The Best Laptop Cases, According to (Tasteful) Tech Folk

A hard-shell case, which attaches to your laptop, protects against dents and scratches without any added bulk. It can work on its own for daily use, or serve as an added layer of protection if you’re carrying your laptop in another bag (like one of the backpacks or messenger bags below). Benson Chou, founder of Work Hard Anywhere, a community and app for freelancers, likes that he can customize these basic HDE cases with stickers, changing them up as the mood strikes. “I think this solution not only helps with protecting the laptop, but also gives me the flexibility to change my mind often.” Chou adds that the very affordable hard-plastic case is “keeping my laptop scratch free.”

Photographer Joe St. Pierre also uses a hard-shell case to protect his laptop, opting for this textured, polycarbonate one from Incase. “It’s sleek, minimal, and durable,” he says. “As a photographer [who] uses [my] laptop frequently on the job, the size of the case makes for easy transportation and keeps the laptop cool.”

Most laptop users who aren’t taking their computers into extreme conditions can get away with using a laptop sleeve. “Sleeves are great when you don’t need maximum protection, but simply an insulation against bumps and scrapes within a larger bag,” says Matt Ham, of LaptopMD and Computer Repair Doctor. “They’re light, not bulky, and they come in plenty of sizes to be formfitting.” Peter Lopez, also known as Brooklyn Tech Guy, likes Incase sleeves, and this one is a favorite of Justin Tse, a content creator who co-curates the workspace Instagram account iSetups and whose tech-review YouTube channel has 485,000 subscribers. Tse likes that the case is made with foam that “serves like a bumper around the edges of the computer,” and that’s it’s thin, good for travel, and can withstand being dropped.

Lopez recommends that people look for “cases made specifically for their make or model laptop,” especially since a snug fit is essential. He says Mosiso cases work well for Macs as they come in very specific sizes (like 13.3 inches and 15.6 inches) that line up with Apple’s laptop measurements. This case also includes an extra pouch for storing a charger.

Although Tse says this sleeve (from backpack-maker Herschel Supply Co.) offers “nothing crazy in terms of features,” it’s one of his top picks for day-to-day protection since it’s got plenty of padding and lasts a long time.

For something a little more unique, Muchaneta Kapfunde, who blogs about the intersection of tech and design at FashNerd, recommends this sleeve, which is actually made from recycled fire hoses. Kapfunde likes that the British company that makes it, Elvis & Kresse, is “sustainable, ethical, and transparent,” and says the durable cases (they’re lined with reclaimed parachute silk) are worth the price.

For situations where you’ll need extra protection — like putting your laptop in a checked suitcase that’ll likely get jostled in transport — Ham says “you want a hard-shell bag or at least a bag with stiff corners. The hard shell will better insulate the laptop from rougher conditions.” Tse likes Thule’s rugged and dependable cases for “heavy-duty” protection. This one has a rigid exterior for insulating your computer from outside impact and a soft, padded interior to prevent the case from scratching or denting your laptop.

One of the most common causes of broken laptops is water damage. “Laptop cases are usually thrown in backpacks and will easily get wet from drinks,” says Joe Silverman, founder and CEO of New York Computer Help. “Being waterproof will protect against damaging liquid spills.” He recommends the Aqua Quest Storm case because it’s completely waterproof and also padded for extra protection.

Former tech columnist and Strategist contributor David Pogue has been happily using this messenger bag since 2015. With nine compartments, including a “zippered, padded, waterproof” laptop pocket, it has space for everything from his wallet and sunglasses to a water bottle and earbuds. Pogue also appreciates that the bag is “more handsome and briefcase-y than a typical messenger bag.”

Sean Kelly, a lead product designer for stylish desk-accessory brand Grovemade, likes this Topo Designs bag, especially for keeping his laptop and tablet from banging against each other. “[The bag] has a padded back pocket for the laptop, which I can access from its own opening on the outside of the pack, and there is an interior pocket that fits my iPad and keeps it well protected without needing a case,” he says. “In fact the pack has so many wonderfully placed compartments that I can keep all my gear separated so it is organized [and] easy to find.”

Students and office workers who commute by bike need a laptop backpack that’ll stand up to the elements, as well as potholes or other bumps in the road. Silverman says this Thule backpack is “the most solid I’ve seen to guard against liquid and bumps.” It also has reflective details for safe riding at night, and a special pocket for a bicycle U-lock.