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For overland adventures, life on the road, or just an elevated and more comfortable campout experience, here are our picks for the best rooftop tents.
If you’ve never slept in a rooftop tent, it’s hard to imagine how different it is from sleeping in a traditional tent. In general, we’ve found that rooftop tent sleeping has certain key advantages over sleeping in a tent on the ground.
Rooftop tents offer a bird’s-eye view of your surroundings, airflow that’s unheard of in a ground tent, protection (and peace of mind), and generally superior comfort for sleeping.
The drawbacks: Unlike a ground tent or a tow-behind camper, when your tent is on your roof, you have to break camp before you drive away. And, for those who make nighttime visits to the loo, there’s a ladder to negotiate between you and relief (unless you’re willing to get creative).
Also, if your dog gets to share the human bed, practice your one-handed ladder climb before you attempt to hoist them up. Multiply that effort if you have more than one dog.
Not every rooftop tent fits every vehicle or every budget. But some tents work for almost every car or truck. Rooftop tents are all pricier than even the plushest backpacking tent, but if you’re able to invest, you won’t regret it.
Once you’ve decided if a rooftop tent is right for you, it can be tricky to pick out the right model. In recent years, the GearJunkie team and our greater network of expert gear testers have researched and sampled all of the leading styles on the market. We’ve used these tents for overlanding, car camping, and cross-country roadtripping. We’ve closely examined their features at trade shows and expos in far-flung corners of the globe.
After hundreds of nights of elevated sleeping and hours of poring over specs, we’ve decided that the rooftop tents on this list are the best of the best. Rooftop tents are still a young development in the world of life on the road. We expect that they’ll only get better.
Scroll through to see all of our recommended models. Our handy comparison chart, buyer’s guide, and FAQ will help you make an informed purchase.
Editor’s note: On November 16, 2023 we updated this article to include additional buying advice and information on our ongoing testing process.
This aerodynamic and lightweight rooftop tent will fit any car you want to put it on, right down to a Mini Cooper. It’s also one of the easiest rooftop tents to deploy — setup takes less than a minute, and so does takedown.
The Skycamp Mini 3.0 ($3,979) has a hardshell cover that flips open to become one wall of the tent, the only wall without a window. That wall is lined with a quilted panel printed with a world map.
The quilting helps manage condensation, while the world map inspires tent dwellers to dream up their next adventure. Plus, the sidewalls, front, and ceiling of the tent all have oversized canopy windows for weather-protected airflow and great views.
The Skycamp Mini 3.0 is made from breathable blackout polycotton canvas with a waterproof polyester rainfly. The fly detaches for better airflow and uninterrupted views.
In a storm, you’ll appreciate the fly’s waterproof zippers. And because there’s no vinyl coating on the tent or the fly, this tent is more breathable with less condensation than many others. It’s also quieter in the wind.
The base of the tent is made with honeycomb aluminum panels that capture air for extra insulation. A 2.25-inch firm polyfoam mattress rests on top of the honeycomb floor.
If you like a firm mattress, you’ll love this setup. But if you don’t, buy a softer aftermarket mattress and swap it out.
To get into the tent, climb iKamper’s integrated telescoping ladder. With the ladder attached to the tent, its rungs run parallel to the ground. This makes climbing the ladder both safer and more comfortable than climbing other rooftop tent ladders. On other tents, when the ladder leans against the tent, the ladder rungs are angled.
The Skycamp Mini 3.0 gives customers a choice of tent shell finishes. No matter which finish you choose, the 3.0’s shell is made from insulated, fiber-reinforced, double-layer plastic that’s soundproof and condensation-resistant.
The Skycamp Mini mounts to a roof rack with iKamper’s quick-to-tighten version 3.0 brackets that are compatible with a broad range of crossbar sizes. For higher crossbars, use iKamper’s version 1.0 mounting brackets.
You can also personalize your Skycamp Mini 3.0 with accessories. Options include an annex or awning, storage racks, and bracket locks that secure the closing straps.
If you drive a small car, are shopping for a tent for a short-bed truck, or want to mount a rooftop tent on your truck cab, the iKamper Skycamp Mini 3.0 is one of the best options available.
Check out our full review of the iKamper Skycamp Mini 3.0.
A goliath of a rooftop tent, Smittybilt’s Gen 2 Overlander Tent XL ($1,632) sleeps four and costs less than other rooftop tents, but it requires more initial assembly.
The Generation 2 Smittybilt Overlander Rooftop Tent is a good option whether you just like your space or you actually want to load four people into this tent. This mondo condo gives campers with larger vehicles maximum sleeping space for minimum cash.
