Best Products Computer Components The 7 Best Laptop Cases and Sleeves of 2021 Keep your laptop protected from drops and scratches by David Beren Writer David Beren is a tech writer with 10+ years' experience. He has written and managed content for companies like T-Mobile, Sprint, and TracFone Wireless. our editorial process David Beren Updated on January 04, 2021 The Ultimate Laptop Buying Guide The Ultimate Laptop Buying Guide Introduction Laptop Basics Laptop Size & Weight Guide Laptop Networking Guide Laptop Memory Buyer's Guide Laptop Processor Buyer's Guide Display & Graphics Guide Types of Laptop Drives Guide Netbook vs Laptop Hybrid vs Convertible Laptop Understanding Laptop Warranties Best Laptops Best Laptops Best Places to Buy a Laptop Best Linux Laptops Best Windows Laptops Best Laptops for Under $200 Best Laptops for Under $500 Best Touchscreen Laptops Best Laptops at Walmart Best Workstation Laptops Best Laptops by Size Best 14- to 16-Inch Laptops Best 13-Inch Laptops Best 17-Inch and Larger Laptops Best Lightweight Laptops Best Mini Laptops Best Laptops by Brand Best Lenovo Laptops Best Dell Laptops Best Acer Laptops Best ASUS Laptops Best HP Laptops Best Gaming Laptops Best Gaming Laptops Best Gaming Laptops for Battery Life Best Gaming Laptops for Under $1,000 Best Gaming Laptops Under $1,500 Best Laptops for Fortnite Best Laptops by Lifestyle Best Business Laptops Best Laptops for College Students Laptops for Engineering Students Best Laptops for Graphic Design Best Laptops for Kids Best Laptops for Photography Best Laptops for Video Editing Best Laptops for VR Best Laptops for Writers Individual Laptop Reviews Acer Aspire E 15 Review Apple MacBook Pro 13-Inch (2019) Review HP 15-BS013DX Review HP Notebook 15 Review HP Pavilion 15z Touch Review HP Spectre x360 15t Touch Review Best Laptop Accessories Portable Battery Chargers Compact Desks & Stands Rolling Laptop Bags Best Laptop Backpacks Best Laptop Bags Laptop Cases and Sleeves Laptop Cooling Pads Best Laptop Mounts Laptop Computer GPS Tweet Share Email Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. The Rundown Best Overall: Nacuwa 360 Laptop Sleeve at Amazon "It comes in a light or dark gray color and offers all-around protection." Runner-Up, Best Overall: EveCase Diamond Travel Bag at Amazon "The top-loading design gives you easy access to your device and is approved by TSA." Best Budget: AmazonBasics 13-inch Laptop Sleeve at Amazon "Padding on every side and a well-tailored fit help create 360-degrees of protection." Best for Storage: Case Logic 15.6-Inch Laptop Case at Amazon "Gets an A+ for its intended purpose: holding all your gadgets and accessories in an organized fashion." Best Protection: Thule Gauntlet 3.0 at Amazon "The polyurethane-hardened Gaunlet offers a number of pockets, elastic bands and slips inside the sleeve." Best Design: Kalidi Laptop Sleeve at Amazon "Anytime your laptop sleeve looks like a high-end handbag or pocketbook, you know you’re doing something right in the design department." Best Splurge: Tenba Messenger DNA at Amazon "It offers basically everything you could want in a briefcase bag and then some." Best for Macs: MOSISO Laptop Sleeve Bag at Amazon "This laptop sleeve bag is padded and comes in various sizes and colors; it can fit just about any MacBook there is." The best laptop cases and sleeves should have an attractive, durable design, and be easy to take through security, especially when you fly. Most bags are padded to add extra protection to your laptop and some are even reinforced along the edges and waterproof. Our top pick in the cateogry is the Nacuwa 360 laptop sleeve (view on Amazon). It provides 360-degree coverage for 13-inch laptops. It's padded, drop-resistant, has a durable carrying handle, and extra pockets to fit chargers and other items. If you would prefer a backpack, our list of the best laptop backpacks has plenty of options for your to browse. Otherwise, see our full list of the best laptop cases and sleeves below. Also, be sure to check out our constantly updated guide to the best laptop deals happening right now, for great machines at steep discounts. Best Overall: Nacuwa 360 Laptop Sleeve Buy on Amazon The Nacuwa 360-degree coverage sleeve is fully zippered and measures 13 inches. It comes in a light or dark gray color and offers all-around protection with an internal egg-crate-style padding that lines the entire interior. That interior is shock-, drop- and collision-resistant, which