Are you going to college in the Fall, but still do not own a proper backpack for school. If you answered yes, then you came to the right place. In this article, we give you our selection for the best backpacks for college. Come check them out!
The Four Best Backpacks for College Students to Carry Everything You Need
If you are going to college for the first time, then there are some vital supplies that you need before heading to school. In addition to the dorm essentials, class supplies, and a laptop, you will also need a backpack for carrying all of your stuff.
But how do you know that the backpack you want works for college? Luckily, on this list, we let you know what you should look for when shopping.
We also give you some of our selections for the best backpacks for college. But before we take a look at them, let us cover some critical questions that freshman usually ask about their backpacks.
College Backpack Frequently Asked Questions
In this section, we cover some frequently asked questions first-year college students usually ask regarding college backpacks.
How Are College Backpacks Different From Regular Backpacks?
College backpacks differ from regular backpacks in two essential regards: they are much more lightweight, and they can carry laptops. Both of these features are crucial for college students. For many students, the standard day involves a lot of walking to and from classes with heavy textbooks.
As such, you want to make sure that the backpack can support the weight while contributing to it as little as possible. It is also crucial that you can carry your laptop safely. Laptops are vital for writing research papers and similar assignments.
Also, in today's modern classrooms, many professors allow students to take notes on their electronic devices, so you will need a container that can easily take it to and from classes.
What Are Additional Features Important for a College Backpack?
Since you will probably carry valuable objects like your laptop or phone in your backpack, additional security features — like secure pockets or padlocks — can be useful for protecting you valuable.
Other features like a USB port and a headphone pocket can also be convenient for accessing and charging your electronic devices. If you prefer lots of storage, then you should also look for a backpack with lots of different pockets.
What Should I Know Before Buying a College Backpack?
Before you purchase a college backpack, you should always know the exact size of the laptop you will use in school. If you own a large notebook, then there is a possibility that it will not fit in one of the smaller, fifteen-inch bags.
As such, do a quick measurement before you commit to a purchase. You should also try and know a little bit about your class schedule. If your classes require a lot of books, then you will want a bag that can hold them all as opposed to a smaller one.
How We Reviewed the Backpacks On This List
So how do we select the best backpacks for college? We review the backpacks on this list by looking for products that cater their design towards the needs of college students. We believe there are three essential things that every college backpack should feature.
For one thing, it should be lightweight, since the student will carry it with books all around the campus and surrounding community. Second, we make sure that the product can hold a laptop safely without damaging it.
Finally, we look for helpful add-on features, like additional security, USB ports, and plenty of pockets. We then test and review the products based on how well they fulfill these functions. The product that wins the title of best college backpack offers the best combination of value and service for new students.
Overall Price Range for Backpacks
The cost of a backpack depends both on the brand you get and the type of material the company uses on it. Recognizable name brands charge more for their products than the lesser-known brand. As such, on this list, we only include more affordable, lesser-known brands.
We find that there is no significant drop in quality between them. A backpacks cost also depends on the type of material used on it and the design itself.
Polyester generally costs a little more than nylon material and leather costs even more than the two. On this list of college backpacks, the prices range from twenty dollars to fifty dollars.
Top Four Best College Backpacks
Matein Laptop Backpack with USB Charging Port
Key Features
The Matein Laptop Backpack features two main pockets: one pouch for your fifteen points six-inch laptop and another for any books, accessories or cords you may need to carry. It also features two mesh side pockets on the side where you can keep things like water bottles and snacks.
The front of the product features two additional smaller pockets for things like pens. The backpack comes in seven different color designs you can choose from: blue, brown, grey, red, camo, charcoal black, and grey and black camo. You can also make an external connection with the added USB charging port.
Pros and Cons
One thing we love about the Matein Laptop Backpack is the durability of the product. If you treat the backpack correctly, then it should last yours for the entirety of your academic career. The sleek design is also another favorite feature of ours, as well as the waterproof material the company uses.
Also, we think this product has the perfect amount of pockets on it; not too many that you forget which one holds your things and not too few that you need to squeeze everything into one section.
Unfortunately, the product is not perfect. Some customers note that sometimes when you load the backpack up with heavy material, the straps will slip from their buckles. Other customers complained about the zipper quality, saying they break off too quickly.
Pricing
The Matein Laptop Backpack with USB Charging Port costs around thirty-six dollars.
Where to Buy
You can find this college backpack on most major online retailers like Amazon.
Yorepek Travel Laptop Backpack Extra Large College School Backpack for Men and Women
Key Features
The Yorepek Travel Laptop Backpack puts space (and pockets) above everything else. Altogether the bag features twenty different pockets for storing devices and books. It can also hold a seventeen-inch laptop and features a durable, waterproof nylon material.
The backpack comes in five different color designs: black, blue, royal blue, grey, and purple. It also features a headphone hole so you can listen to music while you store your phone.
Pros and Cons
One big pro associated with the Yorepek Travel Laptop Backpack is the fact that it can fit a seventeen-inch laptop in it. So, if you can, your device is more significant than fifteen inches, then this product is a good match.
