Finding the perfect backpack for your laptop can be hard, especially if you have a big and bulky laptop. It’s much easier to find a bag for a 13-inch device – finding a good backpack for an 18-inch laptop is not so simple. That’s why I did all the dirty work for you and made a list of the best 18-inch laptop backpacks money can buy!
At A Glance: Best 18-Inch Laptop Backpacks
Read on to see our favorite bags for bulky laptops and find that one that is just right for you.
![]() | Best Everyday Laptop Backpack
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The ContemPRO is a great large-capacity laptop backpack. It can fit 18.4” devices in the dedicated laptop compartment and it has plenty of storage space for all your must-have accessories. There’s even a dedicated place for on-ear headphones, which is pretty cool.
This 18.4 inch laptop backpack also has a dedicated sleeve for a keyboard and a ton of room for your other stuff. The main compartment features a wide zippered opening, with enough space and pockets inside to fit your entire gaming setup. It’s spacious enough to fit a cooling pad, in addition to all the other stuff.
There are also zippered pockets on the sides that you can use to carry water bottles or any smaller accessories. And there is a zippered sleeve on the front panel, which can be useful for things you want to keep easily accessible.
The back panel is padded and covered with breathable mesh, for excellent ventilation. The shoulder straps are ergonomic, and they feature a sternum strap that keeps them in place while you’re walking. There’s no hip belt and that could be an issue, considering the large capacity of the bag.
The only issue I have with this backpack is the lack of a proper organizer. Sure, there are lots of pockets and clips in the main compartment, but it would be nice to have a separate compartment for the USBs, cables, SD cards, etc.
Alienware makes excellent laptops, so it’s no surprise they also make some really good laptop backpacks. The Vindicator is made from high-density nylon and it features a weather-resistant base for ultimate protection of your electronic devices.
The back panel is heavily padded for carrying comfort and shock absorption, while the ergonomic shoulder straps keep you comfortable while you’re wearing the bag. The sternum strap will keep the shoulder straps together no matter how much you are moving around.
The laptop compartment is heavily padded for excellent impact resistance and shock absorption. Also, it features a fleece-lined sleeve inside for tablets or smaller laptops. The main compartment, on the other hand, features multiple internal sleeves, for easy organization of all your must-have items.
Additionally, you get a lot of smaller pockets and attachment points throughout the backpack. There’s a loop for on-ear headphones, a dedicated charger pocket, and many other convenient features.
This FreeBiz backpack is your best bet if none of the other bags can fit your laptop. It has a laptop compartment that can fit all computers up to 19”, so it’s going to fit all 18” laptops easily.
The 19-inch laptop backpack is made from 1680D ballistic polyester with nylon lining inside. The exterior of the bag is water-resistant, so your stuff will be protected in case of light rain. In addition to that, the backpack features thick padding and breathable mesh on the back panel, for excellent carrying comfort. There’s a hip belt to help keep you comfortable when the pack gets really heavy, but no sternum strap.
The laptop compartment is separate from the rest of the backpack and it’s TSA-friendly. The main compartment is very spacious, with lots of smaller pockets inside for easy organization. You also get multiple external pockets, for all those items you want to keep easily accessible.
In addition to that, the FreeBiz laptop backpack has lots of smaller features that just make life more convenient. There’s a headphone port, an organizer panel, loops for sunglasses, and side compression straps, to name just a few of the bag’s useful features.
Slappa Pivot is a travel backpack made from 1080D Ballistic nylon. It is lightweight, durable, and features YKK zippers for ultimate protection in wet weather. The backpack has hide-away shoulder straps and you can convert it into a classic messenger bag if you want.
The Pivot backpack has two compartments that are both lined and padded. They both feature clamshell openings for easy packing and access to items. The main compartment is spacious with two zippered mesh pockets and expandable capacity.
The other compartment is a TSA-friendly computer compartment with a laptop sleeve on one side and multiple pockets on the other. The sleeve has a Velcro strap to secure your device and the other five pockets are all zippered and padded.
In addition to that, the Pivot backpack also features a luggage sleeve, external pockets, and concealable D-rings. There’s even a padded and ventilated insert on the back panel, which isn’t usually the case with convertible backpacks. Overall, if you need a spacious bag for travel that can fit 18-inch laptops, Slappa Pivot is certainly a great option.
The Veckuson laptop backpack is one of the best budget options. It’s an affordable backpack with multiple compartments, more pockets than you need, and a surprisingly comfortable back system.
The laptop compartment is padded throughout and features multiple sleeves and pockets. It can fit an 18.4-inch laptop, but also another smaller laptop, tablet, and various computer accessories. And that’s just the laptop compartment.
