling, but otherwise hassle-free. With an operating temperature range of -4 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit, my Blink Outdoor 4 saw through scorching summers and winter blizzards without complaint, and the batteries inside still worked.

A no-nonsense app for monitoring battery life

I’ve modified dozens of home security apps, and Blink remains one of my favorites. The Blink app has a welcome mix of simplicity and easily accessible camera features. A few taps can take you almost anywhere you want to go, including quick live camera views and two-way voice chats.

The app also lets you check your battery life so you can know when it’s “good” or when it’s reaching danger levels — until, as I discovered, it runs out completely, in which case you won’t be able to check your battery life.

The Blink app offers motion and human detection alerts based on your settings. It also enables connectivity to the embed Sync module 2which has a USB slot you can use to store videos, making Blink’s subscription services ($3 per month) completely optional.

Blink solar option

I can’t talk about battery life without mentioning the solar panels. There are several available for the Blink Outdoor 4, and if you have the space, you can add one. Some work better than others, and the best, like This model is on sale for $36They have their own built-in battery to power Blink because these AA lithium batteries cannot be recharged.

With extremely long battery life, solar panels are less important, but that’s an option if you put your Blink camera in a sunny location and don’t ever want to worry about battery life at all. I haven’t tested the solar panels with the Blink Outdoor 4, but I have tested them with several other security cameras, and I can say they keep the batteries topped up, especially in the summer months.

Blink Outdoor 4 specifications

• measuring: 2.76″W x 2.76″L x 1.61″D (70mm W x 70mm L x 41mm D)
• weight: 5.0 oz (141 g)
• Main battery: 2 AA 1.5V non-rechargeable lithium batteries
• My choice: Weatherproof power adapter (sold separately), extension pack 4 external batteries (available in the US and Canada)
• Battery life: Up to two years with default settings. Custom settings, usage, and environmental conditions may affect battery performance
• Field of view: 143 degrees diagonally
• accuracy: 1080p HD video
• the pictures: View captured images in 640 x 360 resolution
• fps: Up to 30 fps
• Contact: High-speed Internet connection (such as broadband, fiber, or DSL), Wi-Fi: 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n
• Axis support: The camera is compatible with all Blink Sync modules
• My voice: Two-way audio
• lights: 1 blue LED so you know when it’s active (optional), 1 red LED when recording in night vision
• Operating temperature: -4 to 113°F (-20°C to 45°C)

CNET Buying Advice

If you find recharging your batteries every few months a hassle, Blink’s Lithium AA batteries really provide that extra convenience. For me, it’s worth the extra $4 to replace them every year or two.

These long-lasting batteries make it easier, too To choose a place It’s difficult to access but ideal for a vantage point, like above a garage door, because you know you won’t have to make frequent trips there to recharge.

Check it out with an easy-to-use app and a very reasonable price Compared to other external cameraslike the Ring Spotlight for over $200, the Blink Outdoor 4 should definitely be on your list if you’re looking for a wireless camera. As a bonus, it frequently goes on sale during big sales events like the current Prime Day sale and the upcoming Black Friday.

If you want an outdoor camera with more smart features and voice assistants other than Alexa, I recommend the Arlo Pro 5S. You’ll have to recharge its battery often, and the camera really needs a subscription (for a fee) to shine, but it can do just about anything and includes Arlo’s advanced AI customization options.

For more great discounts, check out our editors’ roundup The best Black Friday deals available now.