Stop vacation package theft with these 6 smart home devices

Connected buzzers work in much the same way as traditional security cameras. The wired Arlo Video Doorbell offers high-definition resolution, live video streaming, motion alerts, and more, all at a very reasonable price. Subscribe to the Arlo Smart cloud service to access advanced motion alerts that differentiate between people, animals, cars, and packages. You can also watch your video footage with Arlo Smart to help neighbors and law enforcement (if needed) identify who snagged your vacation deliveries.

The Arlo Video Doorbell is our current top pick in the category. Check out all the top best video doorbells.

Read our Arlo Video Doorbell review.

The Arlo Pro 4 is smart and feature-rich, with 2K video resolution, a built-in spotlight for nighttime deterrence, a surprisingly loud siren, and all the smarts of the company’s video doorbell. With a subscription, you can view recorded events, receive alerts, and use two-way talk to scare away potential porch hackers.

This is our top pick in the outdoor security camera category. Check out all of our top tested home security camera picks.

Read our Arlo Pro 4 review.

Integrated porch light security cameras are an emerging category of smart home security. The Ring Spotlight Cam (pictured), Netatmo Outdoor Security Camera and Ring Floodlight Cam all combine smart lighting with smart video surveillance. With each of these devices, you can watch a live video feed, receive motion alerts, and talk to people through two-way audio intercoms. But you can also schedule the lights to turn on and off at set times.

The Spotlight Cam even has a 110-decibel siren, so you can scare someone when needed.

Read our Ring Spotlight Cam review.

Amazon Prime members have another option for keeping tabs on their packages. Instead of monitoring traditional outdoor deliveries with outdoor cameras, the Amazon Key service allows Amazon to deliver packages on the inside your house. This service is available in certain areas of the United States. Check this list of cities to see if Key service is available where you live. The Amazon Key In-Home Kit is required to activate the Key service. It includes a key-operated Amazon Cloud Cam indoor security camera and an Amazon-approved third-party smart lock. With this kit, you can get alerts when a courier arrives and watch them deliver the package inside your home.

Read our experience using Amazon Key.

In addition to outdoor cameras and home delivery services, some companies offer smart locks and storage options for your packages. One such company is BoxLock. Its product, also called BoxLock, is a smart padlock that works with an associated BoxLock app.

Here’s how it’s supposed to work: A BoxLock delivery partner uses the padlock to scan the package’s barcode. The lock unlocks and they secure your delivery inside a storage container (sold separately) until you can get home and collect your package. UPS, FedEx, Amazon Prime and USPS are BoxLock partners.

Amazon also offers a Locker program in certain regions. You have to go to an Amazon Locker location, but these kiosks let you pick up Amazon packages on your own schedule with a six-digit code (rather than worrying about something sitting on your porch).

Learn more about Box Lock.

Ring has a device specifically designed to track the opening of your mailbox, which makes it much easier to track deliveries. But if you have a home security system at home, another easy way to monitor your mailbox is to use a door/window sensor – one of those magnetic gadgets that ping the system when an entry is open – inside your box door. Either way, you should be able to track small package delivery and make sure you know when someone opens the mailbox when they shouldn’t.

Read our Ring Mailbox Sensor review.