The Best Laptop Backpack: Buying Guide and Top Picks
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The best laptop backpack for your routine: sleeve size, comfort, organization and travel features, plus three picks.
A laptop backpack carries your most expensive daily gear, so it needs to protect your computer, organize chargers and cables and stay comfortable through long commutes and airport walks. Good ones have padded laptop sleeves, smart pockets and supportive straps. Poor ones sag, strain your shoulders and leave your laptop bumping against the bottom of the bag. This guide to the best laptop backpack explains what matters and shares three picks for different needs and budgets.
We start with our top picks, then cover how to choose a laptop backpack, the main types, picks for different uses, care tips and answers to common questions. Every backpack in the table above is sold new on Amazon US.
Our Top 3 Picks at a Glance
Our picks are the SwissGear 1900 ScanSmart for most commuters and travelers, the MATEIN travel laptop backpack for value and the JanSport 34L Cool Backpack for students and first time buyers. Each protects a laptop and suits a different routine.
We compared laptop compartment size and padding, organization, comfort features, capacity, travel features and materials, along with the overall pattern in owner feedback. We did not carry these backpacks ourselves; the notes reflect maker specifications.
Best Overall: SwissGear 1900 ScanSmart Laptop Backpack
The SwissGear 1900 ScanSmart suits frequent travelers and commuters with larger laptops, at around $59. It fits most 17 inch laptops, has a TSA friendly lay flat design that allows laptop in case scanning at airport security and includes a padded TabletSafe tablet pocket. The bag holds 31 liters, with a laptop compartment of 14.5 by 11 by 1.5 inches according to SwissGear.
Two strengths stand out: organization, with an accordion file holder and an RFID protected organizer compartment with a key clip, and comfort, with contoured padded straps, airflow back padding and a trolley strap that slides over luggage handles. The limitation is bulk, since a 17 inch capacity bag is larger than needed for small laptops. Skip it if you carry a 13 inch laptop and want a slim bag.
Best Value: MATEIN Travel Laptop Backpack
The MATEIN backpack is for anyone who wants a capable laptop bag for very little money, at around $20. It has a separate compartment for laptops up to 15.6 inches, a roomy main compartment, a front organizer and a size of about 18 by 12 by 7.8 inches that MATEIN says fits most airlines' personal item limits.
Its strengths are travel features, including a luggage strap and a hidden anti theft pocket on the back, plus water resistant polyester with metal zippers. The padded, ventilated back panel adds comfort. The trade off is that budget materials may wear sooner than premium bags. Skip it if you want leather or a bag that lasts many years of heavy daily use.
Best for Beginners: JanSport 34L Cool Backpack
The JanSport Cool Backpack suits students and first time laptop backpack buyers, at around $60. It has a dedicated internal sleeve for laptops up to 15 inches, two main compartments, a front utility pocket with organizer and key clip and two exterior zippered stash pockets.
The appeal is simple, durable design: a 100 percent recycled 600D polyester body, ergonomic S curve shoulder straps, a fully padded back panel and a stretch bottle pocket for large tumblers. It holds 34 liters and weighs 1 pound 5 ounces. The limitation is fewer travel features than airline focused bags. Skip it if you need TSA friendly lay flat scanning.
How to Choose the Best Laptop Backpack: Buying Guide
The best laptop backpack fits your laptop, carries comfortably and organizes what you bring every day. Here is what to compare.
Laptop Compartment Size and Protection
Check the laptop sleeve dimensions, not just the advertised screen size, since laptops of the same screen size vary in width and thickness. SwissGear lists its compartment at 14.5 by 11 by 1.5 inches. A suspended or raised sleeve keeps the laptop off the bottom of the bag, which protects it when you set the bag down.
Thick padding and a separate zippered laptop compartment add protection and quick access.
Laptop sleeves with a soft, fleece like lining protect the finish from scratches. If you carry a tablet too, a separate tablet pocket prevents the two devices from rubbing together.
Side access laptop zippers let you remove the laptop without opening the main compartment, which is handy in tight spaces like trains.
Weight and Comfort
Comfort depends on padded, contoured straps, a ventilated back panel and a sternum strap or load lifters for heavier loads. JanSport's S curve straps and SwissGear's airflow padding are designed for all day comfort. A lighter empty bag, like JanSport's 1 pound 5 ounces, leaves more of your carrying capacity for gear.
Wear both straps and adjust them so the bag sits high on your back.
