Your 13.5-inch Surface Laptop, whether first, second, or third generation, has an elegant finish that deserves to be kept scratch-free. The best solution, in this case, is a sleeve or case. Whether you'd like a sleeve that doubles as a briefcase, a sleeve that's slim and light, or a sleeve that simply gets the job done for a low price, we've rounded up some of the best options to fit your 13.5-inch Surface Laptop, Laptop 2, or Laptop 3.
Premium design
Waterfield products are all made in San Francisco, and the build quality is truly exceptional. Available in horizontal and vertical orientations, as well as a couple of different finishes, you're sure to find something you like. The black ballistic finish looks more rugged and will no doubt stand up well to abuse, and the waxed canvas with leather option is more of a premium look that will fit in no matter where you go.
Best budget sleeve
Sometimes all you need is padded protection and a sturdy zipper, regardless of where the materials are sourced from or how long it took to hand-stitch the seams. In this case, take a look at this sleeve from AmazonBasics. It's available in five colors: black, blue, grey, navy, and purple.
Natural look
Not precisely a sleeve and not exactly a case, this wood cover from Toast does nevertheless protect the Surface Laptop's outer shell. The package comes with installation instructions, you can customize the shade of wood, and you can even get a custom tag engraved on the bottom. Note that there's not yet official support for Laptop 3, though it should fit the newest version thanks to similar dimensions.
Zippered sleeve with handle
With a water-resistant exterior finish, a sturdy zipper, and a handle, you won't mind bringing your Surface Laptop with you on the go in the ProCase sleeve bag. A front pocket has plenty of space for a few accessories, and the interior has a soft lining with enough room for a Surface Laptop. Grab this sleeve in one of seven colors.
Outstanding drop protection
Do you lean more to the side that thinks sleeves should come with large pockets for accessories? You'll probably be interested in this sleeve briefcase from tomtoc. In addition to the large, padded interior pocket for your Surface Laptop (that has thick padding around all edges for extra drop protection), it also has two large, zippered pockets on the front with ample space for a mouse, power cord, phone charger, and more. On the top is a handle for easy carrying.
Slim and affordable
This sleeve from ProCase is made from composition leather that keeps the price down. It looks and feels like real leather on the outside, and on the inside is a microfiber finish that protects your Surface Laptop from scratches. The flap on the main pocket latches with a magnetic closure. Inside the case is a Surface Pen holder, and on the back of the sleeve is a secondary pocket for some of your accessories.
Luxurious design
Mozo and Microsoft have a long relationship when it comes to cases and sleeves for Surface products, and the Saffiano sleeve is a knockout. It's made from a high-end, textured leather that's pressed to deliver a cross-hatch finish. To preserve the leather, it's then given a wax treatment. The pocket of the sleeve is lined with suede to protect your laptop, and there's enough room to fit the Surface Pen snugly.
Affordable hard case
This hard-shell case securely clips onto your Surface Laptop 2 and offers scratch and bump protection. It comes in two pieces — one for the bottom and one for the lid — and is available in nine colors, many of them vibrant so you can show off a bit. The bottom case includes two adjustable feet that can be used to prop up the Laptop 2 for a more comfortable typing angle.
Slim premium sleeve
WaterField's products are handmade to a high standard in San Francisco, and the Dash is no different. It's made of ballistic nylon for impressive, but lightweight durability and a water-resistant coating keeps out unplanned weather. The inside is lined with compression foam to keep your Surface Laptop safe, and it's secured with an elastic strap. Grab it in a vertical or horizontal orientation.
If we're making some suggestions
There are a lot of cases and sleeves available for the 13.5-inch Surface Laptop, Surface Laptop 2, and Surface Laptop 3 but the ones rounded up here are sure to please. If you're wondering exactly where to start, we recommend checking out WaterField's Sleevecase. It's available in ballistic nylon or waxed canvas with leather accents, it has a dedicated Surface Pen holder, and a pocket on the back is suitable for your smaller accessories. A suspension strap can be added for a few dollars more if you'd like to sling it over a shoulder when on the move.
If you'd rather keep things on the affordable side and just want a padded sleeve that protects your Surface, the AmazonBasics sleeve (opens in new tab) should be a suitable pick. It has a zippered main pocket and is lined with fleece to prevent scratches when riding around inside, and the outer neoprene protects a bit against weather if you get caught out in the rain.
In search of more Surface Laptop hardware to augment your computing experience? Be sure to have a look at our roundup of the overall best accessories.
Cale Hunt is a Senior Editor at Windows Central. He focuses mainly on laptop reviews, news, and accessory coverage. He's been reviewing laptops and accessories full time since 2016, with hundreds of reviews published for Windows Central. He is an avid PC gamer and multi-platform user, and spends most of his time either tinkering with or writing about tech.
