Canary

Canary Reviews

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About Canary

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Canary is a do-it-yourself home security system that focuses on video monitoring. The company offers a free, basic self-monitoring option. Homeowners can choose to upgrade their plan for more protection, including video storage and one-touch first responder access.

    Pros & Cons

    Pros

    • Free monitoring option

    Cons

    • Customer service not easy to contact
    • Limited variety of products

    Bottom Line

    Canary is a video-focused home security system. The company offers three devices, each with its own benefits. Homeowners get free basic self-monitoring or more thorough coverage with either premium service or professional monitoring.

    What is Canary?

    Canary offers a home security system that is focused on video surveillance. The company’s three main products each feature video capture, as well as accessories that make it easy to hide a camera in unexpected locations.

    Canary is compatible with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and the Wink home automation system. It can also help monitor pets while you’re away from home.

    Canary monitoring

    Canary offers three service options: Basic, Premium and Pro Monitoring

    Basic service costs nothing but is limited. It includes:

    • 24/7 alarm monitoring
    • 24/7 live video and motion alerts
    • Two-way talk 
    • Night vision
    • A one-year device warranty
    • Person detection

    Premium service costs $9.99 per month. It has all the free features, plus:

    • A two-year device warranty
    • 30-day video history
    • Full-length video recordings
    • Unlimited video downloads
    • Desktop streaming

    Pro Monitoring is a professional monitoring service that costs $9.99 per month. It includes:

    • 24/7 alarm monitoring by certified experts
    • Instant text/call notifications when threat is detected
    • Alarms confirmed by trained expert
    • Intelligent video verification
    • First responders dispatched on your behalf
    • No contract
    • Money-back guarantee

    Canary pricing and packages

    Canary has three systems to choose from: Canary View, Canary Pro and Canary Flex. The exact cost for each depends on the level of monitoring you sign up for and whether or not you sign a 24-month contract.

    • Canary View: The Canary View costs $99 with no contract or $0 when you sign a 24-month contract that includes professional monitoring. This system comes with 1080p high-definition video. It has high-quality, automatic night vision and a wide-angle lens.
    • Canary Pro: The Canary Pro costs $169 with no contract or $0 when you sign a 24-month contract that includes professional monitoring. This all-in-one device provides total home security. Along with the HD camera, it comes with a 90-decibel siren and a climate monitor. Homeowners can activate the siren from their phone in case of a burglary. The Pro can also inform you of your home’s air quality, temperature and humidity.
    • Canary Flex: The Canary Flex is $199 and does not come with a 24-month contract option. This security camera is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. It’s waterproof and can be wireless. It uses lithium-ion rechargeable batteries and comes with automatic night vision and a wide-angle lens.

    Canary FAQ

    Does Canary come with home automation?

    Canary doesn’t have home automation features itself. It does integrate with the Wink home automation system, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

    Does Canary require a subscription?

    Canary doesn’t require a subscription. However, many good features like video storage, desktop streaming and person detection require a premium subscription.

    Does Canary need to be plugged in?

    It depends on the model. The Canary View and Pro need to be plugged in, but The Flex does not.

    Does Canary work with Ring?

    Canary is not compatible with Ring. Homeowners must use Canary products.

    Does the Canary camera record sound?

    Yes, the Canary camera records sound. When there’s motion detected, Canary will record both video and audio in HD.

    How do you contact Canary customer service?

    Canary has a help center with several articles to help customers who are having issues. If your question isn’t answered there, you can ask the community or open a ticket with customer service.

    Is Canary a good security system?

    Canary is a very basic security system that focuses entirely on video and audio. It’s missing many of the devices you see in other home security systems, such as window and door sensors, glass break sensors and more. The company may be a good choice for those who want a very basic system. Otherwise, you might want to consider a more comprehensive security system before choosing Canary.

    Canary Reviews

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    Customer Service

    Reviewed Aug. 16, 2023

    I canceled the product a year ago. Apparently they are still charging me yearly. Even with an email proof about it they tell me they can't find it and won't give me a refund. They won't budge but will try to give you every discount they can instead of your money back. They don't care if they took the last of your money so you can't feed your family. I will never recommend them and will do everything I can to make it known to not purchase their products.

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    Customer ServiceMonitoringContract & TermsCamera & VideoOnline & AppReliability

    Reviewed July 3, 2023

    It is very difficult to reach a service agent, my issue has repetitively been ignored and when I asked for my subscription to be canceled and refunded only a day after it was automatically renewed, I was denied. The cost of this service has risen significantly since I first signed up and the reliability of the service has dangerously diminished. I am very unhappy with the service and can't wait until this years subscription is over so I can switch over to a service that actually works.

    This service never works when I need it to. Just this past week alone, I had outages at two crucial times. One evening we had people walking down our block stealing catalytic converters and trying door handles on cars. All of my neighbors were abuzz as they all caught them on their security cameras (none of them using Canary). As I have experienced countless times before, I had no videos at all from that time period even though my neighbors across the street have video of someone in my driveway, just feet from my camera. Any time I've been able to contact a customer service agent, which is rare, all they can suggest I do is delete the app and reinstall it. In this particular case, once I deleted the app and reinstalled it, there were more videos than I was able to see prior to the reinstallation, but still none within the 3 hours the thugs were walking and driving down my block and walking up and down my driveway.

