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We most recently updated this article in August 2022 and added newly vetted picks from Tomtoc, Mosiso, Baggu, Herschel, Thule and Incase and updated picks from Lacdo, Cuyana, Aqua Quest and Dagne Dover.
With hybrid work schedules on the rise and school starting again, more and more people are commuting with a laptop. While bags and backpacks with built-in laptop sleeves are great options, they rarely provide as much protection as a laptop case or laptop sleeve. And if you're simply shoving your laptop in your backpack or work bag without the proper protection, you can end up with scratches or worse, a cracked screen. Instead, consider investing in a laptop case or sleeve to provide a bit of protection.
Over the years, experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab have tested hundreds of bags, from laptop bags for women to backpacks for college students and more. Our scientists and engineers have evaluated qualities like durability, ease of use, comfort when wearing, innovative features and more. To find the best laptop sleeves and cases, we used our categorical expertise and surveyed laptop case and sleeve users to learn more about which brands are currently popular and the features people look for when shopping. The picks ahead are from top-tested brands in our backpack tests, personal favorites from GH analysts and editors and those with innovative features.
Our top picks:
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You can read on to learn more about what to consider when shopping for your next laptop case or sleeve at the end of this guide. Don't forget to keep your laptop screen clean as you bring it from place to place.
Pros
- 360-degree protective design
- Long-lasting and durable
- Convenient front pocket
Cons
- Some reviewers note that the circular cushioning can leave marks on their computers
This laptop sleeve from Tomtoc features a unique 360-degree protection design, with extra protection along the edges and corners of the sleeve and quality materials. According to our survey, several recent college grads chose it as their sleeve of choice and gave it high scores across the board. One told us that after struggling with finding good laptop sleeves in the past, she bought this on a whim and never looked back. “I’ve used this sleeve for 2.5 years so far, and it’s pretty much as good as the day I got it,” she said. Others noted that the case is a perfect fit for their 13-inch laptops and the pocket is great for storing paper notes. Our analysts also appreciate the foam padding and sturdy construction. Just note that while we didn't experience this, some online reviewers noticed that the unique circular padding left abrasive marks on their laptops.
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Best Value Laptop Sleeve
AmazonBasics Laptop Sleeve
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Best Value Laptop Sleeve
AmazonBasics Laptop Sleeve
Pros
- Multiple colors and sizes to fit any device
- Over 99,000 reviews on Amazon
- Slim look
Cons
- Not as many protective features as other picks
If you’re searching for something simple, this affordable pick from AmazonBasics offers protection for your laptop at a fraction of the price. It has nearly 100,000 reviews with an average 4.6-star rating and comes with the added convenience of Prime shipping. While we haven’t tested this laptop sleeve yet, our experts love that it comes in seven different sizes and fits a variety of laptops, tablets and e-readers.
Pros
- 45 different colors to choose from
- Comes with keyboard cover, screen protector and small bag
- College-student recommended
Cons
- Some users say the case can crack near the corners if handled roughly
If you’re looking for a hard-shell case to ensure your laptop stays scratch free and protected, consider this case from Mosiso. Not only is it a best seller that comes with a keyboard skin and screen protector, but this pick comes highly recommended by recent college grads and current students, including GH staff members. One college student told us that she’s used these cases for almost seven years, only replacing one after three long years of use. She has been impressed by their longevity and quality compared to other cases she’s tried, one of which lasted only two months before cracking — ouch! Another user also told us she swears it has saved her laptop on multiple occasions, including from several surprise water bottle explosions in her backpack. Just note that this case is specifically designed for a 13-inch Macbook Pro, but the brand offers a huge range of cases for all kinds of Macbooks.
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Best Laptop Sleeve on Amazon
Lacdo Laptop Sleeve Case
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Best Laptop Sleeve on Amazon
Lacdo Laptop Sleeve Case
Pros
- Fits laptop accessories with ease
- Protective foam padding
- Fuzzy interior limits scratches
Cons
- Limited corner and edge protection
This popular laptop sleeve is an Amazon best-seller with over 22,000 reviews and an impressive average of 4.8 stars. It’s made of a polyester canvas material that the brand calls waterproof, with two layers of protective foam and a fuzzy interior lining for minimizing any accidental scratches. GH Chemist Danusia Wnek uses this case to protect her laptop during her commute and has been impressed by just how much it can hold. She uses the zippered pockets in the front to safely store her laptop charger, wireless earbuds, mouse and more. The sleeve in the back provides space for paper notes or a slim notebook. She noted that even when packed to the brim with her laptop and accessories, “this sleeve still remains slim, which I absolutely love.”
