10 Best Backpacks For Tablets - iPad and iPad Pro Backpacks
As computing technology advances, more people are replacing their clunky laptops with a slimmer and lighter tablet for work, school and travel.
Although most backpacks do a great job at protecting your laptop, unfortunately not all are designed with a dedicated tablet pocket which is bad news for people who carry both devices.
In this buying guide we put together a list of the best backpacks for tablets available right now. Whether you are looking for a backpack for your iPad, Surface Pro, or Kindle we have you covered.
Pictured: Got Bag Daypack with 12.9” iPad Pro
We have divided this list into to two sections:
Best Small Tablet Backpacks - A small and slim backpack with just enough room for your tablet and other daily essentials.
Best Backpacks for Laptop and Tablet - Full-sized backpacks with all the features you need to a store a tablet, laptop and your daily school, work or travel items. These backpacks all have dedicated laptop and tablet pockets.
Best Small Tablet Backpacks
Osprey Arcane Small Daypack
Osprey offers a compact option for those looking for a small tablet backpack to carry just the essentials. What the Arcane Small Daypack does well is offer a ton of pockets to organize your gear. From a generously padded sleeve for a laptop or tablet up to 13-inches to sneaky outer pockets for sunglasses and a metro card - the Osprey Arcane Small Daypack has you covered.
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Features at a glance:
Capacity: 10L
Slim and small backpack for iPad or 13” laptop
Intuitive pockets for organizing your daily essentials
Includes a large front scratch-free pocket for sunglasses or phone
Stylish minimalist design available in a variety of colors
The Osprey Arcane Small Daypack is equipped with a single padded laptop sleeve for devices up to 13-inches. Those looking for an iPad backpack with love the slim design and simple functionality that the Arcane Small has to offer. The 10L main compartment is roomy enough for essentials while the various pockets allow for easy organization of pens, keys, a phone and more.
Osprey is know for their great quality bags that put an emphasis on comfort and the Arcane Small is no exception. Each bag is constructed with eco-friendly recycled fabric and has a PFC-free DWR finish for great water resistance.
Got Bag Daypack
Designed for carrying just the essentials, the Got Bag Daypack is the perfect small backpack for your iPad, accessories and daily must-haves thanks to its minimalist style, sustainable water resistant construction and fun color options.
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Features at a glance:
Outer dimensions: 14"H x 11"W x 5”D
Padded sleeve can fit a laptop or tablet up to 13”
Water resistant construction
11L capacity
Available in lots of fun colors
The padded sleeve inside the Got Bag Daypack is roomy enough to fit any device up to 13-inches such as a laptop or larger tablet like the 12.9” iPad Pro.
As a slim tablet backpack the Got Bag Daypack has everything you need to for daily use or travel. We love the water resistant construction that is made from recycled plastic bottles with a coating that’s free of harmful PFC and PVC. Not only is this tablet backpack stylish, but it’s sustainable and ready to take on your next outdoor adventure!
Day Owl Slim Backpack
The Day Owl Slim makes the perfect small tablet backpack thanks to it’s compact size and padded sleeve that can fit any device up to 14-inches, including a large iPad Pro. Use the Day Owl Slim as your travel companion on long flights or as a daily carry backpack for your tablet and essentials.
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Features at a glance:
Outer dimensions: 15.5"H x 11"W x 3.5”D
Padded compartment can fit a laptop or tablet up to 14”
Top sunglasses pocket
Hidden water bottle pocket
Available in a ton of colors
The dedicated rear zipper compartment on the Day Owl Slim is roomy enough to fit any device up to 14-inches such as a laptop or larger tablet like the 12.9” iPad Pro.
As a slim tablet backpack the Day Owl Slim has everything you need to for daily use or travel. One of our favorite features is the hidden water bottle pocket that can be accessed from the side and is lined with neoprene material to prevent accidental spills from damaging items stored in other parts of the backpack. It’s a pretty neat design feature and we are here for it.
Kensington Triple Trek Slim Backpack
Touting a compact and professional design, the Kensington Triple Trek Slim Backpack offers an easy way to carry just the essentials for work and travel. Inside you’ll find both a fleece-lined laptop sleeve and a separate tablet pocket along with plenty of pockets to keep you organized when on the move.
