Anyone who owns a laptop knows how important it is to find a high-quality bag to carry the device. For most people, it’s in the form of a tried and tested backpack. Whether commuting, cycling, or traveling on a plane, the best laptop backpacks ensure your prized work or study companion is safely and securely stored.
Customer favorites include waterproof and spacious options to protect portable essentials from the weather. Over the years, compartment-studded bags have taken on stylish and minimalist exteriors, too.
If you’re looking for one, we’ve narrowed down the best backpacks you can buy today. And if you don’t own a laptop yet, check our laptop reviews, too.
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Best Laptop Backpacks Comparison Chart
| Model | Product Image | Price |
| Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe |  |  |
| JanSport Right Pack Premium |  | |
| Rains Backpack Mini |  | |
| Swissgear 1900 ScanSmart Mini Slim Version |  | |
| Mancro Anti-Theft Backpack |  | |
Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe
Best overall laptop backpack
Those who carry around a ton of tech often mean business. If you fit this profile, you’ll want to get the Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe. This 28L backpack has plenty of room for your portable essentials. However, by design, the Authority Laptop offers accommodation for up to a 17″ laptop.
But it’s not just the spaciousness that makes this bag our favorite. Everything about the Authority Laptop has been thoughtfully considered. While touting a 630D nylon body fabric construction, the backpack also features a TPU coating at the bottom. That should give you enough confidence to set the bag anywhere, including a wet spot.
Inside, you get two sections. The front compartment is segmented, allowing you to organize items by size, from pens and notebooks to sunglasses and power banks. It also includes a mesh pouch for stashing cables, dongles, and power cords.
As for the laptop compartment, Timbuk2 keeps things simple. Dense padding protects your tech, and you can access your laptop inside or out.
Outside, the bag has two external pockets — one for storing a phone and another for stashing your keys, wallets, and other items you need within easy reach. There’s also a water bottle pocket, although it’s not designed for bulkier bottles. For comfort, the bag has padded straps and grab handles — enough for everyday commutes.
JanSport Right Pack Premium
Best laptop backpack for students
Laptops already cost an arm and a leg. If you’re looking for a more accessible backpack price-wise, consider the JanSport Right Pack Premium. Although it has a premium label in its name, the Right Pack Premium retails for $80 — not bad for a brand with a solid reputation.
While the bag is barebones, its voluminous interior fits a 15″ laptop in a zippered compartment, with some headspace left. Internal padded sleeves also offer protection. The main compartment has enough room for a couple of textbooks and binders.
For other essentials, you get two front pockets. The larger compartment includes a dedicated mesh pouch for small-sized notebooks. You also have room to store your phone or battery pack. Meanwhile, the smaller pocket is perfect for stashing keys, pens, chargers, and wallets.
Unlike the regular JanSport Right Pack, the Right Pack Premium has a water bottle pocket. This should keep your laptop safe from spills. But do keep in mind the bag itself isn’t waterproof.
Its shoulder straps are also straight cut and padded but feel thin when carrying several items. As for the design, the bag has the same student aesthetic as the standard Right Pack. The main difference with the premium model is the zipper pulls and leather suede accent.
Rains Backpack Mini
Best minimalist laptop backpack
If you’re not fond of office-looking or school-esque backpacks, consider the Rains Backpack Mini. A downsized version of the Rains Backpack, the Mini still keeps the striking silhouette that defines the original. Its flat shape makes the bag easy to wear even on crowded trains or buses.
The Rains Backpack Mini is true to its minimalist roots. You only get one main compartment, which houses the zippered laptop compartment with a sleeve. At the most, it can accommodate a 15″ device. To close the compartment, the bag relies on magnetic flap snaps and the now emblematic central strap with a carabiner closure.
Unfortunately, there are no front pockets here. But if you want to put away your phone or other essentials, there is a concealed external back zip pocket. While some may question its location, it does keep valuables safe from prying hands.