The inner tent is made from heavy-duty, waterproof ripstop polyester with a polyurethane-impregnated top. Anodized aluminum tent poles create the tent frame. The tent folds open and on stainless steel hinges.
A lightweight, waterproof Oxford rainfly installs with 4mm spring steel poles. And the tent flips open with a telescopic anodized aluminum ladder, which also provides access to your rooftop abode.
Once the tent — which has a king-size mattress inside — has been assembled, it takes just 10-15 minutes to set it up. Windows are all covered with no-see-um mesh as well as waterproof fabric covers that keep the weather out. And when you’re chilling inside, an LED strip lights your cocoon so you don’t have to fiddle with headlamps or lanterns.
When it’s time to pack up, your bedding and accessories stay inside, and the ladder levers the tent closed. Updates to the Gen 2 include a telescoping ladder, an improved rainfly, a better mattress, and a redesigned veranda that won’t collapse in heavy rain.
The Overlander is built on a light and strong 1 3/16-inch aluminum/polyurethane sandwich base. When the tent is folded for travel, a heavy-duty PVC cover with Velcro straps protects it.
This tent rings up at such a great price for several reasons. Some assembly is required, such as installing brackets for the ladder and mounting brackets on the underside of the tent.
It’s made from less expensive materials than other tents. And it’s not as quick to set up and break down as other tents. For example, the rainfly has to be fully staked out.
If you’re on a budget or packing a whole family into a single tent, buying this one won’t require a second mortgage. And if you need more space, or want to turn the Smittybilt Gen 2 Overlander XL into a compound, add Smittybilt’s Annex for more covered space.
Recently redesigned, Roofnest’s two-person, pop-up Sparrow EYE 2 ($3,195) has a taller peak than tents that lift in all four corners. This one is also super easy to open, even with gear storage on top.
By opting for a wedge shape instead of a tent that lifts in the tip and tail, you save weight and complexity. A wedge tent only needs lifting struts at one end. Plus, the wedge stands up better against heavy wind and rain. Unclip the latch on the back, and the Sparrow EYE 2 opens with a gentle nudge to activate the struts on the front end. There are no tent poles to fiddle with and only one awning to prop.
The massive door and side windows keep the inside of the tent breezy and cool, even without a fourth wall. Both side windows can also be used as doors, although they don’t have awnings. Zip them closed in a rainstorm, and you do lose some airflow.
The tent’s fiberglass-reinforced ABS shell is molded to be aerodynamic for best-in-class gas mileage and reduced road noise. The inside of the shell is insulated and lined with a quilted, condensation-busting fabric that also reduces noise and gives the inside of the tent a cozy den-like feel. Also inside is a 2.8-inch foam mattress that Roofnest claims will rival the comfort of your bed at home.
The tent portion of the Sparrow EYE is a breathable polyurethane-coated polyester and cotton blend that’s touted as three times more waterproof than most backpacking tents. It gives the tent a sturdy, protective, and secure feel, more like a safari tent than a backpacking tent.
In cool temps, the rugged side walls are insulating, and in the wind, they down on noise. The Sparrow EYE 2’s dual side windows and its door have zippered mesh and zippered canvas covers for customizable bug-proofing, rain repellency, and airflow.
An 8.5-foot telescoping ladder clips onto the tent under any window or door opening. While it doesn’t store inside the tent for travel, it comes with a storage bag.
This bag attaches to the roof gear storage zone on top of the tent for travel if you don’t want to pack it into your trunk. The rooftop bag can also be used to hold cooking gear, wet clothes, and other things you don’t want inside your car.
Also, on the roof of the Roofnest Sparrow EYE 2, there’s a dedicated spot to mount a solar panel. Mount one, and then park strategically so that the roof faces south and you’re generating max wattage.
Two of the biggest barriers to entry for campers considering rooftop tents are weight and price. Yakima’s SkyRise HD ($2,499) is not only relatively light, but it’s also competitively priced for a three-person tent. And it’s the most similar to backpacking and car camping tents that many backcountry enthusiasts are already familiar with.
The SkyRise is made from the same stuff as most tents you’d pitch on the ground. The 600D nylon tent body is light and breathable, with mesh ventilation panels that double as windows into the Milky Way. All the windows and the two skylights have solid and mesh panels that zip open for ventilation and views.
Much like a standard ground tent, the SkyRise’s waterproof fly is polyurethane-coated, and the tent can be set up with the fly on or off. Aluminum poles give the tent structure. They’re strong, preset, and easy to engage once you manually flip this tent open.
Consider a three-person tent if you’ll be sleeping with a child. This is also a good option if you’re a dog owner whose dog climbs ladders, or if you’re willing to shuttle your pooch into your rooftop nest. Everyone will appreciate the plush, 2.5-inch-thick, wall-to-wall mattress.
