Teachers work hard, and they deserve a bag that can pull its fair share. We surveyed more than 100 educators in every grade and subject to find out what makes the best teacher bags, and which are the ones they’d recommend. Their experiences can you help you find the right bag to do a little bit of the heavy lifting!
Teacher Bags: The Best of the Best
More Amazing Bags for Teachers
What makes a good teacher bag?
If there’s one thing we learned from our survey, it’s that there’s no one best bag for every teacher. In fact, when we asked 100+ teachers for the best bags, they named nearly 60 different specific options. (That’s not to mention all the folks who’ve had their bags so long they don’t even remember where or when they got them!) So a good bag all comes down to what you need most in your daily teacher life. Here are some elements to consider.
Room for Everything
This is the number-one thing teachers in our survey look for in a bag: More than 80% of them said this is a primary consideration. They were especially fond of bags that could hold any type of beverage container, from giant water bottles to coffee mugs.
Durability
Nearly as many teachers (4 out of 5) said they need a bag that can last and last, through any conditions. This includes being water-resistant, something that’s important to nearly half of our respondents, and washable.
Portability
Home to classroom, staff room to meetings, after-school events and beyond … teacher bags go everywhere! That’s why three-quarters of teachers want a bag that’s easy to carry. And since educators tend to fill their bags with lots and lots of stuff, more than 50% want the bag itself to be lightweight when possible.
Laptop-Friendly
Educators tend to carry their laptops around with them, so it’s no surprise that 72% of teachers in our survey look for a bag that can protect their tech equipment on the go. Look for padded pockets that keep your laptop separate from everything else, and don’t forget you’ll need room to stash the power cord too.
Organization
A big durable bag doesn’t do you any good if you can’t find anything in it! Three out of five teachers love a bag with lots and lots of pockets so they can organize it all—and keep it that way.
Style
This isn’t the biggest consideration for some teachers, but more than half of those we surveyed definitely want their teacher bag to show off their personal style! From simple and elegant to fun and colorful, our list includes picks that match every personality.
Here’s our list of the best teacher bags by category.
Best Teacher Tote Bag
Poppy & Peonies was one of the most popular brands mentioned by teachers in our survey. As Laureli W. points out, this Canadian brand is a “small business, indigenous supporter, and female-owned.” You’ll find their backpack on our list too, since teachers can’t stop raving about the combination of style and practicality all in one!
Poppy & Peonies
Poppy & Peonies Go-Getter Tote
“It holds literally everything I need and then some, plus it has pockets and compartments to keep things organized. My laptop fits with its district-issued cover on, there’s a spot for my water, a key leash to keep all my keys easy to find, AND the handles are comfy for carrying around at PD days.
“I used it on a recent trip to Mexico as my carry-on, and it was perfect for that, too! My water spilled in its compartment during the flight and my iPad stayed dry!” —Kelly H.
Teachers love Vera Bradley! They mentioned several different styles, but all of them stressed the high quality of these bags. Several of them recommended trying outlet stores, since Vera Bradley can be a bit on the pricey side, but they all felt the price was well worth it. Plus, if you shop through ID.me on the website, the brand offers teacher a 10% discount!
Amazon
Vera Bradley Bancroft Backpack
“Prior to finding this backpack, I had to buy a new teacher bag every year because they just wouldn’t hold up. Now I’ve had this one for going on year 4, and it’s still like new! It’s also great for my back.” —Erin T.
“This has been my go-to backpack for the last decade. It has lasted through 10 years of field trips as well as daily back-and-forth from school.” —Jacki H.
There wasn’t quite as much consensus in this category, with teachers carrying a wide array of brands and styles. But one laptop bag did come up several times, and it’s one of our favorites too. This affordable bag comes in a big selection of colors and several sizes. If you’re looking for a bag that’s easy on the back and offers good protection for your laptop, this is the one to check out first.
Amazon
Lovevook Laptop Backpack
“I love that I can carry my laptop and many other items, especially books! It has many spacious compartments too!” —Renee L.
When teachers have a lot of heavy stuff to move around, they rely on roller bags. They’re especially fond of Hulken rolling totes, which come in three sizes and an array of gorgeous colors. This rolling bag folds down when it’s not in use, and it has sturdy handles so you can pick it up and carry it when needed. It’s a bit of a splurge, but the high quality makes it worth the investment.
