The Best Laptop Tote Bags of 2025

A durable, water-repellent polyester tote: Bellroy Tokyo Tote

Who should get this: Anyone who prefers something more casual than a briefcase but still wants to look pulled together.

Maximum laptop size: 13 inches

Why it’s great: The Bellroy Tokyo Tote, previously called the 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 people who appreciate a professional 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 latest version 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 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: six-year warranty
Colors: raven black, bronze orange, deep plum, light green

A tote and messenger bag in one: Lo & Sons The O.G. 2

Who should get this: Commuters who like the look of a tote bag but prefer the functionality of a cross-body messenger.

Maximum laptop size: 13 inches

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.

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. (Note: The large-size Lo & Sons O.G. 2 bag weighs 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: 10 colors, including black/gold/lavender, black/gunmetal/gray, deep navy/gold/camel, gray/silver/azure

A sophisticated leather tote: Tory Burch Perry Triple-Compartment Tote

Who should get this: People with a higher budget who want an upscale leather tote with a classic, refined silhouette.

Maximum laptop size: 13 inches

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 out there 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, new ivory, light umber, brick, light granite, feather gray, natural, mint green, denim multi

A handmade leather tote to last a lifetime: Carl Friedrik Ashby Leather Tote

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.

Maximum laptop size: 13 inches

Why it’s great: The Carl Friedrik Ashby Leather Tote is the most expensive option we tested—and the price has gone up over time by $100. With that said, it’s a beauty: The bag is handmade in Italy, and it has unquestionable quality, elegant 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