But its prices aren’t the cheapest around (nor are they the most expensive), and if you’re after an unlimited data plan, we recommend looking elsewhere So are Consumer Cellular’s low data limits worth its middle-of-the-road price? Let’s dig into the details and find out if it’s right for you. While it’s prices aren’t the lowest, Consumer Cellular does offer a 5% discount to AARP members (hey, it’s not just for people over 65) and a $10 bill credit if you refer a friend. That could bring your already moderate bill down to match even the cheapest option. And your unlimited data is technically only 35 GB of high-speed unlimited data. So if you use more than 35 GB in a month, your cell phone’s browser, app, and streaming speeds will slow down. Aside from that complaint, we do wish Consumer Cellular offered prepaid plan options. Otherwise, if you’re after a small data plan, Consumer Cellular is worth a look. Again, you can find a cheaper phone plan with similar amounts of data from providers like US Mobile, Mint Mobile, and Twigby. But if you’re sold on Consumer Cellular, the $25 monthly price isn’t a huge bite out of your budget. We’re not saying it’ll break the bank, but it’s also not the best cell phone plan out there. You can definitely find cheaper phone plans compared to Consumer Cellular. That said, you can bring your cost down with a 5% AARP discount or a $10 refer-a-friend credit. Yup, Consumer Cellular is one of only two cell phone providers that offers an AARP discount. (The other one is AT&T.) Mobile carriers like US Mobile, Twigby, and Mint Mobile offer better deals on low-data plans, while Tracfone’s prices are very similar to what you’d pay for Consumer Cellular. Cricket and Live!y, on the other hand, tend to be more expensive.
2 lines saves: $5–$35/mo. 3 lines saves: $5–$75/mo.
There are also two things to note if you plan on inviting a friend or family member to share your Consumer Cellular plan—you can have only three lines max, and you share data. That means you’ll have to be choosy when it comes to sharing your plan. (More power to you if you have that many close friends and family members.) And make sure you don’t invite a data hog that will suck up your 3 GB of data in a week. Here’s what the cost for our plan pick, the 3 GB Data Plan, looks like with one, two, or three lines to give you an idea of how the price changes. Consumer Cellular Unlimited Talk & Text + 3 GB Data Plan prices
1 line: $25/mo. 2 lines: $45/mo. 3 lines: $60/mo.
If your budget is your main concern, you might find better deals from Twigby, US Mobile, or T-Mobile. Here’s what coverage looks like on the AT&T network. Consumer Cellular phones include the iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, and Motorola models. The most popular phones include the following:
iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13, and iPhone 13 mini Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G and Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22 5G Motorola One 5G Ace and Moto G Pure iPhone 12 iPhone SE (2020 model)
Here’s another look at the five most popular cell phones other Consumer Cellular subscribers have chosen. The GrandPad costs $149 brand new, and you’ll also need to subscribe to a $40-a-month service plan. Perhaps the best part is that you can preload the GrandPad with photos and contacts using the web portal or app. That means it’s pretty much ready to go once you take it out of the box and charge it up for the first time.
Consumer Cellular customer service: 1-888-345-5509 Contact Consumer Cellular via live chat: Chat with a customer service agent
Our own experiences with Consumer Cellular’s customer service department were positive. At one point, we asked about using SIM cards with a Google phone (yes, you can), and our representative seemed genuinely interested in finding us the answer. And in the latest J.D. Power study, Consumer Cellular was the highest-rated provider among Value Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs).1 Learn about the pros and cons to this setup in our MVNO video guide.
Cell phone plans: Consumer Cellular’s prices aren’t the most expensive or the cheapest, but if you don’t need a lot of data, it makes an affordable pick. It’s also one of only two providers that offer an AARP discount. Family cell phone plans: Consumer Cellular’s family plans max out at three lines, so you’re limited in who you can add to your plan. Its family plan prices are also middle of the road, so don’t expect a ton of savings here. Cell phones and devices: You’ve got a wide selection of modern cell phones to choose from with Consumer Cellular, or you can bring your own. There’s also the GrandPad, a tablet made just for keeping older adults connected. Customer service: Our experience with Consumer Cellular reps was great, and the customer service consistently receives high marks when it comes to taking care of folks.
Prices and how they compare to other similar cell phone plans Data options Family plan and prepaid options Available cell phones and devices
We also called Consumer Cellular’s customer service line to get a feel for how the provider treats its customers and how quickly you can get help with a problem. We also looked at network performance for AT&T and T-Mobile, since Consumer Cellular uses those two networks to deliver its service. If you don’t already have a 5G compatible smartphone, Consumer Cellular offers 15 device options to choose from if you’re looking to purchase one and get on the 5G network.
