Key takeaways
- The best package rooms are easy to use, secure, and send real-time notifications once packages are delivered.
- Modern package management systems ensure secure deliveries, prevent package theft, and save time for you and other property staff.
- Package rooms are a more robust solution than parcel lockers because they offer more space and flexibility.
Unsurprisingly, package lockers have become the standard package delivery system for multifamily properties. But with so many options, how do you pick the right one for your building?
This buyer’s guide details the best electronic parcel lockers for apartment buildings. Additionally, you’ll discover the difference between package lockers and rooms, why every multifamily building needs one, and the solutions to choose from.
In buyer’s guide, we cover:
- 9 best package lockers for apartment buildings
- Package locker vs. package room
- Importance of package management solutions
- Types of package management systems
- Deliver more to your residents with a ButterflyMX Package Room
- Apartment package locker FAQs
9 best package lockers for apartment buildings
The best electronic parcel lockers for apartment buildings include:
- Amazon Hub
- Parcel Pending
- Luxer One
- Smiota
- Package Nexus
- Package Concierge
- American Locker
- SpaceSaver
- ParcelPoint
1. Amazon Hub
Let’s start with the Amazon Hub package lockers. With great success in the e-commerce and cloud storage market, Amazon has turned its attention to package delivery. Now, Amazon offers a package locker solution for both residential and commercial real estate.
In addition to Amazon packages, Amazon Hub can also receive packages from any other vendor or delivery person.
Amazon package lockers:
- Offer 24/7 access
- Provide couriers and residents with touchless pickup options
- Are modularly designed to fit anywhere
What’s more, Amazon has partnered with ButterflyMX to ensure all of Amazon’s delivery drivers can easily access a building where ButterflyMX is installed.
How it works:
Amazon delivery drivers receive unique six-digit PINs that work at properties where ButterflyMX is installed. When that delivery PIN is used, the smart Video Intercom grants one-time property access to that delivery person, eliminating the need for building staff or residents to facilitate their entry.
Delivery people can then put their deliveries into the Amazon apartment lockers or a ButterflyMX Package Room. The intercom also takes a time- and date-stamped picture of the delivery person, which is stored for 365 days for review, increasing security.
Contact us to learn more about our partnership with Amazon and how we can
Read the full Amazon Hub Package Locker review »
2. Parcel Pending
Quadient founded Parcel Pending to help property managers, couriers, and residents manage deliveries. The company offers customizable automated parcel lockers for universities, residential properties, retail spaces, and commercial businesses.
If you need something different, Parcel Pending offers a wide range of electronic package locker configurations based on your unique needs. They offer indoor, outdoor, and refrigerated package lockers. Their lockers are durable and weatherproof. Parcel Pending outdoor package lockers have a modular design and are ADA-compliant to ensure accessibility.
Plus, Parcel Pending comes with a mobile app. Residents can receive notifications and manage their packages and deliveries through the app.
Read the full Parcel Pending package locker review »
3. Luxer One
Provider Luxer One offers commonly used package lockers and other package delivery-related products.
Luxer One’s electronic package lockers may offer enough space to accommodate large boxes. They have standard HD surveillance cameras to ensure security.
Luxer One package lockers also include outbound shipping. This benefits residents, who can easily send packages when trying to make a delivery or return.
Read the full Luxer One package locker review »
4. Smiota
Is contactless delivery and pickup important to you? Then, Smiota package lockers may meet your needs.
Smiota’s smart lockers help slow the spread of germs through app-based pickup. It’s also easy to add extra standard or specialty units. Residents picking up their packages don’t need to worry about crowded lines or multiple touch-points because Smiota offers staggered pickup notifications via the mobile app.
Read the full Smiota Lockers review »
5. Package Nexus
If missing packages are a problem at your building, worry no more. Package Nexus offers package lockers for businesses, multifamily communities, and apartment buildings. They help prevent lost or stolen packages.
Apartment package lockers like Package Nexus have an overflow feature to ensure delivery during busy seasons. They also offer a 15″ industrial-grade touchscreen monitor and an ADA-compliant Braille keypad. They even offer standard, refrigerated, and freezer lockers to meet just about any need.
Package Nexus also has a mobile app that will notify residents when they have a delivery. Each locker system comes standard with many sensors to keep deliveries safe.
Read the full Package Nexus locker review »
6. Package Concierge
Package Concierge may be a solid choice for people looking for a simple and secure locker system. The system offers numerous features, such as 24/7 access when needed and up to 7′ lockers for oversized packages. Furthermore, the lockers have a simple design, allowing for customization with various configurations.
