Here are the best budget phones (good value under ~$500, and cheaper options under ~$300) that stand out for long battery life as of late 2025, with short notes so you can compare quickly. I focused on phones widely reviewed in U.S. outlets for runtime, battery capacity, charging and overall value.

Top picks for long battery life

1. Motorola Moto G (2025) — best ultra-budget battery champ

• Why: excellent real-world endurance for a very low price; near-stock Android keeps power use low.
• Battery: ~5,000 mAh. Reported real‑world runtimes often exceed a full day and in some tests beat more expensive rivals.
• Price: around $150–$250 depending on config/carrier.
• Source: review roundup / battery tests. (NextTechBuy.com)

2. Motorola Moto G Power (2025) — best under $300 for endurance

• Why: Moto’s Power line focuses on stamina; reviewers report consistently long runtimes and solid charging (30W wired, some wireless support).
• Battery: 5,000 mAh. Battery benchmark times reported in the ~13–17 hour range (web browsing / mixed-use tests depending on test conditions).
• Price: usually ~$200–$300.
• Source: Tom’s Guide and other reviews. (tomsguide.com)

3. Google Pixel 9a — best “budget‑ish” phone with very good battery + software support

• Why: a stronger overall package (OLED, good cameras, 7 years of updates) and a big battery that outlasts many midrangers in tests. Good if you want longevity + software updates.
• Battery: reported ~5,100 mAh; very good real‑world endurance for its class.
• Price: around $399–$499 (varies with sales).
• Source: Tom’s Guide review/roundups. (tomsguide.com)

4. Xiaomi / Redmi Note 13 (and similar Redmi Note models) — best for big battery + display on a budget

• Why: 5,000 mAh batteries, efficient chipsets, AMOLE D displays with good efficiency — usually last a day+ easily. They offer strong value, though U.S. availability and model names can vary.
• Battery: ~5,000 mAh common; reviewers report 1–2 days depending on use.
• Price: typically $200–$350 internationally; U.S. availability/pricing varies.
• Source: product reviews and price reports. (thesun.co.uk)

5. Nothing Phone 3a / Nothing Phone 2a (value models) — stylish option with solid endurance

• Why: balances design and battery life (5,000 mAh on many models) while staying in the mid‑budget tier; reviewers noted multiday-ish usability under moderate use.
• Battery: ~5,000 mAh on the value variants.
• Price: often ~$300–$400.
• Source: Tom’s Guide best-budget lists and reviews. (tomsguide.com)

How I chose these

• Focused on phones that combine large batteries (≈5,000 mAh or more), efficient chipsets / software, and reviewer battery‑benchmark results from reputable outlets (Tom’s Guide, Android Authority, TechRadar and similar). Where possible I favored models available or commonly sold in the U.S. market. (tomsguide.com)

Quick buying tips

• Battery size ≠ everything: look for real-world battery tests (screen-on time, web-browsing tests) and chipset efficiency. Reviews from Tom’s Guide / Android Authority / TechRadar are good references. (tomsguide.com)
• If you want the absolute longest runtime at the lowest price, prioritize phones with 5,000 mAh+ batteries and power‑efficient midrange chips (and turn off high refresh rates when you don’t need them).
• Consider charging: some budget phones have slow chargers in the box — check wattage and whether wireless charging is supported if that matters. (tomsguide.com)

If you want, I can:

• Narrow this to a specific price target (under $200, under $300, under $500) and list the best options available to buy right now in the U.S. (I’ll check current prices/availability), or
• Compare two or three specific models you’re choosing between (battery tests, charging, and everyday pros/cons).

Which of those two would you like next?