Best Budget Smartphones 2022

To choose the best affordable phones for your life, we researched all of the options on the market and performed select hands-on testing. We focused on the price first but kept other important features in mind, including battery life, display and camera system.
• No 5G cellular support
BLU G51S
AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon
T-Mobile

But the showstopper of the Moto G Power is the battery. Motorola claims the Moto G Power can last up to three days on a single charge. That’s quite an impressive feat for a smartphone. The battery can recharge up to an hour of power in only a few minutes too.

Phone Best Price
Apple iPhone SE Best Budget iPhone $429 LEARN MORE
Google Pixel 5a Best Budget Android $449 LEARN MORE
OnePlus Nord N20 5G Best Under $300 $282 LEARN MORE
Motorola Moto G Power The Best Battery $199 LEARN MORE
BLU G51S The Best Under $100 $99 LEARN MORE

5 Smartphones that Don’t Break the Bank

Photo courtesy of Apple
4.7” LCD
Key Features

  • Access to Apple software and services
  • Excellent 12 MP f/1.8 rear camera
  • Among the best built of selected budget phones
Key Features

  • The best Android smartphone under $500
  • Camera delivers great photos and videos
  • Super fast battery charging
Key Features

  • Large, vivid display for movies and photos
  • 4500mAh battery that lasts longer
  • Fast 33W charging
Key Features

  • Battery lasts up to three days
  • Fast charging: a few minutes = 1 hour of use
  • Low price tag
Key Features

  • A decent smartphone under $100
  • A large 6.4” display for easy web surfing
  • Available in four colors
• Outdated processor that won’t help the longevity of the device
The Pixel 5a features an impressive camera system with dual lenses, a 12.2 MP f/1.7 lens and a 16 MP f/2.2 ultrawide lens. These stats simply mean that this budget phone can help you capture the moment in different situations, even if you need to get up close.
The camera system is decent with the primary rear camera based around a 50 MP f1/.8 sensor and lens pairing that will help capture important moments but don’t expect the best in the photo and video quality. As with the Nord N20 5G, the Moto G Power also features a 2 MP f/2.4 camera for capturing extremely up-close shots.
US networks

The right budget smartphone for you depends on what you want and how much you want to pay for those features. If you can afford a higher price point, go with the Apple iPhone SE or Google Pixel 5a. They both offer an excellent value. If your primary focus is battery life, pick the Moto G Power for its three-day battery life and super fast charging abilities. If price is your main factor, check out the OnePlus Nord N20 5G and BLU G51S.