13 of the best laptop backpacks

Although it may not seem like such a daunting task at first, finding the right laptop backpack can be really overwhelming. Besides the obvious question of aesthetics, there are tons of different factors to consider, like what you'll be using it for (work? school? travel?), the size of the laptop sleeve, how functional or comfortable it is, and how much other stuff you'll be able to cram inside. And let's not forget about price. Because let's be honest, some of us aren't willing to drop more than $100 on a backpack.

Choosing a backpack is a really personal task — it depends entirely on your specific needs. Will you be using it to commute to work every day, or to bring your laptop along while traveling? Is it a schoolbag you're looking for, or a gift for someone else? What else will you need to put in it, and how long do you expect to be carrying it for at a time? Depending on your answer to each of these questions, there are different considerations. Ease of access should be a priority if it's a bag you're going to be opening and closing often, aesthetics if professionalism plays a part in what you need from it. Multiple pockets are always a plus, but do they need to be zippered? Or placed on the side to accommodate a water bottle?

To make your life easier, we scoured dozens of reviews from real customers in order to put together a list of top picks, then outlined the things you need to know in order to make the best decision. Whether you're looking for a simple, basic option to get you from Point A to Point B, or a heavy-duty backpack with all the bells and whistles, we've got the best pack to fit your needs.