Best Cell Phone Coverage and Carriers in New Jersey

Spanning just over 7,000 square miles, New Jersey is home to some of the oldest seaside resorts and infamous cities. It’s also the birthplace of the beloved Bruce Springsteen, the notorious Tony Soprano, and the classic saltwater taffy. Despite its size (or because of it), New Jersey boasts some of the strongest 4G and 5G connectivity from each of the Big Three major carriers—Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. 

That said, not each of the carriers covers New Jersey equally, and when it comes to 5G coverage, the differences are even starker. Whether you are visiting Jersey or making a permanent move, we can help you decide which network offers the best coverage for you. For specifics on coverage in places you live or work, take advantage of our coverage check feature. Simply type in your address and leave the rest to us. You’ll see a map showing the coverage area from all three major carriers, plus the available cell phone plans in those places.

So, without further ado, let’s cue up The Shins and review cell coverage in the Garden State.

About phone coverage in New Jersey

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With over 130 miles of Atlantic coastline, New Jersey is known for its majestic views and historical cities. Thankfully, you'll get strong 4G LTE coverage wherever you go, thanks to healthy networks from each of the Big Three. If 5G is your speed, you'll get great coverage from all carriers in urban areas, though more rural spots have the potential for spotty 5G service.

Why it's important to pick the right coverage

Whether you’re stuck in the mud somewhere in the swamps of Jersey or cruising Atlantic City’s bustling boardwalk, reliable connectivity is a must. 

No one wants their plans thwarted by a spotty signal or dropped call. By choosing the best coverage for your area, you can ensure solid connectivity when you need it most.

Best coverage in New Jersey by network

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AT&T has the best 4G LTE signal in New Jersey, with coverage across nearly 100% of the state, while Verizon and T-Mobile compete for second place with 97.01% and 97.09% coverage, respectively. You can safely count on comprehensive 4G coverage no matter which carrier you go with.  

When it comes to 5G connectivity, T-Mobile is the winner, with access across 91.89% of the state. AT&T’s 5G is almost nearly as impressive, with 80.67% coverage. At 68.83%, Verizon has a little catching up to do; however, Big Red serves urban areas with its 5G Nationwide and Ultra-Wideband networks.

Of course, percentages only get us so far. To see coverage in your specific neighborhood, enter your address into our cell phone plans locator or visit your local cell phone carrier store to speak with someone in person. You can use our store locator to find the closest Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, or Cricket store near you.  

Lastly, if you prefer to see the whole picture, compare mobile networks in your area using our interactive coverage maps.

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AT&T network coverage in New Jersey

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AT&T’s 4G is nearly comprehensive, covering 99.71% of New Jersey. Even within the infamous Pine Barrens (an area spanning seven counties and home to the Pineland Reserve), AT&T’s 4G remains strong. The only time you might lose coverage (and we are talking only minutes at most) is when crossing from the mainland to the Barrier Islands, such as along Highway 37 towards Ortely Beach. Otherwise, even in the most rural counties, you can count on excellent cell reception.

AT&T’s 5G coverage is also impressive, second only to T-Mobile. At 80.67% coverage, you can rely on 5G speeds in all major inland and coastal cities with limited access in the Wharton and Belleplain State Forests, as well as the less populated areas of Cumberland and Salem County.

Best AT&T phone plan

To get the most from Big Blue’s comprehensive New Jersey coverage, we recommend AT&T’s Premium 2.0 plan. For $90/month, you’ll get unlimited premium data (meaning no slowdowns even if the network is busy) and 100GB of hotspot data.

These single-line prices can be steep, so opt for a family plan (when you can) and take advantage of multi-line discounts.

Best phone plans on AT&T's network

Many people don’t know that they can get the same AT&T coverage for a fraction of the cost. Mobile virtual network operators, or MVNOs, piggyback service off of one or more major carrier's networks without having to pay for the costs of upkeep—meaning you get the benefit of those savings. Most MVNOs offer the same lightning-fast speeds and premium data as the big guys, though some plans may impose slowdowns when the network is busy (just make sure to read the fine print—or better yet, let us do it for you!).

Red Pocket offers service on the AT&T network (and the other two). Switch to Red Pocket's Unlimited plan and get up to 50GB of high-speed data for just $30/month. Plus, as long as your service is active, Red Pocket will not raise your rate.

Cricket Wireless is a compelling choice if you’re interested in additional perks. At $55/month with autopay, the Supreme Unlimited plan gives you unlimited data that won’t slow down no matter how much data you use, 50GB of premium hotspot data, and access to HBO Max. For more savings, check out their other plans, starting as low as $30/mo for 10GB.

