Our Recommended Cell Phone Plans

Recommended plans

1. 

   Our top pick for most wireless shoppers

   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 pick US Mobile Unlimited Starter for shoppers with solid local coverage on at least one selectable network because its $199 first-year annual price includes taxes, unlimited service, up to 70GB of premium data, 10GB to 20GB of hotspot data, and a choice of AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon, though it renews at the full price.

   What to know

   The introductory price requires $199 upfront, and service can slow after 70GB on Warp or Light Speed while hotspot allowances vary by 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 pick US Mobile Unlimited Flex where one of its three available networks performs well locally because $17.50 per month including taxes is unusually economical, but it requires a full year upfront and provides only 10GB of high-speed data and 5GB of hotspot use.

   What to know

   The plan is available only with annual prepayment and throttles phone data after 10GB.

   Read our full opinion View current offer
3. 

   Our top pick for families

   Google Fi Unlimited Standard

   Monthly$50 for one line

   DataUnlimited

   NetworkT-Mobile

   Hotspot25GB

   Why we recommend it

   We pick Google Fi Unlimited Standard for families with strong local T-Mobile coverage because four lines cost $100 before taxes and each line includes 50GB of high-speed data, 25GB of hotspot use, Canada and Mexico data, and smartwatch connectivity.

   What to know

   Taxes are extra, video is limited to 480p, and the advertised promotion expired before this review date.

   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 pick Visible+ Pro where Verizon performs well locally because its $45 tax-inclusive price provides unlimited priority phone data and unlimited hotspot use at up to 15Mbps, with an included smartwatch line.

   What to know

   Its hotspot remains speed-capped at 15Mbps, and the $45 single-line price is worthwhile only where Verizon coverage is dependable.

   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 pick Google Fi Unlimited Premium for travelers with dependable local T-Mobile coverage because its $65 monthly plan includes 100GB of high-speed data, 50GB of hotspot use, and data service in more than 200 countries.

   What to know

   The $65 price excludes taxes, video is limited to 480p, and the advertised promotion expired before this review date.

   Read our full opinion View current offer
6. 

   Our top pick for light data use

   Tello Mobile 2GB Plan

   Monthly$10 for one line

   Data2GB

   NetworkT-Mobile

   Hotspot2GB

   Why we recommend it

   We pick Tello’s 2GB Plan for Wi-Fi-heavy users with strong local T-Mobile coverage because it provides unlimited talk and text, 2GB of phone or hotspot data, and a flexible 30-day cycle for $10 per month.

   What to know

   Taxes cost extra, and the 2GB allowance is too small for frequent streaming or other substantial cellular use.

   Read our full opinion View current offer
7. 

   Our top pick for full-service major-carrier plans

   T-Mobile Experience More

   Monthly$90 for one line

   DataUnlimited

   NetworkT-Mobile

   Hotspot60GB

   Why we recommend it

   We pick T-Mobile Experience More where T-Mobile coverage is strong because its $90 monthly price buys unrestricted phone data, 60GB of high-speed hotspot use, substantial international data, 4K video, and bundled entertainment benefits without an annual prepayment.

   What to know

   The $90 price excludes taxes, and uneven local or rural coverage can undermine the value.

   Read our full opinion View current offer
8. 

   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

   Hotspot100GB high-speed, then 100GB at 8Mbps, then 600Kbps on Dark Star; 50GB on Warp and Light Speed

   Why we recommend it

   We pick US Mobile Unlimited Premium where at least one of its selectable networks performs well locally because the $299 first-year annual price includes taxes, unlimited priority data, 50GB to 100GB of high-speed hotspot use, 20GB of international data, and network-switching flexibility, though renewal is at the full price.

   What to know

   The introductory price requires $299 upfront, renews at the full price, and provides different hotspot allowances depending on the selected network.

   Read our full opinion View current offer
9. 

   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 pick Consumer Cellular Unlimited for eligible shoppers with strong local AT&T coverage because its $35 AutoPay-and-eBilling price starts at age 50 and includes unlimited service with 35GB of high-speed data on one line or 50GB shared on multiple lines.

   What to know

   The account holder must be at least 50, taxes cost extra, and speeds can fall after 35GB on one line or 50GB across multiple lines.

   Read our full opinion View current offer