By Timothy Dale | Updated 11:46 AM, September 10, 2021

If you purchase a product through one of our links, BobVila.com and its partners may receive a commission.

Ordinary mailboxes cannot stop nosy neighbors or package thieves, but locked mailboxes can. A locked mailbox usually has a slot large enough to insert a letter or parcel, and a locked part that can be retrieved with a key. When the delivery is locked inside, the security of your package is strengthened.

The locked mailbox can be installed on the wall of the front door or on a column in the yard. You may need a locked mailbox for receiving packages, letters, or both.

Locked mailboxes for larger packages can be expensive, but they can protect a wider variety of packages and give you more peace of mind.

Read on for tips on finding the best locked mailbox for your home, and explore some of the best models in the categories below.

Before choosing the first seemingly attractive locked mailbox, there are various features and product factors worth considering. Features that may affect the quality, durability, and overall safety of these products include type, safety features, weather resistance, installation procedures, and aesthetics.

Taking some time to consider the type, size, and quantity of mail you usually receive will also help narrow your choices and find the best locked mailbox for your home.

Locked mailboxes are usually one of three different types. Depending on the installation location, they include wall-mounted mailboxes, roadside locked mailboxes and tower drop boxes.

The main purpose of having a locked mailbox is to ensure the safety of mail and parcels after they are delivered by the postman. Therefore, finding a locked mailbox with high-quality security features can help deter potential thieves.

Consider the size of the mail slot opening, whether a key lock is better than a combination lock, and whether your community needs advanced security features such as tamper-proof latches, bezel doors, drill-proof locks, and tamper-proof locks.

Given that the purpose of locking a mailbox is to ensure mail security, it is necessary to consider the type of mail usually received and the number of mails that may be sent before the mailbox is emptied.

Otherwise, the postman may be forced to leave mail and packages outside the mailbox, where they are vulnerable to porch thieves and other mail thieves.

Look for a lockable mailbox with a large-capacity storage compartment to accommodate the usual mail volume, and consider whether you need a mailbox with an extra-large mail slot to safely receive small packages.

The mailbox is installed outdoors so that the postman can enter to deliver mail and other packages. However, this also means that the mailbox will be exposed to wind, rain, snow and sleet, so it is necessary to find a product with strong weather resistance to survive outdoors for more than a few years.

Plastic and aluminum lockable mailboxes have the highest level of weather resistance. Although there is no need to worry about rust and corrosion, these materials are relatively fragile, so a deliberate thief can take them apart to obtain mail.

Stainless steel and galvanized steel are more difficult to break into, but they are more prone to rust and corrosion.

It is recommended to look for high-quality stainless steel or galvanized steel mailboxes with locks to best prevent thieves and weather conditions. In terms of service life and safety, metal pillars are also a better choice than wooden pillars, although these pillars are more expensive.

Improve the appearance of the home by choosing a lockable mailbox that has an excellent aesthetic appearance and does not deviate from the home design. The aesthetics of mailboxes can range from designs designed to imitate official government mailboxes to creative designs that look more like lawn decorations than mailboxes.

Mailboxes don’t need to be weird or official to have curb appeal. There is also a classic aesthetic style, with a Victorian, post-modern or modern appearance.

Although aesthetics is not usually the most important factor in choosing a locked mailbox, it is important to be satisfied with the appearance of the new mailbox. Take some time to find out the most attractive style based on your personal preferences and home design.

The type of mailbox usually determines the difficulty of installation, although there are some differences between roadside locked mailboxes due to the differences between wooden, metal and brick pillars.

Locking mailboxes usually come with the necessary mounting brackets, screws and bolts. Before proceeding, be sure to check the attached installation instructions.

Finding the right lockable mailbox for the family may take some time, especially since there are many good options on the market.

To help narrow the range of potential options, this guide shows some of the best locking mailbox options in various sizes, shapes, and installation methods. One of the following may be what your home needs.

This USPS-approved lockable mailbox is designed to ensure the safety of mail and small parcels when the user is away, and comes with all necessary installation hardware. Users can install it on the post as soon as it arrives.

Mail Boss 7506 has a sturdy and durable structure made of galvanized welded steel to prevent it from being sunken, damaged or otherwise destroyed. The door is operated with stainless steel hinges, which naturally resists the elements. Users do not have to worry about rusty hinges.

This mailbox is 21 x 12 x 10.6 inches, providing plenty of space for mail and small parcel delivery. Once the package and letter enter, they can only use one of the three keys that came with it to get out.

