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For many, looks and aerodynamics are key purchasing factors. If you want an ultra-thin rooftop tent that still houses a super comfy mattress, we recommend the Roofnest Falcon 2. At only 6" tall in travel mode, this model is about half the thickness of every other model in our review and is as easy as it gets when converting from travel to camp mode. Open a couple of latches, and let the hydraulic pistons do the rest. When it comes time to switch back to travel mode, the Falcon 2 only takes a few more seconds to fold up than the fastest models we've tested. While in camping mode, this tent has tons of storage, including several pockets around the tent, a large pocket array on the roof of the tent, and two boot bags that hang outside to keep your grubby shoes out of the sleeping area. It comes with dual USB-powered LED light strips that fully illuminate the whole tent when plugged into a power source. If you so choose, Roofnest has optional crossbars available so that you can store kayaks, paddle boards, or bicycles on top of the Falcon 2. 
Because of the slim profile, there is a lack of storage space while in travel mode with the Falcon 2. The tent shell barely fits the tent and mattress, so you really cannot leave anything inside while traveling other than maybe a summer sleeping bag and a couple of books. This model doesn't even have room for its own ladder, so make sure to consider where you're going to haul these things if you decide to go with this tent. Perhaps the biggest drawback to the Falcon 2 is the price tag. If you want a low-profile state-of-the-art rooftop tent, it will take its toll on your pocketbook. 
Read more: Roofnest Falcon 2 review

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One of Our Favorite Rooftop Tents Just Got a Major Upgrade

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This Rooftop Tent Is a Delightful Car Camping Upgrade — But It's Not Cheap

If you are hoping for a more affordable rooftop option, the Smittybilt Overlander is a great choice. It is one of the most spacious and comfortable tents we have used and has enough overhead space to allow campers to easily change clothes or comfortably sit up and enjoy the view from one of its many windows. Included perks like an LED light strip and hanging boot bag on the outside of the tent make it more livable and pleasant to use for longer trips. The ladder is extra wide and feels sturdy when bringing gear, kids, or pets up to roof level for the night. And don't let the lower price tag fool you into questioning the quality of this tent. The Overlander is built with durable 600D polyurethane material to weather gnarly storms.
The lower price tag is likely due to a do-it-yourself assembly and installation. The initial installation of this Smittybilt is more complicated than average. The tent itself is pretty heavy, and it only comes with a very basic tool kit. Most of the components come unassembled, and the whole thing just takes more time to complete. Once you have the tent properly mounted, converting it from travel mode to camping mode also takes longer than average, although luckily, it is not too difficult. Our final gripe with this tent is that there is no convenient place to store the travel cover. It removes completely from the tent, which means you must find a place to fold and store it instead of rolling it up and letting it hang from the side of the tent as in other models. However, if you are prepared to devote a little more time to set up and tear down on each trip, the Smittybilt Overlander is an excellent way to adventure on a tighter budget.
Read more: Smittybilt Overlander review

Though the Smittybilt Overlander is a more moderaly priced option for those on a budget, but it still comes with several included extras. It arrives with a very cool LED light system that includes 12-volt extension cords that go all the way from the tent to your 12-volt cigarette lighter or an external USB battery pack. Another added feature is the included rubber boot bag that hangs outside of the tent, which is very convenient in poor weather conditions. It also has the widest, sturdy ladder of any tent we tested.
These perks aside, the Smittybilt does have a few weaknesses. It's cumbersome &mdash; weighing in at 144 pounds, it is substantially heavier than many of the tents we tested. You also may need to drill holes to get your ladder in the proper location, depending on the height of your vehicle's rooftop. Drilling metal isn't the easiest task to take on, even if you have the correct tools, and taking power tools to a brand new product is a bit unnerving. Also, the cover must be removed entirely to convert the tent from travel mode to camping mode. With all of the other models in this lineup, the cover either rolled up or was able to be tucked out of the way. Still, while this tent might require a bit more effort, it will save you a sizeable amount of money and still perform at a very respectable level.
Read more: Smittybilt Overlander review

