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Apr 06, 2023

7 of the best laptop backpacks to buy in 2023

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We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

Because that worn-out tote bag doesn't cut it anymore.

We have all had a backpack that feels a bit old and ropey. Maybe it lacks the space or pockets for your laptop, tablet, keyboard and other hybrid work kit, let alone your phone, wallet and keys. Perhaps it isn't protective or waterproof enough. Or… you're not hauling your computer around in a raggedy tote bag or "bag for life", are you?

If any of these descriptors apply to your current go-to, our roundup of the best laptop backpacks is here to help. Whether you need a solution for school or uni, or you're just trying to impress your colleagues by mixing up your grubby work gear, there's a bag out there for you.

We've collected several of the most versatile, hardy and comfy options, coming in a range of sizes and budgets. We know that some of the rucksacks on our list have steep prices, but for something that's on your shoulders for several days of the week during your commute, we reckon an investment can be well worth it. Don't worry, though, we've also found some great budget backpacks under £100.

We test the best laptop backpacks by using them in our daily lives and loading them up with our work laptop (a 2020 M1 MacBook Air), a laptop stand and other accessories including a mouse, power bank, wired earbuds and other essentials to bring to the office. We check how comfortable these are to lug around on our commute and travels, and evaluate all the convenient pockets and storage options available on each model. We also look at the overall capacity, design, security features, rainproofing and more. This list is based on our hands-on testing and rigorous research.

Dimensions: 30 x 45 x 20cm | Weight: 1.1kg | Capacity: 20L | Maximum laptop size: Up to a 16-inch laptop

Stubble & Co's Commuter backpack is an ideal option for work and travel, with a hardy canvas design, comfortable rear padding and a great dedicated laptop pocket. We can confirm that the canvas is water-resistant and that the YKK zippers remain reliable after more than a year of use. There are some changes in the latest version of this backpack for better internal organisation, while the one we tested was the previous generation. We found it had enough space for all the clothes, camera gear and wash bag bits that we needed for a long weekend city break in the winter too, so its 20L capacity is more than roomy enough.

It's in the name, and this backpack is indeed the ideal option for commuters. That direct access to your laptop makes it easy to bash out a bit of work on a long train commute, but it's also low-profile enough to take off and hold when you're crammed into a busy carriage and can't get a seat. It's well-made, comfortable to wear for a long time and large enough that it'll work for a short trip or for transporting your gym kit. If we had one minor quibble, it would be that the top handle could be a bit thicker and bigger, but it's held up after a lot of use.

Dimensions: 44cm x 29.5cm x 22cm | Weight: 500g | Capacity: 27L | Maximum laptop size: Up to a 13-inch laptop

It may be called the "Out Of Office" backpack, but at this price, we'd also recommend it to anyone looking for an everyday carry solution for school or university. It has a simple and classic design, an impressive capacity and an extra roomy front pocket. We like its blend of straightforwardness and functionality at a sensible price, and while it's a shame that it doesn't have a dedicated laptop compartment or a bit more padding for comfort, it's hard to complain when it goes for under £50 and sometimes under £30, depending on the design you pick.

That's another positive about this backpack; it's easy to match your style with loads of patterns and colours available via Amazon or the Eastpak website. In fact, we're currently seeing over 80 colour options available, and Eastpak often adds more to its collection. There may be some downsides if you're after a rucksack with more protectiveness and storage features, but this boasts close to the largest capacity on our list and that big front pocket is handy for easy-access essentials. For the price, this well-made bag with water-repellent fabric and double-stitched seams throughout is a great pick.

Dimensions: 43 x 33 x 25cm | Weight: 600g | Capacity: 34L | Maximum laptop size: Up to a 15-inch laptop

If you're buying a laptop backpack for someone who brings loads of books and gear with them to school or university, our budget pick will do just fine. With this classic Jansport, you're getting an enormous capacity, a dedicated laptop pocket (large enough for a 15-inch model), space for a water bottle, and loads of zippered pockets for organisation. And you're getting it all for under £50.

It's a best-seller from Jansport's collection for good reason, and we'd recommend it to anybody looking for an affordable everyday pack for a laptop and some extras. While the capacity is huge, we wouldn't overload it with heavy items as, like other budget bags, it doesn't have as much padding as we'd like to keep it comfortable for a long time.

