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Roof Tent Comparison UK: Compare 120+ Roof Tents by Price, Weight and Size

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June 17, 2026

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Roof Tent Comparison UK: Compare Models, Prices, Weights and Features

Choosing a roof tent should be exciting, but comparing different models can quickly become confusing.

One manufacturer may quote the tent weight without the ladder. Another may describe a tent as suitable for four people without clearly explaining whether that means four adults or two adults and two children. Prices can vary between retailers, while important details such as mattress size, packed height, setup time and roof-bar requirements are sometimes difficult to find.

The CarRoofTents.co.uk roof tent comparison tool brings this information together in one place.

Our UK roof tent comparison database currently contains more than 120 models and named variants from over 25 manufacturers and brands, including lightweight soft shell tents, family roof tents, premium hard shells and specialist expedition models.

Use the filters below to compare roof tents by:

• manufacturer and model;
• current UK price;
• published tent weight;
• sleeping capacity;
• hard shell, soft shell or hybrid construction;
• setup time;
• mattress and sleeping dimensions;
• warranty;
• roof-bar requirements;
• small-car suitability;
• family suitability;
• current UK availability.

The aim is not to tell every visitor to buy the same roof tent. It is to help you identify the models that best match your vehicle, budget, passengers and style of camping.

Compare Roof Tents Available in the UK

How to Use the Roof Tent Comparison Tool

Start with the factors that cannot easily be changed: your vehicle, its roof-load limit and the number of people who need to sleep inside the tent.

You can then use the filters to narrow the results.

1. Choose the Number of Sleepers

Roof tents are commonly advertised for two, three or four people, although larger family models are also available.

Treat advertised sleeping capacity as a starting point rather than a guarantee of comfort.

A tent described as sleeping four may be suitable for:

• two adults and two younger children;
• three adults;
• a couple wanting additional space;
• two adults, one child and a dog.

Check the actual mattress width and length wherever those measurements are available. A numerical sleeping capacity does not tell you how much personal space each occupant will have.

2. Set a Realistic Budget

The displayed roof tent price is not necessarily the full cost of your setup.

You may also need to pay for:

• vehicle-specific roof bars;
• a platform roof rack;
• mounting hardware;
• professional fitting;
• security fixings;
• an anti-condensation mat;
• an awning or annex;
• delivery;
• storage equipment;
• insurance changes.

A £999 roof tent could become a £1,300 or £1,500 setup after suitable bars and accessories have been added.

Use the price filter to create a manageable shortlist, but compare the likely complete fitted cost before making a final decision.

3. Compare Published Weights

Weight is one of the most important fields in the comparison chart.

A lighter roof tent may suit a wider selection of vehicles, be easier to install and be less awkward to remove and store. However, a low headline weight does not always include every part of the travelling setup.

Check whether the stated weight includes:

• the ladder;
• the mattress;
• mounting rails;
• fitting hardware;
• the travel cover;
• accessories stored inside the tent.

The relevant calculation while driving is:

Roof tent + roof bars or rack + mounting hardware + permitted stored equipment = total driving roof load

That total must be considered alongside your vehicle’s dynamic roof-load limit and the rating of the roof-bar or rack system.

Read our Roof Tent Weight Limits Explained guide before buying.

4. Choose a Tent Type

The comparison tool includes several broad roof tent types.

Soft Shell Roof Tents

Soft shell roof tents usually fold out to create a sleeping platform larger than their packed footprint.

They often provide more sleeping space for the money and can be a strong choice for couples, families and occasional campers.

Their disadvantages may include:

• longer pack-away times;
• a bulkier travel cover;
• more fabric to dry after wet trips;
• greater wind resistance when closed.

Hard Shell Roof Tents

Hard shell models use a rigid outer case made from materials such as aluminium, ABS plastic, fibreglass or composite panels.

They are often quicker to open and close and may have a lower or cleaner travelling profile.

Their disadvantages may include:

• higher prices;
• greater weight;
• less sleeping space for the money;
• more rigid storage requirements.

Hybrid Roof Tents

Hybrid models combine a rigid shell with a fold-out sleeping platform.

They can offer more space than a compact clamshell while retaining some of the protection and convenience of a hard shell. However, they can also be relatively heavy and expensive.

Read our complete Hard Shell vs Soft Shell Roof Tents guide for a more detailed comparison.

What Information Does the Chart Include?

The tool has been designed to compare more than price alone.

