10 Best Burner Phones 2026 in the United States

The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is a versatile unlocked phone that can serve well as a burner phone, especially if you want a device with more features than basic models. It offers excellent battery life, boasting up to 30 hours of talk time and a 5000mAh battery that supports fast 30W charging, so you won’t need to recharge often. Network compatibility is solid since it’s unlocked and supports 5G, ensuring good connectivity across most US carriers. The phone is fairly lightweight (190 grams) and moderately sized with a 6.7-inch screen, which might be larger than typical burner phones but still reasonably portable. It also includes a handy built-in stylus, which adds extra functionality if you like jotting notes or sketching.

Call and text quality should be reliable, supported by Android 14 and a Snapdragon processor, although it focuses more on multimedia features like a 50MP camera and big, vibrant display. In terms of durability, while it has a modern design with a soft vegan leather finish, it may not be as rugged as simpler models meant purely for temporary use. Ease of use is straightforward with Android and added features like dual SIM and expandable storage, but the numerous extras might feel overwhelming if you want a strictly basic phone.

This phone is best suited for users who want a burner phone that also doubles as a fully capable smartphone with a long battery life and good network support, rather than just a minimal, disposable device.

The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G is a solid choice if you want a burner phone that feels more like a reliable everyday smartphone but remains affordable. It has a large 6.6-inch AMOLED screen with a smooth 120 Hz refresh rate, which makes viewing content and navigating menus easy and pleasant. Battery life is impressive for a burner phone, offering up to 27.5 hours of talk time and supported by fast charging, so you won’t be tethered to an outlet for long. The phone’s 5G compatibility ensures good network performance across the US, making calls and texts clear and dependable. Its rugged design offers water, dirt, and dust resistance, which adds to its durability—a key factor for a burner phone you might carry around without worry. While the phone is on the larger side (about 6.37 inches long and weighing 209 grams), it remains portable and easy to handle thanks to its bar form factor.

The user interface is based on Android 14 with Samsung’s One UI 6.0, which is intuitive but may have more features than some users need in a simple burner phone. Storage is ample at 128GB, with 6GB RAM for smooth operation, although this might be more than necessary for basic calling and texting. The Galaxy A36 5G delivers excellent call and text quality, strong battery life, fast network support, and decent durability, but its size and extra smartphone features might be more than what casual burner phone users expect.

The Motorola Moto G Play 2024 is a solid choice if you want a burner phone that lasts long and handles basic tasks easily. Its standout feature is the large 5000mAh battery, which means you can go a full day or more without worrying about charging—great for reliable, long-lasting use. It supports US networks unlocked, ensuring good compatibility for calls and texts. The phone has a big 6.5-inch screen with a smooth 90Hz refresh rate, which is more than enough for simple browsing or watching videos, though it might be larger than needed if you want something very compact.

The build feels sturdy with a splash-resistant finish, so it can handle everyday bumps or light spills, adding to its durability. Call and text quality should be clear thanks to decent speakers and cellular connectivity. It runs Android 13, which makes it easy to use, but the 4GB RAM and Snapdragon 680 chip mean it’s more powerful than most burner phones require, which could be a bonus if you want a bit more functionality. Storage at 64GB is generous for apps and messages, plus there's room to add more via microSD card.

This phone is a bit heavier and bigger than typical burner phones, so if portability and discretion are your top priorities, it might feel bulky. Also, the high-resolution camera and multimedia features are nice extras but not essential for basic burner phone needs. The Moto G Play offers a great balance of battery life, durability, and ease of use with some extra power and screen space that might suit users wanting more than just a basic phone.