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The second-generation Motorola Moto E is an entry-level smartphone that offers outstanding value for money. It may lack premium styling, but it has everything else you could want from a budget phone - and more.

The Gadget Show

This isn't just a budget smartphone: it's a back up smartphone, an emergency smartphone, a holiday smartphone, a why-haven't-you-bought-one-yet smartphone? Your move, everyone else.

ITProPortal | Sandra Vogel

Still, the robust build, Android 4.4, memory expansion, opportunity to add replacement back covers and that fantastic battery life are all points in its favour. Other ultra-low-cost handset makers now need to up their game.

What Mobile | Saqib Shah

Its operating system interface is as smooth as you will find on high-end devices and it only lags behind those same handsets very slightly when it comes to using apps and web browsing. Its overall smooth performance and general usability mean that it is even worth a consideration for fans of more expensive devices.

Engadget | Chris Velazco

The Moto E has its shortcomings, but they're largely offset by the device's affordable price. While the more powerful Moto G is likely the better bet for most shoppers, those looking to ditch their feature phones without breaking the bank will find plenty to like here.

NotebookCheck | Daniel Schuster

We were already impressed by what Motorola did with the Moto G, and we are not any less impressed by the Moto E. Both devices offer great value for the money.

The Verge | Vlad Savov

This is not a hand-me-down for the poor masses, it's a modern smartphone that should embarrass only those who have had to spend more to achieve the same goals.

Gadgets Now | Anupam Saxena

... if you were waiting for a good budget Android phone before you ditch your feature phone, your wait is over. You can safely go for Moto E.

Australian PC World | Tony Ibrahim

Motorola's Moto E is a smartphone shaved down to the basics, but all of the basics have been done properly. This isn't the fastest or flashiest smartphone around, but it certainly has a whole lot of mobile smarts.

TechSpot | Tim Schiesser

Still, for its price the Moto E is a largely fantastic product, making it a great purchase if you're in the market for a cheap, no-fuss smartphone.

Recombu | Chris Barraclough

Do we love the Motorola Moto E? Yes, we do. It's a great performer for the price, with a colourful screen, fun design, and plenty of great features that make it easy to set up and use. Would we recommend it? Ngggggg, sadly not. For just a tenner more, you can pick up Motorola's Moto G smartphone.

PC Advisor | Marie Brewis

The new Moto E 4G is a worthy upgrade over the original Moto E, with upgrades in every area. Moto E 4G is a much better deal than the EE Kestrel, making it the best budget 4G phone intended for UK sale we've seen.

V3 | Alastair Stevenson

Offering all the enterprise benefits of Android 5.0 Lollipop, coupled with above average hardware for its price, the Moto E is one of the best affordable smartphones currently available.

Know Your Mobile | Damien McFerran

It's easy to forgive the Moto E's shortcomings as there simply isn't a better Android effort in the budget sector

TechRadar | James Rogerson

But for anyone else this is a great option and is especially good if you're on a tight budget, buying it for a child or elderly person or just want a reliable yet expendable phone that you can throw in a rucksack and take backpacking.

Stuff | Sophie Charara

But if price is the be-all and end-all of your smartphone decision, forget all those other smartphones and just buy a Moto E.

Trusted Reviews | Andrew Williams

It's not powerful and the camera is poor, but the Moto E offers a good baseline smartphone experience if the Moto G is that bit too expensive for your wallet.

Expert Reviews | Katharine Byrne

Camera could be better, but this...phone has great performance and superb battery life

Mobile Choice | Alistair Charlton

The E isn't the thinnest and lightest; it doesn't have the biggest screen, the most memory or the fastest processor. But it is incredibly affordable, has a good spec sheet, with an attractive and customisable design, great build quality, and an almost pure version of Android which will see a major update this year.

MobileTechTalk | Craig Bradshaw

The Moto E is good at most of what it does, and awful at what it does badly. If Motorola intended the 'E' branding to stand for "emerging", they've succeeded only in delivering "entry-level". That's not wholly a bad thing, but it's a mixed bag unfortunately.

The Next Web | Nick Summers

The Moto E is one of the best entry-level smartphones I've ever used. For its price, the industrial design and solid performance is fantastic. Combined with "stock" Android 4.4 KitKat, it's a reliable device that anyone can use.

Phone Scoop | Eric M. Zeman

The Motorola Moto E definitely has flaws, but they are easy to overlook depending on your needs. As far as basic smartphones go, the Moto E comes close to firing on all cylinders.

Android Authority | Joshua Vergara

While it may not feel like something a typical western user would want, the Moto E isn't about power, but about the experience it has to offer, in what is easily one of the most accessible packages ever.

NDTV Gadgets | Ershad Kaleebullah

here is no denying that the Moto E (Gen 2) 4G is a better bet than its predecessor in terms of performance and because it's more future-ready. However, the Lenovo A6000 Plus, Yu Yuphoria and Xiaomi Redmi 2 all have 2GB of RAM and better cameras, making them better value for money overall. But, the software experience on the Moto E (Gen 2) 4G is unparalleled.

SlashGear | Chris Davies

The Moto E is ambitious in a similar way to the Moto G, undercutting its midrange sibling by $50, and delivering a surprising combination of abilities frankly unusual on a device in this sort of range. The Moto E packs an impressive punch.

CNET UK | Nate Ralph

The Moto E isn't flashy, or all that powerful. Motorola has proven that you can make something affordable and pleasant to use, too.

Mobile Syrup | Daniel Bader

Recommended with caveats. The Moto E has some glaring pricing issues

International Business Times | Anthony Cuthbertson

If it wasn't for the woeful camera, this would easily be the best budget device out there

The Inquirer | Carly Page

It ships with a largely vanilla version of Android 4.4.2 Kitkat, and it has good battery life and plenty of storage.

pocketnow | Michael Fisher

Between the software stumbles, the storage shortage, and the camera, you might think the Moto E a pretty wimpy contender. Frankly, we're not confident that it'll age well; consistent updates aside, smartphones usually slow down over time, and performance this sluggish and inconsistent out of the box gives us pause.

AndroidPit | Tales Gomes

The downside of the Motorola phone is that it doesn't have the most modern of designs and lacks a front camera. In addition to this, the battery isn't removable.

Wired UK | Dave Oliver

Unfortunately for the Motorola Moto E, the screen is so-so, the camera a little below par, it's not 4G and the battery life isn't great. However, it's certainly very cheap, and as far as its processor, expandable memory and up-to-date Android operating system go, it's cheerful too.

LAPTOP | Dan Howley

Moto E is a durable and customizable Android phone at a fraction of the cost of leading handsets, but it's missing some features.

Digital Trends | Jeffrey Van Camp

Moto E is cheap, and for that price you get a phone that works. But it won't be a phone that you love. Buy a $180 Moto G instead.

Digital Versus | Sofian Nouira

After the Moto G's excellent value for money, Motorola is striking the same chord with the Moto E. It's really an enjoyable phone to use and it doesn't provoke the usual frustrations that other budget Android phones do. The Moto E is clearly the new reference in its category.