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Most Trendy Laptop Sleeve
Baggu Puffy Laptop Sleeve 13"/14"
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Most Trendy Laptop Sleeve
Baggu Puffy Laptop Sleeve 13"/14"
Pros
- Unique print
- Lightweight and durable recycled materials
- Machine washable
Baggu is a favorite brand among our textile analysts for its stylish prints and durable, lightweight materials — we especially like the packing cubes and reusable grocery bags. The brand's laptop case has a unique, quilted design — reminiscent of a puffer jacket — with a Velcro closure. It comes in tons of fun patterns and colors, from smiley faces to floral and fruit designs. The brand offers a smaller size for 13-inch laptops and a larger size to accommodate laptops up to 16 inches. Our experts love that this case uses recycled nylon and recycled polyester fill and appreciate how it’s also machine washable for easy care.
Pros
- Lightweight and durable materials
- Fleece-lined Interior
- Ample foam padding
Cons
- Some reviewers caution that the metal zipper can scratch your laptop if you aren’t careful
Herschel is often a top-performing brand in our Textiles Lab evaluations for its impressively durable yet lightweight materials and construction. The brand’s tech daypack was even the top choice in our laptop backpack tests with its own separate laptop compartment. This standalone sleeve from Herschel comes in six different sizes for both laptops and tablets, with ample padding for cushioned protection. A fleece-lined interior is designed to keep your electronics scratch-free. It's also a favorite of our analysts for its long-lasting quality.
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Pros
- Timeless, sleek design
- Quality materials and construction
- Convenient pockets
Cons
- Expensive
Cuyana touts the importance of “fewer, better things," working to design long-lasting items in its effort toward more sustainable fashion. This tech carry-all comes in two sizes to fit laptops from 13 to 16 inches. Two zippered pockets provide storage for a charger and accessories, and snap closures to keep everything secure. The sleek design lets this laptop sleeve double as a clutch or you can seamlessly integrate it into the brand’s System Tote, thanks to the discreet corner snaps, allowing you to carry it with ease without bulking up your bag or worrying about it moving around. While it’s on the pricier side, our analysts are confident in the high-quality materials and construction of Cuyana’s timeless and long-lasting products.
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Best Laptop Sleeve for Everyday Use
ProCase Laptop Sleeve
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Best Laptop Sleeve for Everyday Use
ProCase Laptop Sleeve
Pros
- Convenient handle
- Ample protective padding
- Variety of sizes for all kinds of laptops
Cons
- Case unzips fully at the bottom not the top
This laptop sleeve from ProCase is both easy to use and has great protective features, all for under $20. The foam padding on the inside helps protect your laptop from scratches, dents or shocks. The top handle makes for easy toting and a large front zipper pocket lets you store accessories. There are nearly 30,000 five-star Amazon reviewers that love this sleeve. They highlight how it unzips almost all the way around, so it’s super easy to get your laptop in and out. Our experts also love that this sleeve comes in five different sizes and fits a variety of laptops.
Pros
- Removable neoprene padding for extra protection
- Convenient strap for carrying
- Sizes for 11-inch to 17-inch laptops
Cons
- Not as stylish as other options
Nobody likes getting caught in a downpour, but when you have your laptop with you, the rain can be more than just annoying — it can ruin your computer. This sleeve from Aqua Quest actually contains two cases with a double ziplock seal and welded seams for maximum waterproof protection from accidental spills or rain storms. Reviewers love using it for all their electronics when traveling or at the beach and our analysts can’t wait to put it to the test in our Lab.
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Pros
- Fully unzips for easy packing
- Luggage-like design
- Removable crossbody strap
Cons
- Limited color availability
If you’re looking for an extra layer of protection for your laptop, this pick from Thule offers a tough, rigid exterior shell with targeted corner and edge protection. It fully unzips like a suitcase, with ample storage space and compartments on one side and a place for your laptop with a strap to secure it in place on the other. It also comes with handles and a removable strap for easy carrying on its own. Thule’s bags and luggage are top performers in our Lab tests. The brand’s luggage showed no signs of wear in abrasion resistance tests and earned high scores in our drop tests, so it’s a brand we trust to really protect your electronics. Plus, you can even work directly out of this laptop case, thanks to its fully un-zippable design. While this version comes with handles and a crossbody strap, Thule also sells this protective sleeve on its own for laptops up to 13 inches and 16 inches.
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Best Laptop Sleeve for MacBooks
Incase Compact Sleeve in Flight Nylon for MacBook
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Best Laptop Sleeve for MacBooks
Incase Compact Sleeve in Flight Nylon for MacBook
Pros
- Durable, weather-resistant material
- Faux fur lining to minimize scratches
- High-quality look and feel
Cons
- Designed specifically for MacBooks
Incase is a popular brand among GH editors and analysts for its top-notch laptop sleeves, providing a “snug, secure fit” for MacBooks. GH’s Media & Tech Reviews Analyst Olivia Lipski loves everything about this case from the extra storage compartment in the front and high-quality zippers to the durable, stain-resistant nylon material and plush faux fur lining. While it’s definitely a splurge, she says that it’s well worth the price if you want something perfectly tailored to your MacBook. The brand also offers a neoprene laptop sleeve that Catherine Malzahn, GH’s Beauty Assistant, swears by, after using it for close to a decade with four different laptops. Just note that this sleeve has been designed specifically for MacBooks, almost like a custom-tailored suit, so laptops with slightly different dimensions may not fit as well.
