What is the best laptop backpack?

Business

Julia Cooper

What is the best laptop backpack?

Hey everyone - What’s the best laptop backpack you’ve found? I’m thinking of buying one to take to work and on business trips. I really want to find a comfy, professional-looking backpack with plenty of space to store my electronics, along with my other belongings! There are so many different laptop backpacks out there and they can be pretty pricey so I want to make sure I’m getting the best one. Any suggestions?

Top Community Picks

#1 Inateck

rating star 0rating star 1rating star 2rating star 3rating star 4
Check price on Amazon

Discussion highlights:

  • Professional enough for the office
  • Easily fits large (17.3”) laptops
  • Padded electronics compartments
  • Good weight distribution when full
  • Thick, comfortable shoulder straps
  • Rain cover ensures laptop is protected
  • Ideal carry-on item
1163
...

#1 Inateck

1163
rating star 0rating star 1rating star 2rating star 3rating star 4
...

Discussion highlights:

  • Professional enough for the office
  • Easily fits large (17.3”) laptops
  • Padded electronics compartments
  • Good weight distribution when full
  • Thick, comfortable shoulder straps
  • Rain cover ensures laptop is protected
  • Ideal carry-on item
Check price on Amazon

Top comments:

Shelli Arellano

It sounds like the Inateck 40L Travel Backpack would be a great choice for you. I commute with my laptop in the Inateck, which also has pockets for my iPad, chargers, headphones, and phone. The Inateck looks very professional, so it’s ideal for taking to meetings. The shoulder straps are so well padded and breathable that the Inateck is comfortable, even when it’s full. The Inateck also comes with a rain cover, which has been a lifesaver on several occasions.... Text here will be shown in the read moreRead more

835

L. Beck

I really like how the Inateck’s electronics compartment sits flat against my back, which prevents the bag from getting front-heavy. Even when it contains both of my laptops and some books, the backpack never feels too heavy or unbalanced. The padded compartment keeps my devices safe, and there’s plenty of cushioning against my back, so I don’t mind wearing it when I walk to work.

654

Julian Hardy

@L. Beck, do you think the Inateck 40L would hold my 17.3” gaming laptop?

199

Federico Lombardo

I’m sure it would. I often travel with my HP Omen (17.3” screen), and usually my iPad, too. All of my electronics can be secured with velcro straps in the padded compartments, so I’m never worried about carrying around expensive tech!

140

Alexa Schmid

I completely agree with this recommendation! The Inateck is really well made and still looks great after months of commuting. It has so many cool pockets for random but essential items like sunglasses, pens, and cables.

181

Hilda Chaput

The Inateck 40L is a great laptop backpack for taking to the office or on business trips. It’s an ideal carry-on item, and it fits into the overhead bin on every flight. I love the anti-theft zipper compartment, which is always hidden against my back when I have the backpack on. It’s a great place to securely store my passport.

227

Jackie Barton

The Inateck 40L is my go-to bag for weekend trips, regardless of whether they’re for business or pleasure. I can store so much in this backpack, yet it never looks or feels bulky. Since it unzips on three sides like a suitcase, it’s very easy to pack, but much better for carrying around. The shoulder straps pack away and it has a side handle, so I can also use it as a duffel bag.

46

Top comments:

Jacquelyn Gale

If you want to look smart and sophisticated, I recommend the Samsonite leather backpack. It’s definitely on the more expensive end, but it looks great in any kind of professional setting. I use it to hold my 15” laptop, tablet, work folders, chargers, and personal items. It has a decent amount of room, although it starts to feel very heavy when it gets full.

345

Tristan Freedman

I agree that the Samsonite is a very nice backpack, but it’s not made for carrying on your back for a long period of time. The leather shoulder straps aren’t thickly padded like those you find on more casual, utilitarian backpacks, so it gets very uncomfortable if you’ve made it too heavy.

200

Top comments:

Joey Fromm

I gave my wife a Saint Maniero bag for her birthday and she carries her laptop in it all the time. It’s fine for her 13” MacBook Air, although I’m not sure how well it would do with a larger, heavier computer. She likes it because she can wear it either as a backpack or as a messenger bag, and there’s a little strap on top for storing her yoga mat. The design and colors aren’t what I’d look for ... in a backpack, but if you’re a fashion-conscious type, then it might be a good choice. Read more

277

Christen Diehl

@Joey Fromm, is this a real leather bag?

