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No professional wardrobe is complete without a great-looking bag to carry all of your gear. For people who have to lug around a computer, laptop bags are a more polished, grown-up option than a backpack, and they offer more storage space than a briefcase. Hospital Medical Cart
After years of testing, we’ve landed on six favorites: a water-repellant polyester tote with clever pockets; a well-padded tote that can also be used as a cross-body messenger bag; a refined leather tote with a zippered laptop compartment; a splurge-worthy leather bag, with internal organization, that you’ll have forever; a minimalist vegan tote that’s extra-roomy; and a budget faux leather bag with a dedicated laptop compartment.
This tough yet polished laptop tote bag is thoughtfully designed, with features like internal popout bottle pockets and leakproof zippers. But its durable fabric shell is abrasive and may make some sweaters and blouses pill.
Who should get this: Anyone who prefers something more casual than a briefcase but still wants to look pulled together.
Why it’s great: The Bellroy Tokyo Tote Second Edition is a good-looking, well-made piece that transitions perfectly from the coffee shop to the conference room. It strikes a happy medium for professionals who appreciate a polished look and want some protection for their devices but don’t want to flout a semi-casual dress code.
The Bellroy tote we tested is made of a fine-weave polyester (created from recycled water bottles) that’s durable and water-resistant. This bag is ideal for people who need something that will survive scuffs, drops, stains, and routine overpacking. Commuters caught in the rain will also be comforted to know that the laptop tote’s shell repelled water well when we held it under a running faucet. And the exterior zip pocket offers an airtight seal to keep water from destroying valuables.
When we tested a previous generation of the Tokyo Tote, our panelists’ favorite features were, of all things, the interior pop-out, magnetic pockets (for holding a water bottle upright inside the bag). The Second Edition has the same pockets they loved. When the pockets aren’t in use, you can just push them inward, and they spring back into the tote’s frame. These internal pockets are located on both sides of the bag, and they’re also big enough to fit a pair of flip-flops or dirty gym clothes you want to keep separate from the rest of your stuff.
The Bellroy Tokyo Tote Second Edition also has a large exterior zip pocket, plus two interior pockets (one with a key clip) that are large enough to hold a Field Notes book, a smartphone, sunglasses, or a wrapped USB cord. And the padded laptop section provides ample protection and snugly holds laptops with screens up to 13 inches. The carry handles have a 12-inch drop, so they’re longer and more comfortable to use than the handles on any other bag we recommend. Those handles are padded for added comfort, and they’re coated with no-skid rubber, to prevent the bag from sliding off your shoulder while you’re commuting.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The Bellroy Tokyo Tote’s durable shell is similar to that of the now-discontinued sibling tote we previously tested. This shell can be abrasive against delicate work clothing, and in previous testing, the tote’s exterior pilled knitted sweaters and snagged blouses made of polyester blends. The new handles have softer edges that didn’t snag our shirts as much during testing. The straps also feature no-slip patches, which further reduce pilling at the shoulders (but not near the bust, where most pilling occurs during carry).
This laptop tote’s weave also attracts pet hair like a magnet. If you’ve got a furry friend at home, we don’t recommend the black version, which spotlights pet hair of every shade.
Dimensions: 14 by 18.5 by 5 inches Handle drop: 12 inches Weight: 1.4 pounds Warranty: three-year warranty Colors: black, navy, cream, green, bronze
This nylon tote doubles as a messenger bag, works well for frequent flyers, and offers lots of organization and padded laptop protection. But its added functionality makes it the heaviest of our picks.
Who should get this: Commuters who like the look of a tote bag but prefer the functionality of a cross-body messenger.
Why it’s great: We love the nylon Lo & Sons The O.G. 2 (medium) for its versatility. It has a conveniently long crossbody strap and a variety of storage compartments, and it offers ample laptop protection. It’s the just-right blend of a tote and a messenger bag.
This bag grabbed our attention with touches like gleamy accent hardware, contrasting interior lining, plentiful pockets, and studded feet. The O.G. 2 features a three-color design consisting of a neutral exterior, which you can spice up with several fun interior colors. It also comes in medium and large sizes.
