Best Car Roof Boxes: Top Picks Of 2024

Scott Nelson By, Scott Nelson
Updated
RoofPax 19 cft. Waterproof Car Roof Bag
Image credit: Amazon.com

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: RoofPax 19 cft. Waterproof Car Roof Bag

The 19 cft. rooftop cargo carrier is a better and safer solution for safely storing your car top luggage when traveling. With patented door hook straps/clips, TSA approved lock, sturdy storage bag, and lifetime warranty on zippers and buckles, it offer you a better way of travel. The zipper enclosure also makes it water resistant so you can be safe in any weather condition. Read Review

2. Best For The Price: FIVKLEMNZ 15 Cubic Car Roof Bag Cargo Carrier

The Fivklemnz 15 Cubic Car Roof Bag Cargo Carrier is designed for safety and convenience, with 8 reinforced straps to keep it in place. Keep the car neat and organized by carrying all your gear. The Fivklemnz roof bag was designed to solve the problem of limited storage space in the car, giving you the ability to carry up to six suitcases, travel luggage cases, tents or sleeping bags, or anything else you need when traveling. Read Review

3. Best Quality: Sailnovo Housewives 20 Cubic ft Car Roof Bag

The 20 cubic foot cargo bag is made of 1000D high-quality waterproof material with strong stitching. Foldable for compact storage, you don't have to spend as much money as buying a roof box, but you have a bag with all the features of a roof box. The car top carrier is equipped with an oversized zipper with flaps for water repellency and light-resistant. More capacity, more robust, more fun to travel! Read Review

4. Best Durable: SportRack Vista XL Rear Opening Cargo Box

The SportRack Vista XL is the perfect cargo box for all your adventures. With a tough ABS construction and UV-resistant color, this cargo box is durable and UV-resistant. For compatibility, it fits all SportRack roof rack systems, square load bars, round load bars, and most factory racks with its convenient front opening. Inside knobs tighten or release to secure or remove the box from your roof rack. Read Review

Having an extra storage space in your car is great but can be a hassle if you don’t have a place to keep your stuff. A car roof box is the perfect solution for people who only need enough space for their things and not anything more. These boxes are usually made from plastic so they’re easy to clean and don’t look like something that belongs in the car.

In this blog post we will talk about some of the best options for a car roof box, from features, pros and cons and more. . We will also give you some tips on how to select the best option for your needs.

