Consumer Cellular Review 2022

Cell telephone service geared toward older adults, merely honestly, it can work for anybody hoping to save a niggling on their phone bill.

Consumer Cellular specializes in flexible, depression-data cell telephone plans. Its site features happy, older adult couples, but honestly, Consumer Cellular could be a deal for anyone who doesn't use a lot of data to stream YouTube or play AFK Arena.

But its prices aren't the cheapest around (nor are they the near expensive), and if you lot're after an unlimited data programme, we recommend looking elsewhere

And so are Consumer Cellular's low data limits worth its eye-of-the-road price? Let's dig into the details and find out if it's right for you lot.

Consumer Cellular plans

Is Consumer Cellular right for yous?

Consumer Cellular may be aimed at older people, but it's actually meant for anyone who needs 10 GB or less information each month. And if you lot ever demand more data (or less), y'all can alter your plan at a moment's discover since Consumer Cellular doesn't make y'all sign a contract.

Pro Heading

Pros

Pro Bullet Uses AT&T and T-Mobile networks

Pro Bullet AARP discount

Pro Bullet No contracts required

Con Heading

Cons

Con Bullet Prices aren't the cheapest

Con Bullet No prepaid options

Worried about losing your signal while traveling across the country? Consumer Cellular connects you to the strongest network available in the surface area—whether that'south AT&T or T-Mobile. Then no need to worry about dropped calls or a lost GPS indicate on Google Maps.

While information technology'south prices aren't the lowest, Consumer Cellular does offer a five% discount to AARP members (hey, it'south non just for people over 65) and a $10 bill credit if you refer a friend. That could bring your already moderate bill down to lucifer fifty-fifty the cheapest option.

Consumer Cellular offers a thirty-24-hour interval money-back guarantee

Price Tag

Non sure you lot'll like Consumer Cellular? It offers a 30-twenty-four hours guarantee that says you'll get your money back if you're not satisfied. And if you're an AARP fellow member, that guarantee extends to 45 days.

One of our biggest issues with Consumer Cellular is its unlimited data plan. The price is higher than what you'd pay other cell phone providers for unlimited information. For example, Visible Wireless offers a $40-a-calendar month unlimited plan.

And your unlimited data is technically only 35 GB of high-speed unlimited information. So if you employ more than 35 GB in a month, your prison cell phone's browser, app, and streaming speeds will slow downward.

Aside from that complaint, we do wish Consumer Cellular offered prepaid plan options. Otherwise, if you lot're subsequently a minor information programme, Consumer Cellular is worth a look.

We recommend the Unlimited Talk & Text + 3 GB Information Plan programme

If you use a lot less than the typical 11 GB of information in a calendar month, Consumer Cellular's Unlimited Talk & Text + iii GB Information Program is a cracking choice. Its 3 GB data limit is plenty, fifty-fifty when you want to scout that TikTok video your sis sent you.

Again, y'all can detect cheaper plans 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 cost isn't a huge bite out of your upkeep.

Consumer Cellular Unlimited Talk & Text + 3 GB Data Plan

Consumer Cellular phone plans

Information technology seems similar almost other jail cell telephone providers have passed Consumer Cellular past when it comes to low pricing. It was originally one of the cheapest options out there, but now all of its phone plans sport so-so prices.

We're not saying it'll break the bank, but yous can definitely notice cheaper phone plans compared to Consumer Cellular.

That said, you can bring your toll down with a v% AARP discount or a $ten refer-a-friend credit. Yup, Consumer Cellular is one of only two cell phone providers that offers an AARP discount. (The other i is AT&T.)

Consumer Cellular phone plans

How does Consumer Cellular compare to other cell phone providers?

Like we mentioned before, Consumer Cellular's prices for the minor amounts of information you get aren't the nigh affordable. However, they aren't the most expensive either.

Mobile carriers similar U.s.a. Mobile, Twigby, and Mint Mobile offer better deals on depression-data plans, while Tracfone'south 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.

