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Our best gaming laptop backpack picks protect a heavy laptop, charger, mouse and headset while staying comfortable on your back.
Gaming laptops are thick and heavy, so padding, fit and straps matter more than with thin laptops. We compared protection, laptop size support, comfort and owner feedback to find the best gaming laptop backpack.
Quick Answer: The Best Gaming Laptop Backpack
- Best Overall: Lenovo Legion 17 inch Armored Backpack II, Gaming Laptop Bag, Double-Layered Protection, Water-Resistant
- Best Premium 17-Inch: ASUS ROG Ranger BP2701 Gaming Backpack, 17 inch, Water-Repellent, Mesh Back, Chest Strap
- Best for Flights: Mobile Edge CORE Gaming Laptop Backpack 17-18 inch, TSA-Friendly, USB Charging Port, Ballistic Nylon
- Best TSA Lay-Flat: SwissGear 1900 ScanSmart TSA Laptop Backpack, Fits 17 inch Laptops
- Best for 18-Inch: Alienware 18 inch Backpack AW7825P, 28L, Water Resistant
- Best Hard Shell Budget: MATEIN Hard Shell Gaming Backpack 18 inch, TSA Friendly, EVA, Headset and Controller Pockets, Rain Cover
- Best Value: MATEIN Travel Laptop Backpack, 17 inch TSA Friendly Large Backpack with USB Charging Port, Anti Theft
- Best Expandable: Targus Voyager EXP 17 inch Laptop Backpack, Expandable 27-30L
The Lenovo Legion 17″ Armored Backpack II is our top pick. Also consider the ASUS ROG Ranger BP2701 (Best Premium 17-Inch) and the Mobile Edge CORE Gaming Backpack (Best for Flights).
Best Gaming Laptop Backpack Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Type | Key Feature | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenovo Legion 17″ Armored Backpack II | Best Overall | Gaming laptop backpack | EVA front shield, fits 17.3″ | Check Price |
| ASUS ROG Ranger BP2701 | Best Premium 17-Inch | Gaming laptop backpack | 22L, water-repellent, fits 17″ | Check Price |
| Mobile Edge CORE Gaming Backpack | Best for Flights | TSA-friendly gaming backpack | Fits 17.3-18″, USB port | Check Price |
| SwissGear 1900 ScanSmart | Best TSA Lay-Flat | TSA lay-flat backpack | ScanSmart lay-flat laptop section | Check Price |
| Alienware 18″ Backpack (AW7825P) | Best for 18-Inch | 18″ gaming backpack | Molded shell, fits 18″ | Check Price |
| MATEIN 18″ Hard Shell Gaming Backpack | Best Hard Shell Budget | Hard shell gaming backpack | EVA hard shell, fits 18″ | Check Price |
| MATEIN XL 17″ Travel Backpack | Best Value | 17″ TSA-friendly backpack | TSA lay-flat, 20+ pockets | Check Price |
| Targus Voyager EXP 17″ | Best Expandable | Expandable travel backpack | Expands from 27L to 30L | Check Price |
The 8 Best Gaming Laptop Backpacks
Each best gaming laptop backpack pick below fits a gaming laptop and accessories.
Lenovo Legion 17 inch Armored Backpack II, Gaming Laptop Bag, Double-Layered Protection, Water-Resistant
1The Lenovo Legion Armored Backpack II fits 17.3-inch gaming laptops and adds a hard EVA front shield.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Hard EVA front protects the laptop
- Built for gaming laptops
- Strong owner ratings
Cons
- Bulky look
- Fewer organizer pockets than travel bags
📄 Detailed Review
- Fits: Up to 17.3″ laptops
- Protection: EVA armored front shell
- Material: Water-resistant fabric
Its water-resistant fabric and dedicated accessory pockets suit players who carry a mouse, headset and charger.
Best overall value gaming backpack.
ASUS ROG Ranger BP2701 Gaming Backpack, 17 inch, Water-Repellent, Mesh Back, Chest Strap
2The ROG Ranger BP2701 is a 22-liter backpack for laptops up to 17 inches with water-repellent fabric.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Water-repellent fabric
- Comfortable mesh back
- Gamer styling without going over the top
Cons
- Pricey
- Some 18″ laptops will not fit
📄 Detailed Review
- Fits: Up to 17″ laptops
- Capacity: 22L (listed)
- Comfort: Mesh back, chest strap
A mesh back panel and chest strap keep it comfortable on longer walks.
Best premium 17-inch backpack.
Mobile Edge CORE Gaming Laptop Backpack 17-18 inch, TSA-Friendly, USB Charging Port, Ballistic Nylon
3The Mobile Edge CORE is built for 17.3 to 18-inch gaming laptops, with ballistic nylon and a checkpoint-friendly layout.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fits big gaming laptops
- TSA-friendly layout
- Tough ballistic nylon
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy when fully packed
📄 Detailed Review
- Fits: 17.3″ to 18″ laptops (listed)
- Travel: Checkpoint-friendly design
- Extras: External USB pass-through port
An external USB port lets you connect your own power bank inside the bag.
Best for big laptops and flights.
