The Best Laptop Bags for 2021
Carrying your laptop in a bag is a convenient way of protecting it from shocks and spills. A laptop bag can deter theft, and it’s also a great option for keeping your belongings organized. Besides, laptop bags are a convenient way to carry a few textbooks, workout gear, and other essentials.
Modern laptop bags come with many convenient features. Some bags emphasize fashion, others allow you to charge your devices on the go, and some will protect your electronics in extreme conditions. We’ve selected the best laptop bags to protect your device.
Commuters and students
AmazonBasics Laptop Bag
The AmazonBasics Laptop bag is everything you’d expect from the Seattle-based shopping giant. There are bag sizes available for either a 15- or 17-inch laptop. These bags feature zippered front and back pockets. The front pocket has various smaller pockets to help keep your accessories organized. It also features a removable shoulder strap and carry handles. If this description sounds plain, that’s because that’s what the Amazon laptop bag is: A plain, standard laptop bag. If you don’t want to make a fashion statement, this is the bag for you.
At less than $35, it’s a great option for those who don’t need all of the bells and whistles of fancier bags but would like a convenient, lightweight shoulder bag to carry their laptop around. Plus the 17-inch bag comes with a 6-foot HDMI cable. Just don’t expect anything fit for a fashionista, or an indestructible build — you’ll want to pick a durable laptop to complement this bag.
JanSport Right Pack
This simple, durable everyday backpack is an affordable choice that comes in a huge range of different colors, all with that distinctive brown suede bottom section. You’ll find a large main compartment that includes a sleeve for laptops that are 15 inches and smaller. There’s also a front pouch, with some organizing pockets for pens and accessories, and padded shoulder straps.
You’ll find a quick stash pocket on the front of this JanSport laptop backpack. The padded shoulder straps are comfortable, it’s not too bulky, and it comes with a lifetime warranty.
Kroser Laptop Backpack
This laptop bag from Kroser is a water-repellent bag with a dedicated laptop compartment that can fit a 15.6-inch laptop. In addition, the Kroser laptop bag features a separate iPad compartment, a main compartment filled with smaller pockets, one front pocket, and two side pockets for your water bottles or other accessories. The bag is stylish and sleek but still provides comfort with its padded back panel and shoulder straps. The Kroser backpack is a great affordable option for those who want to commute to work and school in style without breaking the bank.
Herschel Supply Company Retreat Backpack
It’s hard to beat the unique style of a Herschel Supply Co. bag, and the Retreat is no exception. Available in a variety of colors, the bag features a laptop sleeve that’s perfect for keeping your computer steady or holding onto anything you don’t want to be mixed with everything else in your pack. When you need to close everything up, the flap on the top provides adequate protection, with a pullcord inside, and metal buckles to really batten down the hatches when the elements try to get the best of you. The Herschel Retreat comes in at an appealing price point, and there are sizes above and below it if your needs differ a little from the norm.
Asus ROG Nomad V2 backpack
If you’ve got a massive 17-inch gaming laptop or you’ve just gotta bring all your stuff with you to the LAN party, the Asus ROG Nomad is a top pick.
You can carry any 17-inch laptop, along with your keyboard, mouse, peripherals, power supply, extra controllers, snacks, drinks, a tablet, a change of clothes, and a jacket. That might be an exaggeration, but only a slight one. It looks great, too, boasting the same detail and aesthetic as the Asus ROG G750 series. With plenty of organizational pockets and lots of room, the Asus ROG Nomad is more of a weekend warrior than a work bag.
Mancro Business and School Backpack
The immensely popular Mancro backpack does a little bit of everything. It comes with a laptop compartment that can hold up to a 15.6-inch laptop and plenty of other spaces for books, clothes, wallets, phones, water bottles, and other items. It also includes a built-in lock for greater safety and reduced chance of theft, and a USB charger and cable built-in for easier charging via the backpack. All of this is encased in a water-resistant nylon fabric. It’s a backpack that pretty much everyone can appreciate at an affordable price.
Rugged and weatherproof
Mission Workshop R6 Arkiv Field Pack
The Mission Workshop R6 Arkiv is built around a modular rail system that lets you easily move storage components around, customizing the bag to your own liking. Buying the different pieces will cost you a little more, but for professionals who never stop moving and working, it might be the perfect system for getting exactly what you need out of your bag. Inside the hybrid roll-top/flap-down closure system, you’ll find a versatile backpack well-suited for a lot of stuff on its own, with a 15-inch laptop compartment to use for your computer or other documents.
Filson Padded Computer Bag
The Filson Padded Computer Bag is proof that classic “originality” can go a long way when you outfit it with a subtle touch of leather. The durable pack features a rugged twill that’s just as easy on the eyes as it is capable of repelling bad weather, and for those who seemingly bring their entire workspace with them on the go, the bag offers a massive interior compartment lined with dividers for laptop and accessory organization.
