These Laptop Backpacks Will Help You Tote Your Computer With Comfort and Ease

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A great everyday bag has room for everything—food, water, clothes, accessories, and more. But the best everyday bag needs a space specially made for your laptop. Without it, your laptop will be bouncing loose against your things, and is more likely to be damaged along the way.

Luckily, there’s a huge number of laptop backpack options on the market in a wide variety of sizes, weights, and styles. We’ve sussed out the best laptop backpacks to consider, so read on for our top recommendations, plus advice to take into account before you shop.

The Best Laptop Backpacks

What to Consider

Your first order of business is to make sure your laptop—or the one you plan to buy—will fit in the backpack. Most bags accommodate laptops ranging from 15 to 17 inches, with designated, padded sleeves to store them that are separate from the main compartment, and have varying degrees of water-resistance.

It’s also important to factor in how you’ll use it. If you bike, you’ll likely want a backpack that has sternum and waist straps for stability, is fairly lightweight and aerodynamic, and has reflective details for safety at night. Those who take public transportation may want top handles to carry their bag to make room for other passengers. If you’re a frequent traveler, having an RFID-blocking pocket for your passport and credit cards is smart, in addition to slipcases that slide out so your laptop will be protected while going through security. Also, if you tend to pack a lot into your bag in addition to a laptop, look for something lightweight.

Beyond that, it’s all about style and nice-to-have features. For example, some include built-in USB charging ports and cables, special compartments to protect glasses, and side pockets for water bottles.

How We Selected

Every laptop backpack we review has an average customer rating of 4.5 stars or higher. We dug into our own research and considered top-name brands to offer a range of bags in a range of styles, from sleek to sport, and across multiple price points, including budget-friendly options and high-end backpacks. We also weighed features against cost and made selections to include a wide variety to suit different buyers' needs and preferences.

For more great back-to-school—or work—accessories, check out our picks for the best backpacks for students, laptop bags, and commuter backpacks.

Subterra Backpack

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 12.2 x 8.7 x 19.7 inches

• Weight: 2.7 pounds

• Laptop Size: 15-inch

This model from Thule is the ultimate work-and-play laptop backpack, designed to keep you organized during the week and ready to tackle adventures on the weekends. The 23-liter backpack has a padded 15-inch laptop compartment in the back that can be accessed from a top zipper. There’s also a pocket that locks to protect eyeglasses and other breakable gear or equipment. It also features two outer pockets that are perfect for stashing a lightweight puffer or a water bottle.

Travel Laptop Backpack

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 18 x 12 x 7.8 inches

• Weight: 1.5 pounds

• Laptop Size: 15-inch
  

This budget-friendly backpack, available in 12 colors, comes loaded with features and gets rave reviews: It has an average 4.8-star rating from more than 66,000 customers on Amazon.

There’s a separate compartment for a 15-inch laptop, a well-organized main compartment with loads of pockets for gear, and a zippered front flap with more storage for things you need close at hand. There’s also a built-in USB charging port outside and charging cable inside for juicing up your phone while you’re on the go.

Other highlights include an anti-theft pocket on the back to safeguard your credit cards, adjustable padded mesh shoulder straps, and a trolley sleeve to slip over your rolling suitcase’s handle.

Little America Backpack

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 19.5 x 11.25 x 7 inches

• Weight: 2.1 pounds

• Laptop Size: 15-inch

Herschel is the go-to for an understated, cool backpack. These durable bags are stylish, with hardware that gives them a rugged edge. The Little America has a roomy main compartment and a handful of slip pockets for your phone and other small items. It can accommodate a 15-inch laptop and has a drawstring closure with a large flap on top that buckles shut. It’s another customer favorite, and ensures that everything inside is safe and secure.

Icon Backpack

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 19 x 13 x 9 inches

• Weight: 1.3 pounds

• Laptop Size: 16-inch
  
  When it comes to protecting tech gear, Incase is one of the biggest names on the market, so it’s no surprise the brand has a line of top-notch laptop backpacks. This one has three separate tech compartments: a faux-fur-lined one for your 16-inch laptop, one for your mobile phone, and one for your tablet, plus smaller pockets to hold essentials like keys and chargers.

It’s made of a textured polyester fabric that’s soft but durable, with a back panel that molds to your back but keeps sweat in check, thanks to built-in air channels. There are also adjustable padded straps as well as a sternum strap to balance weight.

A hip pocket with an integrated cable port is a major bonus for listening to music and podcasts.

Division Laptop Backpack

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 17.3 x 11 x 5 inches

• Weight: 2.1 pounds

• Laptop Size: 15-inch

If you’re in the market for a sleek, well-designed backpack, look no further than this option from San Francisco-based Timbuk2.

There’s a rear padded compartment to slide in your 15-inch laptop and it has a slew of organizational pockets in the main compartment. It also features side compression straps if you’re hauling a lot of extra gear, a mesh back panel and sternum strap for extra support, plus reflective zippers and a loop for attaching a blinking light for safely biking at night.

Kanken Laptop Backpack

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 16.9 x 11.8 x 7.1 inches

• Weight: 1.1 pounds

• Laptop Size: 17-inch

With their eclectic design, the cult-fave bags from Fjallraven are unmistakable. The classic Kanken (“to carry” in Swedish) backpack weighs about a pound, but it’s no lightweight when it comes to durability and holding up to the elements, as it’s water-resistant and has a two-way zipper with a rain flap.

There’s a separate padded compartment that can hold a 17-inch laptop, with three pockets in the main compartment to keep small items organized. It also features padded ergonomic shoulder straps that crisscross for extra support, plus a top handle that snaps together for easy carrying.

Metrosafe X Backpack

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 19.29 x 11.02 x 6.1 inches

• Weight: 1.7 pounds

• Laptop Size: 15-inch

This backpack with a 15-inch padded laptop sleeve has an impressive lineup of features to keep sensitive material inside safe from identity theft, plus it has multiple theft-deterring features.

For starters, there’s an RFID-blocking pocket for items like credit cards and passports, along with wire-reinforced straps and stainless steel mesh panels to safeguard against slashing. It also features zippers and straps that attach to hidden hooks, plus sternum and waist straps that balance weight while adding safety and comfort.

On Track Pack Vegan Leather Backpack

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 16 x 12 x 5.5 inches

• Weight: 2.3 pounds

• Laptop Size: 15-inch

If you want a backpack with more polish, this vegan leather Kenneth Cole option is an excellent choice, with rich-looking grain, embossing, and upscale details on its hardware. It also has an RFID-blocking pocket for your passport and credit cards, and a designated compartment for a 15-inch laptop.

The main compartment is fully lined, with a mesh pocket and two slip pockets, plus there’s a spacious front zippered pocket and a side pocket for a water bottle. Its top handle and adjustable straps are padded, and there’s a trolley sleeve to attach the backpack to your roller suitcase.

Force Pro Backpack

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 15 x 18 x 11 inches

• Weight: 2.4 pounds

• Laptop Size: 17-inch

On the other side of the style spectrum, this Carhartt backpack has a rugged look that’s less sporty but designed to be tough. It’s made of heavy-duty polyester with a water-repellent coating and an extra durable base.You can also haul a ton of stuff inside, with a designated 17-inch laptop pocket and two additional pockets for everything from gym clothes to gadgets, plus a front panel with two zippered pockets for quick-grab items.

There are also adjustable padded shoulder straps for comfort and a mesh back to maximize airflow. An inner pocket to protect glasses is another highlight, and there are side pockets for a water bottle and other essentials.

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