Amazon
Hulken Rolling Tote
“It rolls well because the wheels are on casters. It is lightweight, has lasted longer than any other rolling bag, and it can be zipped closed. It’s also stylish—mine is silver and I love it!” —Linda U.
If you don’t have a lot of money to spend on your bag, no worries! There are still lots of excellent options. At least half a dozen teachers mentioned using the same JanSport they’ve been carrying since college. These long-lasting bags have been a favorite for years, and the price is still very affordable. This pick has a laptop compartment, a water bottle sleeve, and several other pockets to keep you organized. Plus, it comes in an array of colors and patterns!
Amazon
JanSport Main Campus Backpack
“I really like this teacher bag because it’s thoughtfully designed with lots of compartments that help keep everything organized. It’s durable enough to handle daily use, yet still comfortable to carry around. It holds all my essentials—including my laptop—with room to spare, making it perfect for busy school days.” —Laura A.
These tote bags will keep you organized on the go, with options in every price range.
Amazon
LoDrid Teacher Tote Bag
“Very durable, can zip it closed, long and short handles, lots of pockets. I have lugged so much stuff around in this tote and nothing has popped, ripped, snagged, or torn. I usually load it up with mountains of papers, my laptop, charger, coffee cup, pens, highlighters, clips, scissors, Wite-Out tape, and all kinds of other stuff with room to fit even more!” —Melanie H.
“While it is not expandable and does have limited space, the Bogg bag fits my laptop nicely and the things I need day-to-day. I also appreciate how it stays standing and it fits file folders neatly. I do wish it had some flex to it, but it is easily washed.” —Rebecca G.
“I am constantly on the go and need a bag that can hold many resources, as well as keep me organized—the accordion pockets are perfect for staying organized, especially since I work with students in K-4.” —Taylor H.
“It’s durable, reliable, has several compartments including a laptop section, and has small handles and a large strap to carry on the shoulder.” —Megan B.
As Carrie J. points out, this bag eliminates the need to carry a lunch bag and a teacher bag. They’re all rolled into one in this ingenious insulated tote!
Rugged and roomy, this tote comes in a handful of colors and includes tons of pockets inside and out. The detachable shoulder strap is perfect for those days when you really wish you had an extra hand (or two!).
The detachable strap and inside pockets with room for a 16-inch laptop are enough to make this a great choice, but it also comes in a whopping 15 different colors! Some colors are also available in a larger size that fits a 17.3-inch laptop too.
If you need a tote that can carry a big stack of papers to grade or lots of art supplies, look no further. This EcoBasket comes in several colors, plus they also offer insulated varieties and an optional shoulder strap.
You know those really big totes that are sturdy and hold lots of stuff? This is one of those! We love the teacher pride and the rope handles. Just think of how much you’ll be able to carry to and from your classroom.
If you’re looking for a tote to carry it all, this is it. It’s described as the tote with “enough pockets to keep your protein bars separate from your keys,” and we understand why. On the exterior alone, it features a slip pocket, a zip pocket, and a hidden top pocket. On the inside, you’ve got six more slip pockets! Available in two colors. Prefer patterns? Find lots of options here.
This is an affordable tote that can double as an oversized purse. It’ll fit a laptop, lots of papers, and all your odds and ends. Plus it’ll be perfect for taking along to that teacher happy hour that you know you need.
This is one of our favorite roomy teacher bags. It comes with a padded laptop/tablet sleeve and the inner compartment is spacious enough to store all your instructional materials. The two front zipper pockets are ideal for storing phones, chargers, keys, and more.
Keep your hands free for the million other things teachers need to do with a good backpack. These picks offer options for any educator’s budget and style.
Poppy & Peonies
Poppy & Peonies Commuter Backpack
“It’s adorable and practical at the same time—it’s perfect!” —Jesenia R.
“It has a pocket for water bottles and cups and will hold a cup with a handle because the cup pocket has a slit for the handle.” —Melissa A.
“Tons of color options and multiple pockets of different sizes to hold everything I could ever want. Pockets on the outside too. It’s convertible between a bag, cross-body, or even a backpack! Also, the back pocket sleeve can be unzippered from the bottom so you can set it on the handle of a rolling luggage.” —Britney E.
“I’ve been using this same bag for 30+ years and have never found a better bag!” raves Jen M. That’s a pretty sound endorsement when it comes to teacher bags!
