Everything’s smart these days. Phones, TVs, security systems…even fridges are smart!

It only makes sense that luggage is getting smarter too. How? In the form of smart backpacks.

These clever bits of kit seem to differ slightly from usual ‘smart’ stuff, though. For now, at least, they aren’t connected to the web.

They are, however, smart in other ways.

They’re trendy, techie backpacks that (among other things) protect your gear from theft, pack in-built power banks, harness solar energy to charge your stuff, and connect to your music devices.

I took an interest in them recently because the best smart backpacks look perfect for digital nomads, like me.

However, they’d be ideal for anybody with tech that needs charging on the move.

There’s no shortage of smart backpacks to choose from though. So, I decided to look into the best smart backpacks on the market and write up what I found!

On the hunt for smart backpack reviews? Check out this smart backpack buying guide.

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Heads up, this post contains affiliate links.

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The Best Travel Smart Backpacks – Summary Table

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5 Considerations for Choosing the Best Smart Backpacks for Travel

First thing’s first, let’s dive into 5 key considerations for choosing the best smart backpacks possible.

1. Size

Okay, smart backpacks should probably be called smart daypacks.

I thought (hoped) I might find rucksack sized options available. However, each and every one that I came across was a standard 20 to 30L daypack variety (often smaller).

If you’re looking to travel for extended periods of time with nothing but a smart backpack, then I reckon you’re out of luck.

However, for a daypack intended for day to day toing and froing, they’d be great.

That out of the way, be sure to settle on a smart pack that’s going to have sufficient space though. If you’re carrying multiple pieces of tech (computers, tablets, phones…), then you’ll want the storage capacity to cope.

Dedicated pockets for particular items might be a good idea too.

2. Features

Not all smart backpacks are made equal!

Some backpacks have batteries and power packs included, others don’t. Some have solar panels to charge your gear, others don’t. Some have padded pockets for extra tech protections, others don’t. Some are waterproof, others aren’t. Some have RFID protection to protect from digital thieves…

And so on!

The best smart backpack for your needs will have all the functionality you require. For example, most packs have a USB output port. However, you might want two, or even three for cater for all your gear.

If it were me, I’d want a power bank included, multiple compartments, waterproof design, and solar panels to boot.

3. Style

Just like the best minimalist backpacks, the smart backpacks you come across all tend to be sleek, stylish and aesthetically pleasing.

It goes without saying that you want to find one that fits your personal taste.

Strike a balance between function and aesthetics though. If a pack looks awesome, but lacks the functionality, then it’s probably better to leave it on the shelf.

I recommend prioritising functionality to ensure your smart pack is fit for purpose.

4. Use

Think about what you’ll be using your smart backpack for as well.

Like I said before, I don’t think extended trips would be possible with most of these backpacks alone. They’re just too small.

Instead, I imagine that they’d be best-suited for modern tech-savvy people who move around a lot!

They’d be great for digital nomads, commuters, short city breaks, or for anybody in need of a gear-friendly daypack for general use.

The extent of use you plan for your smart backpack will impact your need for durability and water resistance. For extended use, it’ll be best to pay slightly more for quality (and water resistant) materials.

5. Price

Finally, think about price as well.

There’s a huge range of prices on the coming list. Everything from discount to luxury smart backpacks are available out there.

The best smart backpack for you might depend on your budget. As always, more expensive bags are usually higher quality and boast better/more features.

Strike a balance between affordability and functionality. A discount bag might sound good, but if it breaks before it’s time then it’s good to nobody!

As a rule of thumb, though, expect to pay more than you would for an ordinary bag. The extra functionality of smart backpacks comes at a premium.

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Heads up, you might enjoy my guide to the best minimalist backpacks too! Click the link to read it.

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The Best Smart Backpack Buying Guide: Top 10 Smart Backpacks

Here we go, then. Here are 10 of the best smart backpacks on the market, fully reviewed and recommended!

1. XD Design Bobby Smart Tech Backpack

• Size: 18L
• Material: Polyester
• Rating: 4.4/5

Description

The Bobby Tech smart backpack from XD Design is hard to fault.

For one thing, it looks straight out of a sci-fi film.

It’s as if the front face of the pack is going to light up and start talking to you any moment! This backpack definitely has the aesthetic appeal you’d expect of a smart bag.

Looks aside, the functionality seems up there too.

That front face I just mentioned is actually an 8.5W/1.4A/5V solar panel.

Plug your phone into the USB socket (either the regular or c-type) and charge your phone in an impressive 3.5 hours.

If that doesn’t cut it, use the wireless charger or power bank (not included) to finish the job.

