10 Travel Backpacks for Airport Security

After more than 20 years, the long-standing “Shoes-off” TSA policy was nullified in hopes of streamlining the airport security process. Now, even travelers without TSA PreCheck will be allowed to keep their shoes on at security checkpoints, with the exception of those traveling without a Real ID. However, while this cumbersome rule may no longer be enforced, travelers are still expected to adhere to the three-ounce rule when packing toiletries, and, for those without PreCheck, electronics must be removed from personal items and placed into the tray for scanning.

Since one of the biggest stressors of airport security is removing your items in a timely manner and repacking your bag without getting in the way of other travelers, we’ve rounded up 10 handy backpacks complete with countless pockets and electronic-friendly storage that’ll make TSA checkpoints a breeze. Each bag is under $40 at Amazon (with many of them on sale), and all are guaranteed to save time and anxiety as you navigate through one of the most stress-inducing parts of the airport.

Best Backpacks Overall 

Matein Travel Laptop Backpack

Fitted with a number of accessible pockets, this shopper-adored backpack will make your experience getting through TSA run as smoothly as possible—and right now it’s on sale for a whopping 45 percent off at Amazon. A padded laptop pocket is a secure (and functional) place to store your electronics so you can grab them in a hurry in the security line, and the roomy front compartment is the ideal place to store your clear pouch of toiletries. Just take it from this shopper who said they “like the front small pocket for putting all [their] personal items in when going through TSA.”

The convenient luggage strap at the back means you can stack your backpack atop your rolling suitcase to give your shoulders a rest, and with nearly 20,000 five-star ratings, you’ll be in good company among other happy travelers.

Volher Business Travel Laptop Backpack

Going on a work trip? This well-crafted backpack may just become your go-to companion since it’s large enough to hold your electronics and other in-flight essentials, plus it’s designed with a multitude of pockets that will make getting through TSA a breeze. In fact, one shopper raved that the “pocket for your laptop is easily accessible to pull out for TSA screening.” 

The laptop compartment is padded, effectively protecting your electronics from damage while you’re on the go, and the zippers open wide enough for easy access to anything you need to take out. Even if you tend to pack your bag to the brim, you’ll still find the organizational capacity of this backpack will optimize your TSA experience. 

Bagswan Laptop Backpack

Slim, spacious, and thoughtfully designed, the Bagswan Laptop Backpack is a dream for travel—and it’s practically a steal at just $21. It’s loaded with a whopping 26 pockets, including a zippered front compartment for your phone and other small electronics, while the cushy laptop pouch has slots to store two larger devices. Tuck your carefully packed toiletry bag into one pouch and your electronics into the other, and you’ll be ready to load up the security trays and head through the metal detector in a flash. It even boasts handy anti-theft features like locking zippers and a concealed side pocket that’s ideal for storing your passport and essential travel documents. Plus, one shopper noted that it “sits perfectly on top of suitcases while rolling through the airport with the handle strap.”

Mancio Vintage Laptop Backpack

Slightly more stylish than traditional laptop backpacks, the Mancio Vintage Laptop Backpack is a practical pick for air travel that contains all the pockets needed to remain organized and aware of the location of all your belongings. The back of the primary compartment is fitted with a laptop sleeve that’ll make it a cinch to locate your devices in a hurry while heading through TSA, and the large secondary pocket is tailor-made for toiletries and smaller electronics. It even has padded shoulder straps so you’ll feel comfortable wearing it when it’s fully packed, and one customer shared that they “traveled outside of the country with it” and had “no problems with TSA.”

Lenovo Laptop Backpack

It stands to reason that you can trust a brand that crafts high-quality laptops to also make equally valuable backpacks to travel with your electronics, and the Lenovo Laptop Backpack is truly a testament to that fact—and now it’s marked down to a mere $16. Its sleek, lightweight design makes it easy to carry, and it even converts into a duffel with a convenient side-carry handle. Its padded interior protects your belongings from the natural bumps of traveling, and a number of accessible pockets make it a cinch to quickly locate anything you need to remove in the security line. In fact, one enamored shopper noted that the bag has “just the right amount of pockets, making it super easy to find everything I need.” 

Duslang 17-inch Laptop Backpack

Water-resistant and spacious yet compact, this handy travel backpack is designed with electronics in mind so it’s both protective and the perfect choice for a personal item. Each compartment is fitted with several smaller pockets to help you stay organized, and the thoughtful design makes this backpack ideal for navigating the stress of the airport security line. One shopper confirmed that it not only “travels well through the airport” but also “fits a ton of stuff and is really comfortable on your back”—plus, it has an elasticized mesh water bottle pocket to store your (empty) bottle until you can fill it once you’re through TSA.

Shrradoo Extra Large 50L Travel Laptop Backpack

Overpackers will be happy to learn that the Shrradoo Extra Large Travel Laptop Backpack just went on sale for 41 percent off for a limited time, and no matter your destination, it’ll make every moment from the second you enter the airport as stress-free as possible. Positively brimming with pockets, you’ll find storage space for your toiletries, electronics, in-flight entertainment, and more, not to mention it comes with a built-in USB charging port to connect to your favorite portable charger. The bag is so popular that more than 10,000 shoppers have snagged one in the last month, and one customer even revealed that “going through the airport checkpoints [has become] faster because the bag is TSA-friendly.”

Light Flight Travel Backpack

Small enough to easily fit beneath the airplane seat in front of you, this lightweight laptop backpack is intentionally designed with three roomy pockets to keep your belongings organized and accessible, effectively streamlining the TSA process. The laptop compartment is multi-tiered to keep your other electronics ready to drop into the security tray, and the corners of the bag are padded to keep your belongings safe through typical travel wear and tear. And as a testament to its travel-friendly design, one shopper shared that the bag “made it quick and easy to get my computer out without the usual Tetris struggle of pulling it out/repacking,” after the security line.

Kroser Laptop Backpack

Perfectly compact and laptop-friendly, we’ve found a top-notch travel companion for trips of all sorts—particularly when you need your belongings to be easy to remove in the security line. The Kroser Laptop Backpack is water-repellent and designed with a large primary pocket that’ll fit all your travel essentials without a second thought, and the back laptop pocket is well-padded with foam for an extra layer of protection. Plus, the primary compartment unzips wide to slot in your toiletry kit right on top. Just take it from this traveler who noted that the “segmented storage” provided “easy laptop access for TSA security checks.”

Victoriatourist Laptop Backpack

This slim, understated backpack will take up minimal space in the security line bins, and with its built-in laptop pocket and compact main compartment it’ll help you downsize your in-flight essentials to get through TSA without a hitch. It comes fitted with a USB port that attaches to your portable power bank for use on the go, not to mention the straps are padded to make them far more comfortable during long travel days. Shoppers especially love the luggage straps at the back of the bag, which they say makes it “easy to cart with [them] at the airport.”

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