Whether you have a MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air, chances are that you don’t just use it at home or in the office. The whole point of a portable Mac is that it’s, well, portable. And what do you need if you’re going to carry it around with you? A great case, of course. But not just a case; you’re going to want a sleeve or cover, too, to prevent that beautiful aluminum case from getting marked or scratched.
So, we’ve scoured the stores of the world and come up with a list of the best cases, sleeves, and covers for your MacBook. Whether you’re looking for the best MacBook Air 13-inch case or the best MacBook Pro case, you should find something here for you.
What to look for in a MacBook case
There are so many different styles and types of cases available that it can be difficult to know what to look for or where to start. Your first decision is probably the style of the bag. Do you want a backpack or a messenger-type bag? Or maybe you want one that’s more like a briefcase. That decision will help narrow down your search.
While backpacks may be more associated with college students than business people, plenty of business professionals use one on a day-to-day basis. So, you should choose what you’re most comfortable with. If you have a 14-inch or 16-inch MacBook Pro and plan to carry lots of accessories, you might find a backpack easier to carry.
Next, think about what else you want to carry in the bag. Is it just for your MacBook, or does it have to double up as an all-day bag? If it’s the former, a small slim bag is a way to go. If it’s the latter, you’ll want something bigger with lots of room for extras.
Finally, how much protection do you need? Will you be taking it on public transport? Throwing it in the hold of an aircraft? Or is it just for wearing as you walk to work or college? There’s no point in paying extra for the highest levels of protection if you don’t need them.
Bear all of those points in mind as you read our list of the best cases for your Mac.
The best MacBook cases
Backpacks
Topo Rover Pack
If you like your laptop bags to look as good walking in the hills as they do on the commuter train, the Topo Rover Pack is for you. It has one large main compartment with a divider for your MacBook and plenty of space for chargers, cables, a book, and anything else you need for the day. The straps and buckles help keep everything together, and it’s lighter than most backpacks. It’s also available in a range of different colors, from conservative navy blue to some pretty flash combinations.
Price: $99
Bellroy Classic Backpack
If you’re not a fan of straps and bright colors, the Bellroy Classic Backpack offers something a little more elegant. It has a main compartment for your MacBook, plus lots of space for extras. There are also additional small compartments. The best thing about the Bellroy is that it’s comfortable to wear and looks minimal and classy.
Price: $149
Fjallraven Kanken Laptop Backpack
Image: Fjallraven
More concerned with being bang on trend than anything else? Then the Fjallraven Kanken Laptop Backpack is the best choice. It has a dedicated compartment for your MacBook, plus extra pockets for accessories. There are nifty carrying handles on top, and it comes in a vast range of lovely colors. At Fjallraven, they use sustainable materials to create their products, which makes this backpack the right choice for any eco-conscious Mac user.
Price: starting at $115
Eastpak Provider Backpack
Eastpak has a long-established heritage when it comes to luggage, and the Provider backpack benefits from that. It’s one of the bigger laptop bags in its range and has a separate compartment for your MacBook as well as the main compartment for extras and pockets for even more stuff. The straps are thick and padded, and there’s a handy carrying handle on top.
Price: $99
Knomo Albion
When it comes to being stylish, there are few better choices than the Knomo Albion. It’s made from soft full-grain leather and available in brown or gunmetal gray. It’s designed with comfort in mind as well as style, so the straps are well-padded, as is the back of the backpack. There’s a compartment inside for your MacBook and plenty of room for headphones, a charger, a notebook, and other necessities for the day.
Price: $199
Over-the-shoulder bags
Waterfield Sutter Tech Sling
This sling-style case can be worn across the body or just on one shoulder. It’s big enough for a 13-inch MacBook Pro plus a few extra bits and pieces, like an iPhone and notebook. But this one is all about minimalism, so it’s not for you if you need to carry lots of stuff around. It looks great, however, and the waxed canvas exterior means that it will stand up to the worst weather conditions. If the waxed canvas look isn’t for you, it’s also available in black ballistic nylon.
Price: starting at $189
Timbuk2 Classic Laptop Messenger Bag
Image: Timbuk2
This is another stylish bag that will look with a t-shirt and jeans. Made from waxed canvas, it has a trim for that added touch of style. Inside, there’s a compartment big enough for a 16-inch MacBook Pro and space for a few extras, too.
Price: starting at $99
Tom Bihn Empire Builder
Tom Bihn’s Empire Builder isn’t so much a laptop bag as a feat of engineering. Made from ballistic nylon, everything about it is tough — from the robust zippers to the clasp buckles. There are pockets galore inside and out, and under the flap at the front, there’s an O ring and key strap so you can attach your keys and keep them safe.
There’s plenty of room inside for all your stuff. You can even carry your coffee in a travel mug, and the carry handles provide an alternative to the shoulder strap when you need to get going quickly.
Price: $210
Crumpler Dinky Di Messenger
Forget about the strange name, Crumpler’s Dinky Di is a classic messenger bag made from the company’s renowned Chicken Tex Supreme nylon. It’s tough enough to protect your laptop and has plenty of space inside for accessories. The buckles and velcro fastening keep everything together and, cleverly, the Third Leg strap holds the bag in place, so when you’re cycling through the streets, it doesn’t slip off your back.
Price: starting at $69
Pad & Quill The Messenger Bag
Definitely one for those with a little extra money to spend, The Messenger encompasses everything Pad & Quill has become known for. From the signature orange lining to the American leather strap and cover flap, this radiates class and quality. The waxed canvas exterior has parachute-grade stitching and several inside pockets and is big enough for a 16-inch MacBook Pro. There’s also a pocket for an iPhone and an outside pocket for paperwork. This bag is designed to last, and to prove it, it comes with a 25-year warranty on the leather.
