5 Best Laptop Backpacks To Keep Your Gear Safe

Updated 12 Aug 2022

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Finding the correct product can be difficult and time-consuming. You might not have time to do it yourself, so let us help you. RevuuBuddy reviews thousands of items in hundreds of categories, including home appliances, toys, camping supplies, and everything in between.

We compare the most popular brands and models, and we boil them down to the top five to give you the most in-depth and dependable buying recommendation - so you can make the best buying decision possible.

BEST OF THE BEST

How We Tested

These products are recommended based on a thorough research process that aims to cut through the clutter and uncover the best products in this category. We spend hours looking into the elements that matter with the assistance of experts to provide you with these options.

Models Considered

180

Consumers Consulted

Hours Researched

Updated 12 Aug 2022

Written by

Revuu Buddy

TIMBUK2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe

BOTTOMLINE
Organized & Rugged
The design of the storage boxes is well-planned, and there are many high-quality features.

PROS
This bag features nine compartments for you to store all of your essentials, as well as a padded 15-inch laptop compartment and multiple internal pockets. The bottom is water-repellent. The airy, light-as-air design is aided by the soft shoulder straps and the ventilated back panel. A luggage pass-through allows you to connect it to a rolling bag.

CONS
This is very costly. The large padding might make the interior feel more confining than expected.

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Case Logic Value 17-Inch Backpack

BOTTOMLINE
Bargain Pick
This well-rounded and inexpensive laptop bag offers a lot of features.

PROS
The large bag comes with an internal and external zip pocket so it can accommodate a 17-inch laptop. A handy access compartment for loose items such as keys and phones is included. Everything from books to clothes to snacks may be stored in this spacious bag.

CONS
Despite the fact that many people adore them, some customers are concerned about their long-term durability. There is no padding at the bottom.

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Targus Drifter II for 17-Inch Laptop

BOTTOMLINE
Generous Fit
This deal is fantastic for anybody with a larger laptop and numerous add-ons to transport.

PROS
Extremely spacious interior with multiple zippered compartments to keep your items organized. Rugged handle for picking and lifting. For protection and comfort, it is extensively padded.

CONS
Zippers and the carry handle are somewhat vulnerable to wear and tear under heavy usage.

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Herschel Pop Quiz Classic

BOTTOMLINE
Classic Style
A timeless style that is suitable for use every day.

PROS
There are a variety of color options to select from. The laptop pocket is lined with fleece, and the colorful inner panel divider conceals a smaller compartment for a tablet or paper. It's not an iPad. It will fit under the majority of airlines' personal-item categories.

CONS
This is not the roomiest backpack among its competitors. Be wary of phony copies.

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HP Renew Backpack

BOTTOMLINE
A wonderful bag for people who are carrying light loads and want a professional, basic look. During our evaluation, it passed with flying colors.

PROS
The exterior of the bag is made from sturdy fabric with a lambskin trim and gold accents. There's also a handy trolley strap for taking it on the go. A laptop pocket with padding and space for several notebooks, as well as other smaller items, has been added to this bag.

CONS
There is no place for a water bottle in the design.

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Buying Guide for Best Laptop Backpacks

Whether you're a student, an entrepreneur, or a gamer, you'll need some sort of luggage to carry your laptop as well as other school items or business documents.

Backpacks, briefcases, and messenger bags have all been used by students, gamers, corporate people, and anyone in between. Traditionally, youngsters and gamers carried backpacks while businesspeople carried briefcases; occasionally, one of them would carry a messenger bag. Hybrid of the backpack and messenger bag these days are in-demand, as virtually everyone has a laptop. Laptop backpacks are designed specifically for transporting tablets and other electronics.

There's a lot more to buying a laptop backpack than picking one up at the store and carrying it home to put your things in. You'll want to make sure it fits your essential tools and goods, as well as your pricey electronic gadgets before you leave.

Look for a bag with a port to feed your headphones if you're a music or podcast enthusiast. Backpacks with built-in speakers are also available. Some laptop backpacks include solar panels that can charge your devices while they're being stored. For those interested in energy conservation, some laptop backpacks have solar cells that may charge your gadgets when you aren't using them.

WHY CAN'T YOU JUST USE A NORMAL BACKPACK?

Why do you need a specific laptop backpack? Why can't you simply utilize a regular backpack that you already own or that you may find for less? You could certainly use a normal backpack; nevertheless, your laptop would be less secure. It would just be fluttering about in the pack's empty area, leaving it vulnerable to harm.

Additionally, your charger and all of your other accessories, such as flash drives, CDs, peripherals, and mobile phones, are cluttering the bottom of that tote.

