Make Room for the Road Trip—These Are the Best Rooftop Cargo Carriers

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This article was updated in March 2024 with new products and information.

One of the best ways to free up cabin space on a road trip, family vacation, or day trip to the ski slopes is a rooftop cargo carrier. Most modern cars come equipped with roof racks, making it a breeze to install and use a cargo box, bag, or rack.

But which ones are the best? To take the guesswork out of which cargo carrier to buy, the Good Housekeeping Institute called in dozens of rooftop boxes, bags, and racks. They put them through months of extreme testing, both in the laboratory and on the road, to assess real-world performance and ease of use. Here's what they found.

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Good Housekeeping has been testing products and services for over a century. Today, the Good Housekeeping Institute employs dozens of engineers, scientists, and testers whose job is to evaluate products and inform consumers. Its lab takes up an entire floor of the Hearst Tower in Manhattan; it's an impressive facility, with test kitchens, test bedrooms, and even a test quasi-garage. The lab evaluates everything from appliances to tools and luggage to gadgets and, yes, rooftop cargo boxes.

That's where we found Dan DiClerico, director of Good Housekeeping's Home Improvement and Outdoor Lab, and Rachel Rothman, chief technologist and executive technical director of Good Housekeeping. The testing lab had just finished putting a bunch of cargo carriers through its proverbial wringer, and DeClerico and Rothman were more than happy to share the Institute's findings with Hearst Autos.

How Good Housekeeping Tested Rooftop Cargo Carriers

First, GH experts checked sizes, types, and specs to identify cargo carriers for every need—the family on the go, the skier, the budget shopper, the road-tripper, car campers, etc. They then rounded up some of the best-selling, best-reviewed, and most popular cargo carriers of various types, styles, and brands. Next, they mounted them on different vehicles and put them into action in real-world conditions to assess usability, ease of installation, storage capacity, and convenience.

After checking out our picks, read on for more details on how our testers choose the best cargo carriers, plus everything you need to know to find the right model for your vehicle. To make your annual family outing the best it can be, check out our list of road-trip essentials and don't miss our roundup of the best luggage brands.

So what's the best rooftop cargo carrier for your vehicle?

The Best Rooftop Cargo Carriers

SkyBox NX 18

The GHI testing team chose a renowned brand to top its list for 2024. Yakima makes some of the best cargo solutions in the business, and its SkyBox NX 18 ticked all the boxes, from aerodynamics to interior space to convenience and ease of use

Its shape and 18 cubic feet of storage make it roomy enough to hold skis, luggage, and the like, while cutting down on noise and minimizing the impact on fuel economy. It opens from either side, making access a breeze, and details like interior tie-down points that keep valuables from jostling make it clear why Yakima is among the top brands in its field.

The NX 18 should install easily on most roof-rack systems, thanks to the versatile, ergonomic mounting knobs. The theft-deterrent lock uses SKS (or same-key system), meaning the same key can unlock any and all Yakima devices you may use.

As Rothman, the Chief Technologist at GHI, says, "You're paying a premium for the NX 18, but all its little details make it worth it, like the tapered back of the pod, which allows for hatch clearance while squeezing in an extra couple inches of storage for extra long items." It's also one of the best-looking cargo carriers you can buy.

JEGS Rooftop Cargo Carrier

With 18 cubic feet of storage, the JEGS is one of the largest-capacity cargo coxes on this list and features much of the same functionality as the pricier options here, making it the best value on this list. Dual-sided lockable access latches and watertight seams are just some of the perks you get for an amazing price. The boxy shape isn't suited for things like skis and golf clubs, but it is great for bulky items such as suitcases and camping gear. This box is ideal for the family road trip.

That said, the U-bolt mounting hardware isn't as versatile as other systems. It requires crossbars that are exactly 24 inches apart, otherwise you'll need to put in crossbars or drill new holes in the ones you have—and GHI engineers noted what car folks have known for years: jury-rigged mods can affect long-term stability and performance.

We're not convinced a JEGS box is a long-term cargo storage solution; we're not in love with its aesthetic appeal, and GHI engineers noted its lightweight construction may not age well. But if you need a hard-shell cargo box and don't want to spend a lot, the JEGS is a great choice for a summer road trip cargo solution.

Thule Force XT XL

Skiers, take note: Thule's extra-large Force XT XL cargo carrier was hands-down the best ski and snowboard hauler GHI tested. Testers were able to load and unload seven (!) pairs of skis from either side of it easily, and even at high speeds with a full load of gear, wind noise and drag were minimal. (Rothman noted that she needed a pair of wingbars in order to mount this box to her Volvo XC90, but those were easy to get from the Thule website.)

GHI testers were impressed by Thule's quick-mount system too. Its intuitive "PowerClick" design makes an audible clicking sound when the carrier is properly secured. You really can't get it wrong—and if you do, you'll know it.

INNO Wedge 660

With a rise that's less than 10 inches above the roof rack, the Wedge 660 is one of the sleekest, most aerodynamic rooftop cargo pods you can buy. With just a 9.6-inch rise above the roof rails, it's perfect for parking in low-ceilinged garages and carports. It'll fit four to six skis or a few snowboards; it may even accommodate a select number of golf clubs (sans bag, most likely).