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Best Backpack with Built-in Laptop Sleeve
Dagne Dover Dakota Neoprene Backpack
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Best Backpack with Built-in Laptop Sleeve
Dagne Dover Dakota Neoprene Backpack
Pros
- Comfortable feel
- Tons of compartments for organization
- Padded laptop sleeve with stay-in-place strap
Cons
- May pill with frequent use
If you’d rather opt for a bag with a built-in laptop sleeve, this pick from Dagne Dover is one of our favorite laptop backpacks. Unlike other backpacks that have rough or stiff exterior fabric, this option uses neoprene fabric, a material often used in many laptop sleeves, for a soft and almost squishy feel. The bag contains a built-in laptop sleeve with a strap to keep everything in place, plus tons of interior pockets and compartments, including one to secure your water bottle or cell phone. Both GH analysts and our survey panel of college students have found it super comfortable to wear. Just note that the fabric was prone to pilling in our tests, but you can use a fabric shaver to easily clean it up.
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How we choose the best laptop cases and sleeves
The scientists and engineers at the Good Housekeeping Institute have tested hundreds of bags over the years, from different types of luggage to travel backpacks and including bags specifically designed to hold laptops. When testing luggage or backpacks, our analysts evaluate the durability of each product by testing abrasion resistance, water resistance and more to ensure they'll stand up to years of use without significant wear and tear. We also consider the overall volume and weight capacity of each bag.
When testing laptop sleeves, we assess the overall construction taking note of interior padding, exterior fabric and any zipper closures, Velcro or additional compartments. Our analysts also surveyed recent graduates and current students who use laptop cases or sleeves to learn more about what they specifically look for when shopping and how the ones they've used have held up over time. These recommendations take into account the top-performing brands from our other related tests as well as personal favorites from our staff and student panel.
Things to keep in mind when shopping for the best laptop cases and sleeves
✔️ Size: Make sure to double-check the interior dimensions of any laptop sleeve before you purchase it to make sure your laptop can fit. Your sleeve or case should fit your laptop snugly, without too much extra space to keep it from shifting around during your commute. Note that some sleeves might be meant for thinner laptops to ensure a snug fit, so if you have a laptop that's on the bulkier side, make sure your desired sleeve can accommodate the extra height.
✔️ Exterior Material: Keeping your laptop safe is a top priority, and that means being prepared for different conditions. Opt for waterproof or water-resistant materials for extra protection in inclement weather or look for a machine washable sleeve for easy care. While most laptop sleeves are made of a softer, fabric material, those with harder exteriors typically offer more protection in case you accidentally drop your laptop case.
✔️ Padding: While some laptop sleeves are made of neoprene fabric, which typically has neoprene rubber sandwiched between two pieces of synthetic fabric, others may add extra layers of foam for protection. Some sleeves have been designed specifically to protect the corners and edges of your laptop.
✔️ Preventing Scratches: One of the worst experiences can be taking your laptop out of its sleeve to find a noticeable scratch on the surface. If your laptop is prone to scratches, consider opting for a sleeve with a faux fur or fleece lining and be careful when taking it out to use. A hard laptop case can also provide additional protection.
✔️ Pockets: If you constantly forget to bring your laptop charger, consider purchasing a sleeve with a pocket to hold any accessories you'll need. While pockets usually aren't a make-or-break feature, many students have told us they can be a lifesaver for keeping their paper notes and study guides accessible for convenient studying before an exam.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Grace Wu is a textiles product review analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab and most recently updated this article. She's tested multiple laptop sleeves and cases in Lab and consulted recent college graduates and current students to gain insight on what they look for when shopping for backpacks and laptop sleeves. Prior to joining GH, Grace earned a Masters of Engineering in Materials Science & Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Fiber Science from Cornell University.
Emma Seymour is a senior textiles product analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab. She’s been at Good Housekeeping for over three years. She's tested all sorts of backpacks and laptop sleeves in Lab and has written stories on laptop backpacks, laptop bags for women, phone cases and more. With a degree in Fiber Science and Apparel Design from Cornell University, she has extensive research experience and a strong background in fashion.
Emma Seymour
Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Senior Analyst
Emma Seymour (she/her) is a senior product analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.
Grace Wu
Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Product Analyst
Grace Wu (she/her) is a product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she evaluates fabric-based products using specialized equipment and consumer tester data. Prior to starting at Good Housekeeping in 2022, she earned a master of engineering in materials science and engineering and a bachelor of science in fiber science from Cornell University. While earning her degrees, Grace worked in research laboratories for smart textiles and nanotechnology and held internships at Open Style Lab and Rent the Runway.