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Step2 Express Parcel Delivery Box Review

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Step2 Express Parcel Delivery Box
Step2

Step2 Express Parcel Delivery Box, Large Outdoor Package Bin

Owner Rated · Verified reviews

The highest-rated package delivery box this site tracks — a large, weather-resistant outdoor bin.

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A delivery driver placing a box

In Plain English

The Step2 Express is a big plastic bin with a lid that sits by your front door. Delivery drivers lift the lid, drop the package in, and it stays dry and out of sight until you get home.

It helps to know what it is not: it has no lock. It works like a closed cupboard rather than a safe, protecting packages by hiding them from people walking past. Step2 says adding your own lock would void the warranty.

Why it matters: most package theft is someone grabbing a box they can see. Hiding it removes that easy chance, and reviewers say it does that job well.

It needs no tools, no app and no power, and it works with every delivery company.

The one thing to check: space. At 31 inches high and 23 inches deep it takes up real room, so measure your porch first. In windy spots, weigh it down with sandbags or weights.

Full Specifications

TypeOutdoor parcel delivery box with lid
MaterialWeather-resistant resin
Weather ratingWeather-resistant (Step2 does not publish a formal rating)
Capacity37.6 gallons
Assembled size31" H × 18" W × 23" D
Weight30 lb
LockNot lockable
AssemblyNone required
A courier speaking into a smart doorbell

Summary

The Step2 Express Parcel Delivery Box holds the highest rating of any package delivery box this site tracks, across a deep base of verified owner ratings. It’s a large, weather-resistant outdoor bin designed to hold deliveries out of sight until retrieval.

What owners praise

Build quality and genuine large capacity are the most repeated positives, along with the lid design that keeps packages dry and out of view from the street. Ease of setup with no tools required is also frequently mentioned.

What owners complain about

Its size, while a strength for capacity, means it takes up meaningful porch real estate — a fair tradeoff some reviewers weigh against smaller, less capable boxes. It isn’t lockable to a fixed point by default, so some owners add their own anchoring.

Design and Build Quality

The Step2 Express Parcel Delivery Box uses heavy-duty resin plastic, the same general material family Step2 is known for in its outdoor toy chests and storage bins. Owners describe the walls as thick and rigid, not the thin, flexible plastic found on cheaper delivery boxes. Step2 describes the lid as removable and easy to open, with no latch; a few reviewers mention adding their own hinge. Reviewers say the finish holds its color better than expected after a full season outside, though long-term fading over several years is harder to confirm from review data alone. The overall footprint reads as a large storage bin rather than a small mail slot.

Capacity and What It Actually Holds

Most owners report the box comfortably holds two or three medium packages stacked together, or one larger box. That covers a typical multi-item order from a single retailer. It won't swallow an oversized appliance box, and reviewers note it's sized for everyday parcels rather than furniture-scale deliveries. Check the current listing's exact interior dimensions against your own typical package sizes before ordering, since delivery box capacity claims vary by seller listing and packaging habits differ by household. Reviewers who order frequently say the size strikes a workable balance: large enough to matter, not so large it dominates a small porch.

Setup, Placement and Driver Access

No tools are needed for setup. Most owners describe it as unboxing the bin and placing it on a porch, driveway or entryway. The removable, easy-open lid lets any carrier drop a package in without a key, code or app. That's a genuine advantage over smart lockboxes, which sometimes confuse first-time delivery drivers. Owners typically place it somewhere visible from the street, both so drivers spot it easily and so its presence itself signals that packages get secured. A few reviewers note pairing it with a simple note or sign near the door helps drivers who aren't used to using a delivery box yet.

Weatherproofing and Long-Term Durability

Step2 describes the box as durable, weather-resistant resin built to withstand rain, snow and harsh sunlight. Reviewers report it shrugs off rain and typical seasonal weather without warping. Owners in colder climates haven't flagged cracking or brittleness specific to this box, though any rigid outdoor plastic can become more brittle in extreme cold over many winters. UV fading is the main long-term wear factor reviewers mention, and it tracks with what's typical for outdoor resin furniture generally rather than being unique to this product.

Security: Anchoring and Theft Deterrence

The box doesn't ship with a built-in lock. It works as a theft deterrent by hiding packages from casual view, not as a safe. Step2 states it is not lockable and that adding a latch or lock voids the warranty, though some owners add a padlock or cable anyway. Its size and weight alone deter casual grab-and-go theft better than a package left in the open, which owner reviews describe as the main practical benefit. In high-wind areas, Step2 suggests sandbags or weights to keep it from shifting. Pairing it with a doorbell or porch camera is a common combination for buyers who want both deterrence and a record of who approached the box.

What Consumer Reports says. Consumer Reports did not test this Step2 box. Its test of other delivery boxes is still a useful reality check: it found carriers seldom put packages inside a box, so any box works best where your usual drivers know to use it.

Price and Value Compared to a Smart Lockbox

The Step2 box sits well below the price of a camera-equipped smart lockbox, with no ongoing subscription or app to maintain. Reviewers who compared it against connected alternatives generally say the tradeoff is fair: you give up remote notifications and video, but you gain a device that never needs a firmware update, a charge or a WiFi connection. For a household that mainly wants to stop packages sitting in plain view, that simplicity is a real selling point rather than a compromise.

Who It’s For

Buyers who receive frequent deliveries and want a genuinely large, weather-resistant box to hide packages from street view. It particularly suits households that order from multiple retailers in the same week and want one bin that handles several parcels at once, without any app, subscription or power source to manage.

Who Should Skip It

If porch space is limited, see best package theft prevention for smaller alternatives.

