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When you want to buy a new Windows PC, it's easy to feel overwhelmed with options considering how many great laptops. To help out, we've already rounded up some of the best laptops along with many other lists focused on specific use cases, but what if you want to buy a tablet? Windows tablets aren't all that common, and for a while, the experience with them wasn't the best. But with Windows 11, and even more so after the version 22H2 update, touch-based devices are getting better and better.
You can swipe in from the left to see widgets and news about your interests, and swipe in from the right to see your notifications, and the context menus in many parts of Windows have been made more touch-friendly. The touch keyboard has been spruced up, too, and you can actually use themes on it now. It all adds up to a more pleasant experience than we had with Windows 10, and you can learn all about that in our Windows 11 review as well as our roundup of the best features in the Windows 11 version 22H2.
For now, though, we're going to focus on the best Windows tablets you can buy right now to make use of those touch improvements we've been seeing. Unfortunately, Windows tablets don't show up often, so some of these aren't quite on par with traditional laptops. Plus, it can be hard to find them in the first place, but the ones that do exist are great.
Best overall: Surface Pro 9
2021's Surface Pro 8 really breathed new life into the Surface family, and the following year, the Surface Pro 9 managed to do it again, though in a slightly different way. The best Windows tablet you can buy right now keeps the fantastic 13-inch display of its predecessor and bumps up the specs along with some new colors to make it even more personal to you.
Indeed, the Surface Pro 9 is powered by 12th-generation Intel Core processors, up to a Core i7-1255U (or a Core i7-1265U in the business version), and you can configure it with up to 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD for storage. That makes it one of the fastest Windows tablets around, with some of the highest specs across the board.
Of course, as we've mentioned, it also has that fantastic 13-inch display introduced with the Surface Pro 8. A super-sharp 2880 x 1920 resolution paired with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate makes for a fantastic viewing experience, whether it comes to clarity or the pleasantness of animations and motion.
Above that display, there's also a fantastic 5MP webcam that delivers great video quality for video calls and meetings, plus it supports Windows Hello facial recognition. And if you need to show off what's in front of you, a 10MP rear camera is also available with 4K video recording support.
The design of the Surface Pro 9 didn't change significantly compared to its predecessor, but it does come in two new colors — Forest and Sapphire — that make this one of the most visually unique Windows tablets, and certainly the most beautiful Surface yet. Otherwise, the dimensions are similar, with a mere 9.4mm of thickness and 1.94 pounds of weight (excluding the keyboard).
A downside of this model is that it only has two ports, those being Thunderbolt 4 ports. The headphone jack has been removed, and if you want to plug in peripherals, you might need adapters or a docking station, unless you want to go wireless.
Despite that, the Surface Pro 9 is easily one of the best Windows PCs around, and almost definitely the best Windows tablet.
Surface Pro 9 (Wi-Fi Model)
The Surface Pro 9 is arguably the best WIndows tablet money can buy, featuring a premium design in four colors, a fantastic 13-inch display, and 12th-generation Intel processors.
Also great: Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2022)
If you're not a big fan of the Surface design language or Microsoft in general, the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 is a solid contender this year. In past years, the XPS 13 2-in-1 was a convertible laptop, not a tablet, but the latest model is different, and that makes it a fantastic choice if you want a proper tablet.
First things first, the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2022) is powered by 12th-generation Intel Core processors, though these come from the U9 series. You can go up to an Intel Core i7-1250U, and while it has the same 10 cores, 12 threads, and 4.7GHz boost speeds as the Core i7-1255U, it can't boost that high for very long, so performance will get noticeably slower during more demanding tasks. It's still more than fast enough for browsing the web, watching movies, or writing up some documents, though. you can also configure this tablet with up to a 1TB SSD and 16GB of RAM.
Dell decided to use a very similar display to the Surface Pro family, that being a 13-inch panel with 2880 x 1920 resolution, but there are some big differences. This one doesn't have the smooth 120Hz refresh rate, and based on our testing, the color coverage isn't quite as good on Dell's tablet, but it's still a good enough display for more casual use where color accuracy isn't too important.
The cameras are also a big focus for the 2022 Dell XPS 13 2-in-1. On the front, a 5MP camera with Full HD video and Windows Hello facial recognition delivers the best video calling experience yet on an XPS laptop. On the back, an 11MP sensor with 4K video support promises one of the best cameras in any Windows laptop.
