Jump straight to phone plans by type:
1. Cheap cell phone plans
2. Prepaid
3. Unlimited
4. Family plans
5. Plans for seniors
6. Plans for kids
Quick tips:
1. How to find the right plan for you
2. How to save money
Navigating the world of data, minutes, perks and prices can sometimes be a real hassle for those looking to make the switch. That's why we've put together this guide to this month's best cell phone plans to arm our readers with the know-how to make the right decision for them. We've tirelessly researched all the top companies, carriers, and services to come up with a list of recommendations based on what we think most people are looking for in regard to the best cell phone plans.
At the very top of the page, you'll see a very quick summary of our choices alongside a few quick-fire top tips to help you decide which plan is for you. If you're looking for a really detailed breakdown of each selection, however, we've gone in-depth with specific user sections just below. We're covering topics like the best 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 you need, feel free to skip to the section that's relevant for you.
First, here's a quick summary of the best cell phone providers in the US based on what we think their main strengths are.
- Verizon - the best coverage overall
- Visible - the best cheap unlimited plan
- Mint Mobile - the best value overall
- Verizon - the best family plan
- Ultra Mobile - the best plan for seniors
- Twigby - the best plan for kids
Generally speaking, cell phone plans are split into cheaper 'prepaid' options and more expensive 'postpaid options'. In a nutshell, prepaid plans don't have contracts, feature smaller data allowances, but also have way cheaper monthly costs. Conversely, postpaid plans are probably going to be for you if you're data-hungry and don't mind spending a little more. You'll find options for both in our roundup of the best cell phone plans, plus a whole frequently asked questions section at the bottom of the page. If you're struggling to figure out the best cell phone plan for you or want some money-saving tips, we highly recommend reading the FAQ section.
- Need a handset too? See our guide to the best phones in the US this month
Best cell phone plans: quick tips
1. Decide budget
First thing's first, determine the upper limit of how much you're willing to spend per month.
2. Determine data usage
As a rule of thumb, more data equals higher bills, so work out how much you use per month.
3. Check coverage
Nearly all carriers use Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile networks - check which you're best covered with right here.
4. Compare the market
Check out both postpaid and prepaid options on the network you get the best coverage with.
Cheap cell phone plans
Cheap cell phone plans are going to be great for you if you're a single-line user who just needs the basics and wants a dirt-cheap monthly bill. All our choices here are pretty stripped down, but they do still include a bit of data allowance each month just in case.
Who these cell phone plans are great for
- Light phone users
- People with easy access to Wi-Fi
Downsides of these cell phone plans
- Often have slower data speeds when networks are busy (deprioritization)
- Smaller data allowances
- Zero perks (like free streaming services)
See our main cheap cell phone plans article for even more great options.
Prepaid cell phone plans
The best prepaid cell phone plans on our list overlap pretty heavily with our prior choices for cheap cell phone plans, but generally speaking, we've included options here with more data allowance. As prepaid plans, all the following choices don't include contracts or credit checks.
Who these cell phone plans are great for
- Those who don't want a long-term contract
- Those who don't want a credit check for your plan
- Those who want a bit of data, but on a budget
Downsides of these cell phone plans
- Slower data speeds when the networks are busy (deprioritization)
- Fewer perks like HD video streaming, international calling, and free streaming services
See our main page on the best prepaid plans for more excellent options.
Unlimited cell phone plans
Unlimited data cell phone plans, as the name suggests, give you oodles of high-speed data for all your streaming and browsing needs. Note, these plans will generally cost a lot more, came from the 'big names', but also give you 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 phone users who never use Wi-Fi
- Those who love to stream high-definition content
- Those with a bit more cash to spend
- Those who want to get discounts on handsets
Downsides of these cell phone plans
- Often twice the cost of prepaid cell phone plans
- Lengthy (two year) contract terms with costly buy-outs
- Credit checks to be eligible for some plans
For more unlimited data plan options, check out our guide to the best unlimited data plans in the US.
Family cell phone plans
In recent years we've seen most carriers move away from plans that are specifically branded for families - instead opting for a more flexible approach. That said, discounts for multiple lines on a plan (or account) are still commonplace and remain the best way to save on your cell phone bills. We've included pricing for four-line plans just below but note - most of these options will have discounts from 2-lines. As a rule of thumb, however, more lines equals cheaper rates per line on average.
Who these cell phone plans are great for
- Families... (duh)
- Couples who want to save a bit of cash
Downsides of these cell phone plans
- Very pricey on the four-line options per month
- Lengthy contracts on the postpaid cell phone plans
- Credit checks to be eligible for some options
For a more detailed look at cell phone plans for your family, see our guide to this month's best family cell phone plans.
