The best dumbphones are an ideal cure for having a phone permanently glued to your hand. Whether you’re lying in bed, on the toilet or commuting, endlessly scrolling through short-form videos and social media might trap your brain in a loop of dopamine hits. I can say that I’ve lost countless hours poring over movie clips and meme videos on Instagram and YouTube. But is mindlessly scrolling contributing to brain rot? Possibly.
A 2025 study linked frequent Instagram use with heightened levels of depression, anxiety and stress in young adults – dumbphones might be the answer for your digital detox. They often look and behave much like regular smartphones, offering phone calls, messaging and camera functions. But they help curb screen time and social media use, often by blocking access to streaming or addictive platforms like Insta or TikTok.
There are a handful of companies involved in the dumbphone revolution, like Balance and double-hard-phone veterans Nokia. But which is the best dumbphone for you? I’ve tried and tested the best dumbphones to help you decide.
Read more: This app blocker cut my screen time to just two hours a day
The best dumbphones in 2026 are:
- Best overall – Balance Phone: £379, Healf.com
- Best for older kids – Balance Phone kids: £279, Healf.com
- Best design – Light Phone III: £661, Thelightphone.com
- Best budget buy – Nokia 110: £19.99, Argos.co.uk
- Best for reading – Minimal Phone: £367, Minimalcompany.com
- Best for battery life – Mudita Kompakt: £293, Healf.com
Read more: What’s the best Kindle? Paperwhite, Scribe and more reviewed