5 Best Laptop Backpacks That Don’t Scream ‘Corporate Drone’
Briefcases just aren't the vibe.
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Hi. I’m going to hold your hand when I say this, but that worn-out, monogrammed backpack you’ve been toting around since college? It’s time. Time to retire it with love, gratitude, and maybe a quick “thank u, next.” Because while it may have survived all-nighters, TSA pat-downs, and a spilled matcha or three, you deserve a grown-up, upgraded laptop backpack—something chic, supportive (emotionally and literally), and still just as functional.
Just because you’re carrying a laptop doesn’t mean you need to lug around a bag that screams, “I have an 8 a.m. budget meeting.” Today’s best laptop backpacks for women are way more than just glorified briefcases with shoulder straps—they’re cute, clever, and actually functional. Whether you’re commuting to your office (or just your neighborhood café), hitting the road for a weekend trip, or juggling classes and gym runs, your backpack should keep up with your life and, preferably, your outfit.
We rounded up the five best laptop backpacks that are functional and fashionable, the way a grown-up backpack should be. Here's a sneak peek...
The best laptop backpacks for women, at a glance:
- Best overall: Calpak 15-Inch Laptop Bag ($138)
- Best budget: Everlane The ReNew Transit Backpack ($95)
- Best for travel: Dagne Dover Brooklyn Flap Top Backpack ($300)
- Best lightweight: Away Active backpack 26L ($130)
- Best washable: Vera Bradley Bancroft Backpack ($125)
- Best compact: Troubadour Ember Backpack ($199)
Nice, right? From sleek vegan leather styles to machine-washable picks for the chronically mess-prone, these bags are as stylish as they are smart. If you're ready to upgrade your carry game, scroll on (and don’t look back! Your old college backpack will thank you).
The Calpak Kaya is that girl. She’s structured without being stiff, sleek without being try-hard, and spacious enough to fit all of your things without them disappearing into the backpack-void: laptop, chargers, sunglasses, two lip glosses, headphones, and more. Looks-wise, the boxy, vegan leather silhouette and braided detailing give “put together”, even on days when you’re feeling otherwise. It comes in classic neutrals and a rainbow of pretty seasonal shades (spearmint! lavender!), so you can match it to your aesthetic.
Most importantly, she’s functional, too. The Kaya is loaded with pockets that actually make sense and aren’t just for show. There’s a padded laptop sleeve that fits up to a 15-inch device, plus a main compartment roomy enough for a book, a makeup pouch, and your emotional support water bottle. You’ll also find a zippered front pocket for keys and hand sanitizer, an interior zip pocket for valuables you don’t want floating around, and a back slip pocket that doubles as a trolley sleeve for travel days. The top carry handle is great for quick grab-and-go moments, and the adjustable shoulder straps make it comfy enough for all-day wear.
TL;DR: If you want a backpack that looks good enough for just about everything, seamlessly holds all your stuff, and won’t fall apart after inevitably overloading it a few times, this is the one.
Worth Noting (But Not a Dealbreaker): The 15-inch bag will—gasp—not fit laptops over 15 inches. But fear not! There’s a chic, 17-inch version that’ll fit your bigger gadgets just as stylishly.
Specs:
- Dimensions: 15.5” H x 11.5” L x 4.5” D
- Weight: 2.8 lbs
- Capacity: 11.8L
- Maximum laptop size: 15”
So you don’t want to spend a zillion dollars on a backpack, but still want to look ~profesh~? I got you. The ReNew Transit Backpack from Everlane proves that budget-friendly doesn’t have to mean boring. Its clean, modern shape looks effortlessly cool and, honestly, deceivingly expensive. Plot twist: It’s under $100.
Made from 100% recycled polyester, it’s a sustainable pick that doesn’t skimp on style or function. The matte finish gives it a minimal-chic vibe, and the neutral color options (classic black, smoky gray, warm cream, and earthy green) make it easy to pair with whatever you’re wearing (yes, even that chaotic outfit you threw on five minutes before your 9 a.m. meeting).