When it comes to the design, this is where the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 starts to stand out. Unlike the Surface Pro 9, the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 has a design with completely flat edges that looks more like an iPad Pro. THere's no built-in kickstand, so you'll need to rely on the XPS Folio accessory to prop up the tablet on a desk. It comes in two colors, though the Sky colorway is only available in the Wi-Fi version while the Slate option is exclusive to the 5G model. It's more portable than Microsoft's offering, though, at 7.4mm in thickness and 1.6 pounds of weight, excluding the XPS Folio keyboard.
The port situation is pretty similar to the Surface Pro 9, with only two Thunderbolt 4 ports available and nothing else built-in. However, unlike Microsoft, Dell includes adapters in the box for USB Type-A and a 3.5mm headphone jack, so at least you have some options for connecting legacy peripherals. And yes, as we've mentioned above, the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 has a 5G option, or at least it will have it eventually. It doesn't seem to be available yet.
It makes some trade-offs compared to the Surface Pro 9, but the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 is a fantastic Windows tablet all the same, and it's up to you to choose what makes more sense for your use case. We're more partial to Microsoft's tablet, but if you prefer Dell's you can buy it below.
Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2022)
With a thin, light, and premium design, the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 is one of the best Windows tablets you can buy. It looks quite different from the Surface Pro 9, but it also has a lot in common with it.
Best business Windows tablet: HP Elite x2 G8
If you're looking for a tablet you can use for work, the HP Elite x2 G8 may be the best option you can buy right now. It does come with some older specs (there aren't a ton of business Windows tablets released each year), but it's still a great machine in more ways than one.
For starters, the HP Elite x2 G8 comes with 11th-generation Intel Core processors, and indeed, those aren't the newest around. Still, you can go up to an Intel Core i7-1185G7 processor with four cores, eight threads, and boost speeds up to 4.8GHz, and that's not bad at all for day-to-day tasks. And since Intel hasn't upgraded its integrated GPU in a couple of years, you're not missing out in that respect compared to newer models. The HP Elite x2 G8 comes with up to 16GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD, giving you the most storage space you'll find on a typical Windows tablet out of the box.
The display is another 13-inch panel with a 3:2 aspect ratio, just like the tablets above, but it comes with a more standard resolution of 1920 x 1280. This isn't quite as sharp, but if you're using the computer for work, you might appreciate the longer battery life you'll get with a lower resolution. And, if you want sharpness, there's a 3K2K (3000 x 2000) panel that's even sharper than the models above, so you have some great options here.
The front-facing camera on the HP Elite x2 supports 1080p video so you look great during meetings and video calls, and there's an 8MP camera on the back for recording video, too. It's not quite as high-end as the tablets we've seen above, but you probably don't need better than this, either. And of course, Windows Hello facial recognition is still supported, too.
In terms of design, the HP Elite x2 is fairly unique. It has a built-in kickstand, but instead of a full plate, it looks more like a frame around the edges of the tablet, and the detachable keyboard is solidly designed to feel more like a laptop with the silver top plate and black keys. It measures 8.89mm thin and weighs 1.83 pounds (excluding the keyboard), so it's as portable as the models above.
One area where it actually pulls ahead of the two models we've looked at is ports. It comes with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, but also one standard USB Type-C port and a headphone jack, so you have a few more connectivity options. And if you want cellular connectivity, you can get optional 4G LTE, although 5G isn't available. It's probably not something most people will need, but it would be nice to have.
Despite some drawbacks, the HP Elite x2 G8 is still a great Windows tablet for business users, and if you're interested in it, you can buy it below.
HP Elite x2 G8
The HP Elite x2 is a Windows tablet aimed at business users with a premium design and solid performance powered by 11th-generation Intel Core processors.
Best Arm tablet: Surface Pro 9 with 5G
Tablets are meant to be very portable, and when it comes to mobility, Arm processors are often the way to go. While we've already included the Surface Pro 9 above, the 5G variant of this tablet is actually different enough to warrant its own section.
