The rooftop tents in this comparison cost from 929.00 euros for the Berger CampLodge 120 to 2,799.95 euros for the Thule Approach 2 M on Amazon.de. This guide is for anyone who wants to sleep on the roof of their car: couples heading to the coast or the mountains for the weekend, families with children, and people travelling around Europe without a caravan. The best rooftop tents of 2027 are the Skandika Skyland 2 Sleeper, winner of the AUTO BILD 2026 test (1,599.00 euros), the Thule Tepui Autana 4 for families, since the Tepui Autana won ADAC's 2022 test (2,399.95 euros), and the TentBox Classic 2.0, a hard shell that opens in 60 seconds (2,749.00 euros). We compared seven models with live prices on 3 November 2026.
Before you buy, check how much your car's roof can carry while driving. That number decides which tents are even an option.
Quick overview: the best rooftop tents of 2027
All tents in this comparison are available on Amazon.de. Click a name to see the current price.
| Model | Type | Sleeps | Weight | Mattress | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skandika Skyland 2 Sleeper | soft shell, fold-out | 2 | 39.5 kg | 214 x 130 cm | €1,599.00 | Best overall |
| Thule Approach 2 M | soft shell, fold-out | 2-3 | 58 kg | 240 x 130 cm | €2,799.95 | Premium |
| Thule Tepui Kukenam 3 | soft shell, fold-out | 3 | 54 kg | 244 x 142 cm | €1,599.95 | Thule for less |
| Thule Tepui Autana 4 | soft shell with annex | 4 | 68.7 kg | 244 x 183 cm | €2,399.95 | Families |
| TentBox Classic 2.0 | hard shell, ABS | 2 | 67 kg | 210 x 120 cm | €2,749.00 | Fastest setup |
| Naturbummler Light Loft L | soft shell, fold-out | 2 | 45 kg | 230 x 130 cm | €1,590.00 | Small cars |
| Berger CampLodge 120 | soft shell, fold-out | 2 | 41.5 kg | 210 x 120 cm | €929.00 | Budget |
Data comes from manufacturers' websites, Amazon.de listings and the AUTO BILD 2026 and ADAC 2022 tests.
How to choose a rooftop tent
How much the roof can carry: dynamic and static load
Dynamic roof load is the weight the roof may carry while driving, and the car maker sets it. It covers the tent and the roof rack together. AUTO BILD says that for most passenger cars it is 50 to 100 kg, most often 75 kg (AUTO BILD). Soft shell rooftop tents usually weigh 40 to 60 kg and hard shells often 70 kg or more, so a car rated for 75 kg with a 6 kg rack can take a tent of about 69 kg at most.
Static load applies when the car is parked, and it is much higher. ADAC writes that the maker's limit applies to driving, and in a parked car two adults can sleep on the roof without a problem (ADAC). The roof load figure is not in the registration document but in the vehicle's owner's manual.
Roof racks
Rooftop tents never sit directly on the roof but on the crossbars of a roof rack. Thule's manual says the static load of its racks is roughly three times the dynamic load, but it does not allow rooftop tents on Evo Clamp and Edge Clamp feet or on WingBar Edge and SlideBar racks (Thule manual). On open roof rails Thule recommends a tent only with extra support. Check the tent and rack manuals for which combination is approved. Also check the bar spread: the Thule Approach 2 M needs at least 80 cm and the Tepui Kukenam 85 cm.
Soft or hard shell
Soft shell rooftop tents fold out over the edge of the car, so the mattress is twice the size of the footprint on the roof, and the ladder works as a support. They are lighter and cheaper, but setting one up with the rainfly takes a few minutes. A hard shell has an ABS or aluminium shell that rises on gas struts in a minute, the bedding stays inside, and it is usually quieter on the motorway. The mattress is narrower, and price and weight are higher.
