15GB Plan
- $40/month
- Good value for one line
Unlimited Plan
- $65/month (2 lines)
- Add another line for $15
Offering affordable phone plans geared primarily toward the AARP crowd, Consumer Cellular is one of the most recognized phone carriers on the market thanks to its top-dollar spokespeople (lookin' at you, Ted Danson) and its smart ad placements (fellow Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune fans unite!).
Our favorite Consumer Cellular plans include the 15GB plan for single lines, the 5GB plan for the budget-conscious buyer, and the Unlimited plan for couples. Each plan provides unlimited talk and text, great nationwide coverage via the AT&T and T-Mobile networks, plus access to additional potential discounts and perks.
Let's dive into the details of our picks for the best Consumer Cellular phone plans.
Best Consumer Cellular phone plans
| Plan | Best for | Features | Shop this plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15GB Plan | Overall value | Unlimited talk/text 5G access |
Go to plan |
| 5GB Plan | Budget buyers | Unlimited talk/text 5G access |
Go to plan |
| Unlimited Plan | Couples/families | 50GB premium high-speed data |
Go to plan |
Best Value
Consumer Cellular Plan
While the majority of phone plans these days lean heavily into the "unlimited everything" trend, most people don't actually need unlimited data—especially if you aren't sharing that data with anyone else. Consumer Cellular's 15GB plan falls nicely into that middle range of data plans, at a price that won't break the bank.
15GB plan | $40/month—Best value Consumer Cellular plan
If you're looking for a single-line phone plan that gets you the most bang for your buck, Consumer Cellular's 15GB plan should fit the bill. You'll get unlimited talk minutes and text messages to keep you connected with friends and family, as well as access to their nationwide 5G network as long as you have a compatible 5G phone. The $40/month price tag includes a $5/month discount for enrolling in AutoPay, and you can save even further if you're an AARP member. (Note, though, that taxes and fees are NOT included in the upfront price).
The 15GB option is an especially great value for those who A) aren't attached to their phone screens all day, and B) want a single-line phone plan (i.e., you don't need to share your plan with other family members), as you'll still have plenty of data to send emails, scroll social apps, play games, and watch a YouTube video or two.
- Pros: Affordable price; good amount of data for one person; 5G access included (with a compatible phone); additional discount for AARP members
- Cons: Competitors offer more data for the same price; taxes and fees not included
Check out some of our picks for the best prepaid phone plans to see even more inexpensive options.
Best Cheap
Consumer Cellular Plan
If bottom dollar is your bottom line, Consumer's 5GB plan gets you the basics you need without the costs that you don't.
5GB plan | $25/month—Best cheap Consumer Cellular plan
If you only check the occasional email or Google the latest Gen Z jargon on your phone ("Hey Siri, what does 'no cap' mean?"), the Consumer Cellular 5GB plan is for you. It's a cheap phone plan with unlimited talk and text that still provides a small amount of data that's helpful to keep in your back pocket—like if, for example, you need driving or walking directions, or need emergency services to be able to pinpoint your location. And like all of Consumer's phone plans, you can save an additional 5% each month on the 5GB plan if you're an AARP member, though you'll need to factor in taxes and fees on top of the upfront cost.
What if you TRULY only want a talk-and-text phone plan? While Consumer doesn't offer talk-and-text-only plans, there is one cheaper option that only offers a smidgen of data—the 1GB monthly plan, coming in at $20 for one line.
- Pros: Cheap price; additional discount for AARP members; great for low-data users; 5G access included (with a compatible phone)
- Cons: Not much wiggle room for data; taxes and fees not included
Use our best cheap cell phone plans guide to see even more inexpensive options.
Best Consumer Cellular
Plan for Couples
Shopping for you and your significant other? Consumer's Unlimited plan lets you share all the talk, text, and data you want without any overage fees.
Unlimited plan | $65/month—Best Consumer Cellular plan for 2 lines
The best phone plans for couples and families are almost always unlimited plans, since you don't have to worry about tracking data usage by line or dealing with overage charges. Consumer Cellular's Unlimited plan normally costs $50 for a single line—not exorbitant by any means, but still pricier than some of our other favorite unlimited plans.