That's mostly down to the performance, because the Surface Pro 9 with 5G is powered by a completely different processor, the Microsoft SQ3 chipset. This Arm-based processor is based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 and it boasts some big performance improvements over its predecessors, making this the most usable Windows 11 Arm tablet yet. The processor can also be combined with up to 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, so while it isn't quite up to the standards of the Intel variant, you're still getting a premium experience all around.
In terms of the display, everything here is basically identical to the regular Surface Pro 9. It's a 13-inch panel with 2880 x 1920 resolution and it has a 120Hz refresh rate, and that's actually a notable upgrade coming from the Surface Pro X, which only had a 60Hz refresh rate.
Likewise, you still get a 5MP camera on the front with Windows Hello facial recognition, plus a 10MP camera on the back. However, thanks to the neural processing unit (NPU) in the Microsoft SQ3, the Surface Pro 9 with 5G enables Windows Studio Effects, which includes features like portrait blur, eye contact, and voice focus to enhance the quality of your voice and video calls.
The design of the Surface Pro 9 with 5G is also identical to the regular version (so you can use the same cases), but this model lacks the color options of the Intel-powered model, which is a significant downside if you want something that looks unique. It only comes in Platinum. In markets without mmWave 5G, the Surface Pro 9 with 5G is a bit lighter than the standard model, at 1.84 pounds, but the model with mmWave 5G is slightly heavier, going up to 1.95 pounds.
This model has the same physical ports as the Intel variant, but due to limitations of the Microsoft SQ3 chip, there's no Thunderbolt 4 support. These are standard USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports, which limits the expandability of the tablet with external accessories. There's still no headphone jack, either.
We can't yet say that Arm-based Windows devices are on par with Intel models in every way, but the Surface Pro 9 with 5G is the closest we've gotten to that reality. It's a fantastic tablet in many ways and an easy recommendation for fans of Windows on Arm.
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 with 5G
Powered by the new Microsoft SQ3 chipset and featuring a smooth 120Hz display, the Surface Pro 9 with 5G is the best Arm-powered Windows tablet yet, and maybe the best Windows Arm PC in general.
Best OLED tablet: Asus Vivobook Slate
There are almost no Windows tablets that have an OLED display, but the Asus Vivobook 13 Slate is a very welcome exception. While this isn't a powerful machine, it's meant for media consumption, and that stunning display is a big part of that experience. Plus, it's still performant enough for some web browsing when you're sitting on the couch.
At the heart of the Asus Vivobook 13 Slate is an Intel Pentium Silver N6000 processor, which is a budget CPU with four cores and four threads, capable of boosting up to 3.3GHz. It's a low-power processor so while it won't be all that fast, it's great for battery life in a thin and light device like this. And if you're just scrolling Twitter or browsing the web, it still does the job. The tablet also has up to 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, which rounds out a solid experience.
Of course, the main focus is that display, and for good reason. This is a 13.3-inch panel, and it comes in the 16:9 aspect ratio. That's something we usually don't love, but Asus is clearly targeting this for media consumption and most media is in widescreen, so it makes sense. This is a Full HD panel, which is sharp enough for this size, and it's got some great specs: Up to 550 nits of brightness in HDR mode with DisplayHDR 500 True Black certification, 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 color space, Pantone Validation, and of course, it's a touchscreen with pen support. Asus is also rounding out that media experience with quad stereo speakers with a smart amplifier and Dolby Atmos support.
You also get two cameras with the Vivobook 13 Slate, as you might expect from a tablet. The front-facing camera is a 5MP sensor, while the rear camera has a 13MP sensor, which should be one of the best you'll find in any Windows tablet. There's no Windows Hello facial recognition, though you do have a fingerprint sensor built into the power key.
Design-wise, the Asus Vivobook 13 Slate is obviously a tablet, and it comes in a plain black color, though it includes a rear cover that doubles as a kickstand, and this cover has a speckled finish that looks a bit more unique. The tablet itself is just 7.9mm thin and weighs 1.72lbs, but that will increase when you add the keyboard and stand. These accessories are thankfully included in the box, and so is the pen, so you don't have to worry about buying those later.
Being as thin as it is means there aren't a ton of ports, which we could say for almost every device here. You get two USB Type-C ports, a headphone jack, and a microSD card reader, which is frankly not that bad for this form factor. There's no Thunderbolt support, which is fairly typical for a device this cheap, too.
