The best cell phone plans for 2022
Our roundup of the best cell phone plans in the US will help you find the right plan – no matter your budget or location.
The 10 Best Cell Phone Plans in the USA
The best cell phone plan depends on your needs, so we’ve researched the best options whether you value coverage, data plans, or price.
Best Plans for Families: For Those Who Consume Data Like Hungry Teens
How to save money on your cell phone plan
Cell phone providers are constantly striving to offer the most reliable coverage, the best value prepaid plan, or the cheapest cell phone plans. Next, we tell you which are the best cell phone plans in 2022:
The best cell phone plans in 2022
These are the key points to keep in mind:
- Verizon offers the most reliable coverage of all cell phone providers.
- Visible Wireless takes down the prepaid cell phone game with an unlimited plan that costs $40 a month. You also get an incredible discount for the additional lines you add to the family plan.
- Metro by T-Mobile offers the best value for prepaid family plans.
There are many nuances when it comes to cell phone providers and plans. So, let’s dive into the details. We want to make sure you’ll get the plan that meets your wireless needs
Best
AT&T’s top unlimited data plan costs more than the best cell phone plans at T-Mobile and Verizon. Each additional line costs $24.88 per month, so the best value comes with the larger data plans. Opting for a plan that isn’t unlimited is one of the best ways to save on your phone bill.
You can bring your own phone to Mint Mobile to save even more. You can add a line for $40 a month more, and you can bring your own phone to save even more. If you’re switching to this plan, you may be able to bring your own phone with you to save additional money.
T-Mobile’s business cell phone plans cater to always-on-the-go users. T-Mobile’s cell phone plans can also save your business money since powerful productivity and sales tools are included in its higher-tiered plans. Did you know that being a Spectrum internet customer gives you instant access to the company’s inexpensive cell phone plans as well?
But it offers perks those plans don’t led by free access to HBO Max, one of the better streaming services out there. In addition to MVNO prepaid options, the big three carriers also offer their own prepaid plans. These plans don’t require credit checks, but you’re still getting your service and customer support directly from the network operator.
Cell Phone
In February 2021, T-Mobile unveiled a new Magenta MAX plan, which is exactly what it sounds like, the maxxed out plan. And in July of 2021, I put in more than a thousand miles of drive testing from Baltimore to Atlanta for PCMag’s Fastest Mobile Networks project.
For more options, check out our full list of the best cheap phone plans. Prepaid plans — If you have your own device and don’t want to get locked into a long contract, a prepaid plan is probably your best bet. Most carriers offer prepaid plans, with some of the best cell phone plans from the MVNOs, such as Visible.
T-Mobile includes 5G coverage with its Magenta Plan, and Metro By T-Mobile customers with unlimited plans can also access T-Mobile’s 5G towers with a compatible smartphone. Plans, rates & services are subject to change without notice & are not available in all locations or for all phones.
How to choose the best cell phone plan for you
What kind of cell phone plan do I need?
The cheapest cell phone plans start between $10 and $15 per month per line. Taking these tips into consideration, below you’ll find my top picks for cheap cell phone plans.
Walmart Family Mobile uses T-Mobile’s network and offers four main plans without a contract. As with all Mint Mobile plans, you will have to prepay for three months at a time, which makes this plan $90 total at the time of purchase. Other plans available from Boost Mobile include 5GB for $25 per month, 10GB for $35 per month and unlimited plans starting at $50 per month.
Phone Plans
It offers one single phone plan for $40 per month ($25 in your first month) and offers unlimited talk, text, and data. Mint 4GB Network T-Mobile Price$15/month (plus taxes & fees)Talk and TextUnlimitedData4GBMint is another great option to consider when looking for a cheap cell phone plan. Our biggest complaint with the plan is that Verizon throttles video resolution to 720p on smartphones and 1080p on tablets.
Cheaper cell phone plans often allow you to set a limit on the number of minutes you can talk and the number of text messages you can send. Luckily, most cell phone carriers offer this as a basic option, so you won’t be paying much more for it when you choose it.
Verizon includes full 5G coverage in three of its four unlimited plans currently, but the cheapest plan, Start Unlimited lacks 5G Ultra Wide band coverage. Both AT&T and Verizon have extended 5G coverage to prepaid customers with unlimited data plans.
2022
Some carriers throttle prepaid service to a lower speed by default, as AT&T did until October 2021 with some Cricket plans. Open Signal’s Mobile Network Experience Report for January 2021 reports on speeds and network coverage across the US.
The best plan for individuals is Verizon Wireless’ 5 GB for $55 plan. When choosing the best cell phone plans for seniors, any of the phone plans on this list are great options.
Verizon Do More Unlimited: Best Overall Coverage & Speeds
Verizon has the most reliable coverage in the country. It is your best option to receive calls and text messages wherever you are.