Pros and Cons

Pros: highest-rated parcel box this site tracks, large weather-resistant capacity, no-tools setup, strong review base, no app or subscription to manage, works with every carrier without training a driver on a new device.

Cons: takes up significant porch space, not lockable to a fixed point by default, not lockable, and Step2 says adding a lock voids the warranty, size may be more visible from the street than some buyers prefer.

Going Deeper: What a Passive Drop Box Can and Can’t Do

Step2’s official product page sets out the design plainly. The box is made of durable, weather-resistant resin engineered to withstand rain, snow and harsh sunlight, holds 37.6 gallons, weighs 30 lbs, measures 31" high by 18" wide by 23" deep when assembled, and needs no assembly. It can take sandbags or weights to keep it secure in the elements. Asked whether a latch could be added, Step2’s customer service replied that the box has no built-in latch or lock and that it cannot recommend adding one, because that would void the product warranty.

That makes it a visibility tool rather than an access barrier, and it lines up with the prevention advice from the people who investigate package theft. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service recommends not leaving letters and packages at your door for any length of time, using Hold Mail or another arrangement when you cannot be home, and using Hold for Pickup or Signature Confirmation for important items. A bin that hides a parcel shortens the time it sits in plain view; it does not stop someone who already knows it is there.

Two free tools close the remaining gap. USPS says Informed Delivery previews the mail and packages scheduled to arrive soon, so you know when to empty the box. Federal law also treats mail theft seriously: 18 U.S.C. § 1708 makes it a crime to steal a package or other mail from a mail receptacle, a mail route or a mail carrier, punishable by a fine, up to five years in prison, or both. A doorbell camera pointed at the box is what turns that legal protection into usable evidence.

Verdict

The best-evidenced package delivery box available, and the natural default for frequent-delivery households with porch space to spare. Its main tradeoff is simple: it's a passive bin, not an active security device, so households that also want a record of who approached the porch should pair it with a camera rather than expect the box alone to do both jobs. For the specific job of hiding parcels from street view until you're home, reviewers consistently rate it as doing exactly what it claims. See best package theft prevention for how it compares against the field.

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Alternatives to Consider

Sources & References

  1. At-Home Review: Package Delivery Boxes to Deter Porch Pirates — Consumer Reports
  2. Express Package Delivery Box: Specifications and Q&A — Step2
  3. Mail Theft: Tips and Prevention — U.S. Postal Inspection Service
  4. Missing Mail and Package Help — United States Postal Service
  5. Informed Delivery — United States Postal Service
  6. 18 U.S. Code § 1708 – Theft or receipt of stolen mail matter generally — Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School
Straight Answers

Frequently Asked

Is the Step2 parcel box weather-resistant?

Yes, per the manufacturer’s specification it’s built for outdoor use and rated weather-resistant, standard for a permanent porch or driveway installation.

How large a package does it hold?

Step2 lists a 37.6-gallon capacity and assembled dimensions of 31 inches high, 18 inches wide and 23 inches deep — check those against your typical package sizes, since parcel boxes vary widely in capacity.

Does a delivery box actually stop package theft?

It removes the visible temptation of a package sitting exposed on a porch, which owner reviews describe as the main practical benefit — it isn’t a lock-grade security device, so pairing it with a doorbell camera is a common combination. Reviewers who added one after a prior theft generally report far fewer missing packages since. See the package theft prevention hub for the full approach.

Can the Step2 box be locked shut?

No. Step2 states the box is not lockable, and it says it cannot recommend modifying the unit to add a latch or lock because doing so voids the product warranty. Some owners add a padlock or cable anyway, but it works as a concealment bin rather than a true safe.

What is the box made from?

Heavy-duty resin plastic, the same general material family Step2 uses in its outdoor toy chests and storage bins. Owners describe it as thick and rigid rather than thin or flexible, closer in feel to a large outdoor storage container than a typical mailbox.

Will it fit multiple packages at once?

Most owners report it comfortably holds two or three medium boxes stacked together, or one larger box. Check the current listing's interior dimensions against your typical delivery sizes before buying.

Does it need to be anchored to the ground?

It isn't anchored by default. At about 30 pounds its own weight keeps it in place under normal conditions, and Step2 suggests adding sandbags or weights to keep it secure in the elements; owners in high-wind areas report using bricks at the corners.

How does delivery driver access work?

The removable, easy-open lid lets a driver drop a package in without needing a key or code. It works the same way for every carrier, since it's a passive drop box rather than a smart device.

Is it noticeable from the street?

Its size makes it visible, which some owners see as a plus — a clear sign packages get secured on this porch — while others prefer a smaller, less conspicuous box. It comes down to personal preference for curb appeal versus deterrence. A handful of reviewers paint or dress up the exterior to blend it in with their entryway decor.

Does cold weather affect the plastic?

Reviewers in colder climates haven't reported cracking or brittleness issues specific to this box, though any rigid plastic can become more brittle in extreme cold. Check the current listing for any climate-specific guidance from the manufacturer.

Is the Step2 box a good fit for an apartment or townhouse porch?

It can work well there, though its size means it's best suited to a covered porch, entryway or a defined space by the front door rather than a shared hallway. Renters should confirm with a landlord or body corporate before placing a large bin in a shared or street-facing area, since some buildings have rules about porch storage.

How does it compare to a smaller decorative parcel box?

Smaller decorative boxes generally hold less and cost less, and some are designed to blend in as furniture rather than announce themselves as a delivery bin. The Step2 box trades that subtlety for genuinely larger capacity and a lower price point relative to its size, which is why it holds the top rating among the delivery boxes this site tracks despite a more utilitarian look.