While it's not a productivity powerhouse or a premium device in every way, the Asus Vivobook 13 Slate is a fantastic media consumption machine, and it can handle light workloads in a pinch, too. For casual users, this is a great choice that doesn't break the bank.
ASUS Vivobook 13 Slate
The Asus Vivobook 13 Slate is a relatively affordable tablet, but it has a fantastic display that makes it an amazing device for media consumption.
Best budget Windows tablet: Surface Go 3
If you can't be bothered to spend over $1,000 on a Windows tablet but still want a great experience, the Surface Go 3 is probably for you. This is Microsoft's entry-level tablet, and while it makes some compromises, it's a fantastic device for its price.
First off, in terms of performance, the Surface Go 3 naturally doesn't live up to the other tablets on this list, but that doesn't mean it's bad. You can get it with either an Intel Pentium Gold 6500Y or an Intel Core i3-10100Y, both of which are dual-core processors. These may not be as powerful as a premium laptop, but they're still going to handle web browsing and some document writing just fine. The Surface Go 3 has some significant performance improvements over the Surface Go 2, so you're going to have a solid experience, at the very least.
You can also choose between 4GB or 8GB of RAM, and we'd definitely recommend the upgrade if you can afford it. While 4GB of RAM is enough to run Windows 11, you'll want 8GB if you plan on using multiple apps at the same time. For storage, you get either 64GB of eMMC memory, or a 128GB SSD, and again, the upgrade is definitely recommended. The RAM and storage upgrades are tied to each other, and getting both makes this a much better device.
The display on the Surface Go 3 is the smallest out of all the tablets on this list, at 10.5 inches, and it uses the same 3:2 aspect ratio as other Surface devices. It's also packing Full HD+ resolution (1920 x 1280), which is fantastic for a tablet at this price. That's as sharp as some of the premium laptops we've mentioned above - in fact, thanks to the smaller screen, it's even sharper than those. Plus, you still get a 5MP/1080p webcam on the front with Windows Hello support, and an 8MP camera on the back. Those are all very rare to see in a Windows tablet at this price, and it's fantastic to get them here.
Thanks to the small form factor, the Surface Go 3 is also the most portable tablet on this list - at least among traditional tablets. It weighs just 544 grams without the keyboard, and it's just 8.3mm thin. Unlike other Surface tablets, it still uses magnesium, which allows it to be as light and thin as it is. You can easily slip this into almost any bag. For ports, you get USB Type-C, a headphone jack, a microSD card reader, and a Surface Connect port. You don't get Thunderbolt or anything like USB Type-A, but for a device this small and affordable, that's much more acceptable than with others.
You do still need to add the price of a keyboard and pen if you want them, but this is a very affordable Windows tablet and it still feels premium in many ways. It has a great display, great cameras, a premium design, and decent performance all around.
Microsoft Surface Go 3
The Surface Go 3 is an affordable Windows tablet with a premium lightweight design and a sharp display.
Best tablet for gaming: Asus ROG Flow Z13
A tablet for gaming? It may not be the most conventional way to go about it, but the Asus ROG Flow Z13 is indeed a tablet made for gamers, and it packs the performance to back that up. Plus, it still nails the basics of a great Windows tablet.
Performance-wise, the Asus ROG Flow Z13 is packing some powerful specs, including up to an Intel Core i9-12900H, a 45W processor with 14 cores and 20 threads, capable of boosting up to 5GHz to give you all the gaming performance you need. Beyond that, it includes up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti, giving you solid baseline performance for gaming so you can enjoy most modern titles, as long as you're willing to tweak some graphics settings. Rounding things out, you get 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, making for a great experience overall.
Many of the tablets on this list support Thunderbolt 4, allowing you to use external GPUs for gaming, but the ROG Flow Z13 is a bit different. It does support Thunderbolt 4, but it also has a custom connection for proprietary Asus external GPUs, the ROG Xg Mobile series. You can get an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop or an AMD Radeon RX 6850M to get even more gaming performance out of this tablet, and the PCIe 3.0 x8 connection is even more powerful than Thunderbolt when it comes to external GPUs.
For the display, the Asus ROG Flow Z13 comes with a 13.4-inch panel that has a 16:10 aspect ratio, so it's not quite as tall as the 3:2 tablets we've looked at so far, but some prefer this slightly wider format. The most common configuration comes in Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) resolution and has a 120Hz refresh rate, though an Ultra HD model also exists. The Full HD+ panel is likely better for gaming thanks to the higher refresh rate, however.
