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Car roof storage buying guide

2 May 2019

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Hit the road without leaving anything behind.

Car roof storage boxes, also known as cargo boxes, are storage spaces that are mounted to your car’s built-in or installed roof racks. The extra storage space can make it easy to transport bicycles, ski gear, fishing equipment and other large items. Use our guide to help you compare different sizes and features of car roof boxes so you can choose the right one to meet your travel needs.

Compare some of the best car roof boxes

Name	Avg. price (USD)	Type	Capacity	Dimensions	Purchase
Thule Sidekick Cargo Box	$299	Hard	75 lbs	54″ x 25″ x 15.5″	Buy now
Yakima Skybox Lo Carbonite Cargo Box	$599	Hard	15 cu. ft.	92″ x 36″ x 11.5″	Buy now
Seattle Sports Sherpak Go!15 Waterproof Cartop Storage Cargo Bag	$86	Soft	15 cu. ft.	15.5″ x 37″ x 45″	Buy now
Rhino-Rack MasterFit RMFT550	$588.93	Hard	14 cu. ft.		Buy now
RoofBag Waterproof Car Rooftop Storage Bag	$69	Soft	15 cu. ft.	48″ x 38″ x 18″	Buy now
JEGS Performance Products 90098	$179.99	Hard	18 cu. ft.	57″ x 39″ x 19″	Buy now
Thule Motion XT Rooftop Cargo Carrier XL	$749.95	Soft	18 cu. ft.	84.5″ x 36″ x 17″	Buy now

Data obtained April 2019. Prices are subject to change and should be used only as a general guide.

What size and shape do I need?

When choosing a roof storage box, the most important factor to consider is its size and shape. Roof boxes are usually rectangular, but their dimensions vary. It’s more helpful to compare the dimensions of the roof box, rather than its stated capacity. Check the dimensions of the roof box against the dimensions of your car — you’ll want to be able to open your car’s tailgate completely without the spoiler hitting your box.

Roof storage boxes come in half-, medium- and full-widths, in both long and short options. With a half-width box, you can carry additional gear on your roof, such as a bike or canoe. Medium-width boxes typically suit a family of four. A long, full-width roof box that covers your whole roof offers more storage space but requires two people to maneuver it. A long roof box would suit those carrying skis.

Standard roof box sizes

Type	Specifications	Features
Narrow-width	20 inches wide or less	Gives you extra space on the roof for other gear such as bikes. Long narrow-width boxes are suitable for carrying skis.
Medium-width	20 to 30 inches wide	Most popular width for families, as they are easier than full-width boxes to lift and move, but still provide adequate storage space.
Full-width	30 to 40 inches wide	Allows you to maximize roof storage space. Requires two people to lift and move.
Short	Less than 5 feet long	Suitable for smaller hatchbacks. Can be stored more easily than long boxes when not in use.
Long	Over 6.5 feet long	For those who want the biggest box. Should provide adequate storage for a family of 4 to 5. Can be difficult to lift and store.

Height restrictions

When adding a roof box, check the increased height of your car and be aware of height restrictions for tunnels, parking lots and other height-restricted spaces. Height restrictions in the US depend on the location and the road.

Before buying a roof box, check the following heights:

Car
Roof box
Roof rack

Add the three heights together to get the total height of your vehicle with the roof box, then add an extra margin of at least a few centimeters just to be safe. To find out the height of your car, check your car manual. If you’re storing anything additional on your car, such as an upright bicycle, measure from the highest point.

Once you’re on the road, keep an eye out for low-clearance roads, tunnels, underpasses and parking lot entrances.

How to compare car roof boxes

A car roof box can cost you from around $499 up to $2,000, depending on the size of the box, the material used and the brand. To work out which roof box is right for you, consider these features:

Does your roof storage box need to withstand extreme changes in temperature, wet conditions or high impact? If so, consider a higher-end material. Cheaper boxes are generally made of a thinner plastic that could become weak with prolonged use and crack in cold temperatures. Opt for UV-protected ABS plastic or fiberglass reinforced plastic that will better withstand wear and tear, as well as rain, extreme temperatures and high impact.
Do you want a secure locking system or are you happy with a simple, single-lock design? Higher-end options generally offer better security. A single lock in the middle may be easier to pry open from the sides and allow easy access to your items. A box with multiple locks or a central locking system is ideal for safety. However, boxes with a central locking system can be difficult to close.
There are various roof box accessories you might want to consider:
- Cover. Purchasing a roof box lid cover is not essential, but good if you want to protect your box from scratches and dirt while it’s stored.
- Light. This will be helpful when you’re trying to unload your box in low light conditions or at night.
- Ski carrier. Some boxes offer specific ski carriers to hold your skis securely inside the box. Other boxes feature a “safety nose” — an extra internal energy-absorbing barrier to prevent skis from breaking through the front of the box during a collision.
- Wall holder. You might want to use a wall holder in your garage to store your roof box when it is not in use to prevent damage from scratches.

Alternate storage options

If you don’t want to shell out the money for a roof storage box, soft-sided roof bags or roof baskets can give you additional storage for a lower cost. If you only want to transport your bicycles, you could also opt to get a tow bar or trunk-mounted bike rack instead of investing in a roof box.

	Description	Pros	Cons
Soft-sided roof bags	Soft fabric bags that can be strapped to roof racks or directly to your car’s roof.	Usually cheaper than roof boxes. Can be folded up for easy storage.	Not as secure as hard shell roof boxes. Won’t keep your items fully dry.
Roof baskets	Open-air container that requires contents to be strapped into place or covered by a net.	Cheaper than roof boxes. Can be used for oversized and irregularly shaped items that can’t fit into a roof box.	Can’t be locked. Not weather-proof. May not keep bugs out.

Bottom line

Adding a storage box to your vehicle’s roof can be an easy way to make sure nothing gets left behind on your trip. These products range in price and quality, so compare a few models before settling on the best fit for your on-the-go storage needs.

How did we choose these products?

To choose our list of the best car roof storage boxes, we conducted online research to determine some of the most popular models currently available. We considered features such as size, type and security.

Frequently asked questions

If you’re planning on using your roof box only occasionally, we recommended that you store it horizontally instead of upright, which can cause damage to the end or side of the box. If space is an issue, you can purchase a hoist system so that your box can be suspended from your garage roof, or use a wall holder to keep it securely mounted against the wall. Roof boxes should be stored in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight to avoid damage from extreme temperatures and UV rays.

Gabrielle Pastorek

Gabrielle Pastorek is a writer at finder.com, regularly researching and creating shopping and finance reviews, as well as car and loan comparisons. She holds an MFA from the University of Pittsburgh, and her essays and short stories can be found in The Collagist, Blue Monday Review, Blotterature and others. When she’s not writing, Gabrielle can be found out in the barn with her horse, Lucy.

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Car roof storage buying guide