{
  "canary": "46ca0b0305332f23",
  "category": {
    "blocked": false,
    "commerce": true,
    "criteria": [
      {
        "group": "Network",
        "key": "coverage_quality",
        "label": "Coverage Quality",
        "options": [
          "Basic",
          "Good",
          "Excellent"
        ],
        "poids": 5,
        "sens": "plus_haut_mieux",
        "type": "enum"
      },
      {
        "group": "Network",
        "key": "5g_access",
        "label": "5G Access",
        "poids": 4,
        "sens": "plus_haut_mieux",
        "type": "boolean"
      },
      {
        "group": "Pricing",
        "key": "monthly_price",
        "label": "Monthly Price",
        "poids": 5,
        "sens": "plus_bas_mieux",
        "type": "prix",
        "unit": "USD"
      },
      {
        "group": "Features",
        "key": "data_allowance",
        "label": "Data Allowance",
        "options": [
          "1-5 GB",
          "5-15 GB",
          "15-30 GB",
          "Unlimited",
          "Unlimited (throttled)"
        ],
        "poids": 4,
        "sens": "plus_haut_mieux",
        "type": "enum"
      },
      {
        "group": "Features",
        "key": "contract_term",
        "label": "Contract Term",
        "options": [
          "No contract",
          "1 year",
          "2 years"
        ],
        "poids": 3,
        "sens": "plus_bas_mieux",
        "type": "enum"
      },
      {
        "group": "Features",
        "key": "hotspot_data",
        "label": "Hotspot Data",
        "poids": 3,
        "sens": "plus_haut_mieux",
        "type": "prix",
        "unit": "GB"
      },
      {
        "group": "Features",
        "key": "throttling_policy",
        "label": "Throttling Policy",
        "options": [
          "None",
          "After limit",
          "After threshold",
          "Always throttled"
        ],
        "poids": 3,
        "sens": "plus_bas_mieux",
        "type": "enum"
      },
      {
        "group": "Features",
        "key": "international_calling",
        "label": "International Calling",
        "poids": 2,
        "sens": "plus_haut_mieux",
        "type": "boolean"
      },
      {
        "group": "Features",
        "key": "perks_included",
        "label": "Perks Included",
        "poids": 2,
        "sens": "plus_haut_mieux",
        "type": "text"
      },
      {
        "group": "Support",
        "key": "customer_service",
        "label": "Customer Service",
        "options": [
          "Poor",
          "Average",
          "Good",
          "Excellent"
        ],
        "poids": 3,
        "sens": "plus_haut_mieux",
        "type": "enum"
      }
    ],
    "faq": [
      {
        "a": "The top cell phone plans in 2026 include T-Mobile Magenta MAX, recognized for its comprehensive features, and US Mobile Unlimited Premium, offering a strong alternative based on our analysis.",
        "q": "What are the best cell phone plans available in 2026?"
      },
      {
        "a": "Our comparison evaluates cell phone plans considering the quality of network coverage and the availability of 5G access, crucial factors for a reliable mobile experience.",
        "q": "How do cell phone plans compare based on coverage and 5G access?"
      },
      {
        "a": "We detail the monthly pricing and data allowances for leading cell phone plans, helping you find options that fit your budget and data needs.",
        "q": "What is the monthly price and data allowance for the best cell phone plans?"
      },
      {
        "a": "No, our rankings are strictly neutral and based on objective data. We do not accept payment for placement, ensuring every data point is sourced and unbiased.",
        "q": "Is the cell phone plan ranking influenced by paid placements?"
      }
    ],
    "kind": "category",
    "model": "",
    "ms": 2286,
    "neutral": false,
    "path": [
      "telecom",
      "mobile-phone",
      "mobile-plans"
    ],
    "price_key": "monthly_price",
    "profile_questions": [
      {
        "options": [
          "1-5 GB",
          "5-15 GB",
          "15-30 GB",
          "Unlimited"
        ],
        "q": "Data needs?"
      },
      {
        "options": [
          "No contract",
          "1-2 year contract"
        ],
        "q": "Contract preference?"
