Laptops are a quintessential part of life for millions of people around the globe. Whether they’re being put to use for work, school, or gaming, they can get pretty expensive. Naturally, people want to protect their laptops, but that can be tough when they need to be lugged back and forth between activities. For that reason alone, a tough laptop bag is a necessity of modern life.
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Timbuk2 Authority Deluxe Laptop Backpack
Best Overall Laptop Bag
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Lenovo Laptop Messenger Bag T210
Best Budget Laptop Bag
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Timbuk2 x Astro Gaming BP35 Backpack
Best Premium Laptop Bag
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Tomtoc 360 Protective Laptop Shoulder Bag
Best Small Laptop Bag
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Sinaliy Travel Backpack
Best Laptop Bag for Travel
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However, that’s not the only reason to pick up a high-quality laptop bag. Laptop bags can help users get organized, make travel easier, and set the right tone for busy professionals. From students with compact Chromebooks to consultants who are frequently subjected to the TSA, these top laptop bags are ready to serve specific needs while keeping devices safe from damage.
How to Find the Best Laptop Bags
Finding a durable, convenient laptop bag can be a bit of a challenge, but it’s important to take care when traveling with such an expensive item. High prices don’t always mean better quality. Instead, commuters should consider these key factors before purchasing a new laptop bag:
- Size: Most laptop backpacks and bags are designed to hold devices up to 15.6 inches long, but there are plenty of options that are smaller or larger than that. Users should determine how big their laptop is and how much extra space they want. Users with laptops larger than 17 inches may want to consider a portable PC instead, as most bags can’t safely carry such large laptops.
- Number of Pockets: Almost every laptop carry case is going to have multiple pockets, at least to allow for both the laptop and a mouse to be stored. Users should consider whether they need to store anything else in their bag, such as a second PC monitor, wireless headphones, or other personal items like water bottles.
- Ergonomics: Taking care of ergonomic health is at the forefront of the minds of many PC users. Laptop users should think about how much they carry with them and how far they will travel with their bags. Cross-body bags are good for light loads and short commutes, while laptop backpacks are the only way to stay comfortable while carrying a lot of equipment or going through travel security.
- Material: A laptop bag is useless without good built-in protection for the device. Users should ensure that their chosen laptop bag has protective edges, particularly on the corners. Aside from drop resistance, a good laptop bag should offer some amount of water resistance and durable stitching along the handles and straps.
Game Rant’s Picks for the Best Laptop Bags in 2024
Timbuk2 Authority Deluxe Laptop Backpack
Best Overall Laptop Bag
The Timbuk2 Authority Deluxe Laptop Backpack is designed with premium materials, helping users stay organized and ready to work at home or away. Padded backpack straps and grab handles combine with an air mesh back panel for ultimate comfort. The padded laptop sleeve holds up to a 17-inch laptop and can be accessed inside or out, while an internal organizer keeps key accessories safe and at the ready.
- Holds up to 17″ laptops
- Thick, protective padding for each layer
- Highly durable material
Although some may balk at a backpack that costs over $100, the Timbuk2 Authority laptop backpack is money well spent. The stylishly simple design may not look too impressive at first glance, but a closer look reveals incredible storage space and reliable durability that earns the Timbuk2 Authority its place as the best laptop bag on the market.
The main laptop slot can hold devices up to 17 inches large and sits against the back of the bag, keeping it safely sandwiched between the user and multiple layers of protection. Two more compartments offer storage space closer to the front of the bag, each providing several pockets, including a zippered mesh one.
Made with 100% recycled materials, all of the outer edges feature foam protection, with the back additionally offering mesh ventilation to keep users cool. Most of the bag is only slightly water-resistant and easy to clean, though the bottom of the bag features a water-resistant “boot.” On top of all that, the bag is highly adjustable, complete with a removable sternum strap and luggage pass-through slots for more intense travel needs. While the water bottle slot could be a bit larger, regardless of whether the bag is needed for a gaming event or a business meeting, the Timbuk2 Authority laptop backpack is the best option for most people.
Lenovo Laptop Messenger Bag T210
Best Budget Laptop Bag
The Lenovo Laptop T210 messenger bag is the perfect computer carrying case for anyone looking for a sleek, modern, relaxed bag. The convenient shoulder bag design is large enough to hold any brand of computer up to 17″ while keeping users comfortable with a padded strap. The large main area also has room for books, tablets, and other accessories. Meanwhile, smaller internal pockets can hold business cards, mobile devices, and other helpful tools.
