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 narrow margin (4.3 vs 4.0). The gap is mostly about 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.

Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Roof Cargo Boxes

Thule Force 3 XL

4.3

3 sources2 derived$929.95as of Aug 1

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 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 Amazon Full review →

Ranked #5 in Best Roof Cargo Boxes

Yakima SkyBox NX XL

4.0

3 sources2 derived$849as of Aug 1

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
— 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.com Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

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

Spec	Thule Force 3 XL	Yakima SkyBox NX XL
Capacity	18 cu ft (~500 L)	18 cu ft (~510 L)
External Dimensions	84.8 x 34.1 x 16.9 in	84 x 36 x 16.5 in
Internal Dimensions	81.5 x 29.5 x 14.7 in	—
Weight	49 lb	53 lb
Mount Type	PowerClick quick-mount	Universal crossbar (StreamLine compatible)
Max Load	165 lb	—
Shell	AeroSkin	Three-rib lid, made in USA
Opening	DualSide	DualSide
Material	Plastic	—
Crossbar Spread	—	24-40 in
Locks	—	SKS included

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