Our Recommended Cell Phone Plans

Recommended plans

1. 

   Our top pick for overall value

   US Mobile Unlimited Starter

   Monthly$16.58 for one line

   DataUnlimited

   NetworkChoose AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile

   Hotspot20GB on Dark Star; 10GB on Warp and Light Speed

   Why we recommend it

   We recommend US Mobile Unlimited Starter for shoppers willing to prepay $199 for the first year because it includes taxes, offers locally selectable AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile service, and provides unlimited data with 10GB or 20GB of hotspot depending on the chosen network, though Warp and Light Speed include only 70GB of premium data.

   What to know

   The $199 rate requires annual prepayment for a new line, renews at full price, and delivers different data and hotspot terms on each network.

   Read our full opinion View current offer
2. 

   Our top pick for budget unlimited service

   US Mobile Unlimited Flex

   Monthly$17.50 for one line

   DataUnlimited

   NetworkChoose AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile

   Hotspot5GB

   Why we recommend it

   We recommend US Mobile Unlimited Flex where one of its three available networks works well locally for shoppers who can pay for a year upfront and live comfortably with 10GB of high-speed data, 1Mbps service afterward, and 5GB of hotspot use.

   What to know

   The plan is available only with annual prepayment and slows to 1Mbps after 10GB of high-speed data.

   Read our full opinion View current offer
3. 

   Our top pick for premium unlimited value

   US Mobile Unlimited Premium

   Monthly$24.92 for one line

   DataUnlimited

   NetworkChoose AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile

   HotspotUnlimited on Dark Star; 50GB on Warp and Light Speed

   Why we recommend it

   We recommend US Mobile Unlimited Premium where a locally suitable network is available because its $299 first-year annual payment includes taxes, unlimited priority data, up to unlimited hotspot use depending on the network, 20GB of international data, and a free smartwatch line on Warp.

   What to know

   The first-year price requires $299 upfront, renews at full price, and ties the largest hotspot allowance and free smartwatch line to particular networks.

   Read our full opinion View current offer
4. 

   Our top pick for unlimited hotspot use

   Visible Visible+ Pro

   Monthly$45 for one line

   DataUnlimited

   NetworkVerizon

   HotspotUnlimited @ 15 Mbps

   Why we recommend it

   We recommend Visible+ Pro where Verizon performs well locally for heavy tethering because $45 monthly includes taxes, unlimited hotspot service capped at 15Mbps, premium-priority 5G Ultra Wideband access, 4K streaming, and a smartwatch line.

   What to know

   The $45 price is difficult to justify unless you will regularly use the faster hotspot, smartwatch service, or travel benefits.

   Read our full opinion View current offer
5. 

   Our top pick for frequent international travel

   Google Fi Unlimited Premium

   Monthly$65 for one line

   DataUnlimited

   NetworkT-Mobile

   Hotspot50GB

   Why we recommend it

   We recommend Google Fi Unlimited Premium where T-Mobile coverage works locally because its regular $65 monthly plan provides 100GB of premium data, 50GB of hotspot use, and international data in more than 200 countries, while taxes and fees remain extra.

   What to know

   The $65 regular price is expensive, and the catalog's displayed 50%-off promotion expired before this review date.

   Read our full opinion View current offer
6. 

   Our top pick for budget-minded families

   Metro by T-Mobile $40 Period.

   Monthly$40 for one line

   DataUnlimited

   NetworkT-Mobile

   Why we recommend it

   We recommend Metro's $40 Period plan where T-Mobile coverage is reliable locally because its ongoing tax-inclusive pricing reaches $100 total for four unlimited lines, with a 35GB premium-data threshold and no hotspot allowance.

   What to know

   The plan is web-exclusive, has no hotspot, may slow after 35GB, and costs $25 per line to activate or change in a store.

   Read our full opinion View current offer
7. 

   Our top pick for full-featured major-carrier service

   T-Mobile Experience More

   Monthly$90 for one line

   DataUnlimited

   NetworkT-Mobile

   Hotspot60GB

   Why we recommend it

   We recommend T-Mobile Experience More where its network performs well locally for customers who will use unlimited on-phone data, 60GB of hotspot capacity, 4K video, streaming benefits, and included high-speed data in Canada, Mexico, and more than 215 countries enough to justify the $90 price plus taxes and fees.

   What to know

   The $90 price excludes taxes and fees, so local coverage and frequent use of the included benefits are essential to justify it.

   Read our full opinion View current offer
8. 

   Our top pick for adults age 50 and older

   Consumer Cellular Unlimited — Age 50+

   Monthly$35 for one line

   DataUnlimited

   NetworkAT&T

   Why we recommend it

   We recommend Consumer Cellular Unlimited for eligible shoppers age 50 or older where AT&T coverage is dependable because its $35 AutoPay-and-eBilling price includes unlimited service and 35GB of high-speed data for one line, though taxes are extra and multiple lines share a 50GB threshold.

   What to know

   Eligibility begins at age 50, the stated price requires AutoPay and eBilling, and speeds can fall after the applicable high-speed-data threshold.

   Read our full opinion View current offer
9. 

   Our top pick for light and predictable data use

   US Mobile By the Gig

   Monthly$10 for one line

   Data2GB

   NetworkChoose AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile

   HotspotIncluded

   Why we recommend it

   We recommend US Mobile By the Gig where at least one of its three available networks performs well locally because $10 monthly includes taxes, 2GB of shared data, hotspot use, and the option to place pool members on AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile service.

   What to know

   The shared 2GB allowance is too restrictive for routine streaming or other data-heavy use.

   Read our full opinion View current offer