The Best Laptop Backpack
We analyzed 14,533 reviews from 47 websites to find the best laptop backpack. Sources included:
+43 More
Top Laptop Backpacks
Why Consider This:
This bag holds and organizes an impressive amount of gear without bulging or becoming disorganized. And although some people don’t like its techie aesthetic, its ultra-functional organization is great if you carry many small things and want each of them to have a dedicated spot.
People Like:
- Fits up to a 17-inch laptop, along with a tablet sleeve
- Dedicated cable compartment in the front
- Lifetime warranty
People Dislike:
- Sternum straps appear to fray easily
- Water bottle pocket isn’t very useful
- Uncomfortable when weighed down
92
Owner Score
7,887 Reviews from 6 Sites
80
Media & Critic Score
2 Media Reviews
Why Consider This:
The Topo Rover Pack combines a campground aesthetic (in colors ranging from flashy to subdued) with a practical design perfect for subway commutes. Its main pocket is basically a large bucket, with a divider for your laptop, that can expand to accommodate a lot of stuff: notebooks, books, chargers, lunch containers, headphones. Once it’s full, you can cinch it closed and then buckle it from the top
People Like:
- Size and weight is perfect for a day pack
- Large zippers and easy to grab pull tabs
- Large main compartment and smaller but generous front top and bottom compartments
People Dislike:
- Loading too much weight in upper compartment causes imbalance / droopy fallover syndrome
- Cinch type closure and flap combination do not make for a good waterproofness. Do not carry this in extended showers
- There is not much structure in the body of this bag; does not stand up well on its own if empty; may not be an issue for most
90
Owner Score
140 Reviews from 5 Sites
85
Media & Critic Score
2 Media Reviews
Why Consider This:
It’s fully waterproof, it has a rugged exterior, and it fits 28 liters’ worth of gear—the bag is big enough to carry everything a bike commuter needs but not so large that it’s unmanageable. It has a rolltop closure that allows you to easily expand the main compartment when you need to cram in lots of gear, or even to shrink it for lighter loads
People Like:
- Durable
- Comfortable
- Lightweight
People Dislike:
- No sidepockets
- The molle loops are mounted sideways
- Can obscure over-the-shoulder views while riding
91
Owner Score
223 Reviews from 7 Sites
90
Media & Critic Score
2 Media Reviews
How Critic.ly Saves You Time
When it comes to reviewing the best laptop backpack, critic.ly is different than other sites. How?
Unbiased & Unsponsored: Critic.ly aggregates and analyzes reviews from real owners and industry critics. We remove spam, sponsored reviews, and other forms of bias to make sure you get the best possible sense of what people actually think about products.
Our reviews of the best laptop backpacks were based on 14,533 reviews from 47 websites.
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How to Find the Right Laptop Backpack
If you commute with your laptop, a backpack is the most convenient and ergonomic way to carry your computer, your cables, and everything else you need for the day. Unlike briefcases, messenger bags, or totes, backpacks spread the weight of your gear across both your shoulders, which is more comfortable and better for your back over the course of a long day.
Laptop Backpacks We Eliminated
We research and analyzed 7 laptop backpacks. Here's what we concluded about the ones that didn't make the cut.
10-$199
Runner Up
Highly rated (78 owner score, 90 expert score), but a slight notch below the best.
Runner Up
Highly rated (95 owner score, 85 expert score), but a slight notch below the best.
Runner Up
Highly rated (92 owner score, 84 expert score), but a slight notch below the best.
Runner Up
Highly rated (86 owner score, 78 expert score), but a slight notch below the best.
Sources & Methodology
Critic.ly uses a combination of machine learning and human editors to help you find the best products.
We start by aggregating and analyzing reviews from real owners and industry critics. We remove spam, sponsored reviews, and other forms of bias to make sure you get the best possible sense of what people actually think about products.
We convert every review to a weight average score from 0 to 100.
For this article, we analyzed 14,533 reviews from 47 sites to find the best laptop backpack.