To find the best rooftop tent, weight plays a key role. The weight of your rooftop tent must not exceed that of your car. Don’t forget to also take the weight of the inhabitants into account to avoid causing damage to your car.
Whether it be a spacious iKamper Skycamp or the super light Raptor Series Offgrid Voyager, all of the below are a good start for the best rooftop tents out there.
Best Rooftop Tents (Top Picks)
Best Lightweight
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Editor's Choice
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Best Value
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Best Roof Top Tents (Detailed Reviews)
Here are my top 5 rooftop tents:
- iKamper Skycamp for 4 - Best Overall
- Thule Tepui Kukenam Rooftop Tent - Editor's Choice
- Raptor Series Offgrid Voyager - Best Lightweight
- Tuff Stuff Overland
- Smittybilt Overlander - Best Value
Read our complete buyers guide for rooftop tents.
Best Roof Top Tent
1. iKamper Skycamp for 4
The iKamper Skycamp Rooftop Tent will absolutely blow your mind. It is the ideal family-friendly rooftop tent. iKamper has figured out a way to make an easy pop-up hardshell tent that can sleep up to four people without adding on too much extra weight.
The weight conscious and aerodynamic design is so simple to set up and is incredibly spacious. The deployment of this tent is ridiculously fast, with it taking a staggering 45 seconds to deploy and a convenient 2 minutes to stow.
The tent comes with a huge king size mattress. Although the tent is marketed at being a 4-man tent it is only really ideal for three adults or two adults and two children.
The tent has 4 openings which are all covered with mesh to allow for great ventilation as well as a waterproof rainfly.
If you are a family who loves camping, and are willing to spend a little extra cash, you absolutely cannot go wrong with the iKamper.
Main Features
What we like
What we dislike
Key Takeaway
If you love taking your young family camping, the iKamper Skycamp Rooftop Tent is definitely for you. The weight of the rooftop tent is absolutely crazy considering the amount of space that is available. This rooftop tent is without a doubt the best on the market, which makes the price of the tent completely worth it.
2. Thule Tepui Kukenam Rooftop Tent
Although Thule Tepui has been known for their roof racks, the company has come out with an absolutely outstanding rooftop tent. The Thule Tepui Kukenam Rooftop Tent is a fantastic option for both casual and more seasoned campers.
Made from lightweight and breathable 210D fabric and lightweight aluminium poles, it is the ideal pop-up tent. The tent boasts great ventilation, a mesh sunroof, waterproof rainfly and double layer windows.
The tent comes with a wall-to-wall mattress designed to cradle your body as you sleep. The mattress cover is also removable for easy cleaning.
The Thule Tepui Rooftop Tent has two options; a two-man and three-man tent. The two-man option has a weight capacity of 400lbs while the three-man tent can carry up to 600lbs.
The tent is quick and easy to set-up and should not take more than 15 minutes to complete installation.
If you are looking for a premium version of this tent, then you should check out the Vagabond Series by Roam Adventure Co. They are extremely comfortable and have an option to add an annex room.
Main Features
What we like
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Key Takeway
The Thule Tepui Kukenam Rooftop Tent is affordable, durable and easy to use. With very few cons and countless pros, purchasing this tent will make your camping adventure a dream.
3. Raptor Series Offgrid Voyager
4/5 Overall Rating
If weight and fuel efficiency are your main concern, then the Raptor Series Offgrid Voyager should definitely be on the top of your list. The tent miraculously weighs less than 100lbs making it easy to move around and install.
The tent is made from waterproof, heavy-duty, mould resistant, breathable and OPVC coated poly cotton. Made by a South African company, they understand the need for a tent to be able to withstand wind, heat and rain.
The tent comes with a retractable ladder and mattress and has screening on all the windows and doors to allow for fantastic ventilation.
However, in order for the tent to be so lightweight, the tent does lack in certain areas, such as durability.
Main Features
What we like
What we dislike
Key Takeaway
If you are a casual camper looking for a rooftop tent that is easy to transport and won’t eat up your fuel, then the Raptor Series Offgrid Voyager rooftop tent is a must-have. But you must be willing to sacrifice some features for the sake of a convenient weight.
4. Tuff Stuff Overland
The Tuff Stuff Ranger Overland Rooftop Tent is world-renowned, and for good reason. This rooftop tent comes with an annexe room upon purchase, which is usually a feature that would have to be purchased separately.
The frame is made from sturdy and durable aluminium, and the actual tent is made from 420D ripstop poly/cotton fabric. The screened windows allow for fantastic ventilation.
The main sleeping area is enormous, but the winning feature of this rooftop tent is the annexe, which is large enough to include a folding cot, a queen size mattress, a mat or a small dining table.
All hardware required for installation is included in the package, installation is straightforward and time efficient, however, it will require two adults to set up the tent.
Also available on Overland Junction. See all Tuff Stuff roof tents.
Main Features
What we like
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Key Takeaway
If space is what you are after, the Tuff Stuff Ranger Overland Rooftop Tent should Definitely be on the top of your list. Although it is not as lightweight as other tents on this list and may take some extra time to set up, the inclusion of an annex room is an incredible feature. The extra space makes this tent a great option for families with small children.
5. Smittybilt Overlander
4.6/5 Overall Rating
If you are the owner of a Jeep Wrangler, this rooftop tent s absolutely perfect for you. This rooftop tent is of exceptional quality at a very attractive price. It was developed as one of Jeep Wrangler’s many accessories and is easily mounted onto most roof racks.
The Smittybilt Overlander is made of amazing and durable elements. It is made from 600D heavy-duty ripstop polyester and is accompanied by a rainfly. The netted windows provide great ventilation while simultaneously protecting you from pesky insects.
At 138lbs it is relatively lightweight and features a thick foam mattress which comfortably sleeps 2 people, the 2in mattress is almost as big as a queen size bed.
The tent also features a built-in LED strip to make seeing in the dark a lot easier.
An annexe tent is also available for campers who require a little extra space.
Main Features
What we like
What we dislike
Key Takeaway
If you are an avid adventurer who owns a Jeep Wrangler, the Smittybilt Overlander is definitely an incredible option for your camping experience. This tent is incredibly affordable as far as rooftop tents go, and with such an attractive price, the tent is of incredible quality.
Rooftop Tent - Buyer's Guide (Key Features)
Below is a guide on what to look for in your rooftop tent to help you make the best choice for your needs.
Material
The material of your tent needs to be both durable and comfortable. Nylon is the preferred option for the exterior material as it is weatherproof, lightweight and breathable. Look for a ripstop fabric as it is sturdier and more durable. The frame of your tent should ideally be made from a lightweight and durable material such as aluminium. Look for tents with mesh over the widows and doors to allow for ventilation.
Size
Every car can only carry a certain. Most of these tents can comfortably fit two adults, maybe three at a stretch. But more than two people may not be ideal. The size of your car will also be a determining factor in the size of your rooftop tent.
Ease of Installation
The installation must be straightforward and time efficient, as the last thing you want to do is spend hours trying to figure out how to install your rooftop tent. However, the ease of installation will vary greatly from tent to tent and tents with a greater number of accessories and features may take a little longer to install, but it will be worth it.
Accessories
Additional accessories such as a rainfly, canopy or ladder can make or break your camping experience. An annexe is a fantastic accessory to increase space and capacity. The annexe may be included or have to be purchased separately.
Weight
The weight of your rooftop tent must not exceed that of your car. Don’t forget to also take the weight of the inhabitants into account to avoid causing damage to your car.
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