The 5 best Windows tablets: top Windows tablets reviewed

Although you’ll still have to wait until next month to download the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, you don’t have to be patient to garner the advantages of the best Windows tablet. There may be a more powerful Acer Switch 7 Black Edition on the way, stacked with liquid cooling and a discrete GPU, but the already existing lineup is still pretty compelling.

Find out which of these tablets also made our best laptops list

While we’re all familiar with the Surface Pro – at least at a very high level – it’s not the only option. In fact, Microsoft’s flagship has inspired third-party tablet makers to craft their own contributions to the 2-in-1 tablet space with more affordable price tags to match. The Lenovo Miix 510, for instance, has been joined by the Acer Switch 3 in just the last few months.

The top Windows tablets range from convertible to detachable and they’re all graced with compelling features curated in Redmond by Microsoft itself that give these devices the edge over competing machines from the likes of Apple and Google… and we don’t just say that because of the name of the default browser.

Whether or not they bundled in physical keyboards or packed industry-leading specs, we’ve tested every Windows tablet we could get our hands on to guarantee our recommendations.

Best Windows tablets

Despite the subdued naming convention, this is actually the fifth iteration of the Surface Pro. As a follow-up to the winning Surface Pro 4, it would have been every bit deserving of a number attached to it, too. That’s because the latest Surface Pro sees not only the battery life improve by as much as 32%, but, of course, the processor has been updated to Kaby Lake as well. Plus, although it’s now sold separately, the Surface Pen has 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity.

Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Pro

This product is only available in the US and Australia as of this writing. UK readers: check out a fine alternative in the Lenovo Miix 510.

The Acer Switch 3 arrives at a time when most of the best Windows tablets are premium 2-in-1 devices designed to oust both your PC and your tablet. But for anyone who doesn’t need the horsepower of a Surface Pro, the Acer Switch 3 is a wallet-friendly alternative. Even without cutting-edge specs, this tablet is highly competent in other ways. Its impeccable build quality, for example, is complemented by a top-notch active digitizer and pressure-sensitive pen.

Read the full review: Acer Switch 3

Best Windows tablets

HP's Spectre x2 bears a striking resemblance to the Surface Pro 4. Take a closer look and you’ll notice that it’s thinner and lighter than Microsoft’s slate. Although the Intel Core M processor might leave you tentative to adopt the HP Spectre x2, this isn’t the Core m3 we’re talking about – this is a 6th-generation, Skylake Intel Core m7, which bears almost the same performance as the full-blown Core i5 chip harbored by the Surface Pro 4.

Read the full review: HP Spectre x2

Best Windows tablets

The Samsung Galaxy TabPro S is a knockout 12-inch tablet that's thinner and better built than most Windows 10 slates. It also offers a uniquely vibrant Super AMOLED screen you won't find on any Windows device either, plus a pair of punchy speakers that actually sound good. Its keyboard feels a bit lackluster but if you get over this short coming, it's the perfect Windows 10 tablet to use while streaming media and games.

Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy TabPro S

In a sense, the Lenovo Miix 510 is the Surface Pro alternative that you buy when you’re fed up with Microsoft’s reluctance to move forward with its connectivity practices. USB-C is here, and it’s brought USB 3.0 with it. While the screen is limited to 1080p, the Lenovo Miix 510 comes with an active stylus, a detachable AccuType keyboard and an articulating kickstand for flexibility without limits. While the battery suffers, the Lenovo Miix 510 is still a surefire win.

Read the full review: Lenovo Miix 510