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The 10 best laptop backpacks to buy now
Whether you have a daily commute to the office or are a hybrid worker, a comfortable, realiable laptop bag is a must. We’ve compiled our pick of the best laptop backpacks to buy this year.
By Laura Cooke | Last updated Mar 21, 2023
Choosing a quality laptop bag can be a minefield. There are so many things to consider, such as comfort, durability, security features, general storage space as well as whether the bag can accommodate your laptop and accessories.
Backpacks are a better option than shoulder or crossbody bags for carrying laptops as the weight is spread more evenly across the back, helping you to avoid back or posture problems in future.
So with this in mind, we’ve trawled the Mumsnet forums to find out which laptop backpacks our users recommend.
Here is our pick of the best laptop backpacks for 2023.
Best laptop backpacks: At a glance
1. Best overall laptop backpack: Fjällräven Kånken Adult Laptop 15" Backpack
Price: RRP £95 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Size: H40 x W28 x D16cm | Capacity: Holds a 15-inch laptop | Weight: 453.6g | Material: 100% polyester
What we love
- Durable
- Water-resistant
- Comfortable
What to know
- May feel too casual for some workplaces
- A little bit on the pricey side
What Mumsnet users say
“I love my Fjällräven Kånken - it's light and packs loads in, and I LOVE the way it fully opens up like a little suitcase.” Recommended by Mumsnetter crochetmonkey74
“They sit very nicely on your back.” Tried and tested by Mumsnetter Loubiemoo
Our verdict
It’s not hard to see why the Fjällräven Kånken Laptop Backpack is a firm favourite with Mumsnetters across the land.
Tough, water-repellent and built to last, this classic bag has a roomy interior and is equipped with a padded, separate 15-inch laptop compartment, plus two side pockets and a front zip pocket. It also comes with padded shoulder straps for additional comfort.
2. Best budget laptop backpack: Lekesky Laptop Rucksack
Price: RRP £20 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Size: H42 x W28 x D20cm | Capacity: Padded compartment holds laptops up to 15.6 inches | Weight: 805g | Material: Polyester
What we love
- Affordable
- Generous storage
- Anti-theft pocket
What to know
- Lack of colour choice
What Mumsnet users say
“My daughter has a Lekesky - a cheap one from Amazon. She's not the easiest on her bags but this still looks immaculate after four months of daily use. It's an option if you can't afford hundreds for a bag.” goose1964
Our verdict
Casual yet stylish, the Lekesky Laptop Rucksack has a generous main compartment, with a padded sleeve to keep a 15.6-inch laptop, tablet or iPad well protected. The compartment is surrounded by other internal pockets for laptop accessories, books, files or whatever else you need for the day, plus there’s a hidden theft-proof zip pocket on the back of the bag to sit against the wearer's body.
The Lekesky Laptop Rucksack is made of high-grade water-resistant and tear-resistant fabric, so it’s a durable option that will stand the test of time. The best bit though? It has a price tag of less than £30.
3. Best anti-theft laptop backpack: WENIG Anti-Theft Laptop Backpack
Price: RRP £27 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Size: H45 x W30 x D19cm | Capacity: Holds a 15.6-inch laptop | Weight: 750g | Material: Polyester
What we love
- Affordable
- Loads of pockets
- Built in USB charger
- Security features
What to know
- Although it's available in various colours, the bag is on the plain side
- Password lock makes the bag harder to access quickly
Our verdict
Cheap, cheerful and great for the security-conscious, the humble WENIG Anti-Theft Laptop Backpack is one of Amazon’s bestselling laptop backpacks for good reason.
With no fewer than 15 pockets (three main pockets, nine small inner pockets, two side pockets and one back pocket), the WENIG can hold a 15.6-inch laptop and all the accessories you need for a day at the office. The WENIG comes with a fixed password lock and hidden anti-theft pocket on the back, meaning it’s perfect for keeping your valuables safe on public transport. It also comes with a luggage strap to attach to your suitcase.
4. Best stylish laptop backpack: Sandqvist Roald Ground Organic Cotton Backpack
Price: RRP £115 | Buy now from John Lewis
Key specs
Size: 36cm x 28cm x 17cm | Capacity: Holds a 15" laptop | Weight: Not known | Colours: Black or Blue/Dusty Blue
What we love
- Super comfortable
- Adjustable straps
What to know
- Quite pricey
- Not 100% waterproof
What Mumsnet users say
“I have a Sandqvist and love it! It’s the Roald model in black and holds my laptop, gym kit and toiletries easily. I like the pockets on the front for easy access to my work pass, lip balm etc. and I like the understated branding. Plus, the bag is comfy on the shoulders with lightly padded straps. It’s very well made...” Recommended by Mumsnet user Chezrone
“I have a canvas Sandqvist rucksack that gets compliments. Feels sturdy and still looks good after about three years” Rated by Mumsnet user Tinkletwat
Our verdict
The Sandqvist Roald Ground Organic Cotton Backpack is a favourite amongst Mumsnetters, thanks to the Scandinavian brand’s comfy, stylish design.
