Which Cell Phone Service Is The Best Deal

The all-time cell phone plans for May 2022

Prison cell phone plan quick links

Bound straight to phone plans past blazon:
one. Cheap jail cell phone plans
ii. Prepaid
3. Unlimited
iv. Family plans
five. Plans for seniors
6. Plans for kids
Quick tips:
1. How to observe the right program for you lot
2. How to save money

Navigating the earth of data, minutes, perks and prices tin sometimes be a existent hassle for those looking to brand the switch. That'southward why nosotros've put together this guide to this month'southward best cell phone plans to arm our readers with the know-how to brand the right decision for them. Nosotros've tirelessly researched all the top companies, carriers, and services to come with a list of recommendations based on what nosotros recollect most people are looking for in regards to the best cell phone plans.

At the very top of the page, you'll encounter a very quick summary of our choices alongside a few quick-fire acme tips to help yous decide which plan is for you. If you're looking for a really detailed breakdown of each selection, all the same, nosotros've gone in-depth with specific user sections merely beneath. We're roofing topics like the all-time cheap unlimited plan, best value plans overall, best plans for seniors, and even the best family plans in their own sections. So, if you have a solid idea of what y'all need, feel free to skip to the department that's relevant for yous.

First, here's a quick summary of the best jail cell phone providers in the US based on what we think their master strengths are.

Verizon (opens in new tab) - the best coverage overall
Visible (opens in new tab) - the all-time inexpensive unlimited plan
Mint Mobile (opens in new tab) - the best value overall
Verizon (opens in new tab) - the all-time family plan
Ultra Mobile (opens in new tab) - the all-time program for seniors
Twigby (opens in new tab) - the all-time plan for kids

Generally speaking, cell phone plans are divide into cheaper 'prepaid' options and more expensive 'postpaid options'. In a nutshell, prepaid plans don't have contracts, characteristic smaller data allowances, merely also take fashion cheaper monthly costs. Conversely, postpaid plans are probably going to be for yous if y'all're data-hungry and don't mind spending a picayune more than. You'll observe options for both in our roundup of the best cell phone plans, plus a whole frequently asked questions department at the bottom of the folio. If you're struggling to effigy out the best cell phone plan for you lot or want some money-saving tips, we highly recommend reading the FAQ section.

Demand a handset too? Come across our guide to the best phones in the United states (opens in new tab) this month

Best cell phone plans: quick tips

ane. Decide budget
First thing's first, determine the upper limit of how much you're willing to spend per month.

two. Determine information usage
Every bit a rule of thumb, more data equals higher bills, and then piece of work out how much you use per calendar month.

3. Check coverage
Almost all carriers use Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile networks - check which you lot're best covered with right hither.

4. Compare the market
Check out both postpaid and prepaid options on the network yous become the all-time coverage with.

Inexpensive jail cell phone plans

Cheap jail cell phone plans are going to be bang-up for you if you're a single-line user who but needs the basics and wants a dirt-cheap monthly nib. All our choices here are pretty stripped down, but they do all the same include a bit of data allowance each month just in case.

Who these cell phone plans are smashing for

Light phone users
People with easy access to Wi-Fi

Downsides of these cell phone plans

Ofttimes take slower data speeds when networks are decorated (deprioritization)
Smaller data allowances
Zero perks (like free streaming services)

See our principal cheap cell phone plans article for even more neat options.

^ Back to tiptop

Prepaid cell phone plans

The best prepaid cell phone plans on our list overlap pretty heavily with our prior choices for cheap jail cell telephone plans, but generally speaking, nosotros've included options hither with more than data allowance. As prepaid plans, all the following choices don't include contracts or credit checks.

Who these cell telephone plans are corking for

Those who don't want a long-term contract
Those who don't want a credit check for your plan
Those who desire a chip of data, merely on a upkeep

Downsides of these prison cell telephone plans

Slower data speeds when the networks are busy (deprioritization)
Fewer perks like Hard disk drive video streaming, international calling, and gratis streaming services

See our main page on the all-time prepaid plans (opens in new tab) for more splendid options.

