
If you're anything like me, you've long been on the hunt for a bag that carries your laptop but doesn't, well, look like a laptop bag. Chances are, you've already checked out the best laptop backpacks on the market and decided that you want to opt for a laptop-friendly tote instead. Or maybe your canvas bag simply isn't cutting it anymore. Whatever the reason, the editors at Marie Claire have rounded up the best laptop bags for women, and our picks are hard to beat. We spoke to designers and women on the go—from content creators to entrepreneurs to writers—to find the very best laptop bags to shop now (and carry forever).
To figure out what makes a great laptop bag the best laptop bag, I spoke to two women who design work bags for a living: Shilpa Shah (opens in new tab), the co-founder of CUYANA, and Jenny Lei, the founder of Freja New York. Both women cited versatility and ease of use at the top of their list. "A good laptop bag should carry you seamlessly from your office desk to a dinner reservation," Shah told me.
Another top priority? A laptop bag’s ability to seamlessly take its wearer from day to night. “I live in NYC, so when I leave in the morning I’m often not returning home until 9 or 10 p.m.! My bag needs to work overtime too,” said Lei. “That means being professional enough for work, roomy enough for my gym attire, and appropriate to bring to a nice dinner. I don’t want to feel the need to hide it or stuff it under my chair!”
- Best Affordable Laptop Bag for Women: Lubardy 15.6 inch Laptop Tote Bag (opens in new tab)
- Best Laptop Bag with the Largest Color Selection: Rothy's The Essential Tote
- Best Durable Laptop Bag: Cuyana Classic Easy Tote (opens in new tab)
- Best Customizable Laptop Bag: Cuyana System Tote (opens in new tab)
- Laptop Bag With The Best Closure: Longchamp Large Le Pliage Tote (opens in new tab)
Deals on Laptop Bags
Madewell The Transport Tote, $178 $134 at Madewell (opens in new tab)
"This is the clown car of laptop bags, and I mean that in the best way possible," says Entertainment Director Neha Prakash. Shop it now for less than $150 as a part of Madewell's (massive) sale.
Madewell The Zip-Top Transport Carryall, $198 $149 at Madewell (opens in new tab)
Freelance writer Alexis Gaskin loves this bag from Madewell (which is also on sale!) because it is the "perfect size to carry my laptop, charger, and miscellaneous beauty products that are usually littered at the bottom of my bag." Get it now for less than $150.
What to Look For In The Best Laptop Bag
It's all about structure, according to Lei. "Laptops can be quite heavy, and I need a bag that can stand on its own. I love a good slouchy tote as much as the next person, but it’s not what I want when carrying a laptop,” Lei says. “I need to be able to set my bag down without worrying that it will topple over. Structure also provides extra protection for your laptop.”
The Best Laptop Bags to Shop
"This tote is my holy grail work bag! I bring anything I could possibly need to work just in case of an emergency—makeup, deodorant, dry shampoo, hairbrush, and gum. On top of all of that, I bring several notebooks, a water bottle, and my laptop so I need a bag that can carry it all and this Amazon pick does just that. All of my essentials have their own dedicated spots thanks to the tote's many pouches and sections. Plus it's completely waterproof and has held up well through months of everyday wear. " — Brooke Knappenberger, Editorial Fellow
Pros: Costs under $200; Comes in 12 colors and prints; Can hold a 16" laptop; Has several internal pockets for extra storage and organization; Has a zip closure.
Cons: Reviewers say it doesn't hold its shape.
"For far, far too long, I relied on an old canvas tote to carry all my belongings. Blame it on my obsession with emulating a farmer's market-frequenting It girl, but that ragged bag was my go-to—to the point where it became threadbare and no longer could keep my essentials safe. With no choice but to upgrade, I searched for a replacement, and that's when I found Calpak's Haven Laptop Bag. Made of durable faux leather, it's infinitely more sturdy than a measly canvas tote. It boasts multiple interior compartments and, best of all, features a removable laptop sleeve that can fit up to a 16-inch device. In short, this bag has changed my life, and I can't recommend it any more." — Emma Childs, Style Editor
Pros: Costs less than $200; Made of faux leather; Fits a 16" device; Comes in multiple colors;
Cons: Some reviewers say the strap comes loose.
"This is the clown car of laptop bags, and I mean that in the best way possible. It's incredibly spacious so you can fit not only your laptop, chargers, and work necessities, but anything you need to go from day to night without a pit stop at home—gym shoes, an umbrella, a makeup bag, and a snack. And thanks to Madewell's timeless design and quality leather construction, the bag will hold up for years (probably longer than your laptop)." — Neha Prakash, Entertainment Director
Pros: Comes in three colors; Costs under $200; Has longer shoulder straps; Holds a 15" laptop.