What is data roaming? For example, while on vacation, roaming occurs when you use a different network for data. Verizon offers international roaming, but it will cost you around $10 a day. It is possible to avoid roaming if you find free Wi-Fi. You can take a look at the Verizon coverage map below and you will find that it offers the best coverage in the country. |
In these modern times of technology, you deserve HD streaming. No more SD quality streaming like you’re watching the first season of Survivor. Fortunately, with the Beyond Unlimited Plan, you can stream all the HD content you want.
If lower-quality streaming (480p) sounds good to you, you can opt for Verizon’s Go Unlimited plan , which is cheaper. (We don’t recommend it, because we love bright, crisp 1080p images.)
Best Cell Phone Plans for Seniors of 2022
How Much Does a Cell Phone Plan Cost?
For those of you who can’t stop streaming on YouTube or are currently binge-watching on Netflix, the More Unlimited plan is worth the extra money you’ll pay each month for 720p HD streaming.
Another drawback to many cheaper unlimited data plans like Go Unlimited from Verizon (and Unlimited from AT&T and More℠) is that Verizon can slow down or speed up your speed at any time if you use too much data.
The Do More Unlimited plan lets you bypass those slower speeds with 22GB of unlimited data each month . (Above that limit, though, you’ll be on your own.) That means you can go crazy (a little) with Twitch live streams or uploading photos to Instagram.
It also comes with 15GB of unlimited mobile hotspot data that approaches 4G LTE speeds. So if your internet goes down in the middle of a project, you can simply jump over to your Wi-Fi hotspot and pick up where you left off.
Sadly, the old “Sorry boss, I can’t work today, my internet is down” will no longer work.
Keep reading: Cheap internet packages in the USA
The best cell phone plans and providers
- Verizon Do More Unlimited : Best coverage phone plan: $80/month*.
- Visible Wireless : Best Prepaid Plan: $40/mo*.
- Verizon Get More Unlimited : The best unlimited plan -$90/month*.
- Visible Wireless : Best plan for families: $100/month, 4 lines
- Metro by T-Mobile $50 Unlimited Plan : Best Prepaid Plan for Families: $90/mo*, 3 lines
If you’re ready to switch cell phone companies but want to avoid unmanageable information overload, this guide is for you. Includes recommendations for cell phone plans based on price, data limits, coverage, speed, and benefits. Don’t forget the benefits!
Verizon’s incredible coverage and speed come at a price. If you’re looking for a cheap unlimited cell phone plan, you may have to make a switch . Here’s how the price of the Verizon Do More plan compares to other unlimited plans.
Verizon Do More Unlimited Plan Price Comparison:
If you’re at peak data usage each month and don’t feel like you can cut back, don’t worry. You can upgrade to Verizon’s new Get More Unlimited plan and get a whopping 75GB of unlimited data, instead of 22GB of 4G LTE data. Somewhere, all the old flip phones are crying.
Of course, you’ll pay a little more each month for the Get More Unlimited plan compared to Do More Unlimited . But if waiting for your favorite shows to buffer makes you want to throw your device on the floor, it might be worth it.
Not sure if the Verizon Beyond Unlimited plan is right for you? See other cell phone plans.
Yes, they are cheaper, but don’t forget that price isn’t everything with cell phone plans. Unless you don’t mind, at times, not knowing what the score is while broadcasting an NBA game.
Four other unlimited cell phone plans:
Keep reading: How to save on electricity if you are at home all day
Visible Wireless: The best prepaid plan
Unlimited Data + Great Network + Affordable Price = Success
Plan Visible $40 Unlimited Plan | |
Operator | Visible |
Data | unlimited |
Type | Without contract |
Current bid | Pay just $25 for your first month when you switch + Get a $50 Prepaid Mastercard virtual account when you switch to Visible |
Total price | $40 a month |
go to site |
You almost always get a cheaper deal with a prepaid plan, and Visible Wireless is the best of the lot . You’ll get unlimited data, unlimited talk, and unlimited text, all on a reliable network, for $40 a month.
Affordable price for unlimited data
Visible wireless only offers one plan and comes with unlimited data, unlimited talk, unlimited hot spot data (capped at 5 Mbps), and unlimited text. This is certainly a wide variety of unlimited options. The fact that everything costs $40 a month makes the deal that much more interesting.
We’ve outlined the best cell phone plans on the market in 2022, but you may have some lingering questions about which factors should go into your buying decision. These cell phone plans offer the best price and features, making them ideal choices for 2021.