The top carry handle is also fairly insubstantial and lacks padding, which we could foresee being an issue if the bag is overfilled. If you bring a laptop, its accessories, a few books, some noise-cancelling headphones and even gym clothes, it'll all fit without causing issues.

Dimensions: 29 x 18 x 41cm | Weight: 730g | Capacity: 20L | Maximum laptop size: Up to a 16-inch laptop

Fitting in a workout before heading to the office? You need a backpack that fits your laptop but also your gym kit, and you'd rather they didn't get to know each other? Say hello to the answer. This is cleverly divided with dedicated pockets for sweaty workout clothes, your shoes and your laptop.

It's worth noting that while Lululemon says the straps are reinforced, they're not as padded or as strong as options from rival brands. It also lacks the padding on the back that we look for in a comfortable everyday backpack. While it's a smart storage solution that'll work for both work and the gym, it may be better for shorter or infrequent commutes.

It has a decent 20L of space, which we think should be enough for everything you need to carry for the day. We like how it also has a handy sleeve to attach to your wheelie luggage, making it a realistic option to accompany you on your travels, too.

Dimensions: 48 x 30 x 14cm | Weight: 1.2kg | Capacity: 15L to 21L | Maximum laptop size: Up to a 16-inch laptop

Hunting for a laptop backpack that'll work just as well for your everyday commute as it will for a trip? It's worth looking at the options from Gomatic, including its compact 15L Navigator bag. We know what you're thinking. Only 15L? This thing is deceptively spacious and with some use of packing cubes, we were able to use it for a five-day trip as our under-seat cabin bag. It's worth noting that we only took our tablet for that particular trip to keep things light, but we also didn't enable this backpack's secret weapon until our return flight. That's that it's expandable. Yes, it may start at a decent 15L, but it goes up to 21L, and we'd find that more than enough for most short trips.

When it comes to its other travel-ready credentials, we'd flag up the hidden front pocket that's ideal for stashing your phone, passport or earplugs, the external handles, the five internal mesh pockets for organisation, the sternum strap, and the tamper-resistant interlocking zippers throughout. The Navigator is a neat and feature-packed package, and that's before mentioning how well-padded and comfortable it is to wear. The slightly harder exterior gives it more of a suitcase-like feel, and we can confirm that it holds up in rainy conditions. We know it comes with a bit of a high price, but this is well worth it for a premium and versatile laptop backpack for travel.

Dimensions: 43 x 28 x 14cm | Weight: 1.15kg | Capacity: 17L | Maximum laptop size: Up to a 16-inch laptop

If style matters most in your new backpack, we'd recommend looking at this understated and compact bag from Harber London. It doesn't look or feel large, but it still has enough space for a 16-inch laptop and a reasonably capacious 17L main compartment. We did miss the addition of clever storage pockets while testing this bag but quickly got used to popping all our accessories inside a tech pouch that fitted well. This one is just for your work bits, and we wouldn't recommend filling it up with too much more than what you need for the average day at the office – it won't have space for gym kit and, if we're honest, it's a bit of a squeeze to get a water bottle in there too.

Where it excels is with its compact size and timeless appearance. We tried it out in the "Mocha" colourway and quickly fell in love with the look of the bag. We can understand some scepticism about the magnetic closure on the main opening but we found it convenient and reliable. We also had some concerns about whether any rain would seep into the main section but never found that it did after several showers. The padding on the straps is surprisingly comfy, the quality full-grain leather works well at resisting the elements, and the rest of the bag is made from recycled plastic bottles. If you're tempted by the old-school look, we say go for it.

Dimensions: 30 x 42 x 14cm | Weight: 1.5kg | Capacity: 17.6L | Maximum laptop size: Up to a 16-inch laptop

If you're after a smart, stylish and minimalist backpack for everyday use, look no further. This is a thoughtfully designed rucksack that is ideal for bringing to and from the office every day. The Orbis 1-pocket is a sleek option with just the right amount of storage and several clever pockets for stashing away your valuables.