This backpack’s got a cool anti-theft design as well. There’s no front access, stopping would-be thieves from having their way with your valuables.

The front face folds down and reveals a tidy internal section.

You’ve got two sleeves to fit a full-sized laptop and tablet, and some decent space on the other side (with optional internal dividers) for clothes and/or camera gear.

Throw in a bunch of useful stash pockets, and a handy phone-holder/bottle-strap (included), and you’ve got yourself a winner.

It’s a little small for anything more than a daypack, and you definitely pay for the quality here (it isn’t cheap).

All things considered, though, this is a strong contender for the best backpack out there.

Pros

• Anti-theft
• Fits 15.6” laptop & 12.9” tablet
• Integrated solar panel
• Wireless charging pad
• 2x USB ports (regular and C-type)
• Hidden RFID pockets
• Made from recycled bottles
• Phone holder and bottle strap included

Cons

• Expensive
• Small in size
• Power bank not included

2. Mark Ryden Anti-Theft Laptop Backpack

• Size: 16×10.5×3”
• Material: Waterproof Oxford
• Rating: 4.5/5

Description

This Mark Ryden smart backpack seems a high-quality budget alternative to the Bobby Tech above.

It’s no less stylish, and shares many of the same anti-theft qualities. Sure, there’s no solar panels or RFID protection here, but it’s a fraction off the price!

The front section folds down in the same way, making it sleek, stylish and hard to rob.

Nicely, you can open it out to 180 degrees too- like a suitcase. That’ll make accessing your stuff and packing everything away super easy.

The inside boasts a mass of pockets, and plenty of room for your gear. The USB access means you can charge it all on the move, as you’d expect from a smart backpack.

However, this pack wouldn’t be great if you want to store lots of stuff.

It seems perfect as a workbag, or a daypack for books and electronic goods. In all honesty, though, I don’t see that you could fit much more in it.

That aside, not everyone will want to jam pack their bag full of non-tech/work-related stuff.

If that’s you, then this smart backpack should be great. Even better, it’ll keep your contents safe from inclement weather, thanks to the water-resistant materials.

Pros

• Fits 15.6” laptop & 9.7” tablet
• Opens to 180 degrees
• Multiple sleeves and compartments
• Hidden back zipper pocket
• Waterproof and cut resistant
• Good value for money

Cons

• Masses of compartments
• Less room for clothing/other gear

3. Yalundisi Unisex Laptop Backpack

• Size: 17x11x6”
• Material: Polyester
• Rating: 4.7/5

Description

This smart backpack lacks the futuristic look of the two before it.

However, it definitely holds a stylish, smart appearance that’d make it a great travel companion. It’s a good size for day to day use. Though, again, it won’t be big enough for extended trips.

Aesthetics aside, there’s some nice features too.

First off, there’s the standard USB post on the side to charge your stuff (powerbank not included).

However, you get a headphone jack next to it as well. Assuming your music device has the old-school jacks, then that’ll come in handy for any music-lovers on the move.

Alas, no anti-theft or solar panel functionality here. But, for the price-point, that’s hardly surprising!

Indeed, all things considered, the biggest positive here is price.

The Yalundisi backpack is cheap as chips! For 20 bucks, you really can’t go wrong.

And, with a decent amount of space for your tech (there’s a laptop sleeve in the main compartment), enough room leftover for other possessions, and a stylish design to boot, you get a lot of backpack for your buck.

Pros

• Super cheap!
• Bottle holder
• Laptop sleeve inside
• Decent quality
• Stylish
• Water-resistant

Cons

• Not anti-theft
• Top-loading (hard to access anything at the bottom)

4. Tigernu Business Smart Travel Backpack

• Size: 13.6×9.8×5.8”
• Material: Oxford/Poly
• Rating: 4.7/5

Description

It’s hard to beat the Tigernu smart backpack in terms of its ratings and reviews.

Anything that averages 4.9/5 over hundreds of reviews is doing something right.

I can see why people continue to rate it so highly as well. Aside from RFID and solar, it’s got basically everything you’d ever want from a backpack with smart capabilities:

Quality water-resistant materials, external USB port for charging, stash pockets for valuables, tonnes of useful compartments…the list goes on.

Another nice touch is the little strap at the back that attaches to suitcase telescopic handles.

You pull up the handle on your suitcase and slot the backpack over the top- the strap holds it in place.

The backpack seems well cut out for the rigors of the road too.

Apparently, the materials are even strong enough to withstand a knife attack! Not that you’d ever want to put that to the test, but at least you know you’re in good hands.

Padded shoulders and ventilated backs make for comfort on the move as well.

All in all, this backpack is hard to fault- especially for such a discount price.