129

Roxanna Moses

No, most of the material is thick canvas, and there are some imitation leather accents. Considering the price, I was hoping that it would be genuine leather It does have real YKK zippers, though, and the construction seems very solid.

75

#4 Mancro

Check price on Amazon

Discussion highlights:

  • Affordable school or casual backpack
  • Very little padding in laptop sleeve
  • Stitching is too weak for heavy loads
225
...

#4 Mancro

225
...

Discussion highlights:

  • Affordable school or casual backpack
  • Very little padding in laptop sleeve
  • Stitching is too weak for heavy loads
Check price on Amazon

Top comments:

Aleksander Marcus

I have a Mancro backpack that I bought just because it was on sale, but I’ve actually been pretty satisfied with it. I use it for taking my laptop, tablet, and notebook to grad school classes. It has lots of convenient storage space, and I like being able to charge my phone without opening the backpack. ... I haven’t had it long enough to comment on the quality, but if I have to replace it, at least I won’t have spent too much money.Read more

75

Diana Sharp

@Aleksander Marcus, how waterproof is the Mancro backpack?

59

Aleksander Marcus

I’ve never let mine get particularly wet, but I don’t think it’s fully waterproof. If it’s just a light rain, though, your stuff should be protected.

44

#5 SwissGear

Check price on Amazon

Discussion highlights:

  • Good commuting, hiking bag
  • Too casual for professional settings
  • Weak seams around the zippers
  • Thickly padded laptop sleeve
129
...

#5 SwissGear

129
...

Discussion highlights:

  • Good commuting, hiking bag
  • Too casual for professional settings
  • Weak seams around the zippers
  • Thickly padded laptop sleeve
Check price on Amazon

Top comments:

Daniel Williamson

The SwissGear 1900 is a solid backpack with padded sleeves for protecting my laptop and tablet. My office is very laid back, so the SWISSGEAR is completely fine for me to take into work. It might be too casual if your office has a more formal vibe, though. ... I also tend to travel light, so I like to take my SWISSGEAR Travel Gear 1900 on weekend trips.Read more

128

Sabas Cory

I always use the SWISSGEAR for my commute. I like how it keeps my electronics secure, but it’s nowhere near as “TSA-friendly” as I was expecting. I fly to Denver at least once a month, so I paid extra for a laptop backpack that I could just unzip and pass through the scanner at airport security. However, most TSA screeners still make me remove my electronics, ... and they usually aren’t swayed when I mention that the backpack is designed to go through the scanner with my laptop still inside!Read more

74

Kaila Hardy

I really like the SWISSGEAR’s emphasis on comfort. It has contoured shoulder straps with built-in suspension, ventilation, and lots of back padding. Unfortunately, the seams are pretty weak, and they’ve begun to fray around the zippers. I often take this backpack ... on lengthy hikes, so maybe I’ve been treating it too roughly?Read more

21

#6 Volher

Check price on Amazon

Discussion highlights:

  • Repels drizzle though not waterproof
  • Battery not included for charger
  • Useful pockets but flimsy construction
88
...

#6 Volher

88
...

Discussion highlights:

  • Repels drizzle though not waterproof
  • Battery not included for charger
  • Useful pockets but flimsy construction
Check price on Amazon

Top comments:

Farley Messer

I always take my laptop to work in my Volher backpack. I like all of the useful pockets on the Volher, and it’s sturdy enough to stay upright when I set it down. The polyester fabric seems pretty durable and won’t get soaked by a drizzle, but it’s not certainly not waterproof. I bought a separate rain cover ... to ensure that my electronics would be safe.Read more

59

Shy Aquino

The Volher is a good choice for a laptop backpack, as long as you have a small or medium-sized laptop. It looks professional enough to take to the office and there are lots of useful compartments if you’re someone who likes to be super organized, like me!

39

Chang T.

The variety of pockets on the Volher is definitely useful, and I’ve found it to be breathable and comfortable, but I’m not impressed by the overall quality. The zippers are a bit flimsy and I’m not sure how well the stitching will hold up over time. I’m also disappointed with the USB charging port, ... which seemed like it would be a cool feature. You have to provide your own battery pack and the included cable isn’t good at all. Read more

14