Package Concierge lockers are modern-looking and rugged and may be a good choice as an indoor or outdoor package locker system.
Read the full Package Concierge locker review »
7. American Locker
American Locker is a storage and locker solution provider founded in the 1930s. Although the company doesn’t specialize in package lockers, its Electronic Parcel Lockers are a solution for apartments, student housing, retail spaces, and commercial buildings.
American Locker package lockers feature a touchscreen interface and 28 compartments of varying sizes. They’re ADA-compliant and come in several colors.
American Locker isn’t a leader in the package locker space, so there isn’t much information about the system online. It is unclear how property staff manages the lockers and updates the tenant directory. American Locker package lockers also don’t appear to integrate with other systems or smart products.
Read the full American Locker review »
8. SpaceSaver
SpaceSaver Storage Solutions is a Virginia-based company selling a wide range of storage products, including locker systems, shelving solutions, sorting stations, cold storage, and other specialized containers. The company doesn’t specialize in package lockers but sells a package locker system for apartments, student housing, and other multi-tenant buildings.
SpaceSaver package lockers for apartments feature compartments of varying sizes and a touchscreen interface. They can be stylized to match your building’s appearance with metal, wood, or laminate finishes.
Read the full SpaceSaver package locker review »
9. ParcelPoint
Pitney Bowes was established in 1920, and the ParcelPoint Smart Locker for packages was introduced in 2021. It has remained one of the foremost leaders in global shipping and mailing.
Designed for any property with many inbound packages, the ParcelPoint Smart Locker features compartments of multiple sizes. It can also be integrated with all of Pitney Bowes’ software.
Read the full ParcelPoint smart locker review »
Package locker vs. package room
So you’ve narrowed your options to package lockers or a package room. But which is better, and how do you decide between lockers for packages and package rooms for your apartment building?
When deciding between a package locker or a package room, there are three important questions you should ask yourself:
- How much space do I have available? Take some measurements and determine how much space you can devote to a package storage area.
- Is it easy to use for both delivery people and residents? There’s no point investing in a package management solution if couriers don’t use it or residents don’t like it. Choose a system that both parties will want to adopt.
- Does it integrate with my other systems? To ensure maximum efficiency, you’ll want to make sure your package management solution integrates with other systems, like your property management software.
Overall, here’s how package lockers and package rooms compare:
Pros and cons of electronic parcel lockers
Pros:
- Increase security. Electronic parcel lockers provide a secure delivery location and reduce the risk of theft or lost packages. Parcels are stored in locked compartments, so only authorized recipients can retrieve their package with a unique access code.
- 24/7 resident access. Residents can pick up their packages at any time, so they offer flexibility for those with busy or unconventional schedules. This solves the common problem of residents not being able to retrieve packages during office hours. For example, a resident working late can conveniently pick up their package after hours instead of waiting the next day.
- Reduce workload for staff. Because staff no longer need to manually receive or distribute packages, they save time and can focus on more critical tasks, like leasing or fulfilling maintenance requests.
- Handle packages more efficiently. Couriers can deliver packages without requiring assistance from staff, which speeds up the process and prevents delivery delays. This also helps prevent package pileups during high-volume periods, like holidays. So, during peak holiday seasons, couriers can deliver multiple packages in minutes rather than waiting for staff to sign for each delivery.
Cons:
- Limited capacity. Lockers may fill up quickly during peak times, leading to overflow issues. If all the lockers are occupied, couriers may have to leave packages in unsecured areas, which can be frustrating for both you and your residents.
- Not suitable for large items. Large packages like furniture or oddly shaped packages may not fit into standard locker sizes. As a result, they may require alternative arrangements for delivery and storage.
- Maintenance and repairs. Like any electronic system, parcel lockers require periodic maintenance and may occasionally malfunction and create temporary access issues for residents. So, you may need to be prepared for potential downtime and service requests.
Importance of package management solutions
Most multifamily professionals can agree that package deliveries are a headache and a time-sucker. That said, you can’t ignore the problem. You need an effective solution to intake, organize, store, and distribute packages efficiently.
Package management systems benefit your building by:
Ensuring deliveries
Have your residents ever complained that the UPS driver couldn’t deliver their important package? Do they often receive “Sorry we missed you” notes?
If so, the first step to successful package management is ensuring couriers can get packages to the building. Comprehensive package management systems, like package rooms and lockers, offer effective methods of ensuring deliveries.
Preventing package theft
As package delivery continues to increase, so does the number of stolen packages. In 2019, 90,000 packages disappeared daily in New York City. Package theft is primarily the result of buildings lacking a solution to secure packages for their residents. Package management systems provide a safe place for couriers to store packages and prevent package theft.
