The Best Smart Backpacks for 2018

Most people these days own two or more mobile devices. You have your laptop, your tablet, and your smartphones. Smart backpacks are ideal for people who are always on the go but want to make sure that their devices are always charged.

But even so, the best smart backpacks are not just for the technology savvy. These bags would have to accommodate all the things you want to bring with you and they would have to look good, too.

What are the best smart backpacks out there?

Ambor Laptop Travel Backpack

The Ambor Laptop Travel Backpack has a dedicated compartment that keeps your laptop safe.

The bag is very lightweight because of its eco-friendly nylon fabric. And even if you are carrying something heavy, you would not have problems with the s-curved shoulder straps that are generously padded for your comfort. The ergonomic design of this backpack distributes the weight.

This backpack has a USB 2.0 charging port, allowing you to charge your phone without having to take out your power bank. It also has a headphone jack that allows you to listen to music without taking your smartphone or tablet out of the bag.

The zippers of this backpack also come with a combination lock. When you close it, you can just snap in the zippers into the lock and nobody would be able to open it without knowing the passcode.

What you would like about the Ambor Laptop Travel Backpack

The Ambor Laptop Travel Backpack is made of a durable and high-quality material that is also lightweight. With an ergonomic design, you will not have problems even if you have been carrying it for most of the day. You would love how it allows you to listen to music hands-free; you only have to insert the headphone into the jack and not take out your phone or tablet. You can now freely roam while listening to music without having to hold your phone in your hands or put it inside your pocket.

This laptop bag is water-resistant, as well. You can walk in the rain and your phone, laptop, tablets, and everything inside will remain dry.

If you love traveling, this might be a good investment. The anti-theft lock is great if you travel to other countries where pickpockets abound. There is simply no way for them to get inside your backpack unless they cut through the materials.

What’s more, the Ambor Laptop Backpack has a list price of $60, but is available for less than $30 on Amazon (Check the latest price here!).

HP Powerup Backpack

The HP Powerup Backpack is ideal for those who have a lot of gadgets but cannot seem to remember to charge them. The HP Powerup Backpack includes a 22400 mAh battery that can charge a laptop, tablet, and smartphone in the order that you want them charged using the backpack’s power priority feature.

If you are worried that charging three devices all at once is a fire hazard, the backpack has an embedded heat sensor. If it gets too hot, the sensors will adjust the charging accordingly.

The outside material is heavy-duty canvas, covered with a water-resistant coating.

What you would like about the HP Powerup Backpack

HP Powerup Backpack makes it easier to charge and access your devices. For example, there is a smartphone pocket that would allow you to easily put in or take out your smartphone even while it is charging. It is also great for traveling as it is designed to meet inflight carry-on baggage rules.

This backpack costs $99.99 (Check the latest rates here!).

What could be better

The HP Powerup Backpack keeps things simple. It’s a backpack that you can use if you want to charge your device. It does not have any other feature that would help it stand out some more, but it is still great for those who constantly grapple with laptops and devices that are just about to run out of battery. You should also be aware that the backpack does not have a charging cord, and you would have to use the power supply for an HP laptop. That could be a problem for those who do not own an HP laptop, and the company does not sell charging cords.

Ghostek NRGbag 2 Laptop Tech Backpack Series

The NRGbag 2 Laptop Tech Backpack can accommodate up to 40 liters of your things. Made with durable polymer that is water-resistant, it comes with a separate compartment for your laptop, aside from a variety of compartments for various things.

The NRGbag 2 Series has three color options: black, teal, and camouflage. It also has three USB ports, two are inside the backpack and one is placed inside. There is also a LED power bar that would tell you if the power bank needs to be charge. And yes, it comes with its own 16000 mAh power bank.

What you would love about the Ghostek NRGbag 2 Laptop Tech Backpack Series

Most other smart backpacks come in one color: black. With the NRGbag 2, you have an option of three colors. It also comes with its own power bank, so you do not have to buy a separate one. Being water-resistant, it can keep your stuff safe even when it is raining.

