If someone asked what kind of pet you want, you’d probably say a cat or a dog. Motorola’s phones are hamsters in this analogy. Still cute and definitely pets, but not necessarily the first or second one that comes to mind. The company’s Android smartphones often play third fiddle to the likes of Samsung and Google. And if you’re an interested buyer, it can be hard to select the best Motorola phone because the company launches way too many models in a year. I’ve tested almost every Moto phone, and in this guide I break down the pros and cons and steer you toward my favorite models. 

Be sure to check out our other mobile buying guides, including the Best Android Phones, Best iPhones, Best Cheap Phones, Best Pixel Phones, and Best Phones With a Headphone Jack. 

• The Pros and Cons of Buying a Motorola
• Best Motorola Phone: Motorola Edge+
• Runner-Up: Lenovo ThinkPhone by Motorola
• A Folding Moto: Motorola Razr+
• Best Moto G Phone: Moto G Stylus 5G
• Other Good Motorola Phones
• Avoid These Phones
• The Competition
• Our Favorite Motorola Features

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Here’s what’s WIRED and TIRED about Motorola phones. This breakdown can help you decide whether to stick with Moto or buy something else. 

Motorola phones have a simple Android interface. This means the company hasn’t done much to gunk up the software. It’s simple and easy to use. There’s often some bloatware, but nowadays you can easily uninstall almost all of it. 

These phones come with 256 gigabytes of storage. This isn’t true of every Motorola phone, but most now offer more than the 128-GB capacity you’ll find on their peers.

They have some of the best battery life. The company stuffs big batteries into these slim phones, and they’re frequently able to eke out two full days of use on a single charge, besting almost all of the competition. 

There’s broad carrier support. While some Android phones have inconsistent carrier support in the US, Motorola phones often work on most if not all networks (the company lists carrier support details in the Specs section of all its phones). They all work on the big three—T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon. Make sure you buy them unlocked.