Best Pop-Top Campervan
A rising roof is a common addition to a campervan, providing standing room during the day and additional berths overnight. This award celebrates the best pop-top campervan launched for the new season!
Best Pop-Top Campervan 2026
Jerba Cromarty
One of the key things our judges consider when deciding on what deserves award recognition is whether there is evidence of real progression. And we’re not just talking about a new colour scheme, here, or a different type of door handle, there. To merit an award, there needs to be some significant upgrades that genuinely move the campervan on – and that’s exactly what we found with Jerba Campervans' new Cromarty design.
This is a layout that’s been around for a good few years, but the 2026 version, currently on the Ford Transit Custom and soon to be on the VW Transporter T7, definitely takes it up a level.
Not only has the North Berwick-based converter completely redesigned and type approved its own pop-top roof, but the Cromarty now has a Mobiframe sliding seat system, with floor rails that allow the three-seater bench to glide all the way from the back to the front of the living area.
This gives it a huge storage capacity as well as flexible living arrangements, with the added bonus that the 126cm-wide bed is really easy to set up, is totally flat and comes with a built-in topper.
What also impressed us was that Jerba is one of the few – in fact, possibly the only – converters to address an issue relating to the design of the Mobiframe bed. Because the area below the seat is open on both sides of the large under-seat drawer, there’s nothing to stop the contents of your boot sliding forward when you hit the brakes.
Jerba’s solution is to fit two Mobiframe cubes under the seat, which not only block the gaps but also provide useful storage themselves. And because they’re attached to the seat frame, they move when it does.
You can choose to make the Cromarty completely gas-free with the relatively rare diesel-fired cooker from Finnish company, Wallas. The two burners on the hob run from your main diesel tank, then when you close the lid, a little fan blows hot air out into the campervan, so it’s a heater, too. It sounds weird, but it does work.
Elsewhere in the kitchen, there are recycled composite worktops that are designed to be hard-wearing, heat resistant and waterproof, along with stylish under-counter lighting.
The new elevating roof’s sides are made from high-quality Ventile cotton, with a large PVC window at the front and midge-proof ventilation panels on the side. For comfort, it has a slatted bed with a good-quality mattress on top.
With a starting price of £72,000, other features on the new Cromarty include a 100Ah lithium battery as standard, two Isofix fittings, a full-height wardrobe, blackout curtains, a compressor fridge and a three-year warranty on the conversion.
Highly Commended
Hillside Cromford
Based on the long-wheelbase version of the new VW Transporter, the extra width of the new van makes a big difference to the usability of this rear kitchen layout.
Its individual RIB rear passenger seats come with a pair of armrests each for captain’s chair-style comfort and there’s now a wider aisle between them. You still have a choice of single beds or a double at night.
The kitchen is improved, too, with a waist-height fridge, resin worktops and even an oven. Adjacent is the Dometic cassette toilet and a washbasin with pull-out showerhead for use outside.
Highly commended
Wildtracks Explorer
Based in Bristol, Wildtracks has been building campers since 2016 and launched its new T7 Explorer conversion at the NEC.
The £80k all-singing show model boasted 20in alloys, a bodykit, full leather and lowered suspension but prices start at a keen £60,500.
We liked the well-planned, exposed edge birch plywood side kitchen with plenty of drawers, plus neat plate/bowl storage above. The top-loading fridge is another plus, while a 160Ah lithium battery and 250W solar panel are also included, along with Webasto diesel heating and inside and outside tables.
View the rest of the awards
The Out & About Live Campervan Awards take every campervan launched for the new season into consideration, with our judges travelling to manufacturers and converters across Europe to discover hidden gems and exceptional innovation. Each award winner must pass a thorough examination from editors with decades of experience. Discover the rest of the award winners here!