Price: $449
MacBook carrying cases and briefcase-style bags
Filson 24-hour Tin Cloth briefcase
Image: Filson
If you want a briefcase that can double up for a weekend in the countryside and still keep your MacBook safe, this is one. Tough and weather-resistant, this case is fully lined and will keep your laptop dry and safe. There are plenty of pockets and compartments for the rest of your stuff, too. With its storm flap, trolley strap, and leather carry handles, this bag is as functional as it is stylish.
Price: $395
Waterfield Designs Bolt Briefcase
The Bolt Briefcase comes in three sizes and will comfortably fit the 16-inch MacBook Pro. The large size will even fit an iPad Pro with a magic keyboard attached in one of the inside compartments alongside a laptop. Available in two finishes, waxed canvas, and ballistic nylon, the Bolt Briefcase is as stylish as it is tough. A tab on one side even allows it to be slipped over the handle of a wheeled suitcase. There’s also a removable shoulder strap, built-in key tether, and hidden magnets to keep pockets tightly closed.
Price: starting at $329
Bellroy Classic Brief
Made from soft-woven fabric and leather, this Bellroy briefcase is big enough to carry a 15-inch MacBook Pro but slim and lightweight, too. Inside, there are several compartments meaning you can carry cables, your iPhone, wallet, and even a spare shirt. There are a carry strap and a key tether, too.
Price: $69
Knomo Copenhagen
Image: Knomo
Slim and lightweight, the Knomo Copenhagen will carry your MacBook Air or 14-inch MacBook Pro. There’s one compartment inside for your laptop and another for the rest of your stuff. There are also a couple of pockets on the outside. So, if you like to keep things simple, this is the case for you. A strap allows you to throw Copenhagen over your shoulder when you don’t want to carry it.
Price: $79
The best MacBook sleeves
Herschel Anchor Sleeve
The Anchor Sleeve carries Herchel’s signature woven label on the outside, with lots of padding in the fleece interior lining for your MacBook on the inside. It’s available in sizes from 12 to 16 inches.
Price: starting at 31.99
Native Union Stow Slim Sleeve
Available for the 15-inch and 16-inch models, this Native Union MacBook Pro sleeve features a magnetic closure to keep your laptop safe. Made from hard-wearing material, it has a quilted interior and a quick-access pocket on the outside.
Price: $79.99
Incase PerformaKnit Slip Sleeve
Available in sizes to fit the MacBook Air and 16-inch MacBook Pro, the Incase PerformaKnit Slip Sleeve is a case with a difference. It’s made from computerized custom stitch-knit material that’s engineered for high performance. Its high-stretch fibers are designed to hug the contours of your MacBook and provide surface and scratch protection. It’s available in three color schemes, and there’s a magnetic clip to hold everything together. This could be the best MacBook Air case on the list.
Price: $59.95
ProCase laptop sleeve for MacBook Pro
This ProCase sleeve comes in a variety of sizes and colors and is at the lower end of the price range. It also has a handle, reinforced foam on the edges, and pockets for accessories.
Price: $20.99
Weldon Woven Sleeve
At the other end of the price spectrum from the ProCase is the Weldon Woven Sleeve. Made from three pieces of nylon, it features a hexagonal weave that looks very stylish. It has several interior pockets and one exterior pocket for accessories and is available for the MacBook Pro 13-inch and 15-inch.
Price: $176
Other types of Macbook cases
Pad & Quill Cartella case
This ultra-thin case for the 13-inch MacBook Pro from Pad & Quill covers the top and bottom of your MacBook Pro while leaving the sides uncovered so you can access the ports. Its specially-developed spine allows the MacBook Pro to open fully while in the case. Made from Buckram linen, it also has an elastic band enclosure to keep everything together while you’re on the move.
Price: $129
Twelve South BookBook Vol. 2
Twelve South’s BookBook range of covers for Apple devices have been popular for years. And it’s easy to see why. Crafted from beautiful leather, these cases are designed to look like old books, disguising your MacBook in the process. Vol. 2 is designed especially for USB-C MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models and has a new slimline design. There’s also an internal pocket for accessories.
Image: Twelve South
Price: $79.99
Mosiso Plastic Hard case
Very much at the budget end of the price range, this hardshell case from Mosiso is anything but cheap. The two-piece hard plastic shell will protect your MacBook Pro, and it features vents on the bottom to allow air to flow freely, as well as silicone feet. It’s also available in more than 30 colors, so you should find one to suit you.
Price: $16.99
Speck SmartShell
Similar to the Mosiso case, this hard plastic case is slightly thicker, meaning it should be a little more robust. It also comes in a range of colors for both the MacBook Pro and Air. It has silicone feet but no vents, and it’s a little more expensive than the Mosiso.
Price: $49.95
i-Blason dual layer cover
If robust protection is your number one consideration, look no further than this case from I-Blason. It has engineered shock-absorbing ridges and beveled edges. It also has vents underneath to allow for airflow. All ports remain accessible when the case is on, and you can even see the Apple logo on the lid through the case.
Price: $29.95
Keep your MacBook safe on the inside
As we said earlier, these bags and cases will all help keep your MacBook safe from bumps and scratches while you’re traveling. However, you should also maintain your Mac to ensure smooth performance and high output. CleanMyMac X can do just that. Here’s how it works.
- Download CleanMyMac X.
- Follow the instructions to install it and then launch the app.
- Hit the Scan button.
- After the scan is complete, click Run to remove the junk.
Or you can click Review Details to select items you want to keep on your Mac.
Choosing the right MacBook bag, case, or sleeve can be tricky with so many options available. To start, you should decide what style of bag you want, how much protection you need, and what else you need to carry. Once you’ve done that, use the list above to help choose the best one for you and your MacBook.
