What is the best material for a laptop case?

Neoprene is a common and effective material in soft cases and sleeves, while more durable cases often offer a hard plastic exterior with a padded interior. If you're carrying the laptop inside of another bag, a neoprene sleeve is ideal, but a hardshell case is probably a good idea if you're carrying it on its own.

Do you need a case if your backpack has a built-in laptop pocket?

While many backpacks, messenger bags, and other such baggage frequently have integrated compartments for laptops and other devices, often these pouches don't offer much in the way of protection. It's a good idea to use a laptop case or sleeve in such circumstances to provide an extra layer of protection.

What's the difference between a laptop sleeve and laptop case?

A laptop sleeve tends to be a more form-fitting option that conforms to your laptop's size and design. Typically, a laptop sleeve is designed to protect the device itself and can't handle additional accessories, tablets, notebooks, or other items. A laptop case is more of a bag and comes with storage, organization, and carrying options. A laptop sleeve can often fit inside a laptop case.

The 6 Best Laptop Cases and Sleeves of 2023

Laptop cases and sleeves should be attractive, durable, and easy to take through security, especially when flying. Most bags have padding to protect your laptop; some are reinforced along the edges or waterproof.

For storage space, you can get laptop sleeves with additional pockets and organizers to handle cables, pens, notebooks, and other miscellaneous items.

The Rundown

Best for Extra Pockets:

Case Logic 15.6-Inch Laptop Case at Amazon

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Best Protection:

Thule Gauntlet Sleeve at Amazon

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Best Splurge:

Tenba Messenger DNA at B&H Photo Video

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Best for Macs:

MOSISO Plastic Hard Shell Case at Amazon

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Best for Travelers:

Ytonet Laptop Case 15.6-inch at Amazon

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Best Budget:

AmazonBasics 13-inch Laptop Sleeve at Amazon

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in this article

Our Picks
What to Look For
FAQ

Amazon

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What We Like

Plenty of pockets for accessories
Standalone laptop case
Good value for money

What We Don't Like

Somewhat bulky

You usually need a handful of accessories when you have your laptop in tow. This option from Case Logic has room for all your chargers, secondary devices, and more. This bag has an interior slip pocket to hold notepads and other documents separately from your computer. A velcro strap keeps your laptop in place, and padded compartment walls provide extra protection.

The exterior front pocket has dedicated pouches for accessories, including your smartphone, charging cables, and power brick, while the outer back pocket can comfortably hold your tablet or other belongings. It also has a detachable shoulder carrying strap, plus a smaller handle on the top. 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.

_{Capacity: 15 to 16 inches | Durability: Padded compartment | Waterproof: No | Pockets: Front and slip pocket}

Amazon

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What We Like

Extremely tough and protective case
Fits a wide range of laptops up to 16 inches
Attractive design

What We Don't Like

Expensive
Lacks additional storage for accessories

Thule’s Gauntlet laptop cases are the time-tested titans of laptop protection, and the 16-inch Thule Gauntlet Sleeve is no exception. Though it’s marketed squarely at 15- to 16-inch MacBook Pro owners, the Gauntlet is suitable for a wide range of laptops up to 16 inches in size.

While no extra compartments and external dividers exist, this attractive but pricey case is by far the most durable. The enhanced durability comes from its heavy-duty polyurethane clamshell design, reinforced corner and edge protection, rigid exterior, and padded interior.

_{Capacity: 15 to 16-inches | Durability: Rigid exterior, padded interior, and corner protection | Waterproof: No | Pockets: None}

B&H

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What We Like

Numerous pockets and organizational features
Easy access to your laptop and accessories
Designed to carry a camera and a laptop

What We Don't Like

Expensive

The Tenba Messenger bag is a splurge for a laptop case, but it offers nearly everything you could want in a messenger bag. Various models are available to accommodate a wide range of laptop sizes. Numerous compartments keep everything organized, from a DSLR camera to a travel coffee mug, chargers, or even folders and notebooks.

The clips that clasp the bag closed use a magnetic quick-release that allows you to securely lock or open the bag easily with a single hand. For fast access to the camera pocket, there's a dedicated zipper. The D-ring straps are another handy feature. These straps lock the bag to your rolling carry-on suitcase and affix it behind you when holding it on your shoulder so it won't slide forward during a bike ride.