      },
      {
        "options": [
          "1 line",
          "2 lines",
          "3 lines",
          "4+ lines"
        ],
        "q": "Number of lines?"
      }
    ],
    "subject": "service",
    "suggestions": [
      "best prepaid phone plans",
      "unlimited data phone plans",
      "family cell phone plans",
      "cheap cell phone plans"
    ],
    "synthese": [
      "This comparison evaluates 11 mobile plans based on 10 criteria, including coverage quality, 5G access, monthly price, data allowance, contract term, and hotspot data. T-Mobile Magenta MAX ranks highest with 87 out of 100 points, largely due to its perfect scores in 5G access and coverage quality. US Mobile Unlimited Premium is a close second at 86 out of 100, excelling in monthly price, and is also identified as the most affordable option. It's important to note that while data for 5 out of the 11 options is sourced, the remaining values are estimates and are marked as such.",
      "The facts in this summary are computed from the table below; only the wording is generated."
    ],
    "tier": "gold",
    "title": "Best Cell Phone Plans",
    "unranked": false,
    "visual": "logo"
  },
  "country": "US",
  "freshness": {
    "age_days": 3.6,
    "stale": false,
    "ttl_days": 14
  },
  "items": [
    {
      "badges": [
        "best_overall"
      ],
      "best_for": "Power users who need top-tier data speed, extensive 5G coverage, and valuable add-ons.",
      "cons": [
        "Higher monthly rate"
      ],
      "description": "T-Mobile's Experience More plan offers extensive 5G coverage and includes various perks for travel, streaming, and hotspot data.",
      "estimated": true,
      "logo_dom": "tmobile.com",
      "logo_url": "https://unavatar.io/tmobile.com?fallback=false",
      "name": "T-Mobile Magenta MAX",
      "pros": [
        "Best 5G coverage",
        "Includes perks for travel and streaming",
        "Generous hotspot data"
      ],
      "provider": "T-Mobile",
      "provider_url": "https://www.t-mobile.com/",
      "review_summary": "T-Mobile ranks highest in customer satisfaction for both postpaid and prepaid mobile network operator segments.",
      "score": 87.0,
      "source_url": "https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-wireless-carrier/",
      "subscores": {
        "5g_access": 100.0,
        "coverage_quality": 100.0,
        "customer_service": 100.0,
        "hotspot_data": 80.0,
        "international_calling": 100.0,
        "monthly_price": 45.0,
        "throttling_policy": 100.0
      },
      "values": {
        "5g_access": true,
        "contract_term": "No contract",
        "coverage_quality": "Excellent",
        "customer_service": "Excellent",
        "data_allowance": "Unlimited",
        "hotspot_data": 40.0,
        "international_calling": true,
        "monthly_price": 55,
        "perks_included": "Travel, streaming subscriptions",
        "throttling_policy": "None"
      },
      "verified": false
    },
    {
      "badges": [
        "cheapest",
        "best_value"
      ],
      "best_for": "Users looking for an affordable unlimited data plan with flexible network choice.",
      "cons": [
        "Less name recognition than major carriers"
      ],
      "description": "US Mobile's Unlimited Starter plan is an affordable unlimited-data plan that connects users on any of the major US cellular networks.",
      "link_url": "https://www.usmobile.com/",
      "logo_dom": "www.usmobile.com",
      "logo_url": "https://unavatar.io/www.usmobile.com?fallback=false",
      "name": "US Mobile Unlimited Premium",
      "pros": [
        "Affordable unlimited data",
        "Can switch between networks for best coverage",
        "Lower monthly rates than big-name carriers"
      ],
      "provider": "US Mobile",
      "provider_url": "https://www.usmobile.com/",
      "review": "@BuDu-ms2qe I am one that switched from at&t mobility postpaid to USMobile for better coverage, better service, and definitely better price! Thank you Stetson Doggett!!!",
