10 Smart Backpacks for Work for Savvy People

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Best Smart Backpack for Work

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SwissGear 5358 USB ScanSmart Laptop Backpack

This smart backpack is a perfect choice for work and business trips. It has a ton of storage (31 liters) and plenty of pockets including the collapsible compartment for your shoe or camera. The TSA ScanSmart features allow you to pass through the airport security checkpoint with a breeze. The weight distribution of this bag is impeccable comfortable.

>> Check price on Amazon <<

If you want to take a laptop with you to work or a business trip, the traditional backpack does a good job. It is good enough to carry all the essentials and stuff you need wherever you go. 

But what if you want something more like charging the cell phone on the move or anti-theft features to protect your belongings?

Here enter the smart backpack.

In this article, we are going to review the 10 best smart backpacks for work we could find, ideally for your daily commuting to the workplace and for a business trip. 

At a Glance: Our Top 10 Recommendations

What is Smart Backpack?

A smart backpack is an advance or the enhanced version of the traditional backpack.

While a traditional backpack is a good enough use for carrying all your essentials whether for work, college, hiking, or traveling. 

What it lacks are the additional features (usually techie features) that improve the functionality of the bag like the built-in charging port, anti-theft pockets or zippers, and so on.

What are the Benefits of a Smart Backpack?

Here are some key points about the benefits of investing in a smart backpack:

1. Charging Your Mobile Devices

Charging your mobile device on the move is one of the main reasons you should get a smart backpack.

Many smart backpacks (not all) in the market feature the USB charging port integrated into the bag.

You need to have your own power bank store inside the bag and connect it to the USB charging cable that usually built-in into the backpack.

At the time you want to recharge your phone, simply plug in your cell phone charging cable to the USB port externally.

So, you don’t have to keep your phone in your backpack or be holding a power bank. It’s so convenient and less hassle.

2. TSA Approved

One of the best ways to save your time queuing in security lines is to use a TSA checkpoint-friendly laptop bag.

By using this laptop bag, technically you can leave your laptop inside the bag without removing it out of the bag.

The reason for this is because of TSA-friendly bag comply with the very strict TSA requirements for safety.

You can read more details about the TSA-friendly laptop bag article here

3. Features, Features, and Features…

A smart backpack is designed with a lot of techie and cool features.

They are not created just to increase the price of the bag but rather than providing convenience, safety, styles, and functionality.

So, what are the features of a smart backpack?

Here are the common features that can be found in the smart backpack:

  • USB charging port
  • TSA ScanSmart
  • TSA lock
  • Headphone jack/hole
  • Anti-theft pocket
  • RFID blocker pocket
  • Collapsible compartment for shoes/gear
  • Sunglass pouch
  • Anti-theft Retractable cable lock
  • Expandable storage to fit all your belongings
  • Convertible into a shoulder bag or a tote

Related Post: Find the Best Backpack for Techies here

Best Smart Backpacks for Work Reviews

There are a ton of smart backpacks in the market and it took us hours to research and picked the best one.

Here are the 10 Best Smart Backpack that we think are worth considering:

SwissGear 5358 USB ScanSmart Laptop Backpack

Best Overall

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PROS:

  • A lot of nice features
  • Great comfort level with Airflow back panel
  • TSA lay-flat design

CONS:

  • Lack of headphone port
  • Slightly pricey

What makes the SwissGear 5358 USB ScanSmart Laptop Backpack as our top pick because it has all smart backpack for work should have:

TSA friendly design for a business trip, spacious, great ergonomic feature, USB charging port, a ton of pockets, and more – you name it.

The only area where the backpack lacks is a headphone port. But that should not be a dealbreaker.

So, if you want a sophisticated backpack for work and maybe have some business trips occasionally, you should consider getting this backpack.

The bag features a TSA-friendly ScanSmart design where you can lay flat on the airport screener without removing your devices.

The laptop section can accommodate up to a 15-inch laptop and there is a separate tablet pocket too.

Another feature that we like is the dedicated pocket to keep your power bank for the USB charge cable.

You can utilize the organization pocket for other items without needing to worry about where to put the power bank.

Love to mention too is the crushed resistant compartment at the top for your sunglasses or earphone.

Another awesome feature is the collapsible side pocket where you can put your shoes or even a small size camera.

