How To Set Up Canary Flex

I can't prevarication: I'm excited to attempt the Canary Flex Photographic camera. After the Canary All-In-One more than than surpassed my expectations, I have high hopes for the Flex. Best instance scenario, it's the Frasier to the All-In-One'southward Thank you, just worst-case scenario? The Joey to the All-In-Ane'southward Friends. Just, every bit usual, I remain charily optimistic.

The Canary Flex Photographic camera is an indoor/ outdoor camera that promises a magnetic 360-degree swivel base, dark vision in Hd, articulate sound, and more. This camera isn't a fair-weather condition friend- Canary claims that the camera works in temperatures ranging from 4 to one hundred and thirteen degrees Fahrenheit. As nearly cameras require that you buy an extra slice to catechumen an indoor camera into an outdoor camera, I'thou impressed by the Flex's range. Allow's see if the Flex, similar the box says, is indeed "the world's most versatile HD security camera." This Canary photographic camera review starts now!

Canary Flex AI features

Person detection	Yeah
Package detection	Aye
Vehicle detection	No
Pet detection	No
Facial recognition	No

Editor's Rating

Overall Rating

Wireless or plug-in options
Person detection and package detection bachelor with Canary membership
Alexa and Google Assistant integrations

Video Review

What It Promises

They say that you shouldn't approximate a book past its comprehend, just reading the Flex's box is already getting me riled upwards.

The box promises a number of things, including:

1080p Hard disk videofor beautiful footage
Clear sound,whether it is indoor or outdoor
Wifi setup with no hubs required
Weatherproofed for outdoor use, and able to withstand snow, rain, oestrus, or common cold
Magnetic 360-degree swivel base of operations for more viewing flexibility
Hard disk drive dark vision, for super clear video fifty-fifty in the dark
Smart alerts so you'll know when someone enters your home

This all sounds pretty peachy to me- only let's accept it out of the box and see for ourselves.

First Impressions

At offset glance, I'g liking the wait of the Flex. With its sheathing shape, information technology resembles a large pill, and it comes in both black and white. I love that the base is magnetic, as it makes secure mounting foolproof. The face of the camera is sleeky, while the rest is matte, with a matte backing.

At less than v inches alpine, this camera blends in perfectly with well-nigh homes and is definitely not an eyesore. If aesthetics are important to you, this photographic camera might be a good option. Whether y'all want to put it in a formal living room or out by your pool, the Flex won't be an eyesore. It likewise weighs slightly over one-half a pound, which I similar considering I tin easily move it when I want to. Let's leave the weight-lifting at the gym, shall we?

The speaker is at the top of the camera, while the charging port and Canary insignia are beneath. The camera has a bombardment in it and also a charging port. That's a skilful thing because the photographic camera tin can piece of work either wire-free through a charger or plugged in. A single charge allows the camera to go wire-costless due to its extended life rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The Canary Flex Photographic camera typically has a battery life of 2 to iii months under normal use.

The cord-complimentary selection is prissy for anyone concerned with interior design, while the cord-option works for the Utilitarian more concerned with the Canary Flex Camera's battery life. Anyone who reads my reviews knows that I love flexibility as much as the adjacent person who does non actually practice, only loves the idea of being a yoga person, so the more options, the improve.

I thing that is a bit annoying virtually this camera is that the battery does not have a micro USB cord- you need the canary adapter. Of course, the Canary Flex comes with the adapter, merely if I lose it, I'd have to special gild a new one. Poor me, right?

Despite this, I like the design overall and am ready to see how information technology works.

Necessary Features

Where would nosotros be every bit a society without some objective standards to attach by? That'due south why I put all of my products through our Necessary Features examination, and the Canary Flex is no exception. Let'southward see how it stacks up.

Canary Flex Camera Video

At the risk of beingness called a Negative Nancy, I will say that the video on the Flex is defective. While it claims that it has 1080p HD for optimal viewing, the camera defaults to 720p, based on the user's streaming capabilities, and at that place is no way to change the quality within the Canary Flex app. As 1080p Hard disk drive is the industry standard, I'chiliad not thrilled with the Canary Flex's video quality.

