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If you enjoy camping but don’t like the idea of sleeping on the ground, a rooftop tent is perfect for you. Since it mounts to the roof rack of your car, you’ll be perfectly safe from all the creepy crawlies and unwanted guests. Additionally, it allows you to set up camp instantly anywhere you park your car.
With more and more options emerging all the time, choosing the right one requires some thought. To help guide you through the process, our rooftop tent reviews will take a detailed look at all the best rooftop tents and their features. By choosing one of these, you’ll have a safe and reliable shelter anywhere you go.
OUR TOP PICK
Tepui Tents HyBox Roof Top Tent
- What Makes This Tent Stand Out
- Doubles as a rooftop tent and a cargo box (Hybrid system)
- Hardshell casing protects the tent and gear when driving
- Compatible with most standard vehicles and roof racks
- “No-see-um” mesh on doors and windows for bug protection
- Two doors with fabric flaps that can work as awnings
Best For: Carrying Extra Gear
Capacity: 2
Doors: 2
Floor Dimensions: 81 x 51 inches
Height: 37 inches
Fabric: Coated Cotton, Polyester
Waterproof Rating: 3,000mm
Ladder: Yes (8.5 feet, Telescopic)
Weight: 155 pounds
Closed Dimensions: 84 x 55 x 55 inches
EDITORS CHOICE
ARB 803804 Simpson Roof Top Tent
- What Makes This Tent Stand Out
- Annex kit covers the entry and increases the sheltered area
- Adjustable aluminum ladder for getting in the tent easily
- Oxford polyester flysheet protects you from bad weather
- Thick and soft 2.5-inch mattress installed in the tent
- Bedding and some gear can stay inside when packed
Best For: Privacy
Capacity: 2
Doors: 1
Floor Dimensions: 55 x 94 inches
Height: 51 inches
Fabric: Ripstop Polyester, Cotton
Waterproof: Yes
Ladder: Yes (Aluminum)
Weight: 171 pounds
Closed Dimensions: 57 x 49 x 15 inches
BEST VALUE
Raptor Series Offgrid Voyager Roof Top Tent
- What Makes This Tent Stand Out
- Extra-large mesh door for an outstanding view
- Built-in door awning protects you from sunlight
- Two hanging pockets for shoes and small items
- Strong tent frame with 750 pounds of weight capacity
- PU-coated ripstop rainfly withstands heavy rain
Best For: Enjoying the View
Capacity: 2
Doors: 1
Floor Dimensions: 78 x 48 inches
Fabric: 300gsm PU-Coated Ripstop Polyester
Waterproof: Yes
Ladder: Yes (8 feet, Telescopic, Aluminum)
Weight: 159 pounds
Closed Dimensions: 86 x 54 x 11 inches
TMB Motorsports Green Pop Up Roof Top Tent
- What Makes This Tent Stand Out
- Mounts on any vehicle with standard roof rails
- Dual zippers (in and out) for easier entry and exit
- Bungee net gear storage on the ceiling
- Shock-corded aluminum frame for quick setup
- Low-profile shell casing doesn’t create drag
Best For: Convenient Transportation
Capacity: 2
Doors: 2
Floor Dimensions: 84 x 49 inches
Height: 37 inches
Fabric: Polyester Oxford with PU Coating
Waterproof: Yes
Ladder: Yes
Weight: 180 pounds
Closed Dimensions: 84 x 49 x 13 inches
- What Makes This Tent Stand Out
- Ruggedized fabric withstands wind and low temperatures
- The spacious interior accommodates up to 3 adult campers
- A thick 2.5-inch-thick foam mattress covers the sleeping surface
- The anti-condensation mat under the mattress
- Built-in Sky panels for looking at the stars (with removed rainfly)
Best For: Cold Weather
Capacity: 3
Doors: 1
Floor Dimensions: 96 x 56 inches
Height: 52 inches
Fabric: 360g Ripstop Polyester (Canopy), 420D PU Polyester Oxford (Rainfly)
Waterproof: Yes
Ladder: Yes (8 feet 6 inches, Telescoping)
Weight: 159 pounds
Closed Dimensions: 48 x 56 x 12 inches
- What Makes This Tent Stand Out
- Removable annex to add privacy to your tent
- Aluminum diamond base plate for additional strength
- Ruggedized poly/cotton fabric with 600D ripstop rainfly
- Dual-stitched and taped seams prevent any leaking
- All doors and windows have dual mesh and fabric screens
Best For: Insect Protection
Capacity: 3
Doors: 1
Floor Dimensions: 122 x 56 inches
Height: 52 inches
Fabric: 360g Polyester Cotton (Canopy), 600D Ripstop Polyester (Rainfly)
Waterproof: Yes
Ladder: Yes
Weight: 192 pounds
Closed Dimensions: 56 x 48 x 12 inches
Offroading Gear Store Granville III Roof Top Tent
- What Makes This Tent Stand Out
- One of the lightest rooftop tents on the market (only 96 pounds)
- Generous sleeping area with lots of headroom
- Quick and easy installation on any standard roof rack
- Comes with a 6.5-foot adjustable aluminum ladder
- Heavy-duty cover for protection when driving
Best For: Sleeping Comfort
Capacity: 2
Doors: 2
Floor Dimensions: 48 x 84 inches
Height: 50 inches
Fabric: 420D Polyester Oxford with PU Coating
Waterproof: Yes
Ladder: Yes (6.5 feet, Aluminum)
Weight: 96 pounds
Closed Dimensions: 48 x 41 x 11 inches
- What Makes This Tent Stand Out
- Rugged aluminum frame withstands weight easily
- High-density memory foam mattress for comfy sleeping
- Four large wall pockets for organizing your gear