Birksun Solar Backpack

If you are looking for a way to make sure that your gadgets are charged when you are outdoors (read: no wall outlets), then you should get the Birksun Solar Backpack. This backpack uses solar panels to get power from the sun. The solar panel charges the 3000 mAh battery, which, in turn, charges your smartphones. The solar panels are placed in front of the backpack where it can get as much sun exposure as it needs. But do not worry about these panels when it rains: they’re waterproof!

The Birksun Solar Backpack is meant for the outdoors, such as when you go hiking, camping, and backpacking cross country. Aside from being waterproof, it is also scratch-resistant. And if you get your backpack dirty, it would be very easy to wash it.

The Birksun Solar Backpack uses premium materials. The interior is lined with premium fabric that keeps your gadgets safe and secure. Its handles are made of leather and the stitches are well made.

What you would like about the Birksun Solar Backpack

You might think that using solar panels to charge your devices would take longer than when you plug in your charger. With the Birksun Solar Backpack, this is not the case. The solar power that comes with this backpack charges your devices as fast as when they are plugged into a wall outlet.

Speaking of wall outlets, you can also plug in the battery into any power outlet to charge it. The backpack is also TSA approved, meaning you can travel with it to both domestic and international locations.

You would also love the fact that there are a lot of styles and designs available. There is a mini-leather version that is good for laptops of up to 13 inches screen size. There’s the standard classic and Boost 2 designs, then there’s the Festival design, which has two extra packets at the side.

What could be better

The Birksun Solar Backpack‘s battery capacity is only good for charging smartphones twice unless it is continuously getting power from the sun, or plugged in. If you plan to charge a laptop with the backpack, you will not get a full charge.

The Lifepack Original Backpack

And we really saved the best for last. The Lifepack Backpack is probably the most features-rich smart backpack available right now. Take everything you like about our previous suggestions and roll them into one and you probably would get the Lifepack Original Backpack.

Features you’d love about the Lifepack Backpack

• Solar powered. The Lifepack Backpack includes the Solarbank, which, as the name implies, gets its power from the sun. The solarbank also doubles as a high-fidelity Bluetooth speaker, with a headphone jack if you want to keep the music to yourself.
• Anti-theft lock. This backpack has an integrated lock that holds the zippers together. No one can open your bag without knowing the 3-digit combination.
• Lifezone and Workzone. The backpack has two specific compartments. One you can use for things related to your work, while the other is for everything else. This will help save you from dirty t-shirts inadvertently falling out of your backpack as you try to fish out your laptop.
• Raincover. You do not have to worry about your gadgets and things getting wet with the rain cover included in your backpack.
• Keeps your laptops safe. The Lifepack Backpack has a high-density foam that helps pad your laptop, keeping it safe from too much shaking and shock.
• Hidden pockets. This backpack has four hidden pockets for your credit cards and other things you want to hide.

What’s more, the built-in USB charger is easily accessible, allowing you to charge your smartphone while you are holding it. The bag also has a pocket that can hold your water bottle and even loose paper storage.

There are four different Lifepack bags that you can choose from: The Hustle Backpack, the Hustle Shoulder Bag, the Lifepack Original, and the Carry-on Closet. Each of these comes in several colors.

This is probably the best smart backpack in the market right now.

Side-by-side comparison

How does each of these smart backpack compare with each other? Here is a side-by-side comparison to make things easier:

Other smart backpacks that you should consider

Aside from the top five, here are two other smart backpacks that you should know:

• Yorepek Slim Laptop Backpack. Charges your gadgets, has anti-theft lock, and has a headphone port. At only $25.99 on Amazon, this is the budget-friendly option.
• AMPL Smart Backpack. The AMPL Smart Backpack can power all of your devices while also keeping these safe. The AMPL Smart Backpack makes use of sensors to keep your gadgets safe. It works with a mobile app so that you would know if the battery needs recharging if the various ports are being used, as well as the internal temperature of the bag, and other information. All of these sound nice, but this backpack will cost you anywhere from $249 to $499, depending on the power options you want. Plus, it is currently still under development and is not available for sale just yet.