Similarly, the field of vision disappoints. At 116 degrees, the Flex has a field of vision 30 degrees narrower than its sister the All-In-One. While it'southward not the narrowest field of vision I've always seen (95 degrees, if yous're wondering), information technology still does not seem broad enough, particularly for outdoor utilize.

Notwithstanding, the camera does come with digital zoom, so overall I will requite the Flex full marks for video.

Canary Flex Camera Ii-Manner Sound

The sound on the Flex is crystal-clear, which I love. You'd be surprised how many intruders upward and go out the scene when a disembodied vocalism shouts at them!

Unfortunately, the audio can merely be used if y'all pay for a Canary membership, which clocks in at either $9.99 a month or $99 a year. Given that the audio works well, despite the extra cost, I give the Flex total marks on this category.

Canary Flex Camera Dark Vision

I was super impressed past the night vision on this photographic camera. When I tested it out, I could see the scene perfectly, despite the fact that the Flex has fewer infrared LED lights than the All-In-One.

Additionally, the nighttime vision is automated, which saves you the trouble of having to manually switch information technology on and off twice a twenty-four hour period. As expert outdoor night vision is hard to come by, I'm definitely giving the Flex full marks for night vision.

Canary Flex Camera Storage

Like the All-In-One, the Flex has no local storage options. This is a trouble for someone that wants to be in complete command of their footage. What I do capeesh, however, is that the camera offers 24 hours of prune storage and unlimited live streaming. If you pay for the membership that I mentioned earlier, you unlock an unlimited saving of clips plus thirty days of cloud storage.

This is a pretty good deal, considering some camera companies accuse up to $30 a month for 30 days of cloud storage. Plus, the data is encrypted through the cloud, making it secure. Deject storage is nice because it is mode more secure than local storage- footage can't be stolen physically or digitally, even if a thief steals the photographic camera itself.

However, like I've said before, I'm a man of flexibility. Equally there is no local storage choice, I have to give the Flex half marks on this category.

Canary Flex Camera Smart Platform Integration

I believe it was James Madison who once said "A device is but equally skillful as its smart platform integration," (a joke, for those of y'all who lack a finely-tuned sense of humor). For this category, the Flex kills it.

I love that the Canary Flex Camera is integrated with both Amazon Alexa and Google Banana because information technology gives the user the flexibility to choose their preferred platform. Wondering how much battery life yous take left? But ask Google for the Canary's battery life. Did you recollect to plug the camera in earlier yous left the house? Ask Google if your Canary is plugged in. The Internet of Things, in general, makes it super easy to monitor devices, right from the palm of your hand.

The Flex isn't integrated with Apple Home, but then over again, virtually cameras aren't either. For smart platform integration, I requite the Flex total marks.

Canary Flex Photographic camera Artificial Intelligence

I attempt non to believe everything I hear, simply I've heard reports that the Flex does non larn fast plenty, making me skeptical of its artificial intelligence capabilities. However, in my experience, I was impressed by the incremental strides that the device takes over fourth dimension. It's not immediate, of form, but over fourth dimension the device learns to find people and packages precisely to prevent faux alarms. I like that the Flex takes the time to larn my habits and adjusts accordingly.

In terms of artificial intelligence, the Canary Flex boasts both person and packet detection. While person detection has become a standard for almost security cameras of this quotient, package detection is a rarity. I love the idea that my packages are deemed for even if I'g not habitation when they're delivered.

It'southward besides important to notation the difference between person detection and facial recognition. Person detection tin can simply tell when a person is in the camera'southward line of vision, while facial recognition learns exactly who the person is. This becomes super helpful in identifying who are your friends and family, and who is an intruder. Facial recognition is not super common on comparable security cameras, only if information technology's important to you lot, then the Flex is not for you. Overall, I give the Canary Flex full marks for artificial intelligence.

Canary Flex Photographic camera Value

At $169, this camera is on the expensive side, and that's not even including the optional membership. No one wants to spend coin, of course, but I understand the value in the Canary Flex.

