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Head-to-head · Best Roof Cargo Boxes

Thule Force 3 XL vs Yakima SkyBox NX XL

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Thule Force 3 XL comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.4 vs 4.0). Thule Force 3 XL is best for: Buyers who want Thule's secure mount and proven weatherproof durability in a large box without paying for the Motion's premium styling. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Thule Force 3 XL
Higher ratedRanked #4 in Best Roof Cargo Boxes
Thule Force 3 XL
1 source$929.95as of Oct 11

Thule's value workhorse gives you the same 18 cubic feet and PowerClick mount as the pricier Motion, wrapped in a rugged AeroSkin shell built to last for years and keep gear dry in foul weather. The Force 3 XL pays for that with a boxier, slightly noisier shape and plainer looks. On durability per dollar, it is the smart Thule.

Strengths
  • — 18 cu ft fits bulky camping gear for a family of four
  • — Tough AeroSkin shell shrugs off years of weather and daily use
  • — Stays fully dry inside through snowstorms and mountain-pass driving
Watch-outs
  • — 165 lb load and 18 cu ft match rivals, so it wins on value not capacity
  • — Finish is durable but plainer than the premium Motion line
$929.95 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Yakima SkyBox NX XL
Ranked #3 in Best Roof Cargo Boxes
Yakima SkyBox NX XL
2 sources$849as of Oct 10

At the top of the size chart, the SkyBox NX XL is the value pick. A flat floor, a taller nose that takes small bags and a stiff three-rib lid make its 18 cubic feet genuinely usable, and it costs less than Thule's comparable box. It is heavy, and a touch noisier with a sunroof open, but for the money it is the best all-rounder.

Strengths
  • — 18 cu ft of usable space, undercutting the comparable Thule boxes on price, per Better Trail
  • — Better Trail found the flat, flush interior floor lets large items slide in without snagging straps or ski edges
  • — Taller nose stores duffels and totes up front where space is usually wasted
Watch-outs
  • — Reviewers noted more wind noise with a sunroof open than some rivals
  • — At 53 lb it is the heaviest box here to lift onto the roof
  • — Mount is good but lacks the torque indicator of Thule's PowerClick
$849 · Buy at yakima.comFull review →

How they stack up

Thule Force 3 XL

Shares the Thule Motion 3 XL's 18 cu ft and PowerClick mount for less money, trading the Motion's aerodynamic shell for a tougher, boxier one. It costs about $80 more than the Yakima SkyBox NX XL but matches its volume, and it is far larger than the budget Yakima RocketBox Pro 14 and the low-profile INNO Wedge 660.

Yakima SkyBox NX XL

Matches the Thule Motion 3 XL and Thule Force 3 XL at 18 cu ft while costing less than the Motion, making it the best-value large box. Its flat floor is roomier in practice than the boxes it competes with, and it dwarfs the budget Yakima RocketBox Pro 14 and the low-profile INNO Wedge 660.

Specs side-by-side

SpecThule Force 3 XLYakima SkyBox NX XL
Capacity18 cu ft (~500 L)18 cu ft (~510 L)
External Dimensions84.8 x 34.1 x 16.9 in84 x 36 x 16.5 in
Internal Dimensions81.5 x 29.5 x 14.7 in—
Weight49 lb53 lb
Mount TypePowerClick quick-mountUniversal crossbar (StreamLine compatible)
Max Load165 lb—
ShellAeroSkinThree-rib lid, made in USA
OpeningDualSideDualSide
MaterialPlastic—
Crossbar Spread—24-40 in
Locks—SKS included
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