- Top Pick: Targus 16 Inch Groove Laptop Backpack, Black – Fits Most Laptops up to 16", Water Resistant Travel Backpack for Business Commuters and Travel (CVR600)
- Best Value: Targus Drifter II Laptop Backpack, Black/Gray – Backpack for Men for Business and Travel, Durable Water-Resistant Material, Fits up to 17" Laptops (TSB239US)
- Premium Choice: Targus 17 Inch Voyager EXP Laptop Travel Backpack, Expandable 27L-30L Carry-On Backpack for Men and Women, Fits 15-17" Laptops, TSA Checkpoint-Friendly, Water-Resistant, RFID Pocket, Black – TBB664GL
Targus has built its reputation on laptop bags for commuters, students and business travelers, which is why a search for a Targus backpack is usually a search for a specific kind of reliability: a padded laptop sleeve, water-resistant fabric and a model number you can match to a laptop size. The brand’s catalog is wide, though, with many near-identical names and codes, and the difference between a 15.6-inch commuter pack and a 17-inch expandable carry-on is easy to miss if you shop by name alone.
This 2026 guide compares seven Targus backpacks strictly by what their listings state: the largest laptop each is said to fit, capacity where given, water resistance, security pockets and travel features. A few non-Targus packs that surfaced in the same search are left out, since the keyword asks for the brand. Where a title is short on detail, the write-up says so, because guessing about padding, weight or zipper quality would only mislead you.
Quick Picks
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| Product | Best for | Key spec from the title |
|---|---|---|
| Targus 16 Inch Groove | Daily commutes | Fits laptops up to 16 inches, water resistant |
| Targus Drifter II | Business travel with a big laptop | Fits up to 17 inches, water-resistant material |
| Targus 17 Inch Voyager EXP | Carry-on trips | Expandable 27L-30L, TSA-friendly, RFID pocket |
| Targus 15-16 Inch Classic | College and office | Fits up to 16 inches, padded |
| Targus Legend IQ | Everyday 16-inch use | Laptops up to 16 inches, travel backpack |
| Targus Intellect Essentials | Straightforward 15.6-inch carry | For 15.6-inch laptops |
| Targus Urban Convertible | Commuting that changes style | Fits up to 15.6 inches, convertible design |
How to Choose
Match the laptop size with a margin
Backpack titles state a maximum laptop size, and that maximum is the diagonal screen size, not the footprint. A 16-inch pack suits 14 and 15.6-inch laptops easily and fits most 16-inch models snugly; a 17-inch pack suits larger gaming machines. If your laptop sits at the top of the stated size, add a charger and a mouse to the load and consider stepping up one size for comfort. Check the laptop’s width and depth too, since a wide 16-inch gaming model can be tighter than the diagonal suggests, and a thick power brick takes space at the bottom of the sleeve.
Think about capacity beyond the laptop
Only one title here states a capacity, the 27L to 30L expandable range on the Voyager EXP. For other models, picture your daily load: a charger, a notebook, a water bottle and a jacket need more room than a laptop alone. A compact commuter pack stays lighter but leaves no space for overnight trips. If you only carry the laptop and a tablet, a smaller pack saves shoulder strain; if you add shoes, a gym kit or lunch, the expandable model earns its size.
Weigh water resistance and security features
Water resistant fabric handles rain and spills for a short walk but is not waterproof, so keep electronics in the padded sleeve. TSA-friendly designs open flat for airport checkpoints, and an RFID pocket is a convenience for cards or a passport. These features add convenience but do not replace careful packing, and budget-tier bags usually trim them. Also look at the straps: padded shoulder straps and a back panel matter more than extra pockets if you walk more than ten minutes a day, though titles rarely describe them.
Use model numbers to compare versions
Targus lists codes such as CVR600, TSB239US, TBB664GL, TBB943GL, TSB705US, TSB966GL and TBB595GL. Retailer pages sometimes mix revisions of the same name, so match the code on the page to the code you want. Ignore colors in titles unless you care about them; the code decides the design. When two pages share a name, the code is the quickest way to tell an older release from a newer one.
The 7 Best Options
Targus 16 Inch Groove Laptop Backpack
The Groove is listed as fitting most laptops up to 16 inches, with water-resistant fabric aimed at business commuters and travel. It suits a daily commuter who wants a no-frills black pack that handles a typical office laptop and a few small items. The 16-inch limit also makes it a safe match for the many 15.6-inch laptops sold today, and the model code CVR600 helps you confirm you are looking at the right revision.
- Strength: fits most laptops up to 16 inches.
- Strength: water-resistant material is named in the title.
- Trade-off: the title lists no capacity or pocket details.
Skip it if you carry a 17-inch laptop, want a stated TSA-friendly layout, or need a documented capacity figure before buying.
Targus Drifter II Laptop Backpack
The Drifter II is the model to look at if you own a 17-inch machine and want a black and gray pack for business and travel. The title mentions durable water-resistant material and fits up to 17 inches. It is the sort of pack that suits someone carrying a bulky work or gaming laptop between home, office and the occasional hotel.
- Strength: accommodates laptops up to 17 inches.