A nice feature that Canary is currently offering is cheaper bundles when you buy the membership. 1 membership can exist applied to up to v devices at 1 location. While the camera alone is currently priced at $169 on the Canary website, the camera and a 1-year membership, costs $139, a savings of $60. Buy the photographic camera and a 2-twelvemonth membership for only $99. Just make sure you practise it through the Canary website, as these deals are web exclusives. In that location'southward even free shipping on orders over $50.

The photographic camera comes with a 1-twelvemonth express warranty (purchased by Canary and its authorized retailers, of grade). I am not super impressed with this warranty, every bit most people would expect a security camera to last them style more than a year. Ultimately, however, I do believe in the quality of the photographic camera, making the warranty near a moot signal. In addition to that, the warranty doubles to 2 years when you buy the Canary membership, which tin be applied to your commencement 5 devices.

Because the camera does have such impressive indoor/ outdoor capabilities, and virtually all of the features of the All-In-One photographic camera, I think it's worth the price. Full marks for value!

Canary Flex Camera Convenience

Non to brag, simply for me, the setup of the Canary Flex Camera took ten minutes. Confession: it wasn't due to my stellar technical abilities. This camera is just super easy to prepare up, peculiarly if yous already have the All-In-1. The majority of the set-upward occurs through the Canary Flex app, discussed below.

All yous accept to do to gear up the photographic camera itself is stick it on a apartment service and twist information technology to cover whatever field of vision you would similar. Overall, I requite the Flex full marks for its convenience.

Canary Flex Camera Mobile App

The mobile app is super user-friendly and has a lot of great features. Where do I begin?

From the Canary Flex app, you can control the siren to scare intruders (or whoever you feel like scaring, although nosotros don't recommend scaring your loved ones).

Y'all can also arm or disarm the camera, and schedule everything correct through your smartphone. The camera has 2 modes to cull from: away, which volition brand the photographic camera tape when you're out of the house, and night, which will make the photographic camera record when you're sleeping. I similar that the camera doesn't tape when yous're habitation and awake, every bit information technology gives the user some much-needed privacy.

The app is where you'll be able to access the 2-way audio, where you can alive-stream the footage your photographic camera collects, and where you lot can alert the proper authorities if you come across any crimes. A safety button automatically dispatches your message to authorities, a much meliorate alternative to manually calling 911. Can you imagine if a burglar discovered you as yous were telling the dispatcher you were being robbed? Talk almost speak of the devil. Again, the two-fashion audio and the safe button are simply bachelor with the Canary membership.

The app also includes a timeline, which basically summarizes what happened during the camera's recording. This feature would definitely come in handy if, god forbid, y'all needed to put together a timeline for the police. You can likewise access easily access Incident Support through the app, a team trained to help you lot subsequently an incident with your security.

Comparisons

So sure, the Flex is a great camera. Only how does it compare to competitors? Equally these cameras all accept similar features, I'thousand stacking the Flex up against its sister, the Canary All-In-One, too every bit the Arlo Pro 2 and the Blink Indoor Photographic camera. Equally they're all effective security cameras, your pick might have to come up down to the nitty-gritty. Let'south dive in.

Canary All-In-One

What better camera to compare the Canary Flex to than the Canary All-In-One? The main difference between the two cameras is that the All-In-One is only indoor, while the Flex is both indoor and outdoor. Like the Flex, the All-In-One has cracking video and sound quality, nighttime vision, smart platform integration, and artificial intelligence. It also comes with a feature that the Flex does not have- HomeHealth technology. HomeHealth technology is a climate monitoring organisation measuring things similar temperature, humidity, and air quality. If that'due south important to you, and then the All-In-One might exist a better choice than the Flex.

Both cameras lose points for storage, with no local storage options and 24 hours of costless storage. For thirty days of storage, you take to pay $ix.99 a month for a membership. Again, memberships include 2-way audio, activeness zones, and the Safety button to contact law enforcement. The adept news is that multiple cameras can be under the same membership. Overall, both products have great value and convenience, but if you're looking for a camera with indoor and outdoor capabilities, then the All-In-One isn't for you.