Let’s see how Visible compares to other unlimited prepaid plans:
Cell phone plans (with unlimited data) | |||
Plan | inclusions | Price | |
Visible | $40 unlimited plan | -Unlimited data -There is no contract -Deal: Pay just $25 for your first month when you switch + Get a $50 Prepaid Mastercard virtual account when you switch to Visible | $40 per month. |
T-Mobile | Simply Prepaid Unlimited | -Unlimited data -For 1 month recharge | $50 |
AT&T | AT&T Prepaid $75 Monthly Plan | -Unlimited data -Per 30-day recharge | $50 |
Verizon | $60 Unlimited Prepaid Smartphone Plan | -Unlimited data -For 1 month recharge -Agreement: Activate a new line on a prepaid plan ($45 or more) and receive a $60 credit with a ported number. | $60 |
the best network
Visible uses the Verizon network to provide coverage . It’s definitely a good thing because Verizon is the best network in the country. Right now, it covers 70% of the country with 4G coverage, leading all other mobile providers.
Good coverage really comes in handy when you’re trying to get enough bars to call a Lyft. Just to mention, some Los Angeles beaches have terrible service on the AT&T network.
Ok, so how does Visible wireless use Verizon’s super-reliable network? Visible works like an MVNO, which is a fancy acronym for a wireless carrier that uses another carrier’s network. The problem with an MVNO is that it can be deprioritized on the network it shares.
Let’s say you’re at a college football game and you’re a wireless user of Visible. You usually get consistent service, but for whatever reason, even sending a simple text message gets complicated. Meanwhile, your friend, who is a Verizon user, has no problem posting to his Instagram story. If they’re both on Verizon’s network, shouldn’t they have the exact same coverage? Unfortunately not. Users of the Visible wireless network may experience poorer service in crowded areas because Verizon is favoring its own customers.
The second best prepaid offer out there is Mint Mobile’s Medium data plan. You don’t get unlimited data on Verizon’s network like Visible Wireless, but you do get 8 GB of data each month for $20 a month, half the price you’d pay with Visible. Mint Mobile runs on the T-Mobile network, which covers 62% of the country with 4G coverage. The Mint Mobile Medium plan is a cheaper prepaid alternative that gives you lots of data every month.
Mint Mobile 3 Month Plan (Medium) | |
Operator | Mint Mobile |
Data | 8GB at full speed |
Type | without contract |
Total price | 20 dollars a month |
go to site |
Keep reading: How to find apartments for people over 55
Verizon Get More Unlimited: The Best Unlimited Plan
The name is confusing, but the unlimited coverage is amazing.
Verizon Wireless Get More Unlimited | |
Operator | Verizon Wireless |
Data | unlimited |
Type | Without contract |
Current bid | Get a $150 Verizon eGift Card with select BYO 4G or 5G smartphones and a new line (online only) |
Total price | $90 a month with Auto-Pay discount + $20 in advance with Auto-Pay discount + $20 in advance |
go to site |
Okay, we know what you’re thinking: “Wasn’t Verizon Do More Unlimited the best deal overall?”
Yes, we said that. And we repeat it. But if you’re willing to pay the price, Verizon Wireless’ Get More Unlimited plan is the best there is . At least until a 5G network is finally available across the country.
You will get 75 GB of data without restrictions. We’ll say it again: 75GB of super-fast data and great coverage every month. You’re paying a premium for it, but you’ll have a better unlimited plan than all your friends.
Verizon offers a few perks that sweeten the deal. First of all, you get 20GB of mobile hotspot data.
In addition to Mobile Hotspot data, you also get an Apple Music subscription. What would all that data be for if you couldn’t listen to all the songs?
Sadly, all of that wonderful data and coverage certainly comes at a price. You’ll pay $20 a month, or even more, for a Verizon plan than with other unlimited carriers.
Verizon’s Get More Unlimited plan certainly isn’t for everyone, but if you use your phone for everything and need that data, it’s worth every penny.
Do you want to take a look at all your options? Here are some other unlimited plans worth checking out.
Other unlimited cell phone plans
Shared plan with 3 lines | |||
Plan | inclusions | Price | |
Boost mobile | Mixed Family Plan | -3GB of data -3 lines | $30 + $2,399.97 up front |
Total wireless | $85 Shared Plan | -Unlimited data -3 lines | $85 per month. + $2,249.97 upfront |
Metro | 30 2GB Plan | -6GB Data -3 lines | 90/mo + $2,244.97 in advance |
U.S. Cellular | Prepaid Family Plan | -15GB of data at full speed -3 lines | 100 dollars per month. + $1,897 up front |
Xfinity mobile | 3GB for the Gig Data option | -3GB of data -3 lines | $104.97/month |
Keep reading: Know your rights before debt collection
Visible $25/line: The best family plan
Families that save together stay together.
Characteristics:
$40 Visible Unlimited Plan | |
Operator | Visible |
Number of lines | 4 |
Data | unlimited |
Total price | $100 a month |
go to site |
Pros:
Affordable family prices
awesome network
Cons:
Depriorization
What we like the most
For $25 per line you can get unlimited data on an impressive network. It really is very difficult to overcome that.
