The best laptop bags and cases allow you to easily, safely and stylishly travel with your laptop from work, school and holiday destinations.
Although the world is now addicted to smartphones and tablets, there's no beating a laptop for sheer productivity, especially when you're on the move. However, if you take a chunk of aluminium with you to school, college, university, or work, you're going to have to protect it. What better way to carry your laptop and the various accessories that go with them than the best laptop bag?
When choosing your case, you'll want to consider the size of the laptop compartment itself, as well as any additional pockets that could house other hardware, including a trusty charger. Then there are the handles, which are a personal thing; some laptop bags have several. Last but not least, it’s best to choose a material that suits your lifestyle, whether that’s practical and rugged nylon, or luxurious leather. After all, a leather briefcase isn’t great when it's raining and you're on a bicycle.
Whatever your needs or budget, we’ve rounded up the best laptop bags to keep your laptops and tablets safe in style.
Of course, if you have one of the best laptop bags you also need one of the best laptops, so make sure you read T3's guide on those after reading this. You might also find what you're looking for in our best backpacks, with options for school, your commute, or travel.
Best laptop bags ranking 2024
Why you can trust T3 Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
The best backpack for school
+ Reliable brand
+ Comfortable straps and panels
+ Plenty of hidden compartments including a 15-inch laptop compartment
- Slightly 'boring' design
Laptops are expensive and their contents are precious, so if you carry yours on your back, you better trust the bag you put it in. Eastpak is a trusted brand when it comes to making tough and durable bags, and its Provider backpack contains a padded laptop compartment for a 15-inch machine, as well as plenty of space for the rest of your clutter.
It also has side compression straps, two large zipped compartments, and a padded back panel and shoulder straps for a comfortable fit, which really matters if you frequently lug your laptop and a load of paperwork home every day. It’s great value and is built to last.
The best slim laptop backpack
+ Slim and lightweight design
+ Can easily carry bulky cameras and other gadgets
+ Nice ribbed design
- Not many pockets and compartments
If you like to take a decent camera as well as a laptop on trips, look no further. Most camera bags are bulky, but by stripping it back to the essentials the Lowepro ProTactic BP 350 AW II is a welcome exception. Weighing just 2.12kg when empty, most of the bag is just one compartment – accessed from the back or sides, top and rear – with Velcro dividers to house cameras, lenses and/or other gadgets.
A separate zipped pocket on the inside of the bag’s main lid stores an 11-inch laptop. On the outside of the bag are two small side pockets, with modular add-ons including clip-on holders for a water bottle, lens or tripod.
The best smart briefcase
+ Premium design and materials
+ Easy to travel with
+ Multiple sizes available
- Not vegan-friendly
The Harber London briefcase is always in style. It’s hand-made from beautifully soft, full-grain cowhide leather, which will only look better with age, and it has an elegant, understated look that manages to look both formal and relaxed at the same time. Available in tan, deep brown and black and comes in two sizes: 13” medium fits a 14" laptop; while the 16” large version fits a 16” laptop.
The pockets are lined with soft, suede-like microfibre to protect your devices. There’s a leather strap on one side of the case so that you can slip it over the extendable handle of a suitcase, and there's also a detachable shoulder strap. Read our full Harber London Laptop Briefcase review for more.
The best business backpack
+ Classic design
+ Good construction and durability
+ Suited for business and office professionals
- Expensive
Want Les Essentiels’ Kastrup backpack is ideal if you want something business-like but still favour a backpack. Designed for Mr Porter, contrasting textures of cotton-canvas and leather make the black bag interesting. There’s a dedicated sleeve for your laptop inside, plus multiple pockets for bits and pieces.
Minimalist in design, it’s unlikely to go out of fashion anytime soon and thanks to its careful construction and use of quality material, it will see you through your next promotion and beyond. It’s not the cheapest, but will seem great value if you consider cost per wear.
The best laptop backpack with protective pockets
+ Huge capacity
+ Tough fabric
+ Protective pockets inside and outside
- Not the lightest option
This urban backpack is all about a laptop sleeve capable of holding a 15-inch Macbook Pro in a (slightly elevated) section that also houses a padded sleeve for a tablet and a zipped mesh pocket for cables and pens, but there are plenty of other reasons to love it. The tough fabric is one; as well as being waterproof and durable, it’s reasonably lightweight (the bag only weighs 1.09 kg when empty).
If you have valuable gadgets, there's a crush-proof SafeZone pocket for storing sunglasses, and possibly a phone, essential if you are one to chuck your bag rather than place it down. In use, the 20-litre capacity Crossover has plenty of room inside and out.
The best stylish laptop bag
+ Perfect for impersonating Indiana Jones
+ Luxurious leather materials
+ Spacious
- Not vegan-friendly
If you fancy yourself as more of an Indiana Jones than a Don Draper at work, you might want to consider a camel twill briefcase. A little structured but a lot stylish, the Filson bag is crafted in Seattle from a ‘rugged twill’ that’s resistant to water and wear. It’s also trimmed with resilient bridle leather for a touch of luxury.
The spacious interior is fitted with three handy compartments and precisely sized to meet airline carry-on requirements, while there are two top handles and a detachable shoulder strap so you can use it how you like.
The best cheap laptop briefcase
+ Affordable
+ Slim and lightweight
+ Plenty of room
- Not the most stylish option
CityLite shoulder bag is slim and lightweight, featuring a spacious main compartment with room for additional notebooks or paperwork, and a front accessory pocket to save you fumbling for a pen or mouse during a meeting. It’s got soft feel handles and a padded shoulder strap or comfort, which isn’t bad for its diminutive price tag. The only drawback is that it doesn’t look very fashionable. But if you’re after a simple bag that looks business-like without making a big investment, this case is a winner.
The best tote laptop backpack
+ Attractive tote design
+ Lightweight yet sturdy
+ Padded 15-inch laptop compartment
- Zips could be better
The Knomo Reykjavik tote backpack is stylish while providing plenty of storage space for your devices. Crafted from lightweight, splash-resistant polyester and hard-wearing leather trim for protection and strength, it’s built to last.
There’s a padded section to protect any laptop up to 15 inches, as well as a main compartment with a contrasting lining and two mesh pockets for wires and small accessories. If that’s not enough space to stash essentials, there are also two pockets with zip fastenings.
The best designer laptop briefcase
+ Professional looking design
+ Textured leather
+ Zipped pockets
- Expensive
Paul Smith’s signature stripes are a classic. This briefcase is trimmed with slim rainbow bands along the top handles, adding plenty of personality to an otherwise plain leather briefcase, while remaining subtle and professional looking.
Made from durable textured leather it will wear incredibly well, while its padded internal sleeve will keep your laptop in top condition. The bag has two top handles, two-zip fastening and lots of zipped pockets.
How we test the best laptop bags
To test the best laptop bags, we spend a week or longer testing the latest laptop bags, and the review process is fairly straightforward – we carry them everywhere with us, during business trips, commutes into the office, and generally carry our stuff everywhere. This helps us see how comfortable and practical they are, and how much or little they can carry.
Once the initial review period is over, we publish our review, giving the laptop bag a star rating, and adding an abridged review to this guide (if we think it's worth a place, of course). If it's really good, we might be lucky enough to keep the laptop bag and carry on using it, so we'll update our recommendation if we discover anything interesting after extended usage.