The 6 Best College Backpacks (Almost All Under $40)

We’ve rounded up the best college backpacks for every student’s needs!

Whether you need to tote tons of books or no books at all, we’ve sourced the best backpacks for college to suit every need and budget.

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Here are the best college backpacks for 2024:

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1. Matein is a top pick among Hipsters for its affordable price and convenient features all around.

It doesn’t get much more supportive than this Matein backpack. Hip team members have used this backpack for travel, but we think it would also be perfect for college. It’s compact and lightweight, yet has tons of pockets for notebooks and textbooks. Plus, it can easily store a laptop up to 15 inches and features an external USB port and an internal port for charging battery packs. Did we mention it also has over 81,000 5-star reviews?! 🤩

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2. This Light Flight bag is our favorite stylish pick for our best college backpack list.

By far, this is the cutest backpack on our list! Don’t let its appearance fool you; this backpack is as functional as it is stylish. Its large pockets can fit everything college students need for classes. The mesh-padded exterior is also super comfortable for wearing for long periods of time. It features a discreet charging port hole, side pockets for a water bottle, and water-resistant fabric so you’ll be fine if you get caught in the rain.

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3. JanSport’s Cool Student Backpack is our favorite classic option if you want to get back to the basics.

This popular backpack brand was sure to make our list for a few reasons — style, nostalgia, and functionality. After all, this is the same brand our frugal parents purchased back in the 70s, so we think it’s safe to say there’s a JanSport backpack for every college student’s needs.

The best part about these backpacks is that they come in SO MANY colors and patterns! Plus, they’re available at so many different retailers so it’s almost always possible to find a deal! We’ve even seen JanSport backpacks for as low as $11.99 if you can wait for a clearance find!

Shop more colors and patterns of Jansport backpacks!

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4. This backpack that doubles as a tote also stands on its own so you don’t have to worry about your belongings falling out.

Of all the features this backpack has to offer, the one you’ll love the most is the fact it can stand on its own. This is especially great if you’re taking a class where there may not be an ideal place to hang or rest your bag without worrying your stuff will fall over or out onto the floor. It also has a laptop pocket that comfortably fits a MacBook Air and an even smaller pocket that perfectly fits an iPad.

The interior zipper has 5 pockets are great for smaller things like chargers, pens, toiletries, an umbrella, or a 32-ounce water bottle inside or outside the bag. You just might have the cutest backpack on campus no matter which color you choose! It’s very spacious despite there only being one main compartment.

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5. This faux leather option fits all of your essentials while still maintaining a sleek profile.

This classy faux leather backpack is a show-stopper and the perfect minimalist option! It comes in black or brown with adjustable straps to ensure the best comfort regardless of your height. The max size for laptops is 14 inches which isn’t as big as some of the other bags, but this bag has several concealed pockets for additional storage that doesn’t detract from its beauty!

Although it features a minimalist belt buckle design, it also has a magnetic closure for extra security. Speaking of security, you’ll even appreciate the anti-theft pocket that’s concealed on the back so you can carry irreplaceable items like your wallet, school ID, phones, and other important stuff.

Check out this faux leather messenger bag if you’re looking for something more masculine.

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6. One of the best backpacks for college is the heavy-duty SHRRADOO Backpack.

For any student who needs to haul a heavy load across campus, this extra large backpack is a must-have! It’s pretty much equivalent to carrying a mini suitcase on your back. It can be on the heavier side when it’s full, but it will hold everything you need in one place, no problem.

It features many luxuries like air-cushioned shoulder straps, pockets for cards, a sunglasses strap, an extra durable carry handle, adjustable clasps, a password lock, and a large variety of pockets for organizing your stuff. It will easily hold all the books you need…yes, even if you’re in law school.

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