Planning a family staycation in the coming months? It's amazing how quickly even the biggest of boots can be filled with suitcases, sandwiches and sports equipment. And that's before you remember to bring the bikes.
And while it may be tempting to place bags on passengers and remove the spare wheel for extra storage, there is an easier option that doesn't involve leaving a relative at home. A roof box is a simple but effective way of adding more storage to your car by unlocking as much as 580 litres of storage (which is nearly double the boot space offered by the current Ford Fiesta).
We've found the best roof boxes currently for sale for a whole host of budgets. We've even got a guide to the best roof racks so you'll be fully prepared for that long journey.
HandiHoldall Large Vehicle Roof Bag
Best value roof box
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Everyone usually assumes that a roof box has to be a solid plastic product, but fabric options are just as voluminous and cost a lot less. This excellent roof bag can hold 330 litres and the fabric is fully water-resistant. It also only weighs 3.6kg and can be rolled up when not in use (you'll need to remove the fibreglass poles).
Pros:
Great value for money
Easy to store when not in use
Cons:
Watch your fuel economy figure tumble
Expect a lot of wind noise
Halfords 250L Grey Roof Box
Best value solid roof box
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While this roof box from Halfords may not offer the most storage, it is the best value solid plastic roof box on the market. Offering an impressive 250 litres of storage and a rear opening mechanism, the aerodynamically designed roof box will reduce wind noise and keep your fuel bills down. The only real issue is that the plastic lid is rather flimsy and it's much easier to open with two people.
Pros:
Good value for money
Aerodynamic
Cons:
The lid feels flimsy
Thule Roof Boxes Motion XT Sport
An aerodynamic option
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The Vauxhall Calibra of the roof box world, this 300-litre roof box from Thule is designed with aerodynamics as a top priority. While other roof boxes will offer more space, the XT Sport will help fuel efficiency and prevent wind noise. Thule is also renowned for quality and ergonomic designs so the hefty investment should be worth it.
Pros:
Keep your fuel bills down
Surprisingly spacious
Cons:
Expensive
Thule Force XT S
Best small roof box
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Smaller cars need roof boxes too and this compact Thule is the best way to maximise a small space. It may only be 139 x 89.5cm but it manages to offer 300 litres of storage and an aerodynamic design to keep wind noise and fuel bills down. Again coming with Thule's legendary build quality it can hold up to 75kg and is openable from both sides.
Pros:
Size to volume ratio
Dual side opening
Sleek and aerodynamic
Cons:
A bit pricey
Halfords Advanced 580L Black Roof Box
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The big selling point with this roof box is the sheer amount it can carry, 580 litres. It's obviously designed for cars with larger roofs but is easy to use thanks to the dual side opening. It's also aerodynamically designed to keep wind noise down.
Pros:
Good price
Good volume
Cons:
You'll need a large car