SwissGear 1900 ScanSmart TSA Laptop Backpack, Fits 17 inch Laptops
4The SwissGear 1900 ScanSmart has a lay-flat laptop section designed for checkpoint screening and fits 17-inch laptops.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lay-flat checkpoint design
- Very popular
- Durable fabric
Cons
- Not gamer-styled
- Heavy
📄 Detailed Review
- Fits: Up to 17″ laptops
- Travel: ScanSmart lay-flat TSA design
- Material: 1200D polyester
It is one of the most popular travel backpacks on Amazon.
Best TSA-friendly backpack.
Alienware 18 inch Backpack AW7825P, 28L, Water Resistant
5The Alienware AW7825P is a 28-liter backpack for 18-inch laptops with a molded shell and water-resistant fabric.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Built for 18-inch gaming laptops
- Water-resistant
- Molded protective shell
Cons
- Expensive
- Large
📄 Detailed Review
- Fits: Up to 18″ laptops
- Capacity: 28L (listed)
- Comfort: 3D mesh back
A 3D mesh back keeps it comfortable with a heavy laptop inside.
Best premium 18-inch backpack.
MATEIN Hard Shell Gaming Backpack 18 inch, TSA Friendly, EVA, Headset and Controller Pockets, Rain Cover
6The MATEIN hard shell backpack fits 18-inch gaming laptops with a molded EVA shell, headset lanyard and controller pockets.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Hard shell under $50 when we checked
- Headset and controller storage
- Rain cover included
Cons
- Fewer reviews so far
- Hard shell limits stretching
📄 Detailed Review
- Fits: Up to 18″ laptops (listed)
- Shell: Hard EVA
- Extras: Headset lanyard, controller pockets, rain cover
It also comes with a rain cover, which is useful for walking to LAN events.
Best budget hard shell backpack.
MATEIN Travel Laptop Backpack, 17 inch TSA Friendly Large Backpack with USB Charging Port, Anti Theft
7The MATEIN XL backpack fits 17-inch laptops and opens flat for checkpoint screening.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Huge capacity for the price
- TSA-friendly layout
- Lots of pockets
Cons
- Large and boxy
- Padding is thinner than gaming bags
📄 Detailed Review
- Fits: Up to 17″ laptops
- Travel: TSA-friendly opening
- Extras: USB port, anti-theft pocket
It adds a USB port, an anti-theft pocket and more than twenty pockets for cables and accessories.
Best value 17-inch travel backpack.
Targus Voyager EXP 17 inch Laptop Backpack, Expandable 27-30L
8The Targus Voyager EXP fits 17-inch laptops and expands from 27 to 30 liters.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Expandable capacity
- Trusted laptop bag brand
- Good for overnight trips
Cons
- New with few reviews
- Plain styling
📄 Detailed Review
- Fits: Up to 17″ laptops
- Capacity: 27-30L expandable (listed)
- Brand: Targus
The extra room helps on overnight trips to tournaments.
Best expandable backpack.
How We Chose the Best Gaming Laptop Backpack
To choose the best gaming laptop backpack, we compared protection, laptop size support, comfort and owner feedback.
Before you fly with a power bank or spare batteries, check the FAA PackSafe guide to lithium batteries.
Product details in this guide are based on manufacturer specifications and verified owner feedback, not in-house lab testing. Read more on our How We Test page.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Gaming Laptop Backpack
Keep these factors in mind when shopping for the best gaming laptop backpack.
Measure your laptop first
Gaming laptops are thicker than the screen size suggests. Measure width, depth and thickness, then compare with the laptop compartment size in the listing, not just the screen size.
Comfort and weight
A heavy gaming laptop and charger can weigh several pounds. Padded, adjustable straps, a sternum strap and a ventilated back panel make a big difference on long trips.
TSA-friendly laptop bags
Checkpoint-friendly bags open flat so the laptop compartment can be screened on its own. Rules and lane procedures can vary, so be ready to remove your laptop if an officer asks.
Water resistance
Most bags are water-resistant, not waterproof. Coated fabrics and covered zippers keep out light rain; a rain cover or roll-top design is better for heavy weather.
Backpack packing tips
Pack it right:
- Put the laptop in the padded compartment closest to your back.
- Pack the heavy charger low in the bag.
- Keep the mouse in a case or soft pouch.
- Carry power banks in your carry-on, never checked bags.
Here are quick answers about the best gaming laptop backpack.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best gaming laptop backpack?
Our pick for the best gaming laptop backpack is the Lenovo Legion 17″ Armored Backpack II, followed by the ASUS ROG Ranger BP2701 (Best Premium 17-Inch).
What size backpack do I need?
Measure your laptop and compare it with the compartment size.
Do gaming backpacks fit consoles?
Some fit a Switch or controller pockets.
Are hard shell backpacks better?
They add protection but less flexibility.
Final Verdict
Our final pick for the best gaming laptop backpack is the Lenovo Legion 17″ Armored Backpack II. Choose the ASUS ROG Ranger BP2701 if you want a premium water-repellent design, or the Mobile Edge CORE Gaming Backpack for flights.
Related Guides
More gaming laptop accessory guides:
- Best Gaming Backpack with USB Charging
- Best Gaming Laptop Backpack for 17 Inch
- Best Anti Theft Gaming Laptop Backpack
- Best Gaming Laptop Backpack for 18 Inch
- Best Vertical Monitor Stand
- Best Wireless Earbuds for Gaming Low Latency
Product details are based on manufacturer specifications at the time of writing. Prices and availability change often, so check Amazon for the latest price.
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