7 Best Laptop Backpacks for the UK in 2020 (January Update)

August 4, 2019
Our Pick for January 2020

SwissGear 1900 ScanSmart Laptop Backpack

SwissGear produce great kit and the 199 ScanSmart laptop backpack doesn’t disappoint.

Life in the 21st Century is an exciting place to be. Technology is developing all the time and there are any number of adventures to be had all over the world.

Thanks to that technology, many of us are able to enjoy holidays and adventures, whilst remaining connected. Connect to work, connected to friends and family, connected to life.

Surveys show that around a quarter of us regularly check emails while on holiday. What’s more, a lot of us plan to work at some point during our time away from the office.

With that in mind, it makes sense for a growing number of people to invest in a good laptop backpack or rucksack.

One that will keep your laptop and other tech gear safe and secure, while you’re off adventuring, camping, travelling for work or even relaxing abroad.

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To help you find the right laptop rucksack for your needs, we’ve come up with seven that you should consider for your laptop carrying needs.

Under £20…

Although your laptop probably cost a few hundred pounds, you might be searching for the bargain of a century and hoping to snap up a decent laptop rucksack for less than £20.

Believe us, it’s possible and you can actually get some decent kit for not a lot of money, making sure you can save as much as possible towards your next adventure!

IIYBC Laptop Backpack

If you need a laptop backpack for your next trip away but want to spend as little as possible, there are a few good options out there and the IIYBC laptop backpack is one of them.

Key features:

  • Anti-theft back pocket
  • Large capacity
  • Sturdy yet comfortable to carry
  • Water resistant and scratch resistant
  • TSA approved for travel scanning in America
  • USB charging port and headphone jack, with built-in charging and headphone cable inside

The IIYBC laptop backpack is great for travelling while keeping your laptop close at hand. The laptop section at the back is padded and secure, with room for a 15.6-inch laptop plus a tablet too.

The 180-degree zip open of the back laptop section means you can open it up and put it through the airport scanner inn America – but currently not the UK or Europe – without the need to remove your laptop from your backpack.

This laptop rucksack has been designed with travel in mind, because another great detail is the anti-theft pocket at the back of the backpack, that sits against your back. You can pop your passport and wallet in there, ensuring it’s safe from any pick-pockets or thieves who might want to try and take something from your backpack.

But that’s not all this laptop backpack has to offer. It has a handy USB port and headphone jack allowing you to charge your phone or listen to music while o the move.

The sturdiness of the backpack is matched by the comfort you feel while carrying it; the padded shoulder straps and carry handle along with the breathable fabric that help to keep your back cool while carrying it are just two features that impress, particularly when it comes in at under the £20 mark.

What we liked
  • Anti-theft pocket
  • 180-degree opening airport scanner feature
  • Sturdy material and plenty of padding
  • Lots of room for everything you need for a weekend away
What we didn’t like
  • It’s solid and looks big even if the middle compartment is empty
  • It’s a little heavier than other laptop backpacks, but that’s partly why it’s so sturdy and protects your laptop so well

It’s not always easy to find a suitable backpack that will do everything you need it to for under £20, but with the IIYBC, that’s exactly what we’ve found. Excellent for every travel adventure you can imagine and cheap enough that you won’t worry even if you do manage to scuff it while out on a hike, climb or cycle ride!

Under £50…

Value for money is an important aspect when it comes to choosing your laptop rucksack, so we’ve picked out two that are priced under £50 which are well worth considering.

Targus Eco Spruce Backpack

The Targus Eco Spruce backpack has a lot going for it, all for a great price tag that covers a variety of details, including its eco-friendly aspect.

Key features:

  • Three main pockets
  • Water resistant bottom
  • Numerous quick access pockets including an MP3 holder
  • Made from 100% PET polyester fibre which is made from recycled water bottles
  • Earphone clip

When you buy your laptop backpack, there are a number of things to consider, which vary in importance, depending on what your specific requirements are. If you’re going to be taking your laptop out and about with you then the Targus Eco Spruce is comfortable to wear and also pretty lightweight. That’s partly due to the fact it’s made from 100% recycled plastic bottles and the entire construction of the bag, including zippers are PVC free.