And after this tent gets some use, you’ll also appreciate that the mattress has a removable cover for easy cleaning. The Yakima SkyRise HD is one of the easiest tents to mount on a roof rack. It goes on and comes off tool-free. It also locks to your roof with the same system used in all Yakima bars and mounts, SKS lock cores, which are included with the tent.
Thule’s spacious two-person Foothill ($2,000) is a rooftop tent that deploys compactly, so there’s still plenty of space on your roof rack for bikes, kayaks, and cargo. The symmetrical Foothill, which Thule says is half the width of other rooftop tents, can be mounted on either side of your rack.
Folded, it’s low-profile, with a soft cover and a new base that cuts weight but adds strength and stability. Unzipped and unclipped, it’s easy to set up with telescoping internal poles that click into place.
The Foothill’s wide door left plenty of space to climb in and out of this tent while carrying a duffel bag. Paired with its panoramic rear window and dual skylights, the tent had superb airflow, even on sweltering hot nights. And it provided stargazing from every angle.
You can leave a bike or boat on the roof while you have the tent deployed and one side of the awning folded down to make space.
Inside, Thule outfits this tent with a high-density foam mattress that practically guarantees sweet dreams. Four internal pockets hold a book, headlamp, and other small items.
If you want to get fancy, buy Thule’s 310-thread-count fitted sheets that fit the mattress perfectly. You can also choose Tepui’s insulator, a quilted liner that gives the tent extra insulation for four-season use. Both are sold separately.
The Foothill’s canopy fabric is UV- and mold-resistant, designed to be used year-round. In wet weather, the rainfly attaches quickly. And when you just want air and to see the stars, it folds down and away.
When you’re not using it, the Foothill takes about 10 minutes to remove from the car. It attaches and detaches with four brackets that tighten with a 13mm wrench. Packed for travel, it sits about 9.5 inches taller than a car’s roof rack.
For more information on the Thule Tepui Foothill, check out our full review.
The GearJunkie team is composed of overlanders, auto experts, and seasoned car camping fanatics. Over many years, we have tried and rigorously tested just about every kind of camping gear on the market — including rooftop tents.
Our lead tester for rooftop tents is Berne Broudy. Based in Vermont, Berne has amassed over 20+ years of hiking, cycling, climbing, ski touring, and overlapping. Berne’s broad portfolio of outdoor activities has added up to many nights of camping outdoors — many of which were spent in a rooftop tent.
To compile this list of the best rooftop tents of 2024, Berne and the rest of our team combed the market and compared the pros, cons, and specs of dozens of models. We’ve mounted tents on rigs of all shapes and sizes — from compact sedans to full-sized trucks. We’ve spent many nights — some glorious and others full of tosses and turns — testing the quality and comfort of rooftop tent mattresses.
Our assessment process is detail-oriented. No subtle feature or flaw goes unnoticed. On this list, we’ve included a wide variety of excellent rooftop tents to meet all sorts of needs. From compact SUV drivers to large-family road trippers, one of the models on this list is destined to be a good fit.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Rooftop Tent
Not every rooftop tent will fit every vehicle. Know the load capacity of your roof rack, as well as the distance between your roof rack bars to determine if a specific rooftop tent will fit. The spread of the bars is the distance between the front roof rack crossbar and the back one. Most rooftop tents have a “minimum bar spread” spec. Before purchasing a rooftop tent, be sure to physically measure your rack’s spread to ensure you’ve got a compatible matchup.
When in doubt, get in touch with the rooftop tent manufacturer and verify that your planned setup will be safe and sound. Many of the tents on this list can work with sedans, trucks, and everything in between — provided you’ve got the proper rack and mounting system.
Some rooftop tents require you to carry the access ladder inside your car. Other tents incorporate the ladder directly into the tent’s packed-away design. Some tents have accessory options, including awnings and extensions. Typically, these will need to be stored separately inside of a car or truck bed.
As for sleeping bags, and pillows, many rooftop tents can be fully folded and tucked away with the bedding stored inside. This feature is especially common in hardshell models. Some rooftop tents with smaller footprints leave extra space on your roof for bikes, boats, and other gear. Of course, the square footage of your leftover roof space will depend on the size of the tent and the dimensions of your roof.
Some hardshell rooftop tents provide storage on top for gear or space to mount a flexible storage panel. In most cases, you’ll need to purchase additional racks if you want to utilize the roof of your tent’s shell for storage space.
Hardshell rooftop tents are sleeker looking when compressed and more aerodynamic. They also tend to be shorter when folded up — an important consideration for those planning to park in a garage.
