The Best Car Rooftop Tents: What You Need to Know Before Buying One
There’s something about waking up above the ground that makes camping feel a little different.
You unzip the tent, sit up, open the entrance and suddenly you’re looking out over the campsite instead of wondering what crawled into your sleeping bag during the night.
A rooftop tent can turn an ordinary car into a surprisingly capable camping setup.
No searching for the flattest patch of ground.
No waking up in a puddle because you picked the wrong spot.
And, perhaps most importantly, no wrestling with a tent when you arrive at the campsite after a long drive.
But rooftop tents aren’t cheap.
Some cost more than the car they’re sitting on, while others are considerably more affordable. So before you start looking at roof bars and dreaming about weekends in the Highlands, it’s worth understanding what you’re actually buying.
Here’s what matters.
What Is a Roof Top Tent?
Quite simply, it’s a tent that sits on the roof of your vehicle.
When you’re ready to camp, you unfold or open it and climb up using a ladder.
When you’re finished, it folds back down into a relatively compact package that stays on the roof.
There are two main types:
Soft-shell rooftop tents and hard-shell rooftop tents.
Both have their advantages, and the right choice depends on how you intend to use it.
Soft-Shell vs Hard-Shell Rooftop Tents
This is probably the first big decision you’ll make.
Soft-Shell Rooftop Tents
Soft-shell models are generally made from a durable fabric and fold out from the roof of the vehicle.
They’ve been around for years and are often the more affordable option.
One of their biggest advantages is space.
Once unfolded, many soft-shell tents provide a surprisingly large sleeping area, with some designs extending beyond the footprint of the vehicle.
They’re also usually lighter on the wallet.
Why consider a soft-shell tent?
Usually cheaper than hard-shell models
Large sleeping areas available
Lots of different designs
Good choice for occasional camping
Can provide plenty of room for two people
The downside is that they can take a little longer to set up and pack away.
If you’re moving campsite every day, that might become annoying.
If you’re staying somewhere for several nights, it may not matter at all.
Hard-Shell Rooftop Tents
Hard-shell rooftop tents have a rigid outer shell.
When you’re ready to camp, the shell opens up and the tent section expands.
The big attraction is convenience.
Some hard-shell tents can be opened in well under a minute.
That’s particularly appealing if you’ve just driven for several hours and the last thing you want to do is start assembling camping equipment.
They’re also generally more aerodynamic when closed and offer a solid outer layer of protection.
The downside?
They’re usually more expensive, and the internal sleeping area can be smaller than some large soft-shell designs.
Are Rooftop Tents Comfortable?
This is one of the biggest questions people ask.
The answer depends heavily on the mattress.
Most rooftop tents have a built-in mattress, and many are considerably more comfortable than you might expect.
You’re also sleeping above the uneven ground, stones and roots that you might encounter with a traditional tent.
There’s no searching around with your hands in the middle of the night, trying to find the lump that is digging into your back.
That said, the space is different.
A rooftop tent isn’t a hotel room.
If you’re used to a large family tent where you can stand up, move around and keep half your camping equipment inside, a rooftop tent will feel much more compact.
For one or two people, however, the sleeping area can be perfectly comfortable.
What About Rain?
This is where rooftop tents can have a real advantage.
You’re not sleeping directly on wet ground.
There’s no worrying about water running underneath the groundsheet.
And when you pack up, you’re not necessarily dealing with the same muddy floor you’d get with a conventional tent.
But don’t assume that being on the roof makes you immune to bad weather.
Wind can be more noticeable because you’re elevated, and a poorly designed or poorly pitched rooftop tent can still leak.
Look for:
Waterproof fabric
Good-quality seams
Reliable zips
Proper rainfly protection
Strong mounting hardware
Good ventilation
And remember that condensation can still occur inside.
How Much Weight Can Your Car Carry?
This is one thing you absolutely shouldn’t ignore.
Before buying a rooftop tent, check your vehicle manufacturer’s specifications.
You need to know the maximum permitted roof load.
There’s an important distinction between static roof load and dynamic roof load.
Dynamic load is the weight your vehicle can safely carry while you’re driving.
Static load is the weight the roof can support when the vehicle is stationary.
A rooftop tent might be perfectly safe to sleep in once you’re parked but still exceed the vehicle’s permitted dynamic roof load when you’re driving.
And don’t forget to include the weight of the roof bars and any other equipment you’re carrying.
This isn’t the place to guess.
Check your vehicle handbook and the specifications from the roof-rack manufacturer before buying.
Will a Rooftop Tent Fit My Car?
Possibly.
But don’t assume that because you have roof bars, any rooftop tent will fit.
You’ll need to check several things.
Roof load limit
As mentioned above, this is essential.
Roof bar compatibility
The tent needs to be compatible with your roof-rack system.
Bar spacing
Some tents have minimum and maximum mounting distances.
Vehicle roof size
A very small car may not be suitable for a particularly large or heavy tent.
Tent weight
Remember that the tent isn’t the only weight on the roof.
This is one area where checking the specifications before ordering is much better than discovering a problem when the tent arrives.