Pros

• Great value for money
• High quality materials and design
• Anti-theft pockets
• Holds 15.6” laptop and tablet too
• Useful inner sleeves and pockets
• External USB port with built-in charger cable
• Water-resistant

Cons

• No solar power

5. XT Power Hiking Solar Backpack

• Size: 21.3×15.4×8.7”
• Material: Nylon
• Rating: 4.1/5

Description

I wanted to include a couple of totally different smart backpack options.

The XTPower is first.

This backpack is, essentially, a small hiking backpack with a detachable solar panel on the front. I say that in the best way possible!

The XTPower is simple, no-nonsense, and made of durable materials to survive the great outdoors.

I like it a lot.

The padded shoulders and chest strap would make transporting your stuff that bit more comfortable too. Overall, it’d be great for anyone who likes spending time outdoors and doesn’t want to leave their tech behind.

With the detachable solar panel you can charge it all on the go.

In terms of cons, it’s a bit pricey for what you get. I think it looks pretty good, but it definitely lacks the stylish, futuristic design of the other packs on this list.

Moreover, it’s missing some of the day to day techie functionality as well (think no internal laptop pockets and compartments etc).

All up, the XTPower fits the bill for anyone in need of a smart backpack to take into the great outdoors.

Pros

• 6.5W, 6V, 1.1A Solar panel attachment (scratch resistant)
• Robust materials
• Water resistant
• Rip-proof
• Lightweight
• Includes USB to micro-USB charge cable

Cons

• Less stylish
• Relatively expensive
• Lacks pockets and compartments

6. Eceen Foldable Solar Smart Backpack for Hiking

• Size: 30L
• Material: Nylon/Poly
• Rating: 4/5

Description

Here’s another option for a smart hiking/camping/outdoorsy backpack.

The Eceen shares many of the same positive features as the XTower above: it’s simple, durable, lightweight, water-resistant, designed for the outdoors, and has a detachable USB solar charger.

However, there’s two additional things worth noting:

1. You can fold it up into a small, pocket-size bag, which is great for space-saving when you don’t need it.
2. It’s 20 bucks cheaper!

It’s also got 30L of storage space, making it a good size for heading out and about.

The Eceen shares essentially the same cons as the XTPower as well (see below). Overall, though, this pack is a solid choice that’s hard to fault.

Pros

• Foldable/portable design
• Detachable solar panel
• Good size
• 30 day return and money back guarantee
• 1 year warranty
• Water resistant

Cons

• Less stylish
• Relatively expensive
• Lacks pockets and compartments

7. Tzowla Anti-Theft Smart Travel Backpack

• Size: 20×11.8×5.5”
• Material: Polyester
• Rating: 4.7/5

Description

Here’s another contender for the best all-round smart backpack on this list.

The Tzowla manages to pack a huge amount of quality and features into budget backpack. For under 30 dollars you get real bang for your buck.

Okay, so it lacks some of the futuristic aesthetic appeal of others I’ve included, but it still looks smart enough to be worn with pride in day to day life.

More than that, the Tzowla boasts all of the practical benefits you could want.

There’s an external USB port with internal cable (power bank not included), side by side with a headphone slot, and a fixed password lock to keep you valuables safe inside.

Inside, there’s two main pockets (with sleeves for a 15.6” laptop in the main compartments, and a sleeve for a tablet in the outer pocket).

I like the hidden zipper pocket on the front as well, which would be great for valuables.

Everything looks and sounds well put-together too, with durable and water-resistant materials.

There aren’t many cons to see here.

The only thing I can see is that this pack is a bit on the small side.

Of course, it depends entirely how you’ll be using it. Somebody looking for a work bag, a carry-on, or a simple day bag is going to be fine!

It’s only when you start going away for longer periods that the Tzowla’s capacity might be lacking.

All told, though, anybody looking for a budget smart backpack for day to day use should seriously consider this one.

Pros

• Great value for money
• Good quality materials and design
• Fixed password lock for added security
• Holds 15.6” laptop and tablet too
• Useful inner sleeves and pockets
• External USB port with built-in charger cable
• External headphone port
• Water-resistant

Cons

• Powerbank not included
• No solar
• Relatively small in size

8. Bopai Business Travel Backpack (Best Smart Backpack for Work)

• Size: 23L
• Material: Nylon/leather
• Rating: 4.7/5

Description

The Bopai is a slick and stylish mid-range smart backpack.

Expect materials of the highest quality, a durable build, and a clever design with a number of handy features. Let’s not forget how visually appealing it is too!

This pack is ‘smart’ in more ways than one- it looks super professional, making it an ideal work and commuter bag (as well as a top carry-on option).