- Strength: durable water-resistant material is named.
- Trade-off: an older design with fewer listed features than the newer expandable pack.
Skip it if you need a TSA-friendly or RFID design, or if you prefer a lighter pack for a smaller laptop.
Targus 17 Inch Voyager EXP Laptop Travel Backpack
The most feature-rich Targus here: an expandable 27L to 30L carry-on backpack for 15 to 17 inch laptops, TSA checkpoint-friendly, water-resistant and with an RFID pocket. It fits frequent flyers who want one bag for a laptop and a short trip, expanding when you pack a change of clothes and compressing again on the way home. The model code TBB664GL helps you find the exact version.
- Strength: expandable 27L-30L capacity.
- Strength: TSA-friendly layout and an RFID pocket.
- Trade-off: a larger bag is more than a short commute needs.
Skip it if you want a slim bag for city walking, since the extra volume and expansion feature are wasted on a short commute.
Targus 15-16 Inch Classic Laptop Backpack
The Classic is a padded travel backpack for commuters, college students and travelers, with a stated fit for laptops up to 16 inches. It is a middle-of-the-road pack that favors simplicity over extra pockets, which can be an advantage for people who dislike fiddly compartments and would rather throw in a laptop, a book and a lunch and go.
- Strength: padded design for a laptop up to 16 inches.
- Strength: aimed at college, business and travel use.
- Trade-off: no water resistance or security feature is mentioned in the title.
Skip it if you need a rain-ready fabric claim or a listed security pocket.
Targus Legend IQ Laptop Backpack
The Legend IQ is described as a travel backpack for laptops up to 16 inches, for men and women, in black. The title is brief, so treat it as a general-purpose pack until you confirm other details on the product page. The listing alone does not say what pockets or padding it has, so read the product page for the interior layout.
- Strength: fits laptops up to 16 inches.
- Strength: a unisex travel backpack.
- Trade-off: few features are listed in the title.
Skip it if you need capacity, water-resistance or security details up front, or if you want a clear feature list to compare against the other six.
Targus Intellect Essentials for 15.6-Inch Laptops
This is the plainest listing: a black backpack made for a 15.6-inch laptop, with only the model code TSB966GL added. It suits a student or office worker with a standard laptop size and a light daily load, someone who just needs a padded place for the machine rather than a travel system.
- Strength: sized specifically for 15.6-inch laptops.
- Strength: a clear model code for easy matching.
- Trade-off: no other features are named.
Skip it if your laptop is bigger than 15.6 inches or you want travel extras like a lay-flat checkpoint layout.
Targus Urban Convertible Backpack
The Urban Convertible is designed for the business traveler and fits laptops up to 15.6 inches. The convertible part suggests more than one carrying style, but the title does not spell out how, so confirm the carrying options on the product page. The business-traveler wording points to office and airport use rather than trail use.
- Strength: convertible design with a business-travel focus.
- Strength: fits laptops up to 15.6 inches.
- Trade-off: the convertible details are not explained in the title.
Skip it if you want a clearly described water-resistant or TSA-friendly pack, since the title is silent on both.
Which One Fits Your Situation
You fly often with a 17-inch laptop
The Targus 17 Inch Voyager EXP covers that need with expandable capacity and a TSA-friendly layout.
You commute daily with a standard laptop
The Targus 16 Inch Groove or the Classic handles a 14 to 16 inch machine, with water resistance named only on the Groove. Pick the Groove if your walk includes rain, and the Classic if the bag mostly travels from a car to a desk.
You carry a 17-inch laptop but travel light
The Targus Drifter II fits up to 17 inches without the larger expandable frame. It gives a big-laptop home to someone who does not need carry-on volume, and the water-resistant material helps on a rainy walk to the office.
You have a plain 15.6-inch laptop
The Targus Intellect Essentials or the Urban Convertible are sized for it. Choose the Intellect Essentials for simple daily carry and the Urban Convertible if the business-traveler styling and convertible design appeal.
Common Mistakes
- Choosing a backpack sized to the exact laptop diagonal with no room left for a charger, a mouse and a notebook.
- Assuming water resistant means waterproof.
- Confusing model codes and ordering the wrong revision.
- Buying a large travel pack for a short commute, then carrying empty volume every day.
- Expecting TSA-friendly or RFID features on a model whose title does not name them.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will a 16-inch Targus backpack fit a 15.6-inch laptop?
Yes, a pack that fits up to 16 inches accommodates smaller laptops with more room to spare. The laptop may shift a little inside a bigger sleeve, so tighten any internal strap if one is provided.
Is the Voyager EXP carry-on size?
The title calls it a carry-on backpack, though airline rules vary, so check your carrier before flying. The expandable range of 27L to 30L is the figure to compare with the airline’s personal item or cabin bag limits.
Does every Targus backpack include an RFID pocket?
No. Among these seven, only the Voyager EXP lists one in its title. If protecting cards matters to you, treat it as the only listed answer and look at the other pages for any mention.
Are these backpacks waterproof?
No. Titles that mention water resistance describe the fabric, not full waterproofing. In heavy rain, keep the laptop in its padded sleeve and consider a rain cover for long exposure.
