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Buying guide

The Best Roof Top Tents

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Six roof top tents, hard shell and soft, from about $1,300 to $4,000, with the weight of each, because your roof limit decides first.

By Alex HartDay trails mostly, a few nights out a year, mountains when the time allows.
Updated Nov 2026·22 compared

If you want a real bed on top of your car, get the Thule Approach 2 Medium. Unzip the cover and unfold it with the ladder, and Thule says it's ready in under three minutes. For about $3,000, you sleep on a 2.4-inch foam mattress with big windows around you. Check your roof limit first, and budget for a rack.

For a hard shell, the kind that pops open, the Widesky is the best at about $4,000. The cheapest way in is the Sirius 1, about $1,400, if you'll add a pad to its thin mattress. The GEN2 XL sleeps a family for about $1,305. The Foothill 2 leaves room for bikes, and the 90-pound Meadowlark suits small cars.

See the 6 picks

Our picks

Thule Approach 2 Medium
Our pick
Thule Approach 2 Medium

A roomy soft shell that opens in minutes, locks to your rack, and has a 2.4-inch foam mattress. Buy it unless you need a hard shell.

Check price on Amazon$2,999.95
Thule Widesky
Best hard shell
Thule Widesky

Gas struts lift the aluminum shell like the hatch of an SUV, and the mattress folds into a backrest, so you can sit up on a rainy evening.

Check price on Amazon$3,999.95
Smittybilt GEN2 Overlander XL
Best value
Smittybilt GEN2 Overlander XL

A king-size bed, a ladder, a rainfly that covers the corners and room for up to four, for less than half the price of the Approach 2.

Check price on Amazon$1,305.14
Naturnest Sirius 1
Budget hard shell
Naturnest Sirius 1

A clamshell pop up that the maker says opens in 30 seconds, with a key lock and room for two adults and a child, at about a third of the Widesky's price.

Check price on Amazon$1,399.00
Thule Foothill 2
Most roof space
Thule Foothill 2

It folds down to just 25 inches wide, so a bike or a kayak still fits beside it, and it mounts on either side of the car.

Check price on Amazon$2,099.95
Roofnest Meadowlark
Lightest
Roofnest Meadowlark

At 90 pounds, it's the lightest tent here by a long way, which makes it the first one to check if you drive a small crossover or a car.

Check price on Amazon$1,695.00

At a glance

Product names go to Amazon. Rank numbers jump to the full write-up.

TentBest forTypeSleepsWeightAbout
1Thule Approach 2 MediumMost campersSoft shell2 to 3128 lb$3000
2Thule WideskyFast setupHard shell2147 lb$4000
3Smittybilt GEN2 Overlander XLFamilies on a budgetSoft shell3 to 4148 lb$1305
4Naturnest Sirius 1A cheap hard shellHard shell2 to 3About 135 lb (Sirius 2)$1400
5Thule Foothill 2Bikes or kayaks on the roofSoft shell2122 lb$2100
6Roofnest MeadowlarkSmall carsSoft shell290 lb$1695

The best roof top tents, ranked

1Most campers
Thule Approach 2 Medium

Thule Approach 2 Medium

A roomy soft shell that opens in minutes, locks to your rack, and has a 2.4-inch foam mattress. Buy it unless you need a hard shell.

$2,999.95
Check price on Amazon
95 x 51 in sleeping area40 in peak height2.4 in dual-layer foamLockable brackets
+Read the full write-up

Why I picked it

Four poles hold the walls out, so you can sit up without the roof on your head, and skylights and big windows keep it bright. The dual-layer foam mattress is 2.4 inches thick with a quilted cover, twice as thick as the Sirius 1's.

Mounting is where it pulls ahead. The brackets lock to the rack and come with a tool that stops you from overtightening, and Thule says they go on in half the usual time. You'll still want a second person to lift 128 pounds onto the roof, but taking it off for the winter stops being a project.

Who it is for

Two adults, or two adults and a small child, who camp often and want a tent that stays comfortable through a long trip. For a family, the Approach 2 Large sleeps three to four for about $3,600.

Skip it if

You move camp every morning in the rain. The cover comes off completely each time, and there's nowhere to stow it at camp.

