Start School With One of These 10 Best Backpacks for College
Advertising Disclosure: Our team independently selected these products. If you purchase a product through one of our links, we may collect compensation. Pricing and availability are accurate at the time of publication.
When you picture a college campus, you’re likely to imagine students walking across the quad carrying backpacks. The backpack is emblematic of college for good reason — it is an essential item for any student.
Backpacks are both practical and stylish, providing an easy means to carry your books and look good while doing it. In this guide, we list the 10 best college backpacks, analyzing them for both function and flash.
$ = Under $40 | $ = $41-$60 | $$ = $61-$80 | $$ = Over $80
1. Matein Travel Laptop Backpack
Matein’s travel laptop backpack features plenty of storage space, with a dedicated compartment that can hold a 15.6-inch laptop. It also boasts water-resistant, durable fabric; metal zippers; and a built-in USB charger. The back features a unique design that maximizes comfort and airflow.
2. Himawari Large Travel Backpack With Laptop Compartment
This college backpack by Himawari includes a dedicated slot in the main compartment that can fit a 15-inch laptop. Its simple but elegant design is complemented by a main compartment for larger essentials and a small zippered compartment for knick-knacks, like pens and your phone.
3. Ronyes Vintage Laptop Backpack
Ronyes’ vintage laptop backpack features a padded laptop sleeve in its main compartment. It also boasts a smaller zippered compartment that can fit an iPad and other essentials. Choose from among fun colors like light green, pink, and jujube red.
4. JanSport Cool Student Backpack
JanSport is a classic, trusted brand for college backpacks, and this student bag features a no-frills design with plenty of space for a laptop. The design also boasts the signature JanSport leather bottom, polyester lining, and S-curve shoulder straps. You can select a basic color or floral pattern.
5. SwissGear 1900 Scansmart TSA Laptop Backpack
World travelers will love this SwissGear backpack, which allows you to move through TSA security lines without removing your laptop. The Scansmart laptop backpack also features an accordion file holder and an RFID-protected organizer component.
6. VASCHY Outdoor Hiking Waterproof Rucksack
Made for the outdoors, this VASCHY rucksack features high-quality, water-resistant polyester, as well as zippers and a drawstring closure to prevent moisture from entering. The side pocket can fit an umbrella or small water bottle, and the main compartment is large enough for a laptop.
7. Matein Water-Resistant Laptop Backpack With Insulated Lunch Box
This Matein backpack comes with a built-in insulated lunch box for students on the go. This feature can keep food cold or warm for 3-5 hours. The popular backpack also boasts a separate padded pocket large enough for a 17-inch laptop.
8. Kinmac Bohemian Water-Resistant Laptop Backpack
This inexpensive Kinmac bohemian laptop backpack features a unique style, with plenty of geometric, floral, and printed colors options. It also boasts functionality, with a built-in charging port and USB cable, water-resistant coating, and a padded area for a laptop.
9. The North Face Jester School Laptop Backpack
The North Face is a major name in college backpacks — and for good reason. The Jester model features a padded laptop compartment and streamlined pockets for easy organization. The most recent model can also stand up unsupported by itself and has a water-repellent finish in most color options.
10. Herschel Heritage Backpack
The Herschel heritage backpack is a high-quality bag, with Herschel’s proprietary coated polyester fabric. The college backpack comes with a sleeve pocket that can fit a 15-inch laptop, a front compartment with a key clip, and an internal media pocket with a headphone port.
Explore More College Resources
How to Choose a Laptop for College
Finding the right laptop for college can be tricky. Learn what to look for in terms of RAM and display and how you can save money with student discounts.
Updated March 21, 2023
The 11 Best Laptops for College in 2022
The best laptop for you depends on your budget and how you plan to use your computer. Discover our picks for the best laptops for college students.
Updated July 22, 2022
The 6 Best Note-Taking Apps
Staying organized in college can be tough. Luckily, several great note-taking apps can help you keep track of your classes — and life.
by Kasia Kovacs
Updated December 15, 2022