Our Top Picks
DUSLANG 17 inch Travel Laptop Backpack for Men/Women17 Inch6 x 12 x 19 inches1.7 poundsCheck on Amazon
Big laptops make travel harder than small ones. A 17-inch machine with a bulky charger does not slip into just any daypack, and a bag that looks roomy in a photo can leave the lid pressed against the zipper. Searching for the best travel backpack with laptop compartment is therefore a sizing question first and a style question second: what screen size does the compartment actually accept, how much room remains for the charger and a change of clothes, and will the whole bag still pass as carry-on luggage on your flight?
This guide is for people who haul larger laptops, from students moving between campus and home to remote workers who pack a charger and mouse for a work trip. It reviews six distinct backpacks, drops two travel bags whose titles never state a laptop compartment, and merges repeat color listings. Every comment is based on the product title only, and the advice looks ahead to trips you may book in 2026, so verify the details that titles leave out before you buy.
Taygeer Travel Laptop Backpack for Men, Airplane Approved Travel Backpack | 15.6inch Laptop Backpacks with Water Bottle Pocket, Lightweight College 35l Luggage Bookbag Gifts for Business Work, Black
Chosen because it specifies Airplane Approved Travel Backpack and 15.6inch Laptop Backpacks with Water Bottle Pocket.
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SWISSGEAR 1900 ScanSmart Laptop Backpack, Fits Most 17-Inch Laptops, TSA-Friendly Lay-Flat Design, RFID Protection, and Tablet Pocket, Black, 31L, 18.5-Inch
Chosen because it specifies Fits Most 17-Inch Laptops and TSA-Friendly Lay-Flat Design.
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MATEIN Travel Laptop Backpack, 15.6 Inch College School Computer Bag, Grey | Slim Sturdy Business Daypack, Anti Theft Bookbag, Water Resistant, Gift for Men & Women, Personal Item Bag, Mochilas
Chosen because it specifies 15.6 Inch College School Computer Bag and Grey.
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SHRRADOO Extra Large Travel Laptop Backpack for Men, Work College Backpacks | Fit 17 Inch Laptops, with Combination Lock, Carry On Flight Approved, Men Women Business Backpack,School Backpack
Chosen because it specifies Work College Backpacks and Fit 17 Inch Laptops.
View on AmazonDUSLANG 17 inch Travel Laptop Backpack for Men/Women College Computer Bag | Water Resistant 17 inch laptop backpack with protective pad,Business Daypack, Anti Theft Bookbag,Casual Backpack for office
Chosen because it specifies Water Resistant 17 inch laptop backpack with protective pad and Business Daypack.
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LOVEVOOK 40L Travel Backpack for Women & Men, Airline Approved Carry On Luggage with 3 Packing Cubes, TSA Overnight Bags, Waterproof Personal Item Bag, Weekender Essentials Backpacks fits 17" Laptop
Chosen because it specifies Airline Approved Carry On Luggage with 3 Packing Cubes and TSA Overnight Bags.
View on AmazonQuick Picks
| Product | Best for | Key spec from the title |
|---|---|---|
| Taygeer Travel Laptop Backpack | Light 15.6-inch laptops | 15.6-inch fit, water bottle pocket, airplane approved |
| SWISSGEAR 1900 ScanSmart | Security lines with a large laptop | Fits most 17-inch laptops, TSA-friendly lay-flat design, RFID protection |
| SHRRADOO Extra Large Travel Backpack | Maximum space | 17-inch fit, combination lock, flight approved |
| DUSLANG 17 Inch Travel Backpack | Padded protection | 17-inch laptop, protective pad, water resistant |
| LOVEVOOK Laptop Backpack for Women | Commute-to-trip crossover | 15.6-inch laptop, cup pouch pocket, waterproof |
| MATEIN 17 Inch TSA Backpack | Rolling-suitcase travelers | 17-inch, trolley sleeve, TSA approved wording |
How to Choose
Measure your laptop’s real footprint first
Screen size is only a rough guide. A 17-inch laptop may measure wider than the numbers suggest, and a thick model can fight a slim sleeve. Titles in this group state 15.6-inch or 17-inch capacity, which covers most mainstream notebooks, but only the full listing gives interior measurements. Measure your laptop, add a margin for a case or skin, and pick a compartment that fits without forcing the zipper. If you own a laptop with a chunky power brick, plan separate space for the charger so it does not press on the screen. Many travelers also keep the charger in an outer pocket so it can be pulled out quickly at a gate or a cafe.