What reviewers found

Reviewers keep naming the Approach the best soft shell they've used. In one long review of the Medium, setup came down to under a minute with the ladder as a lever, and the rainfly was close to impenetrable. Another review found that rainfly a reach to secure. The small daily annoyance is lining up the cover's zipper ends.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

  • About $3,000, and the awning is extra.
  • The rainfly is a reach to secure.
  • The cover comes off fully every time.
2
Thule Widesky
Fast setup

Thule Widesky

Gas struts lift the aluminum shell like the hatch of an SUV, and the mattress folds into a backrest, so you can sit up on a rainy evening.

$3,999.95
See it on Amazon
30 sq ft floor46 in peak heightAluminum shellMattress folds into a couch
+Read the full write-up

Why I picked it

Among hard shells, this is where I'd spend the money. Release the straps and the gas struts lift the aluminum shell about as easily as the rear hatch of an SUV, and Thule says setup takes seconds, with no fabric to tuck when you close it. That's what a hard shell buys you: you can arrive after dark in the rain and get straight to bed.

The mattress folds up at the front into a backrest. On a wet evening, you sit against it and watch the rain out the door. The ceiling is 46 inches at its tallest, and a soft felt lining cuts the noise.

Who it is for

Couples who move camp often and can pay for speed. At 147 pounds plus a rack, check your roof limit first, since many SUVs will be over.

Skip it if

You have a small roof. The shell is bulky, needs at least 28 inches between your crossbars, and on a truck may have to sit over the cab.

What reviewers found

One long-running comparison called it the best roof top tent it has seen, and it closes on the first try, which plenty of hard shells don't. The complaint is the ladder, which reviewers found finicky. The Widesky went on sale in spring 2026, so there aren't any multi-season owner reports yet.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

  • About $4,000, $1,000 more than the Approach 2.
  • A fussy ladder.
  • A big footprint for a two-person tent.
3
Smittybilt GEN2 Overlander XL
Families on a budget

Smittybilt GEN2 Overlander XL

A king-size bed, a ladder, a rainfly that covers the corners and room for up to four, for less than half the price of the Approach 2.

$1,305.14
See it on Amazon
92.5 x 74.8 in bed51 in peak height770 lb load capacityTelescoping ladder
+Read the full write-up

Why I picked it

The GEN2 XL has the biggest bed here. The mattress is 92.5 by 74.8 inches, the size of a king, and the ceiling reaches 51 inches, so kids can kneel and adults can sit without ducking. It costs about $1,305, less than half the price of the Approach 2.

It's rated for up to 770 pounds, and the telescoping ladder comes with it. On the standard GEN2, the body is heavy 600-denier fabric and the rainfly hooks onto the window poles, so it covers the corners that many tents leave bare.

Who it is for

A family of three or four, or two adults and a dog, who camp for a few days at a time and don't mind a slower start.

Skip it if

You want a tent you can take on and off the car alone, since the rails bolt to the tent and the tent bolts to the rack. At 148 pounds plus a rack, it's also likely over the limit on an SUV with a 160-pound roof.

What reviewers found

Reviewers used the standard GEN2 Overlander, one size down, and rate it a great deal. The mattress is comfortable and covers the whole floor, and in light rain the canopy did fine without the fly. One person can pack it up in under five minutes. The ladder has to be collapsed by hand, and the first install takes a while.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

  • A slow first install, with rails to bolt on.
  • A ladder you collapse by hand.
  • Metal rings and Velcro on the cover, durable but slower than clips.
4
Naturnest Sirius 1
A cheap hard shell

Naturnest Sirius 1

A clamshell pop up that the maker says opens in 30 seconds, with a key lock and room for two adults and a child, at about a third of the Widesky's price.

$1,399.00
See it on Amazon
82.6 x 63 in sleeping area47.2 in headroomABS shell1.2 in foam mattress
+Read the full write-up

Why I picked it

The Sirius 1 is the way to get a hard shell for about $1,400. It's a clamshell, hinged at one end like a mouth, and Naturnest says hydraulic struts open it in 30 seconds. The ladder is already attached, so you park, unlock, push and climb.

The sleeping area is a generous 82.6 by 63 inches with 47.2 inches of headroom at the tall end, and the tent comes with an anti-condensation mat, LED light and shoe bags. The foam mattress is only 1.2 inches thick, so plan on adding a pad.

Who it is for

Anyone who wants the speed of a hard shell and won't spend $3,000 or more to get it.

Skip it if

Your roof limit is tight. Its weight isn't listed, and the closest figure is one owner's for the Sirius 2.