Saving time for building staff
Residents aren’t the only ones who suffer from poor package management. Building staff also regularly struggle with accepting large deliveries, organizing countless boxes, and storing packages securely until residents pick them up.
Unfortunately, this process can take hours or even days. That’s why you need an efficient package management system. Cutting down on time your staff spends managing deliveries will allow them to focus on more important tasks.
Types of package management systems
Managing package deliveries is a must for multifamily properties. Without a suitable solution, your residents will fail to receive their packages on time or never receive them. So, to satisfy your residents, you need an effective package management system.
The types of package management systems include:
- Lockers or lockboxes
- Package rooms
- Scheduled delivery services
- Off-site holding facilities
The right system for your building depends on your needs, goals, and infrastructure. That said, we recommend package rooms that are integrated with your larger access control system for multifamily properties.
Deliver more to your residents with a complete ButterflyMX Package Room solution
The ButterflyMX Package Room empowers you to deliver more to residents at your multifamily property. Unlike standard package lockers, it offers more space and flexibility, accommodating packages of all sizes, making it a more versatile and efficient option for properties with high package volumes.
Here’s how the ButterflyMX Package Room empowers you to deliver more value to your residents:
- More space for deliveries. A Package Room provides far more capacity than a traditional locker system, ensuring there’s always space for incoming deliveries. This reduces the risk of overflow, especially during busy times like holidays or online shopping spikes.
- Enhanced security. Equipped with a 156° wide-angle camera that captures date- and time-stamped photos of everyone accessing the room, the ButterflyMX Package Room significantly reduces the likelihood of theft or misplaced packages. With this in mind, you and your residents can feel confident that deliveries are safe and secure.
- Stylish and easy to use. The sleek 8” or 12” LED screen and user-friendly interface make accessing your Package Room simple for both couriers and residents.
- Real-time notifications with a top-rated mobile app. Residents receive notifications via the ButterflyMX mobile app as soon as their packages arrive, and retrieving them is as simple as scanning a code or inputting a unique PIN.
- Remote management. You can grant couriers access remotely through the mobile app or assign delivery PINs to regular carriers like Amazon, UPS, and USPS, ensuring deliveries are made without the need for staff intervention.
- Seamless integration. Our Package Room solution integrates with all ButterflyMX products, creating a seamless access control experience. This allows you to manage both resident and delivery access in one system.
Watch how the ButterflyMX package room works:
Apartment package locker FAQs
- How do apartment package lockers work?
- Do parcel lockers cost money?
- What are smart package lockers?
- Do you need an ID for parcel lockers?
- How long can I leave something in a parcel locker?
How do apartment package lockers work?
Generally located at the building entrance or another common area, package lockers are designed to offer residents secure, 24/7 access to package deliveries.
When package locker compartments are assigned to specific tenants in the building, residents receive a notification (an email or text message) when a package is placed in their designated locker. Then, they use their unique PIN to open the locker and retrieve the package.
When lockers are unassigned, residents receive a notification telling them which compartment holds their packages. They also receive a PIN code to open the smart locker.
In either scenario, the process of using a package locker is the same:
- A courier accesses the building and enters their designated PIN into the system.
- The courier selects which residents received a package and places the corresponding packages in the correct compartments.
- The courier closes the compartment door, which locks it automatically.
Do parcel lockers cost money?
Parcel lockers do not cost residents money to use. However, the property that implements a digital parcel locker must purchase the lockers and keep up with ongoing fees. As such, properties may charge tenants a monthly fee to use the package locker.
What are smart package lockers?
Smart package lockers are electronic and keyless delivery management systems that help residents receive packages without the worry of them being stolen or delayed.
What’s more, ADA-compliant keyless lockers use large, easy-to-read fonts and Braille to guarantee that they’re accessible for all users.
Do you need an ID for parcel lockers?
No. Most parcel lockers only require you to scan the unique barcode sent to you when the package was delivered.
How long can I leave something in a parcel locker?
It depends on where the parcel locker is located. USPS parcel lockers only allow packages to stay for about 10 days before they’re returned.
For private parcel lockers, it depends on the property and the volume of packages it receives. If you leave your package in the locker for too long, the delivery driver may send it back to make space for new packages. That said, it’s best to retrieve your package from the locker as soon as possible.
Disclaimer: ButterflyMX provides these blog posts to help our customers and potential customers make the right business decisions for them. Our blog posts are based on the information we have available to us at the time of writing.
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