Sometimes, the car boot just won’t do, especially if you’re going on a long-haul family holiday, which is the kind of situation that calls for a roof box. After you’ve loaded everything from the suitcases to the snacks, you might find you need even more space than the luggage compartment, and that’s before you remember to load up the bike rack.
It’s even worse for seven-seat vehicles since they’re designed to carry seven passengers (including the driver) but not seven passengers worth of luggage. You might think the solution is to place your bags on the passenger seats, but there are more comfortable solutions that ensure you don’t forget anything important. Roof bags are an option, but if you’re looking for something a little more solid, the roof box is the way to go.
A roof box is a simple but effective way of adding more storage to your car. It can unlock as much as 580 litres of storage (nearly double the boot space offered by the recently demised Ford Fiesta). For the really practical and adventurous, you can even opt for car roof tents for your travels.
The best roof boxes tested 2024 at a glance:
The best car roof box: Thule Motion 3 Large - buy from Amazon.
Editor's pick: Thule Vector Large - buy from eBay
Best budget roof box: OMAC Roof Box 400 - buy from eBay
If you’re in the market for a roof box, then there are a few things to consider, like dimensions, capacity, aerodynamics, and, of course, budget. We’ve rounded up some of the best roof boxes on sale for every budget. To up the ante, we've also teamed up with Auto Zeitung to share findings of its roof box mega test, which grouped together eight of such items.
How we tested the roof boxes
Our friends at Auto Zeitung had realistic criteria to base their findings on. They attached each roof box to a Volkswagen Tiguan 1.5 eTSI with the roof rails and support rods from Volkswagen accessories range.
The basic curb weight of the car is 1,637kg with a full tank, which doesn't account for the driver and 140kg of luggage in the car. The maximum roof load on the Tiguan is 75kg, which was taken into account when our testers loaded up the different roof boxes. They used sleeping bags, pillows, skis, and even weights to up the ante.
What we look for in roof boxes
Functionality, which simultaneously ties in with practicality, is our main factor. We're always curious to see how much stuff a roof box can swallow up, ready for your next holiday.
Secondly, build quality is high on our priority list - if straps are fiddly or certain components feel low-rent, points will be deducted. This, in turn, ties in with security since keeping your possessions safe is important.
It should be noted that while Auto Zeitung tested a total of eight roof boxes, not all of them are readily available in the UK market. We have, therefore, carried as much information across as we can on products that are available, and this page will be updated if/when there are any changes. We have therefore labelled if a roof box was tested by our German colleagues.
We have also included a selection of roof boxes that were chosen by CAR, but not put through a thorough test. We have labelled these as so, and these units are choices based off our best research and knowledge.
The best roof boxes tested 2024
Tested by Auto Zeitung
The best car roof box
Via ThuleThe Motion 3 Large is a versatile roof box that offers a good amount of space for a decent price. It’s likely to suit most needs and come in handy during almost any scenario. While Thule offers roof boxes in almost every shape and size, we think the Motion 3 Large is the closest thing to a roof box for everyone. It stunned our testers at Auto Zeitung with profound qualities in practicality, build quality, and space. It can swallow up skis of just over two metres long, making it immensely versatile.
It comes with a capacity of 450 litres and can carry a huge amount of weight. It’s durable thanks to its hardened shell, and the available accessories include an interior light box, a pull strap for easy lid access, and a protective box liner.
Pros
- Excellent build quality and materials
- Loads of space at 400L
- Should be big enough for most vehicles and applications
Cons
- The Alpine variant is even more aerodynamic
- Slightly heavier than others at 17 kg
| Capacity | 450 L |
| Dimensions | 194 x 89 x 43cm |
| Weight | 20kg |
| Capacity (weight) | 75 kg |
| Type | Large |
Tested by Auto Zeitung
Editor's pick
Via Thulewww.ebay.co.uk
At just over 2.3 metres long, the Thule Vector L is the ideal roof box for skiing holidays. It's long enough to accommodate the essentials, and our testers at Auto Zeitung found it was a well-made box which shined in quality. It fits in boards over two metres long, which will be useful to many before their winter getaway.
There are a few drawbacks, however. The most notable being it's 30kg - twice as heavy as the lightest roof box the team had on test. It was a heavily waterproof box during rainy conditions, but we found that upon opening the case, water beads tend to run in, damping the felt and potentially your items.
Pros
- Superb build quality and materials
- Happily swallows up long skis and boards over two metres
- Very weatherproof against rain and snow
Cons
- Heavier than the others at 30kg
- Water drips can damp the inner felt
| Capacity | 430L |
| Dimensions | 231.5 x 88.5 x 35.5cm |
| Weight | 30kg |
| Capacity (weight) | 75kg |
| Type | Large |
Tested by Auto Zeitung
The best value roof box
Via FaradThe Marlin 400L can be opened from both sides, which adds versatility points should you park somewhere that allows restricted access from one side.
