Update: In keeping with our buying guide ranking methodology, we’ve swapped out the 3.5-star Lenovo Yoga Book in favor of the newly reviewed (and Surface Pro 4 rivaling) Teclast X5 Pro at number 7!

In 2001, Microsoft revealed its tablet PC specification to the world. It was a futuristic, pen-enabled idea contrived to encourage laptop makers to start building touchscreen devices, replete with detachable keyboards and Windows XP licenses. While the Microsoft Tablet PC wasn’t a remarkable success, it did influence devices down the line, such as – you guessed it – the Apple iPad. 

It took nine years after that for tablets to take off with general consumers, but once they did, there was no going back. It even appears as though tablets have returned to their roots, with Microsoft at the helm of the successful, yet worryingly deflating, Surface Pro 4. As such, Windows tablets have garnered quite the following in recent years. Though most of these could be more suitably classified as 2-in-1 notebooks, the best Windows tablets continue to thrive through portability and finesse. 

With that in mind, deciding between the top Windows tablets can be futile without the proper background knowledge. That’s why we’ve gone ahead and done the research for you, constructing a list of the best Windows tablets based on extensive testing conducted for our reviews. Below you’ll find what we feel are the 7 best Windows tablets of 2017. Each is unique in specs and style, but they all share one common trait: running Windows 10 on a slate.

The Surface Pro 4 is by far the best Windows 10 tablet. Though it comes at a pretty penny, it's well worth the expense for the nearly premium built quality, perfect screen and ample power. Microsoft's latest tablet introduces a larger and sharper screen, bettered only by a redesigned island that makes typing feel almost as good as a real laptop. The Surface Pro 4 truly is the tablet that can replace your traditional laptop, which is why it deserves the top spot as our Windows 10 tablet king.

Read the full review: Surface Pro 4

HP’s Spectre x2 bears a striking resemblance to Microsoft’s Surface Pro 4. However, it’s thinner and lighter thanks to being powered by a fanless Intel Core M processor. It also comes at a more affordable price tag than Microsoft’s premium slate and with an included keyboard to boot. Equipped with an Intel Core m7 processor offers nearly the same performance as the Core i5 chip on the Surface Pro 4, while being more economical and efficient with battery life.

Read the full review: HP Spectre x2

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

Getting into the world of Windows 10 convertible's isn't cheap unless we're talking about the Pavilion x2. This 10-inch hybrid comes packing a surprising amount of goods considering its small size. The frugal slate comes stacked with a HD screen and more than enough power to get you through a day of web browsing and basic image editing. When you're ready to kick back with some streaming media, you can pop off the 10-inch works as a portable tablet. 

Read the full review: HP Pavilion x2

If you’re interested in a Surface Pro 4 but you're worried about the 12-inch form factor being too unwieldy, the Surface 3 might be perfect for you. Sporting a more timid 10.8-inch screen and Intel Atom processor, the Surface 3 is meant to be less of a laptop replacement and more of a solid Windows 10 tablet. Though the kickstand is limited to a smaller range of motion, it's nearly as versatile and works well with Microsoft's nearly perfected type cover.

Read the full review: Surface 3

Whereas the original Dell Venue 11 Pro maxed out at a Core i5 processor, the Dell Venue 11 Pro 7000-series opts for something a little more compact (albeit controversial), namely a Core M. Despite the notably less-than-spacious 11-inch display, the revamped Dell Venue 11 Pro runs laps around the original, especially around the Atom-wielding base model. Moreover, Dell’s optional keyboard dock add-on more than doubles the runtime of the Venue 11 Pro without it, effectively making the Dell Venue 11 Pro 7000 one of the longest lasting Windows tablets on the market.

Read the full review: Dell Venue 11 Pro 7000

In a world where everyone wants to be the Surface Pro 4, it’s not a shock to see that a handful of knock-offs are actually (gasp) pretty impressive and for a fraction of the price of Microsoft’s lauded slate. The Teclast X5 Pro is one of those tablets. Armed with a Core m3 processor based on Intel’s 7th-generation Kaby Lake design and a gorgeous 1,920 x 1,200 display, the Teclast X5 Pro poses a serious challenge to the Surface Pro 4 in the same way that the company’s TBook 16 Power did to the Surface 3. It’s not nearly as stacked as some of the higher tier configurations of the SP4, but the Teclast X5 Pro is relatively cheap, even if its value is outweighed by that of HP and Lenovo’s comparable offerings.

Read the full review: Teclast X5 Pro

• Now, find the best USB-C accessories to go with it

Gabe Carey has also contributed to this article

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