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, things have greatly improved, especially after version 22H2 added a lot of new gestures to make navigation easier than ever.

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.

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.

Our top Windows tablets in 2023

The Surface Pro series has typically been the best tablet on the market, and it's no different with the Surface Pro 9. With excellent performance, a great display, and a versatile design, this is the tablet to get.

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.

It also has that fantastic 13-inch display introduced with the Surface Pro 8. A super-sharp 2880x1920 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 is similar to its predecessor, but it comes 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.

Despite that, the Surface Pro 9 is easily one of the best Windows PCs around, and almost definitely the best Windows tablet.

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.

First things first, the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2022) is powered by 12th-generation Intel Core processors, up to an Intel Core i7-1250U with 10 cores and 12 threads. Unlike the Surface Pro 9, this is a 9W processor, so it can't run as fast, but it does offer better battery life and less heat. You can also configure this tablet with up to a 1TB SSD and 16GB of RAM.

Dell is using a similar 13-inch display with a 2880x1920 resolution, but it sticks with a 60Hz refresh rate, which is fine for regular use. 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. 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.

Design 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. There's no built-in kickstand, so you'll need to rely on the XPS Folio cover to prop up the tablet on a desk, which is a bit more limiting. It comes in two colors: Sky for the Wi-Fi model and Slate for the 5G version. At 7.4mm in thickness and 1.6 pounds excluding the XPS Folio keyboard, it's also very portable. As for ports

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 you.

Tablets are meant to be very portable, and when it comes to mobility, Arm processors are the way to go. While we've already included the Surface Pro 9 above, the 5G variant of this tablet is different enough to warrant its own section.

That's mostly down to the performance because the Surface Pro 9 with 5G is powered by 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 best Windows 11 Arm tablet yet. The processor can also be combined with up to 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD.

In terms of the display, everything here is basically identical to the regular Surface Pro 9. It's a 13-inch panel with 2880x1920 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, with features like portrait blur, eye contact, and voice focus.

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 and only comes in Platinum, which is a significant downside if you want something that looks unique. This model has the same physical ports as the Intel variant, but due to the limitations of the Microsoft SQ3 chip, there's no Thunderbolt 4 support. These are standard USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports. It also supports 5G, of course.

The Surface Pro 9 with 5G is the perfect table to use on the go, especially if you want to be connected to the internet.

There are almost no Windows tablets that have an OLED display, but the Asus Vivobook 13 Slate is a very welcome exception that's great for media consumption.

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. It's a low-power processor so while it won't be all that fast, it's great for battery life. 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, though the base model only has 4GB of RAM and 128GB of eMMC storage.

The main focus is that display, which is a 13.3-inch panel with a 16:9 aspect ratio, so while it's not great for productivity, it's perfect for watching media. The resolution is Full HD, and the display is bright and covers 100% of DCI-P3, so the viewing experience is fantastic. You also get quad stereo speakers for a great media experience.

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 comes in a plain black color, though it includes a rear cover that looks a bit more unique and also doubles as a kickstand. The tablet itself weighs 1.72 pounds, but you also have to consider the included keyboard and stand. You get two USB Type-C ports, a headphone jack, and a microSD card reader, which is not bad for this form factor. There's no Thunderbolt support, which is fairly typical for a device this cheap.

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.

If you're looking for something affordable, the Surface Go 3 is a great option. It's not the fastest tablet around, but it makes up for it with a solid display, cameras, and a very portable design.

Starting with performance, the Surface Go 3 is powered by an Intel Pentium Gold 6500Y or an Intel Core i3-10100Y, both of which are dual-core processors. These aren't high-end CPUs, but they can handle web browsing and some document writing just fine. You can go up to 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD for storage, which I definitely recommend if you can afford it.

The display on the Surface Go 3 is pretty small at 10.5 inches, but it still comes in a sharp Full HD+ (1920x1280) resolution, and the 3:2 aspect ratio makes this a great screen for reading or writing. Plus, you still get a 5MP/1080p webcam on the front with Windows Hello support, and an 8MP camera on the back.

Thanks to the small form factor, the Surface Go 3 is also the most portable tablet on this list. It weighs just 544 grams (1.2 pounds) without the keyboard, and it's just 8.3mm thin, all thanks to the magnesium build. 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.

