The Best 2-in-1 Laptops
There will always be a use case for owning both a laptop and a tablet as stand-alone products. But the 2-in-1 laptop is the utopian dream of combining these two into a single device.
Of all the models I’ve tested, no 2-in-1 laptop is equally good at being both a tablet and a laptop. They always lean toward one or the other. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy one, especially since the convenience of having both in one device makes it an easier pill to swallow, price-wise.
The products below should meet most people’s needs. But if none are a fit for you, check out WIRED’s other computer buying guides, including the Best Laptops, Best Surface Devices, Best Cheap Laptops, the Best Tablets, and the Best iPad.
Updated September 2026: I’ve made the Surface Pro 12 my new top pick and rearranged many of the other recommendations on my list.
The Best Detachable 2-in-1 Tablets
You can’t talk about 2-in-1 laptops without talking about Microsoft’s Surface devices. These tablets have removable keyboards that attach magnetically, not unlike an iPad. This form factor lets you switch between tablet and laptop modes. It’s just as functional as a tablet as it is as a laptop. As I said, the Surface Pro is the epitome of this design, pioneering the idea of a tablet with a built-in kickstand that runs a full version of Windows.
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.
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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.
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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.
The other convertible 2-in-1 I’d point you to is the Framework Laptop 12 (7/10, WIRED Recommends). I’m a big fan of Framework devices because of their great repairability, which lets you replace or upgrade nearly every internal component. You can even upgrade the processor and motherboard, which Framework sells separately. In theory, that means more years of use and less e-waste. Admittedly, it has a fairly thick chassis. But it’s affordable, and the 2-in-1 hinge makes it a great, versatile family or student computer. To save money, you can opt for the DIY Edition, which requires assembling the laptop from its components. Framework’s elegant, well-documented system makes the building process much more enjoyable than you might think. It would also make for a fun education project for a kid.
I’ve also tested many convertible Chromebooks over the years, but my favorite is the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514. Not only is this the best 2-in-1 Chromebook, it’s also the best 2-in-1 you can buy for under $600. It uses a powerful (and efficient) chip from MediaTek that gives it competitive battery life, something Chromebooks have lacked for years now. It even comes with a higher-resolution screen and 12 GB of RAM; it’s pretty stacked for a Chromebook. Googlebooks are coming soon to take the baton from Chromebooks, but for now, the selection of 2-in-1 Chromebooks is dwindling. Hopefully, we’ll see a surge of interest in Googlebooks that brings more 2-in-1 laptops to market.
Other 2-in-1 Laptops to Consider
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Lenovo Chromebook Duet Gen 9 for $259: The Lenovo Chromebook Duet Gen 9 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) was one of my favorite pieces of tech when it came out for one reason: its size. This diminutive detachable laptop is only 11 inches, which sounds painful at first. But this isn’t a productivity machine. Rather, it’s better viewed as a companion you can take anywhere for light web browsing, writing, and watching videos.
Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus for $630: We’ve long been fans of the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus (8/10, WIRED Recommends), though it’s beginning to show its age next to newer models. This one used to sell for as low as $500, which made it a solid budget alternative to the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 mentioned above, but these days the prices are on par. The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 is better on every front, though, so depending on the current discount, I’d recommend that one over the older Flex 5i.
Lenovo IdeaPad 5i 2-in-1 for $750: You might think a 16-inch 2-in-1 laptop sounds silly. It’s not portable enough to use as a tablet, that’s for sure. But if you need a large touchscreen on your laptop, there’s reason to pick up something like the Lenovo IdeaPad 5i 2-in-1 (6/10, WIRED Review). The flexibility of having a 360-degree hinge is useful in all sorts of scenarios. This 16-inch 2-in-1 balances price, portability, and performance with just enough finesse to be worth it—but only consider it when on sale.
