There are countless of them travel backpacks There are plenty of backpacks under $50, many of which cost well under $50. But the problem many travelers run into is knowing which backpacks under $50 are worth buying. And as you might expect at this price point, some budget travel backpacks are great, while others won't hold up to frequent travel.
To help you find the right budget travel backpack to potentially replace your luggageI bought five of our best-selling travel backpacks under $50 and put them to the test during my recent travels and daily commute in New York City, testing their durability, ease of use, and overall usability.
Here's a look at my favorite travel backpacks under $50. I'll tell you what I like about these backpacks, why I think they're the best, and who they're best for.
This travel backpack combines basic yet chic style with ultimate functionality. It features a large 17-liter storage space for clothes and a dedicated laptop compartment. Plus, its two quick-access pockets give you easy access to your essentials. It's a great choice for weekend getaways and quick business trips.
This travel backpack is ideal for travelers and those traveling with a full-size carry-on. It features three compartments, including one that houses a laptop sleeve. You can use it for one- or two-night trips and rest assured that your belongings are protected by anti-theft features such as lockable zippers and a small anti-theft pocket for your passport and other essentials.
Amazon Basics has a long history of offering budget-friendly travel gear, and this backpack is no exception. It features a large main compartment for storing clothes and a separate laptop compartment. It also has a quick-access pocket for your passport and other essentials. With 45 liters of packing space, it can replace your carry-on for most weeklong trips.
The Coowoz large travel backpack is big enough to use for weekends, but small enough for school or your daily commute. It has three compartments: a laptop sleeve, a main compartment for clothes, and a secondary compartment for small items. There are also two quick-access front pockets.
The main compartment is large enough to hold two or three days' worth of clothing, and you may be able to maximize it further with packing cubes. There's also a dedicated shoe compartment at the bottom of the bag. The laptop compartment can accommodate a 13-inch computer. compressed or 14 inches laptop with ease.
One of my favorite features of the Coowoz Large Travel Backpack is the small anti-theft pocket on the back of the bag. I keep my passport and work phone in there because it allows for easy access while making them harder to steal when I'm carrying the bag on the subway.
The Coowoz backpack is also relatively small for a travel backpack. Measuring 42 x 32 x 19 cm, it’s small enough to use as an everyday backpack when you’re not on the road. Compression straps on the side of the bag allow you to make it smaller when you don’t need all of its storage space.
The backpack is lightweight and can hold up to 27 liters of gear. It's made of polyester that feels sturdy but not too premium, which is to be expected considering the bag's low price.
This bag is only $37 on Amazon, and it's sometimes on sale for even less. Given the bag's versatility, I think it's a great choice for any traveler who wants a budget-friendly travel backpack for short trips and everyday life.
The Shrradoo Laptop Travel Backpack is another Underscored favorite. It won't replace your carry-on for more than a short trip, but it's a great companion to your carry-on and is perfect for your daily commute.
The bag has three main compartments. The back compartment is a padded laptop sleeve that can accommodate a 17-inch laptop, the main compartment in the center of the backpack can hold clothes and other essentials, and the front compartment can hold a tablet, pens, and other small items. There is a small quick-access pocket on the front of the bag.
The laptop compartment features lockable zippers. Simply insert the zipper pulls into the three-digit combination lock on the side of the bag. This is a great way to prevent someone from taking items from your bag when you're on the go.
This backpack looks more like a traditional business backpack than the others on this list, so it will fit in just as well at the office as it does at the airport. Its nylon material is thick enough to withstand daily use, and the padded mesh back is extremely comfortable.
At just under $25, I think this backpack is a no-brainer if you're looking for a functional backpack that you can use at home and on the road. It looks great and has enough space to carry everyday essentials plus a few clothes.
This is the largest backpack on this list, with an impressive 45-liter storage capacity. That means its main compartment can hold a week's worth of clothes if you're traveling light and using packing cubes to maximize packing efficiency. It even has built-in internal compression straps to help you compress your clothes and increase packing space.
Beyond the main compartment, there is a laptop sleeve on the back of the bag and a front pocket for small items on the front of the bag. I also like its single quick-access pocket, which is perfect for your passport or cell phone.
The bag includes a strap with an arm pad that allows you to convert it into a duffel bag, which can be useful when fully loaded. The shoulder straps can be zipped into the mesh back when configured as a duffel bag.
The durable polyester material is thicker than other bags on this list, and I have no doubt it will perform well even with frequent trips. And with a price tag of $45, I think this bag is ideal for the budget-conscious traveler who wants to take just one bag on longer trips.
I tested these bags while traveling and moving with them:
- Traveling with each bag: I took each bag on a round-trip flight, filled with my clothes, laptop, and other essentials for a weekend away. This allowed me to see how each bag performed when fully loaded and how each bag performed through airport security.
- Travel with each bag: I used each bag on my New York City subway commute, which is about 45 minutes to and from my office. This allowed me to see how the bag performed in common, everyday usage scenarios.
I also compared the size, price, and special features of each bag to find the one that best suits each traveler's needs. The comparison chart in the next section of this article will give you a good overview of what you can expect from each bag.
Finding the right budget travel backpack largely depends on your preferences. If you're looking to replace your hand luggageLook for a large backpack that can hold a week's worth of clothes. At the same time, you'll probably want a smaller backpack if you're going to use a single backpack for travel and your daily commute.
Also consider what you’re packing. Travelers who regularly carry an extra pair of shoes should look for a backpack with a dedicated shoe compartment. If you’re planning on bringing a laptop with you, make sure the bag you’re packing can accommodate the size of your laptop’s screen.
That being said, you need to set your expectations accordingly. Travel backpacks under $50 aren’t going to be the best travel backpacks on the market. They’ll perform well for most of your trips, but those who travel monthly for work will likely get more value from a more expensive bag that’s more durable and has more travel-specific features.
This 35-liter travel backpack from Target's Open Story brand is a good choice for those who want open storage space and don't mind a larger bag. I like that the main compartment has organizational pockets, including a water-resistant pouch for toiletries.
This travel backpack offers enough space for a week-long trip, but compresses down to be small enough for your daily commute. I also like the two-tone design and the two included packing cubes that help you maximize the space inside the bag.
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