For more info, check out our full review of the Canary All-In-I.

Arlo Pro 2

Like the Canary Flex, the Arlo Pro ii is another groovy indoor/ outdoor camera. The Arlo Pro 2 has slightly better video quality than the Flex, with a field view of 130 degrees, xiv more than the Flex. Similarly, while the Flex claims it has 1080p HD while defaulting to 720p, the Arlo Pro 2 consistently uses 1080p HD. The Arlo Pro 2 does lose points, notwithstanding, on its nighttime vision. If nighttime vision is a priority for you, then the Arlo Pro 2 is probably not for yous.

Storage-wise, the Arlo Pro 2 wins, with both cloud and local storage options. This camera even provides storage for up to 7 days for free, while the Flex only provides you with storage for 24 hours earlier having to pay for a membership. Both options have ii-way audio but again, this only comes with a membership for the Canary Flex.

The two cameras are integrated with Amazon and Alexa and Google Assistant, but the Arlo Pro 2 is also integrated with Apple HomeKit, IFTTT & Stringify. If either of these are essential to you, then the Arlo Pro ii is the fashion to go. Another deviation is the artificial intelligence. While the Flex boasts person and bundle detection, the Arlo Pro 2 does not accept any person or facial recognition software. Both cameras are worth their prices and piece of cake to gear up up. Overall, I would recommend the Canary Flex over the Arlo Pro two due to its excellent night vision, which I believe is an essential quality to whatsoever cracking security camera.

To learn more, check out our review of the Arlo Pro ii.

Blink Indoor

The terminal camera I'll be comparison the Canary Flex to is the Blink Indoor, which, similar its name suggests, is solely an indoor camera. When it comes to video, audio, and nighttime vision, the Canary Flex wins easily downwards. The Blink Indoor only has a video quality of 720p HD, less than the industry standard. In add-on to that, the Blink Indoor does not accept 2-mode audio. Anyone who reads my reviews knows what I feel about 2-way sound- it's an crawly manner to stop a crime from happening in real-time.

The Blink Indoor does take the Canary Flex vanquish, even so, when it comes to storage. Blink provides free local and cloud storage, while the Flex does non have a local storage option. As Amazon owns Blink, the indoor camera is only integrated with Amazon Alexa, while the Canary Flex integrates with both Alexa and Google Assistant. If you're looking for artificial intelligence, the Blink Indoor is definitely non right for you- information technology has no person detection or facial recognition features. Unless you're extremely passionate about having a local storage option, I would definitely recommend the Canary Flex over the Blink Indoor camera.

Want more data? Read our review of the Blink Indoor photographic camera.

If you want to learn more, read our review of the best abode security cameras.

Epitomize

Overall, the Canary Flex is a great camera, but it's not for everyone.

If you require constantly 1080p HD streaming or a field of vision wider than 116 degrees, and then congratulations, this is not the camera for you. If yous are a local storage fiend, I will say the aforementioned thing- pass on the Flex.

However, if you need a trustworthy indoor/ outdoor camera, the Flex fits the nib. I especially recommend the camera to people who already own the All-In-One, as these products supplement each other nicely. I beloved the easy gear up-up of the camera, plus its integration with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

I think it's definitely worth it to invest the $9.99 a calendar month of $99 a year in the Canary membership. That volition go you the 30 days of cloud storage, two-way sound, activity zones, person and bundle detection, likewise as the ability to contact a beginning-person responder through the app. In sum, the Canary Flex is a trustworthy camera that allows you to easily monitor what is going on in or out of your house.

Canary Flex FAQs

What is a Canary Flex?
A Canary Flex is an indoor/ outdoor security camera from a visitor chosen Canary.
Does the Canary Flex take a siren?
No, the Canary Flex does not have a siren.
Is the Canary Flex waterproof?
The Canary Flex is h2o-resistant, not waterproof. Although you can spray it with low-pressure h2o jets, it won't work if you spray information technology with more powerful water jets or immerse it in water completely.