Are Rooftop Tents Difficult to Set Up?
Compared with a traditional tent?
Usually not.
That’s one of their biggest attractions.
Once the vehicle is parked, you generally secure the vehicle, open the tent, extend the ladder and arrange the interior.
Some hard-shell designs are particularly quick.
Soft-shell models can take a little longer because part of the tent folds out and needs to be secured.
Either way, you’re generally avoiding the familiar camping experience of spreading a huge tent across the ground and wondering why there are three poles left over.
What Is It Like Getting In and Out?
This is something people sometimes forget.
You’re going to be climbing a ladder.
And you’ll probably be doing it in the dark at some point.
Most rooftop tents have a ladder that folds or telescopes into position.
It’s generally straightforward, but if you have young children, mobility concerns or simply don’t like heights, think carefully about whether it’s the right setup.
Getting into a rooftop tent is very different from walking into a ground tent.
So is getting out when you realise you’ve forgotten your phone in the car.
Where Do You Put Your Camping Gear?
This is probably the biggest adjustment when moving from a conventional tent.
Your tent is on the roof.
Your car is on the ground.
Your cooking equipment, chairs, bags and other camping gear still need somewhere to go.
Some people use the boot.
Others add a roof box, awning or rear storage system.
The important thing is to plan the whole setup rather than looking at the tent in isolation.
A rooftop tent can be an excellent sleeping solution, but it doesn’t magically create extra storage space.
Do You Need an Awning?
Not necessarily.
But an awning can make a rooftop tent setup much more practical.
It can provide:
Shade
Shelter from rain
Somewhere to sit
Extra privacy
A covered area for cooking
Some rooftop tents have compatible awnings that attach directly to the vehicle.
If you’re planning longer camping trips, this is worth considering.
Your sleeping area stays upstairs while you create a small living space underneath.
How Much Do Rooftop Tents Cost?
This is where things get interesting.
You can find basic rooftop tents for several hundred pounds, while premium models can cost well over £2,000.
Hard-shell designs generally sit towards the more expensive end of the market.
But don’t forget the additional costs.
You may also need:
Roof bars
Mattress or bedding
Awning
Ladder accessories
Storage
Anti-theft hardware
Vehicle-specific mounting equipment
The tent itself is only part of the setup.
Are Rooftop Tents Worth It?
That depends entirely on how you camp.
If you enjoy travelling from place to place and staying somewhere different every night, a rooftop tent can make a lot of sense.
You can arrive, open it up and you’re ready for the night.
If you prefer staying at one campsite for two weeks with the whole family, a large conventional family tent may be more practical.
There’s also the question of everyday use.
A rooftop tent usually stays on your vehicle.
That means additional weight and some impact on fuel economy and driving characteristics.
If you’re going to use it every weekend, that may be a reasonable trade-off.
If you’re only going camping once a year, it’s worth thinking about whether leaving it mounted makes sense.
What Should You Look For in a Rooftop Tent?
Before buying, I’d concentrate on these things:
✓ Weight
Make sure your vehicle can safely carry it.
✓ Sleeping capacity
Two-person tents are common, but larger models are available.
✓ Mattress quality
You’ll be spending a lot of time lying on it.
✓ Setup time
Especially important if you’re touring.
✓ Waterproofing
British weather doesn’t care that you’ve bought an expensive tent.
✓ Ventilation
Good airflow helps reduce condensation.
✓ Packed dimensions
Make sure it works with your vehicle.
✓ Roof-rack compatibility
Don’t assume your existing bars will work.
✓ Ladder quality
You’ll use it every time you enter the tent.
✓ Warranty and spare parts
Worth considering with a relatively expensive piece of equipment.
Rooftop Tent or Traditional Tent?
This is probably the simplest way to look at it.
Choose a rooftop tent if you value:
Quick setup
Travelling between locations
A comfortable sleeping platform
Avoiding wet or uneven ground
Compact camping
A traditional tent may suit you better if you want:
Lots of living space
Room for a family
Ground-level access
Plenty of storage
A lower initial cost
A campsite setup that stays in one place
Neither is automatically better.
They’re simply different ways of camping.
The Best Rooftop Tent Is the One That Fits Your Adventure
It’s tempting to start with the tent.
I’d start with the trip.
Are you planning weekends away in the UK?
Long road trips through Europe?
Wild camping?
Family holidays?
Festivals?
Overnight stops while travelling?
Your answer changes what you should be looking for.
A lightweight hard-shell tent might make sense for someone travelling every few days.
A larger soft-shell model could be more appealing if you’re spending several nights in one place.
And if you’re travelling with another person, don’t forget to think about where all the other camping equipment is going to live.
The best rooftop tent isn’t necessarily the most expensive one or the one with the longest list of features.
It’s the one that fits your vehicle, your budget and the way you actually want to camp.
Because once you’ve found the right setup, there’s something very satisfying about pulling into a campsite, parking up, opening the tent and being ready for the night in minutes.
No muddy ground.
No complicated poles.
Just climb the ladder, unzip the door and enjoy the view.