Before deciding to buy one, let’s get more clarity over the purpose of a tech backpack and how can it be different from a regular daypack or a simple backpack that you see around most often.
It is a type of backpack specifically designed to accommodate and protect electronic devices like laptops, tablets, smartphones, and various tech accessories such as chargers, power banks, and cables. It differs from regular backpacks in that it has dedicated compartments and features tailored to keep your tech gadgets organized, secure, and easily accessible. To sum it up, it is specifically designed for the modern commuter to ensure convenience and reliability of carrying and using all the tech gadgets.
Why You Should Have a Tech Backpack?
- Protection for Your Electronics: Tech backpacks typically have padded compartments for laptops and tablets, protecting them from shocks, bumps, and drops. They are often made from water-resistant materials to safeguard your gear from rain or accidental spills.
- Organization: With various dedicated pockets for devices, cables, pens, notebooks, and even smaller items like SD cards or USB drives, tech backpacks keep everything in its place. You’ll spend less time rummaging through your bag and more time focusing on your tasks.
- Convenience and Easy Access: Many tech backpacks are designed for people on the go, with quick-access pockets for essentials like your phone, wallet, or passport. Some also feature TSA-friendly designs that allow you to quickly unzip and lay the backpack flat for security checks at airports.
- Built-In Charging Ports: A lot of tech backpacks come with built-in USB charging ports that connect to a power bank inside the bag. This feature allows you to charge your devices on the go without needing to take out the power bank.
- Ergonomics and Comfort: These backpacks often feature padded shoulder straps and back panels for extra comfort, which is especially important if you’re carrying a heavy load of gadgets and gear.
- Style and Professionalism: Tech backpacks are often sleek and modern in design, making them suitable for business settings, travel, and everyday use. They provide a professional look while offering practical functionality.
- Versatility: Whether you’re a student, a professional, a remote worker, or a traveler, a tech backpack adapts to different environments. It’s perfect for commuting, working remotely, attending meetings, or even going on vacation.
Now let’s dive into our picks for the tech backpacks that you’d find most useful. We have included customer testimonials to further validate our choices by other people’s opinions.
1. Troubadour Apex Backpack 3.0
What we liked?
The design gives a modern polished look of a briefcase, while the functionality of a tech bag that can never disappoint you. Impressive enough for a c-suite yet giving convenience and versatility a teenager would seek in a backpack. This 25l backpack also comes in a compact version, which is just 16l.
The rugged, yet polished recycled polyester outer finish ensures its durability and elegance, topping gup with leather trims for enhanced design sophistication. The soft geometric shape can hold on to its profile even when empty, and sleek even when completely full. The water-proof outer layer adds to its functional prowess.
Its ingenious ergonomic design is supported by the ventilated back panels and padded straps, the padding is so neatly designed that it looks elegant while being comfortable while carrying a heavy load. To further expand upon the intricate design, its top handle is lined with neoprene – a synthetic rubber that is more durable, so that it is comfortable to carry.
For the organization, it leaves plenty of room and options to suit every need. The main compartment is large for big items, coming along with an organizer panel to slide in smaller items and documents. Behind your back is the laptop compartment, padded and fit for a 17” laptop coming with a tablet sleeve attached to it. On the front, a deep flat zipper pocket can be used to stash in items for quick access, along with two side water bottle pockets for easy access.
There is an expandable small pocket on the left shoulder strap for quick grab items like keys or a wallet, or even you ID if you don’t like it bulging from the front while you are wearing the bag.
Lastly, coming with Troubadour’s five-year guarantee takes away most of the doubts and worries one can have while spending this much on a tech bag, and helps you use it effortlessly.
Customer Review: This bag does not leave my side. From the second I opened the box, the aesthetic blew my mind. I share this attraction with dozens of strangers who have stopped me to compliment my bag during my travels. I like it so much that I purchased 6 of them for my wedding party, who are all just as in love with the bag as I am.
What could be better?
When you are not carrying a lot of items, the bag can still feel bulky because of its structure.
2. StarTech Unisex Backpack
What we liked?
This 34l backpack offers ample storage and organization option, not to miss its removable accessories case that use can use separately while staying at a hotel or carry it around your office for essentials. The outer layer is 1680D ballistic nylon, ensuring both durability and ruggedness.
The intelligent ergonomic design is meticulously made to support the back and shoulders, helping you feel less load even while carrying the bag to the full. Startech is designed to allow you to carry a range of tech gear without being worried about back or neck pain.
The organization is immaculate, with every little pocket or compartment for the tiniest of your needs. Starting up with the main compartment – for clothes, large notebooks or food boxes. Behind the main compartment is the laptop and a tablet sleeve, both separately padded for secure keeping of the electronics. At the front, the padded velvet pocket is designed to serve your glasses or any delicate item, ensuring its promise of most intricate design and thoughtful tech bag architecture. The front pocket again is a host of organizational options. Small slide pockets, expandable straps to tuck in essentials, and a mesh slider zipper pocket for smaller items you want to keep safer.
Lastly, the removable accessories case offers ultimate flexibility a tech bag would need. You can keep all your small essential electronics and accessories. It has a mesh flexible net to keep in small wires, customizable padded walls to keep in delicate accessories like camera lens and inner velvet padding allows you to seamlessly store tech gadgets separately and securely.
Customer Review: “I work on computers and have to travel. Needed a bag with room but not be huge. This bag is a great size, fits more than my last bag and is balance so it doesn’t hurt while wearing. Want planning on spending this much for a work bag but it was worth every penny.”
What could be better?
The shoulder padding may not be enough when you tuck in all the load and carry it on your shoulders for longer periods of time.
