What’s going on guys? It’s Hai.
I personally get a good amount of package. I would prefer to be able to receive packages at home but sometimes the timing just doesn’t work out. Things can sit outside and possibly be stolen. So when I discovered that you can now get a smart delivery dropbox, I was all over it and this is just that, the eufy Smartdrop.
In short, this is a metal box that is openable via a 4-6 digit code, physical key, or the eufy app as the Smartdrop can connect to a wifi network. The SmartDrop also has a built-in 1080p camera for you to track when it’s in use or for general security monitoring. It is powered by a rechargeable battery or you can hardwire it for constant power.
The Smartdrop comes with concrete anchors and bolts for a more secure mounting solution. You can just put it outside without anchoring it if you want, but just remember that the entire box only weighs about 40lbs so it’s not exactly difficult to just walk off with the entire thing if it’s not anchored down.
On-screen, you can see the manufacturer’s advertised dimensions and eufy advertises that the SmartDrop is large enough to fit 99% of packages. Obviously, that just depends on what you’re ordering but the Smartdrop has been working out pretty well for me in terms of its size.
Overall, this is a pretty straightforward product. Sure, it has a bunch of settings that you can adjust but day to day, this thing just sits there, someone comes and punches in the code, it opens, they leave the package, close the box and leave. The package sits there until you retrieve it. Pretty straightforward. There are videos out there that fully break down the app features and everything that you can do with the Smartdrop so I suggest you check those videos out if you’re interested in that. What I want to do is to share my experience with the SmartDrop and if I think it’s worth buying.
Let’s start off with general use. Because a security lock box isn’t exactly a common thing for residential use, will something like the SmartDrop even be used by shipping carriers? From my experience, this is a hit or miss. Since having the SmartDrop, I’ve had deliveries from all the major shipping companies and adoption definitely varies. No doubt, the people who use the SmartDrop the most are the people that repeatedly deliver to my address. For me, this means my regular Amazon and UPS guy.
Now, you may be wondering how you give the access code to the delivery people. eufy recommends that you add it to the address line 2 of your shipping address, the place where you typically write suite or apartment number. From my experience, you can do this but the delivery people are not always going to take the time to look or read through the label. What I did was to also make some high-vis signs, one at the front door in case they walk past the giant box and one right next to the box. Both signs reiterate important instructions. I’ve found that this really helps but again not perfect because, at the end of the day, some of these delivery people are just going through the motion, trying to get through the day. Some have made up their mind and plan to put the package at the door and nothing’s going to change that. I’ve even had some people instead of trying to put it in the box, they literally put it right next to the box without even trying. From my experience, every courier has people who are willing to use the box and people who aren’t. The best that I can do is to talk to my regulars and ask them to use the box. This helps as my regular Amazon and UPS guys make the effort when possible.
At the time of this video, I’ve used the Smartdrop for over 3 months and I want to share some of the issues that I’ve experienced. Right off the bat, right after installation and after putting the box outside, for whatever reason my lid kept having trouble opening. The SmartDrop has some voice prompts and mine kept telling me that the lid may be stuck and to try again. For whatever reason, the lid always got stuck on the first try and would open on the second or third attempt. I was worried about this but the issue just resolved itself and the box worked as it should by the next day. However, this touches on another issue. If for whatever reason a delivery person can’t open the box, they’ll usually try a second, MAYBE third time, and will usually give up. This can be because the lid is stuck or because they put in the wrong access key. If it takes multiple tries, the delivery people will usually give up. So, if there’s already something wrong with the lid and it won’t open on the first try, the chances of the delivery people using it will dramatically decrease. Just remember, these people are on the clock and don’t have all day to deal with some security box.
When it comes to the code, I’ve noticed a few things that have been an issue for me. First, I don’t know what it is but some people just can’t seem to open the box with the code. I don’t know if it’s user error and they’re just entering the code wrong, or the code is actually wrong on the label because that is definitely possible. In the beginning, I noticed that some Amazon people just could not punch in the right code. I asked some what they were punching in and they said the wrong number. For some reason Amazon was only displaying 5 out of the 6 digits. This is exclusively a problem with Amazon and I wish I can say why but it seems to be a random sporadic problem.
Next, let’s talk about weather. The SmartDrop is IP65 rated and eufy advertises “weatherproof”. Prior to buying the SmartDrop, I watched reviews where people mentioned that during freezing temperatures, the latch mechanism can freeze and not open. I personally have not had this problem and my Smartdrop has been out in the rain one day and snow the next so theoretically, if the lid were to freeze shut, this would’ve been the time. However, I had another problem. During my mini snowstorm, I guess enough of the snow got around the buttons, melted, then froze all buttons. I didn’t know that this was a thing until I saw an Amazon delivery person outside going at it on the box. When she saw that the buttons were frozen, she even tried to melt the ice with her breath. Then she called us so were could get the package instead of just leaving it outside at night. You gotta appreciate a hard worker like this. Later, I went to check on the Smartdrop and sure enough, it was frozen solid. The buttons didn’t even want to move. When I saw that this issue was possible, I was pretty bummed because it’s very likely going to happen again considering my environment. To solve this issue, I can move the SmartDrop under my porch where it would be out of the rain and snow but I really don’t want to do that because it’s a big ol’ box that is somewhat unsightly next to the door. I put it where it currently is with the plan to grow the surrounding bushes out so they camouflage it. But if the box is going to freeze shut and not be usable, I might just have to move it under the porch.
So over the last few months of use, those are the main issues that I’ve had. Hard to say if they’re deal breakers because I have had a lot of use from this box. I think what ultimately determines things for me is the price. The SmartDrop retails for $399.99. Even as someone who enjoys this product quite a bit, I would say that that is a bit much. However, as with all eufy products, it will go on sale. I held out from buying this product when it came out because, again, $400 is a bit much. After about a month of price watching, I saw the Smartdrop go down to $300. Then, $250. Then, $200, which is how much I purchased it for. I have seen the Smartdrop sit around $200 quite often now so I would definitely recommend picking it up for around that price if you can wait for one of the sales. When in doubt, wait for a holiday because eufy always has sales. It may not be on the SmartDrop so you may have to wait a few holidays but if you want a deal, wait it out. I guarantee you that it will go on sale.
So, at $200, I would say that this product is worth it. It provides me with a sense of security and assurance that I’m willing to pay for. It’s not functional 100% of the time but that’s mostly a problem with the delivery people. They just aren’t trained to work with such a device but hopefully, that will change in the future. I guess I’ll be the guinea pig and help to introduce such a device, at least with the delivery people that I interact with.