It has plenty of storage space with two fairly large outer zipper pockets to carry essentials such as car keys, wireless headphones or your portable phone charger, as well as a large internal space with a 15" laptop sleeve, which is a little larger than most backpacks. Even though this backpack is fairly large, it moulds perfectly to your back and sits well thanks to the padded, adjustable straps.
5. Best laptop backpack for women: The North Face Vault Women's Outdoor Backpack
Price: From £65 | Buy now from Amazon
Key spec:
Size: H48 x W33 x D20cm; laptop sleeve measures 11.5 x 11 inches | Capacity: 26 litres | Weight: 508g | Material: Polyester
What we love
- Specifically designed for a woman’s body
- Plenty of storage compartments for tech accessories
- Comfortable
- Comes in a range of colours
What to know
- May feel too bulky for some
What Mumsnet users say
“I have a North Face backpack which was a lifesaver when I commuted. It’s tardis-like and really well padded around the straps. Very comfortable.” Highly recommended by Mumsnet user whataboutbob
Our verdict
The North Face has a reputation for making backpacks that are comfortable and built to last, and the Vault is no exception. It features a large main zip compartment to accommodate notebooks and binders, with a laptop sleeve and a secondary zip compartment for housing additional items, plus two water bottle pockets.
This particular bag is tailored to fit women, with curved shoulder straps and panel lengths to match the contours of a woman’s body. It also comes in a dazzling array of colours, so if you’re seeking something in Summit Gold or camo then The North Face has got you covered.
6. Best laptop backpack for men: WENGER Swissgear Synergy 16” Laptop Backpack
Price: RRP £57 | Buy now from Currys PC World
Key specs:
Size: H48 x W36 x D31cm | Capacity: Holds a 16-inch laptop | Weight: 1700g | Material: Polyester and PVC
What we love
- Large number of pockets
- Durable
- Effectively protects your tech
What to know
- Bulky
- Not particularly stylish
Our verdict
Sturdy, comfortable and with all the pockets you could possibly need, the WENGER Swissgear Synergy is the daddy of all laptop backpacks.
This bag is suitable for a 16-inch laptop, and its padding, mesh lining and various compartments helps to keep laptops and accessories safe from minor shocks. It includes a base stabilising platform, shock-absorbing shoulder straps, a reinforced handle and trolley strap.
Although this is Mumsnet’s pick for the best laptop backpack for men, of course the WENGER Swissgear Synergy is suitable for all. And a must for anyone who loves pockets.
7. Best padded laptop backpack: Eastpak Provider Laptop Backpack
Price: RRP £51 | Buy now from John Lewis & Partners
Key specs
Size: H44 x W31 x D25cm | Capacity: 33 litres with a 38x29cm laptop sleeve | Weight: 900g | Material: 60% polyamide and 40% polyester
What we love
- Excellent storage capacity
- Comfortable
- Strong
What to know
- Shoulder straps may feel stiff at first
- May feel too bulky for some
Our verdict
Comfort is key with the Eastpak Provider. Padded straps, a padded back and a rubber moulded top handle means it’s easy to transport this backpack no matter how much you have stashed inside. And with a 33-litre capacity you can fit in quite a lot.
As well as two generous main compartments, the Eastpak Provider also has a padded laptop sleeve to fit a 14-inch laptop.
8. Best water-resistant laptop backpack: Rains Rolltop Water Resistant Backpack
Price: RRP £95 | Buy now from John Lewis & Partners
Key specs
Size: H60 x W31 x D10cm | Capacity: 18 litres and a compartment for laptops up to 15.6 inches | Weight: 907g | Material: 50% polyurethane and 50% polyester
What we love
- Water-resistant
- Comfortable to wear
- Simple internal layout
What to know
- No anti-theft pocket
- No internal pockets
What Mumsnet users say
“Comfy and water-resistant.” Tried and tested by Mumsnetter WidowTwonky
Our verdict
The Scandinavians know a thing or two about how to withstand the elements, particularly Danish firm Rains - a contemporary rainwear lifestyle brand known for its signature waterproof fabric.
The Rains Rolltop Water Resistant Backpack is the brand’s take on a cycling backpack, with a roll-top closure and an adjustable strap featuring a loop for a bike lock or similar. The bag has a large main compartment, an easy-access front pocket and a side-access laptop compartment for a 15.6-inch laptop. It also has adjustable shoulder straps, a chest strap and padded back for added comfort.
