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These car-top carriers hold a ton of gear whether you're camping or driving cross-country.

Ahead of your next vacation or extended road trip, instead of stuffing your vehicle's cargo area to the gills with luggage, supplies and other gear, give yourself some breathing room with a rooftop carrier. Often referred to as rooftop pods or car-top carriers, these storage containers come in a range of shapes, sizes and materials to serve any lifestyle. For families who love winter sports, a long, flat carrier for skis and snowboards with a secure locking system might be best, while avid campers might want a boxier pod to accommodate bulky tents and sleeping bags.

The Good Housekeeping Institute recently evaluated a slew of rooftop carriers to find the best models on today’s market. As with other autos-related content, including Good Housekeeping’s roundup of the best new family cars of 2022, our experts first checked the specs to identify carriers for every need — the family on the go, the skier, the budget shopper etc. Next, they went through the process of mounting the carriers on different vehicles and put them into action in real-world conditions to assess usability, ease of installation, storage capacity and convenience.

After more than 30 hours of data collection and testing, the following models landed on our winners’ list. Find the one that’s right for you — and enjoy all the extra room on your next excursion.

Our experts were impressed by the value and performance of the Yakima Skybox 16, with its “just right” 16 cubic feet of storage, aerodynamically designed for maximum efficiency. "Little details add up, like the tapered back of the pod, which allows for hatch clearance while squeezing in an extra couple inches of storage for skis, golf clubs and other long items," says Rachel Rothman, Chief Technologist at the Good Housekeeping Institute. Our experts also like the dual-side opening and interior tie-down points that help keep items from jostling during the journey.

On top of all that smart functionality, this is one of the best-looking pods on the market, thanks to its sleek design and high-gloss finish. Our engineers say the Skybox should install easily on most roof rack systems, thanks to the versatile, ergonomic mounting knobs. We also like the presence of lid stiffeners, which increase the durability and lifespan of the carrier. Finally, the theft-deterrent lock use SKS (short for “same key system”), meaning the same key can unlock any Yakima devices that you equip with matching cores, available through the manufacturer. That's one more example of small details making for a superior all-around experience with a rooftop carrier.

• Storage capacity: 16 cubic feet • Access: Dual-sided • Dimensions: 79” x 35” x 18” • Weight: 63 lbs.

The JEGS costs hundreds less than our top-rated box carrier and, depending on what you're hauling, it might not come with too many tradeoffs. Its 18 cubic feet of storage is up there with the biggest, and it has some of the same features found on top-of-the-line boxes including a watertight design and dual-side access. The boxy pod might be a benefit if you’re mainly hauling luggage, as opposed to skis and snowboards, which the JEGS can’t handle. On the downside, our engineers note that the lightweight plastic shell likely won’t hold up as well as to weather and general wear and tear than more substantial carriers from our tests. Also, the U-bolt mounting hardware isn’t as versatile as other systems we reviewed. Your vehicle's roof system will need crossbars that are exactly 24 inches apart, otherwise you'll need to put in crossbars or drill new holes in the ones you have. That's more time-consuming than carriers with adjustable mounting systems, and our engineers have found that such "make-it-work" modifications can affect long-term stability and performance.

• Storage capacity: 18 cubic feet • Access: Dual-sided • Dimensions: 61.25” x 39” x 12” • Weight: 35 lbs.

Large families and outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the 18-cubic-foot interior of the Thule Force XT XL, which our engineers found to be extremely expansive and versatile, thanks to the smart proportions. For example, it can handle up to 7 pairs of skis, unlike the squat JEGS, which also offers 18 cubic feet of storage. In terms of usability, we were impressed by the quick-mount system with its intuitive “PowerClick” design that makes an audible clicking sound when the carrier is properly secured. “I did have to add wingbars to my roof’s flush railing system, but from there mounting the carrier was simple and straightforward,” says Rothman, who tested the Thule, among other carriers, on her Volvo XC90. Once installed, the Force XT XL felt extremely secure, even when driving with a full load at highway speeds. Thanks to its dual-sided access and ergonomic locking mechanism, the pod is easy to load and unload. Even with its formidable size, the Thule’s smart aerodynamic design minimizes wind drag, so noise and drop in fuel efficiency were less than expected.

• Storage capacity: 18 cubic feet • Access: Dual-sided • Dimensions: 77.5” x 29.5” x 15.25” • Weight: 47 lbs.