This backpack features three additional compartments that have multiple pockets and attachment points inside, plus several other external pockets. It also has a USB port for charging on the go, a hidden pocket in the back panel, RFID safe pockets, a headphone port, and a luggage sleeve.
With a total capacity of 55 liters, this backpack is a great option for travel. The laptop compartment is TSA-friendly, so you will be able to breeze through checkpoints. However, it is quite a big bag, and it might not get accepted as a carry-on every time, especially when it’s fully packed.
The back system features thick padding and breathable mesh for great ventilation, both on the back panel and shoulder straps. There’s a sternum strap to make it a little easier to carry, but no hip belt to help distribute the load more evenly.
The Everki Business 120 laptop is a good option if you want a sleek but functional bag. The design is simple and stylish, and the backpack has all the features you need for convenient everyday carry.
The dedicated laptop compartment is TSA-friendly and it fits even the bulkiest 18” devices. It has ultra-soft padding for impact resistance and shock absorption, plus a Velcro strap that keeps the laptop inside the dedicated sleeve.
The back panel is padded and ventilated for excellent carrying comfort. It’s the same with the shoulder straps, which also feature a convenient sternum strap to secure them in place. There’s no hip belt on the pack though, so you might struggle to carry the bag when it is at full capacity.
Apart from the laptop compartment, this Everki backpack also features a spacious main compartment, a small front pocket with an organizer panel, and zippered side pockets. You also get a rain cover and a small accessory bag with the backpack, for excellent protection and organization.
It’s also worth noting that the pack features compression straps on the sides of the front panel, for easy load stabilization. There’s even a stretchy pocket on the front panel for stuff you need quick access to.
Overall, the Everki Business 120 is easily one of the best backpacks for 18-inch laptops, if you’re okay with the somewhat higher price point.
The FreeBiz backpack is a great option if you want something that’s super versatile. It can function as a backpack, a messenger bag, and a classic laptop briefcase, thanks to the versatile shoulder straps. Also, it’s possible to hide the shoulder straps entirely in the same compartment that doubles as a luggage sleeve.
The laptop sleeve is inside the main compartment. It has thick padding on either side and a Velcro strap at the top that will keep the device inside. There’s lots of extra space inside the main compartment, as well as multiple sleeves and pockets for the smaller stuff.
One of the best things about this versatile backpack is that it features multiple compartments and a lot of smaller pockets. It’s perfect for all of you who carry a bunch of smaller things in your bag all the time, especially if you want to keep them organized. The bag is made from waterproof material, so you don’t have to worry about your electronics getting wet.
The only issue with this pack is the back panel. It’s nothing special – there’s no breathable mesh, the shoulder straps are rather thin, and you don’t get a sternum strap or a hip belt. That’s because of the versatile design of the bag, but it will be an issue if you want to use this exclusively as a backpack.
The Yorepek laptop backpack is one of the best budget options. It’s made from water-resistant polyester and it features a total capacity of 55 liters. That’s huge – a standard carry-on suitcase has a volume of just 36-40 liters. This is a backpack that works not just for big laptops, but also for some longer trips.
The huge capacity means you get a spacious main compartment that can fit as many bulky items as you need, but also multiple smaller compartments and pockets. The laptop compartment is separate from the others and it’s TSA friendly. It features a padded sleeve with a Velcro strap on one side and a zippered mesh pocket on the other.
This backpack also has an organizer in the small front compartment, as well as several smaller zippered pockets. There’s even a USB port for charging on the go, and compression straps on the sides to stabilize the load.
The back panel is padded, ventilated, and features a convenient luggage strap. It’s a comfortable backpack to carry, but it does lack a sternum strap and a hip belt. Considering just how heavy the bag can get when filled to capacity, the lack of load-transferring straps could be an issue for some people.
The Ronyes backpack is a decent option if you’re on a tighter budget. It’s a nice backpack with a sleek and simple design that features three separate compartments, external pockets, and a padded and ventilated back system. A rain cover is included in the purchase of the bag and that’s great because this pack is not waterproof.
The laptop compartment is not TSA-friendly, so keep that in mind if you need a bag for travel. It can fit 18.4-inch laptops in the padded sleeve, but it’s worth noting that there’s no Velcro strap to secure the device in place. The main compartment is spacious and great for carrying clothes, books, or other bulky items.
The front compartment is the smallest out of the three and it features a convenient organizer panel with lots of small pockets, pen holders, and a key clip. You can even fit a tablet in one of the open pockets, but there’s no padding to protect the device.
In addition to that, the Ronyes backpack also features a USB charging port, a headphone port, and compression straps on the sides. It’s a simple backpack with all the features you need and then some, but it’s certainly nothing impressive.
