Apple’s products are generally made from high-quality materials. These materials provide a robust build quality and add a premium look to your devices. The company’s MacBook lineup, for instance, features a premium aluminum finish. However, this shiny aluminum exterior is rather easy to scratch. If you want to avoid scratches and dings, a case or sleeve is recommended. And if you want to complement your laptop’s premium look, then a genuine leather sleeve for your MacBook is the way to go.
A MacBook leather sleeve will protect your laptop while giving it an elegant look. Since MacBooks come in various sizes, we’ve recommended sleeves for 13, 14, 15, and 16-inch MacBooks. You can pick the relevant options depending on which MacBook you have. That said, here are some of the best leather sleeves for the MacBook Air and Pro that we recommend. But before that –
- Get more out of your new Mac by getting some must-have accessories for your 15-inch MacBook Air.
- Juice up your Mac quickly with MacBook Air fast chargers.
- If you plan on traveling with your Mac, consider getting a backpack for your MacBook Air or Pro.
1. Best for 15-inch MacBook Pro: Apple Leather Sleeve
Apple generally makes high-quality accessories for most of its products. Be it iPhone cases or Apple Watch bands, first-party accessories score high in the compatibility department. While Apple doesn’t make laptop sleeves for its new Macs anymore, you can still pick one up if you have a 15-inch MacBook Pro.
The MacBook Pro 15 has been phased out in favor of a larger, more capable 16-inch MacBook Pro. But if you’re still holding onto a 15-inch machine from not too long ago, the company’s leather sleeve will serve you well. It has a nice, soft exterior which gives it a premium look and feel.
As per reviews, a 15-inch MacBook fits snugly with little to no give on the sides. There’s a microfiber lining on the inside to ensure the metallic surface of the Mac doesn’t pick up scuffs. At the time of launch, the Apple leather sleeve cost an exorbitant amount of money. Thankfully, the sleeve has gone down in price.
2. Best for MacBook Pro and Air 13: Unika Thin Leather Laptop Sleeve
The Apple leather sleeve has an open cavity at the top. The Unika leather sleeve, on the other hand, has an envelope-like flap with magnets to hold it in place. The flap adds an additional level of safety and prevents your Mac from falling off.
If you’re paranoid about one end of your Mac being exposed all the time, you should opt for the Unika thin leather sleeve. The magnetic flap at the top serves two purposes. Firstly, it protects the top portion of your Mac and ensures the laptop doesn’t slide out of the sleeve. More notably, you can rest your Mac on the sleeve and use the flap in an open position as a mousepad. How convenient!
As the name suggests, the sleeve is rather thin so it adds a negligible amount of bulk to your Mac. The version suggested above is for a 13-inch MacBook Air or MacBook Pro. But there’s good news for bigger Mac users as well. Unika also makes the sleeve for 15-inch MacBooks. So, whether you have the older MacBook Pro or the latest 15-inch MacBook Air M2, use the link below to snag the sleeve for your device.
3. Best for MacBook Pro 14: Woolnut Cognac Sleeve
The 14-inch MacBook Pro hits the sweet spot as it isn’t as bulky as its 16-inch counterpart. At the same time, it provides a lot more power than the 13-inch variant. If you happen to have the MacBook Pro 14, the Woolnut leather sleeve perfectly complements the boxy, bold look of the computer.
At first glance, the Woolnut sleeve looks absolutely gorgeous, especially in the Cognac Brown colorway. It’s made entirely using full-grain leather which also adds a considerable amount of grip on the exterior. The interior lining uses natural wool for a smooth finish.
Just like the Apple sleeve, one end of the Woolnut sleeve remains open. While some may look at this as a con, the slit allows you to charge your MacBook when it’s inside the sleeve. Needless to say, buyers have lauded the sleeve’s good looks in their reviews. In fact, the majority of folks cite that the sleeve matches the premium look and feel of the Mac.
The option prefaced above is for the 14-inch MacBook Pro. However, the brand sells the sleeve in multiple sizes so if you happen to have a different MacBook, use the links below.
4. Best for 16-inch MacBook Pro: Londo Top Grain Leather MacBook Bag
First and foremost, you should know that the Londo leather sleeve is one of the best-rated MacBook sleeves out there. The product has over 1200 reviews with an overall rating of 4.8 making it an impressive offering, primarily for the 16-inch MacBook Pro.
Londo’s genuine leather sleeve is popular for two main reasons. To that end, the sleeve comes with a flap to cover all sides of the MacBook. Furthermore, it can be customized with fancy designer embossing on the front. There are several patterns to choose from which means there’s something for everyone.
The majority of buyers can be seen singing praises of the product. The same can be accredited to the fact that the sleeve gets a thick lining for protection. Add to that, it looks luxurious. It’s also relatively affordable, especially compared to some other sleeves on this list that cost well over $100.
If you’re bummed that you have a smaller Mac, don’t worry. Londo also makes the same sleeve for the 13 and 14-inch MacBooks. Use the link below to purchase a sleeve for smaller models.
5. Best for 15-inch MacBook Air M2: Hecho Handmade MacBook Sleeve
Hecho’s laptop sleeve resembles a messenger-style bag. It comes with a horizontal flap and flips open like an envelope. Moreover, the sleeve uses full-grain leather and features handmade stitches. Put together, the sleeve exhibits a raw and classy feel.
You should consider the Hecho Mac sleeve if you’re a fan of an aged leather look. Reviews say the sleeve develops a patina rather quickly that enhances the look of the case. It is priced considerably higher. However, the brand wishes to sway buyers to its doorsteps by offering a durable sleeve that will stand the test of time.
To that end, Hecho offers a generous 5-year warranty with the sleeve. Users mention that the 16-inch MacBook Pro fits quite snugly but 15-inch MacBook Air leaves some space inside. Given the external flap for security, the extra space on the inside shouldn’t be a problem.
Just like some other products on this list, the Hecho MacBook sleeve is also available for different-sized MacBooks. Use the links below to pick up the accurate one for your MacBook.
6. Best Slim MacBook Sleeve: Nomad Horween Leather Sleeve
Nomad is known for its premium accessories and the company’s Horween leather sleeve is no different. To wit, the brand uses high-quality leather and a custom EVA shell to protect your Mac. The top of the sleeve is open but it gets a magnetic lip that secures the two ends together.
There’s no doubt that the Nomad MacBook sleeve is priced rather steeply. It’s more than double the price of the previous product which was already quite expensive. However, you’re paying for the premium materials and craftsmanship.
Nomad has given its sleeve a definitive shape using a custom shell. Along with maintaining the right shape, the additional layer on the inside also provides a good amount of protection for your Mac. So if you happen to drop your laptop when it’s in the Nomad sleeve, chances are that it will come out unscathed.
Nomad has also added a small cavity on one end, which should allow buyers to access the charging port. The option recommended above is for the 16-inch Mac but the brand also sells the same version for a 13-inch MacBook Pro or Air.
Protect Your Mac Stylishly
Any standard MacBook sleeve should help you protect your Mac. However, if you want to add an elegant touch to your Mac while keeping it safe, you should consider getting a genuine leather sleeve for your Mac. It’s sure to change the look of your computer drastically.
Last updated on 19 June, 2023
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