“This can fit my cross-body purse inside of it to school, as well as: my laptop, a planner, notebook, stacks of papers to grade, my pencil pouch, my medicine pouch (I get migraines so I carry meds), a large Simple Modern water cup, an umbrella, my school ID lanyard, my car keys, and so much more! Literally anything I might need to bring in or take home from school will fit!” —Deanna I.
If you consider a quality teacher bag a worthwhile investment, this beautiful leather backpack is a terrific choice. It’s not cheap, but reviewers say this thing is built to last forever and gets compliments everywhere it goes. We love all of the external pockets.
This tote has a built-in laptop compartment, and the handles at the top are nice when you want to carry it more like a traditional bag. This bag was recommended by a real We Are Teachers reader, so you know it’s good!
This bag comes in six different colors, fits a laptop inside, and has its own USB charging port. It also has cute vintage-inspired buckles to give it some character.
This adorable laptop bag works as a book bag and comes in eight different color combinations. The bag has over 5,000 reviews on Amazon and 4.5/5 stars. It has enough room for your laptop and many pockets for organization.
This stylish water-repellent laptop bag comes in three different colors and has room for your laptop and plenty of room for organization. This is an upgraded backpack with gold zippers and muted color choices.
This elegant rucksack is the fashionable option you’ve been looking for! The main compartment can hold a 15.6-inch laptop plus a tablet. Made of tear-resistant Oxford fabric, this laptop backpack comes in five colors, including black, gray, and purple. Here’s the best part: You can stash your coffee tumbler in one of the two drink pockets!
When you need to move more than you can comfortably carry, rolling bags are the way to go! Look for sturdy wheels and a telescoping handle, and you’ll be rolling in style.
Amazon
Solo Lincoln Hard-Sided Rolling Case
The classic leather rolling bag. Sturdy, roomy, and professional, this bag is king when it comes to heavy papers or books. Stash your laptop in the special padded compartment, and you’ll still have plenty of room for binders, snacks, and more. This bag also locks, so you can keep everything inside safe.
Give your shoulder a break with a rolling cart organizer instead. The cart portion folds flat for storage, and the organizer insert has more than 30 compartments for all your stuff.
If you’re looking for a bag with a dedicated space for your laptop, this is a pretty choice. One reviewer even notes that it’s great for teachers, saying, “This bag is exactly what I’m looking for in a teacher bag. I can hold my lunch, several bottles of water, laptop, planner, and more. The zipper is high quality. The wheels are smooth. The handles are high quality as well. It’s worth the investment. You won’t regret it!”
Easy on your back and fashionable to boot! This rolling briefcase is heavy-duty and fully padded with lots of room for everything you need to carry back and forth. Need to switch between rolling and carrying? No biggie! This bag also comes with a removable shoulder strap.
When you don’t have any money to spare (and so many teachers don’t), you need a low-cost bag that can pull its own weight. These picks are all under $30 (and some are much less).
Amazon
Bag Wizard Laptop Tote
This bag is a real steal for the price, with a padded laptop compartment and lots of other pockets inside and out. You can choose from more than half a dozen colors too.
For less than 20 bucks, this deluxe tote includes an additional inner zipper compartment and a water bottle holder. Color options such as khaki, maroon, and blue make this a great choice for any teacher.
This durable, lightweight bag comes in multiple patterns and two different sizes. One teacher calls this the best bag they’ve used in 16 years as an educator!
Need to carry tons of heavy books or bulky supplies? This is the bag you need! It holds up to 50 pounds but folds down small for storage. It comes in four colors and has side pockets for your phone or water bottle.
When you need room for everything but the kitchen sink, this HUGE bag is the answer. Sturdy rope handles give it a fun casual vibe, and it comes in several colors and patterns.
This bag comes in a variety of different colors/prints, can fit a laptop, and can be worn two ways. There are inner pockets for organization—what teacher doesn’t love that? The bag is both stylish and practical.
This is a classic leather-look tote bag that can easily be used to haul home papers to grade while you run errands. Simple, affordable, and the right bag for any occasion.
If you’re more the briefcase type, you’ll like this bag, which comes in sizes to accommodate both 15.6- and 17-inch laptops. The water-resistant nylon and padded lining keep everything inside safe and dry.
Use this multi-function bag for hauling your laptop to and from work, taking gym clothes with you to work out, or even as a diaper bag. It comes in a variety of colors too!
