If you have a large driveway gate then the last thing you want is to have to leave it open, or open it for the postman every morning. While a lot of houses rely on a built-in letterbox in the front door, a gate letterbox provides a secure and convenient way of receiving your mail. But which is the best one?
There are certain things you should look for when choosing a gate letterbox such as durability, rust-resistance and size; all of which we will cover in this guide. We will also be checking out some of the best gate letterboxes so you can feel confident that you are getting an excellent product!
Table of Contents
Why Do I Need A Gate Letterbox?
One of the biggest reasons that people install a gate letterbox is to prevent people from having to come onto their property. This provides additional security and privacy.
While your local Royal Mail post person is likely a friendly and reliable individual, you can never be too careful and there are exceptions to this. If you have a gate letterbox away from your front door, you can rest easily.
Speaking of rest, have you ever attempted to have a well-earned lie in on a Saturday morning only to be rudely awoken by the sound of the letterbox? If this sounds familiar then you will be pleased to know that these disturbances can be forever eliminated by using a gate letterbox.
Also, in terms of security, not having a letterbox in your front door will prevent any intruders from being able to reach in. it may sound extreme but it is no secret that criminals do attempt to reach locks and keys through the letterbox!
Moreover, these letterboxes make an amazing statement so if you are looking to improve the aesthetic value of your outdoor space and make it look a little more high-end, the simple addition of a gate letterbox will help you to achieve this.
What Are The Best Gate Letterboxes?
You only need to hop onto Amazon or Google to see that there are hundreds, if not thousands of gate letterboxes all claiming to be the best. We like to think that we have a good degree of knowledge on the subject and as such, this has allowed us to research and review a selection of letterboxes. While some didn’t meet our expectations, there were others that really caught our attention and we would love to share them with you.
SONGMICS Modern Mailbox – Top Pick
- Small upgrade, great improvement: Different from those made of zinc alloy, the core of this SONGMICS...
- Details that make a difference: The stylish sloping top prevents rain from stagnating on it. Powder...
- One look is enough: Waiting for mail? The 3 viewing windows tell you if there is anything inside....
You could be forgiven for thinking that, in order to get a decent gate letterbox, you would need to pay over the odds. But this isn’t true. The SONGMICS modern mailbox is proof of this and provides an affordable and reliable way to collect your mail.
The letterbox is made from durable materials that will resist rust and provide a strong and secure place for your letters. What’s more, the copper core is far superior to other products that opt for a weaker and less reliable locking mechanism.
This is an incredibly stylish-looking mailbox that comes with a viewing window and is large enough to contain an A4 envelope.
Pros | Cons |
Affordable | We couldn’t find any – this is a great product! |
Incredibly strong | |
Pleasing design | |
Good size | |
Excellent security |
Sterling MB25BK – Best For Security
- Vertical posting slot & large door for easy emptying
- Mounting bracket and fixings included
- Post Slot Size: 32 x 235mm
If you are looking for something that offers impeccable security and is 100% reliable then the Sterling letterbox is the best option. It is made from powder coated steel which will resist rust and corrosion meaning that it is a very durable product. Furthermore, the cylinder lock provides a secure closure and with two sets of keys, you don’t need to worry about getting locked out of your own letterbox!
This is a large postbox with plenty of room for bigger items yet its sleek and stylish design doesn’t look garish on the gate. It can also be installed on railing giving you plenty of versatile options in where to display it. It comes with everything you need for installation which is quick and easy.
If all of that wasn’t enough, this one comes with a two year guarantee which further boosts our confidence that this is one of the most secure options on the market.
Pros | Cons |
Good quality lock | Expensive |
Stylish design | |
Large size | |
Comes with two sets of keys | |
Easy to install |
HNP Personalised Letterbox – Best Design
No products found.
For anyone who is looking for a gate letterbox to improve the visual appeal of their property, this traditional and attractive looking product would make a great addition to your home. What really caught our eye was that there is the option to have your address and name on the letterbox giving it that little extra personal flair.
But far more than just looking the part, the HNP letterbox offers excellent durability and weatherproofing. This is thanks to the galvanised steel design which is corrosion resistant and will stand up to the elements.
This letterbox is ideal for larger mail items measuring up to 34cm. What’s more, it comes with an additional set of keys for your convenience.
Pros | Cons |
Made from high quality materials | Opening is smaller than other options |
Two sets of keys included | |
Decorative design | |
Fittings included | |
Rust resistant |
Arboria Postbox – Best Affordable Letterbox
In the UK, is there anything that says ‘mail’ better than the colour red? We thought not! If you want that traditional aesthetic then this bright pillarbox red gate letterbox is the ideal solution for you. What’s more, coming in at less than £20, you aren’t going to have to break the bank for the privilege.
The Arboria postbox is completely weatherproof and is made from high quality stainless steel. This makes it lightweight and yet incredibly durable so you are getting the best of both worlds. What’s more, it requires little to no maintenance.
We think this is the perfect postbox for everyday mail thanks to its compact design. It would work well on the wall pillar of a smaller gate and provides a reliable and secure way of receiving your mail.
