With the rise of mobile business, backpacks are now more and more common for transporting a laptop and important documents to your place of work.
These specific types of backpacks are designed to not only look the part, but also to cater to the range of unique demands a business person has for their bag.
After the reviews below, we’ll discuss the key things to look for in a business backpack.
Our top pick: Kopack Business Laptop Backpack
Pros: Water-resistant, anti-theft design, ample space for large laptops, internal pockets, padded laptop sleeve, external USB cables
Cons: Straps could have more padding
The Kopack Business Backpack was designed specifically for business people on the go and is one of the most popular products on the market in this space.
It has ample storage for carrying clothes, laptops, documents, headphones, tablets, and more, perfect for short business trips.
The laptop pocket features an anti-shock cushion and provides secure yet convenient access.
The straps are comfortable for wearing for extended periods and an external USB cable means you can charge devices while you travel.
Runner Up: Lenovo Business Casual 17-inch Backpack
Pros: Stylish design, durable and water-resistant, soft padded laptop compartment
Cons: Only one colour option
This functional three-compartment backpack keeps your laptop and other belongings safe and secure without sacrificing on style.
It’s a lightweight, clean-lined bag with modern details that’s perfect for professionals’ daily commute. It’s also suitable for occasional travel.
The 24L capacity means you’ll have plenty of room to store everything you need for your day—from files and folders to charging cables and notebooks. It also has a soft padded laptop compartment.
The durable and water-resistant polyester material will keep your valuables safe from rain or spills.
Also great: Tzowla Laptop Backpack
Pros: Large capacity, built-in USB cable for charging, anti-theft design, 7 colour options, affordable
Cons: May be too many features for some people
This laptop backpack has a separate compartment for your laptop, many pockets in the front compartment for small items, and one spacious main compartment for everything else. It also comes with a built-in USB cable for charging on the go.
It has an anti-theft design with fixed password lock zippers, high-quality polyester fabric, and wide padded shoulder straps for extra comfort.
The large capacity of this backpack makes it perfect for those who carry many things with them wherever they go.
Best Value: Vaschy Work Daypack
Pros: Classic design, affordable, laptop sleeve, water-resistant, five colour options, 1-year warranty
Cons: Less durable than other options
If you’re looking for a backpack that’s lightweight and durable, the Vaschy daypack could be a good choice.
It’s made from water-resistant polyester, which means it’ll keep your laptop safe from spills and splashes during your commute.
This bag has a classic design and comes with one top-loading compartment, as well as a laptop sleeve to keep your tech safe.
Two water bottle pockets are located on either side of the bag so you can stay hydrated while you’re on the move. The bag also comes with adjustable shoulder straps and is comfortable for everyday use.
Best for overnight trips: Antler Bridgford Small Backpack
Pros: Internal packing straps, attaches to luggage, affordable, 2-year warranty
Cons: Less suited to commuting
The Antler Bridgford is a great choice for a commute or overnight stay.
The internal packing straps make it easy to keep everything organised and accessible and you can use the two internal slip pockets to store your laptop or tablet.
The padded soft-touch carry handle makes it easy to grab your bag when you’re on the go. The contoured padded adjustable shoulder straps make sure that you can carry this backpack comfortably while keeping your back well-supported. The back padding is designed to keep you comfortable during extended wear.
This backpack also has straps so that you can secure it to your suitcase if necessary. It comes with a 2-year warranty from Antler.
Incase ICON Lite Pack
Pros: Lined laptop sleeve, accessories, document, phone and glasses pockets to keep you organised, remains upright even when unloaded, fits under airplane seats
Cons: No water bottle pocket, many pockets means less room for large objects inside
Another very popular business bag, the Incase Icon is a fantastic choice for the businessperson on the move.
In addition to a dedicated laptop sleeve, this bag has a range of pockets and sleeves for flat documents and small accessories to help you stay organised while on the go.
Even when the bag is full you’re able to access all belongings with ease, and it’s great for taking on airlines thanks to its dimensions fitting neatly under the seat.
The backing material is made to ensure heat and moisture don’t build up between the backpack and your back, making it perfect for warmer climates or for people who exert themselves during their daily commute.
One other feature that stands out is the fleece-lined pocket for your phone or glasses.
eBags Professional Slim Laptop Backpack
Pros: Great storage space, multiple compartments, padded laptop sleeve, fleece lined tablet sleeve, durable construction
Cons: Drink holder could be larger, heavier than other options, expensive
This Laptop backpack from eBags features a very well-thought out design with a tablet compartment, laptop compartment, and space for plenty of accessories.
This bag is compact yet designed to hold a surprising amount and comes with L-Zips that make passing through airport checkpoints a breeze.
The design shows a lot of thought and consideration and it’s made of superior quality materials for durability and a sleek appearance.
Samsonite 4MATION Laptop Backpack
Pros: Looks great, organizational compartments, designed to work with suitcases, laptop pouch, 2 Year International warranty
Cons: Internal space is smaller than comparable products
Precisely designed to aid in travel this premium backpack is loaded with features, including adjustable straps, a compartment to make organising easier, and a feature to easily attach it to your suitcase.
A dedicated compartment holds laptops up to 15.5” in addition to the included mobile phone pockets and tablet sleeves. To top it off it comes with a great water bottle holder so you can hydrate on the go.
Timbuk2 The Division Pack
Pros: Padded laptop sleeve, multiple compartments, sturdy design, neoprene drink bottle pocket
Cons: Expensive
This lightweight backpack provides all you need to stay organised during your work day. Not only does it look great, it features a well-thought internal organiser for pens and other small items, along with a padded laptop compartment
There are multiple small sections on the outside to store small accessories, along with a neoprene pocket for a drink bottle. The zip open design means that even when fully loaded, you will have access to things stored in the bottom of the bag.
Choosing Your Business Backpack
Laptop Storage
If there’s one thing that’s almost definitely going to be stored in your backpack it’s a laptop.
The best business backpacks have a padded section that keeps your laptop protected and secure without encroaching too much on the space you need for other items.
Before purchasing a backpack, ensure it is compatible with the size of your laptop.
Even Weight Distribution
When you’re on the go you need to make sure that your backpack distributes the weight in a way that doesn’t wear out your shoulders or leave your back feeling sore.
Your bag should ideally have a pair of hip belts that are sturdy and padded so they can help redistribute the weight.
Rectangular or square backpacks have the best weight distribution and should be no wider than your shoulders.
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Backpack Access
For many people, the most suitable business backpack will open on the front rather than the top, allowing them to double as a suitcase and provide you with easy access to your belongings.
The zips on this type of bag go all the way around so you can open the entire pack in one go, rather than having to dig around through it.
FAQ
Don’t assume any backpack will fit a 17 inch laptop. Look for one that specifically states that it has a 17 inch laptop sleeve.
A 17-inch laptop will usually have dimensions of something like 40cm x 30cm although it will vary between models.
