An Alexa-centric lighting add-on for the Blink Outdoor camera
I’ve been working with computers for ages, starting with a multi-year stint in purchasing for a major IBM reseller in New York City before eventually landing at PCMag (back when it was still in print as PC Magazine). I spent more than 14 years on staff, most recently as the director of operations for PC Labs, before hitting the freelance circuit as a contributing editor.
Although we would prefer brighter light output, the Blink Floodlight Mount still illuminates any unexpected visitors that your Blink Outdoor cam detects on your property.
When we originally reviewed the Blink Outdoor security camera, it earned high marks because of its excellent video quality, ease of use, and broad support for third-party integrations. And now, you can turn it into a smart floodlight cam with the battery-powered Floodlight Mount accessory ($39.99). The fixture casts a moderate amount of light upon your property when the camera detects motion as well as on-demand via an Alexa command or the companion app. It's a simple, affordable way to upgrade an existing Blink system even if it doesn't get as bright as the Editors' Choice-winning Wyze Cam Floodlight ($99.98). The Floodlight Mount is the way to go if you already have a Blink Outdoor camera and the required Sync module, but everyone else should consider the Wyze model because of its superior lighting power and lower all-in price.
If you already use a Blink Outdoor camera and Sync module, you can pick up a Blink Floodlight Mount for $39.99. Or, for $139.98, you can purchase a bundle with the camera, the module, and the floodlight fixture.
The Floodlight Mount comes in white or black and measures 5.5 by 10.3 by 3.8 inches (HWD). It contains two 3-by-3-by-1-inch adjustable LED panels that deliver a total brightness of 700 lumens with a 5,000K color temperature. That’s not nearly as bright as what you get with competing models such as the Wyze Cam Floodlight (2,600 lumens) or the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera (3,000 lumens).
The fixture's IP65 weatherproof rating matches that of the Blink Outdoor camera. It runs on four D-cell batteries (included) that should last up to two years depending on usage. An inch-long mounting arm sits between the two LED panels, along with a data cable that connects the fixture to the camera via the latter's micro USB port. In addition to the above-mentioned batteries, the Floodlight Mount comes with a mounting plate, mounting screws, and a user guide.
The Floodlight Mount works with Alexa voice commands and routines but not Google Assistant or Apple HomeKit. For comparison, the aforementioned Arlo model supports all three platforms.
This fixture uses the same Blink mobile app (available for Android and iOS) as every other Blink device. The controls for it are a subset of those for the Blink Outdoor camera. There's not much here, but at least you can turn it on or off remotely. Tap the overflow menu in the upper right corner to toggle motion triggering, adjust brightness, and enable Daylight mode. For that last mode, you can use a slider to specify how much light is necessary for motion to trigger the camera: Set the slider to 1 if you want the lights to go on only when it's dark or to 10 to allow them to function during the daytime.
Installing the Floodlight Mount is easy, especially if you already use a Blink Outdoor camera and Sync module. You can't set up this lighting accessory until that's done, however. I had to start from scratch.
First, I downloaded the Blink app and created an account. Then, I tapped the plus button in the upper right corner of the home screen. I plugged in the Sync module, selected Blink Wireless Camera System from the list, and used my phone’s camera to scan the QR code on the back. I gave the system a name and tapped Discover Device when the module’s LEDs began to blink blue and green. I selected my Wi-Fi network when it appeared, entered my password, and waited a few seconds for the module to connect. Next, I inserted two AA batteries into the camera and tapped the plus button again to add the camera to the system. I scanned the QR code in the battery compartment, and the camera connected within a few seconds.
Once you complete the camera and module installation, you can set up the floodlight. I opened the back cover, removed the plastic battery tab, replaced the cover, and plugged the floodlight's data cable into the camera’s (outdated) micro USB port. I snapped the camera into place on the mounting arm, and the accessory automatically showed up in my system within a few seconds. To complete the installation, I attached the floodlight mounting plate to a deck post in my backyard using the included screws, slid the fixture onto the plate, and adjusted the camera and LED angles.
The Floodlight Mount worked very well in testing. It always responded to motion triggers from the camera, and it reliably carried out Alexa voice commands to toggle the LEDs or adjust their brightness. An Alexa routine I created for the lights to turn on when a Ring Floodlight Cam detected motion worked flawlessly, too.
Whether you already have a Blink Outdoor camera or are planning to buy one, the Blink Floodlight Mount is a worthwhile add-on. This affordable, battery-powered accessory can illuminate your driveway or yard when the camera detects motion and worked flawlessly with Alexa commands and routines in testing.
Our main complaint is that it doesn't get as bright as other smart floodlights, such as the Wyze Cam Floodlight, which remains our top choice in this segment. That said, Blink customers who already use the Floodlight Mount's required components can save quite a bit of money by staying within their existing ecosystem.
Although we would prefer brighter light output, the Blink Floodlight Mount still illuminates any unexpected visitors that your Blink Outdoor cam detects on your property.
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I’ve been working with computers for ages, starting with a multi-year stint in purchasing for a major IBM reseller in New York City before eventually landing at PCMag (back when it was still in print as PC Magazine). I spent more than 14 years on staff, most recently as the director of operations for PC Labs, before hitting the freelance circuit as a contributing editor.
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