The Best Rooftop Cargo Boxes You Can Buy

In theory, at least, station wagons, SUVs and minivans offer a lot of cargo space. But throw children, dogs and stuff into the mix, and holding all your gear can become difficult. A rooftop cargo box can be an excellent solution for adding storage capacity for skis, snowboards and camping gear. It can also be a more cost-effective option than leveling up to an expensive full-size SUV that may prove unwieldy in real life.

You can score a cheap cargo carrier, but if you travel frequently, investing in one of the best rooftop cargo boxes from brands like Yakima or Thule may make sense. Spending more can get you more durable, lightweight materials, a more aerodynamic design to reduce noise and improve fuel economy and a simpler, more secure setup process.

What to Look for in a Rooftop Cargo Box

Rack Compatibility: Does the cargo carrier work with any roof rack, or does it require a brand-specific one? Buying crossbars or a rack from the same manufacturer as the cargo box can help ensure they are compatible. If your car does not have roof rails, have no fear. Multiple manufacturers have created adapters that allow for innovative mounting options for vehicles not made with roof rails.

Weight Capacity: Something to remember when shopping for roof racks or crossbars is how much weight you intend to transport. Crossbars will have lower weight limitations than a full rack, but depending on what you are carrying, they may work just fine. Getting a full platform rack will be more expensive and less modular, but they can carry a lot more weight. Remember that you do not want to load your roof beyond its limit, but I will touch on this later.

Size: Once you determine how much weight you plan on carrying in your cargo box, you’ll need to consider the box size. Typically measured in cubic feet, which is helpful for volume, you will want to dive a bit deeper into the specs for the length as well. For example, if you are rolling in a hatchback, be mindful of how a box could hinder the trunk operation if it has to be mounted too far back on the car.

REI

Best Overall Rooftop Cargo Box: Yakima SkyBox NX 16

• $749.00 at REI

• Volume: 16 Cubic Feet
• Dimensions: L 75.5 in x W 35 in x H 16 in
• Weight: 47 lbs
• Minimum Crossbar Spread: 24.00 in
• Maximum Crossbar Spread: 36.00 in

Yakima is one of the brands you’re probably most familiar with; you see them rigged up on cars everywhere. And well, there is a reason for that. The Yakima Skybox NX 16 is the newest generation of the Skybox line. Not only does it have a fresh modern look, but it also is equipped with a bidirectional opening feature, as well as a torque knob for easy installation.

It provides ample space within a compact footprint while still offering a sleek, aerodynamic shape to reduce drag and wind noise. The installation process does not require any tools, and it only weighs 47 pounds, so it won’t be too difficult to add to your vehicle with the help of a friend. It also has a tapered design at the rear to reduce hatch interference. It can hold camping gear for three and skis and snowboards up to 175 cm. The 16 cubic feet of room of this model will be about right for most people; still, you can level up to 18 cubes, if need be.

REI

Best Upgrade Rooftop Cargo Box: Yakima CBX Cargo Box 18

• $1,099.00 at REI

• Volume: 18 Cubic Feet
• Dimensions: L 91 in x W 38 in x H 16in
• Weight: 65 lbs
• Minimum Crossbar Spread: 24 in
• Maximum Crossbar Spread: 40 in

Yes, the Yakima CBX 18 is a bit more expensive than its sibling above. Not only is it bigger, but it provides great looks, a low profile, and a flat floor for holding more gear. This box also features a removable torque tool for mounting, a bidirectional opening and interior tie-downs that prevent gear from sliding.

This is an ideal option for the serious outdoorsman as it fits snowboards and skis up to 215 cm, and can also hold camping gear for around five people. You will most likely max out your car’s roof capacity before running out of space in here.

Amazon

Best Budget Rooftop Cargo Box: Thule Sidekick Cargo Box

• $500.00 at Amazon

• Volume: 8 Cubic Feet
• Dimensions: L 54 in x W 25 in x H 15.5 in
• Weight: 16 lbs
• Mounting: U-Bolt

The Sidekick is a great, affordable option from Thule for carrying smaller loads of up to 75 pounds. Its compact design can fit on the rack alongside other roof-mounted gear or provide an easier fit for smaller vehicles. This is not going to be the best rack for storing skis and snowboards. One of the nice perks is that you might be able to fit this on the back half of your car so that you can still get full use of your sunroof.

