The best model to buy right now is the Surface Pro 12 (6/10, WIRED Reviewed). The smaller screen and compact design befit a 2-in-1 tablet that’s meant to be held in one hand (at least occasionally). This wasn’t my favorite when it came out, largely because it was overpriced at the time. But with all the configuration changes and price increases in the Surface Pro lineup, this model has become my go-to recommendation.
This is the most successful small tablet Microsoft has ever made, and a big reason is that it doesn’t cheap out on quality or shrink down the size too much. With a 12-inch screen, it still allows the keyboard to be large enough to type on comfortably. It doesn’t have the option for an OLED screen, but the device still feels surprisingly premium, and it is even more portable than its older sibling.
Not only is the Surface Pro 12 cheaper overall, but it’s also the only 256-GB storage model on offer, which gives you a more affordable starting configuration. Regardless, you get the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus, which gives the Surface Pro 12 excellent battery life and solid performance. And because Surface devices run a full version of Windows, they are the best 2-in-1 options to use as full laptop replacements. But be careful: Microsoft sells a $750 starting configuration with only 8 GB of RAM, which may limit multitasking and heavier applications.
An even better laptop replacement, however, is the Surface Pro 13.8 (7/10, WIRED Recommends). The larger screen gives you more visual real estate, and the larger touchpad on the keyboard cover is more comfortable to use. The keyboard cover also comes with fabric-like textured palm rests and a built-in spot to hold the Surface Slim Pen 2. I also like the option to upgrade to an OLED screen, which makes it a more capable iPad Pro competitor. The only problem is that price increases have made this larger Surface Pro feel overpriced. The 2026 Snapdragon X2 Elite or X2 Plus models have largely replaced the 2024 model I tested, priced at $1,600. For me, that’s too expensive for something meant to be more of a compact travel device. That’s especially true since you still have to buy the keyboard cover. That’s why I’d recommend this older Snapdragon X Elite model, which gets you the OLED display with a 120-Hz refresh rate and also bundles in the keyboard and stylus. On top of that, it even includes a terabyte of storage. That’s well worth it.
While the hardware makes for a good tablet, Windows still isn’t a very touch-friendly operating system and lacks a touch-first app ecosystem to support it. That’s where iPads come into play. The iPad Air and iPad Pro are the best tablets you can buy, largely thanks to the breadth of touch-first apps available in the App Store. In many ways, that’s what makes an iPad such an ideal 2-in-1 laptop, especially if you actually want to use it as a tablet. They are also easier to hold in one hand because they are lighter than Surface devices. These days, iPads are increasingly becoming legitimate laptop replacements too. With the Magic Keyboard attachment, you can add an additional USB-C port and a full-size keyboard and trackpad. I also like that this design doesn’t rely on a kickstand, which makes it easier to use on your lap than the Surface.
While iPadOS isn’t perfect, the introduction of windowing and improved cursor support over the years have made iPads work more like laptops than ever. But which iPad should you buy? The latest model I tested, the M4 iPad Air, is immensely powerful, and with the Magic Keyboard attached, it’s a solid 2-in-1 laptop that costs less than the Surface Pro with the keyboard included. It’s plenty of performance for just about anything you’d want to do with an iPad, especially if you opt for the larger 13-inch model. My only real complaint is that the palm rests on the Magic Keyboard are quite small.
Lastly, I have to point to the Asus ROG Flow Z13, one of the most interesting detachable 2-in-1s. I don’t know anyone who has asked for a gaming-based 2-in-1, but Asus went out and made one anyway that actually works. Although you likely won’t use the ROG Flow Z13 much as a tablet, the form factor keeps heat away from your hands. Unlike almost every other portable gaming device you can buy, your hands on the keyboard stay cool and sweat-free. This 2025 model is still a good buy, since only a more expensive, special-edition version came out in 2026.
The Best Convertible 2-in-1 Laptops
A different breed of 2-in-1 is commonly called a convertible laptop. These look like traditional laptops, but they have two unique features: a 360-degree hinge that allows the screen to flip to the back of the device, and a touchscreen. Most often, people enjoy tilting the screen back and laying the keyboard upside down on the table to watch movies and videos. You can go into tablet mode by folding the screen all the way back against the bottom screen, but the thickness and weight of these devices make it fairly uncomfortable to use that way.
I’ll admit these aren’t my favorite laptop designs. While I appreciate a touchscreen, I rarely use the 360-degree hinge in these other poses, not to mention downsides like a wobbly screen, an unattractive hinge, and extra cost. Lenovo, however, has made a name for itself in this category with its Yoga line, creating the very best of this look (though even Lenovo has begun launching “Yoga Slim” models that ditch the 2-in-1 aspect). That aside, I really enjoyed the Lenovo Yoga 9i that I reviewed in 2025.
The 2026 version, the Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition, is largely the same laptop, except with a newer Intel Core Ultra 7 355 processor. Bar none, this is one of the most premium laptops you can buy, sporting a classy design, a very sharp OLED screen, and a thin chassis. One interesting aspect of this design is that Lenovo added an extra benefit to the 360-hinge by building a loudspeaker into it that delivers higher-quality audio, regardless of the mode you’re using it in.