Popular plans on AT&T's network

For more options, check out the other impressive plans running on AT&T’s network.

T-Mobile network coverage in New Jersey

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At 97.01% coverage, T-Mobile boasts reliable 4G LTE speeds across the Garden State. The missing 3% is only a concern if you’re traveling or living within the rural Pine Barren communities of Egg Harbor City and Chatsworth.   

If access to New Jersey’s widest 5G network is your priority, T-Mobile is the way to go. Reaching 91.89% of the state, you will enjoy superior coverage throughout the majority of mainland Jersey. Just beware of dead zones in the aforementioned rural Pine Barren communities and little to no 5G access in Salem, Greenwich, and the bordering Barrier Islands.

Best T-Mobile phone plan

When it comes to T-Mobile, we recommend a slightly (though barely) more affordable plan over the top-tier unlimited plans, which also come with top-tier prices. The $85/month Experience More plan provides unlimited premium data and an additional 60GB hotspot. You even get subscriptions to Netflix and Apple TV+. Unless you need a more sizable hotspot allotment or want to subsidize your existing streaming services (Experience Beyond includes a Hulu subscription too), Experience More is the way to go.

Best phone plans on T-Mobile's network

Mint Mobile is our top choice for budget-friendly MVNOs running on T-Mobile’s network. Their Unlimited plan offers 50GB of premium data plus 20GB of hotspot for as low as $15/month when you first purchase a 3-month package. Note that Mint sells its plans in multi-month blocks (3, 6, and 12 months) and requires prepayment up front for that package. With Mint’s unlimited plan, you’ll get their cheapest pricing for the first three months, after which your price would bump up to $40/month for another 3-month renewal ($120 upfront) or to $35/month for 6 months ($210 upfront). To lock in that cheap $30/month rate, simply renew for a full year ($360 total—way cheaper than a T-Mobile Experience plan at $1,020 per year!).

Another excellent T-Mobile MVNO is Tello. With the Unlimited data plan, you’ll get 50GB of premium data and 10GB of hotspot data, plus free international calling to over 60+ countries for $25/month. And while 50GB is less than the data of many T-Mobile unlimited plans, consider again that the average person uses less than 20GB/month—that 50GB should be plenty to support your endless TikTok scrolling (or maybe that’s just us). 

Popular plans on T-Mobile's network

Mint and Tello are just the tip of the iceberg. Here are additional popular plans from carriers that use T-Mobile’s network.

Verizon network coverage in New Jersey

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Although Verizon ranks in third place for New Jersey coverage, it’s still a competitive choice, particularly in urban areas. At 97.09%, Verizon’s 4G network is nearly perfect, with service prone to wane near the Jersey Shore and into the Barrier Islands (Atlantic City is an exception). The southern coastal communities along Delaware Bay lack comprehensive 4G coverage as well. Verizon is a good choice for those living in the more rural Pine Barren communities. 

Verizon’s 5G doesn’t quite match up to AT&T and T-Mobile's, but again, it’s enough to cover you in highly populated cities such as Newark, Jersey City, or Lakewood. Like AT&T and T-Mobile, 5G weakens in the more rural communities such as Salem and Cumberland county and in many state forests. 

Best Verizon phone plans

For access to perks galore as well as Verizon’s commendable 4G network, look no further than the Unlimited Plus plan, priced at $80/month for a single line. This plan includes completely unlimited premium data at Verizon’s fastest 5G speeds via its Ultra-Wideband network (as opposed to basic 5G on its Nationwide network). You’ll also enjoy a 30GB hotspot allowance and access to discounts on streaming and subscription services. Choose from perks like the Disney bundle, a Walmart Plus subscription, or an Apple One package, each for $10/month extra.

Best phone plans on Verizon's network

You can still benefit from Verizon’s network without paying the big bucks. Visible’s $25 unlimited plan is our top pick among Verizon MVNOs. This plan costs less than a third (!) of the price of Verizon’s cheapest unlimited plan, while still delivering unlimited data and unlimited hotspot access on America’s number one 4G network. The only caveats: on the Visible plan, your speeds could be deprioritized at any time, and you don’t get access to Verizon’s fastest 5G network (though its basic 5G speeds aren’t too shabby). For guaranteed high-speed data and the fastest 5G speeds, upgrade to the $35/month Visible+ plan or $45/month Visible+ Pro plan. 

Another notable MVNO, running on all three networks, is US Mobile. We suggest the $44/month Unlimited Premium plan, which delivers unlimited premium data and a 50GB hotspot. For perspective, Verizon’s 5G Play More family plan offers only half the premium data and hotspot allowance and starts at $80/line.

Popular plans on Verizon's network

Don’t miss the handful of other popular plans on Verizon’s network