Best Car Top Carrier and Cargo Boxes Reviews (Updated October 2023)
If you are looking for best top carrier and cargo box, but don’t know where to look or which one to get, then you need to read this post. With all of the choices offered in the market, it is easy to get confused and probably buy the wrong one.
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Things to Look for When Selecting Car Top Carrier and Cargo Boxes
To avoid making a mistake, here are the things you need to consider when you are going to buy a car top carrier and cargo box:
- The type of cargo you need to transport – It is essential that you consider what your cargo needs. There are brands that have waterproof bags and boxes for those that need to remain dry.
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- What you must look for when buying it - There are a lot of types and styles of this product, but the roof or hitch-mounted are the most common ones. The cargo carriers are in the form of hard boxes or soft bag versions that are used for transporting items. In order for you to know what your carrier needs, you must know what you will be transporting. There are plenty of carriers that are specifically for skis, bikes, or kayaks but there are a lot of general options that let you carry large or several items all at once. You need to remember that majority of them require accessories that help in securing the items you need to carry and these rooftop carriers need racks so they can be installed.
- The weight of your cargo – It is important to choose a cargo carrier that can withstand weight of what you plan to put on it to make sure that it will not break or fail while you are transporting the items.
- Your vehicle – It is important that you buy a rooftop cargo box with the correct size for your car. You need to check the manual of your vehicle or call up the manufacturer so you can determine the best one for your car.
- Roof racks – You need to take note of the cargo box or bag because you will need a roof rack so you can properly install it. If you already own load bars, you are good to go. If you are looking for a factory rack, you might also have to invest in load bars and adaptors. You need to check if the cargo box you picked will be compatible with the roof rack system you have.
- The frequency – Even if you can leave your cargo carriers on your vehicle without it being obstructed, there are those that have to be removed and loaded again between every use so hazard can be avoided. If you don’t see yourself utilizing the cargo carrier often, there is a chance that you will see one you can easily load and unload. You can also buy one that you don’t need to remove if you are not using it.
- Your garage door’s height – Knowing the measurements of your garage door is also recommended before you buy a cargo box. It is because if you make a mistake because it does not have the correct size, you won’t change the decision you made.
- How you will keep the cargo in place – Consider if you have ratchet straps for securing your load because you should never use bungee cords even if a lot of people do.
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Best Car Top Carrier and Cargo Boxes Reviews
1. Keeper 07203-1 Waterproof Roof Top Cargo Bag Review
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It is a waterproof cargo bag that is 15 cubic feet and there is an increase in the cargo space of the vehicle. The waterproof design gives protection against the grit on the road and the sun, rain, and the wind. The soft sides can be flexed in order to fit loads that are odd in shape. The cargo box folds easily so you can store it right away.
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Pros
- The cargo box ix easy to install and it does not have a lot of fussing straps
- This product is really waterproof as long as you use the instructions properly and cover the zipped area with the flap, your stuff will remain dry
- There is enough space for most of my things
- It runs quietly so the road noise does not annoy me
Cons
- After 3,000 miles, I saw a little tear starting to develop
2. RoofBag Explorer Waterproof Soft Car Top Carrier for Any Car Van or SUV Review
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You can install this on bare roof, side rails, cross bars, or baskets. The construction is heavy duty weighing 3,000 lbs. The seatbelt is strong and it comes with style straps that secure a carrier to any car even if you drive at any speed. It also has everything you need. There is a protective Mat that protects the roof and keeps the bags in place.
Pros
- The size is big enough for me to put all of my camping junk
- Since the bag is waterproof, nothing I put inside it gets wet
- The cargo box can easily be installed because it did not spend a lot of time doing so
- The bag can withstand even 2,000 miles of travel across the country even if the weather conditions keep changing
- The customer service is excellent and they will assist you no matter what concerns you might have with their product
Cons
- The straps go through the door, which allows some rain to enter the bag even if it is waterproof
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3. Rightline Gear 100S50 Sport Jr. Car Top Carrier, 9 cu ft, Waterproof Review
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Via Amazon.com
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The capacity is 9 cu ft. And the dimensions are 36” L x 30” W x 13-16” H. It is 100% waterproof that dually comes with dual seam technology and it is sewn to make it stronger. The cargo box has an aerodynamic design for cars that have a compact size. The material used to make the cargo box is PVC mesh and hydro stuff. Making it UV resistant with a Zip right System. The zipper made of urethane is placed in order to keep the water out. When you buy the item, it already includes nylon straps, carrier, stuff sack, car clips, and set-up guide.
Pros
- The contents stay in place and they are kept dry
- It is waterproof and can withstand 80 mph highway speeds
- The quality of the bag is good and there are nice zippers. The material used to make it is very solid
- There is no wind noise when you drive on the highway
- The contents stay intact no matter how far you go
Cons
- Making the straps work can be very confusing and there was road noise, but not too much because I did not find it disturbing at all
4. WeatherTech 60001 RackSack Cargo Carrier Review
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The cargo expandable and it has a carrying capacity of 13 cubic feet. The cargo box is made of repellent polyester with felt bottom so the finish of the vehicle is protected. You can easily stow it away in the bag that comes with it. Made with swivel straps that is mountable to side rails and crossbars. The roll and wrap tabs are for preventing flapping straps. The weight of the product is 5 lbs. and the warranty is provided by the manufacturer.
