Did your Blink camera run out of power? Read this article to know the ideal Blink camera battery type to purchase.
When I am shopping for smart security cameras, it is important to me to check their battery power. The last thing I want is for the device to die on me when I need it the most.
That is why I chose the Blink camera for my smart home security. I discovered that this smart camera only uses a single set of batteries that last for years.
Below, I will give you an insight into the kind of batteries to use for your Blink camera. This information can help you take advantage of the smart camera for years.
Let us get on with the article!
How Long Do Blink Camera Batteries Last?
As I briefly mentioned earlier, I ended up buying Blink cameras for their impressive battery life.
Blink states on its website that its camera batteries can last up to two years with standard usage. The manufacturer defines this typical use as 40,000 seconds of shooting motion clips and live view. That is approximately 50 seconds of video recording per day.
However, several factors can affect the lifespan of Blink camera batteries. These include the following:
- Extreme hot and cold outdoor temperatures
- Slow internet connection speed
- Weak network signals between Blink devices
- Usage of any incompatible Blink camera battery type
Fortunately, Blink cameras display an alert message via the app when they are experiencing high usage. Thus, they let you know when the Blink batteries are depleting more quickly than usual.
What Kind of Batteries Should I Use for a Blink Camera?
By now, you are probably curious about the best Blink camera batteries.
Most indoor and outdoor Blink cameras use two AA lithium batteries. The only exception is the Mini model from Blink because it draws power from a micro USB adapter.
These batteries have an average lifespan of two years. However, some can last you up to four years, depending on how often you use your Blink camera.
Blink does not recommend using alkaline or rechargeable Ni-Cd or Ni-MH batteries to power its smart camera systems. That is because these power units do not provide enough current to the device.
Blink cameras are also incompatible with rechargeable lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries. So if you want to use the device for a long time, you must only accept good-quality batteries. These include the 1.5-volt lithium non-rechargeable batteries.
Lithium vs. Alkaline Batteries
By now, the type of batteries Blink cameras have is already discussed. Still, you might be curious about why they only accept lithium batteries. “Can I use a regular set of alkaline batteries?” might just be one of your questions.
To answer that, you need to know what makes lithium and alkaline batteries different from one another. It can help you understand why Blink suggests using the former.
Lithium batteries feature the greatest energy density of other types of power sources. That means they can store more energy compared to alkaline batteries with the same capacity. They also have better resistance to extreme temperatures. Furthermore, they offer a longer lifespan compared to alkaline batteries. The only downside is that lithium batteries come at a high price tag.
Meanwhile, alkaline batteries also have a long shelf life and dependable performance in freezing temperatures. However, they do not carry the same capacity as their lithium counterparts. As such, they cannot aim to power Blink smart devices.
If you are still unaware, Blink cameras consume a lot of energy to operate. They are considered fast-draining devices. That means they can significantly reduce the lifespan of alkaline batteries.
For instance, a smart camera with this battery type can only capture around 40 images before draining, and even less when using the flash. Powering your Blink cam with alkaline batteries might also prevent this device from working as intended.
On the other hand, a lithium battery can help you shoot around 200 images. It also produces the required energy to power up your security camera. Thus, it is better to use this kind of battery for a Blink camera.
Can I Use Other Kinds of Batteries for Blink Cameras?
If you intend to use another kind of battery for the Blink camera, you can find alternative power sources.
However, operating your smart camera in techniques other than the suggested might affect its battery life and overall performance.
Power Adapters
Some Blink camera models are compatible with external or third-party battery sources, such as power adapters and USB cables. These include the Blink XT and XT2. They accept lithium batteries. But they also allow you to plug them into an outlet using the included USB adapter.
They even offer extra-long and weatherproof cables. These are ideal for hard-to-reach indoor areas and harsh outdoor use.
Finally, they are excellent alternatives if you do not want to rely on batteries. They allow you to operate the Blink cameras for longer periods. Just make sure that you connect them to a reliable power outlet.
Battery Expansion Kit
Lithium batteries are rated to last you for two years. However, you might need to swap them more often than the projected battery lifespan.
There are many reasons behind a fast-draining power source. For one, you may have installed your camera in a high-traffic area. That can trigger motion detection and several advanced features, which can hurt battery life.
Fortunately, Blink devices offer a battery expansion pack. This alternative power source helps extend the two-year lifespan of your lithium batteries. It allows direct connection to your camera. That permits you use four AA lithium batteries instead of two. Thus, it can expand the operating time of your Blink camera before needing replacement batteries.
Rechargeable Batteries
Blink states on its website that its cameras are incompatible with rechargeable Li-Ion, Ni-Cd, or Ni-MH batteries. You might be curious about the reason behind this, especially if you want to employ rechargeable power.
Fortunately, using rechargeable AA batteries with Blink security cameras is relatively safe. The only issue is that they can affect the optimization of your device.
A rechargeable battery is unable to produce the necessary power to operate your Blink camera. Thus, it may prohibit access to certain features, like live view recording.
Nevertheless, it is worth considering rechargeable lithium AA batteries for your Blink security camera. They are cost-effective and environmentally friendly in the long run. They eliminate the need to dispose of non-rechargeable batteries once depleted.
Conclusion
It is essential to use the proper batteries for smart security devices, like Blink cameras. That is because the kind of batteries you use can affect the device’s performance.
Blink cameras are compatible with AA lithium batteries. These long-lasting batteries allow you to use the security camera for two years of standard operation before replacing with a new set of batteries . They have better lifespan and performance than alkaline batteries or rechargeable power cells.