Leather reinforcements and an adjustable shoulder strap round out the bag’s hallmarks, not to mention a zipper and storm flap closure designed to keep the contents in and weather out. Prices for the Filson Padded Computer Bag can rise above $400.
Business chic
Noreve Urban Backpack
If you’re after some serious style, then look no further, because the Urban Backpack from Noreve is genuine full-grain leather backpack perfection. With an elegant, business look this backpack sports a large main compartment that can house a 15-inch laptop. There are a couple of pockets for smartphones and some smaller pen or stylus holders.
There’s also a zippered pocket on the other side. Back on the exterior, you’ll find two side pockets with invisible magnetic closures and a classic double-zipper front pouch. Adjustable shoulder straps and a strong leather handle round out this impossibly smart backpack. You can get it in gray, brown, or our favorite, black. The only drawback here is that the Noreve Urban Backpack comes with a hefty price tag.
Knack: Series 1 Medium Expandable Knack Pack
There’s plenty of room in a large padded compartment for a 15-inch laptop. Other compartments hide the shoulder straps and trolley sleeve options for when you need them.
But it’s all the other features that Knack has included in this backpack that really make it useful. There’s a large array of pockets and compartments, including a fleece-lined pocket for more sensitive tablets/electronics, a water bottle compartment, a compartment for cords at the base of the pack, an extra-padded top pocket for sunglasses, and more. We especially like the triangular front compartment: It opens to reveal a carrying space and a multitude of little pockets that are great for access in the classroom or office, but can also be used to hold IDs, business cards, passports, and documents during travel (RFID-blocking fabric included).
The bag also includes an anti-microbial treatment to the lining and a key leash that can be removed.
Outdoors
Tom Bihn Synapse 19
The Synapse 19 is a more traditional backpack done very, very well: The materials used by the Seattle-based Tom Bihn include nylon ripstop for fabric lining and exterior components and closed-cell foam for support. The result is a backpack with not only a compartment for notebooks or laptops, but also room for cameras, sunglasses, first aid kits, and a little of everything else. The Synapse 19 has a dedicated focus on internal pouches and compartments so that the outside remains free of mesh bags and confusing straps, creating a clean, stylish pack suitable for outdoor use. Laptop pouches can be customized according to size, and if you find the 19 too small, you can try the Synapse 25 instead.
Osprey Apogee
The Apogee is a commuter-friendly bag that’s rugged enough for hiking on the weekend. Dual mesh water bottle pockets leave plenty of room for hydration, and the front panel has a useful organization pocket with a keyclip. Pockets and sleeves also exist for up to a 15-inch laptop, a tablet, and your phone, as well as magazines or folders. The Osprey Apogee is a more affordable multiuse pack that’s easy to recommend when you have trouble narrowing down all the ways you will be using your backpack.
Photography and travel
Lowepro ProTactic 350 AW Camera and Laptop Backpack
While the Lowepro is a camera bag at its core, it has a great laptop compartment and enough features to warrant a look even if you don’t have a digital camera. The main compartment is broken up by a series of padded dividers, so you can have individual storage for all of your lenses and equipment, or whatever random stuff you’re carrying around with you.
There are four access panels, one on each side so you can pull the bag under your arm, one on the body, and one on top for larger items. It also has attachment straps for all manner of extra packs, tripod mounts, and easy access storage.
Timbuk2 Authority Pack
The Authority is surprisingly compact for how much stuff it can hold, including room for up to a 17-inch laptop. There are numerous pockets big and small for everything you might need to keep with you, allowing the bag to serve almost any kind of purpose. It also includes a side pocket for a water bottle. Both a central grab handle and shoulder straps are available. The Timbuk2 Authority Pack is a great fit for those with busy lives or lots of parental responsibilities, who may need a broad combination of items to carry with them.
Kelly Moore Pilot 2.0 Backpack
The incredibly versatile Kelly Moore Pilot 2.0 backpack can hold a little bit of everything, including your DSLR camera (plus attached lens) and a 15-inch laptop. This incredibly tough backpack comes with everything from a removable padded basket to a credit card organizer. The shoulder straps are also padded and adjustable.
Laptop bags buying guide and FAQ
How do you choose the best laptop bag for you?
When selecting the best laptop bag, there are several main factors to consider: laptop size, price, and the number of pockets and compartments.
Laptop size: Make sure that the laptop sleeve or compartment in the bag fits your laptop. Some bags may only be able to accommodate a 13-inch laptop, but there are many 15 and 17 inch options as well.
Price: Stick to your budget and consider the return on investment. There’s no need to spend over $400 for a laptop bag when a $30 bag will fit your needs just fine. That money could go elsewhere.
Number of pockets and compartments: Only you know how many things you plan to carry with you in this bag. Figure out how many and what kinds of things you plan to carry and look for bags that can accommodate and help you organize them and keep them safe.
It’s also important to consider things like how much the bag weighs and how sturdy and water and weather-resistant the fabric is. Plus, you may also want to take a look at bags with special specs: Some bags come with features that make them perfect for traveling.
Editors’ Recommendations
