The Best Tool Backpacks

Everyone needs a good toolkit in their home. But if you find yourself moving tools around a lot, it may be time to think of a more efficient travel solution. Bulky toolboxes aren’t for everyone, and tool bags can be limited in space. If you’re looking for another way forward, allow us to introduce you to the tool backpack. These carrying cases make transporting tools easier and more organized. Read on to see our picks for the best tool backpacks on the market today.

What to Look For

When considering the best tool backpacks, we looked at quality, construction, number of pockets, and price. For example, if you need a lot of pockets for all your tools, parts, and accessories, you may want the Welkinland backpack tool bag. With 77 pockets, it’s built to handle everything you can throw at it. But if you’re leaning towards a budget-friendly option, the Justzon backpack tool bag is your best bet. It’s by far the cheapest backpack on the list, but it’s still built to be long-lasting and efficient. Keep reading to see our in-depth reviews on all our top choices.

Welkinland Large Tool Backpack

Handy dandy

With tons of pockets and plenty of useful extras, this tool backpack is a good fit for any project.
Best Overall

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With 77 pockets and four different compartments, this tool backpack is built to handle it all. It’s heavy-duty and comes with a molded plastic base, charging ports, and an extra waist belt for added support. With its rugged construction and soft padded straps, it’s made to carry heavy tools comfortably. Say “goodbye” to back pain and “hello” to your new favorite bag.

Pros:

  • The removable tool bag insert makes it easy to take the tools you need and hang them near your project area for quick access.
  • The built-in titanium hook is great if you frequently work on ladders or roofs. You can use this simple solution to ensure your fools don’t fall.

Cons:

  • This isn’t meant to carry larger tools in bulk. It’s a tool organizer, so it can carry a lot of smaller tools in meticulous order.

Dewalt Lighted Tool Backpack

A light in a dark place

Keep a close eye on all your gear with this LED-equipped backpack.
Best With Lights

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What sets this tool backpack apart from its competitors is its immensely-handy built-in LED light. Although it comes with 57 pockets and is loaded with tons of great features, the LED light takes this bag to the next level. That means no more struggling with a headlamp or phone flashlight to find tools at night. This handy backpack makes it easy to illuminate your worksite and the inside of the bag to find the tools you need.

Pros:

  • The inside pockets look remarkably similar to a traditional Dewalt waist tool bag, so if you like their quality and layout, you should give this backpack a try.
  • This backpack features padded shoulder straps as well as additional carrying handles. This means you can carry it like a backpack or a duffel bag, whichever you prefer.

Cons:

  • The zippers may wear out faster than the rest of the bag, though you can give them a longer life with some wax or oil.

Klein Tools Tool Bag Backpack

No more running back to the van

If your day involves tricky wiring jobs, this rugged tool backpack is perfect for keeping your tools safe and organized.
Best For Electricians

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At first glance, this may seem like the Rolls-Royce of tool backpacks, but at its core, this bag is just as practical as it is luxurious. Simply put, it’s built for almost any occasion. It features 48 pockets, a removable tool caddy with a hanging ring, a zipper with lockable pulls, a hard molded bottom, and adjustable waist straps for support. Even the carrying handle is reinforced with aircraft cable, making it the most heavy-duty backpack that we’ve come across.

Pros:

  • This bag’s molded bottom is waterproof, making it the perfect accessory for working outside in the elements.
  • The built-in hard shell helps protect the tools in the bag as well as transport them. If you have tools you don’t want to get damaged, this bag will keep them out of harm’s way.

Cons:

  • This backpack is pretty pricey, which may outweigh all the other great features it has.

Justzon Backpack Tool Bag

More for less

This minimalist option features a simple design and efficient construction for an all-around great bargain.
Best Cost Value

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If you’re a non-professional or just want to save some money, this budget-conscious choice from Justzon is the way to go. At just a fraction of the price of most competitors’ backpacks, this simple tool bag provides an easy way to get your tools from point A to point B. It feels more like a tool bag with straps as opposed to a proper tool backpack. If you’ve got money on your mind, this bargain is hard to beat.

Pros:

  • The main carrying compartment is fairly open, making it easy to load tools quickly.
  • This backpack features a reinforced carrying handle in addition to padded straps, so you’ll get a comfortable grip no matter how you decide to carry it.

Cons:

  • This lacks the number of pockets that many other tool backpacks have.

Dewalt DGC530 USB Charging Tool Backpack

Keep your devices juiced

If you need to keep your electronics charged on the job along with your tools, look no further than this USB-charging backpack.
Best With USB Charging

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In today’s world, the tools we use have changed. It’s not all hammers and nails anymore. Some of our most valuable tools, like our phones and smart devices, are kept in our pockets all day. If you want a tool bag that can handle old-school tools as well as new-school, you’re in luck. This bag from Dewalt features an internal battery dock to charge two USB devices simultaneously. Whether you work in tech or mechanics, this bag has what you need to get the job done.

Pros:

  • The USB charging port uses a standard Dewalt 20v battery, so you can charge your phone using the same battery as a Dewalt drill uses.
  • With 23 pockets and a vertical tool wall, this bag lets you fit plenty of tools and devices for easy access.

Cons:

  • It doesn’t come with a battery included, so the charging feature only works for those with a compatible Dewalt battery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, a toolbox or a backpack?

While neither is better or worse than the other, they have different strengths and weaknesses. Most toolboxes are meant to carry bulk tools all in one main compartment. Depending on the tools you have, you may fit more this way. However, a backpack makes it easier and more comfortable to take a select group of tools with you on the go.

Can I use a tool backpack for a laptop?

This depends on the model you choose. Many tool backpacks are designed to simultaneously house electronic devices and tools. If you work repairing tech or in certain fields that require laptop work as well as physical work, you may need a smart device at your side. A laptop case is cheaper to buy, but you can keep your tools and laptop in the same place with a tool backpack.

About the Author

Mitchell is a professional musician and knows the importance of quality gear. From filming music videos to recording albums from his computer, he has discovered what separates the best tech from the worst. He hopes to share his expertise and experiences in the world of technology to guide others towards reliable gear that helps them shine.

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