Inside, you’ll find a padded laptop sleeve that holds up to a 15-inch laptop, plus a spacious main compartment for your lunch, notebooks, and probably a few rogue snacks. There are two exterior zip pockets on the top and bottom for easy access to your essentials and two slip pockets (one inside, one outside) to stash your Owala bottle. Bonus: there’s a luggage pass-through on the back for travel ease and a top loop for quick grabs. TBH, it’s the perfect city commuter bag that’ll make you look like a million bucks without spending it.
Worth Noting (But Not a Dealbreaker): The ReNew Transit doesn’t have a ton of internal organization beyond the laptop sleeve and two slip pockets (aka, there’s no zippers), so if you’re someone who likes every little thing to be securely tucked away, you might want to add a pouch or two. Also, while the fabric is water-resistant, it’s not fully waterproof, so maybe don’t take it on a monsoon-level commute without an umbrella.
Specs:
- Dimensions: 17.5” H x 12” L X 7.25” D
- Weight: Not listed
- Capacity: 27L
- Maximum laptop size: 15”
For the girlies who can’t be bothered with waiting at baggage claim for a checked suitcase, Dagne Dover’s Brooklyn Flaptop Backpack will make you rethink your packing program completely. It’s the kind of travel companion that makes you feel like you actually have your life together—even if you just impulse-bought three packs of gum and a celebrity memoir at Hudson News. Made from sleek, cushiony neoprene, this backpack somehow manages to be both soft and sturdy. It’s designed for the jet-setter, the weekend tripper, and the gal who just needs a good carry-all that won’t betray her when TSA gives you side-eye and forces you to measure her bag…
Functionally, it’s totally first class; there’s a padded laptop sleeve that fits up to two 16-inch laptops, so if you and your partner want to share a bag, or if you want to tote along an additional tablet or Kindle, there’s plenty of space. The roomy main compartment is massive and can hold everything from a change of clothes and a pair of sneakers to an vanity’s worth of makeup and toiletries (Underpacking who? Never heard of her…) Inside, you’ll find a zippered pocket for valuables, mesh compartments for loose cables or snacks, and even a key leash so you’re not digging through your entire life at the bottom of your bag. The exterior water bottle holder actually fits a bottle (imagine!), and the top flap closure adds a chic, commuter-core vibe while keeping your stuff secure. And yep, there’s a hidden luggage sleeve on the back that glides right over your suitcase handle, so you can cruise through the terminal with one hand free to grab an iced latte or find your boarding pass on your phone.
If you need a backpack for travel, this is your best bet. Even if your next vacation isn’t for another few months, this pack will make it easier to count down the days.
Worth Noting (But Not a Dealbreaker): It’s on the clunkier side given how spacious it is. For travel, it’s great! But for everyday commutes or walks to classes, it might be a bit much. Also, neoprene looks luxe, but it can scuff and attract lint, especially if you’re snacking or traveling with pets. A quick swipe with a lint roller or a damp cloth keeps it looking fresh.
Specs:
- Dimensions: 13” L x 6.25” W x 16.75” H
- Weight: 3.4 lbs.
- Capacity: 21L
- Maximum laptop size: Two 16” laptops
Heavy backpacks suck, eespecially when you’re trying to get somewhere quick. Which is why if you’re on the hunt for a featherweight bag that stashes your stuff without weighing you down, you should reach for the Away Active Backpack. At just under 2 pounds with adjustable padded straps (bless), it won’t kill your back on a long commute, airport sprint, or power walk to your 8 a.m. lecture. But don’t let its airy feel fool you—this bag is still stacked with features that make it surprisingly functional.
The minimalist exterior is sporty and cool, complete with clean lines and understated touches that look just as good on a trail as it does on your office floor. Made from lightweight, water-resistant nylon, it can handle unpredictable weather (and a little accidental coffee spillage) like a champ.
