The best laptop backpack picks

Cart your laptop around in style with a range of backpack options.

Best laptop backpack
Samsonite Leviathan Backpack - hero
Samsonite Leviathan Backpack
From$119
Laptop compartment
Up to 17.3 inches
Backpack volume
29.5 litres
Backpack weight
1.5 kilograms
Best cheap laptop backpack
Nike Brasilia 9.5 Training Backpack
Nike Brasilia 9.95 Training Backpack
From$64.95
Laptop compartment
Up to 15.6 inches
Backpack volume
24 litres
Backpack weight
Undisclosed
Best laptop backpack for women
Hp Hope Smart Laptop Backpack
Hp Hope Smart Laptop Backpack
From$75.99
Laptop compartment
Up to 15.6 inches
Backpack volume
22 litres
Backpack weight
862 grams
Best laptop backpack for men
Tomtoc Travel Backpack
Tomtoc Travel Backpack
From$119.99
Laptop compartment
Up to 17.3 inches
Backpack volume
40 litres
Backpack weight
1.2 kilograms
Best leather laptop backpack
Samsonite Sam Classic Leather - hero
Samsonite Sam Classic Leather
From$179
Laptop compartment
Up to 14.1 inches
Backpack volume
17 litres
Backpack weight
1.12 kilograms
Nathan Lawrence
Aug 05, 2024
Icon Time To Read6 min read

There are hundreds of backpack options out there but not all backpacks are created with laptops in mind. A laptop backpack is one that at the very least has a dedicated internal compartment, which is ideally secured with extra padding and maybe even a false bottom for extra protection. Even with those inclusions, there are still dozens of viable backpack options, which is where versatility, comfort and, more importantly, the sleeve size relative to the laptop/s you want to stick in it come into consideration.

In terms of costs, you can get a decent cheap laptop backpack from around $50 but of the dozens of options appraised for the categories on this page, a lot of options were around $100, with prices extending to closer to $300 (and beyond).

Scroll on for the best laptop backpacks in Australia.

Compare the best laptop backpacks in Australia

Best for
Backpack
View more
Overall volume
Backpack weight
Laptop compartment
Backpack material
Best laptop backpack overall
29.5 litres1.5 kilogramsUp to 17.3 inchesPolyester
Best cheap laptop backpack
24 litresUndisclosedUp to 15.6 inchesPolyester (min. 50% recycled)
Best laptop backpack for women
22 litres862 gramsUp to 15.6 inchesPolyester
Best laptop backpack for men
40 litres1.2 kilogramsUp to 17.3 inchesPolyester
Best leather laptop backpack
17 litres1.12 kilogramsUp to 14.1 inchesLeather

Samsonite Leviathan Backpack

Best laptop backpack

Laptop compartment
Up to 17.3 inches
Backpack volume
29.5 litres
Backpack weight
1.5 kilograms
Starts at$119

Pricing and availability only accurate as of last page update.

pro
Pros
pro Large-capacity laptop backpack
pro Adjustable comfort
pro Attachment-loop expansion
con
Cons
con Bulkier than competitors
con On the heavier side
con No waist or chest straps

For us, the best overall laptop backpack should be big enough to support a laptop of any size and versatile enough to be a sturdy travel companion for a day or weeks if you’re on the road. Enter the Samsonite Leviathan Backpack. This Samsonite unisex laptop backpack has a lot going for it. In terms of laptops specifically, it supports up to a 17.3-inch model, so all sizes are welcome in the dedicated rear internal compartment. For travellers, there’s a back sleeve beneath the shoulder straps to slide the backpack over a luggage handle, plus the shoulder straps are wide and adjustable. We also like that the zippers have lock-sized loops for extra security, plus there’s a dedicated water bottle holder, top-mounted haul loop, and loops on the front of the backpack for straightforward expansion.

For other great laptop backpack alternatives, consider any of the other categorised picks below alongside the Herschel Heritage Backpack, The North Face Unisex Adult’s Jester Backpack, the JanSport SuperBreak Plus Laptop Backpack and the Bellroy Classic Backpack Plus.