    A second occurrence just this past week; as I pulled up to my house I noticed a suspicious vehicle sitting directly in front, broad daylight, within clear view of TWO Canary cameras which mind you I keep plugged in to ensure the batteries do not die. As soon as I pulled up the suspicious vehicle drove off. I was able to note the make, model and license plate of the vehicle but as usual, the cameras did not work. I only got a video of them driving off as I pulled up behind them. I have no idea what time the vehicle got there or how long it was there as the service failed me, yet again. For all I know, they were walking around on my front lawn looking through my windows.

    This service is simply unreliable. They should not be charging people what they charge. It's an absolute rip off, maybe even a breach of contract as they are selling a level of security monitoring that I can prove they can not provide. And the fact that my service was not canceled and my money refunded when requested, is unreasonable. It makes me think that this company has little to no faith in their own service and that they are reliant on their policy of not canceling subscriptions after they automatically renew, to make money. I know of no other company that provides a subscription service that would not cancel and refund an unhappy customer.

    This policy is inconsistent with industry norms. I have no idea how often the service blacks out. There is no way for me to know when it's not working. I am so afraid, God forbid, that this service won't work when I truly need it to. Should my property ever be damaged, robbed or my home invaded, I will sue the pants off of this company.

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      Reviewed May 15, 2023

      Explained my device no longer works, however continue to charge for entire year of service when I tried to cancel a few days after auto-renewal took place. This results in a very expensive bill for a service I cannot use. DO NOT allow auto-renewal!

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      Customer ServiceSmart Devices

      Reviewed Dec. 19, 2022

      We have been using the Canary camera for 4 years. Initially it was the basic / free service. The camera stopped working, so for nearly a year of the 4 years it just wouldn’t work. Canary offered a new camera for a low price if we signed up for a 2-year plan at $9.99 per month. We did and the camera would go in and out periodically. If there was storm or power outage the camera would naturally lose its connection but unlike all other wifi devices in the property it would never auto reconnect to wifi. So when we're out of town it stayed disconnected until we returned. Defeating the purpose of the main reason we had the service - to record any potential break-ins while we were gone. All attempts to get help were just constant emails back and forth but never any calls or real help. They repeated the same thing to do our own trouble shooting. They never offered any real Solutions or to replace the camera.

      We tried to cancel the premium service due to the constant problems and they finally called. Refused to cancel the service and held us in our 2-yr plan or we had to pay $$$. So we canceled at the end of the service or tried and they still charged another month saying that we had to cancel prior to the date of the charge. I would not recommend their cameras or their service. It was the most infuriating experience and waste of money I have had yet.

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      Camera & Video

      Reviewed Nov. 18, 2022

      These security does not work at all. It puts your life in danger by not notifying you. Canary lies about the devices they provide. The alarm does not go off, and when it does, there is a long delay. Their system has so many bugs. If you need the videos to provide to the police, they will not be there. Women do not trust this system. Canary will put your life in danger. It put my life in danger.

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      Camera & VideoSales & Marketing

      Reviewed Aug. 3, 2022

      Canary Merchandise - I received two security cameras as a gift a while back. **DO NOT BUY.** I have indoor and outdoor camera. Basic plan for no charge was changed to a paid plan. No longer can receive photos of objects/people movement. Only receive warning. This is almost a bait & switch scenario; where you receive service on a basic non charge plan that becomes a charge plan and functionality is taken away.

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      Customer ServiceSales & MarketingReliability

      Reviewed July 15, 2022

      I bought a Canary a while ago because I was supposed to always be able to review 24 hours of my timeline free. It's a lie. They charge outrageous fees. You can't even see 30 seconds ago. How does that help with security? You get an alert and can't see what's going on unless you pay their ransom. Customer service hasn't responded to any messages. They say 1-3 days of a response, it's been weeks. The service is often unreliable on top of it and they now want to charge a ridiculous fee for mediocre service at best. I hope someone sues them again. They shouldn't get away with this bait and switch. There are other alternatives out there with free cloud service and alerts that are far cheaper for the cameras with the same, if not better, quality. I just bought one to replace my Canary. They won't get another dime from me.

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      Customer ServiceCamera & Video

      Reviewed June 14, 2022

      I've been using Canary security camera for about 6 or 7 years. It's was ok and sometimes didn't record things that happen. They charge you 99 dollars a year for you to view your videos no matter how many cameras you have connected to your account. Now they want to charge another 29 dollars for each camera you have connected to your account. I call to cancel my subscription and get my refund and they refused to refund my money. Terrible customer service response. Stay away from this rip-off company.

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      Customer ServiceContract & TermsSales & MarketingOnline & App

      Reviewed Dec. 29, 2021

      They are very sneaky with their premium subscriptions. Customers' service won't do the right thing and will just reply with their "terms and conditions". I even asked them to prorate the renewal fee and again they hid behind the T&C. The app is very buggy and not friendly. Consider other systems, or if you already made the mistake of signing up with them, cancel immediately so they won't scam you next year during the renewal. Don't take my word for it, read every review on them in BBB and websites.

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      Reviewed Jan. 21, 2021

      I have used a number of security cameras and DIY home security systems. I have had my ups and downs with most of them except Canary. They have been the most reliable, accurate and most consistent out of any other. Canary cameras also charge half of what others do for monthly monitoring. In a pandemic where our economy has taking such a huge hit and unemployment is in the millions it's not a safe world anymore. With Canary I can say I rely on their products and feel safe in doing so.

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        Canary Company Information

        Company Name:
        Canary
        Website:
        canary.is