Off to school! You’ll need your books, notebooks, pens, pencils, probably a calculator, and maybe a laptop or tablet. Aren’t backpacks a great invention? Imagine carrying all that stuff on its own, or in a cumbersome tote bag! Backpacks make life easy for students while they either hop on the bus, walk the halls between classes, or bravely bear the elements as they traipse across a college campus. 

Since backpacks have been around for a while, manufacturers keep finding new ways to make them even better. Today’s backpacks have a variety of features that facilitate any student’s learning experience by organizing and protecting their stuff in creative ways, with new technologies and construction techniques. See our buying guide below for more information about what to look for in the perfect school backpack.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a regular-sized backpack fit a laptop?

The most common size for standard school backpacks is about 15 to 17 inches tall, so this mid size backpack should easily accommodate a 13-inch laptop. Backpacks that are over 16 inches tall will likely fit a 15-inch laptop, but you need to take the laptop case into consideration to be sure. In addition, many school backpacks come with an interior laptop sleeve, which may or may not be padded. A laptop sleeve or separate compartment is ideal if you’ll be carrying a laptop so that it stays securely in place with movement.

Do some backpacks come with a USB charger?

One feature touted by some backpack makers is an external USB charger. However, these chargers often consist of a port only, which may or may not have a USB cable attached. An actual charger is usually NOT included with a backpack that advertises a USB charger. In order to use the backpack’s charging capability, you’ll need to provide your own charger (or purchase one) that goes inside the bag and connects to the external port, allowing you to charge your phone or device from the backpack.

Buying Guide

A backpack is a backpack, right? If only it were that simple! When you start delving into the world of school backpacks, the chances that you’ll feel overwhelmed are pretty high. In order to make the best decision, consider the following while you shop for the best school backpack to suit your needs:

The decision of your new backpack is an important one. It’s something you’ll be living with every day, and its functionality can make or break the flow of your school experience. We’ve taken a look at many of the school backpacks on the market, and we’ve come up with a ranked list of our favorites, below:

Fits Up to 15-Inch Laptop

This water resistant bag from Matein is a great fit for students from middle school to college because of its many organizer pockets and built-in USB charging port with cord. With a separate pocket for your laptop and several neat compartments and side bottle pockets, you’ll easily find places for everything you want to carry.

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Matein’s laptop backpack is popular for a reason. It has all the features that students need to support their education on the go.

Quality at a Value Price

This practical backpack from Amazon Basics is a simple mid size backpack for an affordable price. Its spacious main compartment is large enough to hold a 13-inch laptop, and you’ll love the handy side pockets for water bottles, too.

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Amazon Basics knows how to make quality, no-frills products for a low price, and this classic school backpack is no exception. 

Durable Faux Leather Bottom

JanSport is a trusted name in the world of backpacks, and this Cool Student Backpack comes with the faux leather bottom that JanSport is known for. You can’t go wrong with this classic backpack from an established and time-honored company.

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Pick your favorite color and let this quality backpack from JanSport add convenience and functionality to your school experience.

Classic Quality Backpack

From a well-established maker of active gear, this Loop backpack from High Sierra is super functional and extremely durable. Its 19-inch size is on the larger side while not being too cumbersome. Bottom compression straps hold extra school gear or a sleeping bag for hiking.

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This practical Loop backpack from High Sierra offers a lot of features for the price, and it’s available in a large selection of colors, too.

Lots of Colors and Patterns

VASCHY brings you a practical, classic backpack in a wide selection of vivid solid colors, as well as some beautiful eye-catching patterns, too. It’s padded back panel will protect your laptop and add a cushion against your back, 

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If it rains while you’re out and about, there is no need to worry about your laptop getting wet with this classic backpack from VASCHY.