- Brand
- Lenovo
- Material
- Polyester
- Dimensions
- 16.9″ x 12.8″ x 2.4″
- Color
- Black
- Three different sizes available
- Less than $20
- Water-resistant fabric
Lenovo is well-known for its capable work laptops, so it should come as no surprise that they also have a great laptop bag available. What is surprising is the extremely low cost; the Lenovo T210 shoulder bag is less than $20. Despite the bargain pricing, the T210 bag can carry some of the biggest gaming laptops, offering a main compartment suitable for laptops up to 17 inches.
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Although there’s plenty of room for big screens, the bag itself is fairly compact, providing just a few extra pockets besides the main laptop one, which includes a Velcro strap to keep the device from shifting too much. With both handles and a cross-body strap, users can be as mobile or professional as they like, making the sleek bag ideal for any setting.
Perfect for users who want to stay organized between short commutes and do most of their work digitally, this budget laptop bag is one of the best in the business. The affordable price comes without many caveats too, keeping laptops protected with multi-layered padding and a fully water-resistant exterior.
Timbuk2 x Astro Gaming BP35 Backpack
Best Premium Laptop Bag
Loaded with specifically designed pockets and 35 liters of total capacity, the BP35 can pack a world of gear, from two laptops and a tablet to your Astro headphones and mix amp to chargers, cords, arcade sticks, and more. Plus, there’s room for enough clothes, kicks, and necessities for weekend travel to the arena. If you’re ready to log off, load up, and roll out, we’ve got your back.
- Brand
- Timbuk2
- Dimensions
- 10.63 x 7.87 x 17.72 inches
- Capacity
- 35L
- Lots of specialized compartments
- Sleek and secure design
- Fully water-resistant
Timbuk2’s partnership with Astro, the famed gaming headset manufacturer, offers gamers a seriously prestigious and durable laptop bag option. Designed to secure a variety of gaming accessories, the BP35 gaming laptop backpack has two main compartments with dedicated slots for all kinds of devices.
The laptop compartment comes with a fairly standard laptop slot, plus room for loose items, such as power cords or a change of clothes. The accessories compartment has easily accessible pockets for controllers, power banks, and even a strap for hanging a gaming headset. Perfect for laptop users on the go, the fabric is all water-resistant, with even the water bottle slots featuring zippers to keep out the elements.
It could be a bit more compact and offer some extra security for the easy-access front pockets. However, all in all, the Timbuk2 x Astro BP35 Gaming Backpack is the best option for laptop users, gamer or not, who want an all-encompassing bag they can depend on for years.
Tomtoc 360 Protective Laptop Shoulder Bag
Best Small Laptop Bag
The Tomtoc laptop shoulder bag features CornerArmor technology with four corner protectors, highly resilient edges, high-density padding, and water-resistant fabric to protect devices from inevitable bumps, dents, scratches, and water spills. The laptop case has two separate compartments with several small pockets, plus a strap for an Airtag or key. It can also keep electronic accessories, such as chargers, cables, USB hubs, and Kindles organized. In addition, a hidden pocket on the back allows users to store personal belongings for easy access while remaining secure.
- Brand
- Tomtoc
- Dimensions
- 15.94 x 11.42 x 1.26 inches
- Number of Colors/Patterns
- 4
- Max. Laptop Size
- 17.3″
- Compact design is easy to carry
- Very protective padding inside and out
- Plush inner lining
Similar to the Lenovo offering, the Tomtoc 360 Protective Laptop Shoulder Bag uses a minimalist design to protect laptops in a convenient, compact case. Sporting a fairly affordable price, there are a few significant advantages the Tomtoc laptop bag has over the budget Lenovo satchel.
First and foremost are the ultra-durable protective layers that wrap around the sides of the bag, which implement shock absorption and additional “Cornerarmor x4” technology on each corner to protect against drops. The main pocket of the bag is meant only for laptops up to 17.3 inches and is lined with a super soft, plush lining that prevents any scratches. Users still get additional storage for things like wireless mice and earbuds, but they’re on the front of the bag rather than inside it, making it easy to access small items without having to expose laptops to the outside world.
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Users who have a lot to carry with their laptops will want to pass on this one, but those who want a light and unobtrusive laptop bag can’t go wrong with the Tomtoc 360 Protective Laptop Shoulder Bag.