It has two laptop sleeves: a 15-inch sleeve outside for easy access to iPads and eReaders, plus a 16-inch sleeve inside for your computer. The main pocket on the front has plenty of nooks and crannies for all the stuff you might need on the fly (think: wallets, chapstick, cash for tipping your favorite barista), and there are two exterior side pockets that can hold full-sized water bottles. Bonus: the webbing loops on the front doubles as hooks for keys, so if you’re prone to them getting lost in the bag-abyss, hook ‘em to the front for easy access. For under 2 pounds, this light backpack punches way above its weight.
Worth Noting (But Not a Dealbreaker): The minimalist design means fewer interior compartments, so if you live for hyper-organization, you might want to add a few packing cubes or pouches to keep things tidy.
Specs:
- Dimensions: 19" x 7.7" x 12.6"
- Weight: 1.74 lbs.
- Capacity: 26L
- Maximum laptop size: One 15-inch laptop, one 16-inch laptop
For my fellow spill-prone queens, a washable backpack is a must-have. Whether you’re a daily coffee spiller, a lunch packer with a loose-lid Tupperware problem, or someone who just exists around mess, the Vera Bradley Bancroft Backpack has your back—literally. It’s fully machine washable, so you don’t have to panic every time you toss it on a grimy subway seat or dribble oat milk down the front. Pop it in the wash and it comes out looking good as new. A miracle in backpack form.
Despite being ultra-soft and squishably quilted, it still holds its shape and offers all the structure you need to keep your life (and laptop) in order. There’s a padded sleeve for up to a 15-inch device, a large main compartment, two side slip pockets for water bottles, and a front zip pocket for the stuff you need to grab in 0.3 seconds—like your phone or your lip balm. It also has a trolley sleeve for travel and a top handle that makes it easy to snatch up on your way out the door. And the prints? Surprisingly elevated since the paisley patches we all had in middle school.
Worth Noting (But Not a Dealbreaker): The quilted look does skew a little “momcore,” but if your aesthetic is coastal grandma or you’re feeling nostalgic, it’s actually kind of perfect. Go ahead, lean into it.
Specs:
- Dimensions: 12.0" W x 16.5" H x 9.0" D
- Weight: 1.91 lbs
- Capacity: 29L
- Maximum laptop size: 15” laptop
For a bag that can be used for everything from a work backpack to a travel daypack, the Ember is your gal. What I love about it: Despite its petite size, it can fit So! Much! Stuff! Reviewers appreciate how the main zipper opening folds down for easy access to your daily essentials—plus, it has a zipped external pocket and a separate padded pocket that can hold even the largest of laptops.
Other perks include the trolley sleeve, which allows you to slide it over a suitcase handle, a breathable mesh back panel and comfy ergonomic shoulder straps for those times when you're running late for work (oopsies), as well as the incredibly luxe gold accents. It's even waterproof!!
Worth Noting (But Not a Dealbreaker): Some reviews mention that this backpack is made of stiff material, which makes it durable but also a little tough to reach into when you're in a hurry.
Specs:
- Dimensions: 17"H x 11.5"W x 4"D
- Weight: 2.4 lbs
- Capacity: 13L
- Maximum laptop size: Fits up to a 16" laptop
How to choose the best laptop backpack
We didn’t just grab the first five backpacks off the shelf and call it a day. We did the legwork (and the back-carrying) to make sure each of these picks actually delivers. Here’s what we looked for:
Comfort and fit
If it digs into your shoulders, slides off constantly, or leaves a sweaty back imprint by lunchtime… hard pass. We prioritized padded straps, breathable materials, and smart weight distribution so your bag feels like a hug, not a burden.
Size and space
The perfect laptop backpack walks the line between “roomy enough to carry your whole life” and “small enough to not feel like a turtle shell.” We made sure these bags fit at least a 13" laptop (most up to 15" or 16"), with enough compartments to stash chargers, snacks, sunglasses, and whatever else your personal chaos requires.
Durability
Nobody wants a backpack that falls apart after one aggressive overhead bin shove. We looked for quality materials, like water-resistant fabrics, reinforced stitching, and zippers that don’t betray you after six uses. Bonus points if it’s machine washable or easy to wipe down, because life is messy..
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