This laptop tote boasts a ton of organization: four large zip compartments, four slip pockets, two pen pockets, a laptop or document holder, a hidden shoe compartment, and a long key leash. Thanks to the bag’s concealed zipper design, half of its storage features are in an external compartment that’s hidden out of sight. We like to think that means subway thieves will overlook you when they’re hunting for an easy mark.
The O.G. 2 provides more laptop protection than any other tote we recommend. The laptop compartment, the exterior, and even the individual pockets are padded to shield electronics from cracks and dings.
This bag does a good job of keeping liquids at bay. It has tight seams, so spilled drinks won’t penetrate the base, unlike with its sibling, the Lo & Sons Seville Tote, in the Competition section.
The O.G. 2 model is the only laptop tote bag designed for travel that we recommend. Both the medium and large sizes should fit under most airplane seats. And the backside features a zippered trolley sleeve, so travelers can secure the bag over luggage handles.
And this tote is also one of two bags we recommend with a crossbody strap—our EaseGave Laptop Bag pick is the other. Each has a wide, thick strap, like a seatbelt, but we prefer The O.G. 2’s design, which consists of thicker hardware and a longer strap. The thicker slide adjuster ensures that the strap won’t suddenly become slack on your trek to work. Also, the longer strap—up to 7 inches longer than that of the competition—lets you adjust it to accommodate a wider variety of body sizes and heights. And we like that this bag allows you to carry it with the shorter handles, which are easier to grab and go.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The slimish profile of the The O.G. 2 isn’t ideal for commuters who carry a ton of gear. The bag is cushiony, and the sides taper at the top, so the space is narrow. That also makes it harder to rummage in the bag and find what you need while you’re on the move.
At 2.6 pounds, this bag in medium is one of the heaviest we tested. Only the Dagne Dover Signature Tote (Classic), the Lo & Sons Seville Tote, and the Mosiso Laptop Tote Bag (all in the Competition section) were heavier, weighing from 2.7 to 3 pounds each. (Note: The large-size Lo & Sons O.G. 2 bag weighs slightly more, at 3 pounds.)
Some 14- and 15-inch laptops can fit inside the bag’s main compartment but don’t fit inside the padded laptop compartment.
Dimensions: 13.75 by 16.6 by 6.75 inches (medium); 14.25 by 16.5 by 6.75 inches (large) Handle drop: 9.5 inches (medium); 10 inches (large) Weight: 2.6 pounds (medium); 3 pounds (large) Warranty: one-year warranty Colors: black/gold/gray, black/gold/lavender, black/gold/camel, black/silver/lavender, black/silver/gray, black/gunmetal/gray, deep navy/gold/camel, gray/silver/azure
If you’re ready to invest in a high-quality bag, this pebbled leather tote offers style and sophistication. Though there is a dedicated laptop compartment that zippers closed, the rest of the bag stays open at the top.
Who should get this: People with a higher budget who want an upscale leather tote with a refined silhouette.
Why it’s great: The Tory Burch Perry Triple-Compartment Tote Bag is spendy, but for the price it delivers sophisticated styling, supple pebbled leather, and structured design. The stitching on ours was perfect and didn’t fray, the leather felt luxuriously smooth, and the upright design never slouched or tipped.
Since we first made the Perry a pick, it has been slightly redesigned; we have not tested the new model, but the minor changes appear to have made the updated bag even more functional than its predecessor. It is now an inch bigger and includes three small internal slip pockets.
The Perry has a dedicated laptop slot in its center, dividing the bag into two parts. We like that the division offers some organizational structure, which is hard to find in a high-end leather tote.
The laptop compartment zips shut and is large enough to hold a 13-inch model and maybe a thin document or two. The Perry’s compartment is also raised off the bottom of the bag, so if you mistakenly plop your bag on the ground, you won’t dent your laptop in the process.
The Perry is a dream to carry. The original version weighed 1.8 pounds, half as much as many other contenders we dismissed; the new version is nearly the same weight, according to the manufacturer specs. But what really surprised us was that the Perry, despite its somewhat thin straps, was still comfortable enough to carry, packed with gear, for a full day of commuting.
Some of the priciest laptop tote bags we tried—including the over-$500 Lo & Sons Seville Tote, in the Competition section—aren’t leakproof. So we were pleasantly surprised to discover that the Tory Burch Perry tote is. In our tests, the burnished seams were reliably strong, neither buckling under a heavy load nor allowing spilled beverages in.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Like most open-top bags we tested, the Perry doesn’t offer much protection from the elements. Only the laptop compartment has a zipper, so the bag doesn’t shield the rest of your stuff very well.
