Whether it is a summer vacation to the Bahamas or a visit to a friend’s house a couple of blocks away, one thing game lovers cannot afford to leave behind is their gaming console or laptops. This is where having a gaming backpack to carry your gaming devices become invaluable.
There are lots of gaming backpacks in the market. Gaming backpacks usually have a special compartment that safely stores your games. However, the greatest challenge you will likely face is finding the right one that suits your need. Not to worry, we have done the research for you and here are the best gaming backpacks.
Review of the Best Gaming Backpack
Lenovo Legion 15.5 inch Gaming Backpack – Best overall
The Lenovo Legion 15.5 inch Gaming Backpack beats all the odds; it is lightweight at just 2.10 pounds, stylish in design, durable, has a dedicated compartment for all your gaming gears and you won’t have to break the bank to get it.
It has a dedicated notebook sleeve that cushions the effect of impacts on your laptop. A breathable back padding and shoulder straps ensures the Lenovo Legion sits comfortably on your shoulder. The base is made of a thick and sturdy material that can withstand wear. It is highly versatile and can double as a laptop book bag for students and a business backpack for professionals.
Pros
- Lightweight, adding little to your overall weight
- Dedicated pocket for different gaming gears and glasses
- Suitable for students and professionals
- Made of materials that doesn’t wear easily
Cons
- Only front panel is water repellent
- Lacks a USB port for charging devices
Lenovo Legion Armored 17 inch Gaming Backpack – Best for protection
Hikers who are generally worried about unfair weather will love the high level of protection offered by the Lenovo Legion Armored. The entire exoskeleton is made of a hard, weatherproof material to protect all your gaming gears from adverse weather. Its 3 compartments and 16 pockets is designed to hold a gaming laptop of up to 17 inches and all its accompanying accessories.
Inasmuch as the Lenovo Legion Armored weighs 3.02 pounds which may seem heavy, it makes up for it by offering extra comfort. It has a compression-molded back panel for improved airflow ventilation. The adjustable shoulder straps pair well with chest buckle to keep this gaming backpack steady on the shoulder. Besides the protection, it is also stylish.
Pros
- Offers maximum protection of your gears from adverse weather
- Large storage space that can contain 17” laptop
- Adjustable shoulder straps and chest buckle to keep it steady
- Compression-molded back panel for ventilation
Cons
- Slightly heavy and increases the bulk weight
- Lacks a USB port for charging devices
Alienware Vindicator Backpack – Best for travel
Anyone that travels a lot knows how important it is to easily find your stuffs. You know where to find your gaming tablet when you need it. The Alienware Vindicator Backpack was designed with this in mind. It has 3 large main compartments and smaller dedicated compartment for your laptop, tablet, gaming accessories, down to your flash drives.
The Alienware Vindicator also has a dedicated strap for headphones. It was also designed for comfort, having a molded back panel for air circulation as well as non-slip padded shoulder and chest straps for support. It is made of high-density nylon that is weatherproof. The major downside of this backpack is its weight of 4.7 pounds.
Pros
- Made of weatherproof high-density nylon
- Dedicated compartment for all gaming accessories
- Adjustable shoulder and chest straps for comfort and support
- Molded back for ventilation
Cons
- Pricey for those in search of budget gaming backpack
- Heavy and adds to the bulk of your load
- Lacks a USB port for charging devices
ENHANCE Universal Gaming Laptop Backpack – Best for warranty
In terms of warranty, ENHANCE products are strong contenders. The ENHANCE Universal Gaming Laptop Backpack comes with a 3-year manufacturer warranty. The backpack is specially designed for carrying PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Laptops. Accessories such as extra controllers, HDMI cables, Keyboards, and AC adapters also have their dedicated compartments.
The entire bag has padded liners that offers resistance from impacts, scratches, and bumps. The backside of the ENHANCE Universal gaming laptop backpack is made of tessellated moisture resistant fabric while the base is weather resistant. This backpack is extremely versatile and handy for heavy gamers and weighs only 2.5 pounds.
Pros
- Dedicated compartments for all your game consoles and accessories
- Padded liners for impact protection
- Comes with 3-year manufacturer warranty
- Moisture resistant backside and weather resistant base
Cons
- The entire body is not water resistant
- Lacks a USB port for charging devices
- Lacks a chest strap
Acer Predator Gaming Hybrid Backpack – Best for design
The Acer Predator Gaming Hybrid Backpack was exotically designed to keep everything on the inside. It has an inner bottle pocket, headset strap, shoe pocket, and a large compartment that can hold a laptop of 15.6”. These inner pockets makes your pack organised and neat. The breathable back panels, soft padded shoulder straps, and adjustable chest buckle are all designed for comfort.