It has a capacity of 27.47 litres and is suitable for laptops up to 15.6 inches long, although you may be able to fit some laptops that are 16 inches, depending on how slim they are. That capacity is spread through three main pockets, with the largest one is well padded and suitable for more than just to protect your laptop, while you’re on the go.

The middle pocket is perfect for tablets or headphones and accessories, while the front pocket can hold a number of slim and small items. In addition, there are extra pockets all over the place, plus a side bottle holder.

The earphone clip that’s on one of the shoulder straps is a nice extra, as is the padded material used throughout the rucksack that makes it comfortable to carry for long periods.

It’s light, study and has only subtle branding which means your rucksack could be carrying anything, not necessarily your laptop or any other type of tech you want to keep with you while you’re out for the day or travelling for longer periods.

What we liked
  • It’s made from 100% recycled material
  • It’s lightweight
  • The pockets are plentiful and well padded
What we didn’t like
  • It’s not particularly smart looking, this is ok for some, but not everyone
  • It’s not really big enough for a long weekend, but you could fit enough clothing in there for a two-night stay away

Overall, this is a good option and great value for money. It will keep your laptop and tech accessories safe and gives you easy access to the smaller items you want to get at while you’re out and about.

Eletecpro Travel Laptop Backpack

If you want water resistance, sturdiness, breathable fabric and value for money, you’ll get all of that a lot more, with the Eletecpro travel laptop backpack!

Key features:

  • 35-litre capacity
  • Three pockets including a padded pocket within the main space, for your laptop
  • USB port for easy charging while on the go
  • Internal padded sleeves for carrying laptops and tablets safely
  • Water resistant and strong, tear proof outer material

The Eletecpro travel laptop backpack might not be a brand you’re overly familiar with, but do not let that put you off. It’s well-designed for the job in hand and your laptop and additional tech gear will be safe in this backpack.

Even though its padded and sturdy, the use of double pile polyester means it’s still lightweight, making it perfect for carrying around on hikes or even while cycling or mountain climbing. After all, just because you’re out and about, doesn’t mean you don’t want to log on to your laptop and catch up with loved ones or even, do some work!

Aside from that, the 35 litre capacity combines with plenty of space for your laptop and this backpack has room for laptops up to 17.3 inches. The compartments also have space for your accessories while the external USB port means that once you pop your power charging pack in your bag, you can charge your phone in an external pocket, or your laptop within the bag, while you’re out and about.

The look of this laptop rucksack is again, not the smartest out there. But, due to its sturdiness and practical details, that’s probably not going to be too much of an issue for those of you who buy it.

What we liked
  • It’s size, there’s plenty of space for the biggest of laptops and other gear too
  • It’s lightweight, but tough and sturdy, making it perfect for adventuring with your laptop safely in tow
  • The price represents excellent value for money and a laptop backpack that is suitable for most travel destinations
What we didn’t like
  • Having reviewed eco-friendly options like the Targus, the double pile polyester material is probably our least favourite detail of this rucksack

Putting eco-conscience aside, the Eletecpro travel laptop backpack has everything you need and you’ll be confident that your laptop is safe and secure as you carry it wherever you need to go.

Under £100…

As you can see, there are some excellent budget-friendly laptop backpack options out there.

But, if you want even more from your laptop rucksack, then you need to be willing to up your spending a little.

This next couple of laptop rucksack options come in above the £50 mark, but are still under £100.

The North Face Surge Laptop Backpack

The North Face is a well-known brand for outdoor pursuits and with the Surge laptop backpack, they’ve created an adventurer friendly laptop backpack.

Key features:

  • 33-litre capacity
  • Dedicated pocket with fleece-lined sleeve for 15.6-inch laptops and tablets
  • TSA approved for travel scanning across America
  • Flex vent suspension system ensures its comfortable to carry all day long
  • Organised front pocket with fleece-lined media pocket
  • Two water bottle pockets to keep you hydrated all day while you’re busy hiking, climbing or cycling
  • Numerous reflective tabs giving 360 degrees of reflexivity for when you’re out at night

The North Face Surge laptop backpack combines the needs of outdoor activities with secure storage for your laptop. It’s well-padded and comfortable to carry thanks to the shoulder strap design and the wicking lumbar panel provides support and ventilation. Plus, it has a removable waist belt to help keep your laptop rucksack secure while on rough terrain or in a busy city.