Pros | Cons |
Affordable | Not suitable for larger mail items |
Traditional colour | |
Easy to install | |
Two sets of keys included | |
Durable |
MagiDeal Wall Mounted Letterbox
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Imagine a quaint countryside cottage adorned with trailing flowers and plants; the perfect finishing touch would be this beautiful letterbox that fits perfectly onto the wall supports of your driveway gate. The traditional, shabby chic design is contemporary and eye-catching.
While it may look less durable than some of the other products we have looked at, you might be surprised to learn that this one is made from iron sheet which is incredibly strong and resistant. So you’ll also be getting something that stands the test of time.
The MagiDeal letterbox features an overhanging lid to ensure that no rainwater can get inside and damage your mail. This is a nice feature that isn’t seen on all decorative gate letterboxes so it certainly caught our attention.
Pros | Cons |
Choice of three colours | No lock and key |
Weather resistant | |
Made from strong materials | |
Beautiful design | |
Large size |
SK Cast Metal Post Box
- Decorative ornate vintage green mail / post box, functional piece, adds class to any home or...
- Wall mounted, constructed from durable cast aluminium so no rusting (No fixings supplied dependent...
- Features lockable front door to keep your mail safe
It cannot escape the attention that this is an incredibly classy and luxurious looking letterbox. If you want something that will serve just as much as a decorative item as it will a functional one then this is definitely worth considering.
Not only does it look amazing but this post box offers amazing durability since it is made from cast aluminium. This material is lightweight enough to make installing the letterbox a breeze but also strong enough to withstand the harsh weather conditions that the UK is famous for. Moreover, it won’t rust or corrode.
This is a large capacity letterbox that is suitable for bigger mail items and comes with a lockable door for added security.
Pros | Cons |
Great aesthetic design | Expensive |
Durable and rust resistant | |
Excellent security | |
Large size | |
Comes with two sets of keys |
Maison And White Post Box
- ✔️ DURABLE - Constructed from galvanized steel the mailbox is highly durable, offering quality...
- ✔️ WEATHER RESISTANT - The overhanging lid and waterproof design provides protection from wind...
- ✔️ STYLISH - The embossed design is sleek and minimalist, available in white, grey or black...
Straight off the bat you will notice that this is one of the most affordable gate letterboxes on offer. But don’t be fooled into thinking that the low price means a compromise in quality or durability. This is a super reliable product that is perfect for mounting to a wall post at your driveway gate.
The Maison and White post post is slimline and lightweight but is made from galvanised steel meaning that it is resistant to the weather and extremely durable.
What’s more, this letterbox offers a large capacity which will easily contain A4 letters. Yet the minimal design won’t serve as an eyesore on your driveway gate and is the perfect compliment to the modern home.
Pros | Cons |
Made from galvanised steel for durability | Slimline design isn’t suitable for thicker packages |
Affordable | |
Modern design | |
Easy to install | |
Comes with a lock |
What To Look For When Choosing A Gate Letterbox
When you choose a gate letterbox it is no good going for something that you stumble across without having first done some research. Using a guide like this one is one of the best ways to ensure you source a quality product that will perform as you expect. However, there are further things you should consider before parting with any of your hard-earned cash.
Security
One of the most important things to think about when choosing your gate letterbox is the level of security you get with it. Since your mail is going to be away from your property, you need to be safe in the knowledge that nobody is going to be able to tamper with it. Many of these products come with a lock and key which will leave you confident that your post won’t be interfered with.
You should also make sure that your letterbox comes with an additional set of keys because the last thing you want is to get locked out and have to break apart the box to get into it.
There are some letterboxes that do not come with a built-in lock but have space for you to add a padlock. This is, at the very least, the level of security you should be looking for.
In addition to this, you will need to make sure that the opening through which letters are posted is not too wide. It needs to be wide enough for larger letters but if it is too wide then it may be possible for someone to reach inside and take your mail.
Materials
Since your gate letterbox is going to be outdoors, you need to feel confident that it is going to be able to stand up to the elements and resist everything that the UK weather throws at it. In addition to this, you want to feel confident that, even after extensive use, the materials won’t easily wear or weaken.
Most gate letterboxes are made from metals such as steel, aluminium and iron. It is important to look for treated materials that have been galvanised, powder coated or otherwise reinforced as this will ensure that they are more easily able to stand the test of time. These materials will also be much better able to resist extreme temperatures and moisture so will not rust.
Size
Some people may be able to get by with a smaller letterbox and this is especially true if you don’t receive a lot of mail or are installing it onto a smaller gate. In this case, compact is definitely better.
However, for most of us, the more space we have, the better, so you should look for a gate letterbox that is able to contain at least two days worth of mail.
In addition to this, you should make sure that it is able to hold larger envelopes. Fortunately, most letterboxes will have the capacity to contain an A4 envelope without any problems.
Conclusion
A gate letterbox that is attached to the gate itself or the wall posts is a great way to collect your mail without being disturbed. They are secure and many of them come in an attractive design that serves as a way of improving the appearance of your property.
While there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing your gate letterbox, you will find that there are a lot of excellent products on the market. We spent a lot of time checking out some of these products and are happy to be able to bring you a selection of 7 of the very best.