The Best Windows Tablets for 2023

A tablet that’s as powerful as a conventional laptop but still slim and light enough to hold and tap with one hand was once the exclusive province of Hollywood’s imagination. But thanks to manufacturers’ ability to fit more powerful hardware into ever slimmer and lighter devices, it’s now possible to hold in your hand a Windows-based tablet that can do almost everything your laptop does—and, in most cases, is even more portable. Think of it as an Apple iPad combined with the power and flexibility of the Windows 11 operating system.

Just as with any system, however, a Windows tablet requires you to make choices. How big and powerful do you want (or need) it to be? What sort of features are you looking for? And do you care about using it on the road, or will you only need it while you’re near a Wi-Fi connection? We’ll help answer all these questions with our picks for the best Windows tablets for 2023, followed by some brief additional buying advice.

Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (Intel)

Best Windows Tablet for Most Users

Bottom Line:

Microsoft’s Surface Pro 9 is its most polished yet, with unmatched performance, helpful features, and long battery life among high-end 2-in-1 detachable Windows tablets.

PROS

• Impressive performance and battery life
• Outstanding cameras
• Sleek design, with inking-friendly 3:2 screen
• Two Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports
• User-upgradable storage

CONS

• Essential accessories still not included
• No more headphone jack
• 5G only available with SQ3 processor
• High starting price

Learn More

Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (Intel) Review

Lenovo IdeaPad Windows Duet 5i

Best Budget Windows Tablet

Bottom Line:

Lenovo’s affordable IdeaPad Windows Duet 5i is a well-rounded, less costly alternative to premium 2-in-1 laptops with peppy performance and a sturdy build. It helps that the keyboard is included.

PROS

• Sturdy build and intuitive detachable design
• Keyboard included
• Sharp, bright 2.5K display
• Decent performance even with Core i3 CPU

CONS

• Just 128GB of storage
• Only two USB-C ports with no Thunderbolt

Learn More

Lenovo IdeaPad Windows Duet 5i Review

Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2022)

Best High-End Windows Tablet

Bottom Line:

Dell’s 2022 rework of its XPS 13 2-in-1 is a well-made, broadly useful detachable Windows tablet in the Surface Pro vein, with just a few quibbles keeping it from top marks.

PROS

• Lightweight tablet design
• Effective and intuitive XPS Folio keyboard accessory
• Sharp, bright 3K touch display
• 1080p user-facing webcam and 2160p rear-facing camera

CONS

• $100 XPS Folio keyboard not included
• Middling battery life
• Limited to just two USB-C ports, with no headphone jack

Learn More

Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2022) Review

Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (SQ3)

Best Windows Tablet for Battery Life

Bottom Line:

Offering Intel- and Arm-based versions of the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 widens both your options and caveats. The Arm-based SQ3 model delivers 5G support and a long-lasting battery at the expense of the overall Windows experience.

PROS

• SQ3 model delivers long battery life and 5G connectivity
• Premium metal build
• Best-in-class kickstand and keyboard cover design
• SQ3 supports advanced camera and voice call features
• Superior 1080p webcam
• User-accessible SSD

CONS

• SQ3 processor brings the usual Arm-based drawbacks: lackluster performance and compatibility
• Core feature differences between Intel and SQ3 models can be confusing
• No headphone jack
• Keyboard cover still sold separately
• New colors only available on Intel model

Learn More

Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (SQ3) Review

Microsoft Surface Go 3

Best Compact Windows Tablet

Bottom Line:

Microsoft’s Surface Go 3 is the best budget Windows 2-in-1 tablet, but its performance and value are a bit below expectations for a third-generation product that competes against Chromebooks and the Apple iPad.

PROS

• Low starting price
• Lightweight
• Sunny display with vivid colors
• Windows Hello webcam with 1080p video support
• Integrated kickstand
• SD card reader for easy storage expansion
• Long battery life

CONS

• Keyboard cover not included
• Only one USB-C port
• Optional extras pump up price quickly
• Disappointing computing performance, even with Core i3 upgrade

Learn More

Microsoft Surface Go 3 Review

Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable

Best Windows Tablet for Business Travelers

Bottom Line:

Lenovo’s ThinkPad X12 Detachable is an obvious choice for corporate jet-setters who need a Windows tablet with a detachable keyboard, plenty of security and manageability features, and traditional black styling.

PROS

• Sturdy construction
• Optional Intel vPro
• Integrated kickstand
• Keyboard cover is reasonably comfortable for typing
• Good value
• Impressive computing performance

CONS

• No 4K display option
• Short standard one-year warranty

Learn More

Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable Review

Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable

Best Windows Tablet for Enterprise

Bottom Line:

The Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable is a well-designed Windows tablet that comes with a keyboard cover and stylus, along with plenty of security and manageability options.

PROS

• Included keyboard cover with built-in stylus holder
• Integrated kickstand
• Roomy 13-inch display
• Decent audio volume
• Intel Core i7 processor with vPro support
• Three-year standard warranty

CONS

• No 4K display option
• Merely average computing performance
• Expensive as configured

Learn More

Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable Review

Dell Latitude 7220 Rugged Extreme Tablet

Best Rugged Windows Tablet Overall

Bottom Line:

Dell’s Latitude 7220 Rugged Extreme Tablet lives up to its name by laughing at drops, splashes, and temperatures that would blow the average slate to smithereens. It’s ideal for first responders and factory floors.

PROS

• Supremely sturdy construction.
• Extra-bright display.
• Comfortable keyboard cover.
• Hot-swappable, long-life batteries.

CONS

• Expensive and heavy.
• No HDMI or Thunderbolt 3 port.
• Glove-compatible touch screen and touchpad require extra pressure compared to civilian systems.