The internal baffle door prevents fishing, and Mail Boss’ patented tamper-proof latch prevents entry with a screwdriver or pry bar. The high-security 12-piece wafer lock on this mailbox is rated as an anti-drilling and anti-pickup mechanism by the USPS, so users know their mail is safe.

This cheap locking mailbox does not have the most advanced locking mechanism on the market, but a simple hidden cam lock hidden under the top flap is sufficient to deter most mail thieves.

Its rust-proof galvanized steel structure is durable enough to protect mail and packages from wind, rain, sleet and snow. The powder-coated finish also helps to extend the service life of the mailbox. It comes with a set of two keys.

The pure black appearance of the mailbox is suitable for almost any exterior decoration and blends with the background, so it will not attract unnecessary attention to the mail. Some disadvantages of this mailbox: some assembly is required, and it has no hardware installed. The dimensions of this mailbox are 4.1 x 10.1 x 8.6 inches.

This Mail Boss device is an advanced add-on device for the family, but with a sturdy and durable design, it is good value for money. The stainless steel hinge can resist various elements, and the electro-galvanized welded steel body prevents brute force intrusion.

The tamper-resistant latch prevents thieves from attempting to pry open the mailbox, while the 12-disk chip lock has a tamper-resistant and anti-drilling security level and is made of flame-hardened steel. The lockable mailbox has a large parcel slot that can hold items up to 10.5 x 4.5 x 4.5 inches (total size: 21.5 x 16.5 x 12 inches).

The larger slot size can encourage phishing because the opening looks wider and easier to enter, but the mail blocking mechanism in the mailbox prevents such theft. Since Mail Boss' patented Fast-Track mounting plate allows quick installation, it is easy to set up a mailbox.

If it is not advisable to retrieve mail from a column-type mailbox on the side of the road on foot, or the current wall-mounted mailbox needs to be replaced with a new one, then this well-designed model is a good choice.

Below the top cover is a hidden second cover with an open slot for the postman. The second cover has a cam lock and can only be opened with one of the two keys included. The galvanized steel structure is naturally rust-proof and has a powder-coated finish for long-lasting protection of the elements.

This model has a 4.2 x 12.6 x 9.7 inch mail compartment, but it is not large enough to hold a package. Its total dimensions are 9.7 x 4.4 x 12.6 inches. The installation hardware is not provided with the mailbox, so users need to purchase suitable fasteners.

If users feel uncomfortable with the postman who comes to their door every day, or if they just like the function and beauty of a column-type mailbox, then this option is a worthwhile choice.

No. 14 and No. 16 galvanized steel can effectively prevent vandalism, and the stainless steel hinge can resist various elements, ensuring that the mailbox can be used for a long time. The double lock design allows users to access their mail using one of the three keys on the back of the box.

The mailbox is fixed by two 12-disk chip locks with anti-prying and anti-drilling grades. The mail is further protected by the internal baffle door to prevent phishing and tamper-proof latches, so it is impossible to forcibly open the mailbox with a prying tool (such as a screwdriver). Its total dimensions are 21.5 x 11.1 x 10.8 inches.

If your goal is to replace the old wall-mounted mailbox with a new lockable mailbox, but the plain design is not attractive, then check out the various color and style options provided by Mail Boss 7412. Each model has a different powder-coated finish, users can match the exterior and personal taste of their home. In addition, this mailbox is equipped with a steel hinge, which is easy to use and durable.

The locked mailbox measures 4.7 x 11.2 x 16.2 inches and is equipped with three household laser-cut keys. The sturdy No. 16 galvanized steel body, patented tamper-proof latch and chrome alloy tempered steel hook cam are good anti-vandalism devices. The mailbox comes with mounting screws and drill bits, so users can install everything they need as soon as they receive it.

The Tooluck lockable mailbox is ideal for those who like the classic wall-mounted style but need some extra protection. This model is made of aluminum and galvanized steel, which can easily protect the mail from elements. The quaint exterior is an elegant upgrade of the front lawn, gate or doorstep, adding a bit of grade to the front of the house.

The locked mailbox is equipped with two keys and enough space to store oversized envelopes, magazines, letters and small packages. This retro-style mailbox has 3 colors and has all the hardware for installation.

Please note that this mailbox does not have a red flag, so it can only be used for receiving mail, not for mailing letters or packages. It is also worth noting that the size of this waterproof mailbox is 16 x 9.5 x 3 inches.

For those who often order items online and worry about the safety of their packages when they are not at home, the large capacity and professional features of this package mailbox can help.