Fuel consumption and speed
ADAC hasn't published how much rooftop tents add to fuel consumption, but it has for roof boxes: about 18 % or about 1 l/100 km more at 130 km/h (motor1). The Austrian ÖAMTC says rooftop tents add at most 1 to 2 l/100 km if you don't drive too fast (ÖAMTC). Manufacturers recommend a top speed: Naturbummler up to 130 km/h and Berger up to 110 km/h.
Rules in Croatia
Article 154 of the Croatian Road Traffic Safety Act requires a load to be distributed and secured so that it doesn't endanger safety, reduce stability or visibility, or cover lights and number plates, and a vehicle may not be loaded above its maximum permitted mass (Narodne novine). A rooftop tent isn't permanently attached to the car, so it counts as load, together with the rack, passengers and luggage. With a tent, a car easily goes over 2 m in height, which matters for car parks and ferries.
Rooftop tents don't mean you can sleep anywhere. Croatia's Hospitality Act bans camping outside campsites and designated areas, and the fine ranges from 190 to 1,320 euros (tportal). For ideas on where to stop, see our river and lake campsites.
Mounting
ADAC advises having two to four people mount the tent on the rack, and setup takes about 10 to 12 minutes (ADAC). Rooftop tents are bulky, so think ahead about where you'll store yours when it's off the car, since it needs about 1.2 x 1.4 m of space and weighs 40 to 70 kg. ADAC suggests renting a tent before you buy.
1. Skandika Skyland 2 Sleeper
Photo: Skandika, Amazon
The Skandika Skyland 2 Sleeper won the AUTO BILD 2026 rooftop tent test with a score of 1.4 and was also named best value. At 39.5 kg it was the lightest tent in the test, so with a light rack (under 10 kg) it stays just under a 50 kg roof load. Check your rack's exact weight. Folded it measures 146 x 121 x 37 cm, and open 220 x 135 x 98 cm.
"Sleeper" means a black inner lining and a silver outer coating that darken the cabin, so in summer you can keep sleeping after sunrise. The fabric has a 6,000 mm hydrostatic head and UPF 50+, and in the AUTO BILD test it didn't leak even though it rained every night. The 8 cm mattress has a cover you can wash at 30 °C. AUTO BILD criticises the weak ventilation and condensation inside.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | soft shell, fold-out |
| Sleeps | 2 |
| Weight | 39.5 kg |
| Folded | 146 x 121 x 37 cm |
| Mattress | 214 x 130 cm, 8 cm |
| Fabric | 6,000 mm, UPF 50+ |
| Test | AUTO BILD 2026: 1.4, winner |
| Price | €1,599.00 |
Pros: lightest in the comparison, AUTO BILD test winner, darkened cabin, high hydrostatic head, quick to open.
Cons: weak ventilation and condensation, warm inside in summer, only for two people.
Our opinion: The Skyland is the tent we'd recommend to most couples. It's light, so you don't need an SUV, and 1,600 euros for a test winner is 1,200 euros less than the Thule Approach 2 M.
2. Thule Approach 2 M
Photo: Thule, Amazon
The Thule Approach 2 M is the second generation of Thule's fold-out tent for two to three people. In the AUTO BILD 2026 test it scored 1.7 and came third, with 1.4 for comfort. The mattress is 240 x 130 cm with a 6 cm two-layer foam, and the inside height is 102 cm. Thule says setup takes under 3 minutes.
The rainfly is removable and has three modes, and the windows and doors have mesh. The 2.6 m ladder has angled steps, and there's a side connection for an air conditioner or heater. According to AUTO BILD a torque wrench is included, so the tent can't be overtightened or left loose. The flaw AUTO BILD mentions is the fiddly fitting of the second roof layer. And 58 kg is a lot for a roof.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | soft shell, fold-out |
| Sleeps | 2-3 |
| Weight | 58 kg |
| Folded | 124 x 143 x 28 cm |
| Mattress | 240 x 130 cm, 6 cm |
| Bar spread | at least 80 cm |
| Test | AUTO BILD 2026: 1.7 |
| Price | €2,799.95 |
Pros: very good build and comfort, good ventilation, secure mounting with a torque wrench, tall cabin.