Check the bag against airline limits
Words such as airplane approved, flight approved, and carry-on describe how the seller markets the bag. They are not a guarantee, because each airline sets its own dimension and weight rules and may enforce them differently on small regional aircraft. Compare the bag’s stated volume, such as the 31L SwissGear, with your airline’s personal-item and carry-on limits. If your trip is short, a smaller bag usually avoids gate-check trouble. Longer trips may justify a bigger bag, but then the backpack should act as your main luggage rather than an extra item stacked on top of other bags.
Features that protect your gear
A protective pad around the laptop sleeve, a lay-flat opening, and a lock make a difference in busy transit. TSA-friendly designs open in a way that can ease screening. RFID pockets add a layer for cards, and water resistance helps in light rain. A sleeve that sits slightly above the bottom of the bag is a smart design for dropped backpacks, though titles rarely say whether a model has one. Keep in mind that water resistant and waterproof are not interchangeable terms, so treat a downpour as a reason to add a rain cover regardless of the label.
Where cheaper bags compromise
Budget backpacks tend to cut padding thickness, zipper quality, and strap cushioning. These cuts are hard to judge from a title, so look closely at the stitching, buckle, and zipper pulls in photos. A bag that sags when empty will sag more when full, and weak shoulder straps make a heavy laptop feel heavier on a long walk, especially when you add a water bottle and a jacket. If a bag arrives with thin foam or loose seams, send it back instead of hoping it will break in.
The 6 Best Options
Taygeer Travel Laptop Backpack
This lightweight bag lists a 15.6-inch laptop fit, a water bottle pocket, and airplane approved wording, marketed at men for travel and college. It suits someone with a mainstream laptop who wants a simple bag for short trips and daily classes, or a traveler with a lighter laptop who wants to keep the whole load modest in weight.
- Strength: the 15.6-inch compartment suits most standard notebooks.
- Strength: a bottle pocket keeps liquids away from the main compartment.
- Trade-off: the title says little about padding or security features.
Skip it if your laptop is a 17-inch model or you want a lock built in. Because the title is brief, read the full listing for interior dimensions before you order.
SWISSGEAR 1900 ScanSmart
The title describes a 31L backpack that fits most 17-inch laptops, with a TSA-friendly lay-flat design, RFID protection, and a tablet pocket. It is the pick for frequent travelers who want to move through security without unpacking the whole bag, and who may carry a tablet alongside the laptop for movies or reading on board.
- Strength: the lay-flat design is meant to simplify screening.
- Strength: 17-inch capacity plus a tablet pocket handles big laptops and a second device.
- Trade-off: 31L is a lot of bag for a small personal-item allowance.
Skip it if you need something very slim for a budget airline with strict personal-item rules, or if you rarely fly and do not need checkpoint-friendly features.
SHRRADOO Extra Large Travel Backpack
The extra large label comes with a 17-inch laptop fit, a combination lock, and flight approved wording, aimed at work and college. It suits travelers with large machines and plenty of gear to secure, such as a camera or accessories that benefit from a locked main zipper on a crowded train.
- Strength: the 17-inch fit and extra large size give maximum room.
- Strength: the combination lock helps keep zippers closed in crowds.
- Trade-off: extra large bags are the easiest to overpack and the hardest to fit under a seat.
Skip it if you travel light or fly on carriers with tight size rules, since a bag this large invites you to fill every inch.
DUSLANG 17 Inch Travel Backpack
A water-resistant backpack with a 17-inch laptop compartment and a protective pad, marketed for college and business use. It suits owners of large laptops who worry most about bumps in transit, particularly on shared buses, subways, and shuttle vans where bags get tossed about.