Also, the laptop compartment isn’t padded. But because it’s elevated off the bottom of the bag and isn’t exposed on either side, we’re not overly worried about a computer or tablet getting banged up while inside.
Dimensions: 14 by 5 by 11.6 inches Handle drop: 10 inches Weight: 1.8 pounds (previous version; current version is the same, according to manufacturer’s specs) Warranty: 30-day return policy Colors: black, clam shell, ivory, light umber, mint green, brick, feather gray, bay gray, natural
Handmade in Italy, this leather tote looks and feels extra special, has plenty of room for your belongings, and zips securely across the top. It’s the priciest of our picks, but it is covered by a lifetime warranty.
Who should get this: Those in search of a timeless leather bag that’s only going to get better with age—and those willing to pay a premium for it.
Why it’s great: The Carl Friedrik Ashby Leather Tote is a bag that commands attention. This gorgeous leather tote is handmade in Italy, and though it’s the most expensive option we tested, it’s well worth the price. For about $650, you get a bag with unquestionable quality, beautiful lines, and a lifetime warranty.
Carl Friedrik is a brand known for elegance, and it delivers with the Ashby tote. With its clean lines and pristine details, this tote radiates classic good taste. The longer you own the Ashby, the better it will look: It’s made of vegetable-tanned, full-grain Vachetta leather, which will develop a patina over time and get even richer with use. The surface is finished, which gives it a slight sheen and protects against water stains and scuffs.
Heavy-duty zippers with polished teeth glide smoothly, and the stitching is near-perfect and incredibly sturdy. The Ashby reliably stays upright with no slouch—we pushed the bag from side to side, and it rocked but never fell over.
The Ashby is large but manageable, and it will work for many occasions. The straps fit comfortably over the shoulder. There’s a spacious main compartment that will easily hold commuting essentials, including a 13-inch laptop in a dedicated pocket. Note that this bag will easily accommodate a 15-inch laptop in the main compartment. There is also a large zip pocket and three slip pockets for storing smaller gear, like a wallet, pens, and charging cords.
Lastly, over the course of our testing, this is one of only four companies we’ve found offering a true lifetime warranty (the others are Duluth Trading Co., Peak Design, and Timbuk2; Herschel, Targus, and others offer limited lifetime warranties that protect only against manufacturer defects not caused by long-term wear and tear). For a bag that costs as much as a car payment, we’ll take all the protection we can get.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: This is an expensive bag, though its cost is tempered by its excellent quality and lifetime warranty, which covers both wear and tear and manufacturer defects.
The Ashby’s straps are among the thinnest we’ve seen—on a par with those on our Tory Burch Perry Triple-Compartment Tote pick. We found the Ashby’s straps comfortable to use, even when the bag was full. But this is something to be aware of if you haul extra-heavy loads.
This bag’s base lacks studded feet (found on both our EaseGave Laptop Bag and Lo & Sons The O.G. 2 picks), which protect the base from wear and tear.
Dimensions: 18 by 11.5 by 5 inches Handle drop: 9 inches Weight: 2.5 pounds Warranty: lifetime warranty Colors: cognac, black
Longer-than-average straps make this simple tote—roomy enough for larger laptops—easy to carry. But it doesn’t have a dedicated laptop compartment, so electronics could float around unprotected.
Price includes shipping (select colors)
Who should get this: Those who care less about bells and whistles and just want a sleek bag that’s big enough to fit a laptop plus their daily gear.
Why it’s great: The Matt & Nat Abbi Tote Bag is a spacious, no-frills work tote with a practical zippered top closure and long carry handles. It’s made of soft, vegan leather (produced from recycled windshield glass resin) that’s thick enough to keep your bag’s contents from bulging uncomfortably.
The body of the bag is softly structured, and the base is wide and thick, ensuring that the bag remains upright when full and doesn’t spill. The zipper’s metallic accent color and long, tapered pull tab add to the tote’s sleek, understated look. The lining is made of 100% recycled plastic nylon, so it’s especially easy to spot-clean.
