• Blink has launched a pair of budget-priced 2K video doorbells
• The wired and wireless models are $49.99 and $79.99 respectively
• Blink subscribers will also get AI-generated video descriptions

If you find yourself squinting at recordings from your video doorbell and struggling to make out exactly who's there, or what package has been left on your doorstep, help is at hand. Blink had just launched its first 2K video doorbells, including a wired model that costs just $49.99 — not including the subscription.

The smart-looking Blink Wired Doorbell 2K+ offers improved resolution, plus greater dynamic range than previous models for better visibility in very bright or dark lighting conditions. It's available to pre-order now for $49.99 from Amazon.

If you don't already have doorbell wiring, the Blink Battery Doorbell 2K+ offers all the same features in a unit that you can mount anywhere, and is $79.99 at Amazon.

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Both doorbells are also launching in Europe, but there's an extra feature in store if you're in the US, with AI-powered smart alerts. Much like Ring's video descriptions, these use AI to analyze what's happening outside your home and generate a text description that you can check at a glance. No more having to watch a video clip to see that it's just the mailman delivering letters, or your partner returning from work.

These cloud-based alerts are available to Blink AI Basic and Blink AI Plus subscribers. Blink AI Basic covers one Blink device and costs $49.99 per year, or $6.99 per month. Blink AI Plus covers multiple devices, including Blink doorbells and cameras, and costs $149.99 per year, or $19.99 per month.

Don't want to pay an extra fee? You can store recordings from your Blink doorbell locally using a Blink Sync Module 2 and a USB flash drive — though you'll miss out on the AI features.

For more options that won't tie you into a payment plan, take a look at my roundup of the best subscription-free video doorbells, which are all tested and recommended by our smart home tech experts. You won't find one for $50, but there are still some great deals.

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Cat is TechRadar's Homes Editor, covering smart home tech, kitchen appliances, vacuums, haircare and more. She's been a tech journalist for 15 years, having worked on print magazines including PC Plus and PC Format, and is a Speciality Coffee Association (SCA) certified barista. Whether you want to invest in some smart lights, find your ideal hair styler, or pick the espresso machine of your dreams, she's the right person to help.