- Strength: the protective pad cushions the laptop.
- Strength: it is described as water resistant for light rain.
- Trade-off: the title does not list a lock or anti-theft design.
Skip it if you want integrated security hardware, or if you would rather have a bag that explicitly lists a lock or an anti-theft layout.
LOVEVOOK Laptop Backpack for Women
This 15.6-inch bag adds a pouch pocket for a large cup, waterproof wording, and a purse-style look that carries over from commute to travel. It is aimed at women who want one stylish bag for work days and short trips, then switch to a weekend getaway without changing bags.
- Strength: the cup pocket is handy for a bottle or travel mug.
- Strength: waterproof wording appeals to rainy-city commuters.
- Trade-off: its 15.6-inch limit excludes larger laptops.
Skip it if you own a 17-inch laptop, or if you need room for a long multi-day packing list, since the title points to commuting more than expedition travel.
MATEIN 17 Inch TSA Backpack
A large business computer bag with a 17-inch fit, a trolley sleeve, and TSA approved wording, aimed at work and school. It fits travelers who use a rolling suitcase and want the backpack to ride on top, freeing a hand for tickets or a coffee while walking through a terminal.
- Strength: the trolley sleeve lets it slide onto a suitcase handle.
- Strength: 17-inch capacity covers big laptops.
- Trade-off: a large bag can get heavy once packed.
Skip it if you carry only a backpack and no suitcase, because the trolley sleeve would then go unused and a leaner model might feel better.
Which One Fits Your Situation
You carry a 17-inch laptop and a power brick
Look at the SWISSGEAR 1900 ScanSmart, the SHRRADOO, the DUSLANG, or the MATEIN 17 inch. Pick the one whose padding, lock, or sleeve features match how you travel, and measure your laptop before you commit.
You own a mainstream 15.6-inch laptop
The Taygeer and the LOVEVOOK both fit 15.6-inch machines in lighter, easier-to-carry formats. The LOVEVOOK adds a cup pocket, while the Taygeer pairs a bottle pocket with airplane approved wording.
You go through airport security often
The SWISSGEAR is described with a lay-flat, TSA-friendly layout, which is the clearest match to checkpoint use. The bag also lists RFID protection, a small extra for a traveler who carries cards in an outer pocket.
You are rolling a suitcase
The MATEIN 17 inch has a trolley sleeve, which saves your shoulders when the backpack rides on the suitcase handle.
Common Mistakes
- Buying a bag sized for a 15.6-inch laptop and trying to squeeze in a bigger one.
- Assuming “airplane approved” means any airline will accept the bag.
- Forgetting space for the charger, mouse, and cables, which can turn a roomy compartment into a tight squeeze.
- Trusting water resistant labels in heavy rain without a cover.
- Choosing a huge bag, then overpacking it until it is uncomfortable, or until it will no longer fit under the seat in front of you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a 17-inch laptop fit in a 15.6-inch bag?
No. A 17-inch laptop is wider and deeper than a 15.6-inch one, and the compartment is sized for the stated screen diagonal, so a larger laptop will not fit safely. Choose a bag that names your laptop’s size or larger, and avoid forcing a tight fit that strains the zipper.
What does a lay-flat design do?
It lets the laptop compartment open flat so the laptop can be screened without removing it in many cases. Checkpoint rules still vary, so follow the officer’s directions. If you are unsure, take the laptop out and place it in its own bin.
Are bigger backpacks harder to take on planes?
Often, yes, particularly on smaller aircraft. A large bag can exceed under-seat limits and may need the overhead bin or a gate check, so compare the bag’s volume with your airline’s rules.
Do I need a padded laptop sleeve?
Padding is helpful, especially with a valuable or heavy laptop, and it matters more the longer your trip and the rougher your transport. A bag with a protective pad adds a layer of cushioning against bumps during travel, and it can offset thinner foam elsewhere in the bag.
