US Cellular Review

US Cellular (often stylized UScellular) is a unique mobile carrier that offers affordable plans, fast internet speeds, and loads of devices. Aside from its cell phone tiers, US Cellular also provides tablet plans. As the fourth-largest carrier behind Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, US Cellular’s service area isn’t as large as its competitors, but roaming agreements compensate for its modest footprint. 

Depending on your location, US Cellular could fit your needs. Let’s look at US Cellular’s plans and coverage areas and compare them against the offerings from big carriers and mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs).

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US Cellular Plans

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US Cellular provides customers with postpaid and prepaid plan options, like most mobile carriers:

• The top-shelf postpaid Even Better plan starts at $70/month for a single line. It includes unlimited data with up to 50GB of priority data, a whopping 30GB of mobile hotspot access, plus two Redbox movie nights.
• Stepping down to the Everyday plan for $65/month gets you unlimited data with a 25GB priority threshold, 15GB of mobile hotspot access, and a Redbox movie night.
• At the lower end, the Basic plan sets you back $55/month and nets you unlimited talk, text, and data with standard-definition 480p video streaming on mobile.

On the prepaid side, all plans come with unlimited talk and text. At $65/month, Unlimited Plus scores you 25GB of priority data, a 20GB hotspot allowance, and a monthly Redbox movie night. The base Unlimited plan keeps it bare-bones for $55/month without hotspot data or a priority threshold. And for $40/month, the 15GB package gives you plenty of data for streaming video, checking emails, and playing games. Each prepaid package skips on overage charges or credit checks.

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What we like: Good plan perks

As a US Cellular customer, you’ll enjoy fantastic perks. Its Everyday and Even Better postpaid plans, as well as prepaid Unlimited Plus plans, sport high deprioritization thresholds, generous mobile hotspot data allocations, and Redbox movie nights. Additionally, you’ll get unlimited LTE data in Mexico and Canada for North American travel. Normally, prepaid tiers don’t include many goodies, so it’s refreshing that US Cellular bucks that trend.

What we like: Large phone selection

US Cellular lets you bring your own device (BYOD) like most carriers. However, should you choose to snag a handset from US Cellular, you’ve got the pick of the litter. Available devices range from the high-end Samsung Galaxy S22 lineup and Apple’s iPhone 13 series to basic flip phones. US Cellular has you covered whether you’re in the market for a flagship phone, mid-range handset, or affordable device.

What we like: Excellent Midwest coverage

Although US Cellular works across all 50 states via reciprocal roaming agreements, the rural Midwest benefits from its best coverage. There’s solid 4G LTE in states such as Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. Particularly near its Chicago headquarters and in cities like St. Louis, you’ll experience good signal strength.

What could be improved: Coverage area

US Cellular's coverage falls short of its competitors, with a 4G LTE footprint reaching just 10% of the nation. Moreover, its 5G network covers a mere 1.5% of the country. Nevertheless, roaming agreements with Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile extend its coverage area considerably. Unfortunately, while there’s no roaming data, you are subject to deprioritization—meaning that in some instances, such as at a crowded soccer game or concert, web pages might load slowly, or music could experience buffering.

What could be improved: Single-line pricing

While its multi-line discounts promise attractive savings, US Cellular’s single-line prices aren’t the lowest. Its top-shelf postpaid and prepaid unlimited plans set you back $65/month for one line of service. That’s higher than many MVNOs, such as Visible Wireless or Mint Mobile, but lower than Verizon’s postpaid prices. Ultimately, single-line US Cellular plans aren’t the most expensive, but we’d like slightly lower prices, particularly considering its spotty coverage and heavy reliance on roaming.

US Cellular Coverage

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US Cellular’s service area only peppers certain areas of the nation, although it’s significantly stronger in the midwestern U.S. With its 10% 4G LTE and 1.5% 5G nationwide coverage, US Cellular comes in dead last behind Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and T-Mobile.

• #1: Verizon: 71% 4G coverage
• #2: AT&T: 68% coverage
• #3: T-Mobile: 63% coverage
• #4: US Cellular: 10% coverage

Check out our interactive US Cellular coverage map below to assess signal strength where you live.

Best states for US Cellular coverage

As you can see, there’s a major discrepancy between US Cellular and even T-Mobile, the third-place contender for 4G LTE coverage. Here are the states where US Cellular performs the best: 

• Arkansas 
• Illinois 
• Iowa 
• Kansas 
• Maine 
• Maryland 
• Missouri 
• Nebraska 
• New Hampshire 
• North Carolina 
• Northern California 
• Oklahoma 
• Oregon 
• Tennessee 
• Virginia 
• Washington 
• West Virginia 
• Wisconsin

Roaming on US Cellular

Glancing at the coverage map on US Cellular’s own website may show different availability from what you see here at WhistleOut, sporting a fully-covered map of the United States. That’s because, on its map, US Cellular includes regions with roaming service agreements from other carriers, including Verizon and AT&T, rather than showing only its owned-and-operated network. With these agreements in place, you’ll be able to get a signal nationwide. 