Depending on what each manufacturer or retailer publishes, model records may include:

• UK availability;
• construction type;
• opening mechanism;
• advertised sleeping capacity;
• realistic occupancy notes;
• product weight;
• weight exclusions;
• closed dimensions;
• open dimensions;
• mattress dimensions;
• mattress thickness;
• approximate setup time;
• shell and fabric information;
• price range;
• warranty;
• minimum roof-bar rating;
• minimum bar spacing;
• ladder information;
• bedding-storage capability;
• annex availability;
• internal lighting;
• anti-condensation provision;
• top-load or accessory rails;
• key advantages;
• likely drawbacks;
• vehicle-compatibility warnings.

A blank specification does not mean that the feature is absent. It normally means that a reliable figure was not published in the UK source checked.

Where information is missing, contact the manufacturer or retailer before ordering.

Can the Comparison Tool Tell Me Whether a Tent Fits My Car?

No online comparison chart should be treated as a guaranteed vehicle-fit checker.

The lightweight or small-car flags can help identify possible candidates, but they do not confirm that a roof tent is suitable for a specific make, model, year or roof configuration.

Before buying, check all three parts of the setup:

Your Vehicle

Consult the handbook or obtain written information from the vehicle manufacturer about:

• dynamic roof-load limit;
• permitted roof-bar systems;
• fixed mounting points;
• roof rails;
• panoramic or glass-roof restrictions.

Your Roof Bars or Rack

Check:

• dynamic load rating;
• suitability for roof-tent use;
• required spacing;
• bar width and height;
• attachment method;
• manufacturer fitting instructions.

Bars suitable for carrying bicycles or a lightweight roof box are not automatically suitable for a roof tent.

Your Chosen Roof Tent

Check:

• complete travelling weight;
• mounting-rail spacing;
• permitted bar profiles;
• fitting hardware;
• minimum bar spread;
• vehicle restrictions;
• installation instructions.

The weakest rated component determines the limit of the overall system.

Read Can You Put a Roof Tent on Any Car? and Roof Bars for Roof Tents before making a purchase.

Which Roof Tent Is Best for a Small Car?

Small-car buyers should normally begin by filtering the comparison tool by weight.

Models around or below 45kg may be useful starting points, but this does not mean every tent under 45kg fits every small car.

You still need to add:

• roof-bar weight;
• mounting hardware;
• any ladder weight excluded from the specification;
• bedding or accessories carried inside.

Packed width and length also matter. A tent may be reasonably light but physically too large for the roof or unsuitable for the permitted bar spacing.

Our small-car flag is deliberately described as a shortlist aid, not a compatibility guarantee.

Read our dedicated Best Roof Tents for Small Cars UK guide for further help.

Which Roof Tent Is Best for Families?

Family roof tents normally need a larger sleeping area, which often means increased weight and a larger folded footprint.

When comparing family models, look beyond the advertised capacity and consider:

• mattress width;
• whether the stated capacity assumes children;
• ladder access;
• internal headroom;
• ventilation;
• annex availability;
• storage for shoes and wet clothing;
• pack-away difficulty;
• the vehicle required to carry it.

For many families, a large soft shell roof tent provides more sleeping space for the money. A premium family hard shell may be more convenient for frequent touring but can be considerably heavier and more expensive.

Read our Best Roof Tents for Families UK guide before choosing a large model.

Is the Cheapest Roof Tent the Best Value?

Not necessarily.

A lower-priced roof tent may be an excellent option for occasional camping, but price should be considered alongside:

• weight;
• warranty;
• spare-parts availability;
• fabric and cover quality;
• mattress comfort;
• ease of pack-away;
• UK customer support;
• returns policy;
• mounting-system clarity.

A more expensive tent can still represent poor value if it is too heavy for your car, too small for your family or too awkward to use regularly.

Likewise, a basic tent may offer excellent value if it safely fits your vehicle and suits the trips you actually take.

Use our Best Budget Roof Tents UK and Best Premium Roof Tents UK guides to understand what different price bands offer.

Why Some Models Are Marked as Legacy, Clearance or Enquiry Only

The UK roof tent market changes frequently.

Manufacturers introduce updated generations, retailers clear older stock and some specialist tents are only imported after an order is placed.