However, it loses points over a cheap-feeling plastic key to lock up the mechanism. This doesn't provide a great sense of durability, and the tension straps were found to be quite fiddly. However, it does still provide 400 litres of space, and it does take a high payload.
Pros
- Takes a high payload of items
- Good value for money compared to others
- Fairly roomy, but can struggle with longer skis
Cons
- Cheap-feeling key and mechanism
- Straps are very fiddly
| Capacity | 400L |
| Dimensions | 160 x 80 x 40cm |
| Weight | 23kg |
| Capacity (weight) | 75kg |
| Type | Large |
Tested by Auto Zeitung
The best budget roof box
Via OMACwww.ebay.com
Out of all the roof boxes tested by the team at Auto Zeitung, the OMAC 400 is the least expensive of the lot. This of course, adds some value points, but predictably, means it's compromised in other areas. These include a fairly fiddly locking system, fragile screw slides, and smaller skis limited to around 150cm in length.
However, it gains a few points back for having the ability to withstand very heavy rain. The team at Auto Zeitung testified this by aiming a high pressure jet at it. You do however, need a few tools to assemble the box upon delivery, which is a slight faff in comparison to a fully-assembled unit.
Pros
- Reasonable amount of space within, but won't accommodate larger skis
- Good value for money compared to the higher-end roof boxes
- Additional locking bolt at the front
Cons
- Doesn't come with tension straps or even assembled
- Quite a low-loading height
| Capacity | 400L |
| Dimensions | 169 x 79 x 37,5cm |
| Weight | 11kg |
| Capacity (weight) | 75kg |
| Type | Large |
Chosen by CAR
Editor's pick
Just like the Motion 3 Large the Motion 3 XXL Low comes from Thule so the build quality and durability will be reliable, and just like the Motion 3 Medium accessories include an interior light box, a pull strap for easy lid access, and a protective box liner.
The difference with the Motion 3 XXL Low is that it is designed to be as aerodynamic as possible, and despite this, it offers a competitive amount of capacity – in fact, it’s the same as the Motion 3 Large at 450 litres. That does come a downside however, as the Motion 3 XXL Low weighs 25 kg which is more than most other roof boxes.
Pros
- Great sturdiness and build quality, as per Thule products
- Surprisingly spacious at 450 litres, which is more than the Motion 3 Medium
- Aerodynamic design, which helps with wind noise and fuel economy
Cons
- Weighs 25 kg which is heavy for roof boxes
- Priced higher than other options
| Capacity | 450 L |
| Dimensions | 232 x 92 x 37 cm |
| Weight | 25 kg |
| Capacity (weight) | 75 kg |
| Type | XXL Low |
Chosen by CAR
Best value solid roof box
www.halfords.com
If value is what you’re after, then look no further than this roof box from Halfords. It offers an impressive 420 litres of storage capacity and a side opening mechanism with a spring lid that stays open, great for loading and unloading. The build quality isn’t as great as some of the more upmarket boxes, but the Halford box offers a competitive capacity at a budget-friendly price.
It's little wonder that this particular roof box is a best-seller in Halford’s range, which all come with a three-year guarantee. Fitting is also available to take the hassle out of preparing for your next big adventure. At 14 kg, the Halford box is about the sort of weight you’d expect for a roof box, thanks to the scratch-resistant ABS material.
Pros
- Good value for money at just £265 for 420 L of space
- Slightly more aerodynamic design than some others of the same type
- You can opt to have it fitted as an option
Cons
- Build quality isn't as great as the Thule boxes
- 50 kg load capacity is less than others
| Capacity | 420 L |
| Dimensions | 174.5 x 82.9 x 39.7cm |
| Weight | 14 kg |
| Capacity (weight) | 50 kg |
| Type | Medium |
Chosen by CAR
Best mid-range roof box
Smaller cars need roof boxes too – in fact, a smaller car is more likely to require a roof box because oftentimes the boot isn’t large enough to fit your essentials. Another great roof box from Thule, the Force XT Sport may only be 190 x 63 x 42.5 cm, but it can still accept 75 kg in the 300 litres of available capacity.
The dual opening provides easy access, and the aerodynamic design will go some way to reducing wind noise and keeping fuel bills to a minimum. The 14.7 kg weight is also pretty competitive, as is the price.
