The 12 Best Laptop Bags for Business Travel of 2023

Here’s our list of the best laptop bags on the market.

Our top pick is Herschel Supply’s Tech Gibson Travel Messenger , which is affordable, durable, and compact. But if you have something else in mind, we’ve gathered picks for every type of business traveler including leather cases and backpacks, too.

Not only is a laptop an essential item for any business traveler , keeping it safe is of utmost importance. While it may be easy to shove a device in a random tote or briefcase where it doesn’t quite fit, that’s not a good choice for the long haul . After all, there are now tons of sleek, stylish computer bags that keep your most precious tech snug inside padded pockets, specifically designed for laptop safety.

Best Overall

Herschel Supply Tech Gibson Travel Messenger

Herschel

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Why We Love It: Minimalist, practical, and affordable, this laptop bag by Herschel is ideal for short trips or daily commutes.

What to Consider: Its compact style makes it difficult to fit bulkier items, like a water bottle or a sweatshirt.

We love how this laptop bag by Herschel could work for anyone’s style, thanks to a minimalist design and several color options, from classic black to ashy rose. A padded and fleece-lined sleeve fits any laptop (up to 16 inches), and other handy compartments keep all your items safe and in their designated place, including a special key clip. On the back of the bag, find a zippered luggage trolley sleeve, making it easy to wheel this bag through the airport atop your carry-on, or use the adjustable padded shoulder strap or sturdy top handles to tote it solo instead.

Price at time of publish: $90

Materials: Polyester | Dimensions: 11 x 15.5 x 5.5 inches | Weight: 1.6 pounds | Laptop size: Up to 16 inches

Best Tote

Dagne Dover Daily Tote

Dagne Dover

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Why We Love It: This multi-functional bag is stylish and comes in two shades of vegan leather for a polished look.

What to Consider: It can get pretty heavy when it’s full.

Many laptop bags can look clunky and, let’s face it, not extremely fashionable. This vegan leather one by Dagne Dover is neither of those things — its sleek appearance works just as well for daily commuting as it does for pulling up to a conference on your next business trip. It comes in two sizes, each with a padded laptop sleeve with magnetic closures. Other highlights include a neoprene water bottle holder, plenty of pockets, and a lining made from recycled plastic.

Price at time of publish: $275 for medium, $295 for large

Materials: Vegan leather, recycled Repreve lining | Dimensions: 15 x 12.25 x 5.5 inches (medium), 15.75 x 12.5 x 6 inches (large)  | Weight: 2.67 pounds (medium), 2.78 pounds (large) | Laptop size: Up to 13 inches (medium), up to 16 inches (large)

Best Briefcase

Bostanten Mizuki Modern-style Leather Briefcase

Amazon

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Why We Love It: It’s a high-quality leather briefcase that’s made even more unique by subtle pops of color.

What to Consider: It’s on the heavier side and doesn’t have a trolley strap to attach it to a wheeled suitcase.

Keep your tech secure with this leather laptop bag, which looks smart for important meetings and business trips alike. The briefcase comes in six different colorways, including several with contrasting front pockets and one in a solid black crocodile texture. A designated padded laptop pocket snaps closed at the top, and card slots and several slip and zippered pouches provide ample storage on the go.

Price at time of publish: $170

Materials: Cow leather | Dimensions: 16.75 x 5.3 x 11.75 inches | Weight: 4.32 pounds | Laptop size: Up to 15.6 inches

Best Style

Kate Spade Knott Commuter Laptop Bag

Kate Spade

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Why We Love It: This handsome leather laptop bag is a minimalist’s dream as it can double as a purse.

What to Consider: Despite being able to fit laptops up to 15 inches, this bag runs shorter than others on this list.

A major consideration for your business travel bag is not just practicality for your tech needs, but also the ability to stylishly go anywhere you do. This pick by Kate Spade is a good-looking purse that will also keep your laptop safe, and it comes in four neutral shades from black to blush. It doesn’t have as many small pockets as others on this list, but still has plenty of organizational space for your phone, keys, wallet, and more.

Price at time of publish: $348

Materials: Pebbled leather, jacquard lining | Dimensions: 10.7 x 14.8 x 2.7 inches | Weight: Not listed |  Laptop size: Up to 15 inches

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Best Duffel

Tumi Fleet Day Duffel

Tumi

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Why We Love it: The convenient storage capabilities of a classic duffel meet safe laptop storage with this pick.

What to Consider: The look of this bag is definitely more utilitarian, and it only comes in black.

If you’re planning a short business trip and only want to bring a carry-on and one personal item, this compact duffel is a great option. Recycled ballistic nylon material, ample storage space, and multiple strap options make it both resilient and practical, with a minimalist look that matches everything. Inside you’ll find sections for a laptop and a tablet, along with several other pockets including spots for pens and cards.

Price at time of publish: $495

Materials: Ballistic nylon | Dimensions: 11.3 x 18.5 x 7.3 inches | Weight: 3 pounds | Laptop size: Up to 15 inches

Best Backpack

Aer Travel Pack 3

4.4

Nordstrom

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Why We Love It: The lay-flat main compartment is spacious and easy to pack and unpack.

What to Consider: It’s on the larger side with a more casual appearance.

