The best laptop backpacks of 2024: Conquer the commute

If you're in need of plenty of bookspace, as well as some room for your 17-inch laptop, then Kroser's 18.4-inch gaming backpack is the bag for you.

With no shortage of side pockets, hidden anti-theft storage compartments, and signal-blocking RFID-lined sections, the Kroser laptop backpack has everything you'll need for a successful commute to work or campus (without the worry of succumbing to bad weather or opportunistic hackers).

Breathable and plush despite its serious size, there isn't much this reliable backpack can't handle.

Matein's wonderful travel laptop backpack is the perfect solution to your commuting needs. Delightfully spacious (without being overly large), comfortable and aesthetically subtle and understated – Matein's travel laptop backpack has more than enough room to keep your laptop safe and sound.

As for comfort, the Matein's breathable back padding and pleasant shoulder straps ensure that you're as relaxed as can be when lugging home your workload. For your most precious belongings, there's a cleverly hidden pocket disguised as back padding. This can be accessed quickly from the outside, saving you some potential pocket space, as well as ensuring peace of mind.

For protection against the elements, the Mark Ryden business laptop backpack is a solid choice that'll keep your books and budget laptop safe from harm.

Coated in a thick nylon outer layer, Mark Ryden's business backpack is fortified against both miserable weather and any potential accidents that might befall you on your commute.

Plenty of space, easy to access with a 90-degree opening angle (so you've got room for lunch too) and some wonderfully well-hidden anti-theft pockets – the Mark Ryden business laptop backpack is one of our favourite choices this year.

So, you've just acquired yourself a shiny new laptop under £500. It's bold, brilliant and extremely precious to you. Travelling with any ordinary backpack might prove fatal to your gaming on the go – a lack of security and an easily accessible zip makes it much easier for thieves to simply nab your valuables without a trace, don't make it easy for them.

Bange's truly stellar anti-theft laptop uses a passworded anti-theft TSA lock system which keeps your zips firmly locked and sealed, so only you can access your invaluable belongings.

This tough, waterproof laptop backpack is perfect for enduring a dreary walk to work.

In need of something a little lighter on the shoulders? This nifty ultra-slim backpack is the perfect answer to your bulky travelling woes. Slim, yet expandable, this affordable backpack offers plenty of versatility for those who don't fancy lugging a gargantuan backpack around just for a student laptop.

Ultra-comfortable thanks to its lighter design and ideal for those commuting on the train in need of some foot space, the Zinz expandable laptop backpack is a solid choice at an affordable price. If you're something of a bookworm, however, and you need as much space as you can muster, a larger bag will do you wonders (and save you several trips to the library).

The Wenger MX ECO Light allows you to choose a great quality laptop backpack while also doing some good for the planet. That's because its outer fabric is made from recycled PET bottles. Best of all, it's able to keep up a grade level of durability, with a water-repellent coating and anti-bacterial lining that helps to keep it clean. It even has expandable side pockets and dedicated space for a tablet, so the build is an all-around winner.

This backpack does still have a few downsides. Firstly, it's not as comfortable as other options on our list, so you'll need to weigh up how important that is for you. Secondly, its 19L capacity is easily outdone, paling in comparison to the Kroser's 55L.

For those searching for a backpack with convenience as its priority, consider the Sandstrom S17BPBK20. Although it lacks any fancy features, what does feature is excellent. You get a great array of pockets and compartments, so whether it's your phone, a notebook, or some water bottles, you'll have the space for whatever you bring. Even the zips are designed to be convenient, with two per track.

Although you can find backpacks with a larger maximum laptop size, we think that 17 inches is more than enough given that most laptops sit around the 15-inch range.

While the HP branding might make you assume it's best to pair this Prelude backpack with an HP laptop, it's versatile enough to use with any 15.6-inch laptop. This backpack stands out thanks to its padded design that makes it very comfortable as well as lightweight. If you plan to do a lot of walking with your laptop, you'll want a design like this.

The build here is also brilliant. Although the zipper is a bit mediocre, the actual quality and durability of the backpack overall are fantastic, in part due to the padded design providing a bit of extra protection. It's also water-resistant, so a bit of rain won't cause you any alarm.

Aesthetics are still worth thinking about when choosing your laptop backpack, which is why we're suggesting the Goji GSBPBK15C. A lot of backpacks go for a mono-grey aesthetic, so we appreciate the extra bit of refinement on this one. Plus, the design itself is well-made, with clever sections for headphone cables and some very adjustable straps.

This Goji backpack is another contender worth your consideration for a budget-friendly pick. Its affordability does come at the cost of any advanced features, but if you don't mind the simplicity, you're getting a great product at a great price.

Although it's not as sleek as other laptop backpacks, the Port Designs Houston is worth your consideration with its exceptional durability. Thanks to its padding, your laptop and other belongings will be completely safe inside. In fact, there's even space for a tablet to fit alongside it, so this is a great backpack for those travelling with a lot of electronics.

The outside is very durable as well. Along with being water-resistant, this backpack features some very resilient nylon material. As such, you can expect this backpack to last you a good few years, making it excellent value for money.