A good MacBook bag shares many qualities with Apple’s laptops. We want it to be tough, so it needs to be made from good materials. We want to use it for multiple tasks, so it needs to have plenty of pockets and compartments. Let’s admit it, with the diminishing number of ports on the MacBook, the bags often have the edge. And since we all admire good design here, we certainly don’t mind if the bag looks fantastic.

Plus, whatever MacBook you’ve got, Air or Pro, you’ve probably spent enough on it that you don’t want to risk it breaking—and don’t mind spending just a little more to keep it safe.

There’s no shortage of companies out there that make protective accessories for MacBooks, from laptop bags and rucksacks to sleeves, covers, and cases that clip on directly, and plenty of them do their best to be just as stylish as the Mac they’re protecting.

We’ve rounded up a selection of our favorite cases, sleeves, backpacks and bags for the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, whether you have a 13-, 14- or 16-inch model, to keep your Mac safe.

All of the bags below fit those criteria, but we’ve been careful to choose bags that meet specific needs. Keep in mind that every bag here won’t fit every MacBook, but if a bag can’t handle the 16-inch MacBook Pro, we’ve been sure to make a note of it.

Case Logic Laptop Sleeve – Most colorful simple MacBook sleeve

Pros

• Tight fit
• Padded
• Colors

Cons

• Lack of pockets

Best Prices Today:
$16.97 at Amazon$25.99 at Adorama$39.99 at Best Buy

Fits: 13-inch

Case Logic makes many laptop sleeves that are suitable for various sizes of MacBook and come in all number of colors. The Case Logic Laptop Sleeve fits a 13.3in MacBook, such as the M1 MacBook Air or M2 MacBook Pro.

It’s form-fitting, so the MacBook shouldn’t slip about inside, and it features padding for extra protection. There is woven webbing along the sides to further protect the laptop and strengthen the case. It’s a slim case that should fit nicely inside your bag. 

Available in a range of strong colors, including Pink, Dark Blue, Lime Green and Teal.

STM Myth Laptop Brief – Best MacBook shoulder bag

Pros

• Slim 7L storage bag with pockets
• Handle and detachable shoulder strap

Best Prices Today:
$59.99 at Lenovo$77.62 at Amazon$79.95 at STM

Fits: up to 14-inch

STM’s Myth laptop bag will fit up to 14-inch MacBooks, although it officially stated up to 13-inch laptops. It comes in Black, Granite Black, and Slate Blue depending.

The slim shoulder bag protects your laptop by suspending it, so that it doesn’t touch the bottom of the bag. It’s also encased in foam. The shoulder strap is easy to adjust and has a non-slip pad to make it more comfortable. With a subtle luggage trolley sleeve, it can slip onto the telescopic handle of a suitcase for easy of use when not on your back—handy for busy travel interchanges and crowded trains and buses.

It’s well-made, with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) coated webbing handles with rivets, reverse coil zippers, and water-repellent C6DWR coating applied to the fabric.

Inside there are plenty of sections and pockets (we counted 10 but there could be even more hidden away) to help with organization. Cable-routing means you can charge your laptop or other devices while still in the bag.

Harber Nomad Organiser – Best Organiser for MacBook

Pros

• Pockets for tech organization
• Premium luxury leather looks
• Can hold MacBook and iPad
• Handle and detachable shoulder strap

Cons

• Bulks up quickly if over-stuffed
• Expensive

Best Prices Today:
$416.00 at Amazon

Fits: 13-inch, 14-inch

While a laptop seems like a self-contained unit, with keboard, screen, trackpad, hard drive and everything all in one tidy package, it’s not quite as easy as that.

You need a charger and charging cable for starters, and when you’re on the move you have to carry around your AirPods, and maybe you prefer a proper mouse to the MacBook’s trackpad. And what if you have an iPad to work on, too? A simple sleeve can’t cope with all that lot, but the Nomad Organiser, from luxury bag maker Harber London, certainly can.

The Nomad has ten pockets: a padded one for your MacBook Pro, and another padded pocket that fits an iPad from 9.7 to 12.9 inches, and capacious enough to handle the tablet with a Smart Cover. Be warned, though, that holding both laptop and tablet, the sleeve can be tricky to close if you are stuffing in chargers and other tech too.

One lower pocket is big enough for your MacBook charger, but you’ll notice a bump in the fine lines when closed. I prefer to keep my bulky stuff in a wider-opening bag—check out our favorite tech organizer bags—and use this sleeve for the thinner essentials.

Two pockets are zipped for safe-keeping (for example, cash or memory cards) and there’s a handy key fob strap. There’s a couple of holders for pens or an Apple Pencil.

There’s a phone pocket, too, but I’m not sure I’d want all my devices in one place, and most of us prefer our phone at hand in a pocket or more-easy-to-dip-in bag. If you do, it’s large enough for a Pro Max iPhone.

Below that pocket are a couple of slots for credit or travel cards, and above it are five straps that will hold an AirPods case, cables and even an AirTag—after, all, at this price, even the sleeve on its own is definitely worth keeping tabs on at all times. I’d have preferred elasticated straps for a firmer hold but I can appreciate the all-leather design looks super lush.

You can carry the Nomad Organiser under your arm, via a subtle built-in handle, or you can attach a matching strap to sling it over your shoulder like a messenger bag.

It is a premium MacBook sleeve, handcrafted with full-grain Spanish leather, and really does shout cool luxury. Available in Tan, Dark Brown, Black and Navy.

