The Cure for Stolen Packages Is Here, If Only Delivery People Would Use It

We looked at all the smart delivery boxes currently available, and the Eufy SmartDrop S300 was the most feature-rich and best reviewed model we found. Aside from standard features such as the ability to lock, to generate multiple PIN codes (which you can include in delivery instructions), and to send smartphone notifications, the Eufy box offers a number of other attractive features:

• It’s made entirely of steel. This construction not only protects your packages from the elements but also makes the entire box a little more difficult to walk off with. If someone really wants to take it, they will—but since it weighs 44 pounds, that requires some effort. Other models, such as the Yale Smart Delivery Box, are made of plastic, so someone might be able to cut through them.
• It has an integrated 1080p camera. If someone does walk off with the Eufy box or the contents, the camera will capture it. Like most Eufy cameras, this one allows you to set it to record all motion or only humans, as well as to adjust the motion sensitivity and create activity zones. It can also alert you and record all motion or just when there’s a delivery. In contrast to other Eufy cameras, this one does not have a built-in drive to store video recordings; if you want the ability to save video, you need to pair it with the Eufy HomeBase 2 or subscribe to Eufy’s cloud service, which starts at $3 per month.
• It supports Amazon Alexa and Google Home. In addition to sending smartphone alerts when someone is nearby or puts something in the box (depending on how you configure it), the SmartDrop S300 includes support for two smart-home platforms, so you can view the camera from compatible Amazon Echo or Google Home smart screens. Unfortunately though, it doesn’t allow for delivery announcements on those screens or smart speakers.

The SmartDrop S300 is easy to set up (use a drill—it has a lot of tiny screws). It is also husky, tipping the scales at 44 pounds and measuring 27.5 inches high by 21.6 inches long and wide, like a low filing cabinet. The rechargeable battery pack goes in a panel in the base and should last about three months, depending on use; you might want to buy an extra so you’re always charged up, or you can hardwire the SmartDrop S300 by purchasing a power adapter. For added protection, you can bolt down the SmartDrop S300 to the ground by using the included expansion screws.

Once we paired the SmartDrop S300 with the Eufy app and placed it by our front step, we found that it worked well, with a few caveats (see below). It sent smartphone alerts quickly and captured good 1080p video and audio. The camera is angled to look upward, which isn’t the most flattering angle, but it provides a clear image of anyone approaching or using the box.

One concern we had was whether a locking smart box could be a potential danger to curious pets or kids (or an uninhibited contortionist), and we were happy to find that the SmartDrop S300 has plenty of air vents as well a safety release inside the box.

The box’s features and specs look great on paper, but we wanted to see how it performed in real-world circumstances. So over the course of a week, we ordered and mailed packages to our home from a selection of common retailers such as Amazon, Chewy, and Walmart, put in an Instacart order, and also directly shipped items using UPS and the USPS.

Eufy wisely notes that delivery people will need a hand until they get used to the box, so the company includes a sticker with instructions (which we used) that you can place on top of the SmartDrop S300; Eufy also offers a printable sign that you can laminate, or you can buy a plastic sign or sticker. Also, whenever possible, remember to include delivery instructions for your carrier with your orders. We recommend adding a line like “Use delivery box code: 1111” in your mailing address and/or delivery instructions.

We placed the SmartDrop S300 in plain view to provide easy access—yet despite that and the labels on the device itself, as well as the written instructions we left and the rather large sign we posted on our door, some carriers still left deliveries on our doorstep. FedEx and UPS were the worst offenders in this regard, with one package being thrown past the box even though it had instructions both circled and handwritten right on UPS’s own label. Notably, we never had issues with Amazon and Instacart, two services that allow you to post delivery instructions in your account or with your order. One potential solution is to speak directly with your local carrier, if possible.

Although the Eufy SmartDrop S300 has a few quirks (see below), it’s durable, it can hold a lot of packages, and the audio and video from the built-in camera were always clear in our tests. It actually works pretty well, when people use it, and it’s an option with a lot of promise.

Areas for improvement

As noted, our biggest problem with the SmartDrop S300 isn’t the device itself—the issue is getting delivery people to actually use it. But we did encounter a few other quirks, some of which we hope Eufy will fix:

• The app could be better. The app delivers great audio and video, and it allows you to open the box remotely. Yes—it unlocks and opens the box, but for some reason it doesn’t allow you to just unlock the box, which seems more practical than flipping the lid wide open. Also, the app allows you to see whether the box is open or closed but doesn’t show whether the box is locked or unlocked. We could see these issues being fixed in a software update.
• You may find that you need a video subscription. Most Eufy cameras have on-board storage or allow you to use a microSD card. The SmartDrop S300’s camera doesn’t. If you want to save video, you need to pair it with the Eufy HomeBase 2 for local storage or subscribe to Eufy’s cloud service, which starts at $3 per month.
• It’s a big black box. The SmartDrop S300 is probably the sharpest looking of the smart delivery boxes we’ve seen, but none of them are especially appealing. But if you want people to actually use the thing, it sort of has to stand out.

Eufy could improve the SmartDrop S300 in a few ways, but the construction, features, and price (it’s constantly on sale) make it a standout, and we think it’s a device worth considering if you worry about package theft, so long as it makes sense where you live.

A lot like other new technologies that take a while to catch on before everyone becomes comfortable using them—the internet, smartphones, doorbell cameras, EV cars—smart delivery boxes are a work in progress. We think they may already be the perfect option in some places, especially suburban areas where space isn’t a concern and package recipients may have a relationship with their delivery person. On the other hand, if the smart box saves even just one (or a few) packages, it may be worth the price.

We’re going to keep testing the Eufy SmartDrop S300, and we will be testing other models, including the Genie BenchSentry Connect, the Loxx Boxx Classic, and the Yale Smart Delivery Box.

This article was edited by Jon Chase and Grant Clauser.