Back-to-school backpacks that get top marks for comfort and style

Hello Barbie fans! This Barbie 4-Piece backpack set has everything you need. With an insulated lunch bag for keeping your child's lunch cool, and a matching pencil case and water bottle, their Barbie dreams will come true as they head off to school. Parent reviewers felt it was good quality and offered good value for money.

If they're still riding a wave of Lilo and Stitch love, this backpack will bring a big smile to their face. It's lightweight and has adjustable padded straps so they can be comfortable, while the Stormwear finish will keep their books dry. They can also keep a water bottle in the side pocket and the front pocket is ideal for things they need to get quick access to (we're thinking snacks!). If they want to go all out on Lilo and Stitch, there's a matching drawstring bag which would be perfect for PE kit and a matching insulated lunchbox so they can be kitted out with their favourite characters.

This beautiful Smash Daisy Backpack not only looks incredibly sweet but it's designed to last, both in design and quality - it's cute enough for little kids but we can see older children enjoying it too so it should last a few years before they want to move on. It has a large front pocket and also an elasticated pocket on the inside. It's comfortable to wear and has a padded back panel and adjustable shoulder straps.

It's also one of the lower priced backpacks on our list and with plenty of 5* reviews, parents think it offers good value for money. One reviewer summed up other feedback when they said, "This bag is sturdy, big enough to fit all my child's school things in and isn't too bulky so she can carry it around herself. The pattern is so pretty and she is thrilled with it! It's also quite water resistant and easily cleaned/wiped when needed.".

We love how this backpack combines practicality, style and fun. From the option to personalise it with your little one's name so they can find it at a glance, to the insulated zip compartment at the bottom for keep snacks and lunch cool, it will make life easier in so many ways. But it's also stylish, with a cute ladybird print, contrasting yellow mesh water bottle holder and delicate pastel tones.

If your kid has been singing the Chicken Jockey song for months (we know how you feel), they'll love this Minecraft 4-piece backpack set. It comes with a large backpack, matching pencil case, lunchbox cool bag and a water bottle so they can head off to school with their favourite design. Not only that, but it also comes with a Minecraft Creeper key ring and a small bottle for hand sanitiser.

Parents were impressed with the quality, value for money and size, with one commenting "So far it's lasted a whole term. He takes a packed lunch every day and the lunch bag in the set is perfect. You can fit a lot in it and with an ice block it helps keep everything cold. The bag is spacious and can fit his lunch bag, jumper and jacket in it. My son says the straps are very comfy and don't dig in even when the bag is heavy."

Who doesn't love Bluey? Your little one can take their favourite characters to school now, for reals. The large zipped main compartment is ideal for books and lunchbox while the smaller zipped front pocket will keep smaller items such as snacks at hand. Practical aspects such as the safety release straps and strengthened seams will keep parents happy, while the padded shoulder straps such mean kids are happy to carry their own bag for longer.

Some parents commented that it is on the smaller side but was perfect for their 4/5 year olds so would be a good option for a first school backpack. "Bought this for my 4yo. It’s just big enough for her lunchbox and water bottle. Not quite big enough to fit an A4 comfortably although we managed. Very comfy and nice design."

Calling all Superheroes, get ready to be the saviour of the school playground with this 'marvel-ous' backpack. It has a side mesh pocket for water bottles and a large front pocket for stashing snacks and treasures. The rubber zip puller makes it easier for little hands to open, while the red top handle will let them grab it quickly at the end of the day. There's a range of designs to choose from, depending on their favourite Marvel character, from Spiderman to a mix of superheroes.

Buyers felt it was a good size and durable though some mentioned the zip had broken so this may be something to consider if your kid is a little heavy-handed.

Your little one will stand out from the crowd with this North Face explorer backpack. Made for adventures, it'll withstand the rigours of the school playground with ease. It's perfectly sized for little shoulders, with padded straps and a chest buckle for all-day comfort and security. The durable, water-repellent exterior stands up to busy schedules and unpredictable weather, while the main compartment and front zip pocket offer enough space for lunchboxes, supplies, and treasures. Reflective detailing boosts visibility on the school run, and handy mesh pockets keep water bottles within reach. Fun, colourful designs make this backpack a practical and stylish back-to-school choice that reviewers rated highly, with one saying "A trendy cute children backpack ! Beautiful colours and good material!".

Made of durable practical high quality canvas, floral pattern and artificial leather, the Leaper school backpack has an adjustable chest and shoulder strap so it's comfortable to wear and comes in a range of designs so there's likely to be one your little one will like. It's roomy, and can fit textbooks and A4 files in the main section, while the two side pockets are ideal for a water bottle and an umbrella. Inside there are five inner open pockets, a zipper pocket, and a back padded pocket so they can keep everything organised. While it's water resistant, one buyer did note that "if you get caught in a downpour, it doesn't stand a chance" and it's and only suitable for hand washing.

This Pokemon backpack is available in a range of styles and sizes, so there's one for Masters and trainees. The adjustable padded straps will keep them comfortable, while there's plenty of space for lunchboxes and books, as well as an external pocket for their water bottle. Buyers appreciated the size and felt it was good quality.

A magical yet practical design, the Unicorn-Print School Backpack has plenty of room for all the essentials your child will need and comes in two choices of colours. It has two side pockets as well as a large front pocket and an additional one on the inside of the bag. It also has adjustable straps and a carry handle. Reviewers felt it was a good size and comfortable to wear, though feedback was mixed on the quality. "Good capacity bag for young children. The unicorn design is cute and the bag is durable and well made. The straps are adjustable so they can suit different ages. Both sides have slots for drinking bottles. There's only two compartments inside."

This 4-piece backpack set features all your child's favourite PAW Patrol characters with Chase, Marshall and Rubble and the phrase "Pups rule" on the front pocket. It has a mesh side pocket for water bottles so they can keep their drink close by and has a front pocket for snacks, hand sanitiser, and tissues. It's lightweight but durable, with zipper fastenings so it's easy to get into.

Buyers were impressed with the size and functionality of the bag, with one saying "This school bag is fantastic! The material is durable and easy to clean. I love the comfortable straps and that make it easy to carry around all day. Overall, it's a great value of price." A couple of reviewers felt the pencil case and lunchbox could be bigger but that they're a good size for this age range.

Your little one can let their imagination run wild with this DC Comics Batman Backpack. With a built in cape, they can live out their superhero adventures on the school run, and then zip it away neatly when they get to school. Not only is it full of fun, it has plenty of space for everything they need for school too.

Reviewers felt it was good quality and loved balance of practicality and the fun aspects of the design. "My son uses this for his school bag. It fits his school stuff (a folder, water and snack ) in nicely. It’s durable (it gets thrown and flung about and not a mark on it). The straps are nice and comfortable. Easy to clean, just wipe it down. Waterproof both inside (he tends to leave lids off his drinks) and outside. Plenty of space for a child’s belongings. The cape is easily folded into its little pocket at the top of the bag and easy to bring out when wanting it out." Some reviewers mentioned it was on the smaller side so it's worth looking at the measurements to check it's the right size for your needs.