Back panels with breathable mesh channels help reduce sweat on warm commutes. If you walk or bike long distances, look for a sternum strap to keep straps from slipping off your shoulders.
Carrying more than about 10 to 15 percent of your body weight in a backpack can cause strain, so keep daily loads light where possible.
Hip belts on larger travel backpacks shift weight to the hips, which helps on long walks through airports or cities.
Organization and Pockets
Organizer panels with pen slots, key clips and small pockets keep chargers, cables and accessories tidy. Side bottle pockets, quick access front pockets and tablet sleeves add convenience. SwissGear's RFID protected organizer adds security for cards.
Choose organization that matches what you carry daily.
Clear pocket layouts save time. Many people prefer a dedicated tech pouch for chargers and cables that moves between bags, which keeps the backpack itself simple.
Key clips and small zippered pockets for earbuds and keys prevent small items from sinking to the bottom of the bag, where they are hard to find.
Materials, Durability, and Weather Resistance
Durable bags use thick polyester or nylon, like JanSport's 600D recycled polyester, strong zippers and reinforced stitching. Water resistant fabrics protect gear from light rain; some premium bags, like the EVERKI Business 120, include rain covers. Leather bags, like TIDING's, look polished but weigh more.
Metal zippers and bar tacked stress points last longer.
Look for bottom panels made of tougher material or extra layers, since the base takes the most abuse when you set the bag down on floors and pavement.
Water resistant zippers, with a rubberized coating, keep rain out of the main compartment better than standard zippers.
Travel and Security Features
Travel features include TSA friendly lay flat designs, luggage pass through straps, hidden anti theft pockets and lockable zippers. MATEIN's hidden back pocket and SwissGear's trolley strap suit frequent flyers.
Check airline personal item size limits if you plan to travel with only a backpack.
For security in crowded places, front facing zippers that close toward the body and hidden pockets for passports and wallets reduce the risk of pickpockets.
RFID blocking pockets, like SwissGear's organizer, help protect contactless cards and passports from unauthorized scanning.
Capacity and Size
Capacity in liters ranges from slim 20 liter commuter bags to 40 liter travel backpacks like the EVERKI 120. Choose 20 to 25 liters for daily commuting, 30 to 35 liters for school and work with extras and 35 to 40 liters for travel.
Bigger is not always better; an overstuffed bag strains your back.
If you carry gym clothes or a lunch daily, choose a bag with a separate compartment or ventilated pocket to keep them away from your laptop.
Compression straps on the sides let a larger bag shrink down when half full, so one backpack can handle both light commutes and heavier travel days.
Charging and Tech Features
Some backpacks include USB charging ports that connect to a power bank inside the bag, cable pass throughs and dedicated tech pockets. Gaming laptop backpacks, like the Smatree hard shell bag for 18 inch laptops, add rigid protection for large, heavy machines.
Choose tech features that match your devices and routine.
USB ports on backpacks do not include power; you still need to supply a power bank, so check that the bag has a pocket for one near the port.
Cable pass throughs let you run a charging cable from a power bank in the bag to your phone in a pocket or hand.
Types of Laptop Backpacks
Laptop backpacks fall into four main types. Here is who each suits.
Most people choose based on where they carry the bag most: the commute, campus, the airport or the office.
Everyday Commuter Backpacks
Slim, lightweight backpacks with padded sleeves and organizer panels suit daily commutes and office work. Timbuk2's Authority backpack and Troubadour's Apex are examples of polished commuter designs.
Commuter bags often favor clean exteriors without dangling straps, which look professional and are easier to carry on trains and buses.
Many commuters prefer 20 to 25 liter bags that hold a laptop, charger, lunch and a light jacket without bulk.
Travel Backpacks
Travel backpacks, like the SwissGear ScanSmart, MATEIN and Taygeer, add luggage straps, lay flat scanning and more capacity for overnight trips.
Clamshell openings, which open like a suitcase, make packing clothes easier on travel backpacks.
A dedicated shoe or laundry compartment keeps dirty items separate from clean clothes and electronics.
School and College Backpacks
School backpacks, like the JanSport Cool Backpack, balance laptop protection, book space and durability at student friendly prices.
Durable bases and reinforced straps matter for students who carry heavy textbooks daily.
Bright colors or reflective strips help students stay visible when walking or biking early in the morning or after dark.