is great because when you’re transporting your MacBook or your PC, there will be plenty of those. They’ve even reinforced the corners, which are arguably the areas with the most potential for damage. The outside shell is a soft, heather gray design that also provides a layer of water resistance for even more protection. The sleeve adds on a super strong carrying handle and even an outer convenience pocket to put chargers, external hard drives and more. The brand name might not be making tech journal headlines, but the features alone (added on to the unbelievable price) should bring you around to why this made it to the top of our list. Runner-Up, Best Overall: EveCase Diamond Neoprene Travel Bag Buy on Amazon This EveCase takes its job of protecting your laptop seriously. It features a layer of shock-absorbent and water-resistant diamond padded neoprene, which keeps your device safe from minor bumps, drops and splashes. Meanwhile, a soft foam fabric lining on the interior defends it from scratches. The sleeve itself comes in four different sizes (11.6 x 12.5 inches, 13.3 x 14 inches, 15 x 15.6 inches and 17 x 17.3 inches) and four different colors (black, blue, purple and hot pink). The top-loading design gives you easy access to your device and is approved by TSA, so you don’t have to remove your laptop from this sleeve while going through airport security. It lacks additional pockets to stash chargers, documents or other accessories, but that’s the price you pay for such a slim and lightweight case. Best Budget: AmazonBasics 13-inch Laptop Sleeve Buy on Amazon Sometimes, simple is better and that’s the case with the AmazonBasics laptop sleeve. This basic neoprene sleeve is available in 11-inch, 13-inch and 15-inch varieties. If you’re looking for something basic, simple and inexpensive that will help prevent scrapes or minor impacts, the AmazonBasics case is perfect for you. Padding on every side and a well-tailored fit help create 360-degrees of protection. Zipper action is smooth and doesn’t offer any hint that this sleeve is budget priced. A handle on a laptop sleeve isn’t for everyone, but as a lot of people don’t enjoy larger bags for quick trips, a handle would be welcomed. Separately, we wouldn’t mind a few additional color options, but limitations aside, it’s hard to say no to Amazon’s private label laptop sleeve. Best for Storage: Case Logic 15.6-Inch Laptop Case (VNCI-215) Buy on Amazon Buy on Best Buy Buy on Walmart When you’re on the move with your laptop in tow, you normally need a handful of accessories as well. This canvas Case Logic laptop case has room for all your chargers, secondary devices and more. Fitting devices up to 15.2 x 1.7 x 10.5 inches, the bag has an interior slip pocket to hold notepads and other documents separate from your computer. A velcro strap keeps your laptop secured in place and padded compartment walls provide extra protection. The exterior front pocket has dedicated pockets for your smartphone, charging cables, power brick and more, while the exterior back pocket can comfortably hold your tablet or other belongings. The zipper unzips the case three-quarters of the way, so your laptop is easily accessible. It has a detachable over-the-shoulder strap, plus a smaller handle on the top, so you can carry it any way you please. The bag may be a bit bulky, but it gets an A+ for its intended purpose: holding all your gadgets and accessories in an organized fashion. Best Protection: Thule Gauntlet 3.0 Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart When it comes to laptop protection, there are few names that stand out more than Thule. The company's new Gauntlet 3.0 case can hold 13-inch laptops and is marketed squarely at Apple buyers, but can fit a number of other laptops. The price might sound a little steep for a laptop sleeve, but the polyurethane-hardened Gaunlet offers a number of pockets, elastic bands and slips inside the sleeve. Overall, there are three compartments cordoned off by two stretchy mesh dividers. A nylon strap runs from top to bottom joined by a Velcro fastener, which helps secure the laptop inside the sleeve. And the dense foam interior adds one final layer of protection. Realistically, this sleeve is best for day trips, as you’ll struggle find the additional space to fit your charging cable and plug, but such is the price for protection against bumps and bruises. Best Design: Kalidi Laptop Sleeve Buy on Amazon Anytime your laptop