Cons: Has only one interior pocket; Is unlined; No closure.
"I'm embarrassed to admit to how many bag straps I've ripped over the years, but I will say that I accepted it as inevitable—until I started using Cuyana's leather tote. On the surface, the bag is well-proportioned, spacious, and, in the daffodil colorway, an instant mood-booster. The bag's low-and-wide design holds everything I usually carry—a 15-inch laptop, a lunchbox, my books, pens, and other miscellaneous doodads—with ease, and the flat base prevents things from becoming flipped around (a plus for someone who packs very saucy lunches). I toggle between the two strap lengths depending on what I'm carrying, and the soft leather design is comfortable on my shoulder, despite the fact that my things weigh approximately a million pounds.” — Lucia Tonelli, Social Media Editor
Pros: Comes in several colors; Sustainably made from real leather; Fits a 16" laptop; comes in two depths; Has two strap lengths.
Cons: Costs over $200; Has only one interior pocket for your phone; No closure.
"My personal favorite, which is also perfect for a “first timer,” is our Cuyana System Tote (opens in new tab), created with a 3-in-1 approach in mind. The System Laptop Sleeve (opens in new tab) and System Flap Bag (opens in new tab) can be easily snapped in and taken out, all pieces can work together or stand alone. This tote was designed to effortlessly transition throughout the day with you, while holding everything you need." — Shilpa Shah, Co-Founder of Cuyana
Pros: Has customizable interior pocket options for purchase; Comes in several colors; Has thick shoulder straps; Comes in two sizes depending on the size of your laptop; Has a magnetic closure.
Cons: Costs over $200.
"It's no secret that I'm obsessed with the various iterations of Longchamp's Le Pliage, from the tiny backpack (opens in new tab) that somehow holds everything I need to the top-handle tote (opens in new tab) perfect for ferrying your laptop to and from the office. But for the ultimate do-everything Le Pliage, I love the Large Tote. Not only will it carry your laptop and other essentials in a waterproof, stylish package, but it can double as a weekender bag (opens in new tab) in a pinch." — Jenny Hollander, Director of Content Strategy
Pros: Costs under $200; Has a zip closure and a snap closure; Made from easy-to-clean material; Waterproof material; Has long shoulder straps; Comes in several colors; Holds most laptops.
Cons: Has one small interior pocket.
"BAGGU makes the cutest laptop cases (opens in new tab) around, so I was obviously into this colorful padded tote from the brand's collaboration with Urban Outfitters. Great for someone who hates carrying black accessories into the office, it has a zip-top closure and padded straps for maximum shoulder comfort. It also pockets both on the inside and on the outside, so there is room for all of your belongings—not just your laptop. It measures just under 20” in length, so it can hold a 15” laptop with ease.” — Julia Marzovilla, E-Commerce Editor
Pros: Can hold a 15” laptop; Has interior pockets; Has exterior pockets; Has a padded shoulder strap; Costs less than $200
Cons: Won’t go with every outfit.
Slightly different to the other Madewell tote bag on this list, the Zip Top Transport Leather Carryall deserves its own spot. "Madewell is my favorite brand for a leather tote and their Transport Carryall is the perfect size to carry my laptop, charger, and miscellaneous beauty products that are usually littered at the bottom of my bag. The straps are very durable and hold up when I wear it as a crossbody, best part is the adjustable strap belt!" — Alexis Gaskin, Freelance Beauty Writer
Pros: Costs under $200; Has a zip-top closure; Fits a 15" laptop; Comes in several colors; Has three interior pockets; Has a long shoulder strap; Is monogrammable
Cons: Is unlined.
"Somehow this bag never gets dirty—and if there's one thing I want to feel in an airport, it's as clean as possible. I've traveled all over with this, and it still manages to look pristine (s/o to the neoprene material). Perfectly fits my 15" laptop along with all my other tech gadgets, and looks sleek + chic on top. Plus it slides over my suitcase handle....yes, I am in love with a backpack." — April Lockhart, Senior Manager of Influencer and Partnerships, ILIA (opens in new tab)
Pros: Made from waterproof neoprene; Holds a 16" laptop; Easy to clean; Fits over a suitcase handle; Has several pockets; Comes in several colors; Comes in three sizes; Has dedicated interior pocket for your laptop; Has a zip-closure; Has a pocket for your water bottle.
Cons: Costs $200.