Name | Capacity (Liters) | Dimensions (inches) | Weight (lbs) | Price Range |
---|---|---|---|---|
EVERKI ContemPRO Laptop Backpack | 42 | 20.9 x 16.5 x 8.7 | 2.8 | $$$ |
Alienware Vindicator | 40.7 | 15.5 x 22.5 x 7.12 | 4.7 | $$ |
FreeBiz 19-Inch Laptop Backpack | Not specified | 21 x 10 x 16 | 3.3 | $$ |
Slappa Pivot Convertible Laptop Backpack | Not specified | 16 x 5.5 x 22 | 4.39 | $$ |
Veckuson 18.4-Inch Laptop Backpack | 55 | 22 x 17 x 10 | 3.59 | $$ |
Everki Business 120 | 40 | 14.96 x 8.27 x 21.26 | 4.4 | $$$ |
FreeBiz 18.4 Inch Laptop Backpack | Not specified | 21 x 7.8 x 16 | 2.9 | $$ |
Yorepek 18.4-inch Laptop Backpack | 55 | 16.5 x 9.8 x 22 | 3.09 | $$ |
Ronyes Laptop Backpack | 50 | 22 x 18 x 9 | 3 | $$ |
The best laptop backpacks are water-resistant, at the very least. The very best bags are fully waterproof, with additional coating on the zippers to prevent even a drop of water from getting inside the laptop compartment.
Look for backpacks that are made from nylon or polyester and you’ll have good water resistance in the bag. Also, some of the packs featured here have hardside laptop compartments – these are great at repelling water and keeping your electronics dry, but they don’t do much for the stuff in the other compartments.
Some backpacks come with a rain cover, which is certainly useful. A rain cover will help protect your stuff even in the heaviest downpours, you just need to remember to use it. It’s convenient to have a rain cover included with the backpack, especially since the really good ones aren’t cheap at all.
What do you usually carry in your backpack, in addition to the laptop? Is it just a charger and some accessories, or do you often carry extra clothes, files, books, and whatnot?
Look for a backpack that has the right capacity for you. If you usually just carry the laptop and a few other things in the bag, a smaller backpack will work better for you. But if you want a bag you can take on trips and use for overnight stays, a large-capacity backpack is just right for you.
In any case, make sure that there are enough pockets and compartments for the items you want to carry in the bag. If there are any specific things that you always carry in your everyday back, check that the backpack you like has a nice spot for them.
Backpacks designed for 18-inch laptops are heavy, especially when there is an actual 18-inch laptop inside them. These laptops weigh 7-8 lbs on average, and the bags weigh at least 2-3 lbs – that’s already 10lbs of gear on your back, and you haven’t even packed the mouse or the power brick!
That’s why it’s important to get a laptop backpack with a comfortable back system. Look for a padded back panel, padded shoulder straps, and breathable mesh all over the back. Backpacks that have hip belts and sternum straps are even better, but they’re rare.
These features are more common in sporty outdoor backpacks, but they are certainly helpful when you’re carrying almost 15 lbs of gear on your back.
Also, most backpacks have a laptop compartment in the back. There needs to be a thick layer of foam between the device and your back, otherwise, there’s no way you would be comfortable.
Ventilation is just as important as padding, especially if you spend a lot of time commuting in hot weather. Look for packs that have breathable mesh all over the back panel and shoulder straps, so you’re not sweating bullets on your way to work.
Not quite sure which of these 18-inch laptop backpacks to get? Just go with one of our top picks, depending on the features you’re prioritizing in the perfect laptop backpack!
The best everyday laptop backpack is the Everki ContemPRO. It’s made from durable and water-resistant materials, it has multiple pockets and compartments for easy organization, and the back system is very comfortable and supportive. If you need an 18-inch laptop backpack for everyday carry, this is easily one of the best options you can buy.
If you need a laptop backpack for travel, consider the FreeBiz 19-inch laptop backpack. It will fit even the bulkiest devices in the TSA-friendly laptop compartment, and the entire bag is water-resistant. The backpack features a padded and ventilated back system with a hip belt for comfortable carrying. And it has a lot of smaller pockets for easy organization of all your belongings.
In case you want a versatile laptop backpack, go with the Slappa Pivot. It converts from a backpack to a messenger bag and it’s a great bag for travel. The Pivot has two main compartments, expandable capacity, and a convenient luggage sleeve in the back. It’s also one of the more affordable 18-inch laptop backpacks, so it’s a great option even if you’re on a tight budget!
Head over to Amazon to see the prices and more photos of all the 18-inch laptop backpacks featured in this review. If you want to see even more options, be sure to check out our related posts!
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