For a more hassle-free pitching session, and the benefit of a lovely morning view, many camping enthusiasts are now turning to roof tents, or rooftop tents, as they're also known. A nice hybrid between camping and campervanning, a rooftop tent allows you to set up base on the roof of your car (with the help of a ladder).
Yes, this means your days of sleeping on a lumpy patch of grass, on a deflated camping mat, could be behind you.
You may think you'd need a hardy truck to support a roof tent, but you'll find models suitable for small hatchbacks, so whatever your vehicle, you can jump on the roof tent bandwagon.
You can head to our buyer's guide for more on what to consider when buying a roof tent.
If you're looking for a more traditional design, check out our complete guide to the best tents.
Best roof tents for 2024
TentBox Lite 2.0 roof tent
- Sleeps: 2
- Set up time: 5 minutes
- Dimensions (closed): 133cm x 110cm x 25cm
- Mattress size: 130cm x 220cm
- RRP: £1,295
A big name in the world of rooftop tents, TentBox offers a range of entry-level, hard shell and spacious four-person models. The brand claims its designs work with any vehicle, and with pop-up times of as little of 60 seconds, you can spend less time faffing with tent poles, and more time on the beach, or in the hills.
The Tentbox Lite 2.0 shown above is the brand's smallest tent in the range when closed, so it's one to consider if you're looking for a neat model. There's a telescopic ladder for a smooth entrance and exit, as well as integrated storage for your books, head torches and valuables.
As for added extras, you've got a removable rain fly to cover all seasons, and two skylights for a spot of stargazing.
This particular model has a number of five star reviews to its name, with one customer stating: "The Tentbox 2.0 Lite has converted me! I'm normally crawling into a tent on a soggy pitch but climbing up to a cosy nest on my car roof is enlightening. The Tentbox is a quality product."
Quechua MH900 Fresh and Black inflatable roof tent
- Sleeps: 2
- Installation: 5 minutes
- Dimensions (closed): 148cm x 77cm x 35cm
- Mattress size: 138cm x 207cm x 5cm
- RRP: £1,349.99
Quechua's blackout tents have proven popular with festival goers and those looking to enjoy a campsite lie-in, so if you fancy a decent sleep from your roof top, the Quechua MH900 could be for you.
The MH900 Fresh and Black inflatable roof tent is designed for an easy setup — remove the cover, unhook the straps and bring down the ladder. It should take just 20 seconds to inflate, and you'll need the help of a pump (not included).
As for roof bar compatibility, this tent will work with ISO11154 certified roof bars.
The ease of assembly is an appealing factor for campers, with one saying, "Super easy to use, whether to assemble it or disassemble it, and the sky view is really great!"
Dometic TRT 120 E
- Sleeps: 2
- Mattress included? Yes
- RRP: £1,399
The Dometic TRT 120 E features remote control set up, so you can hop out of the car, and zap your roof tent into shape! The 12V cable is included in the pack but you'll need to take your own power source along.
Featuring a high-density foam mattress and an attractive ocean blue exterior, this tent offers comfort and looks the part. There's a lightweight telescopic aluminium ladder, and the design can be mounted on most cars with installed racks.
RoofBunk Roamer Hard Shell Roof Tent
- Sleeps: 2 (plus child)
- Roof tent width: 140cm
- Mattress included? Yes
- RRP: £1,795
For those braving chillier climes on their roof tent adventures, a hard shell design can work well, offering decent wind protection and waterproofing. One to consider is the RoofBunk Roamer, featuring a thick canvas material and a hard shell roof made of high quality ABS material.
Thanks to a stainless steel gas strut system, expect a speedy setup time, and you can leave your bedding in the tent when the roof is down, allowing for a quick and effortless bedtime routine — ideal if you arrive late to your destination.
The brand states almost any vehicle should be able to fit a RoofBunk Roamer, as long as you're able to keep the roof bars between 70cm and 120cm apart.
OEX Vertex Lite 130 roof tent
- Buy now from Go Outdoors (
£1,000£650), Blacks (£1,000£939)
- Sleeps: 2
- Assembly time: approximately 20 minutes
- Dimensions (closed): 115cm x 140cm x 35cm
- Mattress included? Yes (integrated)
- RRP: £1000
This is a new release from outdoor brand OEX; an upgrade to the original OEX Vertex Lite.
The tent automatically folds out once you bring the ladder down, and there are poles to help secure the tent's exterior in place. There's a silver coating on the flysheet to help block out UV rays so you can keep nice and cool in the summer months.
With a weight of 39.5kg, this design should be suitable for almost any car fitted with roof bars.
Other welcomed touches include the panoramic mesh windows which allow you to soak in your surroundings, and external boot bags to help keep your tent free of mud.
What to consider when buying a roof tent
What is the best type of roof top tent — hard shell or soft shell?
Both hard shell and soft shell roof tents are available to buy, with the latter looking similar to a more traditional tent in appearance, with the benefit of a lightweight feel and the option of skylight tent windows. A hard shell tent on the other hand features a boxy shape, and often more headroom.
As for assembly, hard shell tents can pop up in seconds — unhook the latches and your mini bedroom for the night appears! You can also leave your bedding in a hard shell roof tent, so they're particularly faff-free.
Weather protection is another important factor to consider, and on a windy evening, you may prefer the protection of a sturdy roof.
The soft shell roof tents however tend to be more affordable, and often allow for more bedroom space, making them a popular choice for families.
Will every roof tent fit my vehicle?
You'll need a roof rack or roof bar to fit a roof tent onto your vehicle. You'll notice most of the brands state their products work with 'almost any vehicle' but it's important to check the specifics to ensure a safe and secure fit. Look out for the exact distance in which your roof bars need to be kept apart, to ensure the weight of the roof tent is evenly distributed.
Your car will also have a dynamic weight capacity and a static weight capacity. These measurements will help indicate what kind of roof tent is suitable for your specific vehicle.
Roof tent brands will vary from model to model, and of course every car's maximum weight capacity will vary too, so it's important to look into the specifics when roof tent shopping to find a suitable match.
So you're kitted out with the tent, but what about your outdoor footwear? Read our reviews of the best walking shoes and the best walking boots.
