Blinkbox Review | Price, Features and Content

Founded in 2006, BlinkBox is an online pay-as-you-go entertainment system. It allows you to rent or buy movies and TV shows over the internet. You simply set up an account, enter your payment details and then you pay for each item of content that you watch. It has a quietly impressive catalogue of content, including many of the latest television and cinema releases, and comes available on a wide range of devices. Interested? Then read on for the full story.

Price and packages

There is no subscription with BlinkBox, and no lock-in contract. It’s a pay-as-you-go service that allows you to rent or buy individual movies and TV shows. You only pay for what you watch. Here’s a guide to the prices:

Also, keep your eyes peeled for special offers with prices starting from just £0.99.

Renting:

If you rent a movie then you have 30 days to watch the movie. Once you start you will have 48-hours to finish on up to 2 devices.

Buying:

It’s yours forever. Watch on up to 5 devices.

What devices is BlinkBox UK compatible with?

You can stream BlinkBox through any of the following devices:

• Computer

  • PC
  • Mac

• Gaming console

  • PlayStation 3
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox 360

• Tablet and mobile

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Android tablets
  • Android smartphones
  • Windows phone

• Smart TV, streaming media player and other

  • Samsung Smart TV (2012+)
  • LG Smart TV (2012+)
  • Toshiba Smart TV (2013+)
  • Samsung Blu-ray player (2012+)
  • LG Blu-ray player (2012+)
  • Chromecast

You can also download content to be watched later (ideal for long journeys and commutes) on the following devices:

• iPhone
• iPad
• Android phone
• Android tablet

Top picks on Blinkbox

How do I sign up to BlinkBox UK?

Signing up to BlinkBox is easy. Simply follow the instructions below.

1. First of all, head over to the BlinkBox website using any of the links provided on this page.
2. When you get there you’ll see a blue button in the top right-hand corner that reads ‘Sign up now’. Click it!
3. You’ll be taken to a page that looks like this, and asked to create an account.

4. You’ll then be asked to enter your payment details. BlinkBox accepts Visa, MasterCard and Maestro.

5. You’re now free to browse the BlinkBox catalogue, make your selections and watch your favourite movies and TV shows.

BlinkBox UK pros and cons

Verdict

BlinkBox is a versatile, usable and relatively cheap service. It won’t replace your television or any subscription TV services that you might have, but it will give you access to great on-demand content, including latest releases, at a really nice price. It is available across many devices and the content can sometimes be downloaded for watching at a later date, which is really handy for long journeys, or any times when you might be left without an internet connection. The range of content is good and includes many of the latest movies and TV shows, that will be available long before they come to subscription services. All in all, if you’re heavily into movies and TV it’s worth having an account with BlinkBox. Since there’s no monthly fee and no lock in, so you can dip in and out whenever you want something specific, but for regular viewing, you’ll probably want to look elsewhere.

Blinkbox FAQ

• What is UltraViolet?

  UltraViolet is a BlinkBox service that allows you to access digital versions of movies that you have purchased on DVD or BluRay. To obtain digital versions set up an UltraViolet account and enter a specific product code that is entered on your DVD or BluRay case. You digital versions will then be available to watch across multiple devices.

• Should I get BlinkBox instead of Netflix?

  BlinkBox and Netflix offer two completely different products. Netflix is a subscription service, meaning you pay a monthly subscription and get access to all content. BlinkBox is a pay-as-you-go service, meaning that you only pay for what you watch. The service which works best for you will depend on your viewing habits and budget.

• Can I get BlinkBox outside of the UK?

  Sadly not; BlinkBox streaming is currently only available within the UK. However, if you’re from the UK and are travelling then you may be able to download your content onto your device, which can then be watched wherever you are.