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Features at a glance:
Tablet sleeve dimensions: 10.6 x 7.4 x 1.8
Laptop sleeve dimensions: 13 x 9 x 1
Fleece lined tablet and laptop sleeves
Plenty of pockets for sunglasses, pens and accessories
The laptop sleeve can hold larger tablets such as the iPad Pro and Microsoft Surface while the tablet sleeve can accommodate regular iPads, iPad Air, iPad Mini and similarly sized tablets. Both sleeves are padded and fleece lined to protect your expensive tech and prevent scratches.
The Kensington Triple Trek Slim also has many essentials features needed to carry accessories such as a mouse, cables and chargers. Don’t let this small backpack fool you, there is enough room in the main compartment is to also carry a couple of books and notebooks in addition to your tech gear. The backpack even features a headphone port, hidden valuables pocket and a water bottle pocket for convenience on the go.
The North Face Jester
The North Face Jester is a lightweight backpack with a single padded laptop sleeve that is perfect for tablet carry. If you are looking for a functional tablet backpack with a roomy main compartment and pockets for organizations then the Jester may be just the ticket.
The North Face Jester is available in men’s and women’s fits and a ton of color options to suit your style.
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Features at a glance:
Capacity: 27L
Available in men’s and women’s specific fits
Single 15” laptop sleeve inside main compartment
Additional front compartment with lots of smaller pockets
Lightweight construction and design
Webbing system for attaching additional items to front of pack
The padded laptop sleeve inside The North Face Jester is large enough for a device up to 15-inches which is great news for those with larger tablets. The cushioned sleeve offers ample protection for tablets since the sleeve is suspended inside the main compartment. This means that your tablet won’t hit the edges of the bag when bumped or dropped.
Although technically a laptop backpack, we like the idea of using the Jester as a tablet backpack for its lightweight construction. If you just need to pack your tablet and just a few other items then the Jester will stay light and airy on the back but on long days where you need to pack a lot more, the Jester is well equipped for comfort thanks to its padded FlexVent Suspension back panel and shoulder harness. This kind of versatility is what sets it apart from heavier and bulkier laptop backpacks like the North Face Surge and Borealis.
Osprey Daylite
Osprey offers an ultra-lightweight and versatile tablet backpack option for commuting and outdoor adventures with the Daylite. This compact backpack features a 13 liter main compartment with a multi-use sleeve that can fit up to a 12.9” iPad Pro. A front organizer compartment and water bottle pockets makes the Daylite a great choice for everything from running errands in the city to a day on the trail.
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Features at a glance:
Capacity: 13L
Ultra lightweight construction
Made with water resistant materials
Multi-use internal sleeve fits devices up to 13”
Mesh back panel and shoulder straps for year-round comfort
The Osprey gets its best design features from traditional technical hiking daypacks that focus on comfort and utility. As a result the Daylite offers a water resistant construction made of durable and lightweight materials as well as a breathable mesh back panel and shoulder harness for comfortable year-round outdoor wear.
The multi-use nature of the internal sleeve on the Osprey Daylite means that it is not padded but we did find it to be a great spot for an iPad or 12.9” iPad Pro and offers adequate protection. This sleeve can also be used to store a water bladder when hiking or for storing anything you want to keep separate in the main compartment. A front compartment with smaller pockets offers additional storage for a tablet charger and accessories.
The Osprey Daylite might not be the most tech-focused backpack but its great choice if you are looking for a simple, compact and lightweight iPad backpack that can be used for anything from hiking, picnics, errands, bike commuting and other activities.
Best Backpacks for Laptop and iPad
For anyone looking for a laptop backpack with a tablet pocket these following bags may be just the ticket. These backpacks make daily carry of your tablet a breeze thanks to their dedicated tablet pockets and other functional features that make them ideal for daily carry.
The North Face Surge Backpack
The North Face Surge is a roomy tech backpack designed for both students and professionals alike. What makes this backpack special is its large laptop compartment that includes a dedicated tablet pocket and room for a large book or notebook. This allows you instant access to your important tech without having to rummage through the main compartment.
