Looking for the best handbags? Explore these popular picks from the top brands
Want to give your style a refresh this year, without having to update your wardrobe? A new handbag can do just that. Or perhaps you’re looking to treat someone special to a nice bag.
Even if you love shopping, like us, the sheer number of styles, colors and brands can easily become overwhelming. We’ve got you covered with a diverse, carefully curated set from the leading brands; bestselling shoulder bags, totes, crossbodies, satchels, messenger bags, mini bags and more. You’ll find budget-friendly picks, such as this Uniqlo crossbody/shoulder bag that went viral on TikTok, all the way up to luxury designs including this stunning vintage Burberry crocodile-embossed satchel.
Best shoulder bags
This Staud handbag is made of soft tan suede, designed with a leather-wrapped top handle and an interior slip pocket. The shoulder strap is removable, so you can wear this bag in multiple ways.
This deep Hobo handbag offers more storage than other designs. The sleek vegan leather exterior comes in black, brown or purple with a contrasting beige interior and slip pocket inside. The single shoulder strap will stay more securely on your arm compared to double-strap alternatives.
This budget-friendly bag is made of vegan leather and suede, paired with silver hardware and the Calvin Klein logo. The bucket-style bag has a neat drawstring feature, interior slip and zipper pockets and an adjustable strap for wearing it as a shoulder bag or crossbody. It comes in 20 monochrome and multicolor models.
This Guess handbag is great for someone who doesn’t need much storage but wants to keep personal items organized in the four zipper and slip pockets inside. The brand logo is shown on the front, and it’s got shiny, pale gold hardware and an adjustable strap. Its tough nylon construction will stand up to everyday wear and won’t get damaged in rainy or snowy weather. This affordable, practical piece comes in plain black and quilted maroon styles.
Best crossbody bags
This leather Kate Spade crossbody contains exterior and interior slip pockets with an adjustable strap and gold hardware. The brand logo is stamped on the outside, with 21 monochrome, multicolor and patterned styles to choose from.
This Michael Kors handbag is made of crossgrain leather with the brand logo on the front. Inside, it ofers a polyester lining, slip pocket and a convenient padded pocket for storing an iPad. This crossbody is available in soft pink, black or brown with gold hardware, as well as black with silver hardware.
This luxury piece features Burberry’s signature plaid pattern and a stamped gold plaque on the front indicating that the handbag is genuine. It comes with an adjustable crossbody strap and an interior slip pocket, made from a combination of natural and synthetic fabrics.
This versatile Coach handbag transforms from a crossbody into a clutch by removing the strap. The branded bag has gold hardware and an open interior pocket, available in two color schemes: black and gray or metallic taupe and gray. It’s crafted from a combination of cotton, polyester and leather.
Best tote bags
On this leather tote by Michael Kors, a metal monogram logo acts as a decorative accessory, hanging from a leather strap on the front of the bag. The bag has two shoulder straps and two exterior side slip pockets for easy access. It contains a zip pocket, two slip pockets and a polyester lining on the inside. It comes in 14 colors with gold or silver hardware, depending on the model.
This cotton canvas Marc Jacobs tote is a real statement piece, with the brand’s logo and "The tote bag" rendered in bold block lettering on the front. Along with two top handles, it has an adjustable, removable strap that lets you wear it as a tote, shoulder bag or crossbody. There are two zip and slip pockets on the inside. It comes in 12 colors, from neutral to patterned to neon.
This Madewell handbag is made of supple leather with an exterior slip pocket and interior zip pocket. You can carry it using the top handles or attach the removable, adjustable strap for crossbody wear. It’s available in plain brown, green and black or black with brown straps for a contrast effect.
This luxe handbag features branded lettering on the front, embroidered with Dior’s signature oblique pattern in contrasting black and beige. Crafted with jute canvas and made in Italy, it contains two top handles and open storage inside.
This multifunctional tote is as affordable as it is practical. It’s made of lightweight, water-resistant nylon with two top handles, a yoga mat strap and an exterior pocket for storing a water bottle. The spacious interior can hold gym clothes, cosmetics, laptops up to 15.6 inches and more. You can get this handy tote in six colors.
This Coach tote has room for all your daily essentials and even has space for a 13-inch laptop. Carry it with the two handles, or wear it on your body with the detachable strap. It's made out of canvas and recycled leather, and it has a zipper closure and side pockets.
Best satchels
This satchel has a stylish slouchy aesthetic with an intricate weave and chunky knot on the handle. The vegan leather bag has a polyester lining, with two inner zip and slip pockets. It comes in 15 colors including neutrals, bright colors, neon and metallics.
This Kate Spade handbag is both a crossbody and a satchel with two top handles and a detachable, adjustable strap. Featuring the brand’s logo on the front, it’s designed with two interior slip and zip pockets and two open compartments. The pebbled leather design makes it more visually interesting. This bag comes in six colors with gold or silver hardware, depending on the model.
If you’re on the hunt for a bag that’s simultaneously bold, timeless and luxurious, this Burberry satchel is perfect. With fine Italian craftsmanship, it has a glossy, crocodile-embossed leather exterior in a deep, rich green. The brand logo and identification tag on the front contain gold hardware. There are two top handles; an adjustable, removable shoulder strap for versatile wear; and two zip and slip pockets on the inside.