9. Best wheeled laptop backpack: Samsonite GuardIT 2.0 Laptop Backpack with Wheels
Price: RRP £115| Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Size: H48 x W33.5 x D20 cm | Capacity: Can accommodate a 15.6-inch laptop | Weight: 2200g | Material: Polyester
What we love
- Can be wheeled or carried as a backpack
- Lots of internal storage
What to know
- Can overbalance
- May be uncomfortable to wear on the back for long journeys
Our verdict
Perfect for air travel and public transport, the Samsonite GuardIT wheeled laptop backpack is a great all-rounder.
The interior has been redesigned to better accommodate the latest electronic devices and there are a number of internal pockets, including a laptop compartment to fit a 15.6-inch laptop. A separate pocket with a soft lining will keep your sunglasses safe without getting scratched.
10. Best laptop backpack for business travel: Samsonite Uplite Three-Way Laptop Expandable Backpack
Price: RRP £90 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Size: H40 x W30 x D10cm | Capacity: Can hold a 14 inch laptop | Weight: 900g | Material: Nylon
What we love
- Smart
- Comfortable
What to know
- Small capacity
What Mumsnet users say
“It's really smart, very well made, feels and looks expensive, and expands too.” Recommended by Mumsnetter Blutopia
Our verdict
This sleek and elegant laptop backpack is perfect for business trips. It’s compact and lightweight enough to tuck away under seats and in luggage racks, but can also be expanded if necessary.
The Uplite can comfortably fit a 14-inch laptop, plus there’s an additional pocket that could hold an iPad or tablet.
Are laptop backpacks safe?
Some laptop backpacks come with special anti-theft features, such as hidden zipped pockets, in order to keep your valuables safe while travelling on public transport. But you could always purchase a security lock if you wanted extra peace of mind.
Specialist laptop backpacks come with a special compartment to store your laptop. If these sections are padded, this helps to provide extra security to ensure your laptop stands less chance of getting damaged.
How do I choose a laptop backpack?
There are several things you should consider when choosing a laptop backpack.
- Size and weight: Will the backpack fit your laptop, its accessories and any additional items you need for work or university? Or are you looking for a smaller, more streamlined bag if you’re travelling by plane or even by bicycle? One size does definitely not fit all, so check the specifications carefully.
- Security features: When travelling by public transport, you may want to consider how your choice of backpack can help to keep opportunistic thieves at bay. Anti-theft pockets and locks can be handy features to consider.
- Material: Check out the material the laptop bag is made from. Is it durable? Water-resistant? Or will the bag material need special care, for example, rewaxing?
- Organisation: Check out how many pockets there are on the inside and the outside of the bag. Do these have zips? Are there enough pockets to prevent all your things from getting jumbled?
What is the best brand for laptop backpacks?
When it comes to the best laptop backpack, brands such as Samsonite, Swissgear and The North Face come with a good, solid reputation. But it’s worth checking as to whether these brands meet your particular set of needs before purchasing on the back of the name alone.
What is the most durable laptop backpack?
There are a number of durable laptop backpacks on our list, but our top pick is the Fjällräven Kånken Laptop Backpack. As well as being tough and built to last, this classic bag has ample storage space and is a firm favourite with Mumsnetters.
How we choose our recommendations
We’ve thoroughly researched the best laptop backpacks you can buy this season including tried-and-tested experiences from a wide range of honest, trusted sources. Here’s how we narrowed it down to our top picks.
Mumsnet community
When it comes to stylish, comfy laptop backpacks which offer excellent protection to your electronic devices, Mumsnetters know a trusty carrier when they see (and use) one.
We first assessed all the recommendations from the Mumsnet community, getting feedback on the best laptop backpacks they have personally used, reviewed and rated, including their favourite models, and must-have additional features such as hidden pockets and adjustable shoulder straps. We also considered the reasons why Mumsnetters would avoid certain laptop backpacks, with ‘value for money’ being a big deciding factor.
Expert opinions
We know that choosing the right laptop backpack takes a lot of thought and consideration, so we made sure our recommendations were well received within the bags and luggage industry, rated or recommended by travel experts and industry leaders.
Trusted consumer reviews
Finally, we scrutinised honest customer reviews on retailer sites such as Amazon, Currys and John Lewis to get wider consumer opinions on the products on our shortlist. Through this research, we were able to weigh up the top backpacks for a variety of needs including commuting to work and travel, and gain a greater understanding of the pros and cons of each.
Why you should trust us
Mumsnet has been helping parents make their lives easier since 2000 and, in those years, we’ve seen, tried and reviewed thousands of products in a wide variety of categories.
We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust and we spend hours scouring the Mumsnet forums and online bestseller lists to find products that real parents rate.
Transparency is important to us and that's why we're always upfront about the research we do, and where we find our recommendations. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones that our users would recommend to their own friends and family and strive to offer impartial advice across the board.