Matein Laptop Backpack 15.6 Review: Travel & Commute

Matein Laptop Backpack 15.6-inch has 85,000+ reviews on JD.com with a 4.5/5 rating at ¥139 ($19). Users consistently praise the generous 38L capacity that fits a laptop, tablet, clothes, and accessories for weekend trips, the built-in USB charging cable that connects to a power bank, and the anti-theft back pocket that keeps valuables secure. The main complaints are zippers that feel less premium and can break after 6-12 months of heavy use, and the fabric showing pilling at high-wear areas. Conclusion: ✅ Worth Buying — the best budget travel backpack with laptop protection.

Specifications

Feature	Matein 15.6”	Baseus Backpack	Xiaomi Backpack
Price (JD)	¥139 ($19)	¥179 ($25)	¥149 ($21)
Weight	680g	750g	610g
Capacity	38L	30L	25L
Laptop Size	Up to 15.6” (33 x 27 cm sleeve)	Up to 15.6”	Up to 15.6”
Material	High-density polyester	Oxford nylon	Ripstop nylon
USB Port	Yes (extension cable included)	Yes (built-in circuit)	No
Anti-Theft	Back pocket + lockable zippers	Back pocket only	Lockable zippers
Water Resistant	Yes (PU coating)	Yes (coated fabric)	Yes (DWR coated)
Compartments	3 main + 6 organizer pockets	2 main + 4 pockets	1 main + 3 pockets
Luggage Sleeve	No	Yes	No
USB Charging	1A output (slow)	2.4A output (fast)	None
JD Rating	4.5/5	4.6/5	4.6/5

Design & Build

The Matein Laptop Backpack features a classic travel-oriented design with three main compartments. The rear compartment (closest to your back) is a padded laptop sleeve fitting devices up to 15.6 inches, with false-bottom padding to protect against drops. The middle compartment includes a tablet sleeve plus multiple organizer pockets for pens, chargers, power banks, and documents. The front compartment offers quick-access storage for items you need frequently.

A built-in USB cable runs from the side pocket (where you place a power bank) to the top edge, allowing phone charging without opening the bag. The anti-theft back pocket sits against your back — perfect for wallets and passports. The back panel is padded with breathable mesh for comfort during extended wear. Shoulder straps are S-curved with foam padding and an adjustable chest strap for load distribution.

JD Review Analysis

💡 “I’ve been using this backpack daily for 7 months. It fits my 15.6-inch gaming laptop, tablet, charger, water bottle, lunch box, and even a change of clothes for the gym. The USB port is super convenient — I just plug my phone in and the power bank stays in the bag. The anti-theft pocket gives me peace of mind when commuting on crowded subway.” — Wu H., JD Verified Purchase ★★★★★

💡 “Great bag for the price but the zippers are noticeably worse after 6 months. One of the main compartment zippers got stuck and I had to forcefully pull it open. The fabric on the bottom corners is also showing some pilling. For ¥139 I can’t complain too much, but don’t expect it to last for years like a premium brand.” — Sun H., JD Verified Purchase ★★★★☆

💡 “The anti-theft back pocket is genius — I keep my wallet and passport there when traveling and never worry about pickpockets. The backpack is also comfortable even when fully loaded for 3-4 hour walks through airports. The USB charging is slow (only 1A), but it’s fine for trickle charging overnight. Highly recommend for budget-conscious travelers.” — Zhou L., JD Verified Purchase ★★★★★

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Massive 38L capacity for weekend trips
• Fits up to 15.6-inch laptops with padded protection
• Convenient USB charging port (cable included)
• Anti-theft back pocket is great for travel security
• Comfortable padded back with breathable mesh
• Water-resistant polyester with PU coating
• Multiple compartments for organized packing
• TSA-friendly lay-flat laptop compartment

Cons:

• Zipper quality is mediocre (may fail after 6-12 months)
• Fabric shows wear at bottom contact points
• USB charging is slow at 1A output
• No luggage pass-through strap for travel
• Can look bulky when not fully loaded
• No internal compression straps for clothes

FAQ

Q: Can this fit a 17-inch laptop? A: The dedicated laptop compartment fits up to 15.6 inches. A 17-inch laptop may fit in the main compartment but won’t be as protected. The internal laptop sleeve measures 33 x 27 cm. Measure your laptop’s dimensions — if it exceeds 33cm in width, it won’t fit in the sleeve.

