Best Laptop Sleeve and Laptop Case for Device Protection

Best value

You pack base layers in your capsule wardrobe, right? Well, why should your tech setup be any different? Even if you have a dedicated laptop sleeve in your travel backpack or the back of your personal item bag, bring the Matador Laptop Base Layer for added laptop protection. It has a roll top seal for weather protection and to keep moisture at bay if you’re waiting for the bus in the rain. Along with providing flexibility to stash taller gear inside, the hook-and-loop fastener flap works well to seal the opening. It makes accessibility a little slower, but if you’re traveling around Asia in the rainy season, we think you’ll appreciate the addition. There’s a reason why we thought this was the best laptop sleeve for our Digital Nomad Packing List.

If you have to check your bag unexpectedly, the Matador Laptop Base Layer is the best laptop sleeve to have up your, well, sleeve. You can load it up with your computer and place some accessories in the exterior mesh pocket to work or stream a show on the plane. It has its own carry handle, so you don’t have to worry about slipping your grip. The weather-resistant 420D nylon combines with a 50D ripstop drybag liner to protect your computer from spills when the plane hits turbulence before you finish your complimentary drink.

• It’s one of the most low-profile laptop sleeves we’ve tested yet.
• Unique, rolltop-like opening forms a very water-resistant seal

• While the sleeve is weather-resistant, the exterior mesh pocket is not.
• It's quite fiddly having to unroll the opening compared to just having regular zippers

Best budget

If you love curling up with those extra-fuzzy fleece blankets in cold weather, you’ll love petting the lining of the tomtoc Defender-A42 laptop shoulder bag. It’s nylon-based like the rest of the sleeve, yet something about it prevents shocks when you reach inside.

If you want to reduce what you’re bringing on board, this is the best laptop sleeve so you can put your carry on in the overhead bin. Along with a MacBook Pro case, the tomtoc has additional pockets on the exterior to hold your tech accessories, whether you want to slide them into the slip pockets contained in the exterior compartments or toss them inside. Then you can work or stream without extra bulk at your feet.

You can carry it all via a leather-like handle or the removable shoulder strap. It’s pretty comfortable to carry since it even includes a moveable piece of padding on the strap to keep it from digging into your shoulder. Unlike most sleeves, your device slides in the left side, not the top, which may or may not suit your fancy, yet the durable YKK zippers keep everything securely closed throughout your travels.

• The case includes a removable shoulder strap to carry hands-free without another bag
• Looks rather clean and professional for a laptop sleeve you can carry like a messenger bag

• The stiff materials make it hard to fit extra accessories inside
• Found a number of loose threads on our sample

Best splurge

Fancy the look of leather? Then the Harber London Magnetic Envelop Sleeve For MacBook (wow, what a name) might be just for you. It has leather in all the right places, mostly the front, where people can see it while you’re clutching it. Its envelope-style flap is held by a pair of strong magnets that, while not as secure as a zipper, is a nice balance of convenient accessibility and security. It also lets you run a cable to your MacBook, though we’d advise plugging in a USB-C cable since the tight fitment could disconnect a MagSafe connector rather easily.

It’s worth noting that the wool felt material, while very protective and densely cushioned, can also feel somewhat irritating on the skin. In other words, those with sensitive skin might not find this appealing, especially since the back side is just the bare material. Still, this is a well-built leather option for those looking for a touch class and style on top of the protection a laptop sleeve should provide.

• Leather and magnets really make the envelope style feel satisfying and premium as a laptop sleeve.
• Low-profile and slim, so it's easy to fit for a sleeve that's made with leather

• Wool felt material may irritate those with sensitive skin.
• Magnetic closure doesn't feel secure as a zipper, though it does a great job

Best laptop sleeve with handle

The difference between a laptop sleeve and a messenger bag may be as small as a detachable crossbody strap. The Solgaard Carry-All Laptop Sleeve ticks that box and is quite solid on the fundamentals. There's ample padding for protection, and the fleece-like liner is soft, which is a must-have for those who want to keep their devices pristine, whether made of hard plastic or chic aluminum.