      "review_summary": "Users praise US Mobile for its better coverage, service, and price compared to major carriers, often saving significant amounts on their monthly bills.",
      "score": 86.0,
      "source_url": "https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-wireless-carrier/",
      "subscores": {
        "5g_access": 100.0,
        "coverage_quality": 50.0,
        "customer_service": 67.0,
        "hotspot_data": 100.0,
        "international_calling": 100.0,
        "monthly_price": 100.0,
        "throttling_policy": 100.0
      },
      "values": {
        "5g_access": true,
        "contract_term": "No contract",
        "coverage_quality": "Good",
        "customer_service": "Good",
        "data_allowance": "Unlimited",
        "hotspot_data": 50.0,
        "international_calling": true,
        "monthly_price": 25,
        "perks_included": "Unlimited talk & text, unlimited 5G data, international calling",
        "throttling_policy": "None"
      },
      "verified": true
    },
    {
      "badges": [],
      "best_for": "Users seeking a straightforward, premium 5G experience with high reliability and no hidden fees.",
      "cons": [
        "Higher starting price than some competitors"
      ],
      "description": "Verizon's Simplicity Plan is a single flat-rate unlimited plan providing full access to Verizon's 5G Ultra Wideband network with no network tiers.",
      "link_url": "https://www.verizon.com/",
      "logo_dom": "verizon.com",
      "logo_url": "https://unavatar.io/verizon.com?fallback=false",
      "name": "Verizon Unlimited Plus",
      "pros": [
        "Single flat-rate plan",
        "Full access to 5G Ultra Wideband",
        "No activation or upgrade fees with Loyalty program opt-in"
      ],
      "provider": "Verizon",
      "provider_url": "https://www.verizon.com/",
      "review_summary": "Verizon's 5G Ultra Wideband network delivers higher peak speeds and is America's most reliable 5G network.",
      "score": 78.0,
      "source_url": "https://www.verizon.com/plans/compare/",
      "subscores": {
        "5g_access": 100.0,
        "coverage_quality": 100.0,
        "customer_service": 67.0,
        "hotspot_data": 20.0,
        "international_calling": 100.0,
        "monthly_price": 56.0,
        "throttling_policy": 100.0
      },
      "values": {
        "5g_access": true,
        "contract_term": "No contract",
        "coverage_quality": "Excellent",
        "customer_service": "Good",
        "data_allowance": "Unlimited",
        "hotspot_data": 10,
        "international_calling": true,
        "monthly_price": 45,
        "perks_included": "Verizon Loyalty: 3% cash back, Verizon Shine, à la carte streaming perks at ~40% savings",
        "throttling_policy": "None"
      },
      "verified": true
    },
    {
      "badges": [],
      "best_for": "Budget-conscious users who need basic unlimited talk, text, and data and are willing to accept tiered 5G access and slower hotspot speeds.",
      "cons": [
        "5G access is tiered by plan",
        "Hotspot data is limited to 3G speeds",
        "Activation fee of $35 per line"
      ],
      "description": "T-Mobile's Essentials Saver is the lowest tier plan in their 4-tier portfolio, offering unlimited talk, text, and data.",
      "logo_dom": "mint.com",
      "logo_url": "https://unavatar.io/mint.com?fallback=false",
      "name": "Mint Mobile Unlimited Plan",
      "pros": [
        "Unlimited talk, text, and data",
        "Standard loyalty offerings"
      ],
      "provider": "Mint Mobile",
      "provider_url": "https://www.t-mobile.com/",
      "review_summary": "T-Mobile ranks highest in customer satisfaction for both postpaid and prepaid mobile network operator segments.",
      "score": 71.0,
      "source_url": "https://www.verizon.com/plans/compare/",
      "subscores": {
        "5g_access": 100.0,
        "coverage_quality": 100.0,
        "customer_service": 100.0,
        "hotspot_data": 20.0,
        "international_calling": 100.0,
        "monthly_price": 45.0,
        "throttling_policy": 33.0
      },
      "values": {
        "5g_access": true,
        "contract_term": "1 year",