This Guess satchel exudes bohemian chic with its crochet straw detailing. It has a faux leather trim with the brand logo on the front, a top handle and a removable shoulder strap. This design comes in white and beige or all black.
The large Coach logo on the front and contrasting textures make this cute little satchel eye-catching. It’s made of a combination of Jacquard fabric and leather, with interior zip and snap pockets. The detachable strap lets you wear it multiple ways. You can get this bag in taupe and brown or black and gray.
Best messenger bags
This padded Prada handbag is made of recycled nylon that resists everyday wear and tear with subtle leather elements for style. The Prada logo is shown on the front flap and the bag is accented with silver hardware. There’s an adjustable shoulder strap, a zipper pocket at the back, and open and zipper pockets inside.
Shiny silver hardware creates an attractive contrast effect against this black Tory Burch handbag, with the brand logo and decorative buckles on the front. It’s made of strong recycled nylon with a removable, adjustable strap for flexible wear. Capable of storing an 11-inch laptop, it contains two exterior zipper pockets and two interior slip pockets.
This messenger bag is perfect for someone who loves a vintage aesthetic. The grained leather outer adds a nice textured effect, accented with gold hardware. The design includes an adjustable, detachable shoulder strap; the brand logo on a foldover flap with two pockets on the front; an open interior pocket; and cotton canvas lining.
If you’re in the market for a cost-effective, good-quality messenger bag, this is the one to get. This sensible bag is made of sturdy faux leather with silver hardware and many compartments for keeping work or school items organized. There are two buckle zip pockets on the front, a top handle and rear zip pocket on the back. The inside contains a padded pocket for laptops up to 15.6 inches, one large and one small zip pocket, two small slip pockets and two pen slip pockets. The two-tone bag comes in three color schemes: brown and beige, black and brown, and black and purple.
Best mini bags
This unassuming little bag exploded on TikTok earlier this year, and we can see why. It’s inexpensive with a roomy interior, made from practical, water-resistant nylon. The minimalist, unisex design lacks branding for a fashionably understated look. There’s an interior pocket for storing your keys and other small items and an adjustable strap for wearing it as a shoulder bag or crossbody. Plus, it’s offered in seven colors.
This cute mini bag is crafted from luxurious Italian lambskin decorated with a set of removable Dior charms. The Christian Dior handbag has a drawstring-cord closure, with a removable leather handle and detachable chain for carrying it in your hand or wearing as a crossbody. The quilted design and shiny gold hardware elevate the look.
This Valentino handbag has edgy Rockstud details, with shiny gold hardware that complements the ivory leather. Made in Italy, it features a snap-clasp fastening, a chain and leather shoulder strap and a small interior slot for storing credit cards.
This elegant mini tote is made of sleek calfskin with a crocodile pattern. The shiny gold hardware and Versace logo on the front stand out against the black leather. The Italian-made Versace handbag contains internal slot pockets, a top handle and detachable strap for multiple wearing options.
This miniature Burberry handbag is made of black Italian calfskin with a subtle shine to it, accented by matte gold hardware. It contains a front slot pocket and an interior card slot. The adjustable strap lets you wear it on your arm or as a shoulder bag.
More of the best handbags
We brought this trendy Lululemon belt bag into the BestReviews Testing Lab to see if it’s worth the hype, and the answer is a resounding yes. Our tester praised the soft yet heavy-duty, water-repellent fabric. We love how comfortable it is to wear and how it can be tossed in the washing machine for easy cleaning. Other highlights include an adjustable strap, exterior zipper pocket, some interior pockets and 12 color options.
While Steve Madden is best known for its footwear, this glitzy crossbody proves that the brand designs great bags, too. It’s not overly expensive, but not exactly a budget buy. It combines practical and glam elements — rhinestones decorate the exterior, which also contains two outer zip pockets; there’s a detachable pouch and adjustable chain and fabric straps, so you can also wear it as a belt bag. It comes in six neutral and bright colors with gold or silver hardware, depending on the model.
This Fossil bag is the ultimate versatility piece — it’s a shoulder bag, tote bag and backpack all in one, thanks to the top carry handles and adjustable, detachable straps. The bag is designed with a glossy brown leather exterior that pairs well with the matte gold hardware. There’s even a cute key charm attached to one of the handles. It contains a zipper pocket at the back, along with one zipper and two slide pockets inside. This bag can fit a 13-inch laptop and comes with or without a matching clutch wallet.
This Michael Kors crossbody is a go-to for storing your passport, wallet and other small essentials while you travel. There’s a Michael Kors logo on the front, and the exterior is decorated with the brand’s classic “MK” pattern. It’s made from a combination of faux leather and polyester, with a front zip pocket, an open back pocket for quick access and an interior pocket. It comes in seven color schemes with gold or silver hardware, depending on the model.
This Balenciaga handbag has a modern curvilinear silhouette with a thick double chain for wearing it on your arm, shoulder or as a crossbody. It’s made from crushed, quilted Italian calfskin with aged silver hardware and a B logo representing the brand. One zipper pocket and one flat pocket provide interior storage.
This spacious faux leather shoulder bag is offered at an affordable price. The glam design features circular studs along the strap and lining the bottom front, with a brand logo and a zipper pocket at the back. Inside, there’s a polyester lining, two open pockets and a zipper pocket. You have plenty of color options with this bag, available in 39 versions, including single- and multi-toned.
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Amy Evans writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.