The Surge is available in both men’s and women’s versions for the perfect fit.
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Features at a glance:
Capacity: 31L
Available in men’s and women’s fit
Dedicated 15” laptop compartment with tablet sleeve
Additional tablet sleeve in front organizer compartment for small tablet (Kindle, iPad Mini)
Tons of pockets for organizing smaller items like pens, chargers, phone and sunglasses
Fleece lined pockets for tech and valuables can be found throughout the bag
The rear laptop compartment on The North Face Surge is large enough to hold a 15” laptop and has a separate sleeve for a tablet. We found the sleeve to be large enough to store a 12.9 iPad Pro and its suspended design means your tablet will stay protected from bumps and drops.
In addition to the rear laptop sleeve, The North Face Surge also includes a dedicated tablet pocket in the front organizer compartment. This fleece lined tablet pocket is large enough to fit an iPad Mini, Kindle Fire or other similarly small tablet. Unfortunately this tablet sleeve is too small for a regular sized iPad, iPad Air and the larger iPad Pro.
Matein Laptop Backpack
The Matein Laptop Backpack is an affordable bag with impressive features for the price. In addition to having tons of great pockets for organization and a large main compartment for daily essentials, the Matein Laptop Backpack also features a tech compartment with a laptop and tablet sleeve for easy and safe storage of your tech.
Check out our Matein Laptop Backpack review for a closer look at the details.
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Features at a glance:
Affordable price (under $50)
Dedicated tech compartment with both a laptop and table sleeve
Tablet sleeve can accommodate up 13” tablets
Roomy main compartment for work, school or travel
Includes integrated external USB charging port
The Matein Laptop Backpack is recommended for anyone who is looking for a cheap and reliable tablet backpack to haul their gear. The bag itself is available in two different sizes for different laptop accommodations (15.6” and 17”) but the tablet sleeves on both versions fit a tablet up to 13 inches. This is great news if you are looking for a budget Microsoft Surface or iPad Pro backpack as most tablet sleeves cannot accommodate larger tablets.
WANDRD PRVKE
The WANDRD PRVKE is an adaptable camera, travel and laptop backpack that’s perfect for both work and play. This backpack is equipped with both a laptop and tablet sleeve and features plenty of pockets for storing accessories.
The PRVKE is available in a few different sizes so that you can dial in the right fit and storage space for your need.
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Features at a glance:
Available in 21, 31, and 41 liter sizes. Also available in the compact PRVKE LITE version.
Dual access design - enter the backpack through the top rolltop or through a clamshell zipper
Includes both a laptop and tablet sleeve
Modular design allows you to attach camera cubes, straps and other accessories to make the PRVKE your own
Made of high quality waterproof materials
One of the best features of the WANDRD PRVKE is it’s multi-access design that allows you to use the backpack as a traditional rolltop backpack with top-access or as a clamshell backpack thanks to it’s 3/4 zipper located against the back panel.
The laptop and tablet compartments can be found against the back panel for quick and easy access no matter how you access your PRVKE.
The laptop sleeve can fit up to a 16” Macbook Pro while the tablet sleeve can accommodate to a 12.9” iPad Pro. Both sleeves are generously padded and suspended to protect your expensive tech from bumps and drops.
If you are looking for a great quality iPad backpack then we couldn’t recommend the WANDRD PRVKE enough. This bag is built solid! The PRVKE is made from waterproof tarpaulin and 1680D Ballistic Nylon and the zippers used are hefty weather resistant zippers that have held up well over time. The shoulder straps and back panel are generously padded and geared towards comfort which is something we can all appreciate in a backpack being used to haul photography gear and tech.
GULU Made Innovator Backpack
The GULU Designs Innovator is a reliable laptop backpack with a dedicated padded tablet sleeve that’s perfect for securely storing your iPad. Other awesome features include a sleek design, tons of pockets for tech accessories and two roomy main compartments for organizing your school, work and travel items.