Cons: most expensive in the comparison, 58 kg, second roof layer is slow to fit.
Our opinion: The Approach 2 M is for people who use a tent every month and want Thule's mounting and service. If you use it two weekends a year, the Skyland gives you the same sleep for 1,200 euros less.
3. Thule Tepui Kukenam 3
Photo: Thule, Amazon
The cheapest Thule rooftop tent on Amazon.de is the Tepui Kukenam 3, and it sleeps three. The mattress is 244 x 142 cm, and the open tent is 132 cm tall, so you can sit upright inside. The fabric is a coated 600D material and 260 g poly-cotton, which breathes better than pure polyester and creates less condensation.
It uses the classic Tepui construction, with support poles for the awning over the entrance, so setup takes longer than with the Approach line. According to ADAC, the Tepui Autana tested in 2022 is now sold as the Kukenam. Static load capacity is 272 kg, and the bar spread must be at least 85 cm. At 54 kg it needs a roof with about 65 to 75 kg of dynamic load, depending on the rack.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | soft shell, fold-out, with awning |
| Sleeps | 3 |
| Weight | 54 kg |
| Folded | 122 x 143 x 31 cm |
| Mattress | 244 x 142 cm, 6 cm |
| Fabric | 600D and 260 g poly-cotton |
| Static load | 272 kg |
| Price | €1,599.95 |
Pros: a Thule at the Skyland price, room for three, tall cabin, breathable poly-cotton fabric.
Cons: slower setup because of the awning poles, poly-cotton dries more slowly, 54 kg.
Our opinion: The Kukenam is the best buy for people who want a Thule but don't want to pay 2,800 euros. The third spot on the mattress comes in handy with a child or a dog.
4. Thule Tepui Autana 4
Photo: Thule, Amazon
With a 244 x 183 cm mattress, the Thule Tepui Autana 4 is the largest tent in the comparison and the only one that sleeps four. The Tepui Autana was the only tent rated "very good" (1.5) in ADAC's 2022 test, and the version tested was the three-person one. ADAC praised the build, clean seams and low levels of harmful substances (ADAC).
An annex clips on under the tent and closes off the space next to the car, giving you a room for changing, luggage or an extra bed. Open, the tent measures 310 x 183 x 132 cm. At 68.7 kg you need an SUV or van with about 80 kg of dynamic load, and the 183 cm width leaves no room for a bike on the roof. In ADAC's cold chamber at -5 °C it didn't live up to its all-season label.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | soft shell, fold-out, with annex |
| Sleeps | 4 |
| Weight | 68.7 kg |
| Folded | 122 x 183 x 31 cm |
| Mattress | 244 x 183 cm, 6 cm |
| Static load | 295 kg |
| Test | ADAC 2022: predecessor Tepui Autana 3 winner (1.5) |
| Price | €2,399.95 |
Pros: most space in the comparison, annex next to the car, ADAC praised the build, seams and low harmful substances.
Cons: 68.7 kg needs a strong roof, 183 cm wide, didn't prove all-season in ADAC's cold chamber.
Our opinion: For a family with two children, the Autana is the only tent in the comparison where four people sleep without squeezing. Check your roof load first, because with a rack it goes over 75 kg.
5. TentBox Classic 2.0
Photo: TentBox, Amazon
The TentBox Classic 2.0 is the only hard shell rooftop tent in the comparison. A matte black ABS shell on an aluminium frame rises on gas struts in 60 seconds, and the bedding stays inside when you close it. The British maker gives a 5-year warranty and says it withstands winds up to 50 mph (about 80 km/h, force 9).
The fabric is 280 g/m² ripstop polyester with a 3,000 mm hydrostatic head and UV protection of 50+. The kit includes a 210 x 120 cm mattress of 6 cm, a ladder up to 2.6 m, an LED strip, storage bags and a net, and awning poles. The first mounting takes about 20 minutes. Hard shell rooftop tents usually have a narrower mattress, and this 120 cm one is tight for two adults, while 67 kg needs a roof rated for about 75 to 80 kg.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | hard shell, ABS |
| Sleeps | 2 |
| Weight | 67 kg |
| Folded | 128 x 218 x 35 cm |
| Mattress | 210 x 120 cm, 6 cm |
| Setup | 60 seconds |
| Warranty | 5 years |
| Price | €2,749.00 |
Pros: fastest setup in the comparison, flat shell, bedding stays inside, 5-year warranty.