Asus ProArt PZ13 for $1,250: Another detachable, the Asus ProArt PZ13 (6/10, WIRED Recommends) takes inspiration from Microsoft’s Surface Pro 13 design at a much more affordable price. For $1,250, you get a detachable 2-in-1 that can go up to around 19 hours on a single charge—and importantly, the keyboard comes bundled. Unfortunately, the performance leaves much to be desired, and its three-piece design is confounding. Still, it’s a nice alternative to the 13-inch Surface Pro if you’re dead set on the style.
What Is a 2-in-1 Laptop?
A 2-in-1 is a laptop that can go from a standard clamshell laptop configuration to a tablet setup. Two main designs fall into this category: detachable tablets and convertible laptops.
Detachable tablets are Windows tablets meant to be used with magnetic keyboards, not unlike an iPad Pro. These let you completely separate the screen from the keyboard, using a kickstand on the back of the display to keep it upright. Microsoft’s Surface lineup popularized this design, and it’s still going strong more than a decade after its introduction. We’re even starting to see dual-screen laptops arrive, adding even more flexibility (if you have the cash to spare). The main benefit of the detachable 2-in-1 is the portability. While they aren’t as good to use on your lap, they are thinner and lighter, making them better stand-alone tablets and travel devices.
Laptops with convertible displays, on the other hand, use a 360-degree hinge that can position the screen flat, in “tent” mode, or flush against the laptop’s underside. Think of this as a touchscreen clamshell laptop with a fancy rotating hinge. This flexibility makes them great for everything from signing documents to streaming TV shows and movies—and you can switch back to a standard laptop orientation when it’s time to work.
Should You Buy a 2-in-1 Laptop?
The big draw of 2-in-1 laptops is that they can be used as both a laptop and a tablet. While in laptop mode, they’re generally comparable to any other clamshell laptop you’ll find. However, Windows and ChromeOS aren’t exactly the best touch-oriented operating systems out there, so you may find the touchscreen experience lacking when using it as a pure tablet.
If you already use a recent iPad or Android tablet regularly, you may not get as much out of a 2-in-1. But if you don’t, these 2-in-1 laptops can give you the functionality of both devices in one—hence the name. Beyond that, convertible laptops use 360-degree hinges to offer even more capabilities, such as flipping the laptop upside down in various modes.
The only real downside to choosing a convertible 2-in-1 over a clamshell is the design tweaks needed to incorporate the hinge. Sometimes the weight balance can feel off, and the heftier hinge can look ugly and sometimes require a larger bottom bezel under the display. They’re often more expensive too.
Why Not Just Buy an iPad?
It’s a good question. All in all, it remains difficult to beat the iPad or iPad Pro for pure tablet use. From a software and third-party app perspective, iPadOS is far more robust without a keyboard, though that may change with Apple’s multitasking improvements in iPadOS 26.
Windows tablets are the opposite, benefiting from the full Windows 11 experience. That means you can get all your work done, in theory, on one device, while still having something highly mobile. Some people can even do all their work on an iPad Pro, for example, but others prefer (or require) a desktop computing environment such as macOS or Windows.
I still wish Microsoft would improve Windows’ touch experience, though, which would make 2-in-1 laptops much more enticing than iPads.
How I Test
I test 2-in-1s much like how I test clamshell laptops. Before you add in the 2-in-1 element, laptops are already incredibly complex devices, and I test every possible aspect of them. That means I measure display quality, benchmark CPU speed, run it until the battery dies, and type on the keyboard—a lot.
With 2-in-1 laptops, though, there’s more of a physical element that needs testing. If it’s a detachable, I extend the kickstand and use it in a variety of scenarios. How does it balance on your lap? What’s the adjustability of the angle of the kickstand? If it’s a convertible 2-in-1, does the touchscreen feel responsive? Does the screen wobble like crazy when you tap it? These are questions only hands-on time with the 2-in-1 laptop can answer.
All the products I recommend were provided by the manufacturers. However, our opinions and test results are completely independent. I don’t guarantee positive coverage (or coverage at all) when I agree to accept a review unit from a company. I often send units back once I’m done testing unless I need to do long-term testing.
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