Blink Wired Doorbell 2K+ (BDM00500U), Black, without Chime

Your mechanical chime will stop ringing

This is the decision point. Blink's FAQ says the Wired Doorbell 2K+ does not ring your existing in-home mechanical chime. A bypass cable must be installed at the chime to redirect power to the doorbell, which Blink says means the mechanical chime will no longer function. Blink's comparison table repeats it: will not ring in-home chime.

Instead, Blink says the chime sound comes from the doorbell itself, and you can get notifications through the Blink app, compatible Alexa devices, or a Blink Mini camera or Blink Chime, each sold separately. This ASIN is the Without Chime option, so plan on buying one of those if you want an indoor sound.

Wired power only, and the voltage figures

Blink's FAQ says the Wired Doorbell 2K+ runs only on wired power, has no battery backup and needs continuous power to function. For homes without doorbell wiring, Blink sells a Plug-In Adapter that supplies 24V AC from an indoor outlet.

The voltage is stated three ways. Blink's technical specifications give 12 to 24V AC for the US. Blink's FAQ gives 10 to 24V AC for the US, Canada and Mexico. The listing gives 12 to 24V AC, 10 to 40 VA, 50/60Hz, or 24V DC at 0.42A. The 12 to 24V AC range is the one every source accepts.

No Sync Module is required; Blink says the doorbell connects directly to Wi-Fi, though any Sync Module is compatible. Blink's specifications list model number BDM00500U for the US, Canada and Mexico.

Installation, box and mounting

Blink's box list is the doorbell, a wall mounting plate, a wall mounting kit, a drill template, a doorbell removal tool and the bypass cable. Blink's FAQ lists a power drill with a bit for your wall type, a PH2 Phillips screwdriver and a flathead screwdriver. For the chime and wiring work, follow Blink's installation guide or hire an electrician.

Blink's specifications give a 3/32 inch bit for screws alone and a 7/32 inch bit for wall anchors. Wedge and corner mounts are sold separately; Blink says the wedge changes the angle 5 degrees up or down and the corner mount 25 degrees left or right. Blink says it mounts on wood, brick, concrete and stucco.

Video and motion: figures that do not match

Resolution is 1920 by 1920 with a 1:1 head-to-toe frame in every source. Blink's FAQ gives 24 frames per second, while the specifications say up to 25 and the listing says up to 24/25. Lower settings are Standard at 1440 by 1440 and Saver at 960 by 960 and 15 frames per second.

Blink's FAQ gives a 140 by 140 degree view, 173 diagonal, angled 5 degrees downward. The specifications list a motion sensor with a 10 degree downward tilt and 150 degree horizontal view, reaching 23 feet when mounted 48 inches high. We report both tilt figures as Blink states them. Night vision reaches 33 feet with 850nm infrared, per the FAQ.

Upload needs differ too: the specifications say 2 Mbps or more, while the FAQ says 6 Mbps at the highest-quality setting, 3 at Standard and 2 at Saver. Wi-Fi is 2.4 GHz 802.11 b/g/n only, and Blink quotes up to 65 feet through one interior and one exterior brick wall.

What needs a Blink plan

Blink's FAQ says Person Detection and Vehicle Detection need an active Blink plan, and pre-roll is only available on wired devices with a plan. A no-cost Blink Plus trial is included, covering unlimited cloud clips, person and vehicle detection, photo capture, 60-day clip storage in the US and Blink Video Descriptions in the US.

Local storage needs a Sync Module with a USB drive or a Sync Module XR with a microSD card, per Blink. Activity Zones and Privacy Zones are available, and Live View sessions time out after about five minutes.

Weather, size and warranty

Blink gives an IP65 rating and an operating range of -5 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit in both support documents. Size differs: Blink's specifications say 5.19 by 1.89 by 1.34 inches and 4 ounces, while the listing says 4.72 by 1.89 by 1.14 inches and 3.6 ounces. Use Blink's figures when checking your door frame.

The listing states a one-year limited warranty and service. Blink describes this as its first hardwired doorbell and lists it as first generation. On Amazon, this ASIN's page opens the shared family listing with the With Chime option pre-selected, so check that Without Chime is selected before you order.