There are plenty of laptop bags on the market that make it easy to carry your device to and from the office, but a laptop backpack will ensure that the weight is distributed evenly across your shoulders, avoiding the slouching that can occur with a tote bag. Laptop backpacks are also a great option for traveling, taking classes, or going to meetings, and luckily, they come in a variety of styles, sizes, and price points. What makes them unique is that they feature a dedicated compartment that keeps your laptop protected all day long. That’s right, you can leave the laptop compartment in the backpack! At the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Textile Lab, we test backpacks for all occasions, from travel backpacks to college backpacks, kids’ backpacks, and more. When choosing the best laptop backpacks on the market, we evaluated their durability, including tear strength, strap strength, and abrasion resistance. We also evaluated each backpack’s ability to hold and protect a laptop and other accessories, and consulted with consumer testers to get real-world feedback on comfort, design, and additional features.
Whether you need a backpack for work or for use on the go, the GH Institute raves about this stylish backpack. The bag features comfortable, padded shoulder straps, a carry handle, and an internal stash pocket that lets you attach it to your carry-on. There’s a separate compartment for quick access to laptops up to 17 inches, and multiple organizer pockets provide plenty of room for headphones, laptops, and more.
The outer layer is made of water-resistant nylon, so you won’t have to worry about getting wet in the rain. “Everything is convenient and comfortable, everything is convenient and secure,” wrote one Amazon user. Others praised its compact and durable design, which allows for easy access to essentials. It also fits easily under an airplane seat. It should be noted that it is currently only available in dark colors: black, blue, and gray.
Not only does this laptop backpack have over 97,000 reviews and a 4.7-star rating on Amazon, it’s also cheaper than most of the backpacks we reviewed. It’s loaded with features like padded shoulder straps that won’t dig into your shoulders, plenty of compartments and pockets to keep your stuff organized, and a built-in USB port for charging on the go (battery sold separately). Plus, it has two water bottle holders and an anti-theft back pocket, making it a great laptop backpack for travel.
Travelers who need to fit everything they need into a slim backpack will love Everlane’s large-capacity 27L backpack. Not only do we love its minimalist design and the fact that it comes in four beautiful neutral colors, but it also has all the pockets you’ll need, including an exterior zippered pocket for a 15-inch laptop, two zippered pockets for essentials like your passport and headphones, two water bottle pockets, and two interior slip pockets.
The backpack also has built-in luggage straps, so you can easily attach it to your luggage. We really like the magnetic clasp, which makes it easy to open and close the bag. Plus, the backpack’s surface is waterproof and machine washable. Online reviewers praise it for being super lightweight, durable, and comfortable.
You’ve probably seen this popular backpack before, and rightfully so. It’s super cute and versatile, perfect for everything from outdoor hikes to your daily commute. Plus, we love that it comes in a variety of fun colors and sizes. The backpack features a padded compartment that can fit a 17-inch laptop, and if you need a smaller capacity, there are also 13-inch and 15-inch versions available.
One of our reviewers has been using Kanken backpacks for years and raves about their durability. We also appreciate the padded shoulder straps, internal and external zippered pockets, and two side pockets. “I love its versatility. I use it at work and even on weekends,” said one tester, noting that it’s “durable, waterproof, and easy to clean.”
Osprey is known for making high-quality backpacks that are perfect for hiking, traveling, and other outdoor activities. The brand is a 2024 Family Travel Award winner, so it’s no surprise that this laptop backpack scored well in our lab tests. While it’s more expensive and only available in black, it’s designed to be as comfortable to carry as possible while also being durable and lightweight. The backpack features a 16-inch laptop compartment to keep your device secure, a luggage compartment, and multiple interior pockets. It even includes a hidden passport holder and a Travel Sentry luggage ID to keep your luggage from getting lost. Online reviewers rave about the backpack’s spaciousness and its “premium materials and design.”
Unlike other backpacks on this list, this Patagonia backpack features a removable laptop compartment that can accommodate devices up to 15 inches in size, as well as other accessories (like data cables, pens, etc.), allowing you to easily transition from work to the weekend. The bag comes in a variety of colors and features storage features like front panel pockets and water bottle holders.
We appreciated the breathable back panel, which helps prevent sweat buildup, and the built-in hydration hook, which makes it easy to store during post-work hikes. Bonus: If you want to use it as a personal item, it fits easily in the under-seat luggage compartment of an airplane. “This bag has become my go-to for work, whether I’m flying or not, because it has enough room for a jacket or a small cooler,” wrote one online reviewer.
This Herschel backpack is a timeless classic. We love its simple design, affordable price, and wide range of colors and capacities. With an exterior zippered pocket, an interior compartment for a laptop up to 14 inches, a water bottle holder, and padded shoulder straps, this bag is perfect for any occasion. One Amazon user gave it high marks: “Perfect size, love the look!” Others rave about the padded straps and quality construction.
Looking for a business laptop backpack that’s both professional and practical? Look no further than this backpack from Troubadour. While it’s the most expensive model on our list, its premium design, stylish look, and vegan leather trim make it a great value for your money. It’s impressively well-built and also features multiple pockets for organization, including a handy zippered pocket on the shoulder strap for quick access to essentials like your phone or passport, as well as bottle holders, luggage compartments, and more. There’s also a padded compartment that can fit a laptop up to 17 inches.