Before making our recommendations, our specialists spend substantial time researching and analyzing your requirements. Then we found the RoofPax 19 cft. Waterproof Car Roof Bag is the greatest choice for its high-quality performance. If you're looking for another one, consider FIVKLEMNZ 15 Cubic Car Roof Bag Cargo Carrier.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 RoofPax 19 cft. Waterproof Car Roof Bag
Our Score:
9.7
RoofPax
  • ✅ SAFETY COMES FIRST: RoofPax is the ONLY brand that produces its Car Roof Carriers for maximum safety with the Patented 4+2 extra free door hook straps (included), instead of using straps that go inside the car. Tying down any car top luggage involving straps going through the inside of the car is HIGHLY dangerous as they interfere with air bags in case of emergency and are illegal to use in some states. RoofPax is the safest and most secure Car Roof Cargo Bag on the market today.
  • ✅ WORKS WITH or WITHOUT a ROOF RACK: Use the RoofPax spacious 19 cubic feet car roof top luggage carrier with any sized car or SUV. It can be quickly and easily installed in minutes using either; raised side rails/crossbars/roof rack/basket and if none of them is installed - you can always use the included 6 door hook straps which attach under the door's rubber seal gasket.
TOP Choice #2 FIVKLEMNZ 15 Cubic Car Roof Bag Cargo Carrier
Our Score:
9.5
FIVKLEMNZ
  • 【100% Refund or Replacement】:7x24 online customer support, ask us anything at any time. Backed by 30 days money-back guarantee and 12 months limited warranty.
  • 【Most Safe Design】: For security reasons, we use 8 reinforced adjustable straps to keep the cargo carrier in place. In addition, equipped with free anti-slip mat to keep the cargo bag stay in place even in high speed road or bump road, no slip, no scratch to your car.
TOP Choice #3 Sailnovo Housewives 20 Cubic ft Car Roof Bag
Our Score:
9.4
Sailnovo
  • 【Easy to install: 】The roof box is equipped with 2 built-in fastening straps and 6 additional straps with buckles to avoid any sagging for a secure fit and the roof bag can be installed in just a few minutes!
  • 【Travel】Our foldable roof box is for your family outing, road trips, weekend adventures, luggage transport or vacation travel this summer! If you have any problems with thevehicle cargo carriers, please feel free to contact us!
  • Fits SportRack Rack Systems, square bars, round bars and most factory racks (check fit guide)
  • 18 cubic foot (510 L) internal cargo capacity
  • External dimensions: 67 x 35 x 16 inches; Internal dimensions: 61 x 33 x 14 inches
  • Passenger-side opening for easy loading and unloading
  • 20 Cubic Feet - Carrying capacity - The whole point of the purchase us to provide additional cargo room, so it makes no point to buy one that is not big enough. the roof bag overall size is 51.1'' x 39'' x 17'', Carry 20 cubic feet. Larger than other brand.
  • Waterproof - PVC Materials - The torrential downpour will test merely water resistant materials to their limit and likely result in damp or soaked contents. But our car top carrier is coated with PVC to aid in waterproofing ( inside and out ),NOT ONLY WATER RESISTANT like other brand.
7 JEGS Rooftop Cargo Carrier
Our Score:
8.8
JEGS
  • EASY & CONVENIENT LOADING AND UNLOADING from either side of the car make for smooth travel and hassle-free storage
  • NO TOOLS REQUIRED, EASY ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION. All mounting hardware and simple instructions are included to get you safely on the road quickly
  • EASY TO USE - The MeeFar XBEEK roof bag come with 1x anti-slip mats, 1x luggage lock, 6x security hooks, and 1x storage box, it can be quickly and easily installed in minutes; Made of soft shell material, it can be folded into the storage bag to save space while not in use;
  • UNIVERSAL COMPATIBILITY - The MeeFar XBEEK roof bag can be used with any sized car or SUV, work both with car with or without roof rack;
  • Easy Mounting & Storage Design - Design with 6 short tie straps & 2 long straps, make it easy to attaches in only a matter of minutes. Our Carrier is purely malleable, more simple to store than the carrier with stiff inner-lining ( storage bag included ).
  • 20 Cubic Feet - Carrying capacity - The whole point of the purchase us to provide additional cargo room, so it makes no point to buy one that is not big enough. the roof bag overall size is 52'' x 39'' x 17'', Carry 20 cubic feet. Larger than other brand.
  • 【UPGRADED WATERPROOF ZIP】While other rooftop carrier bags let in water through the normal zipper, we've upgraded it to a waterproof zipper and fitted it with a widened 4.7" zipper flap that helps keep your items 100% dry.
  • 【OVERSIZED 21 CUBIC FEET】Massive 21 cubic feet (L52" x W39.5" x H17.5") of space can easily hold all luggage of a family of 5-6. Most other roof cargo carriers are small and there is not enough room to accommodate everything you need.

What to Look For in a best car roof boxes?

Actually, when you decide to invest in best car roof boxes for yourself, lots of things to consider! It's harder to choose since the product comes with many types, functions, and features from different manufacturers. That’s why you should find a reliable space to acquire knowledge related to the item. 

We’ve highlighted the essential features of the best car roof boxes below. Along with checking out the list of best models in the list, you should also carefully read the buying guide here:

Price

"Rooftop carriers can be very expensive. The price of a rooftop carrier is unlikely to play a major role in your buying decision, unless you are Bill Gates or Warren Buffett.
Storage capacity is generally more expensive. You will also pay more for extra features and a well-known brand.
You can expect to pay $300-$400+ for a good quality carrier made by reputable manufacturers. Unfortunately, if you require something more, then the cost will go up."

Security

Your items' value will determine the level of security that you need. You should not dismiss theft from the roof box or even the entire package.

Access

Ideal worlds would see us load our belongings and not have to go back until we get to our forest hideaway. You will likely need access to your stuff along the route so ensure you choose a carrier that is easy to use.
Others only permit access from one side, while some others allow you to open from both sides. Some will only allow you to access the back, so you must be aware of traffic and not stop at the curb.

Aerodynamics

You should consider the aerodynamic design. The most aerodynamic design will generally be the most expensive and have a lower capacity to hold certain shapes.er boxes, on the other hand, are less concerned about aerodynamics and will offer more freedom when it comes to the size and shape of items you can transport.

