Cheap 2 in 1 laptops with pen

EDITOR'S NOTE: November 2022

With Black Friday swiftly approaching, we're expecting big sales on the best 2-in-1 laptops, as well as great deals on the best 2-in-1 Chromebooks - so if you're looking for a great-value device but can't decide between a laptop and a tablet, these are the convertibles for you.

The HP Elite Dragonfly G2 remains our top pick despite being nearly a year old, but we've got some powerful new entries this month too - including the excellent 2022 model of HP's own Spectre x360. If you're looking for a lightweight, flexible laptop for work - or need a new student laptop - check out these lovely products.

- Christian Guyton, US Computing Editor

The best 2-in-1 laptops can be vital tools for work, school, and play - whether they're used for taking notes in a class or meeting, researching online, or joining video calls with classmates, colleagues, and friends. If you're after a new laptop, keep an eye out for upcoming Black Friday laptop deals.

The latest selection of 2-in-1s we've seen over the last two years is undeniably a far cry from the chunky, underpowered hybrid laptops of the past. New processors and more efficient batteries have made these laptops into more than just tablets with keyboards stitched on: they're among the best laptops you can buy right now. 

It's not just Windows laptops, either - some of the best Chromebooks on the market are 2-in-1 models, rocking either a detachable keyboard or a 360-degree hinge for swapping rapidly between laptop and tablet orientations.

With so many great options out there though, how do you go about finding the right one? Well, fortunately, we've tested many of the best 2-in-1 laptops on the market for many years, so whether you're looking for the best student laptops or the best business laptops, we've tested just about all of them, so we're here to help make your buying decision easier than ever. 

Best 2-in-1 laptops 2022 - chosen by our experts

One of the best laptops we’ve tested

Specifications

CPU: 11th-generation Intel Core i3 – i7

Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics

RAM: 8GB - 32GB

Screen: 13.3-inch diagonal BrightView LED FHD, 400 nits – 13.3-inch diagonal BrightView LED 4K UHD HDR-400 550 nits

Storage: up to 2TB SSD

Reasons to buy

+

Great design

Reasons to avoid

-

Expensive

HP might've stumbled with the overpriced, underperforming HP Elite Dragonfly G3, but fortunately its predecessor hasn't gone anywhere. It's still amazing: an impressive business laptop with a smart design, great battery life, and 2-in-1 capabilities.

The HP Elite Dragonfly was among the best HP laptops, and the second-generation model followed in its footsteps. Of course, being a follow-up, it’s more powerful than its predecessor. Now, the line is touting 11th-gen Intel Core chips, Intel Iris Xe graphics, and now a 4K display, upgrading from its previous Full HD models.

It might not be 12th-gen Intel, but that's actually a good thing here; the G3 uses a U-series 12th-gen chip, which provides better battery life but ultimately sub-par performance. The G-series 11th-gen chips in the HP Elite Dragonfly G2 provide better stability and performance for their generation, and this laptop doesn't struggle with battery life anyway.

It might just be as close to being the perfect business laptop as any manufacturer can get, but it’s also stylish enough to appeal to the more casual users. That is, if they can afford it – as this laptop is as expensive as it’s always been. However, as it is meant for professionals, it’s definitely worth the investment. Plus, that 2-in-1 form factor, touchscreen functionality and included stylus makes it a better value than its rivals.

Read our full HP Elite Dragonfly G2 review

The best budget 2-in-1 laptop

Specifications

CPU: MediaTek Helio P60T Processor

Graphics: ARM G72 MP3 800GHz

RAM: 4 GB LPDDR4X

Screen: 10.1" FHD (1920 x 1200) IPS, glossy, touchscreen, 400 nits

Storage: Storage: 64 GB eMMC

Reasons to buy

+

Lightweight and portable

Reasons to avoid

-

Tiny keyboard and finicky trackpad

Is it a Chromebook or is it a tablet? Well, luckily, you won’t have to decide. True to its name, the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook delivers two form factors in one while keeping the price unbelievably low. In fact, if you’re looking for a budget option, this is the best 2-in-1 laptop for you. This Chromebook utilizes the versatility of the Chrome OS while you back much less than many of the top Windows tablets out there. 