That means the backpack will lack interior space when the shoe compartment is used. 

The back panel of the SwissGear Laptop Backpack is designed with an Airflow ventilation system to keep your back cool and comfortable.

The shoulder straps are nicely padded with the chest strap attached to it.

The Bottom Line

The SwissGear 5358 USB ScanSmart Laptop Backpack is another excellent bag from a popular SwissGear brand in the market. It is made for someone who likes to use it every day and occasionally traveling in mind. With a capacity of about 31 liters, it provides ample space for your needs. The downside is that the price is slightly expensive but sometimes you would find a great discount on Amazon. 

>> CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON <<

Volher Laptop Backpack

Best on A Budget

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PROS:

  • Well-designed and sturdy
  • Charging port and headphone port features
  • Plenty of organizational pockets

CONS:

  • Weak zippers
  • Seams tend to fell apart

Volher Laptop Backpack is by far the least expensive backpack that we recommend for those who are looking for a smart backpack for work. It is very sturdy, looks clean and well designed.

The cool thing about this backpack at this price is that you have extra features like the USB charging port, headphone port, and security pouch – just like many other expensive backpacks.

The bag has a capacity of 30 liters, roomy enough to put all your items like books, a jacket, etc.

The backpack has plenty of pockets and slots to organize small items. There is a padded laptop compartment that can hold up to a 15.6-inch laptop. 

As for comfort features, the bag has a standard padded mesh shoulder straps and multipanel airflow design on the back. The Volher backpack is made from durable polyester fabric which is water-resistant.

On the downside, there are 2 main concerns about this backpack. Firstly is the zippers.

The zippers are the critical component that often breaks and the zippers on this bag are no different too. Sometimes it gets stuck when you try to zip it. 

Another drawback is the seams particular at the shoulder strap easily fell apart especially when you often carry a heavy load.

The Bottom Line

The Volher laptop backpack is a great back for work for someone on a budget. It is a very popular backpack in the market right now. When it comes to durability, well, only time can tell.

>> CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON <<

YOREPEK Extra Large Backpack

Best Large Laptop Backpack for Business Travel

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PROS:

  • Generous space and pockets
  • TSA friendly design
  • Great ergonomic design

CONS:

  • Heavy and bulky
  • Flimsy zippers and weak stitching

Boasting about 54 liters of capacity makes YOREPEK Extra Large Backpack by far is the biggest backpack on our list.

If you’re looking for the largest smart backpack for work, we recommend this bag as the best one.

Here are the features that you should consider for this backpack:

  • A padded laptop compartment for an 18.4-inch laptop
  • TSA lay-flat design
  • USB charging port
  • Top headphone jack
  • Luggage strap

The YOREPEK backpack has a generous amount of room and pockets. You can find more than 20 pockets for you to organize your stuff.

If you’re going on a business trip, this is very handy as you can put a lot of things like overnight clothes and other essentials.

The backpack is constructed with tear-resistant and water-resistant polyester fabric. The bag is not lightweight (3.05 pounds) and might be heavy for someone to carry especially if you’re overpacked. 

The good news is that the YOREPEK backpack has an ergonomic design featuring the Airflow back with Back U-shaped and adjustable wide breathable mesh fabric shoulder straps with padding.

Really good for someone who has a back pain issue.

As mentioned before, this backpack is really big and looks bulky. If you prefer a smaller version of this bag, you may consider this one.

There are a few minor drawbacks about this backpack: unreliable zippers and the stitching easily ripped off.

It is not really a deal-breaker as most of the users are satisfied with the features and the functionality of this bag. You can read their opinions here.

The Bottom Line

YOREPEK Extra Large Backpack is an excellent choice for someone who frequently travels for business trips as well for daily commuting. You can charge your phone and listen to the podcast on the go. It may not be comfortable to carry especially for a female or small person.

>> CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON <<

OUTJOY Anti-Theft Backpack

Best Compact Anti-Theft Backpack

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PROS:

  • Excellent water-repellent material
  • Very lightweight
  • Excellent anti-theft design

CONS:

  • Missing of a headphone port
  • Not so roomy

If you’re looking for an anti-theft smart backpack that is secure, compact, lightweight and comfortable to carry for every day commuting to work, OUTJOY Anti-Theft Backpack probably ticks all the requirements.