sleeve looks like a high-end handbag or pocketbook, you know you’re doing something right in the design department. This Kalidi sleeve gives you high-end leather-esque class without the high-end, leather price tag. At just under $20, this thing won’t break the bank, but will definitely turn heads at all your business meetings. The case measures in at 355 x 255 mm, so it’s designed for 13-inch computers, and more specifically they’re advertising it for the MacBook Air (to maintain the thin, sleek style). It’s made of a faux, PU leather that’s actually pretty high quality and the opening is a fold-over that works a lot like those classic pocketbooks. And the best part is that it comes in eight high-end colors ranging from metallic-y tan leather to soft seafoam green to a dark, jewel tone purple. So whatever your style of sleeve, there will be a color on offer from Kalidi. Best Splurge: Tenba Messenger DNA Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart The Tenba Messenger bag is the ultimate splurge for a laptop bag because it offers basically everything you could want in a briefcase bag and then some. Let’s talk about what it holds. For starters, it can accommodate your laptop as expected (and it’ll accommodate different sizes of laptop depending on which model of bag you get). It also has pockets for a large DSLR camera, a travel coffee mug, all of your chargers, and even folders and notebooks. All of these pockets are compartmentalized so that everything stays organized and accessible. Now let’s talk about the innovative, standout features. The clips that clasp the bag closed are super smart magnetic quick release that allow you to securely lock the bag closed or open it up lightning fast with a single hand. In regard to that camera pocket we mentioned, there’s also a quick zipper access point to that cam pocket (without the need to undo the entire main flap) so you can quickly get at things for a lens swaps without showing the whole world all the fancy stuff you have in your bag. Finally, on the back, there are D-ring straps that serve to both lock the bag to your rolling carry-on suitcase, as well as affix your bag behind you when holding it on your shoulder so it won’t slide forward during a bike ride. Best for Macs: MOSISO Laptop Sleeve Bag Buy on Amazon The MOSISO is an attractive laptop sleeve bag made of polyester. It has a top opening zipper that's easy to unzip, and the main pocket is padded giving your MacBook some protection despite the slim and lightweight build. The bag is designed for the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air and comes in various sizes, ranging from 11.6-inches all the way up to 17.3 inches. There's an additional pocket on the front to keep accessories like a mouse, earphones, pens, and notepads. Final Verdict The best laptop sleeve or case to buy is the Nacuwa 360 Laptop Sleeve (view on Amazon). It's incredibly affordable and it works with the new 13-inch MacBook Pro and Air. You get plenty of protection and padding on all sides, drop resistance, a smooth zipper, and an extra pocket for storing additional material. As a close second, we like the EveCase Diamond Neoprene Travel Bag (view on Amazon). It's comes in four different sizes, is shock absorbent, water-resistant, and approved by the TSA. What to Look for in Laptop Cases and Sleeves Durability - Your laptop is an expensive piece of hardware that stores invaluable data and memories. Hopefully, you have everything backed up, but for added protection against bumps or bruises, look for a case that has safety features like interior foam padding or a hardened exterior. Design - If you’re tucking your laptop into a larger bag, you’re probably fine buying just a sleeve, but if you’re carrying it as a standalone bag, you’ll want a case with a handle or strap that makes toting around your device more convenient. Similarly, if you’ll often be packing chargers, cables, notebooks, or other extras, opt for a case with accessible pockets. Checkpoint-friendly - Going through security at the airport used to require removing your laptop from its case for screening, but TSA now allows you to keep it in, assuming its case allows for a clear and unobstructed image of the laptop when undergoing X-ray screening. If you travel a lot, choose a laptop case that meets this requirement—most likely a top-loading sleeve design—so you can breeze through security without a hassle. 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