A stable, durable, and reliable rooftop tent.
A rooftop tent that can be installed in minutes.
A rooftop camping tent designed for functionality.
The best rooftop tents make camping out of your car fun and functional. With all the weatherproofing features you may need, these tents are ideal for any road trip. Made to be an easy installation onto your vehicle’s roof, you can attach your tent and get driving. With a variety of styles and capacity sizes, they are far from your traditional tent.
Our team has researched, rated, and reviewed some of the best rooftop tents available on the market. Our in-depth buyers guide provides insight so you can select the best rooftop tent for you, your vehicle, and your passengers.
6 Best Rooftop Tents
- Fit for Trucks: Thule Basin Wedge Hardshell Rooftop Tent
- Good Value: Rugged Ridge Roof Top Tent
- Best Softshell: Trustmade Wanderer Softshell Rooftop Tent
- Best Hardshell: Thule Basin Hardshell Rooftop Tent
- Weatherproof: Thule Tepui Ruggedized Autana Rooftop Tent
- High Capacity: Trustmade Scout Hardshell Rooftop Tent
Rooftop Tents Buyers Guide
Before getting your rooftop tent, there are a few factors to consider before making this larger purchase. Capacity, installation, and value are all details to be aware of prior to receiving and selecting your newest rooftop tent.
Capacity
Both the weight and size capacity can influence the type of rooftop tent you choose to purchase. If you plan to travel with family members, a rooftop tent that can accommodate more weight and campers would be ideal for you.
Take a look at the Trustmade Scout or Trustmade Wanderer tents if you are looking to get on the road with family and friends. With few downsides to these tents, you may want to consider the Trustmade’s if you are planning to accommodate multiple travelers.
Installation
The ease of installation should always be taken into consideration when installing a rooftop tent. Some tents may require additional installation pieces or crossbar roof racks to make installation more secure and simple.
The Thule Tepui is a prime example of a tent that may need some extra pieces to make installation as stable as possible. While an easy installation is always preferred, safety is necessary. Making sure you have the proper attachments and hardware to install your rooftop tent will make installation onto your car roof both easy and secure.
Value
A rooftop tent is no small purchase. Make sure you are getting the most out of your tent and that it is the perfect fit for you and your campers. Features you are looking for in a rooftop tent can impact the value, and some tents have different accessories than others.
The Thule Basin Wedge and the Thule Basin both offer various features that may be more desirable depending on your desire for stargazing, airflow, and storage space. For additional tips on rooftop tent camping, check out this awesome guide from Adventure Journal.
Our Review Standards
To select the rooftop tents featured in this buyers guide, our team first combed through dozens of resources such as DIY mechanic and auto enthusiast forums, manufacturer and car camping-specific websites, instruction manuals from manufacturers, and reviews from online retailers. We pay particularly close attention to quality reviews and recommendations that highlight the quality of warranties, customer service support, build quality, materials, and overall reliability.
Why You Can Trust Us
Since 2020, we have published over 200 auto product reviews in an effort to make shopping for auto products easier. Our team of writers, editors, researchers, and product experts collaborates to thoroughly vet top products. We try to perform in-house testing on real vehicles whenever possible before making our recommendations.
When testing is not feasible, however, our aim is to make your life easier by doing all the online research for you and presenting that research in the form of easy-to-read product comparisons and buyers guides, rather than outright recommendations. For more information on our testing methodology and how we evaluate every product, check out our methodology page here.
#1 Fit For Trucks: Thule Basin Wedge Hardshell Rooftop Tent
The Thule Basin Wedge Hardshell Tent is a good pick for campers who want a reliable and long-lasting product that can be used year-round. The hard shell roof provides extra durability, and the transformation into a cargo carrier is an added bonus.
The is fit for almost any truck, making it a great aftermarket purchase to consider if you are a truck owner looking for a camping tent to strap to your vehicle. Keep in mind you will also need some truck bed roof rails, such as the Thule Xsporter Pro in order to install this tent.
