The 11 Best Laptop Bags of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Stubble & Co. The Everyday Backpack

View on Stubbleandco.com

There's a lot about this backpack from Stubble & Co. that sets it above the rest. First and foremost, it's a great everyday backpack for commuters thanks to the dedicated laptop sleeve. The slim design has a professional look, but we still found plenty of space during testing to stash headphones, a charger, a jacket, a water bottle, a notebook, and a mini toiletry case.

It's incredibly easy to keep organized — as our testing editor Jackie Cucco put it, "this backpack is going to pocket city." The main compartment has six pockets of different sizes, and around the rest of the bag you'll find two mini pockets and another large front pocket. There are also two water bottle pockets on the outside. If the sleek style and abundance of pockets weren't enough, the backpack is also waterproof to protect your things from rainfall on your way to work (we even held it under multiple showerheads in our T+L lab with tissue paper inside to see if anything leaked through, and it stayed perfect dry).

The Details: 18.1 x 11.8 x 5.5 inches | 2.2 pounds | Recycled PET, 3D poly air mesh | Waterproof | Fits up to 16-inch laptop

Best Weekender

Away Everywhere Bag

$245 at Away Travel

This may be a weekender, but we found it was able to fit more than just a couple days worth of clothing and accessories during our tests. It’s also designed like a suitcase with a clamshell-style opening, so packing and accessing your belongings is super convenient. Keep your laptop and an additional tech device in the padded pocket with a magnetic opening, and stow your phone wallet or passport holder in the small outer pocket secured with a strap. There are also plenty more pockets and compartments inside, so your belongings will not end up in a messy pile. While this Away weekender does come with a shoulder strap, it’s not padded, and carrying the bag by the handles can get a little uncomfortable after a while. But this is why the trolley strap is handy — just slip the backpack right over your carry-on’s telescoping handle instead.

The Details: 20.9 x 11.8 x 9.4 inches | 3.8 pounds | Nylon, leather | Fits up to 15-inch laptop

Best Carry-on

July Carry On Pro SnapSleeve

View on July.com

Most carry-on suitcases do not have a dedicated laptop sleeve, and we love that this one has a removable one that directly attaches to the suitcase via magnets and clips. Once you do a couple of practice runs on how to correctly do that (there is an audible click when it's in place), it's smooth sailing from then on. The mechanism seemed to work really well in holding the sleeve in place. We only saw it fly off the shell after we threw the carry-on several times off a counter in our testing lab.

We were impressed with the suitcase’s internal compression panels because the carry-on itself is pretty sleek and compact (it would easily fit in the overhead bin), but that didn't result in any less storage space. Since the laptop sleeve is located on the front of the bag, it doesn’t intervene with any of your interior packing space. It also features a sleeve within the laptop case, so you are left with extra space for other items like magazines or documents.

The Details: 21.5 x 15 x 8.5 inches | 9.5 pounds | Polycarbonate | Fits up to 16-inch laptop

Best Personal Item

MZ Wallace Nik

View on Mzwallace.com

This stylish bag's storage system blew us away: from the laptop pocket with a snap closure to the many smaller compartments and pockets, this bag really helps you stay organized while maximizing the available packing space. You can easily fit a two- or four-day worth of essentials in it and still be able to carry it around with ease. The reason? The quilted material is lightweight and provides cushioning for the items inside, ensuring their protection and your comfort on the go. You can also fit it underneath an airplane set, making this your personal item bag to supplement a carry-on or checked suitcase.

The extra long handles allow you to carry it on your shoulder, but there's also a removable shoulder strap and a back strap that helps you attach it to a suitcase. This bag is a multitasker that deserves a spot in your luggage collection, but most importantly, it is so well-made and durable that it's definitely worth the investment. 

The Details: 17 x 7 x 12 inches | 2.1 pounds | REC Oxford | Fits up to 16-inch laptop

Best Duffel

Dagne Dover Landon Carryall Bag

$185 at Nordstrom View on Dagnedover.com $185 at Shopbop.com

We found this to be the ultimate travel duffel that also happens to be the perfect bag to store your laptop as it has a roomy media compartment that closes with a Velcro strap so it stays flat when not in use. This style comes in five sizes, but only the medium, large, and extra large can fit a laptop. The top zipper opens wide so packing is a breeze, and inside are multiple pockets for smaller items. The great thing about this duffel is it has an additional shoe zip bag, a mesh pouch for cables and earbuds, and a detachable key leash to help you stay organized.

You can also attach the duffel to wheeled luggage thanks to a trolley sleeve on its backside. The neoprene material is durable and held up very well during our wear and tear tests. However, neoprene is known to show creases with time. 

The Details: 14.5 x 7.5 x 9 inches | 2.08 pounds | Neoprene | Fits a 13-inch laptop in a medium

Best Waterproof

Rains Texel Tech Bag

$170 at Amazon View on Rains.com $170 at Verishop.com

If you're looking for a sturdy commute bag to go to work or school, this one will not disappoint. Though the waterproof zippers were a bit bulky and needed a tug from time to time to run smoothly, that’s a small price to pay to ensure that all of your belongings stay dry if you get caught in the rain. And, trust us, they will. "I use this bag anytime I'm carrying my laptop on a rainy day, whether that be commuting to the office or just relocating during my work day, because I know that I won't have to worry about my electronics getting wet," says testing editor Jackie Cucco. "The water just beads right off without soaking the fabric at all."