We find it easy to fit our MacBook Air and all its relevant accessories inside (that's including a laptop stand, keyboard, charger, mouse, and power bank), along with a 500ml Chilly's water bottle. While they fit, we've found that adding our over-ear headphones does leave the backpack completely full, so it isn't one we'd pick for a longer trip. For work, though, it's a perfect pick that has quickly become our daily carry.

Troubadour's Orbis collection is designed as the brand's first "fully circular" line, meaning that it's not only made from recycled materials but can also be completely remade into a new bag at the end of its lifespan. That doesn't mean it isn't made to stay with you for a long time. It comes with a five-year guarantee and we can vouch for the durability of the materials after a few months of use. It has withstood some serious downpours and that thick top handle is handy when commuting.

There are a few key factors that we always try to keep in mind when looking for a new laptop backpack. We've explained the top ones below:

There's a time and a place for a mini backpack, sure, but obviously one of those isn't going to hold your laptop. We'd recommend going for at least a 15L capacity for everyday use, and we'd say around 20L is optimal for a commuter backpack.

Go for over 20L if you'd like something roomy. Once you start to get up to 30L, your bag can also function well as luggage for a long weekend trip, assuming the straps are strong enough to hold your extra stuff.

With materials, your key priorities have got to be durability and comfort. There are a lot of materials out there, but we recommend looking for recycled polyester, vegan leather, real leather, nylon and canvas. The British weather is unpredictable, so look for waterproofing too.

And, to travel in comfort, try to get some decent padding on your backpack. It's also worth noting that many manufacturers rely on YKK for the best zippers, so if you see "YKK" mentioned, that means those zips should be dependable.

How useful a plethora of pockets is will depend on how you store your items in your bag.

If you put all your tech in an organiser pouch, for example, you won't need to worry too much about these. However, we find that a good number of pockets is handy, and we try to look for a dedicated spot for a water bottle (whether it's internal or external).

A smaller pocket that's accessible is also useful for hand sanitiser, earbuds and a power bank. Want to use the backpack for travel? Trust us, it's worth having an easy-access spot for your passport and documents.

While security isn't the main focus of our roundup, it's always worth thinking about it. We'd recommend checking for quality zips and robust materials, as mentioned above, as well as anti-theft features like hidden zipped compartments and interlocking zips.

It's also worth being cautious about RFID-blocking tech. Some brands may try to sell you on this based on the idea of criminals using contactless readers to "skim" information from your cards or passports, but in reality, most contactless cards don't contain much information and instead send unique encrypted transaction codes.

There is an exceptionally rare chance of this type of fraud, and RFID-blockers can minimise it further, but this tech is readily available and achievable by lining a pocket with tin foil – so just be aware of that and don't pay a huge premium for the peace of mind.

A quality backpack is among the safest ways to carry a laptop, both for weight distribution and security. When it comes to anti-theft protection, we prefer models with a dedicated laptop pocket because you can always note where the zips are and easily check them without taking the bag off your back.

Many of our absolute favourite models (that are sadly no longer in production) were in the lineup from British brand RiutBag, which placed all the zips and openings against your back, for the ultimate peace of mind that no thief would be able to reach them.

Some backpacks, like the Gomatic models, will have anti-tamper zips as an added protection measure. If security is a priority it's also worth looking for tough materials that are resistant to rips and slashes, and bags that have secure straps to keep them in place on your back.

When it comes to your own safety and comfort while carrying a laptop, a backpack worn properly is the way to go. Make sure you're wearing it on both shoulders, as good posture is all about even weight distribution.

Look for quality padding and straps that keep that weight centred as you move around, and to maintain good posture, try not to overfill the backpack.

Simon Cocks is our Technology Ecommerce Editor, overseeing tech shopping content and strategy across a range of titles including Good Housekeeping, Esquire, Digital Spy and more.

Simon specialises in testing the latest smart gadgets, home entertainment gear, headphones, speakers, charging kit and smartphones.

Previously, Simon was part of Good Housekeeping's Consumer Affairs Team, conducting price comparison research, writing detailed advice guides and editing thousands of in-depth reviews for the Good Housekeeping Institute.

When not testing out the latest gizmos, you’ll find Simon either catching up with the newest releases at his local cinema or out shooting with his beloved compact camera.

You can follow Simon on Instagram at @simonrcocks and on Twitter at @simoncocks.

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