Your mail is a juicy target for fraudsters. It contains personal information they can use for identity theft, which can lead to credit card, bank account and benefits fraud.
An unsecure mailbox increases the risk of identity theft. They can also use personal information gleaned from your mail – date of birth, full name, place of work, bank account etc. – to forge documents such as passports and open accounts in your name.
You can also lose important information such as utility bills, bank statements and monthly subscriptions.
A locking mailbox is the best way to protect against mail theft.
In this buying guide, we review the best and most secure locking mailboxes you can buy online. But first, some tips on what to look for when shopping for your new secure mailbox.
What to Consider When Choosing a Locking Mailbox?
a) Construction Material
A solid steel locking mailbox provides the best security against mail theft. It’s hard to pry open and impossible to break.
For a burglar in a hurry and afraid to attract attention, a mailbox constructed from steel is an effective deterrence.
The walls should be thick enough to resistant attack.
In addition to protecting against theft, a steel mailbox is also more durable and can easily withstand the elements.
b) Secure Locking Mechanism
Next, check that the mailbox uses a secure locking mechanism. Most mailboxes use a cam lock that provides a fair to high level of security depending on the lock material and design.
The lock should be resistant to picking, prying and other types of attacks.
Note however that no lock is completely burglar-proof. With time and the right tools, just about any type of lock can be opened.
But a good quality mailbox lock offers a good deterrence to potential burglars, greatly reducing the chances of mail theft.
c) Size
There are three types of dimensions to check.
- Overall size: A bigger mailbox is going to hold more letters but it’s also going to take up more space. Decide which size is best for your needs.
- Mail slot size: The best mail slot size depends on the type of mail you receive. If it’s mostly bills and other small mail, a smaller and narrower slot will do. But if you often receive large documents and magazines, look for a mailbox with a wider and longer slot.
- Mail compartment size: This determines how much mail the mailbox can actually hold. The best size depends on the type and amount of mail you receive.
d) Design
You are going to mount the mailbox on the wall outside your house. So design and aesthetics are sort of important.
You can go for a simple rectangular mailbox or look for something with a more unique design such as a curved top. It depends on your tastes.
Also check the mailbox colour. Most come in plain black, grey or cream finishes. But you can also find brightly coloured red, green or yellow mail boxes.
When shopping for a certain mailbox, check if it has multiple colour options.
e) Ease of Mounting
Most mailboxes need to be mounted on the wall outside the house where the postman or postwoman can easily access it.
Ideally, the mailbox should come with all the mounting hardware you need and should have pre-drilled holes. This makes installation much easier.
f) Price
Mailboxes are not expensive. Most range between £25 and £35.
Within this price range, you can get a good quality mailbox that’s big enough for your needs and secure enough to keep your mail safe.
You can spend a little more money on a bigger mailbox if you receive lots of mail or if you want a mailbox with a more stylish and less utilitarian design.
Pricier mailboxes also come with extra features such as a dedicated newspaper slot and compartment, a viewing window and a nameplate.
The Best Locking Mailbox Reviews
1. Dal Rae Locking Wall Mount Mailbox
Measuring 33.1cm by 41.7cm by 16.3cm, the Dal Rae locking mailbox is big enough for most people’s needs.
The internal mail compartment measures 35.5 x 33 x 14.5cm. That’s enough to hold several letters, soft package parcels and magazines.
The mail slot accepts most mail packages including envelopes and small packages. A magazine or a thick catalogue can also fit through the slot. It’s 32.7cm long and 5.6cm wide.
Letters and packages drop to the bottom of the mailbox to ensure no one can get them through the slot. When you need to access the mail, the front door swings all the way down to make it easier to get all your mail out.
The mailbox is made out of 24-gauge. It does feel a bit think but it’s secure enough to deter most mail thieves.
The steel cam lock provides extra protection. It comes with two keys and a convenient lock/unlocked indicator.
As for the design, the Dal Rae has a beautiful elegant style that will look great on the wall. It has a black finish and is powder coated to ensure it doesn’t fade.
The powder coating also protects against rust and corrosion.
Installation is easy. All the mounting hardware – screws, washers and wall anchors – is included. The mailbox is also pre-drilled for quicker and easier installation.
What we like about it:
- Looks great.
- Easy to install. Everything you need is included.
- Secure.
- Doesn’t allow water in.
2. Hardcastle Large Outdoor Wall Mounted Mailbox
Looking for a bigger mailbox that can hold larger parcels, magazines and letters?
We recommend the Hardcastle large wall mounted mailbox. It’s 48cm high, 32.5cm wide and 21cm deep. It can easily hold several days’ worth of mail.
Despite its size however, the mail slot is fairly small compared to the Dal Rae and other mailboxes. It measures 26.5cm long and 4cm wide. It’s big enough for most mail sizes but the postman may struggle to get particularly large parcels and catalogues into the mailbox.
But customers say you can force the slot opening a bit wider for magazines and parcels.