Sinaliy Travel Backpack
Best Laptop Bag for Travel
The Sinaliy Travel backpack features a spacious capacity with a reasonable partition, including a padded notebook and tablet compartment ideal for a 16″ laptop and a 12.9” iPad. The bag also includes a wet layer design in the main compartment for storing toiletries, with multi-functional storage bags outside to store sunglasses, keys, magazines, and more. This backpack is designed with hide-away shoulder straps, while the luggage strap provides a more flexible carrying experience.
- Brand
- Sinaliy
- Dimensions
- 7.87 x 11.8 x 17 inches
- Color
- White, Black, Blue, Green, Light Blue, Purple, Pink
- Capacity
- 35L
- Extremely spacious
- Includes compartment for liquids
- Available in a wide variety of colors
- Way too big for daily commuters
Airline baggage fees are getting crazier by the day, but so are super-efficient carry-on bags. Enter the Sinaliy Travel Backpack, the best laptop bag for air travel and other short trips. The bag is the equivalent of an 18-inch suitcase yet offers the versatility to be carried around almost anywhere, with multiple handles, two sturdy hideaway backpack straps, and luggage pass-through slots for fitting onto rolling bags.
It’s definitely overkill for daily commuters, but frequent travelers will make their lives easier by using this bag. The waterproof exterior protects three main compartments, plus a side water bottle pocket. The main section can hold up to five days’ worth of clothes, plus a pair of shoes! Opposite the clothing side of this compartment is also a waterproof toiletries bag and a mesh compartment for smaller, drier accessories.
The other two compartments are just as spacious. The first section, nestled in the middle of the bag, has slots for both laptops and iPads, plus room for a book. The front compartment is meant for storing things travelers might often need but don’t want to just hang out, such as sunglasses, passports, and pens. That front compartment comes complete with tight pockets and even a zippered pocket ideal for small accessories like chapstick.
Perhaps most amazing of all is the fact that users can really pack this laptop bag to the brim without turning it into a giant turtle shell. Considering how much can be stuffed into this laptop bag, that’s an incredible feat.
AMBOR Travel Laptop Backpack
Best Laptop Bag for Commuting
The AMBOR Travel Laptop Backpack applies anti-theft design technology to protect laptops during daily commutes. The USB charging backpack is convenient for carrying laptops, tablets, and PC accessories that users might need throughout the day. With locking zippers and spacious compartments, this backpack is ideal for secure travel to and from work or school.
- Brand
- AMBOR
- Material
- Polyester
- Dimensions
- 19.5 x 12.5 x 5.3 inches
- Color
- Black, Blue, Green, White, Purple, Red, Flowers
- Locking zippers
- Anti-theft back pocket
- Can fit up to 17.3″ laptops
- Not ideal for carrying small, loose accessories
For those on the move who don’t quite need the massive amount of storage offered by the Sinaliy option, the Ambor Travel Laptop Backpack is a fantastic choice at an incredibly affordable price. Available in seven different colors and two sizes, this dual-compartment laptop backpack can hold laptops as large as 18.4 inches.
The main laptop pocket includes a stabilizing strap and an additional slot for tablets or handheld consoles. The front-most pocket allows for document storage and offers multiple pockets, both zippered and not, that are ideal for holding pens, headphones, calculators, and more. The internal pockets and the water bottle slot could be a bit larger, but for just $30, it’s hard to complain about much with this laptop bag.
A few key features make the bag uniquely well-suited to daily commuting on trains or other public transit, including the water-resistant fabric. While getting the bag fully wet isn’t recommended, a few spills can be easily guarded against. The metal zippers that allow access to the laptop compartment come with a numerical lock that’s quick enough to open yet impossible for someone who doesn’t know the passcode to open easily, keeping the bag’s contents safe from pickpockets. Along the back is a breathable mesh and an extra zippered pocket for keeping really important small things completely safe from theft. With sturdy construction, anti-theft features, and adjustable straps for ergonomic comfort, this Ambor backpack is the best laptop bag for daily commuting in 2024.
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FAQ
Q: What is the most comfortable way to carry a laptop?
Laptop backpacks are the most comfortable way to carry laptops, as they offer superior ergonomic support through the wide straps and even distribution of weight.
Q: What is the most important factor when choosing a laptop bag?
The most important factor for laptop bags is the material, which should be thickly padded and durable enough to protect devices from drops and spills.
Q: Do I really need a laptop bag?
People who often move their laptop between locations should definitely get a laptop bag. Laptop bags are the best way to prevent damage through drops and spills. Normal bags and totes will not offer much protection at all, but are acceptable for carrying laptops a few times.