Of course, true to its Chromebook nature, its battery packs an incredibly long life of almost 22 hours – you could pull an all-nighter, work through the day and mid-afternoon, and you’ll still pass out before it runs out of juice. For this price, sacrifices have to be made, naturally – the keyboard is tiny, the trackpad isn’t as reliable, and the charger and headphones share one port. However, if budget is your top priority, this has to be your top choice.

Read our full Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook review

The best premium 2-in-1 laptop

Specifications

CPU: 10th Generation Intel Core i3 – i7

Graphics: Intel Iris Plus

RAM: up to 16GB 4267MHz LPDDR4x

Screen: 13.4-in. touch display

Storage: up to 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD

Reasons to buy

+

Great display

Reasons to avoid

-

Expensive

The Dell XPS line has been upping the ante in the world of portables since its launch, and that hasn’t changed years later. It has now penetrated the premium game, forcing its budget-conscious fans to look for cheaper alternatives, but that higher price tag is more than justified considering this laptop’s build, features, and prowess. The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2020) remains to be among the best laptops right now, touting more versatility thanks to its hybrid design. We love this laptop so much that we’d buy it just for the pleasure of using it.

But if that price is holding you back, let us assure you: this is worth paying extra for. Its absolutely stellar battery life, Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, plenty of storage, and quiet operation are among the most noteworthy features here. Its bright and vibrant display also means that it's just as much of a pleasure to use in tablet mode as it is in traditional laptop mode. 

Read our full Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2020) review

Best 2-in-1 laptop for business users

Specifications

CPU: 11th generation Intel Core i5 – i7

Graphics: Intel Xe Plus

RAM: 8GB – 16GB

Screen: 14-inch, 1920 x 1200p, IPS touchscreen, 400 nit

Storage: 256GB – 512GB SSD

Reasons to buy

+

Fantastic 16:10 display

Reasons to avoid

-

Rather plain design for the price

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6 isn’t just among the best 2-in-1s out there. It’s also among the best laptops 2022 has to offer, touting sheer power, an excellent battery life, and a breathtaking 16:10 display designed with maximum productivity in mind. Of course, being an Intel Evo-certified laptop targeted at busy professionals, it comes with many security add-ons for business users.

It’s undeniably a little on the expensive side, but if you can afford it, it’s well worth the price - especially since it comes with a few extras like an SD card slot and a garaged stylus. The Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics used here are also solid, enabling a bit of low-end gaming once your work is complete. Oh, and unlike the other laptops on this list, it has physical mouse buttons above the trackpad, for those who prefer a more tactile click.

Read our full Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6 review

An excellent mid-range option with a stunning display

Specifications

CPU: 12th-gen Intel Core i5 – i7

Graphics: Intel Integrated Iris Xe

RAM: 8GB – 16GB

Screen: 13.3-inch, AMOLED (1920x1080)

Storage: 256GB – 512GB SSD

Reasons to buy

+

Excellent AMOLED display

Reasons to avoid

-

Modest integrated graphics

The Samsung Galaxy Book2 360 may not be the excellent Pro Book2 model, but it still manages to get a lot of things right – enough to make it a worthy option for professionals looking for a highly capable 2-in-1 laptop that's not quite a piggy-bank-breaker. There's a lot you'll love here including its all-day battery life and premium convertible design.

But, this being a Samsung laptop, its pride and joy is that stunner of an AMOLED display. Despite its modest 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, we found this screen to be a delight, especially for watching videos or doing a spot of photo-editing work. Of course, its performance has proven to be solid as well when it comes to productivity tasks and even casual gaming.

If you're looking for a versatile, portable, and affordable 2-in-1 laptop with great battery life and an even better display, this one's a winner.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Book2 360 review

The best 16-inch 2-in-1 laptop

Specifications

CPU : 12th Generation Intel Core i5 – i7

Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics

RAM: Up to 16 GB DDR4

Screen: 16", FHD+ (1920x1200), 60Hz, 300 nits

Storage: Up to 1 TB PCIe SSD

Reasons to buy

+

Great all-round performance

Reasons to avoid

-

A bit heavy

Most 2-in-1 laptops opt for a small form factor - typically with a 13- or 14-inch display - in order to better align themselves with their tablet brethren. Not so for the Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1, which rocks a big, bright 16-inch screen with a 16:10 aspect ratio that allows you to fit more on your screen when scrolling through web pages or documents.

