A backpack seems like a simple purchase until you find that your laptop does not fit the compartment, your shoulders ache from the straps by evening, and your papers are damp after the rain. We looked into what really matters when choosing a city laptop backpack, drawing on guides from bag and electronics makers, and gathered six of the best-selling models on AliExpress.
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1. Capacity: how many litres you need
Backpack capacity is almost always given in litres, and that is the first place to start. The backpack retailer Able Carry offers a simple scale: 10 to 13 litres if you carry only the essentials, about 20 litres for an ordinary day, and 30 litres or more for a weekend trip. CabinZero’s guide gives similar figures for travel: 10 to 20 litres is enough for a day, 20 to 30 for a weekend, 30 to 40 for a week, and 35 to 45 litres for one or two weeks.
The most common mistake, according to CabinZero, is to take a backpack that is too big or too small for your needs. Before choosing, lay out on a table what you carry every day and leave a little extra room. Also remember that expandable models with a special zip let you increase the volume only when you really need it.
2. The laptop compartment
Lenovo’s guide points out that compartments are usually designed for 13, 15 or 17 inch devices. But the screen size on the label guarantees nothing. Able Carry warns bluntly: having a laptop compartment does not mean your laptop will fit in it. So measure the width, height and thickness of your device and compare them with the internal dimensions of the compartment, if the seller gives them. Thick gaming laptops and laptops with a big power adapter are especially awkward.
The compartment should be padded. Look for a separate pocket with cushioning or a sewn-in soft sleeve: it holds the laptop in place and stops it swinging about as you walk. If you fly often, look at models that open flat: at airport security that noticeably speeds things up.
3. Fabric and water protection
It is important not to confuse two terms here. Lenovo explains that a water-repellent backpack gets a treatment or coating that protects against light rain but does not make the bag fully waterproof. True waterproofing depends on taped seams, zip construction and the product as a whole. On AliExpress, the word “waterproof” in a title most often just means water-repellent fabric, so in heavy rain it is best to put your laptop in a sleeve as well.
Pay attention to durability too. Lenovo advises looking for reinforced stitching where the straps attach and around the main compartment, smooth-running zips and large, comfortable pullers. A flap over the zip gives extra protection from moisture.
4. Straps, back panel and base
This determines how you will feel by the end of the day. Able Carry advises avoiding thin straps with no padding and a soft base that sags under weight. A good backpack has soft, wide straps, a rigid or semi-rigid base and a chest strap that spreads the load and stops the straps slipping off.
For the back panel, CabinZero recommends mesh or foam inserts with ventilation channels, otherwise your back will sweat even in winter on public transport. If the backpack is large and you wear it for long periods, a hip belt is useful: according to CabinZero, a properly fitted belt should take most of the weight, and the idea that the shoulders carry the whole load is a common misconception.
5. Design and pockets
Backpacks come with top loading or in a “suitcase” format that opens into two halves. CabinZero notes that with the latter you can easily reach your things from any side, while top-loading backpacks pack faster, look neater and often cope better with outdoor conditions. For the city and trips with a laptop the first option is more convenient, and for outdoor activities the second.
Lots of pockets is not always a good thing. Lenovo warns that an abundance of compartments can make a loaded backpack bulky. You need a few well-thought-out ones: a quick pocket for your phone and keys, an organiser for chargers, and a hidden pocket against the back for your passport and wallet. CabinZero recommends the last as protection against pickpockets at airports, stations and tourist spots, along with zips that can be locked.
6. How to check before buying
CabinZero advises trying a backpack on with weight inside, and when buying online, reading the dimensions carefully and looking at reviews from people of a similar build. On AliExpress it is worth opening customer photos: they show whether the backpack keeps its shape, what the fabric looks like in real life and whether a laptop of the right size fits. A USB port on the side panel is simply a pass-through for a cable: you have to put the power bank inside yourself.
Popular models from AliExpress
Heroic Knight 15.6 inch, expandable
The best-selling backpack in our selection, at £31.79. A business laptop backpack for 15.6 inch laptops with an expandable capacity feature and a USB port. The seller claims waterproof fabric and large capacity. It suits both work and short trips.
Price on 15 November: £31.79
Sold: 5362+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.4%
View on AliExpress
Multi-compartment laptop backpack
The most affordable option in the selection, at £5.39, and yet the second best seller. A large-capacity unisex backpack for business trips, with several compartments and adjustable straps. A good choice if you need a simple everyday backpack without paying extra for a brand.
Price on 15 November: £5.39
Sold: 4866+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
BANGE 17.3 inch, expandable
A model for people with a large laptop, at £21.47. BANGE sells it in its own factory store. The backpack is designed for a 17.3 inch laptop, expands and suits travel. Even so, check the compartment dimensions against the thickness of your laptop before buying.
Price on 15 November: £21.47
Sold: 2701+ pcs, positive reviews: 97.5%
View on AliExpress
BANGE 15.6 inch with USB port
A lighter backpack from the same brand for a 15.6 inch laptop, at £19.63. The seller lists waterproof fabric, a USB charging port and general-purpose use: study, trips, walks.
Price on 15 November: £19.63
Sold: 2629+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
Carry-on backpack 40x20x25 cm
A compact backpack that the seller positions as travel hand luggage, with room for a laptop, at £12.49. The dimensions are stated right in the title, which is handy, but airline baggage rules differ, so check them against your carrier’s requirements before you travel.
Price on 15 November: £12.49
Sold: 2370+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
Xiaomi Classic Business Backpack 2
The second version of Xiaomi’s classic business backpack, at £23.89. The understated design suits the office, and the title lists a laptop compartment and large capacity. It is an option for those who prefer a well-known brand and minimalism.
Price on 15 November: £23.89
Sold: 1245+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
In short: what to choose
For the city and study, a backpack of around 20 litres with a padded compartment for your laptop, thick straps and a chest strap is enough. If you travel for work often, choose an expandable model or a compact backpack sized for hand luggage. Owners of 17 inch laptops should look for models made for that screen size from the start and check the thickness. And do not count on full waterproofing: for heavy rain, keep a laptop sleeve or a rain cover with the backpack.