This backpack primarily focuses on keeping your laptop and other belongings safe from thieves. There are no pockets and opening compartments on the front side.

Everything is concealed and only can be accessed on the backside. It makes the backpack look clean and stylish from the outside.

Here are some of the stand out features of this backpack:

  • A padded sleeve for a 15-inch laptop
  • A sleeve for a 10-inch tablet
  • The main compartment can be opened to two different angles (35 and 90 degrees – with velcro straps)
  • External USB charging port
  • Phone holder with strong suction
  • Night reflective light strap

The backpack is made of waterproof polyester fabric and durable. Unlike many other backpacks at the same price, this backpack is not made from a cheap polyester. It repels water very well.  

The OUTJOY backpack has a capacity of about 14 liters and isn’t capable of holding a lot of items. However, it has multiple assorted pockets to keep things organized.

The anti-theft rear zipped pocket is very handy for you to keep your important stuff like a passport and wallet. 

When it comes to the ergonomic design, this backpack wins hands down. It has a breathable and cushioned back panel as well as the shoulder strap.

With a weight of 1.75 pounds, it is one of the most lightweight backpacks on our list.

The Bottom Line

The OUTJOY Anti-Theft Backpack is a great backpack for the safety-minded professional who wants to secure his/her important documents or devices to work. Despite lacking the headphone port, it is not really a big deal.

>> CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON <<

Markryden Slim Laptop Backpack

Best Versatile Backpack

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PROS:

  • 3-way carrying styles
  • Waterproof material
  • Sleek design and lightweight

CONS:

  • No headphone port feature
  • The shoulder strap is less comfortable when you carry as crossbody mode

If you’re going to be wearing a smart laptop backpack to work every day, it needs to be stylish but even more so functional—comfortable, versatile, lightweight, smartly organized, and easy to commute with.

The Markryden Slim Laptop Backpack fits those requirements.

What we like about this backpack is that it looks clean. compact and sleek in design.

This backpack versatile is that you have an option to carry whatever style you want with its 3-way of carrying: 

  • Backpack – standard shoulder straps
  • Crossbody – by attaching the shoulder strap that comes with it.
  • Handbag – by hiding the shoulder straps in the back. Carry with top handle.

The Mark Ryden backpack is divided into three main pouches and a godsend for those who love to bring together their laptop, tablet or iPad to work.

There are two padded sections in the main pouch where you keep a 15.6-inch laptop and a 9.7-inch tablet. 

You may also keep your tablet or iPad in the front pocket whenever you switch the carrying mode to a crossbody for quick access and convenience.

This bag also has a USB port that allows you to charge your cellphone on the go. However, this bag doesn’t have a headphone jack built-in.

The bag is made of polyester material and is waterproof, so if you get caught in a drizzle, you can rest assured that your gear will stay dry.

The bag is impressively light, at under 2 pounds, and it has cushy padded shoulder straps. 

The Bottom Line

The Markryden Slim Laptop Backpack is a very stylish and versatile bag to carry to work. If you’re commuting with a bike to work, just switch to crossbody mode and you’re ready to go. This backpack may not be suitable to use for a business trip as it is compact and less room to pack your overnight clothes.

>> CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON <<

KROSER Travel Laptop Backpack

Best Value Work Bag

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PROS:

  • A ton of cool features
  • Can fit up to a 17-inch laptop
  • Cheaper

CONS:

  • Decent quality
  • Looks bulky

If you admire the SwissGear 5358 USB ScanSmart Laptop Backpack but couldn’t really afford it, KROSER Travel Laptop Backpack is a great alternative!

The backpack looks identical to the SwissGear with a lot of similar features. But the most important is, it is a lot cheaper than the former. So, don’t break your bank!

As you can see, the key difference between these two bags is that the KROSER backpack is larger in dimension which provides a capacity of about 45 liters.

More storage for your stuff.

Being a cheaper version of SwissGear backpack, this KROSER backpack comes with some drawbacks. Firstly, the overall quality is not as good as the former one.

There are some complaints from the users about the zippers, stitching, and the long term durability after using this bag for a while.