We love the location of the mail slot right at the top of the mailbox. It makes it easier to drop mail inside. Even long envelops drop straight to the bottom without a problem.
Because the slot doesn’t have a flap lid, there’s a top lid the postman will have to lift to access it. The top lid protects against entry of water.
But the mailbox is not completely waterproof. Water can leak through the door edges from heavy rain or sprinklers.
Look for a partially sheltered place to mount it.
The mounting hardware is included.
The mailbox is made out of steel. It feels fairly secure as does the lock. You get two keys with the mailbox.
What we like about it:
- Large capacity – ideal for larger parcels, magazines and A4 mail.
- Door opens wide for easy access to mail.
- Easy to mount.
- Secure.
3. Saratoga Locking Wall Mount Mailbox
The Saratoga locking mailbox is made by the same company that makes the Dal Rae.
They have a roughly similar design though the Saratoga features a more accentuated curve at the top. It looks beautiful and comes with an elegant black finish.
The inside and outside of the mailbox are powder coated. This protects the colour from fading and prevents rusting.
As for the dimensions, the Saratoga mailbox measures 14.5cm x41.9cm x 34.1cm. The internal mail compartment measures 38.1cm x 29cm x 11.4cm. The mail slot measures 33cm long and 3.8cm wide.
Overall, the mailbox is fairly small, making it ideal mostly for normal-sized mail and magazines.
The mailbox is made from stainless steel and comes with a stainless steel cam lock as well. It should offer sufficient protection against most burglars and mail thieves.
The manufacturer recommends installing the mailbox in a partially sheltered place such as under an awning or eave. Make sure water from sprinklers or rain does not reach it.
It has some protection against water entry but it’s not waterproof.
What we like about it:
- Beautiful design.
- Door opens wide for easy access to mail.
- Powder coated finish provides protection against corrosion, rust and fading.
- Easy to mount. The mounting hardware is included and the back of the mail box is pre-drilled.
4. Relaxdays Design Mailbox
This is another good choice if you are looking for a tall mailbox. The Ralaxdays design mailbox is 40cm high, making it ideal for large envelopes, magazines and catalogues.
Though tall, the mailbox is not very wide or deep. The width is 25cm and depth is 10cm.
But the narrow profile design somewhat looks good and stylish. You can choose from four colours: black, green silver and white.
The only downside is the lacquered finish. It looks good at first and provides protection against rust and corrosion.
But it is not as durable as powder coating. Several customers say the mailbox started rusting after several months.
The rusting can set in pretty quickly if you live near the ocean.
To delay corrosion, install the mailbox in a well sheltered place where its protected from the elements.
Screws and wall plugs for mounting are included.
Using the mailbox is easy. The mail slot is located at the top, which allows letters and parcels to drop to the bottom.
A top lid covers the mail slot, preventing entry of moisture.
When you come home, you can quickly check if you have mail using the three viewing windows at the front. That’s a thoughtful feature.
If you need to retrieve mail, the front door opens wide for easy access.
What we like about it:
- Ideal for tall parcels and letters.
- Has viewing windows.
- Easy to mount.
- Multiple colour options.
5. Relaxdays Design Metal Mailbox / Letterbox Window Pattern
This one’s shorter but wider than its sibling above. It measures 34.5 x 33 x 10.5 cm. The mail slot measures 30 by 3cm.
The mailbox is ideal for most letters and magazines except extra-wide or thick packages such as catalogues.
The mail slot is located at the top to make it easier to drop letters inside. It’s protected under a top lid that keeps water out of the mailbox.
The hinged lockable front door opens wide to allow easy access to the letters.
You get a choice of four modern colours: red, green, white and black.
The metal has a lacquered finish. It looks great and can withstand the elements for a while but don’t expect it to last as long as powder coated mailboxes.
After several months, especially if you live near the coast, you may notice some rusting.
When installing it, choose a location that’s sheltered from rain and other elements.
What we like about it:
- Four colour options.
- Big enough for most types of mail.
- Top lid protects mail from water.
6. Parkside Locking Wall Mount Mailbox
The Parkside wall mount mailbox is a good choice for those who are looking for a smaller locking mailbox.
It measures 34.3cm by 27.6cm by 12.5cm and weighs just under 2kg.
Though smaller than most mailboxes, it’s easily noticeable thanks to the fiery red finish. The mailman won’t have trouble spotting it.
But they’ll only be able to put in A4 sized mail, magazines and small packages. That’s because the mail slot is relatively small, measuring 24.3cm long and 1.8cm wide.
The mailbox is made from stainless steel. It’s rust and corrosion proof.
For security, it comes with a scalped cam lock and a set of two keys. The lock has a convenient locked/unlocked indicator so you don’t accidentally leave the mailbox unsecured.
Mounting is a quick DIY job. The box already has pre-drilled holes and all the mounting hardware is included.
What we like about it:
- Lovely red finish.
- Galvanized stainless steel construction – durable and weatherproof.
- Easy to mount.
