SwissGear 1900 Scansmart Tech-Friendly Backpack

Last updated: February 9, 2023


The multiple storage compartments within this backpack make it super versatile. Not only are there spacious sections for your laptop or tablet, but the bag also features pockets for your water bottle, notepad and pencils. The weather-resistant 1200D ballistic polyester fabric means you can use this backpack for everything from traveling back and forth to campus to hiking up a mountain.

SwissGear 1900 Scansmart Tech-Friendly Backpack

We looked at the top Backpacks and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Backpack you should buy.

Product Details

Key Takeaway: A multi-functional backpack with plenty of room for everything you need.

In our analysis of 111 expert reviews, the SwissGear Scansmart Tech-Friendly Backpack placed 10th when we looked at the top 16 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.

From The Manufacturer

Pack all of your gear and then some in this extra-roomy, full featured laptop backpack. The SWISSGEAR 1900 Scansmart Laptop Backpack is made from durable 1200D ballistic polyester fabric and is equipped with a large opening main compartment with rugged oversize zippers, adjustable side compression straps, a heavily padded back panel with Airflow ventilation technology, padded contour shaped shoulder straps with mesh fabric and built-in suspension as well as ScanSmart lay-flat technology for the ultimate in laptop-in-case TSA scanning for most portable computers up to 17” in size. Other features built into the case include a highly protective floating TabletSafe tablet pocket, an accordion file holder, an organizer compartment, multiple internal accessory pockets, side accessory and water bottle pockets, a padded media pocket with headphone cord port, a molded top handle, a webbing daisy chain and carabiner to attach gear to when you’re on the go, a front quick-access pocket and reflective accent material built into the shoulder straps for added safety when out at night!

Our Expert Consultant

Kate Desmond 
Parenting Pro and Safe-Sleep Expert

Kate Desmond is a writer and infant safe-sleep expert. She has spent the last eight years working as the marketing director for Charlie’s Kids Foundation, a nonprofit that aims to educate families about SIDS and safe sleep. In that role, she travels around the country learning and educating caregivers and providers on the latest and greatest safe-sleep information to prevent infant death.

As mom to two elementary-aged daughters, she spends hours researching the best and safest products for her own kids. She is quick to get in the weeds with other mamas, and uses humor to cope with parenting woes from potty-training to teaching kids to read.

Expert Reviews


What reviewers liked

These are popular Swiss Gear backpacks because it is durable and looks great. And it also appeals to different people beacause of the storage and functionality of the backpack.
From our point of view, it’s just right. With that, the organizational ability of this backpack is excellent. The SwissGear Travel Gear Scansmart Backpack 1900 is renowned for being a great backpack for school, work, or travel while staying at an impressive price point.
The shoulder straps are padded, adjustable and feature in-built suspension to help keep heavy loads off your shoulders and back.
It is made of polyester fabric, which is strong, durable, and breathable. In addition, it has a water bottle pocket making it convenient and efficient.
There are more than 7 pockets to store personal items, and they are all protected with durable zippers. These backpacks were truly created to pass the test of time.
It includes a large front U-zip pocket that opens up for quick access to personal stuff. SwissGear Laptop Backpack has two, breathable, side compartments for an umbrella or a water bottle.
SwissGear 1900 Travel Laptops provide you with exactly this. They look great and are also very useful. Plus, it can carry up to laptops that fall under 17-inches. As a matter of fact, the ScanSmart technology ensures that you face no hassles during laptop bag scans.
This awesome laptop backpack is very highly recommended due to its great quality and features. The bag has a good number of compartments. Moreover, it has a detachable key ring in the outermost pocket, which some people look for. It is also comfortable on your back and well-made zippers and pockets.
You will find the long-lasting weatherproof 1200D ballistic polyester handy, especially if you are economic-minded. This is because it enables the laptop backpack to stand up to harsh outdoor conditions and heavy use, thereby, lasting longer. Ideally, the manufacturer of this backpack has not forgotten the much-needed comfort.
- Ah Joo
The bag features something called ScanSmart lay-flat technology. In essence, this design feature allows quick access to the laptop, which will always come in handy on airports. Also, the laptop will be seen on the TSA scan, which also helps save time and energy.
- IDKMen
For travelers with a lot of small items, the Scansmart 1900 might be a better backpack, because it’s designed not to be filled anywhere near capacity.
When I read this, I was truly amazed and was impressed that the fabric of Swissgear 1900 Scansmart TSA Laptop Backpack was supposedly able to withstand the water that sat on it for about 30minutes.

What reviewers didn't like

There is one small critique a few users of the SwissGear Travel Gear Scansmart Backpack 1900 have. The zipper durability on a few of the color styles seems to not work as well as others. Whether they stop lining up or simply break off, a few long-time users of this backpack wish for a higher quality zipper.
However, some customers have experienced ripped zippers, splitting seams and issues with water damage.
Unfortunately this backpack can get very heavy if it is packed to its fullest capacity. If stuffed to full capacity, this backpack will not fit under the seat in an airplane.
Zippers could be better
- Ah Joo
The only downsides I noticed are the zippers. They are a bit too clunky, and often very stubborn (hard to switch).
- IDKMen
Then, there’s the biggest complaint I have about the 1900: the thick dividers between the laptop compartment, tablet compartment, and main compartments. Those dividers take up space, again, which is fine if you’re not going to really fill the main compartment.
The downside to this is that the pockets of the SwissGear 1900 Scansmart TSA Laptop Backpack might actually be too much for some people.
View our Backpack buying guide for in-depth advice and recommendations.

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