The best rooftop tents you can buy

The Tepui Hybox doubles as a spacious rooftop tent and a cargo box, so you can easily store your gear in it when you're not sleeping in the tent.

One of the drawbacks to using a rooftop tent is sacrificing the cargo capability of a vehicle's roof rack system. With Tepui's Hybox, you'll not only have access to a quality rooftop tent, but also 23 cubic feet of storage space via its built-in cargo box.

With the Tepui Hybox's cargo box function, you'll no longer be stuffing gear inside your vehicle ceiling-high while prepping for a weekend spent camping. When it's time to convert it back to a tent, an included canopy easily zips on to create a spacious and comfortable sleeping area. Its aerodynamic design also means your car won't be guzzling gas.

However, the catch is that it can only be used as one or the other. For instance, any gear that's stored inside is essentially being stored in the sleeping area. This does open up more room in the interior of the vehicle but would require gear be removed to create a proper sleeping area.

Switching between the cargo box and the tent requires zipping on the included canopy, releasing both of its latches, and then pitching the tent straight up. This can be done easily by just one person. An included telescoping ladder attaches to either side of the tent to allow campers to choose the best point of entry. Each door on the attached canopy also zips out to act as an entryway canopy.

The tent features a 3-inch foam mattress with a removable cotton cover (which can be easily removed when storing gear), as well as a quilted upper to help with insulation and sound dampening. Its hardshell exterior is made of a thermoplastic polymer called ABS and an aluminum substructure. The shell is both aerodynamic and durable as it's able to take a beating and helps improve fuel efficiency for longer trips.

Tepui's Hybox does have a hefty price tag of $2,900 but offers something no other rooftop tent on the market does with its cargo box versatility.

Pros: Can function as a rooftop gear container, hard top design improves aerodynamics, patented zipper system makes it easy to switch between the tent or storage container

Cons: Expensive, space enough for just two people

For families of three or more, Freespirit Recreation's High Country rooftop tent is perfect for making sure everyone has enough space to comfortably rest.

Camping with a large family doesn't have to be a cramped and uncomfortable experience. With Freespirit Recreation's High Country rooftop tent, families of up to five people can rest assured each person will have more than enough space to snooze comfortably. When pitched, the tent measures 80 inches in length, 98 inches wide, and 49 inches tall, and can hold up to 750 pounds.

The interior of the tent features a 2.5-inch high-density foam mattress and plenty of storage pockets and gear hangers to allow for easy organization. Its exterior is made of 600D Poly-Oxford body fabric, as well as a durable aluminum alloy frame.

Its heavy-duty construction also means that it can take an absolute beating and still perform as well on its 100th use as it did on the first day.

Freespirit Recreation designed the tent to be aerodynamic when pitched, allowing it to function well in high winds or heavy rain. Windows on all four sides of the tent offer a full 360-degree view and provide for ventilation and help reduce condensation. When packed, its included cover has front and rear cinches to create a sturdy shape, though the lines can tend to flap loudly if not secured while driving.

Its two biggest drawbacks are its price and weight. Its $2,495 price tag is a steep initial investment but one that's worth it for big families that need all the space they can get. Although it's heavy at 172 pounds, installing or removing the tent with two or three people makes the process significantly easier.

Pros: Sleeps up to five people, durable construction, large awning covers entryway, 360-degree windows

Cons: Heavy, expensive

Rooftop tents were created by overlanders and Smittybilt's 2883 Overland Tent is the perfect companion for anyone looking to get into the lifestyle.

Though nearly all rooftop tents are intended for overlanding use, few hold as well as Smittybilt's 2883 Overland Tent. With size enough to sleep up to four people, a durable ripstop exterior to protect against the elements, and a sturdy aluminum frame, its perfect for multi-day backcountry pursuits any time of year.

With a durable ripstop exterior and aluminum alloy frame, it's capable of holding up in all conditions. Its 770-pound capacity means it's able to house up to four people, too.

What separates Smittybilt's Overland Tent from others on this list is its attention to the details needed by overlanders. It comes with an included mosquito screen, a completely covered entryway, a fully-waterproof exterior without the need for a rain fly, and LED strip lighting on the inside. A 2.3-inch high-density mattress runs the entirety of its interior to provide comfortable sleeping or sitting space.

One of the tent's best features is its price. At just $1,095, it's the cheapest option on our list, coming in just under the Yakima SkyRise. Though we'd still recommend the SkyRise over it for its simplicity and quality, the Smittybilt Overland Tent should be the top choice for anyone getting into the overlandering lifestyle.

Pros: Spacious interior, included mosquito screens, completely covered entryway, sleeps up to four people

Cons: Bulky when packed up

The Front Runner Rooftop Tent sits just 7.87 inches tall when packed down, and its low profile helps improve fuel efficiency, reduces wind resistance, and makes it easier to store.

One of the biggest drawbacks of any rooftop tent is how much it impacts a vehicle's gas mileage. Even the most aerodynamic options are still heavy and can dramatically reduce the mpg of any car. The best option currently available that attempts to fix these problems is Front Runner's Rooftop Tent.

Featuring a low-profile design, Front Runner's tent sits just 7.87 inches tall when packed down, making it the slimmest on the market. This helps reduce the amount of wind resistance taken on while driving and improves fuel efficiency. At just 93 pounds, it's light enough for two people to install and its compact size allows it to stow easily in a garage.

Though the tent sleeps just two people, it does come with a 2.5-inch high-density mattress, windows on each side of the tent, and privacy shades for each door and window. A telescoping aluminum ladder comes standard with the tent and has treaded steps to make climbing up and down easier.

The exterior is built of durable 400D Oxford tent fabric that's breathable enough to offer the ventilation necessary to reduce condensation. Its aluminum base boosts the tent's insulation to keep the interior cool on warmer days and warm when temperatures drop. It also comes with a fly-sheet cover to increase the amount of shade or protect against rain getting inside any open windows. A roof ventilator adds air flow and is protected by a mosquito net to keep bugs out at night.

Pros: Low profile when packed, weighs less than 100 pounds, built-in roof ventilator reduces condensation

Cons: Requires separately sold Front Runner tent mount kit for use on Front Runner racks