3. Timbuk2 Parker Commuter
What we liked?
The Parker Commuter Backpack by Timbuk2 stands out as an expandable, ultra-modern, and weatherproof pack, perfect for both daily use and travel. With a base capacity of 26L, it can quickly expand to 35L by simply unzipping, offering versatility for those who occasionally need extra storage space. Its weatherproof construction is particularly impressive, featuring a Cordura Nylon outer, a drop liner, and a zip-away rainfly to protect your belongings during heavy downpours, making it ideal for commuters and travelers facing unpredictable weather.
One of the key strengths of this bag is its organization. The internal laptop sleeve fits up to a 15-inch laptop and features a quick-access side zipper so you can grab your device without opening the main compartment. There are multiple quick-access pockets on the front, one of which is tricot-lined to protect delicate items like sunglasses or electronics. The bag also has dual side pockets, perfect for holding a water bottle or a lock, and external compression straps that allow you to cinch or expand the bag as needed.
Comfort is another standout feature. The airmesh back panel and adjustable shoulder straps provide great support and ventilation, keeping you cool on long walks or commutes. The removable waist and sternum straps offer added stability when needed. The reflective woven mesh panel is a clever safety addition for those commuting at night, ensuring visibility to cars and other pedestrians.
Customers particularly appreciate the bag’s laptop protection. One reviewer mentioned that the bag’s padding is so well-designed that the laptop doesn’t feel any impact when setting the bag down. The expandability is another frequently highlighted feature, allowing users to adjust the bag based on their carrying needs, whether for everyday items or weekend travel.
In terms of sustainability, Timbuk2 continues its responsible sourcing journey by using recycled and recyclable materials, reducing emissions, and partnering with ethical suppliers. This adds a level of environmental consciousness to the bag’s appeal.
Customer Review: Going back to the office and I wanted a backpack to replace a well used laptop bag. This works great. Separate compartment for laptop means I don’t have to open the main area and dig. Plenty of space for cables, keys, notepads, pens, sunglasses and other necessaries. Durable, fits my broad shoulders and looks good!
What could be better?
The lack of internal compartments for better organization could be a drawback for some users who prefer more internal storage options.
4. Timbuk2 Authority Laptop
What we liked?
The TimBuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe offers exceptional protection and versatility, making it a standout choice for everyday use and travel. With dimensions of 18.9 x 11 x 5.3 inches and a weight of just 2 lbs. 6.4 oz., this 20L backpack is designed for those who need a secure and comfortable bag for their 17-inch laptop and other tech essentials. The water-proof outer layer is another feature, guarding your gadgets like an ideal tech bag should be doing.
In terms of durability, this bag shines. The generous padding provides excellent protection for your laptop, even in unfortunate situations like accidental drops. It’s also ideal for travel, with a luggage strap that attaches to rolling suitcases and a front panel pocket that fully unzips for easy access to small items.
Its minimalist design hides a range of highly functional features. The interior boasts two microfiber-lined pockets for safely storing glasses and other delicate items, as well as a mesh zippered pocket for organizing pens, chargers, and other small accessories. The waffle-style padding on both the back panel and shoulder straps ensures maximum comfort, even during long commutes, while moisture-wicking materials help keep you cool. Reflective straps add a safety element for cyclists or those walking at night.
Customer Review: Nice quality, fits all my things, looks nice, seems tough. It’s replacing a Speck bag I used and/or traveled with every day for 6+ years before coming apart.Lots of pockets and compartments, easy to open, and I like the sternum strap for when I’m traveling.
What could be better?
The narrow water bottle pocket and the hard-to-open front zippered pocket may limit convenience for some users.
5. Samsonite Kombi Business Backpack
What we liked?
The Samsonite Kombi Backpack strikes a balance between durability, functionality, and style, making it a go-to option for professionals and frequent travelers. Constructed from rugged ballistic nylon, the bag is designed to resist wear and tear, while the genuine leather details add a sophisticated touch. The performance mesh shoulder pads and air mesh padded back ensure comfort, even during extended use, whether you’re commuting, traveling, or carrying it for business meetings.
The padded laptop compartment is one of the standout features, accommodating laptops up to 15.6 inches and providing excellent shock protection while on the move. Customers particularly love that it can fit multiple devices, with some mentioning they comfortably carry two laptops or an additional tablet.
The backpack also shines in terms of organization. The large main compartment has a wide base and opens easily, providing stability and space for items like books, folders, and even a change of clothes for light travel. Additionally, the business organization panel offers multiple pockets for smaller tech gadgets, stationery, and even a built-in key fob, ensuring everything has its place. The exterior boasts durable and easy-to-grip zipper pulls, praised for their sturdy design and tactile feel. Another convenient feature is the Smart Sleeve, which allows the backpack to slide over the handle of an upright suitcase for easy mobility during travel.
Customers also appreciate the durability and water resistance of the ballistic nylon fabric, with one reviewer remarking that they’ve used the backpack for years without any noticeable wear. The orange interior lining is another user favorite, making it easy to locate small items like chargers or cables without the hassle of searching through a dark interior. The bag is also noted for its ability to stand upright when fully packed, which adds convenience when accessing its contents.
Customer Review: Great commuter backpack! Plenty of room that is well-organized for (smaller) laptop, tablet, phone, chargers and cables, and books and papers. Inside and out are the same great materials as my Samsonite luggage, and the handle and straps are equally Samsonite-tough. It holds its shape when empty. It’s light by itself. The leather trim is a nice touch.
What could be better?
The main compartment is a bit narrow, making it challenging to fit bulkier items like over-ear headphones comfortably inside.
