Most of us are lugging our laptops between the office, home or somewhere in between. Hands up if you carry yours around in a) a canvas tote, b) a bag-for-life or c) your arms? This isn’t an exercise in shaming – most of us have wedged ours into a basket bag at some point in time – rather an excuse right to treat yourself to an upgrade that won't give you back problems. The best laptop bags in the business have an inner compartment for your tech, which is usually padded, along with several other pockets to keep the contents of your bag as streamlined as possible.
Best laptop bags for women at a glance:
Best canvas bag for laptops: Kaai Eco Canvas Bag in Beige, £400
Best waterproof bag for laptops: Rains Backpack, £89
Best compact backpack for laptops: Stubble & Co The Backpack Mini, £95
Best designer tote bag for laptops: Le Pliage XL Handbag, £555
If you're looking for something that fits your laptop but also has fashion credentials, there's a handful of high end and high street bags that tick both of those boxes. Mulberry's classic totes are an investment but these bags, along with Aspinal of London's, Smythson's and Anya Hindmarch's, have the kind of timeless design that will go the distance. If you'd rather a backpack, Fjällräven's Kanken bags are an affordable and always popular option.
To save you scrolling through endless bags online, we've hunted down the very best laptop bags for you.
Shop: The Best Laptop Bags For Women 2024
Best overnight bag which holds a laptop
www.antler.co.uk
Antler has created the perfect overnight bag with its Chelsea style, available in six different colours. It's designed to be the ideal hand luggage, so it will fit under the seat in front of you on a plane and it has a back sleeve so it slots easily over a suitcase handle to keep all your luggage secure and together. It has a detachable shoulder strap and will fit any laptop up to 13". Whether you use it for your holiday or as a gym back during the week, you'll find this is easy to carry, lightweight and durable.
Best laptop bag for women on sale
uk.coach.com
Coach's leather backpack has a huge 73% off the original price, taking it from nearly £700 to less than £200. It has room for a laptop up to 14", a pocket for your phone and and a dogleash clip closure. Given the amazing saving, there aren't too many left, so add this to your basket quickly if you're after a stylish leather backpack to carry your laptop.
Best canvas bag for laptops
shop.kaai.eu
Kaai's range of leather and canvas totes are designed to fit your laptop in perfectly - along with all your other daily bits and bobs, but still look super chic. Whilst we love the brand's best-selling leather range, available in plenty of shades, this new canvas tote nails the 2024 utility trend.
Best affordable laptop bag
www.lululemon.co.uk
Given the functionality of Lulumenon's backpack, it's incredible that it's under £100. An interior padded pocket fits a laptop up to 16", there's a side pocket designed for your water bottle and, despite looking relatively compact, it can carry up to 22L in volume. It's also water repellent and is available in blue, black or off-white.
Best waterproof bag for laptops
www.uk.rains.com
No one wants a soggy laptop from their commute. Rains' backpack is water-resistant, with adjustable straps and available in 12 colours. What's not to love?
Best smart bag for laptops
www.mulberry.com
If you're on the hunt for a super-smart bag for work that will easily carry your laptop, Mulberry's briefcases are ideal. Technically, they sit in the men's bags category but would look stylish carried by anyone. There's a detachable shoulder strap to make it easier to carry, plus space for a laptop up to 15". Crafted from high quality, luxurious leather with a sustainable cotton lining, this bag will last forever.
Best compact backpack for laptops
www.stubbleandco.com
For a lightweight backpack that looks good, we love this style by Stubble & Co. Made from water-resistant material and with ergonomically designed straps for comfort, this bag has a protected 13" laptop compartment for the commute.
Best designer tote bag for laptops
Longchampwww.longchamp.com
Longchamp's Le Pliage has had an overhaul - and the extra large handbag is a sensible yet stylish solution for storing your laptop, with its very own pocket. Particularly good for travelling, you can stash all of your essentials in here, along with your laptop, and still look chic.
Best laptop backpack for cyclists
horizn-studios.co.uk
Another waterproof design, Horizn' sleek vegan style is available in 10 different shades. With space to hold a 13" laptop, it's easy to see why it's a best-seller. This is the choice for you if you need something super-practical and hard-wearing.
Best backpack for a 15" laptop
www.fjallraven.com
A classic that'll never fail, Fjällräven's Kanken Backpack is a winner for those who like to go hands-free on their commute. It has a slightly larger laptop compartment than most bags, with room for a 15" laptop in a padded, secure space.
Best everyday laptop bag
www.awaytravel.com
As its name would suggest, Away's bag really does do everything. It's water-resistant with a 15" laptop pocket and has plenty of interior and exterior pockets for ease when you're travelling.
What is a good laptop backpack for women?
Horizn Studios' Gion Backpack has a separate laptop pocket and is designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, making it the perfect laptop backpack for women, especially if you cycle with your bag.
Alternatively, Everlane, Lululemon, Antler and Rains all have brilliant backpack options that will keep your laptop safe and secure, without compromising on style.
What is the most important factor when choosing a laptop bag?
This really depends on how and when you want to use it but, generally speaking, the main qualities you'll want to look for are durability, how safe your laptop is in it and how easy it is for you to carry. If you commute, you'll need something that can withstand all weather conditions, keeps your laptop secure and isn't too heavy. It's a personal choice as to whether you opt for a tote or a backpack but look at the material it's made from (is it waterproof? Hard-wearing?) as well as what it looks like and how practical it seems.
Another top tip is to check the weight of a bag before you buy it. You'll want something lightweight and not too cumbersome – after all, by the time you've added your laptop and all your other belongings, you could end up with a bag so heavy it gives you back problems.
Natalie Hammond is Grazia’s Senior Fashion News Editor. She loves winter, hates summer and can often be found writing about the weather (and what on earth to wear).