Learn More

Dell Latitude 7220 Rugged Extreme Tablet Review

Getac F110 (2022)

Best Rugged Windows Tablet for First Responders

Bottom Line:

With an Intel Core i7 CPU to give it some punch, and a case that can take real abuse, Getac’s F110 rugged tablet steps in for first responders, roaming service workers, factory employees, and anyone else whose job needs the extra PC protection.

PROS

• Fully rugged, with IP66 rating
• Optional keyboard is as rugged as the tablet
• Bright touch screen that’s usable with gloves

Learn More

Getac F110 (2022) Review

Buying Guide: The Best Windows Tablets for 2023

Of course, just like the iPad line, with its range of sizes, computing power, and prices, we know of no single Windows tablet that fits everyone’s needs. As you begin shopping, you’ll note that they fall into a few different categories.

(Credit: Kyle Cobian)

First are the inexpensive models with 10-inch screens, designed to let you browse the Web and enjoy streaming a movie from Netflix or Amazon Prime. Because these budget-friendly devices usually rely on low-power processors and minimal storage, you’re better off with one as a second or third device to serve alongside your laptop or smartphone. In other words, these aren’t the full-powered Windows devices you can rely on to replace a conventional laptop PC.

Then you have larger 12-inch and 13-inch models designed to work in tandem with an included or optional stylus and docking keyboard. These give you a better way to take notes in class or type up an email or a term paper, and they generally provide a well-rounded Windows experience. The best example of this is the iconic Microsoft Surface Pro.

(Credit: Molly Flores)

Finally, you’ll find premium and business systems, designed as productivity tools rather than media consumption devices. Dell and Lenovo have dabbled in these, in their Latitude and ThinkPad lines, respectively, and Microsoft’s Surface Pros also qualify in this space.

Windows Tablet Processors: Parsing Low-Power CPUs

With Windows tablets running the gamut from low-power entertainment devices to potent tools for productivity, how do you know which one to buy if you plan to use your device for both types of tasks? As with conventional laptops, a lot comes down to the processor.

(Credit: Zlata Ivleva)

Intel’s Celeron and Pentium processors include several chips built for low-power usage and passive cooling. These are two necessary attributes for tablets since they house nearly all of their components behind the screen, which itself generates heat. They don’t require built-in cooling fans, and they provide usable performance that lasts for several hours on a single charge, or even a day or two of light use without visiting a power outlet. Low-power processors like these have limits, though, which make them best suited for inexpensive tablets. They lack the processing oomph you might want for applications like Photoshop, but they are ideal if you want to check Facebook and Twitter, then kick back with some YouTube videos or an episode of a Netflix show.

At the other end of the tablet-CPU spectrum are Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 processors also used to power full-fledged laptops. While these CPUs draw more power and require more cooling hardware, they are much more capable, letting you get real work done. Tablets equipped with these processors are priced more like laptops (usually above $1,000), but you get performance to match the increased cost.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

Some Windows tablets have ditched Intel chips in favor of ARM-based alternatives from companies like Qualcomm and MediaTek. They include the earlier Microsoft Surface Pro X and late-2022 Surface Pro 9 (SQ3), tablets with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. We haven’t seen any recent tablets that use processors from AMD.

Windows Tablet Security and Connectivity

Once you’ve determined which processor will fit your usage pattern, it’s time to move on to the features that make handheld PCs far more flexible than conventional laptops. Sensors previously seen in smartphones bring new ways to interact with your PC, with accelerometers, gyroscopes, and e-compasses providing positional awareness for both automatic screen rotation and new immersive applications.

Microsoft even has a Windows tablet version of FaceID, which lets you unlock your Apple iPhone or iPad Pro simply by looking at it. Called Windows Hello, it’s also available on laptops and desktops, but it’s most useful on tablets that don’t have a keyboard handy to enter a complex, secure password.

(Credit: Kyle Cobian)

And let’s not forget touch screens. With capacitive screens that track five or 10 fingertips at a time, you can pinch, swipe, and tap your way through any task, even those that would have required a keyboard and mouse years ago. Many tablets also come with optional digital pens. Some are housed in “garages,” tiny holes in the tablet that secure the stylus and charge its battery. Others must be carried separately or attached via magnets to one of the tablet’s edges.

(Credit: Zlata Ivleva)

Then you have the question of connectivity. With eminently portable designs, it’s only natural that some shoppers will want tablets that feature the same sort of mobile data that they enjoy on their smartphones. A few Windows tablets on the market have 5G and LTE connectivity and can be added to your mobile phone plan.

Don’t Overlook the Convertible Hybrid

Finally, what if you simply can’t live without a real keyboard, but don’t want the hassle of carrying a separate one around? Some convertible laptops have keyboards that fold around the back so you can use them as traditional clamshell laptops, as tablets, or at any position in between. We’ve only included detachable Windows tablets here; to learn more about screen-rotating convertibles, read our roundup of the best 2-in-1 laptops.

The switch from a laptop to a tablet doesn’t come without issues, though. The thin confines of a tablet make worries about heat buildup all the more important—especially when that heat is literally in hand. Touch screens add a new opportunity for frustration when taps and touches won’t register properly, and the opportunities provided by docks and accessories also open up the chance to lose a valuable part of your PC while out and about. (Say what you will about tablets, but you’ll never misplace your keyboard while using a conventional laptop.)

So, Which Windows Tablet Should I Buy?

We’ve waded through the current tablets available, and tested and compared dozens of tablet PCs to discover what works and what doesn’t. Below are our top picks for Windows tablets. If you’re not married to Windows, read our report on the best tablets overall, as well as our roundup of the best Android-based models.