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The Roofnest Sparrow EYE is one of our favorite rooftop tents of all time. The ease with which it can go from travel mode to camping mode and back again is mind-blowingly quick, and the process is almost as simple as lifting the hatchback on the back of your car. The initial rooftop install is nearly as easy; there is no assembly required for the tent itself; just lift the entire box onto your roof rack and tighten down the bolts. An overhead cargo net and two side pouches provide storage and organization for the interior of the tent, and in case you need even more storage, the hard shell top can accommodate up to 50lbs of gear. Even when in travel mode, there is still enough room inside the closed tent to leave pillows, sleeping bags, and other bedding inside, further simplifying the setup process when you arrive at your campsite.
We are impressed with how spacious and comfortable the EYE feels for a two-person model, but it still does not compare with the other three-person models we tested. It also lost a few points for durability due to the lightweight 320G polyurethane-coated polyester/cotton blend that makes up the tent canopy. Other tents use a more robust 600D ripstop material that is inherently more durable. Our only complaint with the installation of this tent is that the bulky box may be too much for two people to lift on their own, and you may find it more manageable with 3-4 sets of hands. Otherwise, the Roofnest Sparrow EYE provides a luxurious rooftop camping experience that is hard to find anywhere else.
Read more: Roofnest Sparrow EYE review

After being put through our tried and true gauntlet of evaluations, it was clear that the Roofnest Sparrow EYE is one of the best hardshell rooftop tents available. We've gotten used to spending upwards of an hour assembling other models. With the EYE, this was not the case &mdash; it was great to put this tent on the rack mere minutes after opening the box. When you arrive at your campsite, it takes about 45 seconds to convert the EYE from travel to camping mode, thanks to hydraulic pistons that help to open the tent like the hatchback of an SUV. Inside, there is a USB-powered light strip, a cargo net, several storage pockets, insulation to help battle the elements, and one of the most comfortable rooftop tent mattresses we've ever slept on. Not only is there enough room inside to leave blankets, pillows, and sleeping bags in place while you're traveling, but the EYE has a special storage area complete with a weather-resistant pouch for even more gear on top of the roof. 
The main drawback we found with the Sparrow EYE is that it's bulky. Due to the pop-up nature of the design, the footprint of the tent stays the same size whether you're in camping or travel mode. When it's folded up, it's not any taller or wider than soft-top models, but it is much longer. This attribute means it won't work for those who want to keep their tent at the same height as their cab over a truck bed. If you own a smaller vehicle or SUV, you can technically still use this model as long as you have the appropriate rack, but the wind drag will most certainly affect gas mileage. The other hitter with the EYE is the price. If you're shopping for a rooftop tent with limited funds, we'd recommend reading up on some of the more budget-friendly models in our review. 
Read more: Roofnest Sparrow EYE review

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Roofnest's New Falcon Pro Is the Pinnacle of Rooftop Tents

GFC SuperLite 50: The Lightest Rooftop Tent Yet

This Magical Rooftop Tent Will Charm Even the Most Outdoors-Averse Humans

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Throughout testing, the Thule Tepui Kukenam 3 is the model that stood out as the best option for the biggest audience. Thule Tepui has a strong reputation for producing high-quality rooftop tents, and the Kukenam is no exception. The 600-denier cover and 420-denier rain fly &#40;with taped seams&#41; provide reliable waterproofing layers when packed up or deployed and this tent has survived every beating we gave it during testing unscathed. It is made for handling four-season use, and we found no reason to doubt that claim. The Kukenam nails the details, too, the ones that can help make the difference between liking and loving your tent. The memory foam mattress is top-notch, and the interior dimensions are among the most spacious. The attached telescoping ladder makes deployment easy, and the internal bungees are incredibly convenient when breaking camp, keeping the canopy tucked inside the frame nicely. Tepui also includes a ratcheting wrench with each Kukenam for installation atop your vehicle.
We have no major grievances with this model. Being 130 pounds, though, it might require up to three people to install this model on a rooftop. It also has no extras like a boot bag, lights, or an included annex, but these options can be purchased after-market. And while this isn't the most expensive option in our line-up, it does cost more than many. In our opinion, though, Tepui gets the details that most people will care about right. If a friend asks us which softshell rooftop tent to purchase, the Tepui Kukenam is almost always our first recommendation.
Read more: Thule Tepui Kukenam 3 review

Roof Top Tent Comparison