The Abbi tote’s interior has one open pocket that’s big enough to hold a smartphone or a slim wallet, plus one wallet-sized pocket with a zipper that echoes the exterior’s metallic finishes. But there is no dedicated laptop compartment.
We especially appreciate the Abbi’s long handles, which make tucking the bag under the arm easier (especially for those who have a larger chest). The handles have a 10-inch strap drop, 2 inches longer than those of many totes we researched, including some bags listed in our Competition section, from Cuyana, Dagne Dover, and Lo & Sons. Two inches may not seem like much, but when you’re hauling your laptop, commuting gear, and a few dinner ingredients, you’ll likely be thankful for the extra length.
Finally, we’d trust the Abbi to keep our belongings safe and dry if we were forced to rest it on the floor of a subway car. There’s a feeling of dread many commuters experience whenever they lift their bag off the ground, fearing they’ll discover that it’s dripping wet and their stuff is ruined. During our tests, the Abbi’s clean, tight seams didn’t let spills seep through this bag. And the vegan leather is easy to spot-clean.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The Abbi’s minimalist design lacks a padded compartment for a laptop. For shock absorption, we recommend using a padded sleeve for your laptop in this bag.
The Abbi’s zipper doesn’t create an airtight seal—not unusual among zippered totes—so water may trickle in from above during a heavy rainstorm. When you’re traveling sans umbrella, carrying the bag under your arm should keep out most rainwater.
Vegan leathers can flake and peel after extended use (though Wirecutter’s Sasha VanHoven has had a Matt & Nat backpack made of a similar material for more than a year and hasn’t seen any peeling).
Matt & Nat’s one-year limited warranty policy doesn’t cover normal wear and tear. To extend the life of the bag, we recommend cleaning stains with warm water and dish soap, and coating it in faux-leather polish as needed.
Dimensions: 13.5 by 5.75 by 12 inches Handle drop: 10 inches Weight: 1 pound Warranty: one-year limited warranty Colors: black, daffodil, lime green, lychee, yellow
This bag is well priced and extremely durable, and it has plenty of useful features—including a detachable messenger strap and metal feet. But it’s heavy and stiff, and few will mistake the exterior for real leather.
Who should get this: Commuters seeking a durable, functional tote on a budget.
Maximum laptop size: 15 inches (for the 15.6-inch bag), 17 inches (for the 17.3-inch bag)
Why it’s great: The EaseGave Laptop Bag is the cheapest bag we recommend, but it doesn’t skimp on features. Made of top-grain polyurethane leather (PU leather for short), this laptop tote bag was thicker and more durable than other faux leather bags we tested, such as the flimsy Dreubea Women’s Soft Faux Leather Tote (featured in the Competition section). It mirrors the structured, rolled carry handles and the mixed compartments of the Dagne Dover Signature Tote (also in the Competition section), which costs nearly four times as much. The EaseGave’s carry handles and messenger strap are both adjustable, to give you the best fit, which is especially impressive for a bag at this price.
Our panelists were impressed by the EaseGave’s functionality. “I really think this is a great affordable bag,” said Wirecutter product manager Samina Begum. “It had an outside pocket for all the things that I needed to keep close at hand, and the fake leather did not scratch no matter how roughly I treated the material.”
Testers also appreciated this bag’s metal feet, which lift the bag slightly off the ground, keeping spills and grimy subway platforms at a distance. Studded feet aside, the EaseGave didn’t soak up liquids during our spill tests.
The EaseGave comes in two sizes (15.6 inches and 17.3 inches), with a dedicated, padded compartment that can fit a tablet or laptop (up to 15 and 17 inches, respectively). The compartment fastens shut with a Velcro strap, and although it isn’t the most secure option, it’s enough to prevent a laptop from sliding out.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Although testers liked the EaseGave’s structured, rectangular shape, they occasionally found it cumbersome to carry on a crowded bus or subway; it’s so stiff and rigid that it doesn’t compress down when tucked under an arm.
The EaseGave’s interior is rough and feels like cheap polyester, which isn’t surprising at this price. The padding of the laptop compartment is on only one side. The other side is a wall-to-wall zippered pocket, but the material is flimsy, and our commuters worried about its long-term durability. “I was super anxious that my keys in my zip pocket would rip through the thin fabric and scratch my computer,” said one tester.