The database may therefore include models marked as:

• Current — shown as an active model through a recognised UK route;
• Enquiry only — listed by a specialist but requiring confirmation of price or stock;
• Clearance — older or remaining stock sold at a reduced price;
• Announced — officially previewed but not yet consistently available;
• Legacy — discontinued, sold out or mainly relevant to used buyers.

This information helps users distinguish between a current model and an older tent that may have different specifications, parts or warranty support.

Always confirm availability before planning a purchase around a particular model.

How Often Is the Roof Tent Comparison Updated?

Prices, stock and specifications can change without warning.

Our aim is to:

• review popular models regularly;
• update sale prices and discontinued products;
• add newly released roof tents;
• improve missing specifications;
• correct inaccurate or unclear data;
• record the date on which information was checked.

The date displayed in the comparison tool tells you when a model record was last reviewed. It does not guarantee that a retailer has not changed its price or stock since that date.

Always open the manufacturer or retailer page and complete a final check before ordering.

Independent and Honest Roof Tent Comparisons

CarRoofTents.co.uk is being developed as an independent UK information and comparison website.

Our comparison approach is based on several principles:

• suitability matters more than brand popularity;
• safety information should not be hidden;
• unknown specifications should not be guessed;
• advertised capacity should be treated realistically;
• drawbacks should be shown alongside advantages;
• research-based information should not be presented as hands-on testing;
• commercial relationships should be disclosed.

Some links may become affiliate links, meaning the website could receive a commission if a visitor completes a purchase. This should not affect the price paid by the buyer or determine how a model is described.

Our purpose is to help visitors build a sensible shortlist and ask better questions before buying.

Help Improve the UK Roof Tent Comparison

Roof tent specifications are sometimes changed, renamed or published differently by different retailers.

Owners, manufacturers and retailers are welcome to contact us if they spot:

• an incorrect weight;
• a changed price;
• a discontinued model;
• a new UK release;
• updated dimensions;
• missing fitting information;
• a renamed product generation.

Roof tent owners can also submit a genuine review and share details of the vehicle, roof bars and tent combination they use.

Real owner experience will help make the comparison tool more useful, particularly for vehicle compatibility, comfort, setup time and performance in UK weather.

Roof Tent Comparison FAQs

What is the best roof tent available in the UK?

There is no single best roof tent for every buyer. The right choice depends on your vehicle, dynamic roof-load limit, roof bars, budget, number of sleepers and camping style. Use the comparison filters to create a suitable shortlist.

How much does a roof tent cost in the UK?

Entry-level roof tents can begin at several hundred pounds, while premium family and expedition models can cost several thousand pounds. Remember to include roof bars, fitting, delivery and accessories in the complete cost.

How heavy is a roof tent?

Roof tent weights vary considerably. Lightweight models may weigh around 33–45kg, while larger family and expedition tents can exceed 75kg or even 100kg. Check whether the quoted weight includes the ladder, mattress and mounting equipment.

Can I compare hard shell and soft shell roof tents?

Yes. Use the tent-type filter to view hard shell, soft shell, hybrid and other designs. You can then compare weight, price, capacity, dimensions and setup information.

Can I compare roof tents for small cars?

Yes. The lightweight and small-car filters can identify possible candidates. However, they do not confirm compatibility with your car. Check the vehicle handbook and roof-bar system before buying.

Does the comparison include used roof tents?

The main tool focuses on identifiable models available through UK manufacturers, distributors and recognised retailers. Legacy entries can also help people researching a used tent. Read our Used Roof Tents Guide UK before buying second-hand.

Are the prices live?

No. Prices are checked periodically but are not a guaranteed live retail feed. Sale prices, stock and delivery charges can change, so complete a final check on the seller’s website.

Are all roof tent manufacturers included?

The database aims to cover identifiable brands and models available through a credible UK sales or support route. Anonymous marketplace tents and brands without a clearly verified UK route may be excluded until their specifications, warranty and seller support can be confirmed.

Start Comparing Roof Tents

Use the filters to narrow the market by price, weight, size, tent type and capacity.

Once you have created a shortlist:

1. Read the detailed model information.
2. Open the manufacturer’s current product page.
3. Check your vehicle handbook.
4. Confirm your roof-bar or rack rating.
5. Add together the complete travelling weight.
6. Ask the manufacturer or retailer about anything that remains unclear.
7. Notify your insurer before fitting the tent.

A comparison chart can make choosing easier, but the final decision should always be based on a roof tent that is safe for your vehicle and practical for the trips you genuinely intend to take.