This plan is a great value when you turn it into a multi-line plan. Each additional line only cost an extra $15, for up to 3 total lines. For couples, that means you can get unlimited talk, text, and data for just $65/month—significantly less than 2-line plans from the likes of AT&T or T-Mobile. You also get a hefty 50GB of guaranteed high-speed data (i.e., 4G LTE and 5G speeds) before you could potentially be deprioritized and experience slower speeds. And, as always, AARP members can save another 5% each month.
- Pros: Unlimited data to share; only an additional $15/line; 50GB premium high-speed allowance; AARP member discount
- Cons: No included perks; must share 50GB high-speed allowance between all lines
Want to check out more family plans? Head over to our best family plans guide.
Methodology: How we picked the best Consumer Cellular plans
When evaluating which Consumer Cellular plans take the cake, we first considered the priorities and pain points of Consumer's main market (that is, retirees and seniors). We thought about monthly costs on a fixed income, and looked at user habits compared to other populations to understand potential data needs. Lastly, we looked at available perks like additional membership discounts and multi-line bundles. WhistleOut keeps a watchful eye on the mobile market and will change these ratings as necessary.
How to Choose a Cell Phone Plan
There are a number of important considerations when choosing the right phone plan for you or your family.
Cell phone coverage
Cell phone coverage is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a cell phone plan. After all, your plan won't do you much good if you can't actually use it in the places you spend time due to poor reception.
Cell phone coverage is one of our specialties at WhistleOut, and you can use our maps to get a sense of which carriers offer service in which places throughout the United States. To put it succinctly, Verizon offers the best 4G LTE coverage in the country (which is still the prevailing network type our phones connect to), while T-Mobile lays claim to the best 5G network. In between is AT&T, which is a few percentage points off Verizon and T-Mobile in terms of its national 4G and 5G coverage, respectively.
Compare cell phone network coverage maps
Select a network below to see their coverage footprint and zoom in to compare carriers
Big vs. small carriers
As the preceding section suggests, the United States is dominated by the Big Three carriers—Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T. These companies boast the best coverage, the most stores, and the priciest plans.
However, there are a variety of smaller carriers—known as mobile virtual network operators, or MVNOs—that purchase network space from these big carriers and offer service at generally far cheaper prices. Indeed, the best deals in the market often come from these "little" brands. This includes some you've likely almost certainly heard of, like Metro (which operates on T-Mobile); some you may have heard of, like Mint Mobile (which operates on T-Mobile); and some you almost certainly have not heard of, like Red Pocket (which operates on all three major networks).
Device payment contracts
In case you haven't tried signing up for a cell phone plan in a few years, we have some good news—cell phone plan contracts are officially a thing of the past. You no longer have to lock in for a year or more with a carrier, as all plans are now effectively month-to-month.
Where carriers do work on locking you in for a significant period of time is device contracts. As the prices for premium phones have increased, so too has our reluctance to shell out a small fortune to buy them outright. Most consumers now sign up for device repayment plans that last anywhere from 24 to 36 months. So, while you can theoretically just jump to a different carrier anytime since plan contracts are dead, you may still be beholden to that carrier until your phone is fully paid off.
Best Consumer Cellular Plans: FAQs
Does Consumer Cellular offer data plans?
Consumer Cellular offers data plans ranging from 1GB of monthly data to unlimited data (with 50GB guaranteed at high speeds).
Does Consumer Cellular have additional fees?
Consumer Cellular charges additional taxes and fees on top of their upfront plan pricing. The advertised prices also include a $5/month AutoPay discount; if you choose not to enroll in AutoPay, your monthly price will be $5 higher.
Does Consumer Cellular offer discounts?
Consumer Cellular offers discounts including 5% off any plan for AARP members, as well as a $5/month AutoPay discount.
What network is Consumer Cellular on?
Consumer Cellular uses the AT&T and T-Mobile networks. Check out Consumer Cellular's coverage map to see if you have service in your area.
What phones does Consumer Cellular have?
Consumer Cellular has a bevy of the latest phones, including the iPhone 14 and Samsung Z Fold4, as well as affordable devices like its low-tech, proprietary Link II flip phone. Check out our picks for the best Consumer Cellular phones if you're in the market for a new device.
Lauren Hannula
Managing Editor
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