MATEIN Travel Laptop Backpack Review: Cheap, Organised, and Good Enough

By Editorial Team | April 2026

You do not need to spend much to get a decent commuter backpack. The MATEIN Travel Laptop Backpack is the rare budget bag that covers the essentials cleanly: it fits a 15.6-inch laptop, keeps your gear organised, and adds travel-friendly extras that actually matter. With a 7/10 score, it is our pick for anyone who wants a simple work, college, or carry-on bag without paying for nicer materials.

Our pick: MATEIN Travel Laptop Backpack

MATEIN Travel Laptop Backpack — £18.99

This is the bag for people who want their laptop, charger, notebook, and spare bits to stop fighting for the same space. The main compartment, 28L to 35L capacity, USB charging port, hidden anti-theft pocket, and luggage strap make it more useful than a bare-bones school rucksack, especially if you commute or travel with a carry-on.

Why it works:

• Fits up to a 15.6-inch laptop, which covers the standard work and student machine without forcing you into a larger pack.
• The 28L to 35L capacity gives you room for daily clutter, and the internal layout is aimed at chargers, keys, notebooks, and a change of clothes.
• The luggage strap, hidden back pocket, and lockable main zipper make it easier to use on trains, planes, and crowded platforms.

The honest trade-off: It is a budget utility bag, not a premium backpack, so the materials and hardware are fine rather than impressive, and it is not built for heavy rain or rough long-term abuse.

If you want an affordable everyday laptop backpack that does the basics properly, buy the MATEIN Travel Laptop Backpack.

Best upgrade: Timbuk2 Authority Deluxe Laptop Backpack

Timbuk2 Authority Deluxe Laptop Backpack — about $185

If you want a more polished work backpack with genuinely better organisation and a more professional feel, this is the step up. It buys you better materials, a cleaner office-ready look, and a layout that suits people who carry a laptop every day rather than just occasionally.

Worth it if: you commute hard, carry tech gear daily, and care more about durability and presentation than saving money.

Best budget pick: Amazon Basics Laptop Backpack

Amazon Basics Laptop Backpack — about $20

This is the cheaper alternative if you only need a basic laptop carrier and do not care about USB ports or anti-theft flourishes. It gets the core job done, but you give up the travel-friendly extras that make the MATEIN more useful.

Worth it if: you want the lowest-possible spend and are happy with plain storage over added convenience.

How we chose

We looked at the things that matter for this type of backpack: laptop fit, storage capacity, comfort, travel features, and whether the price matches the build. For the subject product, we relied on the provided feature data plus current market checks to compare it with real alternatives that are actually available.

Frequently asked questions

Is this laptop backpack big enough for work or college? Yes. The padded compartment fits laptops up to 15.6 inches, and the overall capacity is enough for a laptop, charger, notebooks, and a few extras.

Is the USB charging port worth caring about? Only if you already carry a power bank. It is a convenience feature, not a built-in battery.

Can it handle heavy rain? No. The water-resistant polyester helps in light drizzle, but the brand warns against long exposure to water or heavy rain.