There are plenty of pockets inside and outside of the rucksack, perfect for keeping all your items where you want them to be, with no danger of losing them at the bottom of your bag when you most need them.

While this laptop rucksack looks compact, with a 33 litre capacity its actually got plenty of room for you on your travels and days out. The polyester fabric will stand up well to all weathers and as you’d expect from The North Face, its well-made and sturdy.

What we liked
  • The fleece-lined laptop and tablet back compartment
  • The variety of pockets for remaining organised even while out hiking for the day
  • So comfortable to carry and that extra attention to the lumbar detail is great for long days out
What we didn’t like
  • It won’t always ‘stand up’ by itself

The North Face Surge laptop backpack delivers on just about every element and it looks cool and rugged too, perfect for those who like to bring their work away with them!

Wenger 6006387 IBEX Laptop Backpack

The Wenger IBEX laptop backpack has a lot going for it and for not too far over £50, you get a lot of laptop rucksack for your money.

Key features:

  • Deceptively spacious
  • Specialised compu-flex pocket for laptops up to 17-inches
  • Super sturdy
  • Very hard-wearing
  • Plenty of pockets for good organisation when travelling
  • Cabin bag size approved for Ryanair and EasyJet
  • Quick access top pocket for passport or smaller tech items
  • Three layers of shock absorbing foam
  • Stabilising base platform so it doesn’t fall over

The Wenger IBEX laptop backpack is so sturdy that it is perfect for any type of travelling at all. That includes: commuting on busy travel routes, hiking through rugged terrain, climbing, cycling and multi-transport journeys. You name it and this laptop rucksack will keep all your gear, not just your laptop, safe a secure.

While it has a number of compartments, don’t let that fool you into thinking the zips and material take up too much space, in fact, it somehow manages to deliver quite the opposite.

There is so much room in this laptop backpack that you could go away for a few days and put your laptop, tablet, tech accessories plus clothing and a small toiletry bag in there and still probably squeeze in a few extra items like your kindle and favourite snacks! It also looks great and is more durable than you have a right to expect at this price point.

The material used ensures its comfortable to wear even when its full and the foam shock absorbers mean your laptop and other items will remain protected and safe even if there’s an unexpected impact.

Add to that the stabilized base and water resistance and you’ve got a laptop rucksack you can go anywhere with and be confident it will protect your laptop and other tech.

What we liked
  • It’s soooo spacious but not bulky
  • Comfortable to wear and carry
  • So sturdy and gives a real confidence that our laptop will remain safe no matter what
What we didn’t like
  • For some, there’s such a thing as too many pockets

This laptop backpack has some great features that makes it a must for on the go adventurers who like to keep their laptop with them to record everything they can, or to keep in touch with work even while they’re on holiday!

Over £100…

If you have a healthy budget for your laptop rucksack then you want to see a good array of features. This delivers.

Everki Atlas Laptop Backpack

The Everki Atlas Laptop Backpack is well designed, sturdily made and comes with most everything you can think of for a secure laptop backpack.

Key features:

  • 32-litre capacity
  • Specific, secure space for a 17.3-inch laptop
  • Airport scanning friendly design
  • Ergonomically designed 5-point balance shoulder strap system
  • Padded lumbar support
  • Quick access front pocket
  • Large, heavy duty, metal pull zippers
  • Spacious and light
  • Sturdy, water and scratch resistant
  • Lifetime guarantee

By this point in our best laptop backpack review you’ve seen quite a few different features that sound pretty amazing. The Everki Atlas laptop rucksack has just about much all of them, hence the higher price.

With this laptop backpack you have the specific, secure space you want for your laptop and accessories, plus a soft pocket for your tablet. But, that’s not all.

There’s also plenty of additional storage space and the as now expected side bottle holder and clip for your keys or other sundries. Inside the other compartments is plenty of space for items you need while travelling and some well-organised internal pockets for the smaller items that can so easily disappear to the bottom of your bag when you need them most.