Q: Is the backpack carry-on approved for airlines? A: Yes. The dimensions (30 x 20 x 47 cm) meet most carry-on requirements for both Chinese domestic carriers and international airlines. Budget carriers (Spring Airlines, Ryanair) may have stricter size limits — check before flying.

Q: How does the USB port work? A: The backpack comes with a USB extension cable. Place your power bank in the side pocket, plug the internal USB-A cable into the bank, and the external port on the shoulder strap lets you charge your phone. Note: output is limited to 1A — fine for overnight charging but slow for quick top-ups.

Q: Is the backpack waterproof? A: It’s water-resistant (polyester coating handles light rain), not waterproof. For heavy downpours, use an additional rain cover. The fabric will keep contents dry for 5-10 minutes of light rain, but prolonged exposure will cause seepage.

Q: Does it have a luggage sleeve? A: No, the Matein 15.6 does not have a luggage pass-through strap. This limits its usefulness for travel with rolling luggage. The Baseus Backpack at ¥179 includes this feature.

How We Tested

We tested the Matein Laptop Backpack over three weeks of daily commuting and a weekend trip. Our test protocol included:

• Capacity testing with typical EDC loadout (16” laptop, tablet, books, lunch, gym clothes)
• USB charging speed measurement with a 20,000mAh power bank
• Comfort assessment during 30-minute and 60-minute carry sessions
• Zipper durability over 300+ open/close cycles
• Water resistance test under simulated light rain
• Anti-theft pocket accessibility testing in crowded scenarios

Long-Term Experience

Week 1: First Impressions

The backpack arrives packed flat. The 38L capacity is immediately apparent — it’s a large bag. The main laptop compartment easily fits a 15.6-inch gaming laptop. The USB cable routing is simple but the 1A output is noticeably slow for modern fast-charging phones.

Week 2-3: Daily Use

The backpack proves comfortable even with a full load. The S-curved straps distribute weight well. The anti-theft back pocket is genuinely useful for securing valuables. Zippers start showing minor roughness after about 200 cycles.

Long-Term Verdict

The Matein offers exceptional value for its price. The capacity and features rival bags costing 2-3x more. Zipper durability is the main concern for long-term use.

In-Depth Comparison with Competitors

vs Baseus Backpack

The Baseus costs ¥179 — ¥40 more. It uses better Oxford nylon fabric, has a luggage pass-through sleeve, and the USB output is 2.4A (vs 1A). The Baseus is the better choice for frequent travelers.

vs Xiaomi Backpack

The Xiaomi backpack costs ¥149 with a 25L capacity and better zipper quality. It lacks the USB port and anti-theft pocket. The Matein has 13L more capacity and more features.

Value Verdict

At ¥139, the Matein offers the best capacity-to-price ratio in this segment. The feature set (USB charging, anti-theft, multiple compartments) is exceptional for the price.

Final Verdict

4.5/5 — Budget Travel Champion

What We Loved

• Massive 38L capacity — rivals bags 2x the price
• USB charging port — convenient for daily commutes
• Anti-theft back pocket — excellent for travel security
• Comfortable carry — well-padded straps for heavy loads

What Could Be Better

• Zipper quality — mediocre, may fail after 6-12 months
• Fabric durability — shows wear at high-friction areas
• No luggage pass-through — limits travel usability
• USB output only 1A — slow by modern standards

Verdict

The Matein Laptop Backpack offers exceptional value at ¥139. The 38L capacity, USB port, and anti-theft pocket make it ideal for budget travelers and students. If you prioritize long-term durability, the Baseus is worth the upgrade.

Who should buy: Students, budget travelers, and commuters needing a large, feature-rich backpack.

Who should skip: Heavy daily users needing long-term durability, premium material seekers.