Yahoo Lifestyle10 Best Laptop Bags for Women, According to Textile Experts
- 1/13
10 Best Laptop Bags for Women, According to Textile Experts
We updated this article in July 2022 to ensure all products and styles selected by the Good Housekeeping Insitute Textiles Lab were in stock and correctly priced. We added more information about our top picks as well as insight into how we test laptop bags and more in the Textiles Lab.
Whether it's for work, school or travel, a good laptop bag is essential for anyone with their laptop in constant tow. All of these functional yet stylish laptop bags will keep you organized, hold all of your everyday essentials (with room to spare!) and most importantly, protect your laptop.
Over the years, experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab have tested hundreds of bags, from carry-on luggage to travel backpacks to kids’ backpacks and more. Pros evaluate each bag's durability, ease of use, comfort when wearing, innovative features and more. To make our picks, GH experts also surveyed backpack users to learn more about which brands are currently popular and the features people look for when shopping.
Our top picks:
Our recommendations are based on real-world testing, knowledge from years of testing bags in our Lab, brands we know and love (like Dagne Dover and Cuyana) as well as best-sellers with rave reviews. Keep reading to the end of this article to learn more about how we test laptop bags.
dagne dover - Getty Images - 2/13
1) Daily Tote
Dagne Dover
dagnedover.com
$275.00
If you need a bag to take you from work to a workout class, then this Dagne Dover laptop bag is it. When GH experts used this bag, we found that what sets it apart from others are all the thoughtful details like the interior water bottle sleeve, key strap, tons (!) of pockets, padded laptop sleeve and designated slots for a cell phone and cards so everything stays organized.
It’s spacious enough to hold your water bottle, a lunch container, a change of clothes and more. You have the option to carry it via the padded shoulder strap or the shorter handles. The bag is also structured enough to stand on its own without falling over.
Dagne Dover - 3/13
2) Laptop Backpack
MATEIN
amazon.com
$24.59
This affordable laptop bag is a great option for anyone who prioritizes a good deal. It has excellent reviews (an average 4.8 star rating from over 65,000 people!) and comes with a bunch of cool features like extra padding and a USB charging port. It fits up to a 15.6-inch laptop in the sleeve, but there's also a larger option for 17-inch laptops.
Matein - 4/13
3) Laptop Messenger Bag for Women
NUBILY
amazon.com
$35.99
This sleek and simple laptop bag is versatile and can be carried as a messenger bag or tote. It holds up to a 15.6-inch laptop and has separate compartments and pockets to keep all your stuff organized. It’s also lightweight, weighing only 1.9 lbs.
It has over 8,000 reviews on Amazon and a 4.6-star rating. Shoppers love that it’s sturdy — but not bulky — and fits everything they need. It also has a top zipper closure so nothing will fall out and has a water-resistant outer fabric for extra protection.
Nubily - 5/13
4) Multi-Pocket Work Tote
EaseGave
amazon.com
$48.99
If you're looking for a stylish laptop bag that doesn't cost a fortune, then try this popular pick on Amazon. It has adjustable straps and comes in multiple colors (including black and a pretty soft pink), and it fits laptops up to 15.6 inches.
One GH Textiles Lab analyst used this laptop bag throughout college — she says the structured, professional look makes it perfect for interviews, and nearly 5,000 Amazon reviewers agree.
EaseGave - 6/13
5) Kaya Laptop Backpack
Calpak
calpaktravel.com
$128.00
If you'd rather carry everything on your back but hate the traditional look of backpacks, then try this fashionable laptop bag made of faux leather. This laptop bag is one of Calpak’s most popular styles and a favorite among GH Lab analysts.
The 15-inch laptop sleeve is located in a totally separate compartment in the back, so you don't have to worry about anything scratching it when you're digging for your lipstick or other items. It also has a trolley sleeve so you can secure it on the straps of your suitcase for easy traveling. In testing, GH pros loved its appearance and appreciated the roomy interior that holds an impressive amount.