Cons: expensive and heavy, mattress only 120 cm wide, no independent test of this model (AUTO BILD only tested the TentBox Lite XL, 1.8).
Our opinion: The TentBox is for people who sleep somewhere different every night. When you open and close the tent every day, 60 seconds instead of a few minutes is worth the price difference.
6. Naturbummler Light Loft L
Photo: Naturbummler, Amazon
The Naturbummler Light Loft L is one of the few models whose maker says outright that it fits most passenger cars from 50 kg roof load, including small cars. Other makers mostly stay quiet about which cars their rooftop tents suit. The Light Loft L weighs 45 kg, thanks to an aluminium frame and a slatted base. The maker rates it for speeds up to 130 km/h.
The mattress is 230 x 130 cm in foam with an anti-condensation mesh underlay, and the inside height is 95 cm. There are windows all around, and two clear roof windows give you a view of the sky. The kit includes an aluminium telescopic ladder, an LED strip, two shoe bags, a repair kit and mounting hardware for narrow and wide racks. The tent's hydrostatic head is only 2,000 mm, and the awning's 3,000 mm.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | soft shell, fold-out |
| Sleeps | 2 |
| Weight | 45 kg |
| Folded | 137 x 120 x 32 cm |
| Mattress | 230 x 130 cm |
| Roof load | from 50 kg (manufacturer) |
| Top speed | 130 km/h (manufacturer) |
| Price | €1,590.00 |
Pros: suits small cars, rich kit, up to 130 km/h, view through the roof windows.
Cons: 2,000 mm hydrostatic head, no independent test of this model, only for two people.
Our opinion: If you drive a smaller car with a 50 to 75 kg roof load, the Light Loft L is the model where you don't have to count every kilo.
7. Berger CampLodge 120
Photo: Berger, Amazon
At 929 euros the Berger CampLodge 120 is the cheapest tent in the comparison. It's sold by the German camping retailer Fritz Berger. The net weight is 41.5 kg (tent 35 kg and ladder 6.5 kg), so it also suits smaller cars. The ladder works as a lever for opening and closing, and the fabric simply pulls taut.
The mattress is 210 x 120 cm, and open the tent measures 212 x 125 x 95 cm. The fabric is PU-coated polyester with a silver layer, on an aluminium frame. LED lighting and a shoe bag are included. The manual recommends driving no faster than 110 km/h, and the hydrostatic head isn't stated.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | soft shell, fold-out |
| Sleeps | 2 |
| Weight | 41.5 kg net |
| Folded | 127 x 110 x 32 cm |
| Mattress | 210 x 120 cm |
| Top speed | 110 km/h (manual) |
| Static load | 300 kg |
| Price | €929.00 |
Pros: lowest price, light, LED lighting included, simple to open.
Cons: 120 cm mattress is tight for two adults, only up to 110 km/h, hydrostatic head not stated.
Our opinion: The CampLodge 120 is a good way to try roof camping without spending 2,000 euros. For long trips with a lot of motorway, take a model with a higher permitted speed.
Conclusion: which rooftop tent to choose?
