Rooftop tents are having a bit of a moment right now. Maybe it’s because more and more people are enjoying the great outdoors. Maybe it’s because this is #2020, and we’re all gearing up for the end times. Who knows! In any case, a rooftop tent makes a great additions to your arsenal of outdoor gear.

These tents are made for adventure. They were born out of a need for safe shelter in harsh, unforgiving places like the Australian Outback and the African bush. Places where camping on the ground would leave one vulnerable to snake bite, scorpion sting and a host of other dangers.

Seriously, if there are lions around, where are you going to camp? As far off the ground as possible, that’s where. But you don’t have to be on safari to appreciate the safety, simplicity and convenience of a good rooftop tent. What you do need is to know the difference between a great one and a sup-par knockoff. We hope this list of the best rooftop tents of 2020 is helpful.

Best Buy

1. Roofnest Sparrow

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Roofnest is a leader in the car-top tent world, and for good reason. They have several truly exceptional rooftop tents in their lineup, but the Sparrow is their most popular, and arguably most versatile. Completely redesigned for 2020, the Roofnest Sparrow perches nicely atop any small to midsize car.

It’s a pop-up style tent with an 85″ x 50″ footprint, making it plenty roomy for two. That makes it great for weekend getaways. The tent has a generous 40″ height, so there’s plenty of headroom, and the fact that it’s also quite easy to set up is a nice bonus.

The Roofnest Sparrow is a hardshell tent, folding down into a fiberglass shall that’s tough, aerodynamic and lightweight. The base of the tent includes a 3″ mattress that’s surprisingly comfortable, and it has three full-sized doors with awnings to keep things dry, cool, comfy and ultimately liveable in just about any conditions. On the whole, the Sparrow is our favorite rooftop tent of 2020, perfect for couples and solo adventurers who like to stay on the move and need a quick, comfortable setup.