This bag weighs only 2 pounds making it one of the lightweight gaming backpacks in the market. In addition to the stylish design, the Acer Predator Gaming Hybrid Backpack is built tough. The high-density polyester exterior is also water repellent while the extra fortified bottom will defend you against mud and rain. However, the Acer Predator does not come cheap.
Pros
- Padded shoulder strap and chest buckle for comfort
- Breathable back for ventilation
- Dedicated compartment for shoe
- Keeps everything inside
- Lightweight and water repellent
Cons
- Not enough dedicated compartments for game accessories
- Lacks a USB port for charging devices
- Pricey for those in search of a low budget gaming backpack
Targus Steelseries Gaming Backpack – Best for security
If you need a backpack that will offer you some form of discreteness, the Targus Steelseries Gaming Backpack will be your best bet. It has a hidden pocket on the back panel where you can keep valuables like wallet and keys. When you insert your laptop into the bag, there is a SafePort Sling that suspends it and offer protection against drops.
It has dedicated pockets for game accessories like mouse, keyboard, headphones, controllers, and more. The front pouches are detachable giving you more option on how you carry your bag. In terms of comfort, it has ventilated back padding, padded shoulder strap and chest straps. It is also tethered for rain cover. However, it is heavy on weight (3.92 pounds) and price.
Pros
- Ventilated back padding and padded shoulder straps for comfort
- Hidden pocket for hiding valuable items
- SafePort Sling that offers extra protection for laptops
- Detachable front pouches
- Tethered rain cover
Cons
- Lacks a USB port for charging devices
- Pricey for budget gaming backpack seekers
- Heavy and adds to the bulk of your load
Smatree Semi-Hard and Light Laptop Backpack – Best for unisex
The Smatree Semi-Hard and Light Laptop Backpack looks good on males and females alike. It is not surprising that the process to patent their unique design is already in progress. The bag has 3 main compartments with smaller pockets for carrying daily necessities and game accessories. The padded back strap is adjustable for comfort.
The 600d nylon and eva hard shell plays a dual role of being water repellent and offering protection for your gaming console or laptop from hard impact. It also has a luggage strap that allows you to attach it to your luggage or suitcase thereby eliminating the problem of losing one of your bags. The hard-shell is probably the reason why the bag has a weight of 3.7 pounds. However, it is easy to overlook this flaw when you consider the innovative design.
Pros
- Stylish design that complements your fashion
- Enough room for laptops and accessories
- Hard-shell that is durable and water repellent
- Adjustable and padded shoulder straps
Cons
- Absence of back ventilation can cause significant discomfort
- Lacks a USB port for charging devices
- Heavy and adds to the bulk of your load
Razer Rogue v1 15.6” Gaming Laptop Backpack – Best for weight
Water is one of the greatest enemies of electronics. The Razer Rogue v1 15.6” Laptop Backpack will make sure your device stays safe from water spills. The outer material is tough and waterproof while the leatherette bottom further extends the lifespan of your backpack. The main compartment can comfortably hold any 15 inch laptop. It also has ample space for accessories.
The interior is lined with a smooth scratchproof material to further protect your devices. It has a back panel that makes room for ventilation. The shoulder straps are also heavily padded and combines with the chest strap for comfort. The Razer Rogue is one of the lightest gaming backpacks you will come across. It weighs only 1.85 pounds and adds little to your entire weight. However, the Razer Rogue is heavy on price—definitely not for everyone.
Pros
- Tough waterproof outer material
- Dedicated compartment for laptop and game accessories
- Heavily padded shoulder straps for comfort
- Extremely lightweight and adds little to the bulk of your entire load
Cons
- Lacks a USB port for charging devices
- Pricey for those in search of a budget gaming backpack
KROSER Laptop Backpack Large Computer – Best budget gaming backpack
The KROSER Laptop Backpack looks small on the outside but large on the inside, having a space that can fit a 17.3 inches laptop. The entire bag is made of environment-friendly poly fabric that is water repellent. It also has dedicated spaces for your gaming accessories and office files making it versatile. It has a USB port where you can plug your power bank so that you can easily charge your device on the go without opening your bag.
KROSER Laptop Backpack also has a luggage strap that allows you to fit the bag on your luggage trolley. The shoulder straps are padded and adjustable and has a hook where you can hang your glasses. The breathable mesh back also offer comfort and ventilation to your back. This bag can be considered lightweight at 2.64 pounds. The price is highly competitive making it one of the best budget gaming backpacks you can lay your hands on.