One particular feature that I love (and that the other bags on this list lack) is the ability to increase its capacity.

Relatively small in standard form, the Bopai can be enlarged by 40%- that’s a sizeable increase that’ll come in handy whenever you’ve got more than usual to carry.

In terms of its actual ‘smarts’, the Bopai is fairly straight forward though:

You’ve got an external USB and internal cable as per usual, a couple of invisible pockets to protect against thievery, and some useful leather pulls to attach to the zippers (not particularly ‘smart’, but definitely useful).

A rapid-access laptop compartment will fit 15.6” varieties, and there’s additional pockets and sleeves to utilize as well.

All told, anyone willing to spend a little more money will enjoy a great all-round smart backpack with a winning aesthetic appeal.

Pros

• Great looking
• High quality materials and design
• Invisible security pockets
• Holds 15.6” laptop
• External USB port with built-in charger cable
• Water-resistant

Cons

• Pricey (mid-range)
• Small in size (but extendable)

9. Kroser Laptop Backpack with USB Charger Port (Best Travel Smart Backpack)

• Size: 18.5 x 13.3 x 7.8”
• Material: Polyester
• Rating: 4.8/5

Description

The Kroser smart laptop backpack is the highest rated backpack on this list. And for good reason! It offers a wide array of first-rate attributes that make it a top contender for the best smart backpack in this buying guide.

Let’s start with the basics:

You’ll enjoy water-repellent material, numerous compartments complete with handy inner pockets, enough space to fit a 17.3” laptop, and a built-in USB port for charging on the move.

The power bank isn’t included, but that seems to be standard. In all other ways, you’re onto a winner.

The back section boasts thick padding for comfort and the shoulder straps (complete with a hook to hang your glasses on) are adjustable too. Another feature I like is the PU leather zipper pullers, which are high-quality and contribute to the classy aesthetics.

The Kroser isn’t the biggest smart backpack you’ll come across, but it should have more than enough space for all of your basic tech and everyday items, such as a water bottle, books, camera, notebooks, and so on.

One more thing: this backpack has more than 6,700 five-star reviews! With that many happy customers, you know you can feel confident of the quality on offer.

Pros

• Great value for money
• Good quality materials and design
• Zipped front pocket for added security
• Holds 17.3” laptop
• Useful inner sleeves and pockets
• External USB port with built-in charger cable
• Glasses hook on shoulder strap
• Luggage strap fits over suitcase handle
• Water-repellent fabric

Cons

• Powerbank not included
• No solar

10. Yorepek 50L Travel Backpack with Charging Port

• Size: 14.6 x 10.2 x 19”
• Material: Polyester
• Rating: 4.7/5

Description

The Yorepek is another budget-friendly smart backpack that’s highly-rated, wildly popular, and boasts a huge array of positive qualities. Let’s run through the main ones:

First off, this smart backpack’s TSA-friendly. It folds to 180 degrees, helping you reveal the contents and move through security in a flash. That’s good news for travellers.

Next up, you’ve got the usual smart features to enjoy: a USB post on the side with a built-in cable (the power bank isn’t included), a headphone hole that lets you listen to music on the move, and a vast array of 20 pockets to store your gear.

The only downside I can see is its size. At 50L, this is one big backpack!

Fill it up and it could become quite cumbersome to carry (especially because there’s no waist belt to help spread the load). That said, there are some useful compression straps on the side that should make a difference here.

Throw in the durable, water-resistant materials, padded (and ventilated) back, adjustable shoulder straps, luggage strap (to fit over your suitcase handles), and it’s no surprise that it’s got a whopping 14,000+ five star reviews. Buy the Yorepek and you won’t be disappointed.

Pros

• Amazing value for money
• High-quality materials and design
• TSA-friendly design
• Holds up to 17” laptop and tablet too
• Lots of compartments, inner sleeves, and 20 pockets
• External USB port with built-in charger cable
• Includes External headphone port
• Airflow design and cushioned back
• Includes luggage strap to fit over your suitcase handles
• Water-resistant

Cons

• Powerbank not included
• No solar
• Could be cumbersome to carry when fully packed

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Time to Buy the Best Smart Backpacks

These days, we all carry so much tech that we need a smart backpack to charge it all!

The good news is that there are some awesome smart backpacks out there. The bad news is that there are so many available that separating the good from the bad can be a challenge!

Finding the best smart backpack for your needs isn’t easy. Hopefully, though, this buying guide to the best smart backpacks for travel and general use will help out!

Didn’t find one that took your fancy? Don’t worry! Click here to see some more quality smart backpacks.

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