With a specialized laptop backpack, you won't have to worry about the safety of your pricey laptop or other items as much. It's designed to keep everything secure and distinct while remaining simple to discover.

FOR YOUR SAFETY

Look for reflective fabric on the backpack while shopping for a laptop bag for a student who walks to school or the bus stop.

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LAPTOP BACKPACK VS. MESSENGER BAG: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

The most apparent distinction between a laptop bag and a messenger bag is the way it's carried. Some people only carry a backpack on one shoulder, but it's meant to be carried across both shoulders.

A messenger bag, on the other hand, is only carried on one shoulder and never across the body.

Surprisingly, messenger bags and backpacks have nearly the same amount of space and volume. While a laptop backpack may seem to allow for more storage, this isn't the case.

An exception is made when it comes to accessibility. When you're talking about accessibility, the edge has to go with the messenger bag, but there's an exception. Messenger bags keep everything ready for you at a moment's notice, whereas you must rummage around in your backpack a little more. There's no doubt that laptop backpacks are convenient. Though, you'll get more versatility out of the pockets in a laptop backpack than in a waist bag.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A LAPTOP BACKPACK

Once you've decided that a laptop backpack is what you want, there are several characteristics to search for, so you get a bag that will truly help you and suit your needs.

Laptop capacity

Laptop backpacks, just like laptops themselves, are not all made equal. Every bag will not fit every laptop. That big screen may be perfect for you, but finding a bag to carry it in might be difficult.

Laptop backpacks come with sleeves or compartments large enough to enclose your computer. To verify if it will fit your laptop, check the specifications or try putting your laptop in the bag to be certain it fits.

CAUTION

Check that the laptop sleeve fits your laptop securely. It won't be fully protected if it's too big, as it will stick out of the bag. If it's too little, it won't be adequately secured because it will shift about and get damaged while being carried.

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Construction and design

The next factors to consider while selecting a laptop backpack are the materials and construction.

Another essential component is that the case is made of a waterproof substance, so your laptop will remain dry in the rain. Not only will you be protected against spills and leaks, but you'll also get the secondary advantage of being safe from spills and leaks. Sometimes they provide a second layer of protection by adding foam or a hard plastic shell to the waterproof material.

The placement of pockets in the laptop backpack's design is another factor to consider because you are the only one who knows how you'll carry it, whether for business, school, gaming, or something else entirely.

If you're going to be carrying your laptop backpack through the airport, you'll need wheels and a handle so that you can pull it.

DID YOU KNOW?

Not all luggage is TSA compliant. Going through a pre-check TSA line does not require you to remove your laptop from your bag; however, the TSA must be able to see through the materials in order to inspect it. X-ray scanners aren't sensitive to all materials used on bags.

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Comfort

You can keep your hands free by carrying a laptop backpack rather than a briefcase or messenger bag, but you don't want to sacrifice comfort.

Make sure the shoulder straps can handle the weight of everything you're putting in your bag; or else it'll potentially damage your laptop.

Another consideration is whether the hoods should be adjusted to maintain the backpack in a comfortable posture on your shoulders.

When purchasing, make sure the laptop is being kept at an angle in the backpack so as to avoid any corners or edges jabbing you in the back.

"When measuring the fit of a backpack, it should align with your lower back's curve and shouldn't fall below four to five inches below your waistline. The anchor points on the shoulder straps must be placed one or two inches below the top of your shoulders. An abdominal strap may assist in distributing the bag's weight evenly across your body if you're searching for more comfort."

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PRICE

Laptop backpacks come in a wide range of prices. For as little as $15, you can get non-branded luggage with no frills. A more costly model may cost you up to $400.

A laptop backpack may be custom-made, so if you can't find the features or size you want, this is another alternative that might cost anywhere from $20 to $200.

FAQ

Q. I ruined my laptop backpack, so I'm not sure if it's possible to clean it.

A. It may be, but you should inquire with the manufacturer of your bag to learn how to clean it since they are made from a variety of different materials. You can sometimes put the bag in the washing machine, but not always because the waterproofing function may be damaged.

Q: Some luggage, according to what I've heard, could be utilized to charge electronics through the bag. Is it true that laptops can be charged this way?

A. Not all of them. USB-powered devices, such as mobile phones, tablets, and iPods, can be charged via a backpack with a built-in USB power device. However, because most laptops require a 110V power supply rather than the 5V USB chargers, only backpacks with a backup battery can charge a laptop.

Q: I've been offered the chance to purchase an older laptop bag. Do these bags improve with time, or are older ones still sufficient?

A. Laptop bags haven't changed all that much over the years, but certain older versions may not have all of the features you desire, such as a battery or USB connection. Just like purchasing a new bag, make sure it has everything you need.