Consumer Cellular prices compared to US Mobile, Twigby, Mint Mobile, and more

If you're considering a prison cell phone programme with AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon, Consumer Cellular'south unlimited data plan is one of the cheaper choices among the 4.

Consumer Cellular unlimited plan compared to AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless

Consumer Cellular family unit cell telephone plans

If jail cell phone programme shopping is all most the family, information technology'south good to know that Consumer Cellular discounts its per line cost when you add someone to your programme. This also applies to friends (who are like family anyway).

Pro Heading

Pros

Pro Bullet Discounted second and 3rd lines

Pro Bullet Free calls to folks on the same business relationship

Con Heading

Cons

Con Bullet Just shareable with upward to ii more people

Con Bullet Small information caps that aren't ideal for sharing

When compared to your plan cost with ane line, here's how much you can salve by calculation one to ii more people to your Consumer Cellular plan:

  • two lines saves: $v–$35/mo.
  • 3 lines saves: $five–$75/mo.

There are also ii things to note if you lot programme on inviting a friend or family fellow member to share your Consumer Cellular program—you can have simply three lines max, and yous share data.

That means you'll have to be choosy when information technology comes to sharing your plan. (More power to you lot if you have that many shut friends and family unit members.) And brand sure you don't invite a data grunter that will suck upwardly your 3 GB of data in a week.

Hither's what the price for our plan option, the three GB Information Program, looks like with one, ii, 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.

You share your Consumer Cellular data cap with anyone on your plan

Heads Up

If yous share your Consumer Cellular plan with a couple of family unit members, think that you lot all share the same bucket of data. It might be a good thought to remind them too, just in instance they get the urge to stream YouTube videos all day, every solar day.

How does Consumer Cellular compare to other family plans?

Only like the residue of its plans, Consumer Cellular's family unit plans land smack dab in the center when it comes to price.

If your upkeep is your main concern, you might notice better deals from Twigby, United states Mobile, or T-Mobile.

Consumer Cellular iii GB data plan with three lines compared to other family plans

Keep in mind that other cell phone providers may also allow y'all to add more than three lines. So if your family and friends network is large, that might work out amend when it comes to keeping in touch.

Consumer Cellular coverage

Consumer Cellular uses two networks—AT&T and T-Mobile. That should give you adequate coverage beyond the US and possibly fifty-fifty zippy 4G LTE or 5G speeds. (Though you'll need a 5G-enabled telephone to go that fast.)

Hither'southward what coverage looks like on the AT&T network.

Consumer-Cellular-Review_ATT-Network-Coverage-Map

And hither's what the T-Mobile network looks like.

Consumer-Cellular-Review_T-Mobile-Network-Coverage-Map

When it comes to coverage, the Verizon network is best overall. But with a mix of AT&T and T-Mobile, you'll probable but come across your cell bespeak driblet if you lot're out Due west, in the far Northeast, or in the mountainous areas of W Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

Consumer Cellular cell phones and devices

Consumer Cellular lets you bring your old telephone with y'all when you switch. Simply if you need a new phone, you lot'll have your option between 29 different cell phone models.

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 thirteen, and iPhone 13 mini
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G and Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
  • Motorola Ane 5G Ace
  • iPhone 12
  • iPhone SE (2020 model)

Here's another look at the five most popular cell phones other Consumer Cellular subscribers have chosen.

Popular Consumer Cellular prison cell phones

Consumer Cellular GrandPad tablet

Consumer Cellular is targeted to older adults, and it also offers a tablet along with the devices above.

Consumer-Cellular-Review_GrandPad-Tablet

Called the GrandPad, this viii-inch tablet provides a convenient and easy-to-come across interface designed for folks who accept little to no experience using a smartphone or the internet. Information technology uses 4G LTE cell service, and then at that place'due south no Wi-Fi needed.

The GrandPad costs $299 make new, and you'll also need to subscribe to a $40-a-month service plan.

Perhaps the best office is that you tin can preload the GrandPad with photos and contacts using the web portal or app. That means information technology's pretty much prepare to go one time you take it out of the box and accuse information technology upwardly for the first time.