- The canopy extends over the ladder for extra privacy
- 600D Polyester rainfly keeps you dry in any situation
Best For: Rain And UV Protection
Capacity: 3
Doors: 1
Floor Dimensions: 122 x 56 inches
Height: 52 inches
Fabric: 260g Polyester Cotton (Canopy), 600D Ripstop Polyester (Rainfly)
Waterproof Rating: Yes
Ladder: Yes
Weight: 152 pounds
Closed Dimensions: 48 x 56 x 12 inches
How To Choose The Best Roof Top Tent – Buying Guide
Size and Capacity
While the size of car top tents is somewhat restricted because of the limited surface a rooftop provides, there are still some differences in size between models. Most models feature a more compact design that fits 1 or 2 people, but some car top tents like the Tepui Autana have a larger and more organized sleeping area that fits 3 people with some spare room for gear.
Weight
Two factors are important when discussing weight — the weight of the tent itself and its weight capacity. When choosing a rooftop camping tent, make sure that the roof rack on your car can withstand the combined weight of the tent, yourself, and the gear inside. Additionally, check whether the tent floor can hold your weight, otherwise, you might fall through or damage the structure of the tent.
Related Review: Ultralight Tent
Ease of Installation
With truck top tents, most of the installation is finished at home. Almost all of them come with fittings and hardware that is compatible with any standard roof rack, so putting the tent on the car top won’t be more difficult than installing a hard-shell luggage carrier. Once you reach the campsite, the two main things you’ll need to do is open the tent for the roof and attach the ladder.
Related Review: Truck Tent
Frame and Canopy Material
The material used to make the frame and canopy influences the overall durability and performance of your tent. For optimal results, the walls and rainfly should be made of high-denier nylon or polyester fabric that has a good hydrostatic head rating to keep the water out. As for the frame, most top-rated rooftop tents have aluminum construction that provides the required stability without adding too much weight to the setup.
Additional Features
While they are not necessary from a functionality standpoint, certain features can boost your experience when using a car tent topper. However, they can also raise the price, so we’ll leave it up to you whether you need them or not. Take a quick look at what various tent models have to offer.
Annex: Whether you want more privacy, extra weather-protection, or additional space an annex is a great addition to your rooftop tent. It completely covers both the ladder and the door, significantly increasing the sheltered area.
Ladders: Most models come with ladders included, but not all of them are designed the same. Ideally, the ladders should be made of high-quality aluminum alloy and have a telescopic design that allows you to adjust the height with ease.
Foam Mattress: For sleeping convenience, some of the best rooftop tents come with built-in memory foam mattresses. They are usually between 2 and 3 inches thick, so comfort is guaranteed too.
Mesh Screens: For insect protection, nothing beats mesh screens. It’s a big plus if all the windows and doors have mesh covers that allow you to enjoy the view and fresh air but keep nasty bugs out.
Pockets and Hanging Loops: Lack of storage can be a big problem for many campers. By adding wall pockets and ceiling hanging loops, some top-rated rooftop tents allow you to neatly store and organize your gear.
FAQs
Q: What are the Benefits of Using a Rooftop Tent?
The main benefit of getting a roof tent is sleeping off the ground. Some areas are very nice for camping but have dangerous wildlife, so a tent on the roof of your vehicle gives you extra protection. Another benefit is easy to camp setup since you don’t have to worry about campsite selection.
Q: Are Rooftop Tents Safe?
Yes, they are one of the safest tents to have. They are firmly attached to the roof rack of your vehicle, so there is zero chance of them tripping and falling over. Additionally, the ladders are usually made of strong aluminum alloy so climbing is safe too.
Q: Is a Rooftop Tent Going to Damage the Roof of the Car?
No, it won’t because it doesn’t come in direct contact with the roof itself. Instead, the tent is mounted on a roof rack that is tested to hold the weight and distribute it evenly. Due to this, there is no chance of damaging your car in any way.
Globo Surf Overview
As you’ve had the chance to see, mounting tents on top of cars greatly expands your options while camping. Not only does it provide additional protection by keeping you off the ground, but it also allows you to quickly set up camp anywhere you can park your car. With the help of our guide and reviews, we’re sure that you’ll get the best rooftop tent that can stand up to the task no matter where the road takes you.
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