A tablet for gaming may sound crazy, but the Asus ROG Flow Z13 is a pretty powerful machine that still has the versatility of a tablet, and if you're looking for something like this, it's really your only option.

The 2023 model of the Asus ROG Flow Z13 comes with a 13th-generation Intel Core i9-13900H processor with 14 cores and 20 threads, so you're not missing out on any performance here. It also comes with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU )an RTX 4060 model is also planned), meaning you'll be able to play most modern games using the tablet alone. If you need more power, you can use the Asus ROG Xg Mobile external GPU to go up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop graphics card and run even more demanding games at higher resolutions. The tablet also includes 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD.

For the display, the Asus ROG Flow Z13 comes with a 13.4-inch panel that has a 16:10 aspect ratio and Quad HD+ resolution, plus a 165Hz refresh rate. It's what Asus calls an ROG Nebula display, with brightness up to 500 nits and 100% coverage of DCI-P3 for a great viewing experience. It doesn't compromise on the cameras, either, with a 5MP front-facing sensor supporting Windows Hello and a 13MP rear camera for photos and video in a pinch.

The Asus ROG Flow X13 also has a fairly unique design with a mostly black chassis and some design details that give it an edgier look. Plus, it has some RGB on the back. 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 comes in at 12mm of thickness and 2.6 pounds of weight.

As for ports, you get one Thunderbolt 4 port, one regular USB Type-C port integrated into the custom ROG Xg Mobile interface, 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.

Of course, with powerful specs like these, the Asus ROG Flow X13 is somewhat expensive, but if you want performance, it's the best tablet out there.

This last one isn't for everyone, but if you need a tablet that can withstand the harshest of environments, the Dell Latitude 7320 Rugged Extreme is exactly that.

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 it can handle all kinds of work just fine. 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 isn't that impressive, as it's a Full HD+ panel with a 16:10 aspect ratio, but it's made for the outdoors. It has an incredibly bright 1200 -nit panel and it supports touch even when you're using gloves. 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.

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 an extremely durable tablet that resists hard drops, heat, cold, and more, so you can use it anywhere you need to do work. The optional keyboard is just as durable, too. For ports, the tablet itself includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a USB Type-A port, plus a microSD card reader. 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.

Foldable PCs aren't for everyone yet, and with an eye-watering $5,000 price tag, the HP Spectre Foldable does nothing to change that. But if you're one of the few who can afford it, this is still the best foldable PC you can get right now.

Powering the HP Spectre Foldable is an Intel Core i7-1250U, a 12th-generation processor that a 9W TDP, so it's not particularly fast. It comes with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, so it's still a high-end product overall, but it won't blow your mind in terms of performance.

However, the big appeal of this device is obviously the display. It's a 17-inch panel with a 4:3 aspect ratio, but the thing is the display can fold in half, and it can be held in any position in between. That means you can use it like a traditional laptop by folding it partially to get two 12.3-inch halves. The display uses OLED technology and has a sharp resolution of 2560x1920, so it looks beautiful, too.

With that display, re rest of the design comes together, too. There's a Bluetooth keyboard that can be used separately when the screen is unfolded, but you can also snap it on the bottom half of the screen when you fold the tablet. This creates a traditional laptop experience with a 12.3-inch screen, or you can cover only part of the screen to have some extra space for other UI elements.

The device is also decently light, at 3.58 pounds, yet it fits a huge 94.3Whr battery. The downside is ports, which are limited to just two Thunderbolt 4 ports and not even a headphone jack. Of course, you can use a docking station for anything else you need.

Again, it's not for everyone, but if you want to be on the bleeding edge of tech, the HP Spectre Foldable is still really cool.

The best Windows tablets in 2023: Bottom line

There may not be a ton of great Windows tablets to choose from, but the picks on this list are still fantastic for all kinds of users. 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, and that's why it's my top recommendation.

If you want to save some money, though, the Surface Go 3 is probably what you're looking for. It's far cheaper, but it still offers a great experience thanks to the sharp display, great webcams, and very compact and lightweight design. And if you're wondering why we're recommending the Go 3 and not the Go 4, it's because that one is only for business users, it's much more expensive, and it has a lower-tier processor (albeit a newer one). Other options are also great for different kinds of users, too.