Rains holds closely to its reputation as a lifestyle brand known for waterproof fabric. So it’s no surprise the Backpack Mini is crafted from its signature 100% polyester with polyurethane coating. Smooth and durable, the material also lends the bag its waterproofing.
The Rains Backpack Mini is only available in 9L. However, you can get the bag in punchier colors like Pink Sky, Silver Pine, and Tonal Taupe.
Swissgear 1900 ScanSmart Mini Slim Version
Best laptop backpack for travellers
The Swissgear 1900 ScanSmart Mini Slim Version is our pick for those who travel often. With its TSA-friendly design, the bag can breeze through security checkpoints. The flat-lay back also means it can be stowed under an airplane seat. Plus, the backpack is crafted from ballistic polyester fabric, which is regarded for its durability and abrasion resistance.
Outside, the bag has an RFID-protected organizer compartment with divider pockets for storing pens, phones, and notepads. There’s also a removable fob clip for securing your keys. At the top, a quick-access zip pocket offers ample room to stash frequently needed items.
Swissgear’s 23.4L backpack is large-capacity but manages to keep your items organized. Its main compartment features a zip mesh accessory pocket and an accordion-style file holder.
Meanwhile, its laptop compartment features an adjustable divider for up to 17″ laptops and a heavily padded back panel as a cushion. You even get a floating tablet pocket to cradle your iPad or Galaxy Tab.
Comfort is of utmost importance when you’re carrying tech. Fortunately, the bag’s back panel is not only padded but also features mesh fabric for ventilation. The Swissgear 1900’s shoulder straps are made from a similar breathable mesh, and use thumb ring pulls for quick adjustments.
Mancro Anti-Theft Backpack
Best smart and secure laptop backpack
While backpacks are the choice of many for carrying laptops, they are usual targets of theft. But not the Mancro Anti-Theft Backpack. Its unassuming design lends it a low profile in crowded spaces. Most of the color variants for the bag — gray, black, blue — are far from flashy, too.
Mancro’s backpack is made from sturdy nylon fabric that’s tear-resistant and slash-retardant. It also keeps your belongings protected from the rain. Meanwhile, durable metal zippers and a combination lock secure the bag’s contents from prying eyes.
Space shouldn’t be an issue with this backpack. Its laptop sleeve offers accommodation for a 15.6″ laptop and comes with a strap to secure it. The rest of the main compartment is roomy enough to hold other items, including notebooks, electronic devices, and even clothes.
If you need certain contents within easy reach, the Mancro Anti-Theft Backpack has an easy-access front pocket. Behind it is a larger compartment with divided pockets for organizing smaller items like pens, keys, phones, and even cards.
As for comfort, the padded nylon straps cushion the weight of the bag’s contents. However, you do miss out on a breathable back panel. To make up for it, Mancro gives the backpack a smart upgrade — a USB port that can connect to a battery pack for charging your gadgets.
Verdict
Aside from Timbuk2, Swissgear’s laptop backpack is another standout.
Capacious storage, secure compartments, and padded designs are qualities shared by the best laptop backpacks. It’s also where the Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe excels, making it our top pick. If you carry a ton of tech, the bag’s segmented compartments make organizing items a breeze.
For those who travel often, we recommend the Swissgear 1900 ScanSmart Mini Slim Version. Its lay-flat design makes it easy to set on screening machines or stow under an airplane seat. The main compartment is also well-padded, offering adequate protection for your laptop or tablet.
FAQs
One of the top considerations when buying a laptop backpack is storage. The bag should accommodate the size of the laptop you own. Backpacks with laptop sleeves are also better since they separate your device from other items. It’s also recommended to look for a bag with a waterproof exterior. Lastly, opt for a backpack with enough padding to protect your laptop from bumps, falls, and other activities.
The Swissgear 1900 ScanSmart Mini Slim Version is only available in black. If you’d like a different color, you’ll need to buy the full-sized variant.
Timbuk2’s Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe has a lifetime warranty.
The Rains BackPack Mini’s comes in at 15.7 x 11.4 x 3.9 inches.