Mujjo Envoy Laptop Sleeve – Smart sleeve with storage

Pros

• Premium look and feel
• Accessory pockets
• In-sleeve charging

Cons

• No sealed pockets

Fits: 14-inch, 16-inch

Made from top-quality waterproof vegan leather, the Envoy Laptop Sleeve from Dutch design brand Mujjo offers portable storage not just for the MacBook but your favored accessories, too. There are tight outside pockets to store your charger and cables plus phone and other essentials.

The laptop is secured by the classy sleeve’s magnetic opening that combines fast access with a firm close. Handily, there’s a generous side opening that allows for easy in-sleeve charging.

At the back there’s an easy-access slip pocket for a notebook or passport. You can carry just about anything slim in this sleeve so don’t leave it unattended at the café!

The Mujjo Envoy is available in Black or Blue and for both the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro, although 13-inch and 15-inch MacBooks are comfortably (if slightly loosely) held, too.

Woolnut Leather Sleeve for MacBook – Luxury leather sleeve

Pros

• Premium look and feel
• In-sleeve charging

Cons

• Lack of pockets
• Expensive

Best Prices Today:
$79.00 at Amazon

Fits: 12-inch, 13-inch, 14-inch, 15-inch, 16-inch

Available in four deeply stylish colors (Black, Cognac, Green and Gray), the Woolnut Leather Sleeve snugly fits every recent MacBook from the 12-inch original, the Air and all the Pro models. Each size is tailor-made for every model.

This minimalist sleeve might lack pockets but it is as luxe as you’ll find and will draw admiring looks and awed strokes from fellow MacBook owners. The exterior is made from full-grain Scandinavian leather, with the interior soft 100% natural wool felt from Germany.

Speck SmartShell – Simple, colorful shell

Pros

• Protects in use

Cons

• More colors, please

Best Prices Today:
$37.99 at AmazonNot Available at Adorama

Fits: 13-inch

If you want to protect your laptop while you are using it you can pop a clear or tinted case on it. The Speck SmartShell case comes in various sizes to suit different MacBooks.

There’s clear cases as well as a few different colored options, including Cosy Pink, Obsidian and Clear variant for the M2 MacBook Air, so you can pick one to suit your personality.

UAG Plyo Case – Extra robust laptop shell

Pros

• Super robust shell

Cons

• Particular about exact MacBook model

Best Prices Today:
$55.99 at AmazonNot Available at Best Buy

Fits: 13-inch

Some shell cases are built to do more than give your MacBook a bit of color. A number of manufacturers build hard shell cases that will add an extra layer of protection to your MacBook Pro or Air.

UAG (Urban Armor Gear) makes impact resistant armour for your MacBook. The Plyo series has extra strength built into the cushioning corners and cooling vents to ensure that there is adequate airflow (to stop your laptop from overheating).

Make sure you buy the exact shell for your model MacBook.

Case Logic Bryker Backpack Roller – Laptop bag with telescope handle

Pros

• Telescopic handle
• Wheels
• Versatile

Cons

• Not a suitcase replacement

Best Prices Today:
$101.90 at Amazon

Fits: up to 15.6-inch and a 10-inch tablet

If you’d prefer not to carry your laptop in a bag on your back all the time then this is a great solution that offers a telescoping handle that retracts into zippered compartment and padded storage for a laptop up to 15.6-inches and an iPad.

It even has wheels (that can be covered when the bag is worn as a backpack) so you can drag it like a suitcase.

The laptop storage section can be detached.

A lower storage pocket provides space for bulky accessories, and there’s a side pocket for a water bottle.

Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe – Padded laptop bag

Pros

• Premium backpack
• Plenty of pockets
• Decent 28L capacity

Cons

• Premium price

Best Prices Today:
$159.00 at Amazon

Fits: 15-inch

If you have an Apple laptop and intend to take it outside the house or office from time to time, it goes without saying that you will need a good sturdy bag to carry it in. We recommend getting a well padded backpack that is designed for carrying a laptop.

A well designed backpack will include lots of areas insider the bag to store things in: such as a front pocket, a large main compartment and a large side pocket. Quilted shoulder straps and a padded back should ensure the backpack is comfortable to wear. It’s pricy, but the Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe is a good option.

Thule Gauntlet Attaché – Laptop briefcase

Pros

• In-use hard-shell case
• Detachable shoulder strap

Cons

• Black only

Best Prices Today:
$49.95 at Best Buy

Fits: 13-inch

If you are looking for a briefcase style bag with a solid construction, a good option is the Thule Gauntlet attaché. It’s a slim and rugged case with enhanced corner and edge protection. There is a single, removable shoulder strap as well as handles. You don’t even need to remove the Mac from the case to work.  

Twelve South SuitCase for MacBook – Hard shell, carry-on fabric hybrid

Pros

• Slim but in-use hard shell
• Handle

Cons

• Lack of pockets

Best Prices Today:
$49.99 at Amazon$79.99 at Twelve South

Fits: 13-inch, 14-inch, 16-inch

Laptop backpack and bags can be bulky, expecting you constantly to be travelling to airports or on trains, when sometimes you just need the convenience of a slim briefcase with the protection of a hard shell. SuitCase from Twelve South is an odd name for what is effectively a briefcase with a recessed handle, but it’s a great hybrid of sleeve, shell and carry on.

There are three layers of protection: a water-resistant, quilted gray fabric exterior; underneath the twill textile is a layer of hard plastic to protect your MacBook from impacts; and inside is a soft layer of microfiber to protect the surface of your Mac.

You don’t even have to remove your MacBook from the case to get working, and, when closed, dual zippers keep it securely closed, even when charging.