One Smart Home Trick Prevents Porch Theft Every Time

CNET

29-05-2025

From choosing a special shipment while dodging tariff pricing to getting an important monthly re-order at your door, one common threat looms: speedy porch pirates who ignore your video doorbell and dash off with their prize instead. If you aren't swift enough then, like one in six American adults in CNET surveys, you lose a package to theft.
But now new companies are stepping up with a centuries-old deterrent and a 2025 smart home twist. Companies like Hyve, Keter, Loxx Noxx and Yale have introduced advanced delivery boxes that are changing the game -- and stopping porch pirates in their tracks. Here's how they work.
Read more: The Best Cheap Video Doorbells
Delivery boxes have some built-in tricks to defeat porch pirates.
Felikuke
What exactly is a package lockbox or delivery box?
A package lockbox is a dedicated box about the size of a trash bin that sits by your front door. It has receptacles for depositing and storing larger packages that wouldn't fit in traditional mailbox-locked compartments. Package lockboxes come in many designs and colors and can easily blend in with your porch palette. Delivery people secure packages in the box when no one's home to get them, and they stay safe for later retrieval.
These kinds of delivery boxes have been used for centuries in areas without American mailboxes, flats with close doorways and busy streets, or areas where wind and rain easily damage packages. Now, they offer one of the best ways to stop porch pirates.
Can't porch pirates just open the box?
Not usually. These delivery boxes typically have a deposit tray or section where people place the package, which is dropped down to a larger compartment secured by a lock. That makes it really difficult for porch pirates to reach in and grab a package. Other boxes may lock entirely with a keypad, so owners can give codes to a delivery person. Some even connect to the phone Bluetooth and apps for more control. And if porch pirates can't see a visible package, they're much less likely to try a quick theft anyway.
Delivery boxes come in many designs to match a variety of homes and porches.
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How much does one of these boxes cost?
Most high-quality lockboxes cost between $200 and $300. You'll have to pay a little more if you want smart features or keypads, but they stay under $400 in most cases.
Where can I order a delivery box like this?
You can find package delivery boxes from brands like Adoorn and home-friendly options from Keter. Merapi has especially durable versions made to fit inside a wall, while Loxx Boxx has the smartest delivery boxes we've found. Yale also has a particularly smart version, while Hyve's smart pod option does a little of everything.
Delivery boxes can be simple, but they can also come with advanced smart features.
Adoorn
Can I use a package delivery box for groceries?
Absolutely. Some more-advanced boxes even have refrigerated compartments specifically for groceries (though this is rare for consumer boxes) so you don't have to worry about produce being delivered while you're away. That's an even more important feature now that online grocery ordering has grown in popularity.
Where do I put a delivery box like this?
Putting one right by your door or where packages are usually dropped off is the best spot. If delivery people tend to leave packages at the edge of your porch, you may want to put it by your porch steps. Brands like Keter are especially good at box designs that can match the siding on your home, but all brands have a range of colors so you can find something that matches your home (or just looks intimidating).
Could I just make my own package lockbox?
You can, which allows you to make a more decorative box, but it's a lot of work. You'll need weatherproof materials and a design that's not easily accessed by determined porch pirates, along with a padlock or basic locking mechanism. It can be a DIY project for those comfortable with woodwork.
Package lockboxes are a very old solution to a very modern problem.
Felikuk
Are there any downsides?
Yes, there's one notable downside to these protected delivery boxes: Delivery people have to use them in the first place. Some people install these package boxes then get frustrated when their delivery people ignore the box and leave packages by the door as usual. In these cases, a sign on the box like "PACKAGES HERE" may help.
For more information on preventing home theft, visit our home security cheat sheet and our guide on deterring burglars before they try anything, and see the best options for outdoor cameras and cheap video doorbells.