Phone plans for seniors
Like other user demographics, the needs of seniors will differ greatly from user to user. Our choice of the best cell phone plans for seniors focuses on offering a wide range of options, so whether you're just looking for the cheapest plan 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
- Not great value if you're a heavy data user (aside from the T-Mobile option)
For a full deep-dive on the top options right now for older citizens, see our roundup on this month's best cell phone plans for seniors.
Phone plans for kids
The best cell phone plans for kids will generally sit within the prepaid market where monthly data allowances are capped, and those monthly bills can be kept at a minimum. We've rounded up what we think are the best plans for each network just below, so if you're limited by coverage requirements you'll still have 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 phone plans
- Fairly small data-allowances
- Not many options for parental control (aside from Verizon)
Best cell phone plan: FAQ
How to choose the best cell phone plan for you
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
Check coverage
Before you start choosing a provider, we always recommend checking you can get a specific plan or network in your area. Most of the big carriers have coverage checkers on their websites, where you can 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 - check your coverage
- AT&T - check your coverage
- T-Mobile - check your coverage
- Sprint - check your coverage
All the providers mentioned in this article will either be directly using, or sharing coverage with, the above networks so definitely check your area before you set your heart on one particular plan. You might like the pricing of a pre-paid plan such as Mint Mobile for example, but then find that T-Mobile coverage in your local area is poor, in which case you may be better served with Twigby or Tello.
Check your bill usage
You'll want to have a general idea of how much data and how many texts and minutes you use per month before you start deep diving into plan comparisons. You might actually be surprised at your levels of usage - especially so if you find yourself predominantly using your phone over WiFi instead of cellular. Subsequently, reducing your data allowance can actually be a great way to shave off those monthly costs.
When it comes to data allowance, everyone's different, but generally there are some rules of thumb that can be applied to the common usages over cellular:
- Emailing and messaging - under 5GB of data a month
- Social media and web browsing - 5GB a month
- Streaming music - 10GB a month
- Streaming HD video - 10GB+ a month
If you're unsure about how much data you use, iOS and Android devices have features that can track your cellular usage in their settings. Most big carriers will also have usage reports that you should be able to access via your account.
What perks do 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 big 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 deal and therefore they'll most likely want to opt for a prepaid plan. For others, these will be a deal-breaker, and they'll actually get the most value out of a plan with one of the big carriers, even though there's a higher associated monthly cost.
How to save money on your cell phone plan
Review your plan and usage often
The easiest way to save cash on your cell phone plan bill is to not pay more than you need to - duh! To really nail down your monthly usage requirements we heartily recommend checking in every now and again to see what you're really using. You may be surprised to find how much WiFi data you're using as opposed to cellular, especially if you're working from home. Subsequently, it might be time to ditch that pricey unlimited cell phone plan for a cheaper prepaid option.
Conversely, if you're always hitting that data cap on your cheap cell phone plan (and perhaps even incurring charges), then you might benefit from spending a little bit extra each month to get better service and perks like streaming service subscriptions.
Make use of switching offers
A lot of carriers, especially the bigger ones, will offer juicy discounts for new customers who are willing to switch cell phone plans and port their number over to its network. Things like introductory discounts on plans, discounts on handsets, and even free phones are sometimes up for grabs with these switching promotions, so they're definitely worth keeping an eye out for when shopping around for new cell phone plans.
You will, however, want to be aware of early termination fees (ETF) - which some carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile), like to keep hidden in the fine print of service contracts. Normally there's no fee for switching your cell phone plan per se, but it's common for customers to pay off their handset upfront if they happen to have it financed via the carrier. Devices are commonly locked to services until they're paid off, so you'll definitely want to consult your contract before you make the jump, just to make sure you don't get stung.
The good news is some carriers (but not all) may actually be willing to pay some cash towards your ETF bill if you're switching over to them. AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon 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 military, a college student, senior, or even 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, among others. If you're a student, Verizon also offers a special $10 monthly discount on unlimited data plans that can really add up. AT&T, another huge provider, currently offers discounts for military staff and first responders. While some of these discounts can be fairly minor in terms of overall savings, when it comes to expensive cell phone plans any little discount helps in our eyes.
Other useful pages
We're ever-expanding our cell phone plans content here at TechRadar, so 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, AT&T plans, and Mint Mobile plans if you're looking to do more research on some of our favorite carriers.