The Bottom Line

If you need a smart backpack that has a lot of cool features and can accommodate a large laptop, then the KROSER Travel Laptop Backpack is the right choice for you. The price is a lot cheaper than other bags on our list which makes it a great bargain.

>> CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON <<

Briggs & Riley Unisex @Work Medium Cargo Backpack

Best Premium Organization Work Bag

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PROS:

  • Excellent overall quality
  • Self-repairing YKK zipper
  • Lifetime warranty

CONS:

  • No USB charging port
  • Very expensive

The Briggs & Riley Unisex @Work Medium Cargo Backpack is a perfect companion bag for a professional executive who travels a lot while keeping in style.

The built quality of this bag is exceptional and polished. There are a ton of organizational pockets, loops, and slots for your stuff.

The backpack is made of rugged 1600D ballistic nylon that is durable and strong. The top handle is constructed with the top-grain leather which is nice.

The patch on the front of the bag can be embossed with a personal monogram about up to three letters.

As mentioned, this bag has a lot of pockets to organize your tech essentials like cable, cords, USB drive, files, etc.

There is an RFID blocking pocket that protects your important data from credit cards from being stolen from theft.

Although this is a medium-sized backpack, the main compartment is spacious enough to hold some documents and clothing.

The padded laptop sleeve can fit most a 15.6-inch laptop. In addition to its padded laptop sleeve, there is a padded sleeve for your tablet or iPad.

The back and shoulder straps of the B&R Work Backpack are cushy and well padded, plus they have mesh back panels that cool your back.

The back panel is integrated with a slip-thru panel to be slipped over the suitcase.

The bag has two side pockets for water bottles but it is hard to squeeze in the normal size bottle.

Probably the slim bottle will do. It also doesn’t have the USB charging port for your mobile. 

The Bottom Line

The Briggs & Riley Unisex @Work Medium Cargo Backpack is a premium bag and suitable for stylish professionals. It is expensive but its finest quality will justify the purchase. The best part is that Briggs & Riley offers a lifetime warranty for any damage by repairing it for free. Make sure you read the consumer reviews here first before deciding to purchase this premium bag.

>> Check price on Amazon <<

Bopai Intelligent Increase Backpack

Best Versatile Anti-Theft Work Bag

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PROS:

  • Can be expanded for more storage
  • 3 styles of carrying
  • High-quality materials

CONS:

  • The zippers could be better
  • Not quite lightweight

Bopai Intelligent Increase Backpack is a great choice if you want a sophisticated anti-theft backpack with a lot of storage.

This bag can be expanded by unzipping the intelligent zipper (as they called it) which will provide 50% of extra space.

Similar to Markryden Slim Laptop Backpack on our list, this backpack gives you 3 ways of carrying options: backpack, briefcase, and crossbody.

This is a cool design as you can turn to whatever style you like when commuting to the workplace. 

The shoulder straps can be stowaway into the pocket on the back. This backpack is slightly heavy (3.2 pounds) and you might feel slightly uncomfortable when carrying it over your shoulder.

In the main compartment, there is a padded laptop section that can fit a 15.6-inch laptop. The space inside the main compartment is ample space for your stuff.

There are a lot of multi-pockets for small items such as a power bank. We find that the interior color of this backpack is quite nice with blue-ish color and red pockets. Really stand out.

Bopai Intelligent Increase Backpack is made of water-resistant microfiber leather and durable ballistic nylon materials which is great to repel the water from sipping in. However, this backpack is not slashed resistant. 

The ventilated airflow structure on the back makes the BOPAI bag comfortable to wear for long periods of time. The back panel is integrated with a secret pouch for your wallet or passport. The shoulder straps are well-padded.

The bag has a really nice design but it has a minor flaw. The zippers sometimes do not run smoothly when you zipping it and also it feels flimsy. 


The Bottom Line

The Bopai Intelligent Increase Backpack is a great anti-theft bag to carry for business trips. If you worry about the valued items inside your bag being stolen, you probably should consider this bag. However, this bag is slightly more expensive than the OUTJOY Anti-Theft backpack.

>> Check price on Amazon <<

Tuff Togs Bodyguard Backpack

Best Safety Work Bag for Women

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PROS:

  • Generous of cool features
  • Can be carry as a tote
  • Free extended warranty (1 year)

CONS:

  • Heavy
  • Decent built quality

If you’re a safety-conscious woman and worry about the safety of your belongings when everyday commuting in the subway or on a bus, Tuff Togs Bodyguard Backpack is the best pick for women.  

