It also hides dead bugs well—a problem we hadn't initially thought of. Scratches and scuffs are more subtle on the matte finishes, a problem that glossy models struggled with after many miles.

Additionally, we appreciate that the Thule Motion XT , Thule Vector , and the Inno Shadow are available in multiple colors, letting you pick the best match for your car. These are the only products in our review that come in more than one color, and their appearance scores received a boost for versatility.

We liked that the gray Motion XT model blends in a little more on the tester's white van. We weren't huge fans of the surface texture and finish on the pair of shorter and stubbier cargo boxes.

The textured finish on the Thule Sidekick and the SportRack Vista seemed a little cheap to us, to the point where we felt it might detract from the appearance of nicer cars. We did like the dimpled finish on the Goplus a bit more, as well as the fact that it is available in three different colors so you can better match your personal preferences. Regardless, they could be a good option if you don't care much about the appearance of your cargo box or if you like how the textured surface matches your vehicle and are trying to save some money.

You may be wondering if it is even worth getting a cargo box in the first place due to their impact on vehicle handling and mileage.

While we originally had an entire metric devoted to this, we found after testing each of these boxes that there wasn't significant impact on how a variety of different test cars handled, regardless if we were traveling on the freeway at high speeds, over windy mountain passes, or over potholes and bumps on rough roads. These are all large boxes that go on top of your car and increase the wind resistance and drag while you are driving, but they are all pretty much comparable, especially if you drive a larger SUV or truck that isn't particularly aerodynamic in the first place.

Drag is hugely dependent on speed as well , so you can probably negate any loss in fuel economy by driving just a bit slower—and you don't really want to be speeding all that much anyways with a fully loaded cargo box on top of your car.

Does adding a heavy box to your vehicle affect its power, handling, and fuel efficiency? Were we able to notice the difference, especially comparative differences between each box?

No, not really. GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products.

And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers.

No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. Best Cargo Box of We buy and compare the best cargo boxes from Thule, Yakima, Inno Racks, and more to find the storage solution that works for you and your vehicle.

Photo: Jenna Ammerman. Share this article:. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Learn more. We've tested and purchased close to 20 different cargo boxes over the past 7 years.

For our edition, we looked at the 11 best models available and tested them head-to-head to find out which rooftop cargo-carrying solution came out on top. Our gear junkies have driven thousands of miles with these boxes on different vehicles, filled to the brim with all manner of camping, climbing, ski, snowboard, and other gear, passing through deserts, mountains, and many landscapes in between.

Check out the full review to see which cargo box can carry the most gear, which is the most secure, and the best if you are shopping on a budget. Top 11 Product Ratings. Displaying 1 - 5 of Thule Vector. Yakima GrandTour Yakima Skybox 16 Carbonite. Show full specification details Hide full specification details. See all prices 2 found. Ease of Use 8. Ease of Use 7. Ease of Use 4. Fantastic bang for the buck. Score Product Price Our Take Inno Racks Shadow Goplus Rooftop Carrier.

Thule Pulse. SportRack Horizon Alpine. SportRack Vista XL. Thule Sidekick. Some of the boxes in our lineup. Assessing these models meant lots of measurements and road trips. Our testers were more than happy to load them up with gear and hit the road. The PowerClick mounting system on the Force is one of the easiest to use that we have seen to date. The Thule Vector is one of the best boxes we have seen but it might blow your budget.

The mounting system is excellent, and similar to that of the Thule Motion XT, which costs significantly less. The single-piece clamp of the Yakima GrandTour can fit a variety of different crossbars. Full Trunk Opening Full trunk access with minimal risk of contact with the cargo box, thanks to its forward position on the vehicle roof.

Handlebar Easy to open and close in all conditions due to grip-friendly outer handles and supporting lid-lifters. Interior A premium interior with integrated lighting and a felt-lined base for increased gear protection that enhances the user experience.

Light A white-colored interior of the lid combined with a LED-light facilitates loading and unloading at night. PowerClick Easy to mount thanks to the PowerClick quick-mount system. Thule Motion XT Stylish and spacious roof-mounted cargo box, optimized for ease of use.

SlideLock System SlideLock system with separate locking and opening functions, automatically locks the lid in place and indicates when the box is closed securely. PowerClick Easy to mount thanks to the extra wide, pre-installed PowerClick quick-mount system. DualSide Opening Dual-Side opening with outside lid handles for convenient mounting, loading and unloading.

