Which Roof Basket Is Best? Here Are 5 Great Choices

Whether you’re going on a long trip or traveling to an outdoor recreational park, you can benefit from a sturdy roof basket in carrying your luggage and sports equipment. 

But with several options on the market, you may wonder which one suits you best. 

The Yakima LoadWarrior Rooftop Cargo Basket (on amazon)is one of the best roof baskets online. It withstands heavy loads with extra cargo space. It’s also easy to install, weather-resistant, and made of premium materials. 

On the other hand, if you are still looking for other alternatives, you can check out our top pick 

roof baskets based on their best features. 

Best Roof Basket at a Glance

Buying the best roof basket can be advantageous for you and your family, especially if you love traveling. After all, a roof basket is an investment to a spacious cargo-carrying accessory you can use for a long time. Check out our top choices below. 

1. YAKIMA - LoadWarrior, Rooftop Cargo Basket

You can stop worrying about large cargo with the Yakima LoadWarrior universal roof rack cargo. You can choose to have an extended car top luggage holder carrier basket for added space. It is best for wide and tall loads that don’t fit inside your vehicle. 

The roof basket also compliments most cross bars with a proper fit. So, you can use it on your sedan, SUV, and other vehicles with universal mounts.   

If you’re planning to load more baggage, equipment, or gear, you can have the extension for an 18 inches extra space. So, if you want to mount a kayak, ski equipment, or bicycle, you can easily do so. 

Likewise, the rooftop cargo basket has heavy-duty steel, ensuring durability and weather resistance. 

However, Yakima LoadWarrior has a higher price compared to other roof baskets. But people who use this accessory can attest to its high functionality making the pay worth it in the long run. Still, if you’re looking for a more affordable option, check out MaaxHaul Cardo Roof Rack Steel Basket.

Pros

• Extendable for extra space (optional)
• Heavy-duty steel materials
• Minimal assembly 
• Weather resistance
• Mounting hardware matches universal crossbars

Cons

• More expensive than other roof baskets
• Requires additional locking brackets

2. ARKSEN 64 Inch Universal Roof Rack 

The ARKSEN basket roof rack remains a favorite among travelers and outdoor sports enthusiasts because of its sturdy frame and compatibility with many vehicle types. You can mount the roof cargo with a basket on SUVs, cars, and trucks. 

Likewise, the frame design allows for multiple anchor points, ensuring the stability of the loads during travel. 

Also, it caters to different types of loads - be it a luggage, sports equipment, or large gear. The entire unit has a dimension of 64 inches by length, 39 inches in its width, and a height of 6 inches. Hence, you can even have breathing space to protect your items from damage. 

Although the roof basket is powder-coated black for aesthetic and resistance, it does not guarantee a lack of rust formation.  

Pros 

• With a sturdy roof basket frame
• Lightweight but with a 150 pounds capacity
• Multiple anchor points

Cons

• Not suitable for tall items
• Can still sustain rusts 

3. Tyger Auto Super Duty Roof Cargo Basket/Luggage Carrier Rack

If you want a roof basket with a large capacity, then you better check out the Tyger Auto super duty roof basket. With a frame dimension of 67.6 in length, 41.4 in width, and 8.42 in height, you can mount this roof basket on larger vehicles and load wider, more oversized items. 

Plus, with its steel frame and matte black E-coating, you can expect durability and protection against corrosion for the longest time. 

Another great feature of this roof basket is the extendable tube connectors that allow you to have extra room for more items. Likewise, its wind fairing also ensures improved aerodynamics that lessens the drag making it more fuel-efficient.

Pros

• Large capacity
• Expandable frame and tubing
• Stylish design
• Enhances aerodynamic quotient

Cons

• The coating may not be 100% rust-proof
• Pricier than other roof baskets

4. Leader Accessories Upgraded Roof Rack Carrier Basket 

The aerodynamic design of roof baskets can factor in fuel efficiency and your vehicle’s overall performance on the road. So, it’s good that the Leader Accessories carrier basket contains this necessary feature, making it one of the top choices when considering wind fairing. 

It is also easy to assemble and mount fitting square bars (4.6 inches wide X 1.4 inches thick) and round bars (1.4 inches in diameter). Although it contains powder coating, the roof basket can still form rusts in multiple spots, as reported by previous users.

Pros

• Efficient frame design for better aerodynamics 
• Easy to install
• Reduced wind resistance

Cons

• Thin-walled tubing
• It does not come with steel fasteners

5. MaxxHaul Cargo Roof Rack Steel Basket

Here’s a roof basket that comes with all mounting hardware in one purchase. The MaxxHaul cargo roof rack steel basket appeals to those who look for affordable options without sacrificing the quality of the frame and shanks. 

With its alloy steel construction and universal compatibility with vehicles containing cross bars, along with its easy-to-use U bolts for installation, you can get a good value for its price. 

However, one of the downsides you might encounter, as others have, is its tendency to harbor rust. But this can be solved when you install rubber sleeves covering the screws and joints.

Pros 

• Great for its price
• With fine craftsmanship
• Sturdy built

Cons 

• Prone to rusting 
• Racks don’t seal

Why Should You Need a Roof Basket?

You may want to mount a roof basket if you’re planning to load or transport items that are too large for the vehicle’s built-in compartment. It’s suitable for things you bring for camping, water and winter sports, road trips, outdoor activities, moving to another house, and many more.

Roof baskets provide added security, ensuring your items remain intact within the frame. Also, you can keep them safer with the use of straps and nets. 

Nonetheless, the value of your vehicle increases with a roof basket attached, given that it increases its capacity for additional cargo.

Bestselling Roof Basket Racks on Amazon

Final Thoughts 

The best roof basket depends on which feature you’re taking as a priority. Fortunately, there’s always a roof basket for your need, given that leading manufacturers continuously improve their products. 

Nevertheless, regardless of how your rank the factors you need to consider before purchase, it is best to always go for the roof basket that meets all the standards. That way, you get the most out of what you’ve paid for. 

With that, you can also be assured that our top choices for roof baskets are equipped with primary attributes founded on durability, safety, and security.