Business and Leather Backpacks
Leather and premium backpacks, like Kenneth Cole REACTION's Manhattan and TIDING leather bags, suit professionals who want a polished look.
Leather needs occasional conditioning to stay supple and resist cracking, so factor in care if you choose a leather bag.
Slim profiles fit under airplane seats and on office chairs more easily than bulky travel bags.
Picking the Right Laptop Backpacks for Different Uses
Different routines call for different features.
Best College Laptop Backpacks
College students need room for a laptop, notebooks, chargers and a water bottle, plus durability for daily use. The JanSport 34L Cool Backpack and MATEIN travel backpack offer padded sleeves and plenty of pockets at friendly prices.
Look for a laptop sleeve that is easy to reach for class, a side bottle pocket and a durable base that handles being dropped on classroom floors.
Best Laptop Backpacks for Travel
Frequent flyers benefit from TSA friendly designs, luggage straps and personal item sizing. The SwissGear ScanSmart and MATEIN fit these needs, while the EVERKI Business 120 offers 40 liters with a rain cover for longer trips.
A luggage pass through strap lets the backpack sit on a rolling suitcase, which saves your shoulders on long airport walks.
Best Laptop Backpacks for Large Laptops
Gaming and workstation laptops with 17 or 18 inch screens need extra space and protection. The SwissGear ScanSmart fits most 17 inch laptops, and the Smatree hard gaming backpack fits 18 inch models.
Large laptops are heavy, so prioritize thick padded straps and a supportive back panel.
Best Laptop Backpacks on a Budget
For tight budgets, the MATEIN and Taygeer backpacks offer padded laptop compartments, organization and travel features for around $20 to $30.
Budget bags may use thinner padding, so add a slim laptop sleeve inside for extra protection.
Tips to Get the Most From Your Laptop Backpack
Pack heavier items close to your back to improve balance. Use both shoulder straps and adjust them so the bag rides high. Empty crumbs and debris regularly, spot clean with mild soap and water and let the bag air dry. Avoid overloading, which strains zippers and seams, and store the bag in a dry place.
Never leave a laptop backpack in a hot car, since heat can damage batteries and electronics. Use the laptop sleeve every time, even for short trips, and avoid packing liquids next to your laptop.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size laptop backpack do I need?
Choose a backpack whose laptop compartment dimensions exceed your laptop's width, depth and thickness. A bag listed for 15.6 inch laptops fits most 15 inch models, and 17 inch bags fit larger laptops. Check exact compartment measurements when possible.
If you plan to upgrade your laptop soon, choose a sleeve slightly larger than your current machine.
Remember that bulky laptop cases add thickness, so measure the laptop inside its case if you use one.
How long should a laptop backpack last?
A quality laptop backpack often lasts several years with daily use, and premium bags can last much longer. Zippers, straps and bottom panels wear first. Choosing durable materials and avoiding overloading extends life.
Brands with strong warranties often repair or replace bags with defects, which adds value over time.
Are TSA friendly backpacks worth it?
TSA friendly lay flat backpacks are worth it for frequent flyers, since they can let you keep your laptop in the bag during screening, depending on airport procedures. Occasional travelers may not need the feature.
Rules vary by airport and screening program, so be ready to remove the laptop if asked.
Is a laptop backpack better than a messenger bag?
Backpacks distribute weight across both shoulders, which is more comfortable for heavy loads and long walks. Messenger bags offer quicker access and a more casual look but strain one shoulder. Most commuters carrying laptops prefer backpacks.
Convertible bags that switch between backpack and briefcase carry offer a middle ground for business travelers.
Can I wash a laptop backpack?
Most laptop backpacks should be spot cleaned with mild soap and water rather than machine washed, which can damage padding and coatings. Remove all items and let the bag air dry completely. Check the maker's care instructions.
A soft brush removes dirt from fabric and zippers, and a lint roller handles pet hair.
Final Thoughts
The best laptop backpack fits your laptop, carries comfortably and matches your routine. The SwissGear 1900 ScanSmart is our best overall pick for travel and large laptops, the MATEIN backpack offers outstanding value and the JanSport 34L Cool Backpack is a durable choice for students. Check compartment size, comfort and organization before you buy.
For more tech and travel guides, see the best computer case, the best in ear headphones, the best external storage hard drives and the best blue light blocking glasses. Then compare current prices in the product table above.
If you are unsure, measure your laptop, list what you carry daily and choose a bag with a sleeve that fits and a little extra room for future needs.
