Best Mailbox Locks in 2022

Last update: December 25, 2022

Are locking mailboxes worth it?

Locking mailboxes are designed to protect your mail from theft, but they are not foolproof. Mail thieves can be very creative, and a determined thief can usually find a way to break into a locked mailbox. If you are concerned about mail theft, it is important to take other precautions in addition to using a locking mailbox.

Can I put a political sticker on my mailbox?

You can put a political sticker on your mailbox, but it may be against the rules set by your postal carrier. Check with your local post office before affixing any stickers to your mailbox.

Can I replace my own mailbox lock?

If your mailbox lock is broken or you lose your key, you'll need to replace the lock. You can do this yourself, but you'll need to go to the post office to get a new key made. It's important to use a lock that is approved by the Postal Service.

Can my mail carrier write on my mailbox?

There's no rule that says your mail carrier can't write on your mailbox, but it's generally considered bad practice. It can be seen as a form of vandalism, and it might make your mailbox less secure if the carrier jots down your address or other personal information. If you have a problem with your carrier writing on your mailbox, you can always talk to your local postmaster or file a complaint with the U.S. Postal Service.


Prime-Line MP4532 9-Cam, Hl1 Keyway, Mail Box Lock, Clockwise Rotation, Pack of 1 Review:


Despite having a very different appearance from the original lock, this lock was the right fit for the mailbox. After spending some time examining the mailbox door, installing it was quite simple. Most importantly, I avoided paying the $25 fee and waiting 10 days for the lock installer because of this purchase.



Prime-Line Products S 4531 National Keyway Mail Box Lock with 9 Cams and 5 Pin Review:


This provided an urgent solution! As I'd forgotten the key, I searched up YouTube tutorials on how to access my mailbox, and USPS offered to help or arrange for a locksmith to help for a whopping $150. Please don't!Since I work Monday through Friday, even if I wanted to overpay, I would not have had time to meet them at the box to complete the swap. Ironically, I needed to purchase a dress for a business event that was taking place in a few days.I spent approximately 20 minutes buying this and changing my old lock. After trying on two sizes, I was concerned that the latch wouldn't fit, but they offer so many that it fits every box style. Make sure you have the correct lock by paying attention to the tiny circle where you insert your key, as I did. Fast shipping, top-notch craftsmanship, and a very cheap option that truly satisfies USPS requirements.



Prime-Line S 4140 Mailbox Lock – Replacement, Multipurpose Mailbox Lock for Several Brands – Nickel Finish, ILCO 1003M Keyway, Opens Counter-Clockwise with 90º Rotation Review:


These locks are excellent and completely match the USPS community mailboxes. Every time we have a new renter for one of our five rentals, we replace the lock. It looks to be at least a regional norm because every box in every complex has adopted the same lock.We constantly buy these locks because of three things because my wife and I have rental properties.1) They cost less than half as much as those at Home Depot or Lowes.2) Unlike other more affordable options, you can have these keys duplicated at Lowe's or Home Depot.3) They consistently fit into USPS boxes.Important advice: Pay great attention to the lock's orientation before removing the original lock. The inside end, where the locking arm attaches, should be placed exactly where it was in the original. (Typically, it is skewed to one side, either left or right, rather than up or down.)Never fully press the retaining clip in while mounting the lock. It fits quite tightly, and if the lock is installed improperly, it can be very difficult to remove. Simply insert it so firmly that it holds it in place for testing. When everything is operating properly, fully insert the clip.The kit includes 5 various arms to properly fit your unique type of mailbox, but instead of fiddling with those, I've discovered that the lock typically engages in the same location and the original locking arm is the ideal size (as it was there in the first place).



Arlington EB1212-1 Electronic Equipment Enclosure Box, 12" x 12" x 4", Non-Metallic, 1-Pack Review:


Excellent outdoor construction that is sturdy. Punch out holes can be sealed with sealant to make them watertight. But the plastic is incredibly resilient. However, the punch out holes are hardly made. To remove the holes, you MUST use a flamethrower or drill bit. My X-acto knife was useless. Due of the great toughness of the plastic, plan on spending at least 30 minutes punching holes in it. Although it has an extremely precise punch out hole, I didn't utilize the cam lock. If there are tools with appropriate accuracy, might they carve a hole through the cam lock punchout? (Or you may employ a standard padlock.) incredibly durable but undoubtedly not flameproof. It comes with incredibly sticky adhesives on the front that adhere to a paper label, which is one minor complaint. I attempted to remove the adhesive using a knife, isopropyl alcohol, and adhesive remover, but it was unsuccessful.Overall, it's a fantastic build that's a touch too challenging for a DIY undertaking. It serves as a coaxial network box for me right now.



Arlington Industries EB1212BP-1 Electronic Equipment Enclosure Box with Back plate, 12 x 12 x 4-Inch, Non-Metallic, 1-Pack Review:


Excellent outdoor construction that is sturdy. Punch out holes can be sealed with sealant to make them watertight. But the plastic is incredibly resilient. However, the punch out holes are hardly made. To remove the holes, you MUST use a flamethrower or drill bit. My X-acto knife was useless. Due of the great toughness of the plastic, plan on spending at least 30 minutes punching holes in it. Although it has an extremely precise punch out hole, I didn't utilize the cam lock. If there are tools with appropriate accuracy, might they carve a hole through the cam lock punchout? (Or you may employ a standard padlock.) incredibly durable but undoubtedly not flameproof. It comes with incredibly sticky adhesives on the front that adhere to a paper label, which is one minor complaint. I attempted to remove the adhesive using a knife, isopropyl alcohol, and adhesive remover, but it was unsuccessful.Overall, it's a fantastic build that's a touch too challenging for a DIY undertaking. It serves as a coaxial network box for me right now.