Fuel Economy

A roof storage system will have an adverse effect on fuel economy. Even though you don't have any cargo, the extra weight of your box and the mountings can affect how much gas you get. Although aerodynamic designs may reduce the impact, you'll still get a decrease in miles per gallon.

Ease Of Use

You might only use the box once a year, so you should consider how simple or difficult it will be to attach and take down. There are many attachment methods available from different manufacturers, so some may be quicker and easier than others.

Weight Capacity

To find out the maximum weight for your roof, you will have to consult the owner's guide. The maximum weight of a car roof is typically 75kg or 165lbs. This includes both the container and the racks/rails it's attached to. Boxes typically weigh between 30-40 pounds so you will need to leave around 120-130 lbs of cargo.

Looks

This is probably not the most crucial criteria. If you are looking for a sporty and sleek car, adding any type of roof box to your vehicle will make it look less elegant. You can minimize any negative effects by sticking with more aerodynamic designs.

Size

When deciding what items to store on your roof, you should consider the size and shape of the container.
Beyond the size, you should also consider whether the volume in cubic feet of space is adequate for your requirements. There are sizes that range from 8 to 22 feet. You can likely find the right size box for you. You should avoid purchasing something too large for your car.

FAQs

Will Roof Racks Scratch My Car?

A rack that is properly attached to a clean roof will not cause damage or scratch to your car. To remove road grime and dirt buildup, we recommend you regularly take your roof rack off of your vehicle.

What Is A Good Size Roof Box?

The best size of roof boxes is the one that suits your specific needs. If you have a small car, it's not worth buying a 22-L roof box. If you are looking to transport skis, you will need to consider the dimensions of your skis when buying a roof cargo container.

Will A Cargo Box Affect My Fuel Consumption?

You will experience an increase in fuel consumption. It's very minimal. Fuel economy begins to decline when you drive at highway speeds. Fuel economy can drop by 6-10%

Can You Drive With An Empty Roof Box?

Yes. However, you should not use your roof box for a prolonged period of time. It could have a negative impact on your fuel consumption and create extra noise.

I Have A Full-length Box And It Seems To Overhang The Bars A Long Way. Is This OK?

Yes. The boxes have a design that allows approximately 1/3 to hang out behind the rear bars. One third of the roof bars supports the third and the third rests on the front bar.

How Much Gear Can I Load?

Three things will determine this:
- Carry capacity of your fitted roof rack
- How the cross bars and roof style are attached to your vehicle
- Size of your rooftop carrier

How To Storage A Car Roof Box?

You have several options when it comes to where you store your roof box. You can either keep the roof box in your garage or place it in your backyard with the raincover on. If your vehicle is large enough, you could even store it inside of your car.

What Is The Best Position For A Roof Box?

This is the ideal position for the roof box to be centrally located when you look from the front. The weight should be evenly distributed. To avoid roof boxes that extend too far from your windshield, you should set it so that your hatch can be reached.

Do I Need A Roof Rack?

Yes. To mount the rooftop cargo boxes, you will need to have a properly fitted roof rack. All boxes can fit on most roof rack cross bars, and the mounting system is universal. To find the best roof rack for your vehicle, check out our Roof Rack Buyers Guide.

Do I Need Anything Else Apart From Roof Bars And A Roof Box?

No. Every roof box that we sell comes with a pair of standard and box fittings, along with a set straps for keeping luggage in place. Because the boxes are secured to roof bars by the fixings inside, they can not be lifted from their bars once locked.

After knowing the suitable kinds of best car roof boxes and the features you wish, it’s high time for you to start your shopping. Note that you shouldn’t run out to a particular store or start scrolling through online sales just yet. With the development of technology, especially the expansion of sale sites, you can easily find your buddy. 

Remember to check out our site weekly round-up to ensure that the current sales on best car roof boxes perform well in our tests. So you can catch up with them as soon as possible. Would you please give us your feedback for better service? Many thanks!


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About Scott Nelson

Scott Nelson

Scott Nelson is a freelance writer who specializes in camping and wildlife topics for CampFireHQ. He has written for several outdoor magazines and websites, and he enjoys nothing more than spending a weekend in the woods with his family. Scott is an experienced camper and backpacker, and he has also spent considerable time studying the behavior of bears and other large mammals.

Read Scott's full bio