It's a bit more expensive than many 2-in-1 laptops with comparable specs, but this is still a dependable workhorse for everyday tasks. It's a little on the heavy side, but that comes from an exceptionally sturdy chassis and a robust touchscreen. A wide range of models are available, including one with a dedicated Nvidia MX550 GPU - in case you'd like to do a little creative work, or gaming.

Read our full Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1 (2022) review

7. Acer Spin 5 (2020)

A fantastic 2-in-1 laptop

Specifications

CPU: 10th-generation Intel Core i5 – i7

Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics

RAM: 8GB – 16GB

Screen: 13.5" (2256 x 1504) 3:2 touchscreen display

Storage: 256GB – 512GB SSD

Reasons to buy

+

Fantastic battery life

Reasons to avoid

-

3:2 display not ideal for 16:9 video

A great feature set definitely adds a lot of value, and if you’re looking for the best 2-in-1 laptops, that’s one thing to keep an eye out for. It’s that kind of feature set combined with its affordability that makes the Acer Spin 5 (2020) a terrific candidate. This 2-in-1 laptop isn’t just versatile due to its form factors and fantastic battery life. It also comes with a 3:2 display and a feature-rich stylus that together give it that extra advantage for students and professionals over its rivals: an easy and seamless note-taking experience. If you’re one of those folks who have a contempt for typing up notes in class, this old-school approach might just seal the deal.

Of course, that just-under-12-hours battery life is a bonus, and the fast stylus charging that gives you about 90 minutes of use for 15 or 20 seconds of charging is a boon. Finally, that stellar performance is impressive considering its affordable price. 

Read our full Acer Spin 5 review

An excellent 2-in-1

Specifications

CPU: 11th Gen Intel Core i5 – i7

Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics

RAM: up to 24 GB DDR4 3200MHz

Screen: 14.0” FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS, glossy, touchscreen, 300 nits

Storage: up to 1TB PCIe SSD

Reasons to buy

+

Great performance

Reasons to avoid

-

Battery life is just OK

Lenovo’s latest release, the ThinkBook 14S Yoga, is a solid and affordable convertible that comes with some great features and terrific performance. Even though admittedly, it isn’t perfect, there’s a lot to love here, starting with its great price-to-performance ratio. You’ll appreciate the specs behind that power – that 11th-gen Intel Core chip and Intel Iris Xe graphics inside will ensure that it’ll see you through even arduous tasks. And, although that coveted 2-in-1 design may come standard on every hybrid, for example, its garaged pen is not, making it a boon to those who tend to lose small peripherals. Plus, its webcam shutter is there to protect your privacy.

Sadly, that battery life is no match to the competition. It falls just shy of the nine-hour mark, which means that you should take your charger with you if you’re clocking in a full work or school day. Still, for the price you’re paying, this is among the best 2-in-1 laptops out there.

Read our full Lenovo Thinkpad 14S Yoga review

An expensive but luxurious 2-in-1 laptop

Specifications

CPU: 12th Generation Intel Core i5 - i7

Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics

RAM: 16GB LPDDR4X

Screen: 13.5-inch 3K2K UWVA OLED Display

Storage: 1TB PCIe SSD

Reasons to buy

+

Sleek, beautiful design

Reasons to avoid

-

Very expensive

HP's premium Spectre x360 line of 2-in-1 laptops has always been one of our favorites, and the 2022 model is no exception. Sure, like its predecessors it's very expensive, but you get what you pay for: this time, a 12th-gen Intel processor, a subtly redesigned chassis, and a truly beautiful OLED display.

This screen is made even better by its 3K2K resolution and almost non-existent screen bezels, and HP has managed to squeeze in a very comfortable keyboard into the 2022 Spectre x360's compact frame. It keeps all the best aspects of older Spectre models, like the corner-angled ports that provide more connectivity while making excellent use of the laptop's real estate.

Read our full HP Spectre x360 (2022) review

A sleek ChromeOS-powered 2-in-1 laptop

Specifications

CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen2

Graphics: Qualcomm Adreno Graphics

RAM: 8GB LPDDR4

Screen: 13.3-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) multitouch OLED, 400 nits

Storage: 128GB eMMC

Reasons to buy

+

Bright and vibrant display

Reasons to avoid

-

Keyboard could be more robust

A sleek and stylish upgrade to the IdeaPad Duet Chromebook seen higher up this list, the Duet 5 is that 2-in-1 Chromebook's big brother. It's got a bigger screen, a bigger keyboard, and a more powerful Snapdragon CPU from Qualcomm. The display on this version is an OLED panel that provides excellent brightness and color density.

The IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook is undeniably more at home being a laptop than a tablet, but that's no bad thing; it can hold its grounds against top-notch ultrabooks, and the Snapdragon 7c chip at its core is incredibly power-efficient, which results in an incredible 18+ hour battery life. The only downside is that it's more expensive than its predecessor.

Read our full Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook review

How to choose the best 2-in-1 laptop for you

With so many great options available, picking out the best 2-in-1 laptop for your own personal needs can be tricky. If you're not particularly clued in on what the internal components mean, don't worry: we're here to help.

Ultimately, you need to consider exactly what you're planning on using your new 2-in-1 laptop for. If it's just going to be for simple office work (say, spreadsheets and word processing) or it's a simple entertainment laptop for a child, you don't need a top-tier processor or tonnes of RAM.

Most of these 2-in-1 laptops feature at least 8GB of RAM, which is plenty for the average user. If you're going to be performing more intensive tasks, like video editing, digital art, or running complex mathematical programs, you might want 16GB or even more than that. When it comes to confusingly-named CPUs, bigger numbers in the name generally mean a more powerful chip that will make the laptop run faster - though these will cost more.

If you want to use your laptop for maximum productivity, consider one with a 16:10 or 3:2 screen aspect ratio. This means that the screen is taller than 'widescreen' aspect ratios like 16:9, so you can fit more of a long text document on the screen without needing to scroll!

Lastly, pay close attention to the amount of storage a laptop has. If you're planning on mostly working off the cloud (like using Google Drive), you won't need as much storage. But if you want to install lots of programs to your device or store a tonne of photo or video files, you're probably going to need more than the 256GB drives found in many of the best 2-in-1 laptops.

How we test 2-in-1 laptops

Testing 2-in-1 laptops looks a lot like testing traditional clamshell laptops, only with a few extra steps. After all, we also need to test these hybrids’ 2-in-1 form factor as well as touchscreen functionalities, ensuring that everything works swimmingly and the touchscreen is as responsive as it should be.

We take a look at a 2-in-1 laptop’s design, first of all, checking to see how robust its build is, just how portable it is, how comfortable its keyboard and trackpad are to use, how good the display is, etc. We check the availability of ports and biometrics sign-in technologies. We check out the webcam, speakers, and mic as well, since video conferencing has become such an integral part of our daily lives. Naturally, because its 2-in-1 form factor is a major selling point, we inspect the hinges, the different modes, the touchscreen functionality, and the stylus, if included, to make sure that it’s delivering a seamless experience.

Of course, we test its performance as well. Since most 2-in-1 notebooks are designed for productivity, school, or everyday use, we utilize the laptop in our daily workloads as well as for entertainment and casual use. We use the most commonly used Windows 10 (or Chrome OS on Chromebooks) apps to see how fast they load and run. We perform synthetic benchmarks as well, including PCMark 10 (Home Test) and GeekBench 5 so we can get you those exact numbers to compare to its rivals.

Battery life – or rather, great battery life – is an integral part of laptops, especially premium ones. So, we also test its longevity, using it at full charge to see just how long the battery lasts when doing everyday workloads, as well as running both our looped 1080p movie test and the PC Mark 10 battery life benchmark.

Finally, we gather all that information we collected about the laptop and compare it to its price tag to gauge whether it’s a great value to consumers - or at the very least, worth the money.

For a more in-depth guide on our testing process, see how we test.

Christian is TechRadar’s UK-based Computing Editor. He came to us from Maximum PC magazine, where he fell in love with computer hardware and building PCs. He was a regular fixture amongst our freelance review team before making the jump to TechRadar, and can usually be found drooling over the latest high-end graphics card or gaming laptop before looking at his bank account balance and crying.

Christian is a keen campaigner for LGBTQ+ rights and the owner of a charming rescue dog named Lucy, having adopted her after he beat cancer in 2021. She keeps him fit and healthy through a combination of face-licking and long walks, and only occasionally barks at him to demand treats when he’s trying to work from home.