Pros
- Good enough capacity at 300 L of space
- Great build quality, as per Thule products
- The Sport is more aerodynamic than most of the other Force XT range
Cons
- Some will find 300 L too small
- Some lesser-priced options may offer better value
| Capacity | 300 L |
| Dimensions | 190 x 63 x 42.5cm |
| Weight | 14.7 kg |
| Capacity (weight) | 75 kg |
| Type | Sport |
Chosen by CAR
Best roof box for load capacity
www.halfords.com
If 300, 400, or even 500 litres of capacity isn’t enough, then you’ll want to go for the Halfords 580 box, which comes with - you’ve guessed it – a 580 litres capacity. It’s clear that this Halfords box has been designed with bigger vehicles in mind, but it is easy to use thanks to its dual side opening which is useful for loading and unloading.
Because the main selling point of the Halfords box is its size, so you won’t find it to be as aerodynamic as some of the other roof boxes on this list. The Halfords box is conveniently priced in the market but offers much more capacity than most other roof boxes. The weight capacity is 75 kg, though, like others.
Pros
- Three-year guarantee along with your purchase
- Good volume at 580 litres of storage, which is big enough for a large family
- Dual-side opening makes it easier to use
Cons
- Isn't as aerodynamic as others
- You will need a large car in order to use it properly
| Capacity | 580 L |
| Dimensions | 205.7 x 80.2 x 50cm |
| Weight | 18.6 kg |
| Capacity (weight) | 75 kg |
| Type | XL |
Chosen by CAR
Best value all-rounder
The Costway box takes the best features of other boxes and puts them together into one simple solution. It comes with a 400-litre cargo capacity which can be up to 75 kg in weight. It also comes with a dual side opening of 35 cm for easy access. Alongside this it has support arms, a secure key lock, and even luggage straps.
While the Costway box weighs 19 kg the shape is somewhat aerodynamic so it should minimise the wind noise, but we wouldn’t say the wind noise is completely absent. If you’re looking for a roof box that can carry just as much as some of the upmarket boxes and offers great value, then it’s worth checking out the Costway rooftop cargo box.
Pros
- 400 litres capacity is very competitive
- Dual side opening is convenient for access
- Aerodynamic shape means a streamlined product
Cons
- Relatively unknown brand so may lack the build quality of others
- 19 kg is heavier than others that offer similar performance
| Capacity | 400 L |
| Dimensions | 157 x 76 x 39 cm |
| Weight | 14 kg |
| Capacity (weight) | 75 kg |
| Type | Medium |
How to find the correct roof racks for your vehicle
10.
Amazon garage
The best filter to find roof racks
Via AmazonIt’s important to consider buying a set of roof racks if you’re wanting to use a roof box. Some cars have roof racks fitted from the factory, but for all other vehicles you’ll need to find an aftermarket solution. Amazon Garage is a useful tool to filter products based on your vehicle in order to get roof racks that are suitable to you.
Pros
- Easy to filter your vehicle(s) to find the right products
- Lots of cars to choose from, varying from usual to interesting
- You can change cars in the search results
Cons
- You need Prime for free delivery
- Will need to add details of your vehicle
FAQs and things to remember with roof boxes
Do roof boxes affect fuel economy?
Fuel economy can be affected by having a bulky roof box affecting the aerodynamics of your car. And with a good bike rack attached, those aerodynamics can be affected further. At the end of the day, you can't beat the laws of physics and because your car will be experiencing more drag, you'll use more fuel.
How much MPG do I lose by carrying a roof box?
Depending on the weight and size, you could lose anywhere between 5 and 10% of your usual MPG figures. Thule can dial that back because the Alpine versions of their roof boxes are designed with aerodynamics in mind. The case being a skiing holiday for example, which involves a lot of French motorway miles.
Are roof boxes waterproof?
Yes, they are generally very watertight. Our friends at Auto Zeitung even tested the waterproofness of the tested roof boxes using a jet hose aimed right at the items.
Generally speaking, they all coped well, but our testers found that some were prone to dripping quite badly once you come to open them up. This can either dampen the inner linings or your items, so we'd advise being careful when you go to access your stuff.
Do roof boxes generate wind noise?
Of course. Roof boxes can generate a lot of it at speed, and aerodynamics come into play again. If your roof box is slender, it will be able to glide through the air without much resistance. Perhaps the most important point is that if your car doesn't have a set of roof racks, you won't be able to carry one at all. There are plenty of cars which have them from the factory, but aftermarket roof racks are plentiful on the market.
Are roof boxes worth it?
There's quite a lot of situations when you might need a roof box for extra storage. For example, in a fully-loaded seven-seater vehicle with all the seats occupied, they will serve as a great solution for storage.
Of course, when travelling across continental Europe for the skiing season, roof boxes are great places to store skis and other snow sports equipment. A lot of the time, however, you might not need one. It's, therefore, purely dependent on how much stuff you carry around to decide if you need one.
Aaron Hussain is a commercial content writer at Bauer Media writing for Parkers and CAR. He is obsessed with classic cars and anything with a fascinating story to tell.
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