The Solgaard Carry-All Laptop Sleeve does feel like a messenger bag when you're carrying it. Its two perpendicularly oriented (relative to each other) external pockets give you some means of stashing everyday quick grab items. That said, it's limited to those two pockets, which may not be enough if you hope to use this as a messenger substitute. Mind you, this is a post about laptop sleeves, so we won't knock it too much for not exceeding expected functionality.

All of that said, if you simply want a decently padded laptop sleeve with one or two pockets, that's easy to carry around, then this one can oblige with its versatile strap and handle combo.

• Comes with a detachable strap, allowing you to carry it like a messenger bag
• Slim and compact for a sleeve with versatile carry options and two accessory pockets

• Carrying options may be varied, but neither the strap nor handle are padded
• Wish it had a bit more organization so you can actually use it as a messenger bag

Best laptop sleeve with pockets

If your bag lacks extra organization, you may look to your computer sleeve to pick up the slack. If you dig Aer like we do, you’ll think the Tech Folio is the best laptop sleeve because it fits a 16-inch MacBook Pro, plus the necessary accessories you need to work remotely while traveling. Slide everyday gear like wireless earphones, a pack of wet wipes, slim eyeglasses cases, or small field notebooks in the front pocket for easy access, although space gets tight when you use the additional organization inside.

The internal organization is like an admin panel built into the laptop case. There’s a sleeve where you can slide file folders or a Bluetooth keyboard, slip pockets for travel tech accessories like a mouse, wall charger, cords and a stylus, plus a zip pocket to lock down tiny gear like flash drives or SD cards. Unzip the second compartment to reveal the laptop protective case lined with soft microfiber fabric. While packing every pocket can make the laptop sleeve a bit bulky, the carry handle on the back is comfortable if you need to carry your computer somewhere without a separate bag.

• It includes several different types of pockets to carry additional accessories.
• Just generally well built in terms of material and construction

• We wish you could attach a shoulder strap since it’s already on the bulky side.
• Can get, understandably, lumpy once you pack it full of accessories

Opting for the NOMATIC Tech Case is like choosing a minimalist messenger bag for your gear. If you cut down your packing list to leave the laptop bag at home, this protective laptop case lets you carry everything you need. Then you can work at the park or cafe while abroad. The ability to wear it as a crossbody bag makes it one of the best laptop sleeves for hands-free travel, so we can overlook the lack of padding on the strap.

There are plenty of pockets, from one on the front that can hold a book or a tablet to mesh liner pockets for headphones, wall chargers, dongles, and a mouse in the secondary compartment. Pen holders are included, too, in case you need to take notes. Inside the computer sleeve is a liner pocket to hold your 15-inch MacBook Pro or to separate one laptop from a second. With the space in both compartments, you could carry up to three computers, although it would get uncomfortable rather quickly. Still, if you’re looking for a way to carry tech outside of a large laptop bag or travel daypack, this may be the best laptop sleeve for you since there’s even a luggage pass-through to slide it over the handle of your suitcase as you make your way through the airport.

• You can carry multiple laptops at one time.
• Exterior fabric is very slick, so it's quite water-resistant

• The shoulder strap gets uncomfortable quite quickly.
• The carry handle's placement at the back makes it awkward to use

Nothing disturbs a good sleep during an overnight flight quite like remembering you have an overdue report. In those situations, it can be a pain to fish your laptop from your bag and wiggle it out of its sleeve. Fortunately, if you’re using the ICON Sleeve, it has a magnetic flap that makes the whole ordeal easier. Granted, it’s not quite as secure as a zipper, but it’s a more elegant option if you’re prioritizing quick and convenient access.

Though it may look stiff and more case-like in photos, the Woolenex exterior is quite soft and flexible. That said, the fabric-like texture makes us slightly concerned about stains, especially with the lighter colorway options. Most of the protection is under the hood, with fairly substantial edges and corners surrounding your device. The fit’s pretty snug, too, with many model-specific variants to choose from.

