Verdict
All guidesResearchMethodologyAboutContact
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.

The short answer

Thule Force 3 XL and Yakima SkyBox NX XL score essentially the same (4.6 vs 4.6). Pick the one whose trade-offs match your priorities — the strengths and watch-outs below are where they actually differ.

Thule Force 3 XL
Ranked #3 in Best Roof Cargo Boxes
Thule Force 3 XL
$929.95as of Jun 7

The Force 3 XL is Thule's value workhorse: the same 18 cubic feet and PowerClick mount as the pricier Motion, wrapped in a rugged AeroSkin shell built to last for years and stay dry in foul weather. The trade-off is a boxier, slightly noisier shape and plainer looks. For durability per dollar, it is the smart Thule.

Strengths
  • — 18 cu ft fits four pairs of skis and poles or bulky camping gear for a family of four
  • — Tough AeroSkin shell shrugs off years of weather and daily use
  • — PowerClick mount with torque indicator and SlideLock auto-locking lid, like the Motion
Watch-outs
  • — Boxier, less aerodynamic shape than the Motion can add wind noise
  • — 165 lb load and 18 cu ft match rivals, so it wins on value not capacity
  • — Long 84.8-inch body crowds shorter roofs and can block a hatch
$929.95 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Yakima SkyBox NX XL
Ranked #2 in Best Roof Cargo Boxes
Yakima SkyBox NX XL
$849as of Jun 8

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

Strengths
  • — 18 cu ft of usable space, undercutting the comparable Thule boxes on price
  • — 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
Crossbar Spread—24-40 in
Locks—SKS included
← See the full ranking of best roof cargo boxes