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The Best Microsoft Surface Tablet

Last updated on August 21, 2019

We looked at the top 8 Microsoft Surface Tablets and dug through the reviews from 83 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Microsoft Surface Tablets.

Best Microsoft Surface Tablet

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Our Picks For The Top Microsoft Surface Tablets

Show Contents
Our Take
Experts Included
Pros
Cons
  The Best Overall
  The Best Value

Microsoft Surface Pro 6

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Microsoft

Surface Pro 6

Overall Take

Microsoft's latest Surface tablet comes with valuable upgrades. It features excellent resolution, expandable storage. Additionally, it has the latest 8th Generation Intel Core processor, but it manages to run quietly. All that power doesn't drain the battery either, with an impressive battery life of 10 to 12 hours. Read More

Experts Included
DWYM Electronics Experts plus The Guardian, Tech Radar, Digital Trends, The Verge, BestReviews, CNET and 12 more. Along with user reviews from Amazon and Best Buy.
Pros
" The speakers are loud, clear and direct, great for watching the NFL while cooking."
Cons
"Still no USB-C, Dated USB 3.0 port, Few meaningful improvements"

Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Tablet

Microsoft

Surface Pro 3 Tablet

Overall Take

This device is an excellent all-around choice. With it, you can replace your laptop and tablet with one lightweight machine. The absence of bundling options is a significant con, however, it offers upgrades from its predecessor and solid performance for Microsoft Office, browsing the web, basic games and apps. Read More

Experts Included
DWYM Electronics Experts plus BestReviews, Alphr, PC World, Tech Radar, Art’s Art Reviews, Computer Critique. Along with user reviews from Amazon.
Pros
" Despite the last generation display,users like the display,citing it as a sharp and vibrant."
Cons
"It’s not the perfect laptop, particularly not for the price"

Microsoft Surface Pro 5th Gen

Microsoft

Surface Pro 5th Gen

Overall Take

The Microsoft Surface Pro 5 offers noticeably enhanced battery life to power a high-resolution screen, improved graphics, faster processor and much more. It boasts full PC performance packed into a thin and light design. It's so thin, though, the tablet can bend if not protected properly. The useful accessories, like... Read More

Experts Included
DWYM Electronics Experts plus BestReviews, Tech Radar, Pocket-lint, The Verge, Trusted Reviews, CNET and 3 more. Along with user reviews from Amazon.
Pros
" Great oversized and high-res screen, magnets hold onto the stylus when not in use, compatible with tons of accessories including a dock"
Cons
"Surface Pen pulled from package"

Microsoft Surface 3 Tablet

Microsoft

Surface 3 Tablet

Overall Take

This basic tablet is excellent for use for reading and gaming and runs the full version of Microsoft Office. It looks premium, but it comes with a wallet-friendly price tag compared to newer models. It works with the same pen as the Surface Pro models at a fraction of the... Read More

Experts Included
DWYM Electronics Experts plus BestReviews, Tech Radar, Digital Trends, Alphr, The Verge, CNET and 5 more. Along with user reviews from Amazon.
Pros
" An inexpensive tablet that can be used as bedside tablet for reading, gaming and other activities."
Cons
"While typing is a completely subjective experience, I found it difficult to justify the outlay for what is a sub-par accessory."
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15

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the microsoft surface tablets available to purchase.
8

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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83

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: BestReviews, Tech Radar, Digital Trends, Alphr, The Verge.

12,705

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 8 Microsoft Surface Tablets and also dug through the reviews from 83 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Microsoft Surface Tablets.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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The Best Overall

Microsoft Surface Pro 6


Our Expert Score

8.3
18 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

9.1
334 user reviews

Our Take

Microsoft's latest Surface tablet comes with valuable upgrades. It features excellent resolution, expandable storage. Additionally, it has the latest 8th Generation Intel Core processor, but it manages to run quietly. All that power doesn't drain the battery either, with an impressive battery life of 10 to 12 hours.