This backpack has a ton of cool safety features (24 features exactly) that you will love to have. Here are some of the features:

  • USB charging port and headphone holes
  • A sunglass compartment
  • RFID zippered pocket
  • Multi-purpose tactical pen
  • Built-in safety whistle
  • Attached flashlight
  • Click here to see more features

This backpack is a convertible tote backpack which means you can switch to tote carrying style when needed.

The main compartment has plenty of storage inside to stash the work essentials, diapers, etc. There are many pockets inside and outside for small items.

The Tuff Togs Bodyguard Backpack is made from deluxe premium nylon material and it is a little shiny which enhances the overall appearance.

What we like about this backpack is that it has a lot of lights such as shoulder strap safety light, interior LED flashlight on the lanyard, tactical penlights, and reflective tabs. These make you feel safe traveling at night.

The thing that we don’t like about this bag is the weight. With the weight of 2 pounds when empty, the bag feels so heavy.

It may cause some back and shoulder pain when carrying for a long period of time.

The Bottom Line

The Tuff Togs Bodyguard Backpack is so generous with anti-theft features. If you are fancy of some techie features, this bag is a great choice for daily use or for work. The Tuff Togs offers a free 1-year extended warranty if you decide to purchase it today.

>> Check price on Amazon <<

KORIN Design FlexPack Pro

Best Lightweight Travel Backpack

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PROS:

  • Excellent anti-theft features and design
  • Lightweight
  • Expandable thermal insulation pouch is very handy
  • YKK zippers

CONS:

  • Decent amount of storage
  • No external pockets for water bottle

KORIN Design FlexPack Pro backpack is one of our favorite anti-theft backpack on the list because it looks sleek, packed with top-notch security features, lightweight, practical and simple design.

It is suitable to use for work and traveling. If you’re tired of carrying a bulky backpack, this one is a great choice.

The backpack looks clean and sleek on the outside, something that we personally like when looking for a backpack. There’s plenty of space in the main compartment with approximately a capacity of 18 liters.

Well, it’s not the most spacious backpack compared to other bags. 

To keep you organized, there are two compartments on the flap, one each on the side and 2 on the back. There are separate sleeves for a 15.6-inch laptop and a 10-inch tablet. Both are well-padded.

The backpack has the expandable thermal insulation pouch feature integrated where you can keep your umbrella, shoes, or dirty gym clothes. The caveat of this will take some interior space but you can close it with a zipper when unused.

Whenever you stop by a cafe for a cup of coffee, you don’t have to worry about your bag being snatched. The KORIN backpack is equipped with a retractable metal wire lock to attach your bag next to your chair.

Not to mention all the other features like TSA approved lock and YKK double zippers that improve the security.

Another feature that we like is the K Easy Charging 2.0. Unlike many standard USB port charging ports found on other backpacks, this one has 2 separate ports for charging your phone and recharging your power bank through a Micro-USB input. 

On the back, the bag is well-padded and the shoulder strap has decent padding. Because this backpack is lightweight, we think that it is sufficient enough for comfort.

This bag doesn’t come with a luggage strap but it’s not a really big deal.

The Bottom Line

The KORIN Design FlexPack Pro backpack is one of the best anti-theft backpacks in the market in terms of design and security features. They have won the Reddot Award 2018 and the Good Design Award 2018 for these reasons. If you want a lightweight with a ton of smart features for work, this backpack is probably worth considering. However, the price is slightly expensive. Something you should consider as well based on your budget.

>> Check price on Amazon <<

Wrapping It Up

Each of the smart backpacks for work we reviewed had its own set of pros and cons.

However, choosing the best one for you shouldn’t be that complicated or difficult. It’s all depending on your purpose and budget. 

Out of this list, we picked the SwissGear 5358 USB ScanSmart Laptop Backpack as the best one for work.

It has a ton of storage, great ergonomic design, cool techie features, and perfect for traveling by airplane. 

Although it’s not without flaws, like lack of headphone port, to be honest, it’s not something we will miss. 

But if the security is most important to you then you can’t go wrong with KORIN Design FlexPack Pro backpack

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