If you want to let in some light or take in the nature around you, there are multiple zippers around the tent to open up the windows and provide even airflow. There are also awnings that you simply hook into place if you want to keep the window screens closed and still have a beautiful view of your overlanding destination.
Key Features
- Cost: Around $3,500
- Unit weight: 156.0 lbs.
- Weight capacity: 600.0 lbs.
- Size capacity: Up to two campers
- Warranty: Two years
- Material: ABS Hardshell Base and canopy fabric
Our Experience
We had a chance to try out a Thule Basin Wedge with a 2016 Chevy Colorado, using the Thule Xsporter Pro Truck Rack. We were impressed by the quality of this tent, the comfort of the mattress, and how easily it pops open. When folded up, the Basin Wedge adds very little wind resistance, even on the highway (though you should not drive about 75 mph with a rooftop tent attached).
While slim, the wedge is heavy and requires at least two people to hoist onto the Xsporter. Once resting on the crossbars, it is very easy to install, requiring only the tightening of several screws.
Once opened, the tent mattress is plush and comfortable. However, the interior of the Basin Wedge is small. People taller than six feet may not fit in this tent, except diagonally, making it a one-person tent.
Putting the tent away is a little harder than opening it, but still easier than striking most other tents. You need to tuck in the tent material around the edges as you go, which may require repositioning the ladder to properly complete. The lid of the Wedge is not very heavy, and can pop open on one side while you try to close the other.
#2 Good Value: Rugged Ridge Roof Top Tent
The Rugged Ridge Roof Top Tent costs around half as much as some of our other recommendations. It does not have the elegance of design as Thule alternatives, but it is large, waterproof, and comfortable.
Part of this tent hangs over your vehicle, creating extra room. There is even an additional annex that can be purchased to add some additional shelter to your campsite.
Key Features
- Cost: Around $1,400
- Unit weight: 132.7 lbs.
- Weight capacity: 660.0 lb.
- Size capacity: Up to three campers
- Warranty: Five years
- Material: Polyester
Our Experience
We were also able to test the Rugged Ridge. While we did not find it to be quite as well-designed as the Thule Basin Wedge, we still like this tent.
Setting up the Rugged Ridge is a bit of a chore. This is not helped by the included instructions which are very difficult to follow because of unclear diagrams. However, we were eventually able to determine how to assemble the tent, and it attached to the Xsporter crossbars just as easily as the Thule.
Once attached to the truck, the Rugged Ridge unfolds nicely. Because it hangs over the edge of the roof bars (supported by the ladder), there is a little more space in this tent. If you are taller than six feet, you would likely find the Rugged Ridge more comfortable than the Basin Wedge.
We found the extending ladder difficult to operate. This telescoping ladder does not always lock securely in the retracted position.
Folding the tent away is a little easier than the Basin Wedge. The Rugged Ridge tent folds in half and the top half is heavy so there is no risk of the tent springing back open while you tuck in any material sticking out.
#3 Best Softshell: Trustmade Wanderer Softshell Rooftop Tent
The Trustmade Wanderer Softshell is ideal for campers looking for a functional and reliable tent to easily attach to most vehicles’ roofs. With the easy set-up, you can get to all the fun camping activities with family and friends as soon as you reach your destination.
This high-quality rooftop tent fit for up to three campers. With UV protection, a waterproof canvas, and mosquito netting, this tent will protect you from everything from muggy summer weather to frigid nighttime conditions.
The wanderer takes only minutes to set up and has a travel cover included for more compact transportation before arriving at your destination. With storage pouches for organizing all your accessories and must-haves while camping, this rooftop tent has all the accommodations and details you need.
Key Features
- Cost: Around $1,600
- Unit weight: 144.0 lbs.
- Weight capacity: 600.0 lbs.