We love the sleek, contemporary profile, light weight, and skimpy aerodynamic drag of the Wedge. The compact design does restrict its capacity—just 11 cubic feet of storage compared to the 18 of our favorites on this list. But if you're into winter sports, this long, sleek carrier is tailor-made for skis and snowboards. The glossy white finish will look great in ski-lift parking lots and snowy mountain-cabin driveways too.

New for 2024, the Wedge is now available in both white and black at REI.

RoofBag Cargo Carrier

If you just want a temporary solution for occasional road trips, a rooftop cargo bag is a solid option. But with dozens on the market, which one should you buy? GHI testers recommend the RoofBag because it nicely melds quality and affordability. Available in four sizes from 13 to 34 cubic feet, it's 100% waterproof and tear-resistant with triple heat-sealed seams (no stitching) and a 3-inch flap to protect the zipper.

It's simple to install on any large car or SUV, with or without roof racks. It costs hundreds less than the other cargo pods on this list. And it's made in the USA and backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 2-year warranty replacement.

Arksen Universal Roof Rack

Roof racks and especially roof baskets are an affordable way to expand your storage space, especially if you opt for the Arksen Universal. GHI engineers liked the alloy-steel construction, which should provide exceptional stability even when hauling the max 150-pound load at highway speeds. The Arksen has an extremely low, 6-inch profile—nice if you have a small garage or frequent public parking lots with low ceilings. The open-weave design creates plenty of tie-down points, and engineers noted that the angled front panel should cut down on drag and wind noise.

At 43 by 39 inches, this is the smallest of six Arksen Universal roof racks; they come in sizes up to 84 by 50 inches. Pair one with a waterproof cargo bag, and you're ready for the open road in almost any weather.

How Good Housekeeping Selected the Best Rooftop Cargo Carriers

With all the rooftop cargo options on the market, how did Good Housekeeping testers pare this list down to six? The Institute started by identifying the top-selling, most popular, and best-reviewed rooftop carriers of all types, sizes, and brands (hello, Yakima and Thule). They also considered newer, more innovative brands with distinctive features or functions (welcome, INNO).

Based on a review of technical specifications such as dimensions, capacity, and type, testers selected certain models to proceed through hands-on, real-world testing. After measuring and weighing each, testers mounted the carriers onto various vehicles to assess ease of installation, timing how long each took to mount, and evaluating how easy and intuitive (or not) the process was. They also verified the actual storage capacity, since cubic-foot volumes claimed by manufacturers can be misleading based on the carrier's shape or interior layout.

Next, they measured each carrier's overall usability:that is, how easy the pods were to open/close and lock/unlock (if applicable), whether or not any included accessories such as clamshell struts and LED lights were valuable or at least appreciated, and the effectiveness of weather-stripping or waterproofing. Finally, Institute testers assessed durability, noting the quality of materials and construction to assess how sturdy each carrier was likely to remain over time.

FAQs

Are rooftop cargo carriers safe?

Definitely, as long as they're installed correctly and loaded evenly. Three things to keep in mind:

• Size: A pod should be just big enough to carry your gear but not so massive that it adds an unwieldy amount of drag to the vehicle. Also, make sure the carrier's load capacity doesn't push your car over its GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating).

• Secure Installation: Loose bolts, unsecured straps, and over-torqued clamps can all create hazards on the open road. Always follow the carrier manufacturer's instructions, and also check to see if your particular OEM offers rooftop cargo carrier guidance; many vehicle models have certain limitations or installation methods they recommend.

• Correctly Loaded: Even weight distribution of gear is crucial. Experts recommend even tying or strapping down items inside the pod to keep your gear from sliding around.

Are rooftop cargo boxes worth it?

Of course. Hard-shell boxes and pods will cost more than rooftop cargo bags or racks, but they keep your cargo far more secure, and they're usually weather-resistant if not fully waterproof. They're generally easy to install and use but harder to remove when not needed.

Can I use a car-top carrier without a roof rack?

Bags, yes. But correctly mounting hard-shell pods and rooftop boxes requires a roof rack—or crossbars attached to a rack. Do your research to determine the best solution for your cargo needs.

Why Trust Good Housekeeping?

The Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab provides expert reviews and advice on all things home and autos related, including rooftop carriers. In his role as director of the home improvement and outdoor lab, Dan DiClerico brings more than 20 years of experience to the Institute, having reviewed thousands of products for Good Housekeeping as well as brands such as Consumer Reports and This Old House.

Why Trust Us?

Road & Track and its sibling publications at Hearst Autos represent three of the most influential automotive publications in the world. The Gear Team relies on decades of experience in the automotive and gear spaces to help readers make informed purchasing choices about products such as portable tire inflators, electric bikes, and sim racing rigs.

With the legacies of Autoweek, Car and Driver, and Road & Track behind us, the Hearst Autos Gear Team is more concerned with our integrity and the trust our readers place in us than our bottom line. We won't tell you to buy something if we wouldn't buy it ourselves or recommend it to our friends, and we'll never claim to have used or tested something if we haven't. Our picks and recommendations of products and gear are based on testing and knowledge, not hype. Read more about our testing process here.

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