Pros
- The cargo box can easily be attached and it is very sturdy
- The fabric is made of heavy duty material and the well-made case provides full protection
- The bag is easy to load and unload onto the vehicle so I do not have a hard time unpacking and packing again when I go on trips
- When I need to go on a long drive, I find it easy to secure the cargo box on top and it does not make any noise at all, which is peaceful
- The tie down straps are very durable and nicely wraps around the rack
Cons
- I cannot fasten the straps because the zippers are placed underneath in an awkward position
5. SportRack SR7018 Vista XL Rear Opening Cargo Box Review
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The Cargo Box is made of ABS construction that offers durability and resistance to the UV rays. There is an opening at the rear for easy access and it is not near traffic. There is a quick release hardware mounting system for fast on/off. It includes a lock to secure all of the contents of the box and you can check the vehicle’s fit inside the guide.
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Via Amazon.com
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Pros
- Mounting it is super easy and the locking mechanisms are positioned in a fantastic way
- It is extremely light so I am able to easily remove it from my car
- The price is reasonable and it is the best one I’ve found so far of a cargo box
- If I am moving at 80 mph, I can be worry-free because it is very secure
- No road noise even at 80 mph
Cons
- I do not like the hinges because they are not the best quality
6. Thule Force Cargo Box, Black Review
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The cargo is diamond-textured with a lid and the aerodynamic shape helps in cutting through the air. The mounting system that can easily be attached to the rack is made of tool-free quick grip. There are openings on both sides for loading and unloading your stuff. This cargo box can fit Thule rack systems, majority of factory racks, and round bars. The dimensions of the product are 85 x 16 x 36 inches and the weight is 57 lbs. The lid easily locks in place when you overload it and have to close it with a lot of force.
Pros
- There is seriously enough space for all of my stuff so I do not have to worry about leaving anything behind because it won’t fit
- It is like a full second truck for my car so I always have everything with me and even the stuff of my kids can easily fit inside
- Made of high-quality material and I do not have a hard time working with it, especially during installation
- It fits perfectly on small cars, but can be for bigger ones as well
- Even if the radio off, I do not hear any noise
Cons
- It happened to me once when the front opened when I was going really fast
7. Thule 682 Sidekick Rooftop Cargo Box,Grey Review
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The rooftop cargo has a storage of 8 cubic feet and it is making it perfect for carrying your golf clubs and camping gear. The side-opening design makes it easy for unloading and unloading your items. It can be mounted to majority of the factory roof racks. The measurement is 54 x 15.5 x 25 inches (W x H x D). It can be used for all Thule rack systems, round bar, and factory racks.
Pros
- It can easily be assembled that use 6 nuts and bolts, and you only need 8 wing nuts to attach it to the vehicle
- The size is good so it does not have an effect on the car. It only lowers the MPG by 1 to 2 miles
- Everything is kept dry throughout the trip
- There is extra space for camping gear or other things
- It comes with a limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- It feels flimsy so you need to lock it by using a small strap, but even if it I run at 80 mph, I have no issues
8. Yakima RocketBox Pro 14 Cargo Box Review
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Aerodynamically designed to lessen drag that is equipped with forward mounting for the improvement of hatch clearance, which makes it perfect for small vehicles. There is a dual-side opening with a push button to allow access on both sides of the vehicle and to make sure that your lid is stable with SKS lock cores. The hardware for easy mounting can fit square, Yakima round, factory, and majority of aerodynamic bars. This product comes with a lifetime warranty so you can enjoy it as long as you want and you will enjoy all of your trips without having to worry about your things getting stolen.
Pros
- It can be used for several years without ruining the condition
- The cargo box space is enough and you will even have extra space for a long trip
- Your things inside will never get wet even if you need to take a long trip
- Solid carrying capacity and it hardly impacts gas mileage
- The box is very durable and will not break even if someone tries to open it
Cons
- The cargo box has air noise which adds to the cabin
9. Yakima SkyBox 21 Carbonite Cargo Box Review
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This one provides room for everything and if your family is big, you can load all oy their stuff in it. This cargo box can be used for hauling up to 5 campers. It is ideal for snowboards and can skip up to 215cm. Its size is 21 cubic feet and you can also buy it in 12, 18, 16 and Lo sizes. The SKS locking system is integrated and has aerodynamic square bars
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Via Amazon.com
Pros
- I did not have a hard time putting it on and I can take it on or off which depends on the size, strength, and height of my vehicle
- If you pack it the right way, you can put a lot in it
- I like using it for skis and snowboards that are up to 7 feet long
- It opens on both sides and I like the fact that it is very quiet
- Everything is secured inside because of the sturdy locks that will keep thieves away
Cons
- I like it if it opened wider so it is easier to put stuff inside, but this is just a small concern I have
10. Thule Atlantis Series Cargo Box Review
The capacity of the roof box is 453.1 liters and can hold 6 to 8 ski pairs, as well as 3 to 4 snowboards. It has Durable lid stiffeners that have been redesigned and allows the lid to open and close. It is seamless and does not need effort even if you only use one hand. This product can also be mounted to majority of racks that have been installed by the factory and after-market systems.
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Pros
- The cargo box hardly makes any noise so your trip is not disturbed
- It fits perfectly on a lot of vehicles and installing it is not a problem
- I love the fact that the price is very reasonable for the quality of the product
- It is very easy to close and lock so you won’t have any trouble loading and unloading your things
- The size is enough for all of your stuff and there will still be extra space left for your camping gear and anything else you need to bring
Cons
- Cross bars are not included and they failed to mention that you need them so you would have to buy them separately.
Choosing the right cargo box is essential when you like to travel and bring all of your stuff with you. Read the tips on how to choose the right cargo box because buying the right one will save you from regret. You will enjoy your trip even more if you own a cargo box that will keep your things safe and keep thieves away. Just pick 1 any from the list and you’ll be good to go.
