The 5 Best Car Cargo Storage Options On The Market (2024)

in Accessories
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Photo by Jon Flobrant on Unsplash

Long road trips, camping adventures, and ski holidays are some of the quintessential American experiences. However, sometimes the car’s trunk just isn’t enough to accommodate all your things like camping gear, cooking equipment, golf clubs, skis, snowboards, etc. We’ve all struggled with trying to fit everything inside the car, and you end up leaving things or opting for shorter trips. This is especially true if you have a smaller vehicle.

Thankfully, there’s one way to dramatically increase your car’s storage capabilities: a rooftop cargo storage carrier. The best car cargo storage is heavy-duty but lightweight, easy to mount, and a breeze to put away when not in use.

Rooftop cargo carriers can be pricey, but it beats buying a larger vehicle for more storage. While you can find cheap cargo carriers everywhere, it’s best to invest in high-quality rooftop cargo carriers if you frequently travel since they’re lightweight, more aerodynamic, and last longer.

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Today, we tested and picked several options to help you choose the best car cargo storage in the market. Let’s dive right in.

Top 5 Best Car Cargo Storage Options to Buy

1. Flated Air-Carrier Rooftop Cargo Carrier

Price: $699 (Large)

The Air-Carrier Rooftop Cargo Carrier by Flated is our top pick for the best car cargo storage because it delivers on all fronts. What makes this rooftop cargo carrier unique is its lightweight, inflatable design. The carrier rolls up and conveniently fits into a small storage bag when deflated. This means, unlike many traditional rooftop cargo solutions, you can easily carry the Air-Carrier with you, which is a godsend for trips abroad where you need car rentals.

The carrier inflates in seconds and the Large Size provides over 20 cubic feet of storage, which should be more than enough for summer road trips. Another thing we love is the ease of installation. Inflating, mounting, and deflating the Air-Carrier is a one-person job, and it only weighs about 23 pounds inflated. Plus, you can open the carrier on either side of the vehicle for easy access. Overall, the Flated Air-Carrier is one of the most innovative storage solutions that offer a great combination of storage space, ease of installation, and no-hassle storage.

Product Features: 
  • Aerodynamic shape
  • It fits pretty much any 4-door vehicle, with or without racks
  • Comes in 3 sizes
  • It fits into easy carry storage bag
  • Side walls made with 420D DWR-treated nylon canvas
  • Two-way zippers on both sides
  • Over 20 cu-ft of storage and weighs 23 lbs

2. Yakima CBX 16 Solar Cargo Box

Price: $1,498.95

Yakima is a household name in car storage solutions, and the Yakima CBX 16 Solar Cargo Box is undoubtedly one of its best products. Right off the bat, the CBX 16 offers 16 cubic feet of storage space, perfect for storing suitcases, duffel bags, skis, and snowboards. Even if the storage isn’t full, you can use the built-in tie-down points to secure your belongings while driving. Like many Yakima products, top-notch durability is a given for this cargo box.

However, the best feature of the CBX 16 Solar is the first-of-its-kind built-in solar panel along the box’s surface. It’s for charging your devices and equipment without turning on your vehicle – super convenient for off-the-grid trips and car camping. It’s not the cheapest cargo carrier available, but its top-notch quality and innovative features more than make up for the price.

Product Features: 
  • Built-in solar panel with charging capabilities
  • Angular and aerodynamic design
  • Dual-sided opening
  • Interior tie-down points for securing contents
  • Durable ABS plastic construction

3. Thule Pulse Rooftop Cargo Box

Price: $599.95 (Medium)

Thule is another famous brand in the rooftop cargo carrier space, and rightfully so. The Thule Pulse Rooftop Cargo Box is one of the more basic storage solutions by the company, which isn’t a bad thing at all. Sometimes, you just need a bare-bones cargo carrier without all the bells and whistles, in which case, the Thule Pulse is a solid option with a reasonable price point. One of its strongest points is the ease of installation and removal.

The quick clamps on the box allow a tool-free installation, which only takes 5-10 minutes. In fact, the hardest part of the installation was lifting the box into position. With a 14 cubic-foot interior capacity, you can easily fit your camping and ski trip essentials. The SecureLock lid technology also protects your belongings from potential no-good doers. Overall, the Thule Pulse is a solid, reliable cargo box that won’t break the bank.

Product Features: 
  • Rugged and durable design
  • FastGrip quick-mount system
  • Offers 14 cubic feet of storage
  • Central Locking system for security and safety
  • Passenger-side lid opening

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4. SportRack Vista XL

Price: $449

The SportRack Vista XL is our budget pick that offers durability, good storage capacity, and ease of installation. What makes the SportRack Vista XL unique is its rear opening design, making it ideal for smaller, compact vehicles. Plus, we’ve found that rear-loading was slightly more accessible than side-opening cargo boxes. It offers 18 cubic feet of storage space, higher than most boxes in its class.

The sleek and aerodynamic design doesn’t just look great on top of your car but won’t negatively impact your gas mileage. Mounting the cargo box is also a breeze, thanks to SportRack’s quick-release mounting system, which involves tightening bolts to interior knobs. Ultimately, the SportRack Vista XL is a no-nonsense rooftop storage option if you’re looking for a budget-friendly product.

Product Features:
  • It offers 18 cubic feet of storage space
  • UV-resistant ABS material construction
  • Rear opening design
  • Tool-free mounting hardware
  • Includes key and lock

5. Yakima GrandTour 16 Roof Box

Price: $879

The Yakima GrandTour 16 is one of the more popular products by the company, and for a good reason. It provides 16 cubic feet of cargo space for your items of luggage, camping gear, and ski equipment. The GrandTour 16 boasts handy features like a dual-opening lid and tie-down straps, making it a convenient and easy-to-use storage solution.

The Yakima GrandTour 16 stands out for its high-gloss finish and sophisticated profile. So if you have a luxury vehicle, this is the storage solution for you. 

Product Features:
  • Sophisticated shape and high-gloss finish
  • 16 cubic feet of cargo space
  • Dual-sided opening
  • Integrated interior tie-down points
  • Unobstructed flattened floor for better storage capacity
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