• Nifty magnetic flap is easy to open even with the entire sleeve inside your backpack.
• Snug fit makes it feel very secure

• Woolenex exterior could stain more visibly over time, especially on lighter colorways.
• Magnetic closure might make those used to zippers apprehensive

If your daily routine includes traveling to a coworking space or restaurant to work, claim your desk with the nedrelow magic sleeve. The magic is in the magnets surrounding the edge of the sleeve, which lies completely flat to be a desk pad while you work. You can use them to attach accessories that prevent your cords from tangling, hold a pen, or contain other small accessories like your AirPods. Then, when you’re ready to wrap up the day and head home, pile everything up on top of your laptop and fold the magic sleeve in half. It protects your device on the journey home and holds everything you need for work in one place, so it’s one of the best laptop sleeves for remote workers.

The Merino wool feels uber luxurious and stops shedding with continuous use, though it may irritate sensitive skin. You can get one to fit nearly any sized laptop or tablet, and if you still long for lambswool but don’t need an entire desk pad, nedrelow sells slim laptop sleeves where you can slip in your size device without folding it first.

• Wrap up your entire workstation in one package at the end of the day.
• It's nice having a thin mat like this when you're working on an unfamiliar desk

• You cannot leave accessories attached along the edges when you close it, or the magnets won’t have a strong enough seal to hold your device.
• Sheds on your gear and it takes a while for the material to stop doing that

If you’re looking for a durable way to protect your device, snap it into the Bellroy Laptop Sleeve. The exterior ripstop polyester fabric resists rips and tears, and a firm foam padding reinforces the sleeve to protect your laptop from the detritus floating around your bag. When you need to pull it out, the magnetic closure is easy to open with one hand and closes with a satisfying snap. You can get this computer sleeve for 14-inch or 16-inch devices, though the case is larger than the device due to the magnetic strip along the edge, so it may not fit in the laptop compartment of your travel daypack.

And, of course, being Bellroy, the leather accent and aesthetic design bring a sleek and professional look to the laptop case, so it may be the best laptop sleeve to pull out in your next business meeting or conference.

• It’s nice to take your device out with just one hand, thanks to the magnetic closure.
• Digging the soft, microfiber lining; hopefully won't dirty as easily as felt liner fabrics

• The magnets add bulk to the sleeve, so it may not fit in pockets designed for a 15-inch laptop.
• Magnetic closure takes some getting used to if you're more used to zippers

Best waterproof laptop sleeve

Best protective laptop sleeve

Whether you’re a study-abroad student, sharing a room in a hostel dorm, or sleeping in a yurt on a safari trip, you may be looking for the best laptop sleeve to protect your device from drops, spills, and dirt throughout your adventures. When you lock it into the DOMISO Shockproof Waterproof Laptop Sleeve, you can rest assured that your laptop will still look as it did when you slid it inside, even if you ride on the back of a tuk-tuk on the way to your hotel, thanks to the shockproof EVA coated with PU on the exterior.

Inside, buckle your computer in with a seat-belt-like strap that connects with a hook-and-loop fastener after sliding it into the mesh webbing that holds it in place. A zippered mesh pocket to store tech accessories, pouches, or notebooks is on the opposite side. Just remember that anything you put inside will rest against the top of your computer, so don’t store items that could scratch it here, like your keys.

The laptop protective case unzips clamshell-style but is held upright by elastic straps, so you can work while your computer is still in the case. It’s one of the best laptop sleeves if you’re camping or out on a road trip, as it’s not always as easy to take it easy on your device when you’re on the road. The 15.6-inch size holds computers from Apple, Dell, Acer, HP, or Lenovo, and you can also get the same protection for smaller and larger devices by selecting one of the other sizes.

• You can carry your laptop and some extra gear in an EVA hard shell case that protects against drops.
• Feels good in the hand; makes you feel like you're carrying a briefcase

• This case weighs more than a pound, so it’s one of the heavier ones on this list.
• Almost no chance you're getting this in a backpack unless you're using one that's ginormously big, too