The best Windows tablets in 2024: Expert tested and reviewed

Microsoft's eleventh-generation Surface Pro earns the top spot as the best Windows tablet. The tech giant introduced several upgrades to this generation, with the most notable being Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Plus chipset. The hardware delivers solid performance, allowing the device to handle multiple apps and tasks without noticeable slowdowns.

Review: The tablet I recommend most for business travel is not an iPad or ThinkPad

The Snapdragon X Plus chipset also enhances energy efficiency. During our testing, the Surface Pro 11 lasted about 13 hours on a single charge. In our experience, purported battery life runtimes are just marketing claims, so it was surprising to see the tablet last as long as it did. 13 hours is just under Microsoft's declared 14-hour battery life.

Additionally, the Surface Pro features a PixelSense OLED touchscreen that delivers high-resolution images. Advanced color-enhancing software, such as adaptive contrast, further enhances the quality. Despite what the above image implies, the Surface Pro 11 does not come with a keyboard. The accessory is a separate purchase.

Microsoft Surface Pro 11 specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus | Display size: 13 inch OLED | RAM: 16GB  | Storage: 256 GB | Battery life: 14 hours | Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.2 x 0.37 inches

Carrying a 16-inch tablet can be challenging due to its size. Larger devices are difficult to fit in most bags, as you can imagine. Lenovo tackled this issue with the release of the second-generation ThinkPad X1 Fold.

The ThinkPad X1 Fold is a 16-inch tablet that folds vertically like a book, thanks to a bell-shaped hinge in the center. This unique component lets the device close completely flat and protects the touchscreen from damage. Lenovo's tablet features an OLED display capable of outputting Quad HD Plus (3,200 x 1,800 pixels) resolution images, with a maximum brightness of 600 nits for good visibility in bright environments.

Review: Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 Fold is the most bizarre, fun, and expensive laptop I've ever tested

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold has a visible crease in the middle of its soft screen, though it's barely noticeable when the display is fully opened. While the price has decreased recently, it remains a premium product.

In terms of performance, the ThinkPad X1 Fold offers robust configurations, including options for a 13th-gen Intel Core i9 processor, a Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card, and up to 32GB of RAM.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold specs: Processor: 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13900H | Display size: 16 inch 3.2K display | RAM: 32GB  | Storage: 1 TB | Battery life: 21 hours | Dimensions: 13.96 x 10.03 x 0.78 inches

The Asus ProArt PZ13 is similar to the previous entry, although it has been designed with artists in mind. There is a greater focus on supporting creative work. Like the Surface Pro,  it has a 13-inch display, a Snapdragon X Plus chipset, and an optional detachable keyboard. However, its software sets it apart.

The ProArt PZ13 includes several image-enhancing features, such as Dolby Vision for vibrant colors and VESA DisplayHDR True Black for deep, rich shadows. Additionally, Asus' Creator Hub app allows users to quickly adjust on-screen colors, offering four different modes optimized for specific tasks, whether working on art or watching movies.

Review: One of the best tablet for work travel I've tested is not made by Microsoft or Lenovo

Regarding battery life, the ProArt PZ13 surpasses the Surface Pro, lasting up to 21 hours on a single charge. It can remain powered overnight and be ready for use the next day. However, it's worth noting that the tablet has only three ports, with no support for USB drives or HDMI cables.

Asus ProArt PZ13 specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus | Display size: 13.3 inch OLED | RAM: 16GB  | Storage: 1 TB | Battery life: 21 hours | Dimensions: 11.71 x 7.99 x 0.35 inches

Unsurprisingly, Microsoft offers some of the best Windows tablets on the market. In addition to the recent Surface Pro 11, we recommend the 2021 Surface Go 3. It is still a solid option, even though it's an older model. The Surface Go 3 is the smallest tablet on our list, sporting a 10.5-inch display and weighing a little over a pound. Its lightweight design makes it an ideal travel companion.

Review: Microsoft Surface Go 3 review: A portable and versatile 2-in-1, but battery life disappoints

The Surface Go 3 features stereo speakers that support Dolby Atmos, delivering immersive sound. Above the PixelSense display is a 5MP camera capable of making video calls in 1080p. It even has Windows Hello 3D technology, which enables the camera lens to recognize users under various lighting conditions. The Intel Core i3 processor is a bit old by today's standards, although it still performs well.

It's worth noting that despite its small size, Microsoft's Surface Go 3 can be quite power-hungry. In our initial testing, the device consumed up to 11 percent of its battery in just 22 minutes. If you purchase the Surface Go 3, we suggest carrying the power adapter wherever you travel.

Microsoft Surface Go 3 specs: Processor: Intel Core i3-10100Y | Display size: 10.5 inch PixelSense display | RAM: 8GB  | Storage: 128 GB | Battery life: 21 hours | Dimensions: 10.82 x 7.98 x 1.89 inches

Asus promotes the ROG Flow Z13 as a gaming tablet featuring a hardware configuration typically found in gaming laptops. However, we believe it excels more as a tablet for content creators. Its specifications make it highly effective for creative work.

The device has a 13th-gen Intel Core i9-13900H processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 graphics card. According to the product page, the ROG Flow Z13 is well-suited for creating art, 3D rendering, music production, and coding tasks. While more memory would have been a nice addition, the 16GB RAM is sufficient for most applications.

Given its powerful hardware, the ROG Flow Z13 can be prone to running hot. Asus has given the tablet large cooling fans and a custom vapor chamber module to maintain cool operating temperatures. The company also claims that the fans operate quietly, ensuring minimal disturbance to others. For those seeking greater control, the Armoury Crate app allows for fine-tuning the tablet's performance.

It's worth noting that models featuring an RTX 4060 GPU are also available, though they are difficult to find at the time of this writing.

Asus ROG Flow Z13 specs: Processor: 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13900H | Display size: 13.4 inch Quad HD Plus display | RAM: 16GB  | Storage: 1 TB | Battery life: 21 hours | Dimensions: 11.89 x 8.11 x 0.51 inches