Pros
- External USB port allows you to charge your device on the go.
- Padded shoulder straps and breathable mesh back
- Large compartment that can carry a laptop of up to 17 inches
- Water repellent and environment-friendly poly fabric
- Luggage strap for easier carrying
Cons
- Lacks a chest strap increasing the chance of shoulder straps slip
- Absence of dedicated pockets for game accessories
Bopai 20L Leather Laptop Backpack –Best for quality
The Bopai 20L Leather Laptop Backpack is made of genuine leather and ballistic nylon that makes it both rugged and durable. This gaming backpack is both appealing for business and fashion and has a lot of features that will guarantee comfort. This includes a breathable back that allows ventilation so that you don’t feel hot and sweaty. The shoulder straps are padded and adjustable for comfort.
The Bopai 20L Leather Laptop Backpack is entirely waterproof and has dedicated pocket for your laptop and game accessories. It also has anti-theft feature—a hidden pocket where you can put your valuables. Another cool feature of this gaming backpack is the USB port that lets you charge your device on the go. The Bopai 20L can be considered lightweight at 2.87 pounds. However, the bulk of the weight and probably its greatest limitation is the price.
Pros
- Anti-theft feature that allows you to hide delicate documents
- Breathable back design and padded straps for maximum comfort
- Made of genuine durable leather that is water resistant
- Suitable for business and fashion
- External USB port for charging devices on the go
Cons
- Not a budget gaming backpack
- Absence of chest straps can lead to shoulder straps slip
- Lacks dedicated pockets for game controller and other accessories
Buying Guide for the Best Gaming Backpack
The first thing you should consider when going for a gaming backpack is what kind of game consoles you have and how many you would like to carry at a time. Some gaming backpacks are strictly designed to accommodate a certain type of gaming laptop or console. You also need to evaluate the materials of the bag and what they can withstand. This buying guide has all the checklists that will help you to make a better decision.
Carrying Capacity
There is a limit to what any backpack can carry and this boils down to the design and size. While some gaming backpacks can accommodate a laptop of 17 inches, others max out at 15 inches. Knowing the size of your laptop will help you to determine what you should buy and what you shouldn’t. Also, check the number of dedicated pockets it has for game accessories and be sure it is enough to accommodate what you have.
Material
Some gaming backpacks are made of water repellent materials that gives more protection for your devices while others are not. If you will be going on an outdoor hike and anticipate a bad weather, this should be one of the criteria to put into consideration when making your selection. Look for backpacks that will protect your devices from bad weather, bumps, and falls.
Weight
The weight of your gaming backpack is sometimes a function of the material used in the production. The use of dense material quickly spikes up the final weight of the backpack. If you have a lot of gaming accessories to carry, you might want to go for a backpack that is light—something within the range of 2 to 2.5 pounds.
Accessories
External USB port, detachable pouches, and luggage straps are some of the useful accessories that come with some gaming backpacks. If you travel a lot, these accessories will come in handy. Getting a gaming backpack that has them will be a great advantage.
Design
Padded shoulder straps and breathable backs are vital for comfort. If you will be carrying your backpack for a long time, you need a shoulder strap that is heavily padded to ease the weight of your load on your shoulder. Breathable backs makes sure you don’t get sweaty.
Price
Your budget will ultimately determine what you can buy. It is pointless to admire a gaming backpack that is well beyond your budget. If you can sacrifice one or two features and still get enough space for your devices and accessories within a slim budget, it is still a win for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the use of a gaming backpack?
If you carry your gaming console or laptop around a lot, a gaming backpack will help to keep them safe from damage as well as ensure you don’t leave any accessory behind.
- What kind of games and accessories can I carry with my backpack?
This depends on the size and pockets of your backpack. Many gaming backpack manufacturers will specify what they can carry.
- Are all gaming backpacks water resistant?
No. Water resistant function depends on the material used for the manufacture of the backpack.
- What are the most important features to look out for in a gaming backpack?
The number of dedicated pockets, weatherproof, weight, and size are the most important features to look out for in a gaming backpack.
Conclusion
Hardly will you find a gaming backpack that has it all. Once it fulfils your most pressing need, you can go for it. However, features like size, weatherproof, and weight should be given priority all the time. These backpacks presented on this list have been carefully selected bearing different factors in mind and they stand out in their respective categories. We have done our part, it is up to you to decide what you want.