According to the manufacturer, this backpack is waterproof, so it’s okay if it gets a little wet. “As someone who travels frequently and needs to stay organized and professional in my corporate work, the Troubadour Apex backpack is perfect for me,” said one Amazon reviewer.
We’ve had this North Face backpack for over 10 years now, and our textile experts continue to rave about it. It’s been wear and tear tested, and it still holds up well and withstands daily wear and tear. The outer fabric is water-repellent tested, keeping your gear dry even in the rain.
We love the padded shoulder straps for added comfort and the thick mesh back panel for improved back breathability. It includes a mesh water bottle pocket, waist belt, and sternum strap for a custom fit. Surveys of college students found The North Face backpacks so versatile that they can be taken “hiking, traveling, to school, and to school.”
Stand out from the crowd with a backpack that combines style and organization. Calpak’s Kaya Laptop Backpack is a favorite among GH analysts for its sleek faux leather design and organized interior that easily holds your essentials.
The easy-to-access front pocket is perfect for storing your wallet, keys, phone, and any other small items you need quick access to. There’s a separate zippered compartment on the back that can hold your laptop, keeping it snug against your back and protected from rain and snow. One tester raved about its stylish appearance, saying, “Almost every week, someone stops me on the subway and asks where I got my backpack from!”
GH analysts were pleasantly surprised to find that the neoprene fabric of this Dagne Dover backpack is soft and comfortable to wear, and doesn’t feel stiff or rough like other backpacks. Not only is it comfortable, but it also features a laptop compartment and an interior pocket to safely store a water bottle or phone. The main compartment has plenty of room for work essentials and a change of clothes.
One tester particularly liked the included shoe bag: “It makes my commute from the office to the gym easier since I keep my sneakers separate in my work bag.” We found the neoprene fabric to be prone to pilling, but that’s easy to fix with a fabric trimmer.
Analysts at the Good Housekeeping Institute’s lab tested hundreds of bags, including various types of luggage, college backpacks, kids’ lunch bags and more.
When we test luggage and backpacks, we evaluate each product’s durability using abrasion and water tests to ensure they can withstand the wear and tear of heavy use. We also measure the weight and capacity of each backpack. For backpacks, we also evaluate the padding on the shoulder straps and the storage components. In our recent testing, we evaluated 34 different backpacks and made the following selections.
To find the best backpack features, we also surveyed backpack users to get an idea of ​​their specific shopping needs and their recommendations for currently popular backpacks. We then put the models to the test, taking them with us on our commutes to get a closer look at how well they fit and protected our laptops. We also analyzed the structure of each backpack in our lab. Finally, we also took into account consumer tester feedback on the backpack’s wearing experience, including its comfort in everyday use.
✔️ LAPTOP COMPARTMENT: First and foremost, your laptop backpack should fit your laptop perfectly. Laptop backpacks have a built-in padded compartment that provides extra protection compared to regular backpacks when traveling or commuting. Before purchasing, make sure the laptop compartment can accommodate your laptop, especially if you have a large computer.
✔️ Comfort: A laptop will add weight to your backpack, so you should make sure the backpack is comfortable to carry for long periods of time. Choose a backpack with comfortable features like padded shoulder straps and a breathable mesh back panel.
✔️ SIZE: While slim and stylish designs are better for long trips, they may not hold everything you need. To avoid carrying multiple bags, choose a backpack that is large enough to hold all your belongings. Some backpacks come with water bottle holders, shoe compartments, and zippered pockets to keep all your belongings neatly organized.
✔️ MATERIALS: Many people carry personal computers or work laptops to and from work, so their safety is critical. Choose waterproof or water-resistant materials for added protection in adverse weather conditions.
Emma Seymour is a senior textile product analyst in the Textile Lab at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute. She has been with Good Housekeeping for over five years, most recently overseeing backpack testing and surveying backpack users to learn what they want when they shop. She holds degrees in fiber science and fashion design from Cornell University.
Jamie Ueda is a freelance writer and consumer product expert who specializes in product testing and reviews. She has over 17 years of experience and previously worked full-time in the Good Housekeeping Textile Lab, where she tested over 15 different backpacks for durability, packability, and other attributes. She has degrees in fashion and textile design, as well as mechanical engineering.
This article was recently updated by GH Institute writer and analyst Olivia Lipsky, who covers tech, travel, home, fitness, and more. She frequently collaborates with textile labs and updated the above selection based on the labs’ latest ratings and reviews.
Emma Seymour (she/her) is the Associate Director of the Textiles, Paper, and Apparel Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has been responsible for testing products such as luggage, pillows, towels, tampons, and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a BS in Fiber Science and Apparel Design, a minor in Gerontology, and has conducted research in the Body Scan Lab to optimize athletic apparel for performance.
Olivia (she/her) is a senior review writer and analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute (GH), overseeing product testing and covering topics across tech, travel, home, fitness, parenting, health, and more. Since joining GH in 2021, she has consistently used her extensive product review experience to stay on top of the latest innovations in the industry and help readers make more informed buying decisions. Olivia graduated from George Washington University with a BA in Journalism, Political Science, and French, and an MA in Communications from the Institut Politique de Paris.
Jamie Ueda is a consumer product expert with over 17 years of product development and manufacturing experience. She has held senior management positions at several mid-sized consumer products companies, as well as one of the world’s most well-known and largest apparel brands. Jamie is involved in several GH Institute labs, including Kitchen Appliances, Media & Technology, Textiles, and Home Appliances. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, and working out.
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