8 Best Rooftop Tents in 2022 – Reviews & Top Picks

Whether or not you’re heading cross-country or a few miles out for the weekend, rooftop tents are a much more handy option to shelling out for a full RV or camper. They just take a small operate to established up but save priceless space in your automobile for camping gear and other equipment. Let us check out out what the best rooftop tents are, and what they can offer you you with a couple of of our best critiques.

A Glance at Our Top Picks (2022 Update)

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		TrustMade Hardshell Tent	Sleeps up to 4 people comfortably Convenient sky view window Hardshell design	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Thule Tepui Explorer Kukenam 3	High-quality materials & construction Spacious interior Sky-view windows	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		Thule Tepui Explorer Autana 4	Spatial floor plan 4 large pockets for gear, snacks, etc. Removable annex for additional privacy	CHECK PRICE
		Smittybilt Overlander Tent	Affordable Integrated LED light strip Durable construction	CHECK PRICE
		Thule Tepui Low-Pro Rooftop Tent	Compact size Can withstand winter conditions Lightweight	CHECK PRICE

The 8 Best Rooftop Tents

1. TrustMade Hardshell Tent – Best Overall

If you are seeking for a top quality choice, the TrustMade hardshell tent is the way to go. With adequate space to snooze four men and women and a hard exterior shell, you’d be difficult-pressed to uncover one thing more large-responsibility. Every single tent has a exclusive lock, patented one-moment set up, and an built-in LED gentle strip so you can even set up in the dark. This might be a bit much for anyone who is touring solo, as it is quite pricey. Even so, it is nicely well worth the expense. All in all, this is our decision for the greatest total rooftop tent in 2022.

2. Thule Tepui Explorer Kukenam 3 – Best Value

The Thule Tepui Explorer Kukenam 3 is a bargain in comparison to how much hardshell tents expense, however the design is nonetheless made of high-top quality supplies. With that said, this is our decision for the ideal rooftop tent for the funds. With ample room to slumber a few people, the Kukenam 3 also delivers sky-look at home windows and several colour choices. This tent will never approach the toughness of hardshell tents, but that implies it isn’t as large. Nonetheless, the set up is a little more challenging. If you’re interested in the best bang for your buck for occasional tenting outings, you can not go wrong with this 1.

3. Thule Tepui Explorer Autana 4 – Premium Choice

If you need room, this tent has you lined with an remarkable forty eight-square-foot region and a greater peak peak than most other tents. There’s a detachable annex, mildew and UV-resistant fabric, four spacious pockets for gear, and mesh ventilation panels. It’s a bit irritating to set collectively and consider down like most softshell tents, but the enough inside room can make it the greatest rooftop tent for loved ones outings.

4. Smittybilt Overlander Tent

If you are interested in getting into rooftop tenting but can not justify buying the much more pricey entries on this record, the Smittybilt Overlander is a great entry position. It sleeps two to three folks and functions a weighty-duty polyester exterior and robust building. The LED lighting strip tends to make lighting a non-problem, and the rubber boot bag exterior is a handy way to preserve the interior cleanse. A handful of style selections make it hard to work with, but the value justifies it.

5. Thule Tepui Low-Pro Rooftop Tent

Although the Kukenam tent detailed earlier mentioned is a far more comprehensive deal, the Thule Tepui Reduced-Professional Rooftop Tent is a much more cost-effective and light-weight alternative for weekend travelers and quick excursions. The tent is not something extravagant, but it has a trustworthy build quality and simplicity that can make it a wonderful get-and-go tent. Although it ostensibly sleeps three folks, two individuals would have a lot more place. The tent is reasonably easy to set up, weighing a lot significantly less than other entries on our record.

6. Danchel Outdoor Rooftop Hardshell Rooftop Tent

The Danchel Out of doors tent is a excellent decision for a funds hardshell tent, with a huge, thick mattress and enough area to slumber two adults and a child. The canvas exterior is thick and tough plus UV-resistant for people long excursions. The tent’s aerodynamic layout can make it lightweight on most automobiles, and multiple mesh windows make this 1 of the most well-ventilated tents on the record. Some consumers report that the packaging top quality is lacking. On prime of that, this tent is heavier than other people.

7. Smittybilt Overlander Tent XL Rooftop Tent

If you want to rest 3 or four people, the Smittybilt Overlander XL offers a enormous ground strategy with an provided king-sized mattress. The ladders and poles are mild and straightforward to operate with, and the built-in LED mild strip helps make night setup a cinch. Even though the material quality is not super-top quality, there are couple of other tents that contain a king-sized bed. The set up normally takes for a longer time than a lot of other tents, and it won’t be as sturdy both.

8. Thule Tepui Foothill

For solo tourists or couples, the Thule Tepui Foothill offers a small footprint even though remaining mild when packed. For optimum sights, you have a panoramic rear-see window and dual sky-view home windows. While it’s a bit cramped, there is plenty of space for established travelers who really do not want to lug a massive tent close to the region. Nonetheless, it is relatively costly, specially when you consider its dimensions.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Rooftop Tents

When looking at rooftop tents, there are a handful of major variables you are going to be working with. Hardshell and softshell building are a large factor, but considerably less obvious elements contain area, weight, and other variables.

Hardshell vs. Softshell

Hardshell Pros:

Hardshell Cons:

Softshell Pros:

Softshell Cons:

Space vs. Weight

The more room you have, the heavier your tent will be. Heavier tents are generally more challenging to established up and may possibly call for much more folks to established up comfortably. Greater tents with bigger mattresses will include far more excess weight and slow your vehicle down, perhaps even influencing fuel financial system. If you want a massive, roomy tent, the unlucky reality is that you will be weighing oneself down.

What Fits Your Vehicle?

Not all rooftop tents are appropriate with all automobiles. Ahead of committing to a distinct tent, you need to check out if it’s compatible with your motor vehicle. Even bigger tents will need larger autos to haul close to and set up, and not all tents match the factory rails installed on all SUVs or cars.

Conclusion

Rooftop tents are a smooth new way to encounter the wilderness without having breaking the bank, despite the fact that some expensive designs exist. To discover the ideal tent, you should first ask how a lot of folks you are sleeping and figure out what your funds is. There’s a rooftop tent to suit all budgets and existence. Our decision for the greatest general rooftop tent is the Trustmade Hardshell Tent. For these who are on a budget, attempt out the Thule Tepui Explorer Kukenam Tent. All of these tent testimonials arrive with an expenditure, but they are nicely worth it if you’re an avid traveler.

Showcased Image Credit rating: Michael Aleo, Unsplash