What other experts liked

The speakers are loud, clear and direct, great for watching the NFL while cooking.
- The Guardian
Quad-core processing, Long battery life, Excellent new color option
- Tech Radar
Battery life is crucial for a device that’s meant to be taken on the go. With the Surface Pro 6, Microsoft has finally nailed it.
- Digital Trends
I’m impressed that Microsoft managed to squeeze an Intel Core i7-8650U processor inside a relatively silent machine. I never noticed the fans spin up during my testing.
- The Verge
October 16, 2018 | Full review
Excellent resolution, expandable storage, and nearly silent operation. Incredible battery life of 10-12 hours.
- BestReviews
The Surface Pro 6's jump to new quad-core processors pays off in big performance gains. The new black color option looks cool. Still the best kickstand and keyboard for Windows tablets.
- CNET
October 16, 2018 | Full review
Expect blazing speed from this 2-in-1, with performance scores about 47 percent higher than the last model.
- Laptop Magazine
The 12.3-inch, 2736 x 1824 display has a 3:2 aspect ratio, which I find to be ideal for productivity (seriously, why don’t all non-gaming laptops have a 3:2 screen?), but is surrounded by thick bezels.
- Tom's Hardware
November 19, 2018 | Full review
The keyboard dock features magnetic strips that enable it to snap and lock into place snugly. The angle of the dock makes the whole thing rise up on your desktop, so that you’re not tied down to a flat surface,...
- Trusted Reviews
November 2, 2018 | Full review
It shines the brightest in the realm of battery life. Clocking in at over 8 hours in my testing, the lifespan of this hybrid is simply outstanding, particularly when compared to the 5 hours, 45 minutes the Surface Pro 4...
- Wired
The keyboard offers an excellent typing experience no matter if you're sending off a tweet or typing up a dissertation.
- Mashable
December 1, 2018 | Full review
Well-implemented kickstand.
- PC Mag
The Quad-core 8th-gen Core chip adds a performance bump.
- PC World
The new black option is a nice change. The black case has a hipper and more mysterious vibe in comparison.
- Engadget
October 16, 2018 | Full review
Microsoft promises up to 13.5 hours of battery life.
- Tech Spot
The 12.3in PixelSense display still sports a 2,736x1,824 resolution with a 3:2 aspect ratio. That display is nice and bright with plenty of colour vibrancy, especially in the ‘enhanced' display mode, though we found the sRGB profile serves up more...
- The Inquirer
The new CPU is substantially more powerful.
- Windows Central
October 16, 2018 | Full review
The display is really very bright. It’s actually great for watching video on – if you’re after a device to use at home as well as for work, there are few with a display as good as this.
- Creative Bloq

What other experts didn't like

The big thing missing is any form of USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 connectivity, which is inexcusable on a premium computer in 2018.
- The Guardian
Still no USB-C, Dated USB 3.0 port, Few meaningful improvements
- Tech Radar
We were a bit disappointed to see Microsoft not opt for a newer Intel chip, like the latest Whiskey Lake U-series processors from Intel.
- Digital Trends
The lapability is still an issue, especially for long periods where the kickstand can dig into your legs.
- The Verge
October 16, 2018 | Full review
Accessories such as the Pen and Type Cover are additional costs.
- BestReviews
Be ready to shell out extra for the keyboard cover, stylus and even for the new matte black design. CPU and color aside, it's a very minimal upgrade over the previous version.
- CNET
October 16, 2018 | Full review
The lack of USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports continues to be a bummer
- Laptop Magazine
No Thunderbolt 3 or USB Type-C
- Tom's Hardware
November 19, 2018 | Full review
There are no extra connections on the dock itself, which is a shame, seeing as it costs £150.
- Trusted Reviews
November 2, 2018 | Full review
Pricing still feels overwhelmingly expensive.
- Wired
It's a bummer there's no USB-C port on the Surface Pro 6.
- Mashable
December 1, 2018 | Full review
Minimal changes from previous model. As ever, keyboard sold separately.
- PC Mag
Confusing mix of configurations to choose from on Microsoft site.
- PC World
No major design changes as well as performance hasn’t changed much since last year
- Engadget
October 16, 2018 | Full review
External chassis is essentially unchanged... again
- Tech Spot
There's no discrete GPU and again no USB-C connection which means no access to external graphics cards, which is a shame as the processor would be game to have its silicon legs stretched a little.
- The Inquirer
The lack of Iris Plus graphics, which doubles the pipelines to 48 (compared to 24 in the UHD 620) is a bummer.
- Windows Central
October 16, 2018 | Full review
Should replace ports with USB-C, Not the latest Intel processor, Need to buy accessories separately
- Creative Bloq