For most couples the best choice is the Skandika Skyland 2 Sleeper: AUTO BILD test winner, the lightest in the comparison and 1,599.00 euros. If you want a Thule, the Tepui Kukenam 3 gives you a Thule for the same price as the Skyland, and the Approach 2 M the best mounting and comfort. A family with two children takes the Tepui Autana 4, as long as the roof carries at least 80 kg. The TentBox Classic 2.0 is for people who move every day, and the Naturbummler and Berger for smaller cars and smaller budgets. Rooftop tents are bought by roof load first and price second.
| If what matters most is | Choose | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Skandika Skyland 2 Sleeper | €1,599.00 |
| Premium and comfort | Thule Approach 2 M | €2,799.95 |
| Thule for less | Thule Tepui Kukenam 3 | €1,599.95 |
| Four people | Thule Tepui Autana 4 | €2,399.95 |
| Opens in a minute | TentBox Classic 2.0 | €2,749.00 |
| Small car | Naturbummler Light Loft L | €1,590.00 |
| Lowest price | Berger CampLodge 120 | €929.00 |
If you need more room for luggage, see our car roof boxes, and for sleeping on the ground our camping tents. The rest of your kit is covered in our camping gear guide, and a car fridge keeps food and drinks cold.
Frequently asked questions
How much roof load does a rooftop tent need?
The roof's dynamic load must be higher than the weight of the tent and roof rack together. For most passenger cars it is 50 to 100 kg, most often 75 kg. Light tents of 40 to 45 kg suit smaller cars too, while tents of 60 to 70 kg need an SUV or van.
What is the difference between dynamic and static roof load?
Dynamic load applies while driving and is listed in the owner's manual. Static load applies when the car is parked and is much higher, so two adults can sleep on the roof of a parked car. Thule says the static load of its racks is roughly three times the dynamic load.
Can you drive with a rooftop tent in Croatia?
Yes, if the tent is properly secured and the loaded car doesn't exceed its maximum permitted mass. The Road Traffic Safety Act requires a load not to endanger safety or reduce the vehicle's stability. You may only sleep in it at campsites and designated areas.
How much does a rooftop tent increase fuel consumption?
ÖAMTC says 1 to 2 l/100 km more if you don't drive too fast. For comparison, ADAC measured about 18 % higher consumption with roof boxes at 130 km/h. When you won't need the tent for a while, take it off the car.
Hard or soft shell rooftop tent?
A soft shell fold-out tent is lighter, cheaper and gives a bigger mattress because it folds out over the edge of the car. A hard shell opens in a minute, is usually quieter on the motorway and keeps the bedding inside, but it is heavier and more expensive. For occasional camping a soft shell is enough.
How many people fit in a rooftop tent?
Most models are for two people, with a mattress 120 to 140 cm wide. Three-person tents are about 140 cm wide and four-person tents about 180 cm, like the Thule Tepui Autana 4 with its 244 x 183 cm mattress. For two adults, choose a mattress at least 130 cm wide.
How do you mount a rooftop tent?
The tent is bolted or clamped to the crossbars of a roof rack. ADAC advises two to four people for the job, because tents weigh 40 to 70 kg. Depending on the model, the first mounting takes from about 20 minutes to 2 hours, and after that the tent opens in a few minutes.
How we chose
The rooftop tents in this comparison were chosen by independent test results, weight, mattress size, number of sleepers, fabric, included kit, permitted speed and price. We shortlisted 13 models available on Amazon.de and checked every ASIN through the Amazon API. Scores come from the AUTO BILD 2026 and ADAC 2022 tests, and specs from the websites and manuals of Skandika, Thule, TentBox, Naturbummler and Berger and from Amazon.de listings. Load rules are from the Croatian Road Traffic Safety Act, and fuel figures from ADAC and ÖAMTC. We left out models with contradictory listings. Prices are live Amazon.de prices on 3 November 2026. We did not test the tents ourselves.
Sources and references
- AUTO BILD - rooftop tent test 2026
- ADAC - rooftop tent test
- ADAC - roof load
- Thule - does a rooftop tent fit your vehicle
- Thule - Approach 2 M
- Thule - Tepui Autana 4
- Skandika - Skyland 2 Sleeper
- TentBox - Classic 2.0
- Fritz Berger - CampLodge 120
- ÖAMTC - rooftop tents
- motor1 - ADAC roof box test and fuel consumption
- Thule - roof rack and rooftop tent manual
- Narodne novine - Road Traffic Safety Act, NN 108/2017
- tportal - fine for camping outside a campsite
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