Consumer Cellular customer service

Need to go a hold of someone at Consumer Cellular? You can either chat with someone online or call them on the phone. Both options connect y'all to a alive representative, so it's really downwards to which ane you prefer.

  • Consumer Cellular customer service: i-888-345-5509
  • Contact Consumer Cellular via alive chat: Chat with an agent

Our ain experiences with Consumer Cellular's client service department were positive. At ane indicate, we asked nearly using SIM cards with a Google phone (yes, y'all 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).one

Light Bulb

A mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO, is a cell telephone provider that piggybacks off of a network owned by another visitor. In Consumer Cellular's example, information technology piggybacks off of the AT&T and T-Mobile networks.

Learn almost the pros and cons to this setup in our MVNO video guide.

Recap: Is Consumer Cellular a practiced mobile provider?

Consumer Cellular is an all right choice if y'all don't need a lot of data and don't desire to pay premium prices. And thanks to the GrandPad tablet and other friendly services, it might brand an excellent choice for an older member of the family unit. But you'll easily find cheaper depression-information, family unit, and unlimited plans out there.

  • Cell telephone plans: Consumer Cellular's prices aren't the near expensive or the cheapest, simply if you don't need a lot of data, it makes an affordable pick. It's also one of only ii providers that offer an AARP discount.
  • Family cell telephone plans: Consumer Cellular's family unit plans max out at iii lines, and then you're limited in who you tin can add together to your plan. Its family unit plan prices are also middle of the road, and so don't expect a ton of savings here.
  • Cell phones and devices: You've got a wide selection of mod cell phones to choose from with Consumer Cellular, or you can bring your ain. In that location's also the GrandPad, a tablet made just for keeping older adults connected.
  • Customer service: Our experience with Consumer Cellular reps was great, and information technology consistently receives high marks when information technology comes to taking care of folks.

Recap: Consumer Cellular Unlimited Talk & Text + iii GB Data Plan

Methodology

Nosotros looked at the following features when writing our Consumer Cellular review:

  • Prices and how they compare to other similar cell phone plans
  • Information options
  • Family plan and prepaid options
  • Available cell phones and devices

We besides called Consumer Cellular's client service line to go a feel for how the provider treats its customers and how chop-chop you can get aid with a problem. We also looked at network performance for AT&T and T-Mobile, since Consumer Cellular uses those ii networks to deliver its service.

Consumer Cellular FAQ

Still curious about Consumer Cellular? We can assist.

What network is Consumer Cellular on?

Consumer Cellular uses ii networks: AT&T and T-Mobile.

What phone options are available with Consumer Cellular?

You'll get a choice of over 20 unlike phones with Consumer Cellular, including diverse iPhone thirteen models, the iPhone SE, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip or Fold, and Motorola Ace. You can also choose to bring your own device.

How much does Consumer Cellular cost?

Depending on which plan you lot choose, Consumer Cellular costs anywhere from $15 for a no-data plan to $55 a month for an unlimited-information programme.

What happens if you go over your minutes or data limit with Consumer Cellular?

If y'all apply too many minutes or too much data in a calendar month, Consumer Cellular automatically upgrades you to the side by side level plan instead of charging overage fees.

Can you go on your existing cell telephone number with Consumer Cellular?

Yeah, you can keep your old cell telephone number when y'all switch to Consumer Cellular. You'll merely need to give them a call and accept your account info or billing statement for your sometime prison cell phone provider handy. Once you call and brainstorm the process, it usually takes most a day for the transfer to complete.

Catherine McNally

Written past

Catherine McNally

Catherine has a degree in journalism and an MBA, and has spent the concluding x+ years writing everything from Okinawa travel guides to stories on Medium. She's been online since AOL CDs were a thing and is an unapologetic PC gamer. She believes the internet is a necessity, not a luxury, and writes reviews and guides to help anybody stay connected. Yous can likewise find her on Twitter: @CMReviewsIt.

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