All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
What makes a good laptop bag?
Funnily enough, that question was brought to the table in my office this past week when a co-worker accidentally spilled a whole cup of coffee into her bag, swiftly compromising her beloved laptop. While it happens to the best of us (it’s happened to me twice), this painful set of events could be prevented if one were equipped with a proper laptop bag.
ShopBillboard’s Favorite Laptop Bags at a Glance:
- Best Laptop Bag for Storage – Knack Convertible Dufflel Backpack – $275
- Best Travel Laptop Bag – Mission Workshop Meridian Landspeeder Modular Backpack $525
- Best Laptop Bag for Style – Calpak Luka Expandable Laptop Tote in Metallic Indigo $138
- Best Everyday Laptop Bag – Nomatic Laptop Bag $135.99
So I ask again: What makes a good laptop bag? Is it style? How about function? What about durability? I’d argue it’s all of the above. Something that stands the test of time against wear and tear, something with multifunctionality that can seemingly do it all and something that not only aces those two facets, but does so fashionably. Does such a bag exist? I aim to answer all of these questions with my review on six laptop bags.
Within my workweek, I took these bags through my harrowing New York City commute through many transfers, rain, sleet and, yes, even coffee spillage, to the office. The goal? To try and weigh out the pros and cons, giving our readers a shot at getting a laptop bag that will best work for their needs. For reference, my laptop is around 13 inches. I tested a range of bags that vary in price and style in hopes of understanding the wide breath of bags out there. I also couldn’t help but decorate these bags with plenty of bag charms, something that also informed choosing my favorite styles. Below, you can shop some of my favorites and how they compare to one another in price, style, durability, comfortability and more.
Our 5 Favorite Laptop Bags
Kaslo Tote Tech – 23L
Pros: Easy to clean polyester, hefty interior, ample shoulder straps, ample interior compartments
Cons: Polyester fabric is very slick leading to slippage off the shoulder, limited colors, the laptop sleeve is the smallest we’ve seen at 11.5 inches.
Herschel Supply Co.’s Kaslo Tote Tech – 23L offering is one of my personal favorites as someone who was looking into a shoulder bag style of laptop bag. I opted for the Ash Rose Tonal hue, an all-over blush colorway that is more colorful than most of the offerings on our list. That being said, the Kaslo Tote only comes in four colorways, with two distinctly colorful styles while the other two are more neutral.
If you’re seeking a more maximalist bag, then we’d suggest something like the Lefrik Handy Backpack, also on our list. Colorway aside, this bag is extremely stylish with a rectangular composition and sizable shoulder straps that easily slip on and off overtop even my bulkiest coats. The tote is made of 100% recycled 600D polyester that can stain if you aren’t careful. I’m very prone to spilling, so I tend to take fabric composition into consideration when buying most things, including laptop bags. On the outside, there’s a sleeve to slip the handle of your suitcase into, allowing you to set your bag atop your suitcase for hands-free travel.
The interior of the bag is extremely roomy with lots of compartments. These compartments are big enough to carry a gallon water bottle (nestled inside the dedicated water bottle compartment). I stored my laptop in the designated laptop pocket measuring 11.5 ” (H) x 15 ” (W), which is big enough to fit most modern laptops; however, it is the smallest sleeve I’ve seen on a bag while testing. That being said, my 13-inch laptop fit just fine.
All the compartments helped me stay organized, putting every item in its place for easy access so I didn’t have to fish around for my belongings. The top of your tote zips up, keeping your belongings safe from those with sticky fingers or damage from unfortunate but inevitable spills. For $120, you’re getting a reliable, easy to clean and storage-focused tote that is optimal for work or travel.
Meridian Landspeeder Modular Backpack
Pros: Multiple water bottle sleeves, lots of pockets, waterproofed, carabiner clip for keys, quick access pockets, ample compartments, padded laptop sleeve top entry
Cons: Bulkier than most thanks to the water bottle compartments, least affordable option
While I am not much of an outdoorsy person, this laptop bag from Mission Workshop made me want to brave the elements with my laptop in tow. First and foremost, I am not usually a backpack person because I have pretty bad back problems; however, I didn’t find this bag irritating my back whatsoever, which was nice.
The bag is made of Challenge EPX 200, which, from my research, I found was a 100% recycled polyester fabric. The material is ultra-light and made waterproof thanks to Mission Workshop’s lightweight TPU-coated ripstop, a detail I appreciated as a chronic spiller. My laptop was in good hands, especially when considering the designated laptop sleeve is padded to prevent damage from impact or from the elements. What’s more? All the seams, zippers and compartments of the main bag are constructed for maximum weather resistance, so whether you’re heading to work on a particularly rainy day or hiking out in the snow, your belongings are protected.
The bag is equipped with tons of intuitive features like a carabiner clip to store keys, a quick-access pocket on the front for storing important documents like a passport or wallet. The specific bag I chose came with two water bottle packs on either side that, while extremely nifty, could make the bag a bit bulky, especially when traversing the crowded New York subway. That being said, I loved being able to access my bottles easily with a quick reach behind me. I’d recommend this model for the outdoorsy type looking to answer emails surrounded by nature. This is less of a work bag and more of an adventure accessory with a really great laptop sleeve.