The locked mailbox can accept small and medium-sized packages up to 9.75 x 6.5 x 2 inches. The size of the entire box is 18.5 x 15 x 11.5 inches, providing users with enough space to deliver multiple packages and average mail volume.

After delivery, the package is protected by heavy-duty No. 16 and No. 18 galvanized steel mailboxes, tamper-proof locks, anti-fishing funnel doors, and tamper-proof stainless steel locks that can only use one or two included keys.

The door of the locked mailbox uses weatherproof rubber sealing strips to keep the mail dry, and the stainless steel hardware is naturally rust-proof, so users do not have to worry about the mailbox being stuck in the open or closed position.

Some houses may become repeated targets for porch pirates and mail thieves, so it is necessary to invest in highly secure products to help protect the house, such as outdoor security cameras and locked mailboxes, such as this product from Architectural Mailboxes.

The fuselage and baffle doors are made of 16 and 18 gauge galvanized steel, while the hinges are made of weather-resistant stainless steel to help ensure the integrity of the mailbox for many years.

It is equipped with tamper-proof latch, anti-fishing flap door and tamper-proof and tamper-proof stainless steel lock, so as long as the package size is less than 9.75 x 6.5 x 2 inches, users can rest assured to order goods online.

The entire mailbox is 18.5 x 15 x 11.5 inches, providing users with space for multiple package delivery and average mail volume. The locked mailbox is also designed with weatherproof rubber seals to keep the mail safe and dry.

Mail Boss Locking Mailbox has sufficient safety, impressive design features and durable 16 gauge galvanized steel structure, is the first choice. For users who prefer wall-mounted models, solar locked mailboxes are a well-made and affordable alternative.

Through extensive research and attention to several major factors that affect the security, quality and function of locked mailboxes, I chose this best choice for locked mailboxes.

When choosing these products, the primary consideration is the safety of the mailbox, including the lock style, building materials, and any safety features such as baffle doors and tamper-proof latches.

The preferred list includes several mailboxes of different types, sizes, and shapes to provide a variety of choices for various users. However, some products with unique aesthetic characteristics have also received some attention, proving that the products can look great and function normally.

Having locked mailboxes does not mean that you fully understand how they work. Even after reading this guide, you may still have questions about how to access mailboxes and the difference between locked mailboxes and standard mailboxes. Read on for the answers to these questions and other frequently asked questions about locked mailboxes.

A locked mailbox is a mailbox equipped with a lock to prevent mail from being stolen. They come in several different styles, so the door to unlock the mailbox may be on the front, side, or back of the mailbox. Choose the style that suits your preferences.

The purpose of locking the mailbox is to ensure the security of your mail by using a locking mechanism that must be opened with a key to access the mail. Although they can still be cracked with appropriate tools and sufficient effort, locked mailboxes are much safer than standard mailboxes.

The postman does not need to access a separate locked mailbox to deliver mail. They can deliver mail for that address through the mail slot, and the mail will be placed in a locked compartment out of reach of the postman.

Unfortunately, this means that any outgoing mail can easily be stolen while waiting for the postman to pick it up. This can be avoided by simply putting outgoing mail in a nearby mailbox instead of your personal mailbox.

For locked community mailboxes, the postman has so-called arrow keys that can open the entire mailbox library for delivery.

In most cases, you should hire a locksmith to properly replace the locks on the roadside, freestanding or wall-mounted mailboxes to ensure the safety of the mailboxes. However, if you have some experience in changing locks, you can do it yourself.

Bob Vila has been an American handyman since 1979. As the host of the beloved groundbreaking TV series, including "The Old House" and "Bob Villa's House", he is very popular and has become synonymous with "do it yourself" home improvement.

Throughout his decades-long career, Bob Vila has helped millions of people build, renovate, repair and live better every day-a tradition that continues to this day, providing professional and easy-to-use home advice. The Bob Vila team distilled the information they need to know into project tutorials, maintenance guides, tool 101, etc. Then, these family and garden experts thoroughly research, review, and recommend products that support homeowners, renters, DIYers, and professionals in their to-do lists.

Timothy Dale is a freelance writer specializing in home repair and construction. While completing a degree in English Literature and Psychology, he worked in the plumbing industry during his university years, and then held a project management position for 10 years. During his tenure as a project manager, Mr. Dale worked in residential plumbing and carpentry, and spent a year in the commercial and industrial fields.

Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide publishers with a way to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliate sites.

You agree that BobVila.com can process your data in the manner described in our privacy policy.

Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. all rights reserved.