Arlington EB1111-1 Electronic Equipment Enclosure Box, 11" x 11" x 3.5", Non-Metallic, 1-Pack Review:


Excellent outdoor construction that is sturdy. Punch out holes can be sealed with sealant to make them watertight. But the plastic is incredibly resilient. However, the punch out holes are hardly made. To remove the holes, you MUST use a flamethrower or drill bit. My X-acto knife was useless. Due of the great toughness of the plastic, plan on spending at least 30 minutes punching holes in it. Although it has an extremely precise punch out hole, I didn't utilize the cam lock. If there are tools with appropriate accuracy, might they carve a hole through the cam lock punchout? (Or you may employ a standard padlock.) incredibly durable but undoubtedly not flameproof. It comes with incredibly sticky adhesives on the front that adhere to a paper label, which is one minor complaint. I attempted to remove the adhesive using a knife, isopropyl alcohol, and adhesive remover, but it was unsuccessful.Overall, it's a fantastic build that's a touch too challenging for a DIY undertaking. It serves as a coaxial network box for me right now.



Prime-Line U 9940 Mailbox Lock – Replacement, Multipurpose Mailbox Lock for Several Brands – Brass Finish, ILCO 1003M Keyway, Opens Counter-Clockwise with 90º Rotation Review:


These locks are excellent and completely match the USPS community mailboxes. Every time we have a new renter for one of our five rentals, we replace the lock. It looks to be at least a regional norm because every box in every complex has adopted the same lock.We constantly buy these locks because of three things because my wife and I have rental properties.1) They cost less than half as much as those at Home Depot or Lowes.2) Unlike other more affordable options, you can have these keys duplicated at Lowe's or Home Depot.3) They consistently fit into USPS boxes.Important advice: Pay great attention to the lock's orientation before removing the original lock. The inside end, where the locking arm attaches, should be placed exactly where it was in the original. (Typically, it is skewed to one side, either left or right, rather than up or down.)Never fully press the retaining clip in while mounting the lock. It fits quite tightly, and if the lock is installed improperly, it can be very difficult to remove. Simply insert it so firmly that it holds it in place for testing. When everything is operating properly, fully insert the clip.The kit includes 5 various arms to properly fit your unique type of mailbox, but instead of fiddling with those, I've discovered that the lock typically engages in the same location and the original locking arm is the ideal size (as it was there in the first place).



Prime-Line S 4573 Mailbox Lock – Replace Damaged or Missing Mailbox Locks, 90 Degree Rotation, Opens Counter-Clockwise, National Keyway, Nickel Finish Review:


One day, while I was opening my mailbox, the key snapped off in the lock. I got one of these locks to replace the old and janky one that was already there. The key to this lock looks identical to the key to the previous lock, which is why I chose it. It was easy to install a new lock after removing the old one. All that was required was to match the old lock's locking arm with one of the five that were provided, then use the two accompanying nuts to secure the new lock to the mailbox. (The instructions made reference to a screw, but the actual gadget utilizes a nut.) Including the time it took to travel from my flat to the box and back, it took around five minutes.It opens much more easily and reliably than the old, soiled lock it replaced, but feels still extremely firmly connected to the box's door. Despite this, I am not very concerned about the lock's absolute security because it would be much more possible for someone to jimmy open the postal lock, which instantly unlocks the entire box, if they wanted to steal my mail. A locksmith or the post office would have cost hundreds of dollars to solve this straightforward DIY issue.



Defender Security S 4125 Mail Box Lock, Counter Clockwise Rotation, 5 Pin, Nickel Plated, Pack of 1 Review:


For whatever reason, it was challenging for my mailman (lol) and me to switch the old one out for this one. The mailman and I combined weren't as competent as my boyfriend, who eventually pitched in and got it in correctly. The only drawback is that occasionally my key gets stuck, but despite this, I would still purchase this item given its accessibility and low price.


Can people put things in your mailbox?

No, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) does not allow for items to be placed in or on a mailbox by anyone other than a postal employee. This is stated in the Code of Federal Regulations, which stipulates that "mailboxes may not be used to store materials other than postal matter."

Can USPS open my mailbox for me?

If you need to retrieve something from your mailbox but can't get to the post office, you can ask a postal worker to open it for you. You'll need to provide proof that you're the owner of the mailbox, such as a key or a lease. The postal worker may also need to see some identification.

Does Home Depot copy mailbox keys?

There's no definitive answer, but it's possible that Home Depot may copy keys for mailboxes. Some key copying services offered at Home Depot stores include the ability to copy mailbox keys, so it's worth checking with your local store to see if they offer this service. If not, there are other stores that specialize in key copying that may be able to help.

Does the post office sell locking mailboxes?

Yes, the post office does sell locking mailboxes. You can purchase a locking mailbox at most post office locations.

Does USPS change mailbox locks?

If you need to change the lock on your mailbox, you can contact your local post office or postal carrier. They will be able to provide you with a new lock and key.

How do I theft proof my mailbox?