This bag was clearly designed to help travelers stay organized. Its large outer pockets and compartments have waterproof zippers for protection and ease of use, in addition to multiple interior pockets and a spacious capacity. There isn't any padding on the adjustable shoulder strap, so it does get a little uncomfortable if you’re carrying a full bag long distances, but the strap is adjustable, and there are shorter carrying handles with a wrap if you choose to carry it by hand.

The Details: 11.8 x 15 x 3.5 inches | 2.09 pounds | Polyester with polyurethane coating | Waterproof | Fits up to 15-inch laptop | Waterproof

Best Budget

Lands' End All Purpose Messenger Bag

$55 at Landsend.com

This messenger may come with a low price tag, but that doesn't mean you'll be compromising on quality, storage potential, or features. Quite on the contrary. The polyester material and the easily adjustable padded shoulder strap make it super lightweight and easy to carry, even when full. The waterproof coating held up really well during our tests, however, two of the exterior pockets have snap closures and don't close all the way, so we would avoid carrying anything of value there (or anything you wouldn't want to get soaked in a downpour). 

We also noticed that the canvas material, though thin, performed exceptionally well during drop and spray tests (the laptop compartment is padded), and the messenger still looks like new months after we first tested it — and the same is true for the hardware. Lastly, while the bag is only available in blue, it is certainly worth considering if you're in need of a well-made, budget-friendly commute bag.

The Details: 14.75 x 11 x 5.5 inches | Polyester | Waterproof | Fits up to 14-inch laptop

Best Convertible

Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack

View on Calpaktravel.com

If you want a bag that really does it all, this durable backpack from Calpak is a solid pick. It's filled with plenty of pockets that will keep your gear in place, whether you're going to work or going on a trip. In addition to a padded laptop sleeve, you'll find sleeve pockets, a hidden passport pocket, a laptop pocket, and a water bottle pocket, among a few more organizational features inside and out.

You can wear it as a backpack or you can use the removable shoulder strap to convert it into a duffel bag when needed, though we found it more comfortable to wear as a backpack during testing. As a bonus, the outer material is rugged and water resistant, so you don't have to worry about electronics getting damaged on a rainy day. We threw it off a table several times, and it suffered no damage. We should note that while the size offers plenty of room for packing, it weighs almost 3 pounds when it's empty, making it fairly heavy.

The Details: 18 x 12 x 7.5 inches | 2.9 pounds | Recycled ripstop polyester | Fits up to 17-inch laptop

Best Tote

Bandolier Tote Bag

View on Bandolierstyle.com

While this chic leather tote is the ideal laptop bag for travel, it is also a great commuter bag. Its pebbled leather holds up excellently to daily use, and its timeless silhouette makes it perfect for the office, subway, or restaurant. The size is also convenient for frequent use, as it can hold a water bottle or cup, notepads, cosmetics, sunglasses, and a jacket. The laptop sleeve accommodates devices up to 15 inches long and closes with a snap. We would love a secure top closure, especially if using this bag as a personal item, since the bag features an open top. However, if easy and quick access to your belongings is a priority day to day, then this is definitely the right tote for you. The handles are long enough to carry it as either a shoulder bag or a handbag for an added touch of versatility.

The Details: 18 x 12 x 6 inches | Leather | Fits up to 15-inch laptop

Best Organization

Quince Revive Nylon Large Tote

$90 at Quince.com

Thanks to a combination of smart storage organization and a spacious interior, we found this carry-all was a total dream when it comes to packing. With so many pockets, dividers, and compartments, it's easy to see and access keys, lip balm, shoes, travel documents, and your laptop, for which there’s a padded pocket with a Velcro closure. This Quince bag is also quite versatile — travelers can easily use it as an everyday bag, a weekender, or even a diaper bag (the nylon fabric is super easy to clean). The latest, updated version of the tote has a magnetic closure, providing a little extra security for your belongings.

The Details: 13 x 17 x 5 inches | 1.76 pounds | Nylon | Fits up to 15-inch laptop

Best Briefcase

Briggs & Riley Medium Expandable Briefcase

$299 at Amazon $299 at Nordstrom View on Briggs & Riley

This briefcase will be a hit with business travelers and those looking for superior organization. While the bag itself is compact in height and width, the expandable zippers allow you to fit more if needed without making it uncomfortable to carry. We packed everything on our list except a jacket, which fit a little awkwardly. However, this bag has so many pockets (at times more than we knew what to do with) that during our drop test, all of the items were kept from being displaced or damaged because there was a slot for everything. The 15.6-inch padded laptop compartment also did its job exceptionally well.

The classic black design (there is some pop of color on the inside) also features a trolley pass-through sleeve to carry on top of a suitcase and a duo of sleek handles with leather accents. Last but not least, the sturdy fabric is made from recycled plastic bottles, so you can also feel good that your purchase is keeping trash out of landfills.

The Details: 15.75 x 11 x 6 inches | 2.55 pounds | Recycled poly/nylon ballistic | Fits up to 15.6-inch laptop