For instance, in a state such as New Mexico that lacks any US Cellular towers, you’ll still enjoy talk, text, and web through roaming. Unlike in the old days, you won’t experience any roaming charges—it’s completely free. Still, roaming isn’t as reliable as utilizing your main carrier’s towers, and you might be subject to data deprioritization.

US Cellular vs. Competitors

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Now that we’ve looked at what we like about US Cellular and areas it could improve, let’s analyze how this carrier stacks up against its competitors.

US Cellular vs. major carriers

Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and US Cellular are nearly even with their offerings. All four networks boast an assortment of prepaid and postpaid plans at various price points with great perks. However, where the big three pull away is with 4G LTE and 5G coverage. 

Verizon’s 11% nationwide 5G and T-Mobile’s 62% 4G LTE coverage still trounce US Cellular’s 10% 4G LTE and 1.5% 5G service areas. Of course, roaming agreements somewhat compensate for a small cluster of cell towers, but it’s clear that US Cellular works best in a handful of states. Most folks are better off with one of the big three carriers for the fastest and best coverage.

US Cellular vs. MVNOs

After comparing US Cellular to its fellow parent carriers, let’s review how it stacks up with mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs).

US Cellular vs. Google Fi

Google Fi is an MVNO that runs on T-Mobile and US Cellular towers. You'll enjoy best-in-class 5G coverage with a reliable 4G LTE network. While phone selection is limited, you can find the most popular Android handsets like the Google Pixel 6 Pro and Samsung Galaxy devices. Google Fi provides a trio of plans, compelling family plan discounts, and sweet perks such as international use. 

US Cellular delivers many plans, good perks, and attractive multi-line discounts. While its phone selection outpaces Google Fi, its coverage area pales in comparison. Since Google Fi includes US Cellular, its coverage area gives you the best of both worlds—outstanding rural Midwest signal strength with a reliable nationwide 5G network.

US Cellular vs. US Mobile

With US Cellular and US Mobile, many plans feature mobile hotspot data by default, making both carriers relatively equal in that regard. However, US Cellular heavily relies on reciprocal roaming data outside of its modest service area, which is subject to deprioritization. Therefore, of the two, we prefer US Mobile unless you’re in an area where US Cellular offers more reliable coverage.

US Cellular vs. Mint Mobile

Mint Mobile is a popular MVNO running on T-Mobile towers. You’ll enjoy extremely affordable prices and superb 5G coverage. T-Mobile’s rural coverage comes up short, although it’s still more robust than US Cellular’s base network. However, Mint’s best pricing requires a prepayment of up to a year. 

US Cellular’s prices generally undercut most postpaid competitors but pale in comparison to Mint’s. However, US Cellular’s network offers a signal in spots that Mint’s parent carrier, T-Mobile, can’t reach. With insanely low prices, we like Mint in this match-up with an exception for folks requiring US Cellular’s notably strong rural Midwest coverage.

US Cellular Family Plans

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Family plans provide big savings on US Cellular. The more lines you add, the more you’ll save, with the most affordable postpaid costs found on four-line bundles. With US Cellular’s prepaid service, you’ll save $10 each on lines two through five.

US Cellular Phones

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US Cellular offers a wide variety of phones. Whether you’re in the market for a top-shelf phone like the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra or iPhone 13 Pro Max, a basic flip phone, or something in between, US Cellular has you covered. You can choose to finance a phone or make an outright purchase. Additionally, you’ll often find service and device deals such as a free phone or a year of free service when buying a new device.

Bringing your own device to US Cellular

Like most carriers—big operators and MVNOs alike—US cellular allows you to bring your own phone (BYOP). You'll need a CDMA-compatible unlocked phone to get on the network. Luckily, most popular manufacturers, including Samsung, Google, and Apple, typically ensure universal GSM and CDMA support for unlocked phones. However, it's best to double-check with US Cellular before making the switch. For help, contact US Cellular's customer support.

Recap: Is US Cellular Right for You?

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While US Cellular lacks the base network reach of its big three competitors (Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T), strong coverage—particularly in the rural Midwest—makes it a compelling choice. If you're disappointed in signal strength from other providers, US Cellular may be right for you. 

Here’s what you get with US Cellular: 

• Both postpaid and prepaid plans 
• Excellent family plan pricing 
• Great perks 
• Most plans include mobile hotspot 
• Good rural midwestern United States coverage 
• Large phone selection 

However, its coverage area falls well short compared to the T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T. Roaming agreements ensure true nationwide coverage, although you’re subject to deprioritization at any time. If you need rural coverage and only travel occasionally, US Cellular could be for you. Otherwise, Google Fi is a great alternative that gets you access to US Cellular and T-Mobile for an expanded service area.

US Cellular Review: FAQs

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Does US Cellular have good coverage?

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