^ Back to top

Unlimited cell phone plans

Unlimited data cell phone plans, every bit the name suggests, requite y'all oodles of high-speed data for all your streaming and browsing needs. Note, these plans will generally cost a lot more, came from the 'large names', but also give y'all the best service and speeds plus a ton of included goodies like third-party streaming subscriptions.

Who these cell phone plans are great for

Heavy telephone users who never utilize Wi-Fi
Those who dearest to stream high-definition content
Those with a scrap more than cash to spend
Those who want to get discounts on handsets

Downsides of these cell telephone plans

Often twice the toll of prepaid prison cell phone plans
Lengthy (two twelvemonth) contract terms with plush buy-outs
Credit checks to be eligible for some plans

For more unlimited data programme options, bank check out our guide to the best unlimited data plans in the United states.

^ Back to top

Family cell phone plans

In recent years nosotros've seen nigh carriers move away from plans that are specifically branded for families - instead opting for a more than flexible approach. That said, discounts for multiple lines on a plan (or business relationship) are still commonplace and remain the best way to save on your cell telephone bills. We've included pricing for four-line plans just below but note - most of these options will have discounts from 2-lines. Every bit a rule of thumb, nevertheless, more lines equals cheaper rates per line on average.

Who these prison cell phone plans are great for

Families... (duh)
Couples who want to save a bit of greenbacks

Downsides of these cell telephone plans

Very pricey on the 4-line options per calendar month
Lengthy contracts on the postpaid cell phone plans
Credit checks to be eligible for some options

For a more detailed look at prison cell phone plans for your family, see our guide to this month's best family cell phone plans (opens in new tab).

^ Back to top

Phone plans for seniors

Like other user demographics, the needs of seniors volition differ greatly from user to user. Our choice of the best cell telephone plans for seniors focuses on offering a wide range of options, and so whether you're just looking for the cheapest programme available or want some flexibility, you're covered.

Who these cell phone plans are great for

Older individuals (or couples) who want to keep the monthly costs down
Those who want flexibility
Those who are eligible for seniors discounts

Downsides of these cell phone plans

Generally very basic, with fewer options and data allowances
Non not bad value if yous're a heavy data user (aside from the T-Mobile selection)

For a full deep-swoop on the acme options right at present for older citizens, see our roundup on this month's best cell phone plans for seniors (opens in new tab).

^ Dorsum to top

Phone plans for kids

The all-time prison cell telephone plans for kids will by and large sit within the prepaid market where monthly data allowances are capped, and those monthly bills can be kept at a minimum. We've rounded upwardly what we call up are the best plans for each network just below, so if y'all're limited by coverage requirements you'll all the same take options.

Who these cell phone plans are great for

Parents who want to limited their child's data usage
Parents on a budget
Kids who will be using Wi-Fi primarily

Downsides of these cell telephone plans

Adequately modest data-allowances
Not many options for parental control (aside from Verizon)

^ Back to top

All-time cell phone plan: FAQ

best phone plans cheap unlimited prepaid family kids seniors — (Image credit: Future)

How to choose the best jail cell phone plan for yous

Check coverage

Earlier you lot start choosing a provider, nosotros always recommend checking y'all can become a specific plan or network in your area. Most of the large carriers have coverage checkers on their websites, where yous tin enter your zip code or pinpoint your location to see what kind of coverage and speeds are available. Here are some quick links to the coverage maps.

Verizon - cheque your coverage (opens in new tab)
AT&T - check your coverage (opens in new tab)
T-Mobile - check your coverage
Sprint - cheque your coverage

All the providers mentioned in this article volition either be directly using, or sharing coverage with, the above networks and then definitely bank check your surface area before yous set up your heart on ane particular plan. You might like the pricing of a pre-paid plan such as Mint Mobile for example, simply and then find that T-Mobile coverage in your local area is poor, in which example y'all may be amend served with Twigby or Tello.

Bank check your bill usage

You'll want to have a general idea of how much data and how many texts and minutes yous use per month before you outset deep diving into plan comparisons. Yous might actually be surprised at your levels of usage - especially so if you discover yourself predominantly using your phone over WiFi instead of cellular. Afterward, reducing your information allowance tin can actually be a great mode to shave off those monthly costs.