Thule Force XT Versatile roof-mounted cargo box for everyday use. Results :. Sort by. Show filter. Cargo carrier size. Cargo carrier length. Ski capacity pairs. Snowboard capacity. Thule Vector. Thule Motion XT. Thule Force XT. Thule Touring. Thule Ranger. Thule Pulse. Thule Sidekick. Thule Interstate. Thule Outbound. Black Metallic selected Titan Matte. Their versatility, on many fronts, is impressive. You can get a roof box in so many shapes, sizes, colors and designs.

But Thule does it particularly well. Thule roof box construction is fairly consistent across models but can vary slightly depending on your desired strength, rigidity, and finish. Most Thule roof boxes provide dual-side access making loading and unloading super convenient. Campers, climbers, skiers and surfers will all find box sizes and shapes to hold their equipment, outdoor gear or luggage. The amount of gear your storage box holds will depend on both the shape and size of the box, i.

Your Prius may not be able to accommodate one of the extra-large-capacity boxes, but your Suburban will have no problem. So how much can a Thule roof box actually hold? Well, the capacity range for Thule rooftop storage starts with cubic feet boxes that generally accommodate gear for one or two people. On the upper range are the plus cubic feet boxes that can accommodate five people, or more, depending on the type of luggage or gear.

The most popular storage boxes fall in the foot range, and will generally accommodate a family of four. Longer versions work great for skis and fishing poles, and shorter boxes are usually adequate for most camping gear and luggage.

You can even use a box to transport things like tools around, however you may struggle to get large items like Wheelbarrows in a roof box. An average-sized roof storage box has about the same capacity as the trunk of a Honda Accord.

You can double your storage space as well as the length of items you can carry. Even a trip to the DIY store can be a breeze with plenty of room in your roof box for bulky lumber, supplies and tools.

Your centimeter Nordic skis will do fine in this box, and it can carry up to seven pairs. Like the Motion XT, the extra-large Force XT can support pounds and is quite spacious with 22 cubic feet of capacity. Despite its length, the design allows for easy access to the rear compartments of most standard vehicles. This long Thule box is Two Thule models fit the description of the largest box available.

Depending on whether you are looking for length, width or capacity, these two large-capacity boxes will accommodate even the longest and bulkiest equipment. It will hold up pounds of gear and has a capacity of 22 cubic feet.

This choice also boasts the most accommodating width of any Thule box, at At 55 pounds, it is lighter than many larger-sized boxes. The Motion XT is uniquely designed for large capacity and aerodynamics and will fit a wide range of vehicles. Despite its size, it is reported by users to be quiet on the road.

As for convenience, the Motion XT XXL allows for easy car-trunk access and plenty of clearance with most average to large-sized vehicles. The dual-side openings are equipped with lid-lifters and grip-friendly handles to allow for quick and easy access. Thule roof storage boxes are known for their safety, strength and durability. The box itself is constructed from five layers of super-strong, automotive-grade acrylic, often used for molding applications because of its light weight and impact resistance.

A large sheet of the plastic is heated and vacuum molded to the desired shape. Thule molds are designed to provide additional strength and stability by incorporating grooves and other indentations. Most boxes are fitted with embedded support bars in the base of the box for added rigidity and weight-carrying capacity. Dual-function struts ensure that the box firmly closes and easily opens without having to be held or propped. You will also have plenty of choices that affect the appearance and functionality of your roof storage box.

When in use, car roof boxes have almost constant exposure to the elements, including the sun. The shell material is treated for ultraviolet protection to prevent fading and other sun damage. Glossy or matte finishes are available in black, gray or white, depending on the model. Thule makes several types of surface textures. For example, the Sonic Alpine box features a dimpled top, similar to the surface of a golf ball, designed for improved aerodynamics.

The Yakima Skybox 16 offers ample space within a compact footprint while still offering a sleek, aerodynamic shape to reduce drag and wind noise. It also has a tapered design at the rear to reduce hatch interference.

It can hold camping gear for three, skis and snowboards up to cm. It's also made from up to 80 percent recycled material.

Yes, the Yakima CBX 16 is a bit more expensive than its sibling above. But it provides great looks, a low profile, and a flat floor for holding more gear. Bidirectional opening makes getting inside easy wherever you are, too. The Sidekick is a great, affordable option from Thule for carrying smaller loads, up to pounds. Its compact design can fit on the rack alongside other roof-mounted gear or provide an easier fit for smaller vehicles. If maximum space is what you seek from your rooftop cargo box, you'd do well to check out the GrandTour As the name suggests, it packs 18 cubic feet of cargo space — enough to more than double the cargo capacity of a Honda Accord.