14 Best Tote Bags of 2025, Tested and Reviewed by WIRED

Compare the 7 Best Tote Bags

Honorable mentions

Photography: Kat Merck

Peak Design Everyday Tote for $160: The first time I replaced this tote with my regular bag, at a youth basketball tournament, I disappointed a dozen parents who had considered it a cooler. “I thought you brought drinks,” a friend said, dejected. And to their credit, this bag actually looks a lot like a cooler with its flip top and smooth 400D nylon canvas shell. Designed for camera gear (but practical for any type of equipment), it features removable divider compartments that are the perfect size for lenses and accessories, as well as external tie-down for tripods. The main opening flips up to open with a magnetic closure, and there are front and back pockets and a section for a laptop. A removable shoulder strap is included if you don’t want to carry it by the handles. I appreciate its versatility; unisex, water resistant and a great companion to the Peak Design Roller Pro carry-on. The only issues I encountered during my testing period were the fact that it doesn’t open very wide (it’s snug and I didn’t find it easy to get it in and out of) and the straps aren’t very comfortable to wear as a shoulder bag. —Kat Merck

Cuyana Classic Easy Zipper Tote for $298: This lightweight Italian leather bag is a fashionable and practical choice for traveling if you don’t need a lot of space or compartments. It’s large enough to fit a 16-inch laptop and other essentials. Just like the System Tote, you can personalize it with clip-on accessories, like a tote insert or an adjustable strap that attaches to its D-rings. Plus, it features a discreet zipper that keeps your items secure, which is great for preventing theft or falling items. With this work bag, I’m mostly concerned about protecting my electronics inside due to the lack of structure.

Nordstrom Le Pliage for $165: I spent most of my high school and college years avoiding the Longchamp Le Pliage hype. But when my mother passed down her beloved Le Pliage tote, I finally got it. This tote is the equivalent of a classic white t-shirt: timeless, versatile and built to last. This bag is roomy enough to fit all the essentials (laptop, notepad, snack stash) without looking bulky. Plus, it’s inspired by origami, so it folds up small when you need to store it as a travel bag.

Tory Burch Perry Tote for $395: The Perry Tote is another one of those designer bags that transcends trends and functions as a fashionable work tote. Much like Leatherology’s Alex Laptop Bag Set, I wouldn’t use it as a lunch bag, but it’s definitely the type that radiates understated authority—and the one you’ll want to carry when you want to make a good impression. Made from Italian grained leather, it wears incredibly well over time. The removable logo charm adds a touch of luxury, but I can remove it whenever I want a more understated look. It features a zipped laptop compartment in the center, as well as three slip pockets to keep your belongings organized.

Courtesy of Cozy Earth

Cozy Earth Waxed Canvas Tote for $68: If you like minimalist, functional fashion with a touch of “quiet luxury,” this 12-ounce waxed canvas tote delivers just that. Aesthetically, think Yeezy brand circa 2017 (minus the anti-Semitism). I love mine in washed navy, but earthy tones (cedar brown, palm green, and taupe) are just as fashionable. It’s durable enough to handle a trip to the farmer’s market, an overnight trip, or double as a beach bag. The design is simple but nevertheless thoughtful: exterior pockets for quick grabs (keys, phone, emergency snack) and two interior pockets (including a zipped compartment) to store your valuables.

Ölend Ona Soft Bag for $115: The Ölend Ona Soft Bag is puffy, vibrant and comes in a rainbow of colors. Made from water-resistant nylon, it’s a nifty take on the standard tote, designed to extend its usefulness with every new outfit or occasion. You can wear it four different ways: as a tote, handbag, crossbody, shoulder bag or even backpack. The Soft Bag also includes adjustable side straps. Although it fits laptops up to 16 inches, I wouldn’t risk storing my laptop here as there is no dedicated sleeve. But the exterior zippered pocket is a fun touch for storing small essentials.

Dagne Dover Petra Convertible Tote for $300: The Petra is made from recycled polyester and plastic bottles. It is durable and huge-it fits a 16 inch laptop and is almost 17 inches. It’s probably too big for an everyday bag, but it’s a solid weekend bag. The hardware is sturdy metal and the laptop compartment is padded. For parents, this is also a decent diaper bag.

Courtesy of Fjallraven

Fjallraven Kånken Tote Bag for $100: We love the Kånken backpack. Its Totepack is essentially the same bag but can transform from a tote into a backpack. The downside is its size, with only a 13-inch laptop pocket and two side pockets for water bottles or a small umbrella, but they’re narrow, so don’t expect to fit a 1-liter Nalgene in there.