The best cheap cell phone plans prove that you can still get a lot for $40. While many wireless plans can put a serious dent in your wallet, by broadening your search beyond the big phone carriers, you can get your hands on the right amount of data for your needs, without breaking the bank. And that’s more money to spend on all the Black Friday deals cropping up this month.
Even if you don’t want to spend that full $40 every month, the best cheap cell phone plans can help you stretch your dollar farther with plans that give you a small data allotment for a big break on your monthly bill. Because if you don’t need all that data, why spend extra for it? You can even find unlimited data for $40 or less if you prefer.
As part of our search for the best cell phone plans overall, we’ve kept an eye out for the best cheap cell phone plans under $40 a month. Our search takes into account the merits of prepaid vs. postpaid phone service while also examining whether MVNOs are worth the money. As it turns out, you may be as surprised as we were by what you can get for $40 or less, including unlimited data cell phone plans at some carriers.
With new smartphones like the iPhone 13 now available and the best Black Friday phone deals promising big savings on handsets, you might be looking for a new cell phone plan, especially if it means paying less each month than you are now. But even if you’re sticking with your current phone, we can help you find one of the best cheap cell phone plans that are out there right now.
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What to look for with cheap cell phone plans
Obviously, price is going to be paramount when considering a cheap cell phone plan. After all, if money is no object, there are plenty of pricey plans that will deliver maximum perks and data.
But price isn’t the only criteria to look at. You’ll want to consider who provides the best cell phone coverage in your area and whether the discount carrier you’re considering uses that carrier’s network. With the exception of AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon, none of the discount carriers we’ve mentioned here operate their own network. Rather, as mobile virtual network operators, or MVNOs, they piggyback on the cellular networks built by one or more of the major carriers. Some carriers, such as Republic Wireless and Google Fi, also offload calls and texts to Wi-Fi when available, as part of their efforts to keep monthly costs low.
You’ll also want to look at the variety of plans each carrier offered and whether you could move to a different plan if your talk, text and data needs change. We’ve focused on plans for individuals, but if you’re searching for the best family cell phone plan, look into whether a carrier offers discounts on multiple lines. While perks generally aren’t included with cheap cell phone plans, look to see if there are some added benefits such as hotspot data.