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Features at a glance:
Capacity: 22L
Includes both a laptop and tablet sleeve
Slim design without the bulk
Lots of pockets for organizing daily essentials
Cushioned Lux-Comfort back panel
Handmade in Uganda
The Gulu Designs Innovator features two main compartments for hauling your gear. The rear compartment has a tech station with both a padded laptop sleeve and an additional smaller dedicated tablet sleeve. The second main compartment is a large and roomy compartment that is lined with mesh pockets for organizing your gear. Chargers and accessories can be stored inside these mesh pockets or inside the smaller compartments on the outside of the bag for quick access.
As an iPad backpack, you can fit a tablet up to 11 inches inside the dedicated tablet pocket. If you carry a larger 12.9 inch iPad Pro it can comfortably fit inside the laptop sleeve which can accommodate devices up to 15 inches.
We like the GULU Made Innovator for its great quality, simple yet functional design and awesome tech storage options. Each GULU Made product is made by skilled sewers in Gulu, Uganda and the brand strives to make a difference which each product they offer.
Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack
The Timbuk2 Authority is a roomy laptop backpack with a tablet pocket that is perfect for business, travel or school. This backpack includes a 17” laptop compartment plus a secondary sleeve inside the main compartment that can accommodate large tablets for peace of mind when storing expensive tech.
Clever pocket placement inside the Timbuk2 Authority allows you to stay organized on busy days while the bottom compression strap system gives you a slim backpack on light days and more room when you need it with a quick adjustment.
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Features at a glance:
Backpack Dimension: 18.9 x 11.4 x 5.31 inches
Capacity: 28 Liters
Laptop compartment: Device up to 17”
Tons of pockets for organization
Secondary sleeve for tablet inside main compartment
Super comfortable padded air mesh back panel and shoulder straps
The Timbuk2 Authority is great for anyone looking for an iPad Pro backpack with great organization and tons of pockets. This backpack gives you a couple of options for storing tech devices including a separate zippered laptop compartment as well as a tablet sleeve that can accommodate larger tablets such as an 12.9” iPad Pro with an Apple Magic Keyboard or Smart Keyboard Folio.
Those who hate clutter will love the large admin compartment that make it super easy to keep pens, chargers and other small items nice and organized. Features such as a luggage pass-through sleeve for attaching to rolling luggage, reflective straps for safer low-light commuting and compression straps to adjust the size of the backpack to your carry are what makes the Timbuk2 Authority such a versatile option for work, school, city commuting and travel.
Alternative: Tablet Sling
If you find most backpacks with a laptop and tablet sleeve too bulky then a small tablet sling might be just the ticket. These are slim bags that are designed to hold just a tablet and a few other essentials.
We recently put together a great list of the best laptop and tablet sling bags that is worth checking out but below are a few of our favorites.
Alpaka Bravo Sling Pro V2
Alpaka offers a sling pack specifically designed for tech carry with the Bravo Sling Pro V2. This sling is equipped with a padded tablet sleeve, external USB charging port and a clever anti-theft design for secure wear while out and about.
Padded 11” tablet compartment (fits up to 11” iPad Pro)
Anti-theft design with lockable zippers and cut-proof fabric
External USB port for charging devices on the go
Waterproof construction
Solo Universal Tablet Sling
For those of you who need a small tablet backpack it may be worth considering the Solo Universal Tablet Sling. It’s a great option for carrying your tablet safely with room to spare for charging cables, sunglasses and other daily essentials. The bottom zip pocket includes organizers for smaller items such as a phone, power bank or wallet.
Adjustable single strap sling pack
Padded compartment fits tablets up to 11 inches.
Front zipper pockets for extra storage.
Simtop iPad Sling Bag
The SIMTOP iPad Sling Bag is as simple as they come with a slim main compartment specifically sized to protect your tablet and an additional zip pocket for charger and accessories. SIMTOP offers tablet bags in different sizes to specifically fit your iPad and iPad Pro so make sure to check out all of their sling bag options.
Available in 11” and 12.9” iPad sizes
Super slim profile with an extra pocket for accessories
Cushioned and protective compartment for an iPad or tablet
Water resistant construction
