Question

Is there like a cheap battery-operated motion sensor I can stuff in my mailbox to notify me when the mail comes?  

Answer 1

Note that people are suggesting zwave/zigbee devices which require a hub (like SmartThings) The reason is because WiFi uses too much power for small sensors

Comments

@unclothe1851 I have a Smartthings hub

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But I'm worries about range

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@pvc3 then best is probably a multisensor to detect vibration from outside. Metal mailboxes tend to block signals

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@pvc3 a valid concern for sure. You can install a repeating device nearby. Obviously we don’t know what kind of range you are talking about

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@unclothe1851 is zwave/zigbee better range than wifi?  

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@pvc3 hard to say. it’s easier to extend, for sure.  

Answer 2

I just use an open/close sensor

Comments

@jalbert Same here

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@jalbert But doesn't it make the opening smaller?  

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@hague I mounted the sensor body to the door. Then removed the magnet from it's plastic housing and mounted it to the inside of the box.  

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@pvc3 i have a mailbox that opens on the top, not a traditional mailbox so not a concern for me.  

Answer 3

Smart things multi purpose sensor.  

Comments

@hafer18 got a link?  

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@hafer18 anything cheaper than $10?  

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It can be used as a tilt sensor, contact sensor, vibration sensor. All of which could work for your application.  

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@pvc3 maybe but it probably won't be reliable.  

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@hafer18 can it do light sensing?  

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+1 for the Samsung SmartThings multipurpose sensor. Great product, rock-solid. $18 is reasonable. No light sensor - just motion and temperature.  

Answer 4

I use a Wyze contact sensor. They're inexpensive, but you have to have a camera somewhat near by.  

Answer 5

Try the Monoprice Mailbox sensor  
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p...24259

Answer 6

I used a Door/Window sensor on mine.  

Comments

@glee nice what brand is that?  

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@pvc3 This was the Xiaomi Aqara Sensor. Purchased from Gearbest. com on a flash sale for $5. 00

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@glee that's what I did but mounted with velco so I can take it out easy to replace the battery.  

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@anticathexis753 If you look at the larger of the 2 that the sensor. That separated for easy battery replacement. If you look real close at the top of the sensor mounted to the side of the box you'll see the slot where you can stick a dime and separate it. :-)

Answer 7

I use a Ring Motion Sensor. Alexa tells me “you’ve got mail” when the mailbox is opened. Note, I did change out my metal mailbox with a non metallic one so the signal could get through it to the house.  

Answer 8

Xiaomi zigbee motion sensor. About $10 but you'll need a zigbee router to pick it up. Cheapest is $4 (cc2531) but you can also get other zigbee usb sticks approximately $25-40. Battery life should be easily 1-2yrs+ (simple watch battery). Alternatively, Xiaomi also do tilt/vibration sensors as well as contact sensors. Same idea, price and size.  

Answer 9

Sign up for USPS email notifications

Answer 10

So a bunch of people are recommending door/window sensors. That will tell you when the door opens, but not if you have mail. I saw one time that someone used a ir beam sensor on each side of the letterbox and when a letter interrupted the beam, it sent a notification and could be read as a state, not just an event. Can't find it now, anyone using something like that. It's what I would like to set up. Think they used an esp.  

Comments

@travers14364 that's a wonderful idea. The search continues!  

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@pvc3 if you find a writeup, let me know. Been half looking while I moved, but I'm going to need a new project soon.  

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@travers14364 why would it open when you don’t have mail? Maybe if someone else in your family checks it or you have outgoing mail. Maybe the IR thing eliminates the issue of someone else checking it.  

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@heaney precisely. Also, it would then eliminate a need to check. Could just get a notification or tablet ui shows that there is actually an item in the box(blocking the receiver).  

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We also don't enter at the door by the mailbox.  

Answer 11

Yes, its called a letterbox on your front door.  

Comments

@vine how magical. Do you know what group you're in?  

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What is the point in over engineering a simple problem, letters go on the door no one can take them problem solved.  

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@vine they don't deliver letters to doors here. I've never lived at a place that used letterboxes. This ain't the queens country

Answer 12

Maybe more like a wireless door contact

Answer 13

I use this and it helps a lot. It’s pretty loud and the whole house is notified when the mailbox is opened.  

Comments

@siskin I'm looking for automation here, not just a basic alarm system

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@pvc3 ok cool. I tried using Wyze motion sensors and contact sensors first and they all failed. This was the solution that worked for me.  

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@siskin was it the range that made it impossible?  

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@pvc3 no, the Wyze sensors are just really unreliable. I have several that just refuse to work. Last year when I ordered them Wyze sent me double the amount I ordered so I ended up with about 10 door contacts and 4 motion sensors. Only half of them worked longer than a week. Their cameras are great but I wouldn’t spend money on any of their battery operated sensors.  

Answer 14

Even though you probably can’t find one, I use an Iris motion sensor. It is Zigbee and Velcroed to the back of the box. I have a Zigbee plug/repeater plugged in on the inside of the closest possible wall to make sure I get a decent signal. I have a simulated switch set up to try and eliminate “second” openings. So assuming no one opens the box before the mailman, when he opens it, the simulated switch is turned on. When the switch is turned on, Alexa announces “you’ve got mail” (spell you’ve as youv). Subsequent opens for the day do nothing. Then at midnight the simulated switch is reset. It can get out of sync if you need to put mail in the box, but a verbal command could be used to reset it if needed.