The 180 degrees opening option is also present and correct helping to making travelling through airport security in America that little bit easier and quicker. Meanwhile, the overall design is perfect to keep everything for your laptop while you enjoy an activity packed break away.

What we liked
  • All that space.
  • The removable accessories pouch.
  • The orange inside to make it easy to see if you’ve left any compartment open.
  • It’s super sturdy but still comes with a lifetime guarantee.
What we didn’t like
  • Being super picky, the zips are pretty noisy when locked and you’re moving around

The Everki Atlas laptop backpack looks good, feels good and has all the room you want in your laptop rucksack. It’s nice and sturdy too which means you’ll be able to take it and your laptop in it, with you wherever you go.

Our Top Pick Laptop Backpack

There are a lot of laptop backpacks to choose from and it wasn’t easy to pick a single winner during our reviews, but after much thought we managed to select one that is perfect and will keep your laptop safe and secure on every trip and adventure you can imagine!

SwissGear 1900 ScanSmart Laptop Backpack

SwissGear produce great kit and the 199 ScanSmart laptop backpack doesn’t disappoint. Yes, it comes in at a higher price point that the others we’ve reviewed so far. However, you get an excellent quality product.

Key features:

  • Central pocket with secure padded compartment for 17-inch laptop
  • Additional sleeve and padded pocket for a tablet in the central laptop compartment
  • TSA approved for travel scanning across America
  • Specific, secure internal pocket for smartphone
  • Ergonomically designed, padded shoulder straps
  • Numerous external pockets and clip
  • Oversized zippers for ease-of-use
  • Built-in suspension

As you can see, this is another laptop backpack that has been designed specifically for travelling. IT’s well-padded but still comfortable to carry. The laptop and tablet compartments mean you can carry all the tech you need safely and never worry that they’ll get damp or damaged, even if you drop your rucksack.

As well as the secure compartment for your laptop and tablet, there are other compartments with plenty of room for clothing and items for a couple of nights away. The laptop backpack is secure and has a variety of external pockets and even a carabiner to help ensure you have everything you need, no matter what adventure or activity you’re planning.

Breathable mesh material around the back helps to keep you cool while carrying your backpack, even when its warm and your bag is heavy. Another bonus is reflective accent material to help make sure you can be seen if you’re out and about at night.

What we liked
  • The 180-degree opening for airport travel scanning
  • The sturdy look and feel of the backpack
  • It’s comfortable to carry and always feels well-balanced
What we didn’t like
  • There’s honestly nothing to complain about with this backpack!

This laptop rucksack delivers on functionality and price and it really does have everything you would expect from a laptop rucksack for people on the go.

This is a great laptop rucksack and it goes to show that manufacturers are really thinking about what people need to ensure they can take their laptop with them wherever they go!

How to Choose the Right Laptop Backpack

With so many options out there, choosing the best laptop rucksack isn’t always easy and can take a lot of time researching what’s available. However, we can help with some pointers as to what you should be looking for when you’re selecting your net laptop backpack.

First of all, what will the main use for your laptop rucksack be? Camping weekends, cycling, hiking, outdoor pursuit weekends where you need to keep up with work while you’re away.

Or, perhaps you’ll use it for travelling for work, on and off plane and trains.

Getting that detail straight in your mind will help make it easier to know what features of your next laptop backpack need to be.

Once you know a bit more about what you want your new backpack for, you can take a look at the features we focused on during our review:

  • Dedicated, secure laptop compartments
  • Capacity
  • Sturdiness
  • Tech friendly details
  • Organisation within the backpack
  • How comfortable is it to carry

Of course, having a dedicated laptop compartment is the number one detail no matter what type of travelling or adventures you plan on. But, if you want lots of space for a variety of tech including multiple screens, then you need to choose carefully as not all the laptop backpacks out there have enough padded and specific compartments for your needs.

Once you’ve found the right laptop compartment space, you can take a look at all the other features we detailed and narrow your selection down from that. As we said, it might take some time, but hopefully our comprehensive laptop backpack review can help you out!

Then, after you’ve found the right laptop bag for your specific needs, you can buy it and begin using it, happy in the knowledge your laptop will be safe from harm whether you’re camping for the weekend, or travelling around a busy city, keeping up with work meetings.

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