The Best Parcel Drop Boxes to Deter Package Thieves

Amazon has changed the way we live our lives, for better and for worse. Why go to a cellphone store to buy a new phone case when you have thousands of options at your fingertips that can be shipped to your house, often on the same day? Unfortunately, all those packages being whisked your way also means package thieves are on the lookout for your purchases left unattended at your doorstep.

Nearly eight in 10 Americans have had a package stolen from them in 2022. That’s 260 million packages just that year, according to Forbes. If you have nowhere at your doorstep for the delivery person to safely place your package, it’s only a matter of time before you get hit by a porch pirate. If you don’t want to be a victim, there are ways to stop them (or at least slow them down). One of the best and easiest solutions is getting a package security box or bag.

The best parcel drop boxes

A package security box is an object where the delivery person can place your package, and it has some extra level of security over just leaving the package in plain sight. A determined thief could find a way to break it open if they really wanted to, but it’s still an effective deterrent. For any of these, you’ll want to leave directions on Amazon or whatever retailer you use to let the delivery person know to leave the package inside and explain how to lock it (especially if it’s not intuitive). Here are the best options:

If you want a simple and straightforward delivery box, consider the Keter Package Delivery Box, currently $189.94 (originally $219.99). It has a lid on the top where delivery people can drop off packages but cannot retrieve packages that are already inside (there’s a compartment that opens to the inside of the box only when the lid is closed). Basically, you can only drop off packages into it and retrieve them from the bottom with the key you’ll have. This one, in particular, might not be too intuitive for delivery people, so leave instructions on the box or on your order. The box comes uninstalled without instructions, but you can see them here.The Parcel Guard Smart Mailbox is perfect for the techy people who don’t mind having a 1980s copy machine-looking box on their front porch. It comes with an app that alerts you of deliveries (or attempted theft) and low-quality motion sensor camera footage with two-way audio. You can get one for $349 from Amazon.For those looking for a budget option, consider the Cosco Outdoor Living BoxGuard, currently $73.45 (normally $99.99). The storage box has a combination lock that you leave open and hope that your delivery person locks once they drop your package inside (you’d need to leave clear instructions to do so). If you want a parcel drop box that secures to the ground, then consider the Architectural Mailboxes 6900B Elephantrunk going for $249.25 (normally $399). It has a central locking hub that bolts into the ground to keep your parcel from being moved. It also works like the Cosco BoxGuard and the Keter box, which has a designated drop-off-only compartment and a retrieving compartment with a key.The Eufy Security SmartDrop is perfect for those with the Eufy security system already set up at home. It syncs with the security hub and app, and is compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant. It has a 1080P camera, two-way audio, and a pin code, as well as a key lock to retrieve your packages. You can currently get one for $179.99 (normally $399.99).