The Best Laptop Backpacks

Buying Guide for Laptop Backpacks

Why buy a laptop backpack?

You may get away with putting your laptop in a tote bag, messenger bag, or a briefcase for a while. But if you start to travel more or need to be away for longer than a few hours, a laptop backpack just makes sense. The products we review here all have extra room for snacks, cell phones, wallets, charging cables, notebooks, and more. Great laptop backpacks will protect, allow easy access, and offer room to stow personal items, all while looking good and being easy and comfortable to carry.

What should you look for in a laptop backpack?

• Design: Most laptop backpacks are designed for 15.6-inch laptops max. If you want to carry other devices, look for backpacks with extra compartments for tablets, room for headphones, and pockets for chargers. Some laptop backpacks are set up for travel with wheels and a telescoping handle; others are more school-friendly. Such a backpack may have two or three large compartments for other electronics and books.
• Materials: At the very least, a laptop backpack should be water-resistant. Common fabrics include polyester and nylon. Look for high abrasion resistance, too, and metal zippers. Also essential is quality padding for laptop protection, shoulder strap comfort, and back panel ventilation.
• Extras: Strategically placed pockets are a luxury that should be standard features. Great laptop backpacks will have pockets for pens, keys, cell phones, and USB chargers. Many have side pockets to hold a water bottle, umbrella, or thermos. Travel laptop backpacks often have hidden anti-theft pockets, which can come in handy.

What else should you be aware of when selecting a laptop backpack?

For some, it’s a no-brainer, and for others, completely unimportant, but the overall appearance is something to consider. Your entire back is taken up when you wear a backpack, so you might as well wear something you like. Several products we review come in multiple colors. If you’re a business professional, it may be good to choose a backpack with a subtle expression, not sporty or cutesy, but classic.

Our Picks for the Best Laptop Backpacks

Pros: This laptop backpack by Matein provides several compartments and pockets, making it a functional and accommodating carrier. The laptop compartment is separated and houses laptops sized 13 to 15.6 inches. There’s also a middle compartment for daily necessities such as toiletries, books, and headphones. There’s space for phones, wallets, keys, purses, and more in the front compartment. There are side pockets, a USB charging port, and a luggage strap. The backpack is made of durable polyester water-resistant material and has metal zippers.

Cons: The backside padding may not be thick enough.

Bottom Line: This laptop backpack is practical, attractive, and equipped to keep your electronics safe. It can fit laptops between 13 to 15.6 inches.

 

Pros: You may want this backpack for its stylish appeal, but that’s not all you’ll be buying into. There are a total of six compartments for ideal organization and storage. You get one roomy compartment for books and clothes, a smaller one for notebooks and magazines, a front pocket for pens and keys, a showcase laptop compartment that fits up to a 15.6-inch laptop, and two side pockets. There’s also an external USB charging port and set-in charging cable for ultimate convenience—walk and charge simultaneously. And we can’t overlook the fabric of this retro laptop backpack. It’s durable 600D nylon, which is scratch-, tear-, and water-resistant.

Cons: The side pockets are too small.

Bottom Line: The good looks of this laptop backpack are just the beginning. If you want a reliable, organized, and retro-inspired backpack for everyday use, this is a solid choice.

 

Pros: Featuring a design that can fit laptops that are up to 17 inches in size, the Volher Laptop Backpack stands out for its durable build quality and water-resistant material. However, it’s also a stellar laptop backpack to travel with since it features more than enough room for additional devices, a wireless keyboard, plenty of pens and pencils, notebooks, and just about anything else you can stow away while on the go. Even better, this product sports plenty of padding for your laptop and your shoulders, making it a protective option that will minimize wear and tear both for the user and their laptop.

Cons: Some reviews mention this backpack’s zippers breaking or getting stuck off of their track. Zip and unzip it with care.

Bottom Line: While this isn’t the least expensive backpack of the bunch, its price tag is still good, given its durable build quality and water-resistant design. Most people should be able to get plenty of life out of this sturdy bag.

 

Pros: It’s well known that kids haul a ton of stuff to school these days, setting them up for chronic back pain. This large storage capacity laptop backpack can hold up to 30 pounds of belongings, including a 15-inch laptop for school, vacation, or sleepovers. For a backpack with wheels, it’s important to have a solid structure of quality materials. The base of the Tilami backpack comprises polypropylene molding to protect it from all sides, stand feet for stability, and smooth-rolling and quiet wheels. It can be easily transformed by tucking the wheels and base into a protective pocket for comfortable carrying. Of course, having a rolling laptop backpack means nothing without a sturdy handle, which this backpack does. Its 18-inch telescoping aluminum rod can be adjusted to different lengths.

Cons: Because the backpack holds so much weight, it can be too heavy for some kids to maneuver from class to class.

Bottom Line: The Tilami rolling laptop backpack covers far beyond the basics. With storage capacity, transformability, handy pockets, and fun designs, this product is a winner, especially among those who love fun colors.

 

Pros: This unique backpack combines the spacious design of a diaper bag with the chic sensibilities of a professional’s tote, making it ideal for taking to the office or on weekend trips. Despite its affordable price, it’s incredibly comfortable to wear (even when it’s loaded with gear) thanks to its padded shoulder straps. It includes a number of helpful compartments to help keep you organized. This bag also stands out for its durable, high-quality zippers and cute (if somewhat limited) selection of styles, solidifying it as an appealing option for those who like their backpacks to be as fashionable as they are functional.

Cons: Some shoddy finishing touches (stitching and details) can take away from this product’s sleek appearance.

Bottom Line: This sassy laptop backpack doubles as a diaper bag or handbag and gives you plenty of room to pack your things for a budget-friendly price.

Final Thoughts

As technology advances, so must the luggage we use daily to protect it. Now that you know what to look for in a laptop backpack and have a few products to consider, there’s no reason to wait to give your laptop the best care.