Amazon

Best Rooftop Cargo Box for Family Travel: Rhino Rack MasterFit Roof Box 530L

• $810.00 at Amazon

• Volume: 18.7 Cubic Feet
• Dimensions: L 85 in x W 35 in x H 17 in
• Weight: 47.4 lbs
• Minimum crossbar spacing: 550mm
• Maximum Crossbar Spacing: 1000mm

This Rhino Rack cargo box is the largest on our list, with 18.7 cubic feet of storage space. This size makes it a great option when you are packing up the family to head up the canyon for a day on the slopes. And honestly, it isn’t all that heavy for how big it is. If you are concerned about your roof’s capacity but also want to make sure you can carry larger items, this might be the rack for the family.

REI

Best Solar-Powered Rooftop Cargo Box: Yakima CBX Solar 16 Roof Box

• $1,499.00 at REI

• Volume: 16 Cubic Feet
• Dimensions: L 83 in x W 38 in x H 15 in
• Weight: 60 lbs
• Minimum Crossbar Spread: 24.00 in
• Maximum Crossbar Spread: 35.50 in

In addition to the size and strength that Yakimas can hold, this box is living in the future. The solar battery produces 36 Watts/5-volts, which is great for charging your phone or a portable battery. It has two USB ports for connecting your devices. When it comes to camping or road-tripping, how nice would it be to have a virtually unlimited source of power for your small devices with the panel being in such a prime location? There are obviously tons of roof-mounted solar panels out there, but those require a more extensive installation process. With this roof box, you get all the perks of the rest of Yakima’s CBX line, with the added benefit of power.

Amazon

Best Rooftop Cargo Box for Easy Storage: Amazon Rooftop Cargo Carrier Bag

• $88.00 at Amazon

• Volume: 15 Cubic Feet
• Dimensions: 43.5 in x 16.84 in x 33.5 in
• Weight: 4.7 lbs
• Mounting: 8 cinch straps with buckles

Getting a fancy roof rack and a cargo box can get pricey. But Amazon’s rooftop bag could be a compelling alternative for those on a serious budget or those who need the storage capacity for just one trip. It holds up to 15 cubic feet of gear. I can think of many road trips that would be significantly improved by putting luggage on top of the vehicle, and this bag would allow you to do it pretty seamlessly. I think everyone’s mood changes for the better when you have some more elbow room in a crowded vehicle. On top of all that, it’s waterproof to protect everything from the elements.

GetFlated

Most Innovative Rooftop Cargo Box: Flated Air-Carrier Rooftop Cargo Carrier

• $699.00 at REI

• Volume: 23 cubic feet
• Dimensions: L 72 in x W 34 in x H 20 in
• Weight: 23 lbs
• Mounting: Built-in webbing straps are used with crossbars. Included straps go through side D-rings and doors for vehicles without crossbars.

Flated has introduced a design that is far different than anything on the market. The Air-Carrier features the accessibility of a roof bag while providing the perks of a rigid cargo box. It is made out of 420-denier nylon canvas with a drop-stitch construction (similar to an inflatable paddle board) that is waterproof.

This inflatable box is available in medium and large sizes, with the large only weighing 23 lbs. There is also a sport option that is the longest size for those interested in storing skis and snowboards. It’s a good amount heavier than a roof bag, but it can still be managed by a single person pretty easily. And when the box is deflated, it fits in a duffel bag.

Our tester found it to be notably quiet, even at highway speeds. While it looks a bit goofier than the sportier options on this list, it gets the job done.

Read our full Flated Air-Carrier review.

Pelican

Best Truck Bed Toolbox for Overlanding and Camping

Best Rooftop Cargo Box for Easy Removal: Pelican BX140R Cargo Case

• $480.00 at pelican.com

• Volume: 4.02 Cubic Feet
• Dimensions: 33.1.0 × 24 × 11.5″
• Weight: 35.1 lbs
• Mounting: Tie-down plates

Pelican cases have a lot of respect in the industry for their robust design. While this cargo case can easily be slid into your trunk, you can save some room and easily mount it to a roof rack. They are available in various sizes and shapes, allowing your rooftop storage situation to be extremely modular. It is important to note that you need a platform-style roof rack to strap it down properly.

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