Affordable prices for the whole family
Honestly, if you don’t have a family cell phone plan, you’re doing it wrong. You can drastically reduce your bill by bundling plans – you don’t even need a family to do it! You can make a family plan with your roommates, your friends, your co-workers, whoever. If you get at least four people to join you, your unlimited plan with Visible Wireless will drop to $25 per month instead of the usual $40.
Visible Wireless is owned by Verizon which, coincidentally, offers the best network in the country. Verizon’s network especially shines when it comes to rural coverage, so you can trust your cell phone will likely work while camping and hiking.
Shared plan with 3 lines | |||
Plan | inclusions | Price | |
Verizon | Start Unlimited Plan | -Unlimited data -3 lines | $135 per month. + $60 up front |
T Mobile | Essentials | -Unlimited data -3 lines | $105 per month. + $30 in advance |
AT&T | Unlimited Starter | -Unlimited data -3 lines | $135 per month. |
Metro | $50 unlimited plan | -Unlimited data -3 lines | $90 per month. + $75 in advance |
Visible Wireless is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). Therefore, it may be subject to slowdowns during periods of peak usage . In other words, your signal could drop when many people are using the Verizon network at the same time. It’s possible, for example, that your signal drops while traveling home during rush hour or walking through a crowded amusement park.
Want to see what’s behind door number two (and three and four)? We have some other family plans that you might like.
Keep reading: What is the best percentage and debt-to-income ratio?
Metro by T-Mobile $50 Unlimited: The best prepaid plan for families
With unlimited data, Metro is a budget pick with good coverage.
Metro by T-Mobile $50 Unlimited Plan | |
Operator | Metro |
Number of lines | 3 |
Data | unlimited |
Total price | 90/mo + $75 Upfront |
unlimited data
Have you ever received that ominous text from your carrier saying you’ve almost reached your data limit? Well, you know what happens next. It becomes a blame game in the family to find out who used all the data. This is not a problem with unlimited data.
There probably aren’t any statistics to back it up, but unlimited data plans seem to reduce family stress and help bond. This is especially true if you have teenagers at home.
$30 per month for each additional line
The $50 base price for Metro by T-Mobile’s unlimited plan isn’t anything super special, but the value kicks in when you add additional lines. Each line you add to your family plan costs $30 per month instead of $50 per month . Those additional lines have the same benefits as if you paid the full price of the plan.
Metro by T-Mobile is technically a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) and you will suffer from privations from time to time . In other words, you may notice that your data speeds slow down in congested areas or during periods of high usage (such as when you drive home from work). But on the upside, since Metro is owned by T-Mobile, it likely won’t be deprioritized like it would be in a non-network-owned MVNO .
If Metro by T-Mobile doesn’t meet your expectations, here are some prepaid plans we recommend for families.
Shared plan with 3 lines | |||
Plan | inclusions | Price | |
Boost mobile | Mixed Family Plan | -3GB of data -3 lines | $30 + $2,399.97 up front |
Total wireless | $85 Shared Plan | -Unlimited data -3 lines | $85 per month. + $2,249.97 upfront |
Metro | 30 2GB Plan | -6GB Data -3 lines | 90/mo + $2,244.97 Upfront |
U.S. Cellular | Prepaid Family Plan | 15GB of data at full speed 3 lines | 100 dollars per month. + $1,897 up front |
Xfinity mobile | 3GB for the Gig Data option | 3GB of data 3 lines | $104.97/month |
Roundup: Best Cell Phone Plans in America
- Best overall mobile plan: The Verizon Do More Unlimited plan. With top-notch coverage and speed, plus HD streaming and 22GB of unrestricted 4G LTE data every month, it was an easy pick for the best overall cell phone plan.
- The best prepaid plan: Visible wireless offers unlimited everything on the best network for $40 a month. Everything is combined for an important value. You just have to be careful about slowing down your data from time to time due to lack of priority.
- Best Unlimited Plan: The Verizon Get More Unlimited plan offers 75GB of unrestricted data comes with 5G data access and HD streaming. It’s expensive, but it’s amazing.
- The best family plan: We recommend Visible wireless once again for family plans due to its discount on multilines. You can get up to $25 per line for unlimited data on an awesome network.
- The best prepaid plan for families: Metro by T-Mobile’s unlimited plan is $50 per month, but only $30 for each additional line you add. The bigger the family, the more value you get.
The best cell phone plans in 2022 are always changing, with new services and features. We recommend that you stay alert for updates.
Who has the most cost effective cell phone plans?
What cell phone carrier is offering free phones?
Who is the #1 cell phone carrier?
Who is the best cell phone provider right now?