If you have a big SUV and a small garage, you’ll understand the value of a low-profile rooftop pod. The aptly named Wedge from INNO gets the nod from our experts for its ultra-compact design, which results in a rise of just 9.6 inches above the rack’s crossbars. Our engineers note that the aerodynamic shape should minimize wind drag for relatively quiet, fuel-efficient hauling. Of course, the Wedge’s compact design mean less room for storage — 11 cubic feet, compared with the 18 cubic feet of our roomiest favorites. But if you’re into winter sports, this long, sleek carrier is tailor-made for skis and snowboards.

• Storage capacity: 11 cubic feet • Access: Dual-sided • Dimensions: 80” x 33” x 11” • Weight: 42 lbs.

Our experts loved the RoofBag for its combination of value and performance. It costs hundreds less than most box carriers on the market while still providing a generous 15 cubic feet of storage. While versatility and ease of installation are a hallmark of all bag carriers, the RoofBag is particularly user-friendly given its ability to work with all roof systems, including those with or without a roof rack. The bag is made from a rip- and fire-resistant waterproof nylon and our engineers like that the durable straps are rated to withstand up to 3,000 pounds of force. The accessories include a non-slip mat to protect the roof of your car from scratches.

• Storage capacity: 15 cubic feet • Access: Zipper • Dimensions: 48” x 36” x 14.5” • Weight: 8 lbs.

Baskets are a different breed of carrier — one that leaves the securing of luggage and gear to you. But they’re an affordable way to expand your vehicle’s storage space, especially if you opt for the Arksen Universal. Our engineers like the alloy steel construction, which should provide exceptional stability even when hauling a max 150-pound load at highway speeds. With its 6-inch-high frame, the Arksen has an extremely low-profile, nice if you have a small garage or frequent public parking lots with low ceilings. The carrier’s open-weave design creates plenty of tie-down points for your gear. As for aerodynamics, our engineers say the angled front panel should cut down on drag and wind noise.

• Storage capacity: N/A • Access: N/A • Dimensions: 43” x 38” x 6” • Weight: 37 lbs.

Our analysts start by surveying the current marketplace to identify top-selling rooftop carriers that you’re most likely to find at stores and online. The analysts then work with our product experts to identify brands that have performed the best and proved the most reliable through years of autos-related product testing at the Good Housekeeping Institute. They also consider newer brands with unique features or innovations.

Based on an extensive preliminary review of technical data, including dimensions, claimed capacity and installation method, our team selected various models for hands-on testing, which took place at Institute staffers’ homes, allowing for real-world evaluations involving actual vehicles. Testers first assessed the ease of installation, capturing how long the carriers took to mount and how intuitive the process was. They also considered storage capacity, since cubic-foot volumes claimed by manufacturers can be less usable based on the interior design of the carrier. Next, they measured overall usability, assessing how easy the pods were to open and close, the utility of any included accessories and the ease and efficacy of locking mechanisms. Finally, our experts assessed durability, noting the quality of materials and construction, as well as how weatherproof each carrier is likely to remain over time.

Testers installed rooftop pods on their personal vehicles before loading them up and driving around on the open road.

Though the job of a rooftop carrier is basic — hauling a bunch of gear from one point to another — you’ll need to balance the following factors to find the perfect model for your needs.

✔️ Carrier Types There are three main styles of cargo carriers to choose from.

✔️ Carrier Features Based on our tests, these features matter most.

The short answer is yes, with the obvious caveat that carrier safety is contingent on proper usage. Here are three key reminders:

✔️ Size it correctly. If the pod is too long for your vehicle, it could extend out over the windshield, blocking your view or creating a distraction. Also, make sure the carrier’s load capacity doesn’t exceed that of your car.

✔️ Install it securely. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter. Loose bolts, unsecured straps and over-torqued clamps can all create hazards on the open road.

✔️ Load it evenly. The even weight distribution of gear will keep your carrier stable. Our experts also recommend tying down stowed items to keep them from sliding around, since excessive movement could make the carrier less secure.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab provides expert reviews and advice on all things home and autos related, including rooftop carriers. In his role as Director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab, Dan DiClerico brings more than 20 years of experience to the Institute, having reviewed thousands of products for Good Housekeeping, as well as brands like Consumer Reports and This Old House.

For this report, Dan worked closely with Rachel Rothman, Chief Technologist & Director of Engineering at the Institute. For more than 15 years, Rachel has put her training in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics to work by researching, testing and writing about products across the home improvement and autos space.