Knack Convertible Dufflel Backpack
Pros: Ample pockets/compartments, over-the-shoulder/crossbody and backpack wear, hidden expansion compartment, 15.6 inch padded laptop sleeve
Cons: Can be too bulky for subway commute, duffle style made for travel more than commuting, only one color option
This is one of the heftier picks on my list that I was excited to test out, especially for long travel days. This Knack bag was put to good use both during my commute and on a recent excursion to San Diego, proving to be a grand addition to my carry on. This is a duffle style that can be worn crossbody or carried similar to a briefcase on its side or from the top.
Of course, there is a padded laptop sleeve measuring up to 15.6 inches, which leaves plenty of room for a standard laptop. This Knack pick had a ton of room with the most pockets I’ve seen on any bag. There are zip-up compartments galore, some big enough to pack clothes and toiletries in for my impromptu vacation. If all that space wasn’t enough, you’ve also got a hidden expansion compartment that I personally used to pack the extra shopping I did while in Cali.
When it came to wearing this on my commute into the city, I did notice that it could be a bit bulky at times, especially on crowded subways packed together like sardines. That being said, if you pack strategically and don’t pack your whole life into your work bag like me, this duffle lays rather flat on the body. We’d suggest people invest in this bag for long travel days or hefty commutes to the office. It’s roomy enough to carry an abundance of items. You can also put bag charms on it to beautify if you choose, which is a major plus in my book.
Nomatic Laptop Bag
Pros: Crossbody carry, multiple compartments, expandable design, 16 inch padded laptop compartment, travel friendly with hidden magnetic passport pocket, and lockable zippers, zip-out water bottle pocket, detachable shoulder strap
Cons: Two colors, less focus on style and more focus on function
Sleek, compact and chock-full of compartments, this Nomatic laptop bag is what I’d like to dub the everyday bag. When you think of a laptop bag, this is probably what comes to mind. I like this model because it is not too big, can be worn crossbody and toted around via the handles on the top, and it comes with a couple of roomy pockets that keep the wearer organized. The laptop sleeve is around 16 inches, plenty of room for my 13 inch laptop.
The bag is made out of a unique blend of 80% nylon and 20% polyester, which makes this bag water-resistant, preventing devastating spills, of which I had a few while testing this bag out. Thankfully, though, my laptop and other belongings were perfectly safe. One of my favorite features had to be the front-facing water bottle pocket that zips up neatly, keeping your water bottle safe and secure in a pouch of its very own. Something I never thought of that would come in handy, especially while traveling, is this bag’s magnetic passport pocket that protects the wearer from those with sticky fingers.
There are only two colors of this laptop bag, which may not be an issue for most, especially in a workplace setting, if you’re looking for something minimalist and subdued. Many people in my life can attest to my colorful clown-adjacent dressing so, speaking for the maximalists out there, I would love to see more colorways.
The size of this laptop case was manageable and extremely comfortable over the shoulder. I never felt like I was schlepping the bag around or breaking my back to manage. I also adore the affordability of this piece at $135.99, 20% off right now. If you’re searching for a beginner-friendly laptop bag, or you’re in the market for something standard and reliable that does the job and does it well, this Nomatic bag should be your first choice.
Luka Expandable Laptop Tote in Metallic Indigo
Pros: Super stylish, expandable style, multiple colors, comfy on shoulder, 15 inch padded laptop sleeve, lightweight, suitcase sleeve
Cons: Only one way to wear, not fully waterproof
I have to say this laptop bag from Calpak surprised me. I knew I would love it stylistically. That bluish metallic gray hue and that puffy texture called my name as I was searching for a product to test. The Luka is your standard tote composition with top handles that are long enough to loop over your shoulder, even with a bulky winter jacket on. I never had to fight to keep this bag up, something that is a constant issue for me as a person with sloping shoulders.
The Calpak offering is super stylish with 18 different colorways. I was spoiled for options when picking, and I am still thinking about that pink blossom hue as I am typing this. While you’d think a “puffy” laptop bag like this would collapse in on itself, I was pleased to note that the bag kept its structure, even without my laptop stored inside. The bottom is expandable for more room overall and sturdy, which likely contributes to its sturdiness. Speaking of laptops, this bag also has a dedicated padded sleeve measuring 15 inches. Throughout my testing, I came to appreciate that this bag, and most other ones I tried, has a zipper closure on the laptop sleeve that keeps it safe from spills and pit pocketers.
A favorite feature of mine has to be the sleeve for a suitcase handle to go through affixed to the back of the laptop bag, also seen on the Herschel Supply Co. style. This feature certainly allowed for hands-free travel. I tested it on my very own carry on and was surprised to see that the bag stayed in place, even on the bumpiest of roads. Unlike the other laptop bags I tested, this was one of two that could only be worn over-the-shoulder. The fabric is also not fully waterproof, which became a concern when I spilled my water bottle beside it out of sheer clumsiness. Thankfully, all was well.