In general, hardshell rooftop tents are easier to set up and fold away. Most come with pop-out hydraulic struts that do most of the work for you, as opposed to softshell tents that typically come with traditional aluminum or fiberglass poles that require assembly. Another plus, some hardshells have useable storage space on top of the outer shell. On the flipside, many hardshells won’t give you 360-degree views.
Softshell rooftop tents are generally similar to traditional camping tents. They tend to be less expensive, harder to set up, and less durable in the long term. Still, a softshell might be the better option for you, especially if you’re prioritizing 360-degree views and a tight budget.
Rooftop tents typically sleep two to five people and fit a double to a king-size mattress. The bigger the tent and mattress, the heavier and more cumbersome the rooftop tent.
Most rooftop tents weigh between 100 and 200 pounds — an important spec to know, especially in relation to your roof rack’s recommended capacity.
For a family of three or a couple with a dog, we like the Yakima SkyRise HD — a roomy yet comfortable option with a plush wall-to-wall mattress. If your roof space is limited and you’re looking for a svelte single sleeper, the SkyRise HD also comes in a scaled-down small size.
Some hardshell rooftop tents lift with a gentle nudge, whereas most softshells have to be flipped open manually and the awning bars inserted. Rooftop tents with gas struts that lift the tent open are becoming more common. They often cost more, and there are more parts to potentially fail, but they’re quite convenient — especially in poor weather.
Either way, initial assembly can be a pain in the butt with a steep learning curve. Once assembled, rooftop tents require a heavy lift to get the tent onto a vehicle’s roof rack. So, plan to get a hand from a friend. While you can repeatedly install and uninstall, it’s always an awkward operation.
In the long run, we’ve found we have a slight preference for automatic-opening rooftop tents. They’re just so handy after a long day on the trail or the road.
Rooftop tents are a major investment — some cost as much as half a year’s rent in a studio apartment. If you’re going to invest, it’s fair to assume you’ll get many years of issue-free use out of your rooftop tent. Because these tents live on your roof completely exposed to the elements, it’s important to care for them properly in order to squeeze out every drop of longevity. We recommend storing your rooftop tent in a dry, covered, and fairly temperature-regulated place when not in use. Go easy on the zippers, struts, ladders, and poles — these intricate mechanical components tend to break first.
In our experience, all of the rooftop tents on this list offer competitive durability when properly cared for.
Rooftop tents get you off the ground, providing a great view. In most situations, they also provide more airflow than you’ll get when you’re sleeping in a tent on the ground.
When your tent is on the roof of your vehicle, you’re also out of the dirt and away from creepy crawly things on the ground. That makes a rooftop tent feel more secure.
Most rooftop tents are super quick and easy to set up. And when your tent is on your roof, it’s always with you, which can inspire some great impromptu adventures.
Rooftop tents often accommodate a mattress and bedding, not just sleeping pads and inflatable pads. And many let you leave the bedding inside the tent when you pack up.
Many rooftop tents are designed to be mounted on cars. But not every tent will fit every car. The size and weight of the tent need to match the size and carrying capacity of your car’s roof rack.
For best results, use aftermarket bars, not standard factory-installed racks. Also, check the automaker’s and the roof rack manufacturer’s websites for compatibility.
Rooftop tents are more expensive than most ground-staked tents because of the materials, engineering and design, and accessories. Rooftop tents flip over to create a platform with a tent on top of your car. That’s a whole lot more complicated than creating a structure with a fabric floor that gets placed on the ground.
Then, throw in a mattress, ladder, and a hardshell exterior, and you can see why rooftop tents are costly.
You can buy a rooftop tent for under $1,000. It’s also possible to get a used one for well below the original price.
But remember that not every tent will fit every vehicle. And, for a few extra bucks, you may be able to get more space, more stability, and a tent that’s quicker and easier to set up, among other benefits.
We dove deep into the nearly 400 vendors at Overland Expo PNW 2023 to bring you the hot new gear in the overland world.
Make the most of your home away from home by choosing the best camping tent for your adventure. We found the top car camping and family camping tents for every budget and use.
Berne Broudy is a contributing writer at GearJunkie.com.
Broudy has been writing about cycling, skiing, and outdoor gear for more than 20 years. Prior to that, Broudy spent time guiding hiking and cycling tours in South America, Europe and the U.S.
Based in Vermont, Berne Broudy is a core user of and expert in outdoor, cycling and ski gear, as well as overlanding and powersports gear. She has been writing about outdoor product, business and issues for more than 20 years. She has written and photogtraphed for more than 20 publications, and has served as a contributing editor at many of them. Broudy currently sits on several non-profit boards in her home state of Vermont. She is an avid mountain biker, gravel biker, backcountry skier, overlander, and adventure traveler.
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