Nike Brasilia 9.95 Training Backpack

Best cheap laptop backpack

Laptop compartment
Up to 15.6 inches
Backpack volume
24 litres
Backpack weight
Undisclosed
Starts at$64.95

Pricing and availability only accurate as of last page update.

pro
Pros
pro Solid budget capacity
pro Durable design
pro Multiple colour options
con
Cons
con Undisclosed weight
con Size concerns for shorter users
con Basic interior design

If you’re not fussed about a fully featured laptop backpack, you can pay around half the price for a slim entry-level alternative. Case in point, the Nike Brasilia 9.95 Training Backpack. This unisex Nike backpack is built to survive the rough and tumble of everyday life with some basic features. For the all-important laptop component, there’s a dedicated internal compartment, which supports up to a 15.6-inch laptop, one of the more common sizes. Because Nike is more about fitness than laptop transportation, this backpack has two side-mesh pockets for water bottles. There’s also a smaller front zippered compartment for easier access to smaller items.

For cheap laptop backpack alternatives, consider the HP Renew Business 17.3-inch Laptop Backpack, the Dell EcoLoop Urban Backpack or the Hap Tim Laptop Backpack.

Info Box
Laptop backpacks: women, men and unisex options
When I first started researching this article, I figured the only difference between laptop backpacks for women and men was negligible marketing spiel. I was wrong. As it turns out, women’s backpacks tend to have practical differences, including shorter hip belts, narrower and shorter shoulder straps, a shorter torso range and, sometimes, smaller carrying capacities. There are unisex laptop backpacks but, wherever possible, it’s always advisable to try on a laptop backpack before you buy it to get a feel for overall fit and comfort.

Hp Hope Smart Laptop Backpack

Best laptop backpack for women

Laptop compartment
Up to 15.6 inches
Backpack volume
22 litres
Backpack weight
862 grams
Starts at$75.99

Pricing and availability only accurate as of last page update.

pro
Pros
pro Lots of internal organisation options
pro Inbuilt USB ports
pro Back luggage strap
con
Cons
con May not have enough capacity for everyone
con Zippers best kept to side (not top)
con Water bottle may be a tight fit

These days, most laptop backpacks tend to focus on unisex designs but there are several options that cater to women. Of those, the one that rose to the top for us is the Hp Hope Smart Laptop Backpack, which supports up to a 15.6-inch laptop in a dedicated separate internal compartment. The main storage compartment has additional separated sleeves and a zipper-isolated top section for straightforward organisation, plus there’s a front double-side compartment. This laptop backpack is built for travel, too, with a separate wet-and-dry pocket; size-wise, it’s designed to easily slide under a plane seat. We also like the inbuilt USB-A and USB-C ports, which can connect to a BYO power bank for convenient device charging.

For alternatives, consider any of the unisex options on this page alongside the Vankean Laptop Backpack for School.

Tomtoc Travel Backpack

Best laptop backpack for men

Laptop compartment
17.3-inch IPS
Backpack volume
40 litres
Backpack weight
1.2 kilograms
Starts at$119.99

Pricing and availability only accurate as of last page update.

pro
Pros
pro Plenty of storage capacity
pro Quick-access pocket
pro Three separate compartments
con
Cons
con Waist straps could enhance comfort
con Laptop compartment organiser would be nice
con Reported noticeable sag when half-filled

The Tomtoc Travel Backpack is built for those who want a laptop backpack with plenty of capacity. It supports up to a 17.3-inch laptop in a dedicated front compartment that’s part of a 180-degree-opening system for faster airport security scanning (not to mention easier all-round access). That laptop compartment has a double sleeve, either for a larger and second smaller laptop, or a portable laptop monitor (or tablet). The rest of the main compartment is designed to be easily accessed and organised, too. There’s also plenty of versatility with the rest of the backpack, starting with a 40-litre capacity and a dedicated water bottle pocket with a securing strap.

