If you are searching for a way to increase your car’s amount of storage space, you can install a roof cargo carrier on top of your car. There are many options available on the market. To choose the best roof cargo carrier for you, at first, you have to figure out what kind of cargo you need to carry with it.
If you are in a hurry, then you can use the links below to buy the best roof cargo boxes for your car. You don’t need to worry about the quality of the products because we only recommend the best.
– Overall Best – Thule Force Cargo Box
– Best Soft Carrier – Amazon Basics Rooftop Cargo Carrier Bag
– Best Compact Roof Box – Thule Sidekick Cargo Box
– Best Value for Money – SportRack Vista XL Cargo Box
There are different kinds of roof cargo carriers available on the market, such as travel bags, roof baskets, and cargo boxes. Not every option is suitable for every type of car. All of them come with different pros and cons. you will need a roof rack or roof rails to install any of them on top of your car. Here are some of the best roof cargo carriers, roof boxes, and roof baskets you can buy. It will help you to choose the best choice for you.
1. Yakima Skybox Carbonite Cargo Box
This roof cargo box is from a well-known roof box manufacturer Yakima. It is available in different sizes. You can get it in 12, 15, 16, 18, and 21cubic feet storage space variants. Moreover, no tool is required to install this roof box on the roof of your car.
The Yakima Skybox Carbonite Cargo Box comes with a practical design. It can give you access from both sides. This roof box is also equipped with a Super latch system. You do not have to worry much about your items’ safety because the carrier also protects against theft with a lockable top.
This is very versatile, even the biggest variant also. You can easily use it in both summertime and wintertime. You can even carry full-size snowboards with this roof box. Moreover, it is made out of recycled materials for a lower impact on the environment, which is a very good step from the Yakima.
Pros:
- Available in different sizes to fit all cars,
- Recommended for a large amount of cargo or sports gear,
- Comes with an included SKS lock,
- It opens on both sides,
- Made with mostly recycled materials
Cons:
- Lock Keys aren’t that durable
2. Amazon Basics Rooftop Cargo Carrier Bag
Amazon Basics is Amazon’s own brand. They are selling good quality products with affordable pricing for the past few years. This amazon basic roof cargo box is for you if you are looking for something at an affordable price. It comes with 15 cubic feet of storage space. It comes with a basic design, but it is fully made out of 100 percent waterproof elements. So it will protect your stuff from sun, rain, and wind.
It has a zip closure with a hook-and-loop flap to keep your items safe and dry inside the bag. The zippers are waterproof also. It includes one-inch wide straps made from polypropylene to attach the bag with your car. It is very easy to store also when not in use. Because the amazon basics Rooftop Cargo Carrier Bag is foldable.
Pros:
- Waterproof design,
- protects against the bad environmental conditions
- 15 cubic feet of space,
- affordable pricing
Cons:
- Fairly basic option,
- isn’t made from heavy-duty materials
3. Roof Master Rooftop Cargo Carrier
Not everyone has a roof rack installed on top of their vehicle. If you are also one of them, this particular rooftop cargo carrier can be a good option. This rooftop carrier is from ROOF MASTER. It is a very versatile option. You can easily use this cargo carrier if your vehicle has a roof rack or not. But you should remember that you’ll have to purchase the door hooks separately if you want to use them on your vehicle without a roof rack.
It comes with 16 cubic feet of storage space with included extra-wide straps with Duraflex buckles and a high friction mat that helps this cargo carrier to stay in place. Usually, a rooftop cargo bag is made out of PVC. But this soft-shell cargo carrier is made out of military-grade Nylon Cordura fabric. This material has five times the strength and wears resistance of high-grade PVC. The material is waterproof, and the zippers are waterproof also.
Pros:
- It can be used with or without roof racks,
- Nylon Cordura construction,
- Duraflex buckles,
- 16 cubic feet of storage
Cons:
- Door hooks sold separately,
- provided straps may not be good enough
4. Thule Sidekick Cargo Box
The Thule Sidekick Cargo Box is a compact designed cargo carrier. So if you do not want a bigger roof cargo carrier, then you can choose the Thule sidekick. It is a practical solution that comes with eight cubic feet of storage space. The length of this cargo carrier is 48 nm. So it will not cover the whole surface of a car, even if your car is a mid-sized car. Moreover, the design is so good that it will not create too much wind resistance.
It comes with the self-standing lid feature that makes it easier to load and unload things in it. It also has a locking mechanism that keeps your items secure. It comes with a durable and sturdy design, and it is suitable for all seasons. It weighs only 18 lbs. so you will be able to install it on top of your car easily.
Pros:
- Made with a compact design,
- comes with an 8-cubic feet storage capacity,
- recommended for its lower weight at 19lbs,
- self-standing top design
Cons:
- Small for sporting equipment
5. EGO Bike Universal Roof Rack
If you like roof baskets, but you are looking for a more extended design, then you can check out the EGO BIKE rack. It comes with durable metal construction. It is very easy to install also. You just have to attach four bolts. It can easily carry different types of cargo, but you will need a cargo net and straps to ensure the security of your cargo.
There are no movable parts, so it is more durable than similar roof cargo carriers. The height of this carrier is just 6-1/2 inches, but it can easily carry any type of cargo, including bikes and skiing equipment.