_{Capacity: Various sizes available | Durability: Padded | Waterproof: Yes, on the base | Pockets: Numerous compartments}

MOSISO Compatible with MacBook Pro 16 inch Case

Amazon

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What We Like

Hardshell case is extra protective
Form-fitting design
Keyboard cover skin
Several color options

What We Don't Like

Only compatible with 16-inch MacBook Pro

The MOSISO Hard Shell case is tailor-made for the MacBook Pro 16 (the 2020 and 2019 models) and is among the best ways to protect your Apple laptop. Its design keeps your ports fully accessible and even allows the light from your Apple logo to shine through a translucent rear panel. Just be sure to check the specific model number of your laptop to make sure it’s compatible.

This MOSISO case is built out of rigid plastic with impact-resistant bumpers along its edges to prevent damage from drops. Since it clips onto your laptop, it also keeps the exterior of your device from scratches, and an included keyboard cover helps prevent damage from spills. The bottom of the case features vents for heat dissipation and anti-slip feet to keep your MacBook from sliding around.

_{Capacity: Apple Macbook Pro Model Number A2141 | Durability: Rigid exterior with corner protection | Waterproof: No | Pockets: None}

Amazon

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What We Like

TSA-friendly
Attractive design
Water-resistant fabric

What We Don't Like

Some users report tight fit
Could use more protection

The Ytonet Laptop case is suitable for laptops up to 15.6 inches and is TSA-friendly (you can leave your laptop inside) to make it easy for travelers to get through security at the airport. In addition to the laptop compartment, a mesh pocket handles pens, cables, mice, earphones, tablets, and other accessories.

This water-resistant nylon case protects your laptop from an unexpected coffee spill. Though it's not as resilient as some other laptop cases you can buy, it boasts a polyester foam padding layer for protection against bumps, shocks, and drops. This case is compatible with most 15.6-inch laptops and features an attractive two-tone exterior.

_{Capacity: 15.6-inch laptops and tablets | Durability: Padded sleeve | Waterproof: Water-resistant| Pockets: Mesh pocket internal}

Amazon

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What We LIke

Multiple size options
Simple and inexpensive
Tailored fit and 360-degree protection

What We Don't Like

Won't protect against rough usage
Could use a handle
Could use more color options

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 to 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. The zipper action is smooth and doesn't hint that this sleeve is budget priced.

A handle on a laptop sleeve isn't necessary, but it is valuable to have on a laptop case, and it's missing on this AmazonBasics sleeve. Additional color options would also be nice, but limitations aside, it's hard to say no to Amazon's private-label laptop sleeve.

What to Look For in Laptop Cases and Sleeves

Durability

Your laptop is an expensive piece of hardware worth protecting. To safeguard against bumps or bruises, look for a case with safety features like interior foam padding or a hardened exterior. You can get a good idea of durability from the material, level of padding, and if the surface of the sleeve or case is hard—the combination of a rugged exterior with padded interior results in better protection. Waterproofing is rare, but most cases offer protection against minor spills, even if they don’t advertise water resistance.

Design

If you’re tucking your laptop into a larger bag, you’re probably fine buying just a sleeve. However, if you’re carrying a laptop alone, you’ll want a case with a handle or strap that makes toting around your device more convenient. Similarly, if you often pack chargers, cables, notebooks, or other extras, you should look for a case with extra pockets. Ensure the case is large enough for your laptop but not too large otherwise, it won’t be as secure and well-protected.

Checkpoint-Friendly

The TSA now allows you to keep your device inside its case when going through airport security, assuming it provides 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 extra hassle.

FAQ

What is the best material for a laptop case?

Neoprene is a common and effective material in soft cases and sleeves, while more durable cases often offer a hard plastic exterior with a padded interior. If you're carrying the laptop inside of another bag, a neoprene sleeve is ideal, but a hardshell case is probably a good idea if you're carrying it on its own.
Do you need a case if your backpack has a built-in laptop pocket?

While many backpacks, messenger bags, and other such baggage frequently have integrated compartments for laptops and other devices, often these pouches don't offer much in the way of protection. It's a good idea to use a laptop case or sleeve in such circumstances to provide an extra layer of protection.
What's the difference between a laptop sleeve and laptop case?

A laptop sleeve tends to be a more form-fitting option that conforms to your laptop's size and design. Typically, a laptop sleeve is designed to protect the device itself and can't handle additional accessories, tablets, notebooks, or other items. A laptop case is more of a bag and comes with storage, organization, and carrying options. A laptop sleeve can often fit inside a laptop case.