Overall Product Rankings

1. Microsoft Surface Pro 6

Overall Score: 8.5
Reviews Included: 20

2. Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Tablet

Overall Score: 8.4
Reviews Included: 10

3. Microsoft Surface Pro 5th Gen

Overall Score: 8.3
Reviews Included: 11

4. Microsoft Surface 3 Tablet

Overall Score: 8.2
Reviews Included: 13

5. Microsoft Surface Go

Overall Score: 8.1
Reviews Included: 16

6. Microsoft Surface Pro 4

Overall Score: 8.1
Reviews Included: 12

7. Microsoft Surface RT

Overall Score: 7.5
Reviews Included: 10

8. Microsoft Surface 2

Overall Score: 7.5
Reviews Included: 8

Our Microsoft Surface Tablet Buying Guide

It’s been just over six years since Microsoft introduced the original Surface tablet. Flash forward to today, and Microsoft has a full range of Surface PCs that appeal to all kinds of buyers and budgets.

If you’re in the market for a versatile, portable Windows 10 machine, then there’s sure to be a Microsoft Surface device to fit your needs. While there have been plenty of upgrades, the Surface tablets launched in the last few years are each useful and versatile machines in their own right.

If having the latest and greatest model is a high priority for you, then look no further than the Surface Pro 6. It is ultra-light and faster than ever. It features the latest 8th Generation Intel Core processor as well as the full Windows 10 Home experience. It also happens to be the top value pick of the Microsoft Surface collection as well.

Similarly, the Surface Pro 5 is another excellent choice. It not only offers full PC performance in a thin and light design, but also boasts a high-resolution, oversized screen. Plus, it’s compatible with a variety of accessories, including a dock. One surprising downside is the thin, lightweight design makes it prone to bending if you’re not careful while handling or transporting this tablet.

Earlier variations, including the Surface Pro 3 and Surface 3, still remain solid machines today.  Both can easily convert into laptops with the proper accessories and can handle a full day’s work. Plus, the Surface 3 has a 10.8-inch display with the uncommon resolution of 1920 x 1280p, which is 200 pixels taller than the standard 1080p.  As a result, on-screen images appear colorful and sharp.

Keep an open mind, and consider laptops in addition to versatile tablets like the Microsoft Surface models. While laptops may be a bit pricier, they offer the convenience of a built-in keyboard for getting work done. In addition to the Microsoft Surface tablets, there are many tablet variations from manufacturers like Google, Apple, Amazon and more that offer unique options worth considering.

DWYM Fun Fact

Microsoft Surface Tablets had a bit of a rocky beginning. When they first debuted in 2012, people loved the hardware design but were baffled by the software. Since then, Microsoft has launched new software to better match the spot-on hardware.

The hybrid-PC style hardware was truly innovative and many other companies have copied its smart design. The built-in kickstand and add-on keyboard, still part of the newest Surface models, are industry standards now.

What started as one tablet has morphed into a full Microsoft Surface family of computers. The range includes tablets, standard laptops and oversized desktops. Quite frankly, the Microsoft Surface options have never been as diverse as they are today.

The Microsoft Surface Tablet Tips and Advice

  • Check what comes with each tablet standard carefully before clicking purchase. Not all come with the accessories needed to make the most of the tablet, like the Surface Pen and keyboard cover.
  • Understand what ports and connections are compatible with your Microsoft Surface tablets. Microsoft continues to use USB-A and its magnetic Surface Connect charger. Unlike other manufacturers, it has not transitioned to the USB-C and Thunderbolt 3.
  • There are budget-friendly financing options available directly through Microsoft. If you come in to a physical retail location, you can buy a new Surface on an installment plan, for as little as $25 per month. The payment plan also includes Office 365 for the two-year duration of the installments.
  • The Microsoft Complete extended warranty is a smart add-on to any device. The plan starts at $149 and features additional warranty coverage and accidental damage protection. It includes a total of two accidental damage claims, with a $49 deductible.