Pros:
- Durable metal construction,
- extended design for extra carrying capacity,
- easy to mount with just four locks for the crossbars,
- good aerodynamic performance
Cons:
- Works best with a cargo net
6. Thule Pulse Cargo Box
This rooftop cargo box comes with a taller design than the Thule Force Cargo. Thule Pulse Cargo Box is available in 11, 14, and 15 cubic feet variants. It can easily carry up to 110 lbs in all variants. You can also carry skiing equipment with it. You can also carry four to eight pairs of skis in the box. But it mainly depends on the size of the Cargo Box.
The Thule Pulse Cargo Box comes with a self-standing lid design so that you can easily load and unload things from it. It is also equipped with an anti-theft locking mechanism with keys that ensure the security of your stuff. It is made out of ABS plastic elements, so it comes with great durability, and it is weatherproof also. So you can use it in any weather conditions. After all, it is a great solution for adventurous people who are looking for a safe place to store their ski equipment.
Pros:
- A great solution for skis or snowboards,
- available in 11, 14, and 15 cubic feet options,
- made with an anti-theft lock,
- durable ABS plastic construction,
- stand-up lid
Cons:
- The locking mechanism can be improved
7. RoofBag Cargo Carrier Bag
The RoofBag Cargo Carrier Bag comes with a simple but practical design. It is manufactured in the US. It is made out of 100 percent waterproof material. It comes with the Triple-Seal technology so that it can give you protection in any weather conditions. It also comes with 15 cubic feet of storage space. It works well with any kind of vehicle and even with side rails, crossbars, or without a roof rack. It uses a secure waterproof strap system with buckles to give you access.
It is made from heavy-duty polyester and also has a liquid coat of vinyl on both sides. It can resist well both heat and cold. It is very easy to install also. After all, the RoofBag Cargo Carrier Bag is a budget-friendly and versatile cargo carrier.
Pros:
- Made with soft covers with waterproofing,
- Easy to secure to the roof rack,
- Made with heavy-duty straps which resist forces of up to 3000lbs
Cons:
- Not best for aerodynamics
8. ARKSEN Universal Roof Rack
The ARKSEN Universal Roof Rack comes with a universal design, and it is made out of metal. It offers you a great durable design with a simple look. It is very easy to use. Moreover, it looks a bit retro also. The length of the metal frame is 43 inches, and the width is 39 inches. It is very easy to store also when not in use. It is possible because of its compact size and design. It can easily carry any kind of cargo, but you will need additional straps and cargo nets to ensure the security of your cargo. This is a great option for people who do not drive much during rain or snow.
Pros:
- Made with a compact design,
- Good aerodynamic performance,
- Only 43″ in length,
- Full metal construction for added durability
Cons:
- Cargo nets and straps sold separately
9. Thule Force Cargo Box
This roof cargo box is also from the famous roof box manufacturer Thule. The Thule Force Cargo Box comes with a versatile premium design like other Thule boxes. It is available in various sizes starts from 13 cubic feet to up to 21 cubic feet. The higher variants are also suitable for carrying skiing equipment. As like other recent Thule products, the Thule force also comes with Quick-Grip mounting hardware.
It can give you access from both sides so that you can load and unload things from it with more ease. So it is a great choice for the people who want to transport camping gear or sporting equipment. To install it on top of your car, you will need a Thule roof rack; in case if you do not have one, you can easily mount it with any type of roof rack from any manufacturer. The Thule force is very easy to install, and it also comes with the same built-in lock from the manufacturer to ensure the security of your items.
Pros:
- Designed with a modern profile with better aerodynamics,
- Made in different sizes,
- Recommended for anti-theft protection,
- Made with the Quick-Grip mounting system
Cons:
- Impacts mpg performance
10. SportRack Vista XL Cargo Box
The last but not the least option in this list is from SportRack. The SportRack Vista XL is a heavy-duty rooftop cargo box. It is compatible with SportRack roof rack systems, including square, round, and most factory racks. But we recommend you check the manual and make sure that it is compatible with your car’s roof rack. The vista XL can give you access from the rare. And it comes with 18 cubic feet of storage space. It is made out of durable and UV-resistant ABS, and it can easily carry 100 lbs weight.
It is very easy to install, and it comes with all the mounting hardware necessary for installation and removal. Moreover, no tools are required to install this roof box on top of your car. It also has an included key lock to secure stuff inside the box. After the trip, you can easily clean it off with mild soap and water and store it, and it is ready for your next trip.
Pros:
- ABS construction,
- rear opening lid,
- built-in lock,
- easy to install and remove,
- 18 cubic feet of storage
Cons:
- Some buyers say the hinges feel weak,
- box doesn’t open very wide
Conclusion
We hope that our article on “Best Cargo Carriers and Roof Boxes for Your Car” will help you to choose the best cargo carrier for your carrier. There are different kinds of roof boxes and roof bags available on the market. Among them, we have short-listed some of the best. So you can easily choose one of them for your car. Every option in this list is from a good manufacturer and comes with the very good build quality. But you should consider what type of cargo you want to carry with the cargo carrier before you choose one.
-our editorial board has reviewed this article and has been approved for publication according to our editorial policy.
