Mailbox Camera: What Are Your Best Options, And Is It Legal?

Outside of wanting to give your mailbox new life, you may also want to ensure that your mail is being delivered safely, while keeping an eye on any bad actors that could potentially vandalize your property. There is a solution: installing a mailbox camera. Two of the best options in this regard are the Blink Outdoor 4 for affordability and the Eufy 4G LTE Cam S330 for the best overall quality. But now you've been made aware of this, you may have another question: Are these devices even legal?

Well, if you live on private property, or if the mailbox is one you have purchased and installed yourself, then typically, yes. However, there is still a catch. For example, if one of your neighbors feels as though you're spying on them with your mailbox camera for whatever reason, they could potentially sue you. Outside of that, if you are trying to install a mailbox camera on or inside a mailbox on public property that was already installed before you moved into your place of residence, you could be subject to legal consequences as well. All in all, circumstances for both these scenarios vary on a state by state basis. That said, in either of these situations, it would be best to call your local post office in order to make sure that you're not violating any mail-related laws, as well as reading up on state and local privacy laws, too.

One of the worst scenarios for anyone expecting a piece of mail is to get notified that it was delivered, but for some reason, you can't find it anywhere. Installing a mailbox camera is not only a quick and easy solution for this, but also a good way to keep an eye on the area around where the device is installed. However, if you're looking to give your mailbox an upgrade on a budget, mailbox cameras can be pretty expensive. Accordingly, the Blink Outdoor 4 Security Camera is your best bet.

This can be purchased for $100, and out of almost 40,000 reviews, has a 66% 5-star rating. This wireless, weather-resistant camera has a battery life of up to two years, and is compatible with Alexa systems. The product description also states it has 1080p resolution, motion detection, and even infrared night vision, allowing you to be able to get high-quality video resolution even in the dark. By downloading the Blink app on your smartphone, you can easily access all these features, as well as two-way audio, which allows you to be able to both hear and speak through the device. However, some customers have complained that the battery life does not last as long as initially described, as well as noting that the camera may randomly disconnect at times. So, these are two things to keep in mind before purchasing.

Whether you're a homeowner or a renter, everyone wants and deserves to feel safe in their home. It's always a good idea to have a security system for your home, as well as a camera system in place just to ensure peace of mind. After all, as the saying goes, it's better to be safe than sorry. If you're looking to get the absolute best-quality mailbox camera and have the budget to do so, the Eufy 4G LTE Cam S330 is a great option.

This device retails for $250. According to the product description on the brand's website, it has a 9400 mAH battery, is waterproof, solar-powered, and wireless. Although it can operate on a Wi-Fi connection, it also has the ability to connect through 4G LTE. This is because the device's 3-in-1 SIM card, which is compatible with most major mobile service providers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, has the ability to automatically connect to a stable network. This means you shouldn't have to worry about any semi-frequent connection issues like those that customers of the previous option claim it occasionally suffers from. The device also has 4K clarity in both day and night, a 360 degree range of motion, and a motion detection system. However, it is worth noting that customer reviews of the motion detection system are somewhat mixed on Amazon, with some claiming that it struggles to accurately identify people.