This laptop bag may encourage you not to bring a larger suitcase or checked bag to the airport as it features a lay-flat main compartment with spacious storage that can fit a change of clothes (and more). A large padded laptop sleeve is just one of many features that makes traveling with this bag a breeze, as there are also easy-access top and side pockets, lockable main zippers, and compression straps. We especially love that there are handles on all sides and that, if you do plan to bring wheeled luggage, it can slot onto the handle horizontally to give your back a break.

Price at time of publish: $249

Materials: Ballistic nylon | Dimensions: 21.5 x 13 x 9 inches | Weight: 4.12 pounds | Laptop size: Up to 16 inches

Best Wheeled

Away The Daily Carry-on with Pocket

Away

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Why We Love It: Why lug your laptop on your back or shoulder when you can wheel it around with ease?

What to Consider: It’s essentially a mini suitcase, which may not appeal to commuters.

While most laptop bags are made to go on your shoulders or in your hands, this one by Away is built more like a micro suitcase, making it perfect for a quick trip. It has two designated laptop sleeves: a roomier option inside the suitcase, and one that is easily accessible from an exterior pocket. We love the little details that make this bag practical for short-term travel, like a hidden laundry bag for your dirty clothes, and a TSA-approved combination lock.

Price at time of publish: $245

Materials: Polycarbonate, water-resistant nylon | Dimensions: 16.5 x 17 x 9 inches | Weight: 8.1 pounds | Laptop size: Up to 15 inches

Best Practical

ebags Pro Slim Weekender

Amazon

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Why We Love It: This slim backpack has pockets galore, including ones for chargers and other smaller devices.

What to Consider: It doesn’t have the same upscale look as some of the other options on our list.

If your next business trip doesn’t require a formal look, this practical bag will more than do the trick. It’s made from robust materials that will keep your valuables safe and secure, and features several padded tech pockets for all your devices. If you anticipate lengthy transit, it helps that this backpack was built with a vented airmesh back panel and contoured straps, too.

Price at time of publish: $120

Materials: Nylon | Dimensions: 8 x 21 x 14 inches | Weight: 5 pounds | Laptop size: Up to 17 inches

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Best Leather

Leatherology Harwood Duffle

Leatherology

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Why We Love It: This stylish weekender has a silhouette that’s more like a briefcase than a duffle, making it perfect for business travel.

What to Consider: Despite its roominess, this bag isn’t equipped with as many pockets and pouches as some of the others on our list.

Besides the office-friendly look and shape of this bag by Leatherology, we’re obsessed with how customizable it is. It comes in six colors and features debossing, hand painting, and even trapunto (the Italian art of embossing) for names or initials. An exterior zippered compartment makes it easy to reach your laptop, even if the rest of your bag is stuffed with clothing, toiletries, and documents. There’s also a removable, adjustable shoulder strap and a trolley pass-through for rollerboards.

Price at time of publish: $375

Materials: Full grain leather | Dimensions: 11.9 x 16.65 x 8.25 inches | Weight: Not listed | Laptop size: Up to 16 inches

Best Convertible

Cole Haan Grand Ambition Convertible Luxe Backpack

Cole Haan

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Why We Love It: This convertible bag can be the best of both worlds, offering the comfort of a backpack and the style of a tote as desired.

What to Consider: If you’re planning on switching your bag from a backpack into a tote, be mindful of that weight on one shoulder.

A convertible bag is the perfect option for business travel, easily taking you from the plane to the office with one strap switch. We love that this one comes in a pebbled vanilla leather that goes with everything, and includes a padded laptop compartment to keep your precious tech safe. Other large objects like a refillable water bottle fit easily inside, and smaller interior compartments keep your cards and passport organized and within reach.

Price at time of publish: $350

Materials: Leather, nylon | Dimensions: 13 x 5 x 14 inches | Weight: 3 pounds | Laptop size: Up to 15 inches

Best Water-resistant

Rains Laptop Bag

Rains

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Why We Love It: If rain is in the forecast for your next trip, make sure to safeguard your laptop with this sleek, padded bag by Rains.

What to Consider: This bag is mainly intended to hold your laptop, along with other flat objects such as folders, cards, and documents.

Keep your laptop close, accessible, and, perhaps most importantly, dry thanks to this weather-proof shoulder bag. It’s a great option if you plan on toting a larger bag or suitcase for most of your items on a work trip, but want a designated carrier for your tech in a rainy, or potentially wet, climate. It offers a divided main compartment and one zippered exterior pocket on the back.

Price at time of publish: $95

Materials: Polyester, polyurethane coating | Dimensions: 11 x 15.4 x 1.6 inches | Weight: 1.26 pounds | Laptop size: Up to 15 inches (and some 16 inches)

Best Splurge

Senreve Maestra Bag

Neiman Marcus

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Why We Love It: This stunning investment bag can last for many years thanks to high-quality materials and a timeless design.

What to Consider: It’s a tight squeeze for larger computers in the padded sleeve so those may need to rest in the main compartment.

Aside from its aesthetics, we love that this laptop bag is truly convertible, giving it more bang for its buck. Easily interchangeable strap options will take it from a backpack to a tote or a satchel depending on your preference, all the while keeping your smaller laptop safe within a padded section. There are several pouches inside but we especially like the small card sleeve on the back, perfect to grab a credit or transit card on the go.

Price at time of publish: $995

Materials: Italian leather | Dimensions: 16 x 10.25 x 6.75 inches | Weight: 3.28 pounds | Laptop size: Up to 15 inches in the main compartment, up to 13 inches in the padded sleeve