For alternatives, consider any of the other unisex options on this page alongside the Volher YK-006 and Duslang 17 Inch Travel Laptop Backpack.

Samsonite Sam Classic Leather

Best leather laptop backpack

Laptop compartment
Up to 14.1 inches
Backpack volume
17 litres
Backpack weight
1.12 kilograms
Starts at$179

Pricing and availability only accurate as of last page update.

pro
Pros
pro Three separate zipped compartments
pro Reasonably priced
pro Stash pocket
con
Cons
con Only supports smaller laptops
con Reports of harsh rear fabric
con Water bottle pocket, please

One of the more popular search terms around laptop backpacks, surprisingly, was for leather laptop backpacks. If you’re in the market for a leather laptop backpack, we recommend starting comparisons with the Samsonite Sam Classic Leather. It’s a reasonably priced option from a trusted brand and it comes in either black or brown. Internally, there’s a dedicated laptop compartment at the back (up to 14.1 inches), a separate main section and a front compartment with a range of sleeves and zippered compartments. There’s a smaller sleeve in the main section for a portable monitor, tablet or a second slimline laptop. Additionally, there’s a front zippered stash pocket for foldable over-ear headphones and other smaller items.

For leather laptop backpack alternatives, consider the Hulsh 16 Inch Genuine Leather Backpack, Jaald Leather Laptop Backpack or the Tiding Full Grain Leather Expandable Backpack.

What to look for in a laptop backpack

The main reason to buy a laptop backpack is to store your laptop, so ensure that it meets the size requirements of your current and/or intended future laptop purchases. In terms of our contenders, most laptop backpacks could happily accommodate a 15.6-inch laptop or below, but keep an eye out for larger-capacity sleeves if you have a 16-inch or above laptop.

Ideally, you want a dedicated laptop compartment with plenty of padding—to protect the laptop and make it comfortable against your back—and, ideally, a soft false bottom so you don’t have to be too careful with how you put the backpack down. From there, it’s all about the storage versatility and what you’d want from a regular backpack.

Consider the overall capacity, number of compartments and how many internal organisation options there are in terms of sleeves, pockets and zippered sections. If you like to carry a water bottle, you’ll want a laptop backpack with at least one bottle compartment. Then there are other features, such as fast access to items that are typically scanned at airport security and nice-to-have inclusions like inbuilt USB ports that connect to a power bank.

icon-expertise

How we choose the best laptop backpacks

We started our best laptop backpack picks by sorting through dozens of options from Amazon and other Australian retailers to get an idea of modern inclusions. The next step was to use popular Google search terms around ‘laptop backpacks’ to find popular categorise, which include women’s, men’s and leather laptop backpacks, specifically.

From there, we sought to find a good mix of features relative to comparative affordability. The cheaper category was shortlisted to options around the $50 mark, while we tried to keep contenders in the other categories under $200.

We then took the dozens of contenders and separated them into relative categories, paying close attention to features outside of the laptop compartment, including compartments, storage capacity and water bottle pockets. Our final step was to read user and critical reviews to separate contenders from category winners, taking into account our own hands-on experience with dozens of laptop backpacks.

Laptop backpack frequently asked questions

Yes, it is okay to carry a laptop in a backpack if it has a dedicated compartment, ideally, with a padded false bottom and extra padding to protect the laptop (and your back) during travel.
Yes, a backpack that’s specifically designed to accommodate a laptop is worth it because it offers an extra level of convenience and, potentially, straightforward accessibility to a laptop during travel.
Laptop backpacks have a dedicated compartment for a laptop that’s generally padded, whereas regular backpacks may not have a dedicated laptop compartment.
Nathan Lawrence
Written by
Nathan Lawrence has been banging out passionate tech and gaming words for more than 11 years. These days, you can find his work on outlets like IGN, STACK, Fandom, Red Bull and AusGamers. Nathan adores PC gaming and the proof of his first-person-shooter prowess is at the top of a Battlefield V scoreboard.

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