When it comes to data allowance, anybody'due south dissimilar, just generally there are some rules of thumb that can exist applied to the common usages over cellular:

Emailing and messaging - under 5GB of information a month
Social media and web browsing - 5GB a month
Streaming music - 10GB a calendar month
Streaming Hard disk video - 10GB+ a calendar month

If you're unsure most how much data you apply, iOS and Android devices have features that can track your cellular usage in their settings. Most big carriers will also accept usage reports that you should exist able to admission via your account.

What perks practice you want?

Lastly, we'd recommend deciding what kind of perks and bonuses are important to you when picking a cell phone plan. Most of the large carriers offer things like free subscriptions to streaming services, international roaming, or varying amounts of mobile hotspot data.

For some, missing out on these won't be a big bargain and therefore they'll most likely want to opt for a prepaid plan. For others, these will be a deal-billow, and they'll actually get the most value out of a plan with one of the big carriers, fifty-fifty though at that place's a higher associated monthly cost.

How to salvage money on your cell phone program

Review your program and usage often

The easiest way to relieve cash on your cell telephone program pecker is to not pay more than you lot need to - duh! To really nail downwardly your monthly usage requirements nosotros heartily recommend checking in every now and once more to see what you're really using. You may exist surprised to detect how much WiFi data yous're using as opposed to cellular, peculiarly if you're working from home. Subsequently, it might be time to ditch that pricey unlimited cell telephone programme for a cheaper prepaid selection.

Conversely, if y'all're always hitting that information cap on your inexpensive cell phone plan (and perhaps even incurring charges), and so you might benefit from spending a little fleck actress each month to get better service and perks similar streaming service subscriptions.

Make utilise of switching offers

A lot of carriers, especially the bigger ones, volition offer juicy discounts for new customers who are willing to switch prison cell phone plans and port their number over to its network. Things like introductory discounts on plans, discounts on handsets, and fifty-fifty gratuitous phones are sometimes upwardly for grabs with these switching promotions, then they're definitely worth keeping an heart out for when shopping effectually for new cell telephone plans.

You volition, however, want to be aware of early termination fees (ETF) - which some carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile), like to continue hidden in the fine print of service contracts. Unremarkably there'south no fee for switching your cell telephone plan per se, simply it'southward common for customers to pay off their handset upfront if they happen to take information technology financed via the carrier. Devices are commonly locked to services until they're paid off, and so you lot'll definitely desire to consult your contract before you make the bound, just to make sure y'all don't get stung.

The good news is some carriers (but not all) may really exist willing to pay some greenbacks towards your ETF bill if you're switching over to them. AT&T (opens in new tab), T-Mobile, and Verizon (opens in new tab) all offer switching promotions of up to $650, although details on eligibility and the exact nature of your discount/payment can differ by carrier.

Make use of discounts

If you're a serving member of the armed forces, a college student, senior, or fifty-fifty a key worker you may be able to get yourself a discount on your monthly cell phone plans. Verizon currently offers discounts for military staff, teachers, and medical works (opens in new tab), among others. If you're a student, Verizon also offers a special $10 monthly disbelieve (opens in new tab) on unlimited data plans that tin can actually add together upward. AT&T, another huge provider, currently offers discounts for war machine staff (opens in new tab) and commencement responders (opens in new tab). While some of these discounts tin can be fairly small-scale in terms of overall savings, when it comes to expensive prison cell phone plans any little discount helps in our optics.

Other useful pages

We're ever-expanding our cell phone plans content here at TechRadar, and then you'll find plenty more articles covering more topics in-depth if you're looking for something specific. We'd particularly recommend our pages covering the best Verizon plans (opens in new tab), AT&T plans (opens in new tab), and Mint Mobile plans (opens in new tab) if you lot're looking to do more research on some of our favorite carriers.

Alex is deals editor at Future PLC and an all-around expert at one matter - saving readers as much cash equally possible while scoring them the best products for their needs. With content that's always packed full of helpful information, no-nonsense expertise, and of course deals, Alex has also written for other leading sites such as T3 and GamesRadar. At piece of work, you'll find him mostly covering calculating, gaming, and advising people on how to save on their cell phone plans. Outside of piece of work, you'll find him playing guitar, indulging his love for music, or down at the local climbing gym more often than not hanging off boulders far as well difficult for his abilities.