Calpak - 7/13
6) Tech Daypack
Herschel
herschel.com
$109.99
This backpack has a modern minimalist silhouette making it the perfect choice for the city commuter. Besides the stylish look, it’s also only 1.8 lbs., which means it won’t weigh you down on the go while you’re biking or walking. It also has multiple zippered compartments and pockets to keep everything organized, a luggage sleeve so it fits over a suitcase handle and a small zippered pocket on the strap to keep your wireless earbuds.
When we tested the 20L-capacity backpack, we loved the padding throughout the bag to keep everything extra safe. The laptop sleeve also has a fleece lining to keep electronics scratch-free. It was large enough to carry our 15-inch laptop (it fits laptops up to 16 inches!), multiple books, notepads and even a change of clothes with room to spare. It has reinforced stitching in key areas where there may be extra tugging such as around the top handle, straps and luggage sleeve.
Herschel - 8/13
7) Dakota Neoprene Backpack
Dagne Dover
nordstrom.com
$185.00
A backpack is often a more comfortable option than a tote, especially if you tend to carry a heavy load because it balances the weight on two shoulders instead of one. There are many laptop backpacks out there but we find this one extra comfortable thanks to the padded straps and neoprene fabric that has a smooth feel. When we tested this at home, the straps felt soft and squishy, unlike some other backpack straps that can feel stiff or rough, making it feel luxurious to tote around.
It also has a laptop sleeve and interior organization pocket. It comes with a pouch that can hold smaller items like chapstick or keys which can be attached to a leash so it’s easy to find. One thing to note: GH Executive Textiles Director, Lexie Sachs, found her Dagne Dover neoprene bag tends to pill but she says she’s also very rough with her bags. Pro tip: To easily remove pills you can use a fabric shaver.
Dagne Dover - 9/13
8) Graham Tote
State
statebags.com
$115.00
This tote from State is made of coated cotton, so it’s very lightweight, making it a great choice if you have a lot of stuff to haul. With this spacious bag, you can take a lot of stuff with you such as a laptop, shoes, a change of clothes, a book, a makeup bag, a water bottle and more.
When we tested this bag, water rolled right off the exterior, which means it will help keep your stuff dry if you get caught in the rain and help prevent stains from accidental liquid spills. We also found it doubles as the perfect weekend or travel bag.
The only downside, it does not have a dedicated laptop sleeve and has only one interior pocket, so you may need some pouches of your own to keep your stuff organized.
State - 10/13
9) Lorimer Backpack
State
statebags.com
$110.00
This backpack from State is made of nylon, so it’s light and won’t add a lot of weight to your load. The laptop sleeve fits up to a 13-inch laptop although a 15-inch laptop can fit in the main compartment.
When we tested this bag at home, we found that the side zipper pocket came in handy for items that need to be reached for frequently like a cell phone or wallet, and they could easily be accessed without having to take the entire backpack off. Despite this bag being relatively simple, the metallic hardware makes it extra stylish.
State - 11/13
10) System Tote
totes
cuyana.com
$278.00
Known as a sustainable fashion brand, Cuyana is popular for its versatile totes, which are designed to be timeless and long-lasting. The roomy interior can fit your own laptop sleeve, up to 16 inches long. For ultimate organization, you can pair this bag with the brand's tote organizational system. There's an option to even add a monogram for an additional $15. While it is on the pricier side compared to other totes, its classic design and elegant colors ensure that it will never go out of style.
Cuyana - 12/13
12)
Senior Textiles Lab Analyst, Emma Seymour, loading samples into an abrasion tester to evaluate fabric durability.
Lexie Sachs - 13/13
13)
Amanda Constantine, Home & Apparel Reviews Analyst, evaluates a backpack's shape, organizational components and laptop compartment to score the bag's overall design features.
Emma Seymour