The EaseGave is pretty heavy, even when empty: The 15.6-inch model is 2.3 pounds, and the 17.3-inch model is 2.6 pounds, which is almost double the weight of most laptop totes we recommend.
Dimensions: 15.35 by 4.53 by 12.2 inches; 17.1 by 4.53 by 13.1 inches Handle drop: 6 inches Crossbody strap: 27 to 47 inches Weight: 2.3 pounds (15-inch laptop model); 2.6 pounds (17-inch laptop model) Warranty: 30-day return policy Colors: purple
To determine what makes a great laptop tote, we researched style blogs, bag forums, and online reviews, and we consulted our coworkers. We then compiled a list of dozens of well-reviewed laptop tote bags in a variety of styles, recording key information like price, size, materials, availability, and third-party reviews.
We also listed each bag’s notable features, such as zippered compartments, a dedicated laptop pocket, a crossbody strap, color options, and warranty coverage.
Once we had narrowed the pool and selected bags for in-person testing, we assessed each tote for its overall quality, the durability of the laptop compartments (when applicable), carrying comfort, weight, and water resistance.
We also had Wirecutter staffers commute with the semifinalists and then share their feedback.
Our panelists liked the bucket shape of the Cuyana Classic Structured Leather Tote. It has leather ties that can be used to help keep its open top closed, but our panelists balked at having to partially tie a bag closed using thick pieces of leather, which easily came undone.
The Longchamp Large Le Pliage Tote Bag is lightweight and packs nicely into itself for storage, but our panelists preferred bags with a dedicated laptop compartment or some exterior padding.
The Dreubea Women’s Soft Faux Leather Tote was really thin and showed wear and tear easily, so our panelists weren’t comfortable carrying a delicate laptop in it.
Our testers liked the gunmetal hardware accents on the Mosiso Laptop Tote Bag, but they found the zippers to be sticky and a pain to use.
The Overbrooke Classic Canvas Laptop Tote Bag was the roughest bag we tested. The cheap canvas scraped against our panelists’ skin and attracted dirt and debris with little effort. The bag also absorbed water during our spill tests.
The Targus 15″ Newport Convertible 2-in-1 Tote/Backpack has a clean design—though it reads more as a backpack than a tote—and a padded laptop compartment, but during our tests the bag leaked spilled water. Our panelists also hated its bright-orange interior.
The vegan leather on the Dagne Dover Daily Tote looked unattractive, the zipper was clunky, and the straps were too thin to be comfortable. The Dagne Dover Signature Tote (Classic), also in vegan leather, was—at 3 pounds—the heaviest bag we tested. The carry handles were rope shaped, rather than flat like on most bags, and frequently fell off the shoulders of our testers. On top of that, our panelists thought the bag’s weight, rigid design, and thick, sharp edges made for a poor combination during commutes on a crowded subway train.
The Duluth Trading Co. Lifetime Leather Tote was heavy, thick, and uncomfortable to carry. The leather is treated with oil; it darkens when wet and takes forever to dry. And the zipper doesn’t offer a tight seal to protect delicate electronics from water damage.
The Lo & Sons Seville Tote is expensive and heavy, and the latch on the laptop compartment is hard to secure. Also, it didn’t keep out liquids during testing.
The roomy Knomo Grosvenor Place Laptop Tote Bag had clean stitching, but it failed our liquid-blocking tests.
Although the Solo New York Jay Leather Tote has a full-grain leather body, we found the quality wasn’t as nice as that of most other leather bags we tested. The zippers were sticky, too, and the bag soaked up water during our liquid tests.
The Targus 15″ Newport East-West Tote is well made and offers ample laptop protection. But the carry straps were uncomfortable for us, and our panelists hated the bag’s traffic-cone orange interior color.
This article was edited by Ingela Ratledge Amundson and Jennifer Hunter.
Kaitlyn Wells is a senior staff writer who advocates for greater work flexibility by showing you how to work smarter remotely without losing yourself. Previously, she covered pets and style for Wirecutter. She's never met a pet she didn’t like, although she can’t say the same thing about productivity apps. Her first picture book, A Family Looks Like Love, follows a pup who learns that love, rather than how you look, is what makes a family.
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