What owners report

One owner of the sister Sirius 2 called the build sturdy and said he and his wife stayed warm through a rainy night near 40 degrees in Cloudcroft, New Mexico, in a queen sleeping bag under a queen comforter. The blackout fabric let him sleep until 9 a.m. He put the Sirius 2 at about 135 pounds and found it tricky to install, which he blamed mostly on his bed rack. One other Sirius 2 buyer said it rattles in light wind.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

  • A thin mattress.
  • An ABS plastic shell, which can crack in the sun.
5
Thule Foothill 2
Bikes or kayaks on the roof

Thule Foothill 2

It folds down to just 25 inches wide, so a bike or a kayak still fits beside it, and it mounts on either side of the car.

$2,099.95
See it on Amazon
25 in wide folded84 x 47 in sleeping area37 in peak height2.4 in foam mattress
+Read the full write-up

Why I picked it

The Foothill 2 folds to 25 inches wide, which leaves half the rack free for a bike, a kayak or a cargo box. That's what reviewers singled out on the earlier model too.

Open, it's 84 by 47 inches, narrow for two and short if you're over six feet. The mattress is 2.4 inches of foam, and you can mount the tent on either side of the car, so the door faces the way you want it.

Who it is for

Mountain bikers, paddlers and skiers who need the roof for more than a tent.

Skip it if

You camp in bad weather or want speed. The ladder has to go back on each time, and there's no compatible vestibule.

What reviewers found

On the earlier Foothill, a tester over six feet called it among the roomiest roof top tents they'd slept in. On the Foothill 2, one review calls the interior limited and the mattress among the narrowest it lists. You attach the ladder every time and can't pack it inside, so it stays wet after a rainy pack-up. One reviewer lost about 15 percent of range in local driving with it on the roof.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

  • A narrow bed for two adults.
  • The ladder has to go back on every time.
  • No vestibule available.
6
Roofnest Meadowlark
Small cars

Roofnest Meadowlark

At 90 pounds, it's the lightest tent here by a long way, which makes it the first one to check if you drive a small crossover or a car.

$1,695.00
See it on Amazon
80 x 43 in open46 in tall open2.5 in foam mattress2-year warranty
+Read the full write-up

Why I picked it

Nothing here is close to the Meadowlark, the lightest roof top tent in this guide. At 90 pounds, this lightweight soft shell is the one to look at first for a small crossover or a car, where your roof limit rules out most tents. Two people can move it without much trouble, which you can't say for a 150-pounder.

It folds out with the telescoping ladder and a flip-up interior bar, with no guy lines or poles to deal with. Folded, it's 47 by 44 inches, and there's still room for a bike on most standard crossbars. The mattress is 2.5 inches of double-density foam, and the warranty runs two years.

Who it is for

One or two people with a small car and a modest roof limit.

Skip it if

You need width. At 43 inches, two adults are shoulder to shoulder.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

  • Narrow for two adults.
  • Sleeps two, with no bigger size in this model.

Who this is for

This guide is for car campers and overlanders who want a bed that's flat, dry and off the ground, on a car, an SUV, a Jeep or a truck rack. You can also put a tent on a trailer or a truck bed rack, which leaves the roof alone. For a Jeep roof top tent, start with a rack rated for the tent's weight.

If you don't need to be up high, a 6-person tent does the job for a fraction of the price and leaves the car free to drive during the day. Backpackers want a solo backpacking tent instead. Packing for the rest of the trip? Start with the camping checklist.

How to choose a roof top tent

Start with your roof limit

Look up your car's dynamic roof load, the weight it can carry while moving, in the owner's manual. It's usually 110 to 220 pounds, and most cars and SUVs top out around 160. The tent, the rack and anything else up there all count. Parked, the roof holds far more, so the two of you sleeping up there isn't the problem. A 90-pound Meadowlark fits most cars once you add the rack, while a 148-pound GEN2 XL plus a rack is over the limit on many SUVs, so it may need a truck.

Hard shell or soft shell

A hard shell pops up in a minute or less, handles bad weather better and costs more, up to about $4,000 here. A clamshell hinges at one end, while a full pop up lifts straight up with more headroom. A soft shell unfolds in a few minutes, costs less and gives you a bigger mattress, often with room for an annex below. If setup is what keeps you home, the extra money is well spent.

Go by the bed, not the box

Makers are generous with their numbers. A 2-person hard shell fits two adults closely. Sleeping four? For a 4 person roof top tent, look at the bed first. Even the GEN2 XL's is tight for four adults. Under 50 inches across, two adults have little room to spare.