Some people may also love the massive amount of storage that comes with the bag. If you plan on studying abroad or traveling while you go to school, then this product will serve both purposes well.
However, the backpack is not for everyone. For one thing, it is one of the more expensive products on this list. Also, some people might not prefer the massive amounts of pockets that come with the bag, since it can quickly become easy to lose things in them.
Pricing
The YOREPEK Travel Laptop Backpack costs around fifty dollars at retail value.
Where to Buy
You can find this college backpack on most major online retailers like Amazon.
Mancro Laptop Backpack for Women and Men
Key Features
If you want a backpack that puts the security of your things before anything else, then the Mancro Laptop Backpack is a good selection for you. The bag comes with a padlock that you can close to secure any valuables you carry with you.
The bag comes in seven different colors: grey, black, blue, crest blue, red, dark grey, and camouflage. The bag can hold a fifteen-inch laptop and features a USB port design.
Pros and Cons
As we mentioned, we believe the most significant pro that comes with the Mancro Laptop Backpack is the fact that it keeps your things safe. It keeps your valuables secure from potential theft with a padlock. But it also keeps them safe from water and rainstorms.
While the bag will not stay dry when fully immersed in water, it will keep the right amount from touching anything, which makes it great for bad weather days.
However, the product is not perfect. Many people complained about the zippers on their bag malfunctioned, especially after rain.
Others complained that the straps within the bag do not secure the laptop properly. Also, some people had a negative experience with customer service when they did not receive their lock.
Pricing
The Mancro Laptop Backpack for Women and Men costs around twenty-nine dollars at retail value.
Where to Buy
You can find this college backpack on most major online retailers like Amazon.
Vancropak Water Resistant School Backpack with USB Charging Port for Women / Men
Key Features
If you want the most affordable backpack on this list due to budget constraints, then look no further than the Vancropak Water Resistant School Backpack. The bag comes in six distinct colors: black, green, grey, red, azure, and cyan.
The bag is not as large as some of the others on this list, but it does feature a main compartment with dividers that can separate your books and laptop. It also comes with standard features like a USB charging port. You can fit a fifteen-inch notebook in it.
Pros and Cons
The biggest pro that comes with the Vancropak Water Resistant School Backpack is the affordable twenty dollar price tag. When you consider the low price, the bag is actually incredibly effective at keeping out water during rain or spill accidents. Plus, the design is simple but stylish and gender-neutral.
However, there are some drawbacks associated with the Vancropak Water Resistant School Backpack. As we mentioned, the bag is smaller than others on this list, so if your primary or schedule require you to carry around lots of material, then you should choose a bigger bag.
Also, like many of the other bags on this list, the zippers are not always up to par, especially if you live in a wet environment. The bag itself may be waterproof, but the zippers are not. Some people also complained that the straps that came with the product were too flimsy for them.
Pricing
The Vancropak Water Resistant School Backpack costs around twenty dollars at retail value.
Where to Buy
You can find this college backpack on most major online retailers like Amazon.
College Backpacks Comparison Table
In this section, we compare the specs of the backpacks we just listed so you can get a better sense of all of their features and strengths at a glance.
Matein Laptop Backpack with USB Charging Port
- Price — Thirty-six dollars
- Size — Fifteen point six inches and seventeen inches
- Color options — Seven
- Material — Polyester fabric with metal zippers
- Extra features — Anti-theft pocket and USB port design
YOREPEK Travel Laptop Backpack, Extra Large College School Backpack for Men and Women
- Price — Fifty dollars
- Size — Fifteen point six inches, seventeen inches, and eighteen point four inches
- Color options — Five
- Material — Polyester fabric with nylon lining
- Extra features — USB port design and headphone hole
Mancro Laptop Backpack for Women and Men
- Price — Twenty-nine dollars
- Size — Fifteen point six inches and seventeen point three inches
- Color options — Eight
- Material — Nylon fabric
- Extra features — Anti-theft lock and USB port design
Vancropak Water Resistant School Backpack with USB Charging Port for Women / Men
- Price — Twenty dollars
- Size — Fifteen point six inches
- Color options — Six
- Material — Polyester
- Extra features — USB charging port design
The Verdict: The Best College Backpack for Students
In our opinion, the Matein Laptop Backpack with USB Charging Port takes the first prize as the best backpack for college students. In addition to offering a great compromise between value and function, we also love the look and features included with the product.
However, it also shares many of the same features with the other bags on this list. So what makes the Matein Laptop Backpack stand out from the other ones? A critical factor in our decision was the overwhelming amount of positive reviews that the backpack received from actual college students.
If you do not believe us, then get it right from the horse's mouth: the Matein Laptop Backpack offers an exceptional product for you people in school. However, we still believe the other products on this list come with a value. So, if you find that you like the style, features, or fit of one of the other models, then go with it!
We think that the Matein Laptop Backpack does the best job at synthesizing all of them into one. As such, it is our pick. We hope these articles helped you discover some of the best backpacks for college students. Good luck with your classes!