Your peace of mind starts when you begin using Blink cameras as baby monitors. They are perfect for parents who frequently travel because they put you at ease whenever you are not around your baby. The best part is that using them as home-security cameras is as effective as traditional baby monitors.
Blink cameras can be used as baby monitors as they allow you to check on your kids at any time, and from anywhere. Note that Blink Cameras aren’t truly recording video the whole time though, only when you access them through the app or when you set the camera to Armed which picks up any motion.
Now that you know that Blink cameras can be used as baby monitors, let us explore how you can position them properly. We will also answer frequently asked questions such as: Are they safe to be left all night? Can these home-security cameras be hacked when they are not on Wi-Fi? Let’s dive in!
Is It Possible To Use a Blink Camera as a Baby Monitor?
Intruders are unable to hide from cameras that they are unaware of — that’s what makes Blink cameras so appealing. They are easy to conceal. So, when positioning the baby monitor in the nursery, you should prioritize safety and care before deciding where and how you should place it.
Pros and Cons of Getting a Blink Camera as a Baby Monitor
If you’re on the fence about getting a Blink camera as a baby monitor, here are the pros and cons to help you make an informed choice:
Pros
- The Blink app has a two-way audio feature that allows you to listen to conversations in the nursery.
- You can use the live view feature on the Blink app to check in on your baby at any time.
- You can easily record cute footage of your baby.
- Blink cameras have impressive video quality of 1080p.
- Blink cameras are easy to conceal.
- They are relatively affordable.
Cons
- You need to purchase a cloud storage subscription to store your blink videos.
- Some models like the Blink Mini are incompatible with Google assistant.
- These cameras lack common features available in standard baby monitors, including night light and continuous streaming.
How To Use A Blink Camera As A Baby Monitor
To really get the most out of a Blink Camera being used in this way, you do have to get a few details right such as which specific make/model of the camera you’re using, as well as Positioning of the camera. Let’s look at your options as you work through this planning phase.
Step 1: Choose Your Preferred Blink Camera
There are 3 main Blink camera Options for you to choose from:
- The Blink XT2 (on Amazon) is designed for both indoor and outdoor use. It requires two AA batteries that can last two years. This camera is also wireless, so you can position it anywhere, and you don’t need any equipment to put it together.
- The Blink Indoor (on Amazon) is designed for indoor use. It features no cables and can be put anywhere, just like the Blink XT2. This camera also comes with a battery-powered system, is totally wire-free, and works with Alexa.
- The Blink Mini (on Amazon) is the newest security camera in the Blink family. It’s a 1080p camera that can only be used indoors. You can adjust motion detection zones, just like the Blink XT2, to only capture the areas that matter to you.
Step 2: Position the Camera Correctly
Position your Blink camera in a way that gives you a clear view of the baby (could be on a wall, corner, or the crib).
Just ensure you prioritize your baby’s and camera’s safety and care before deciding where and how you should place it.
Step 3: Test the Camera Position
After you mount the camera, use the Blink app to test your placement with a new thumbnail or Live View. Then navigate to the Camera Settings screen to adjust the night vision features.
For example, if the camera is in low light conditions, adjust the brightness of the infrared LED for the best performance.
You should, however, note that these cameras don’t stream continuously and only send video recordings to the app when they detect movement.
Once you receive the live videos, you’ll watch them for about 20 seconds, after which the app will ask if you’d like to keep watching.
5 Camera Positioning Tips for Blink Cameras as a Baby Monitor
As long as you have a good WI-FI signal, the placement options for the Blink cameras are endless. For instance, you can place one in the baby’s nursery, in the living room between photos, or even in the kitchen.
To help you with the best placement options, here are 5 tips you should consider.
Install Your Blink Camera on a Wall That Faces the Crib
This tip is especially useful if your baby has already attempted to crawl out of their crib, as this camera position gives you a clear view of your young one.
If you only want to keep an eye on the crib, you should set the Blink camera on the wall that touches the crib with the camera tilted down. Make sure it isn’t dangling from the rails or within your child’s reach to enhance their safety.
Achieve the Best Range of Motion Detection
One of the main features of Blink cameras is notifying you when there is activity. The camera is sensitive to the size of an object as it appears in the view and uses this to detect motion.
Position the camera so that the direction of travel moves across the camera’s view rather than towards it to be notified of someone approaching.
This is because when motion is directed toward the camera, the picture variations between moments are much smaller than when motion is directed across the camera’s view.
Establish Privacy Zones
You can establish two Privacy Zones on Blink Outdoor and Indoor cameras to prevent sensor detection. These zones are blocked inside the camera, guaranteeing that imagery from specific locations is never sent out.
Test Motion Sensitivity
It’s always good to test motion sensitivity after setting your camera’s motion detection feature.
First, “arm” the system and step into the camera’s view for at least 60 seconds. Based on your findings, you should then adjust the motion sensitivity setting, relocate the camera view, or the infrared LED brightness levels.
Place the Camera in a High Place
Make sure your Blink camera is in a high place to get a better view of the entire space.
You can also position it in a corner if you’d like to get a view of the whole nursery. If possible, position the camera in the corner that faces the door to see everyone who comes in.
Pro tip: if you have the Blink Mini (on Amazon), ensure it’s plugged into a childproof outlet.
Is It Safe to Leave Baby Monitors on All Night?
This could result in overheating and interference with other electronic devices in the house.
To keep your baby monitor safe, you should:
- Place it away from windows or near an open door so that natural light can reach it during the day and at night.
- Check that the cord isn’t trailing behind furniture, where it could trip people or be pulled on by pets or children.
- Replace batteries every four months to keep them in good condition (or more often if necessary).
- Turn it off when not in use.
Is It Possible To Hack a Baby Monitor That Isn’t Connected To The Internet?
Due to their dependence on an internet connection, WI-FI baby monitors are more vulnerable to hackers.
However, a baby monitor without WI-FI can also be accessed, so you must exercise caution — all a hacker needs is close proximity between them and the device.
Based on multiple reviews, there are some baby monitors that are difficult to hack:
Can You Keep a Blink Camera on Live?
Blink security cameras use their live view capabilities to provide real-time footage online. To access this footage, you should use the Blink app or some Alexa-enabled devices.
Please note that for Live View, the camera must be linked to a Wi-Fi network with an upload speed of at least 2 megabytes per second (from your camera to the Blink app).
Otherwise, it won’t function properly if your internet connection is slow or inconsistent.