Budget for the rack and the mileage

The price of the tent isn't the whole bill. You need crossbars or a rack rated for the weight, and you may lose real range too. Testers have seen up to about a 20 percent drop in gas mileage. Taking the tent off between trips wins back 5 to 17 percent.

The competition

Topoak Galaxy 1.0

An aluminum hard shell for about $1,970 that one big gear site named its best budget pick. It's roomy, but at 176 pounds it's heavy, with no locks, loose handwheels and fragile buckles. Topoak also sells lighter Galaxy Light models.

iKamper Skycamp 4.0 Trio

Very comfortable and spacious, and it packs a big fold-out bed into a hard shell. At about $4,700, with a fussy rainfly and a slower pack-up than the Widesky, it costs more for less speed.

Thule Kukenam 3

The old Tepui standby, durable and comfortable for about $2,350. The Approach 2 has a better shape inside and easier mounting, so I'd stretch for it.

Rough Country Roof Top Tent 99050

A soft shell with a 92 by 62 inch bed for about $1,500. A buyer reported missing mounting hardware, and another had to drill out a hole during setup. The GEN2 XL has a bigger bed for less.

Overland Vehicle Systems HD Nomadic 4

A 4-person soft shell with a 3-inch mattress and a 96-inch ladder, at about $2,000. You'd pay about $700 over the GEN2 XL for the same job.

Overland Vehicle Systems TMBK

A popular universal soft shell for three at about $1,150. For a little more, the GEN2 XL gives you a bigger bed and room for four.

Roofnest Condor 2 Air

A rugged, spacious hard shell with a coated shell and an air mattress, for about $3,800. One review found setup less streamlined than others, and water pooled on it in rain. The Widesky is the easier tent to live with.

Yakima SkyRise HD

A four-season soft shell with tool-free mounts at about $3,000, the same price as the Approach 2. On the SkyRise Medium, testers found the mounting system limited and the cover a little harder to refit.

Front Runner Roof Top Tent

Light at 93 pounds and once among the cheapest, but it has a thin mattress and only two pockets, and testers flagged poor durability. The Meadowlark is the better light tent.

VEVOR Hard Shell

A cheap roof top tent, a hard shell for about $900. I'd want the Sirius 1, even at $500 more.

How we picked

Sold on AmazonSleeps two adults or more90 to 155 lbMattress and ladder includedAbout $1,300 to $4,000

From 22 roof top tents, about $900 to $4,900, I dropped any a normal rack can't carry or that came without a real bed. Weights and sizes are the makers' figures, or a reviewer's or an owner's where the makers don't publish them.

The reviews are from Switchback Travel, OutdoorGearLab and GearJunkie, with owner reports from the Tacoma4G forum and store reviews.

Common questions

What is the best hard shell roof top tent?+

The Thule Widesky, about $4,000: Thule says it opens in seconds, it closes easily, and the mattress folds into a backrest. On a budget, the Naturnest Sirius 1 is a clamshell for about $1,400.

Can you put a tent on top of any car?+

Not any car. The tent, the rack and anything else on the roof have to stay under your car's dynamic roof load, often around 160 pounds, and you need crossbars rated for it. The 90-pound Roofnest Meadowlark is the easiest fit for a car. A truck can carry one on a bed rack instead.

Are roof top tents worth it?+

Yes, if you camp often and hate setting up. The bed stays ready, you're off wet ground and away from critters, and camp takes minutes. No, if you camp twice a year: you pay a lot more than for a ground tent, you lose gas mileage, and you have to pack up every time you drive off.

What happened to Tepui roof top tents?+

Tepui roof top tents now sell under Thule's name. The Foothill and the Kukenam came from the Tepui line, and you'll still see them listed as Thule Tepui. The new Foothill 2 is my pick from that family if you want free space on the roof.

Are iKamper and Top Oak roof top tents any good?+

Yes, with trade-offs. An iKamper roof top tent like the Skycamp 4.0 Trio is very comfortable and spacious, but costs about $4,700 and takes longer to pack up. A Top Oak rooftop tent like the Galaxy 1.0 is roomy for about $1,970, with weaker hardware and more weight.

The verdict

A real bed on the roof, ready in minutes

The Approach 2 is the roof top tent for most people, at about $3,000. It opens in minutes, locks to the rack without a fight, and stays comfortable on a long trip.

If a faster setup is worth another $1,000 to you, get the Widesky. If $3,000 is too much, the GEN2 XL puts a family in a king-size bed for about $1,305.

Check price on Amazon$2,999.95

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