Roofnest Sparrow Eye vs TentBox Cargo Roof Top Tents

Here you have my comparison Roofnest Sparrow Eye vs TentBox Cargo Roof Top Tents, and my conclusion is that the latter is a much better option. See why this is so.

What this is about

If you follow this industry, then you probably know that the Roofnest brand has a whole series of roof top tents under the name Sparrow. They include both pop-up and clamshell types. This Sparrow Eye is in the second group, so this is a very typical hinged hard shell roof top shelter.

On the other hand, the TenBox brand currently has just a few roof top tents on the market, and they are all different. This Cargo is a clamshell type, and it looks very similar to the Sparrow Eye.

So here are some important features that these two tents share:

• They both have three doors. This is a great feature as you can access the tent from various sides dependent on what type of car you use. On the other hand, you have two layers in all of them, a zippered mesh and a panel. This means you have views around, and use these openings as windows and for ventilation.
• The wall fabric in both tents is a polycotton. Normally, this is the best you can have nowadays, it is heavier and quieter than any synthetic.
• Both tents allow for additional placement of bulky stuff on the lid of the tent, but the design is different, more below.
• They are hard shell, however, the material is different.
• The box size is almost the same, and the inner floor area is exactly the same.
• These tents are expensive, and the price is very similar.

Here is a video showing some features of the Roofnest Sparrow Eye, please have a look:

Roofnest Sparrow Eye and TentBox Cargo differences

I thought it was best to start with this comparison table that summarizes some parameters and features, so see how they compare:

ASA/ABS is a combination of two similar synthetic materials that are commonly used in this industry.

With these all features in mind, I can now make the following rating for the two tents. I give + for the feature where one tent is better than the other. Below I explain some of this ratings in detail.

I guess for most of the ratings there is no need to give detailed explanations, but here are for some of them. As you realize, the Roofnest Sparrow Eye is much lighter, and its mattress is thicker.

The TentBox Cargo is thinner, but from the picture below you can see that the Sparrow Eye is quite aerodynamic, so wind resistance should not be very different.

Box material: This is a big difference and I give + to TentBox Cargo which is built from a high-grade steel and aluminum. So now you understand why it is heavier.

Cargo features: Actually, both roof top tents have an option to put some stuff on the lid and to transport it that way. The picture below shows how this is done in the Roofnest Sparrow Eye.

It has an indentation on the back and there are also some elements for straps attachment, to fix the load and to keep it in place.

But I am sure that the design in the TentBox Cargo is better. You can order accessory cross bars and transport various items on the roof. The picture below shows how this looks. Observe also that its top is completely flat.

Vents: The picture above shows one of its two vents that you have in the TentBox Cargo, it is in the top corner above the side door.

This is something you want to have in the intervals with rain when the side windows must be closed, and possibly even the front window if it is very windy and you have to close the awning.

The TentBox Cargo also has unique patent pending built-in floor vents and these are matched with a cut-out mattress. So air can flow up through the vents and this should reduce condensation.

There are no such features in the Roofnest Sparrow Eye, the picture below shows how it looks when completely closed.

Awning: Both tents have a front awning supported with extra poles. The picture below shows how it looks in the Roofnest Sparrow Eye. So this is just a flap that protects the door.

But see how the awning looks in the TentBox Cargo, I think it is easy to agree that this looks much better:

So now you understand why I give more ‘pluses’ to the TentBox Cargo. These are important features and the differences are obvious.

Best places to buy

Roofnest Sparrow Eye:

Roofnest
TentBox Cargo:

Outdoor Roadie

Final thoughts

Please let me know what you think, there is a comment box below. For more stuff of this type please check under the category Roof Top Tents. Would you rather have a soft shell type roof top tent? If so, check this comparison text with two tents from TentBox.

Bookmark this site and keep as a reference, you will always have new texts added here and this will keep you informed. Thank you for reading and have a nice day.