"The Freja Lafayette Tote is my everyday bag and has been for the last year! It has the perfect amount of functionality, the oat color is so chic and pairs with absolutely everything, and the vegan leather is such a breeze to clean. The unique handles are a conversation starter and the contrast lining adds both a pop of color and hides any unsightly marks or stains. I also love how understated it is, and you’ll probably never run into anyone else wearing the same bag. " — Jenny Lei, Founder of Freja New York
Pros: Made from vegan leather; Comes in several colors; Fits a 16" laptop; Has three interior pockets; Has a magnetic snap closure.
Cons: Costs over $200;
"For years I'd stash my laptops in bags that looked professional and uber-serious for the office. But in a new, power-casual world, I'm ready to sport fun work bags, especially for the summer days ahead. Rebecca Minkoff's M.A.B. Hobo Bag, with its silver dog clips and sleek zipper tassel, brings the right amount of accents. But it's still a practical pick: The Sand Dune leather option goes perfectly with sundresses and work outfits alike. It's roomy enough for a laptop (with an interior of 13'' W x 10.75'' H). The strap can convert to a shoulder or cross-body so that you can adjust it for comfort." — Tanya Benedicto Klich, Senior Editor
Pros: Has a convertable shoulder strap; Has a magentic closure; Comes in several colors.
Cons: Costs over $200; Won't fit a 16" laptop; Has one interior zip pocket;
"My love affair with this MZ Wallace tote started when my kids were infants. I transformed it into a makeshift diaper bag that kept me organized on-the-go. Now that my kids are out of diapers (thank God!), I still use it to carry everything: my laptop, makeup bag and all the beauty products I’m testing." — Deena Campbell, Beauty Director
Pros: Fits a 15" laptop; Has thick shoulder straps; Comes in 2 colors; Has a zip-top closure; Has interior and exterior pockets.
Cons: Costs over $200
"I've long been a devout fan of Rothy's flats, which are repurposed from plastic bottles but—somehow!—feel like clouds on your feet. A couple of years ago, they started making bags as well, and The Essential tote became a fast favorite. Like their shoes, Rothy's bags are machine-washable and crafted from marine plastic and thread made from plastic bottles, and this tote (which comes in colorways for every mood and season, to my bank account's horror) fits my 15-inch laptop, a book, an extra pair of flats, and then some." — Jenny Hollander, Director of Content Strategy
Pros: Is machine-washable; Is made from thread made from plastic bottles; Comes in several colors; Has a zip closure.
Cons: Costs over $200; has one interior pocket.
Details in Laptop Bags to Look For
“Thoughtful interior pockets are also important,” says Lei. “If you’re anything like me, I always wear my bag on the same shoulder (probably really bad) and have dedicated pockets for all of my items. It makes finding things on the go so easy, almost second nature. It’s basically muscle memory at this point!”
Advice For First-Time Buyers
“You can’t go wrong with something understated and timeless in a neutral color, made with quality materials,” says Lei. “Bonus if the materials are also low-maintenance (not too delicate, easy to clean, and scratch resistant).”
Meet the Experts
Jenny Lei is the founder and designer of Freja New York. After taking a detour from her original plans to pursue UX design, she decided to take a chance on herself and launch Freja to create functional foundation pieces for people to support their big life moments—something made ethically and responsibly with a story behind it. Functional, but still elegant. Jenny holds a Bachelors and Masters from Cornell University and currently resides in New York City where she has personally shipped every Freja package to date, adding a personal touch to every order.
Shilpa was drawn to Cuyana for the opportunity to enhance women’s lives by creating high quality products that were produced responsibly, priced accessibly, and that carried a story and a soul that could be delivered through human connection.
Beginning her career in Interaction Design, Shilpa has over 20 years of designing customer experiences, designing web and mobile interfaces for Fortune 500 companies such as Disney and AT&T. Before starting Cuyana, Shilpa added business expertise to her design and technical background by completing her MBA at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business. Today Shilpa leads the company as its CXO, the Chief Experience Officer, crafting a branded omni-channel journey across digital and physical touchpoints.
Julia Marzovilla is the E-Commerce Editor at Marie Claire, where she covers everything from the latest beauty and fashion launches and sales to celebrity outfits and news. She also creates shopping guides that span every vertical on the site. Prior to joining the Marie Claire team, she contributed similar shopping stories to sites such as Bustle, InStyle, The Zoe Report, Who What Wear, and STYLECASTER. In her spare time, Julia can be found creating shopping guides for all of her friends, spending too much money on yet another pair of black boots, and cooking in her far-too-small kitchen.
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