- Size capacity: Up to three campers
- Warranty: One year
- Material: Canvas and stainless steel
#4 Best Hardshell: Thule Basin Hardshell Rooftop Tent
The Thule Basin Hardshell Rooftop Tent is ideal if you are looking for a tent that is durable and provides a hard roof for extra stability and security. With the storage capacity and internal pockets included, along with doubling as a cargo carrier, this rooftop tent is great for travelers.
This heavy-duty, hardshell rooftop tent has a two-person capacity to provide maximum interior space. Designed with an exterior cotton-poly coating, this product prevents water leaks from getting inside your tent.
On top of these features, a foam mattress is included in your purchase so you don’t have to worry about finding the right fitted mattress to go inside your tent. With a durable and breathable canopy, you can go stargazing from the comfort of your own camping home.
Key Features
- Cost: Around $3,500
- Unit weight: 176.0 lbs.
- Weight capacity: 600.0 lbs.
- Size capacity: Up to two campers
- Warranty: Two years
- Material: ABS hardshell base and aluminum
#5 Weatherproof: Thule Tepui Ruggedized Autana Rooftop Tent
The Thule Tepui Rugged Rooftop Tent is great if you are planning to head off-road and deep into nature for the weekend. This tent is designed to be installed on larger vehicles that can handle dirt and rocky terrain.
This three-person tent accommodates more travelers than many other rooftop tents. With two built-in screened skylight panels, you can easily see all the stars above you from the comfort of your tent.
The Tepui is perfect for most 4×4 trailers and off-road rigs due to its larger size and dimensions. With a diamond plate base and lightweight aluminum frame, the tent is both aerodynamic and spacious with an annex room and large internal pockets for storing all your belongings.
Key Features
- Cost: Around $3,000
- Unit weight: 169.0 lbs.
- Weight capacity: 600.0 lbs.
- Size capacity: Up to three campers
- Warranty: Two years
- Material: Aluminum, canvas, and Ripstop fabric
#6 High Capacity: Trustmade Scout Hardshell Rooftop Tent
The Trustmade Scout Hardshell Rooftop Tent is a good choice if you are looking for a tent with various features and add-ons, including an easy set-up after installation and weatherproofing features. With a capacity of up to four campers, this would be a great tent to bring along for family adventures.
This tent is built for longevity with various features, unlike many other rooftop tents on the market. With a hydraulic automatic open, this pop-up tent makes set-up easier than ever.
Ready for all climates and weather conditions, the tent is Rainfly waterproof and has two window vents with netting, an anti-UV SPF 50+ coating, and a door with an awning to let a nice breeze in. This tent also comes with a solar-powered lantern to keep your surroundings visible even after the sun goes down.
Key Features
- Cost: Around $3,000
- Unit weight: 205.0 lbs.
- Weight capacity: 700.0 lbs.
- Size capacity: Up to four campers
- Warranty: One year
- Material: ABS plastic, Ripstop canvas, and stainless steel
Rooftop Tent: Bottom Line
A rooftop tent is an innovative way of taking on nature and heading out into the world for a stay at an overlanding or outlook. Traveling by road with your vehicle can be easier, but having all the camping gear and equipment you need can be overwhelming – and a ground tent is not always ideal.
With a rooftop tent, you can easily store items and have a pop-up place to sleep overnight in the comfort of your own belongings. Rooftop tents make traveling into nature and off-road adventurous and functional for you and your family.
Rooftop Tents At A Glance
| Weight Capacity (Pounds) | Size Capacity | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thule Basin Wedge | 600.0 lbs. | Two campers | $3,500 |
| Rugged Ridge Roof Top Tent | 660.0 lbs. | Three campers | $1,400 |
| Trustmade Wanderer | 600.0 lbs. | Three campers | $1,600 |
| Thule Basin | 600.0 lbs. | Two campers | $3,500 |
| Thule Tepui | 600.0 lbs. | Three campers | $3,000 |
| Trustmade Scout | 700.0 lbs. | Four campers | $3,000 |
Rooftop Tent: FAQ
*Data accurate at time of publication.