The Asus ROG Flow X13 also has a fairly unique design compared to most of the tablets here, opting for a very gamer-y aesthetic. The chassis is mostly black with some red accents and other details making it feel very different from most others. It has a built-in kickstand with a 170-degree hinge, too, so it's pretty flexible. Because of its powerful specs, the ROG Flow Z13 isn't as thin as other tablets, measuring 12mm in thickness, and it weighs noticeably more, too, coming in at 2.60 pounds to start.
As for ports, you get one Thunderbolt 4 port, one regular USB Type-C port integrated into the custom ROG Xg mobile connection, one USB Type-A port, a headphone jack, and a microSD card reader, giving you more connectivity options than most of the tablets on this list. That's the benefit of a slightly larger chassis.
Of course, with powerful specs like these, the Asus ROG Flow X13 is somewhat expensive, but if you want performance, it's easily your best option, and it's not really overpriced compared to the competition.
Asus ROG Flow Z13
The Asus ROG Flow Z13 is a powerful Windows tablet meant for gamers, with 12th-generation H-series Intel processors and Nvidia RTX graphics, plus it has the option for external GPUs using a proprietary connector.
Best rugged Windows tablet: Dell Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme
Finally, the last pick on our list is for those who need a laptop that can survive in just about any environment. The Dell Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme tablet lives up to its name, featuring body capable of withstanding all kinds of adverse conditions and some other benefits for working in specific field jobs.
On the inside, the Dell Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme is packing 12th-generation Intel Core processors from the U9 series, going up to a Core i7-1260U. This processor with 10 cores, 12 threads, and boost speeds up to 4.7GHz can handle all kinds of field just fine, whether you're writing down notes or taking some pictures or video. What's more, it can be configured with up to 32GB of RAM (which isn't soldered) and a 1TB SSD, so you have high-end specs across the board.
From a resolution perspective, the 12-inch display on the Dell latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme may not appear that impressive, coming in at 1920 x 1200 pixels, but where it really shines (no pun intended) is outdoors, thanks to the extremely high brightness of the panel. This is a tablet you can use to work under the brightest sunlight and still be able to see the screen with no problems. Plus, the touchscreen works even when you're wearing gloves, so you can use it while keeping your hands safe, too.
Above that display, there's a 5MP webcam for video calls and meetings whenever you need it, and it also supports Windows Hello facial recognition. On the back, the 11MP camera lets you capture pictures and videos on the field in case you need to collect data for a report.
As you'd expect, being a rugged tablet means this is a thick device, measuring 23.9mm thick, and it weighs 2.78 pounds to start. In return, you get a chassis that's drop-tested up to four feet, works in extreme heat and extreme cold, in altitudes up to 4,000 feet, and has an IP65 water and dust ingress protection rating. You can also add a detachable keyboard that's just as durable as the tablet.
For ports, the tablet itself includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a USB Type-A port, plus a microSD card reader. However, Dell sells optional I/O bays as well, including one on the right side of the tablet, which can have USB Type-A or HDMI, and another one at the top with options for Ethernet, a serial port, and more. Of course, the tablet also offers optional cellular connectivity if you need internet access in remote locations.
Rugged laptops don't come cheap, but if you're shopping for one, you probably already know that. The Dell Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme is one of the best options around, and you can buy it below.
Dell Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme
For those working in harsh conditions, the Dell Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme is a modern tablet with high-end specs, a super-bright display, and a design that can take a beating.
And those are the best Windows tablets you can buy today. Indeed, it's not the longest list, because there aren't a ton of Windows tablets to choose from. But that doesn't mean that the ones that do exist aren't great, and the Surface Pro 9 is an absolutely fantastic tablet in almost every way. It has a sharp display with a high refresh rate, high-quality cameras, a modern design, and high-end performance. For the vast majority of people, it's hard to go wrong with this tablet, though the other options on this list are great too.
Personally speaking, the Surface Go 3 is one of the more interesting devices on the list, thanks to the affordable price tag and the fact that I'm not necessarily interested in a high-performance tablet. But you're bound to be interested in something else, and they're all good choices.