        "coverage_quality": "Excellent",
        "customer_service": "Excellent",
        "data_allowance": "Unlimited",
        "hotspot_data": 10.0,
        "international_calling": true,
        "monthly_price": 55,
        "perks_included": "Standard loyalty offerings + T-Mobile Tuesdays",
        "throttling_policy": "After threshold"
      },
      "verified": true
    },
    {
      "badges": [],
      "description": "Flexible unlimited plan with international features and strong Wi-Fi integration.",
      "estimated": true,
      "logo_dom": "google.com",
      "logo_url": "https://unavatar.io/google.com?fallback=false",
      "name": "Google Fi Unlimited Plus",
      "provider": "Google Fi",
      "score": 66.0,
      "source_url": "https://fi.google.com/about/plans",
      "subscores": {
        "5g_access": 100.0,
        "coverage_quality": 50.0,
        "customer_service": 33.0,
        "hotspot_data": 100.0,
        "international_calling": 100.0,
        "monthly_price": 38.0,
        "throttling_policy": 67.0
      },
      "values": {
        "5g_access": true,
        "contract_term": "No contract",
        "coverage_quality": "Good",
        "customer_service": "Average",
        "data_allowance": "Unlimited",
        "hotspot_data": 50.0,
        "international_calling": true,
        "monthly_price": 65.0,
        "perks_included": "Unlimited international texting, international data in 200+ destinations",
        "throttling_policy": "After limit"
      }
    },
    {
      "badges": [],
      "best_for": "Users seeking a basic unlimited plan from a major carrier with standard features and limited hotspot data.",
      "cons": [
        "5G access is tiered by plan",
        "Limited hotspot data",
        "Activation fee of $35 per line"
      ],
      "description": "AT&T's Value 2.0 is the lowest tier plan in their 4-tier portfolio, offering unlimited talk, text, and data.",
      "logo_dom": "att.com",
      "logo_url": "https://unavatar.io/att.com?fallback=false",
      "name": "AT&T Unlimited Premium",
      "pros": [
        "Unlimited talk, text, and data",
        "Standard loyalty offerings"
      ],
      "provider": "AT&T",
      "provider_url": "https://www.att.com/",
      "score": 62.0,
      "source_url": "https://www.verizon.com/plans/compare/",
      "subscores": {
        "5g_access": 100.0,
        "coverage_quality": 50.0,
        "customer_service": 67.0,
        "hotspot_data": 6.0,
        "international_calling": 100.0,
        "monthly_price": 38.0,
        "throttling_policy": 100.0
      },
      "values": {
        "5g_access": true,
        "contract_term": "No contract",
        "coverage_quality": "Good",
        "customer_service": "Good",
        "data_allowance": "Unlimited",
        "hotspot_data": 3,
        "international_calling": true,
        "monthly_price": 65,
        "perks_included": "Standard loyalty offerings",
        "throttling_policy": "None"
      },
      "verified": true
    },
    {
      "badges": [],
      "description": "Single unlimited plan with unlimited hotspot and no data throttling.",
      "estimated": true,
      "link_url": "https://www.visible.com/",
      "logo_dom": "visible.com",
      "logo_url": "https://unavatar.io/visible.com?fallback=false",
      "name": "Visible Unlimited",
      "provider": "Visible",
      "score": 50.0,
      "source_url": "https://www.visible.com/plans",
      "subscores": {
        "5g_access": 100.0,
        "coverage_quality": 50.0,
        "customer_service": 0.0,
        "hotspot_data": 10.0,
        "international_calling": 0.0,
        "monthly_price": 56.0,
        "throttling_policy": 100.0
      },
      "values": {
        "5g_access": true,
        "contract_term": "No contract",
        "coverage_quality": "Good",
        "customer_service": "Poor",
        "data_allowance": "Unlimited",
        "hotspot_data": 5.0,
        "international_calling": false,
        "monthly_price": 45.0,
        "perks_included": "Unlimited talk, text, and data; unlimited mobile hotspot",
        "throttling_policy": "None"
      }
    },
    {
      "badges": [],
      "best_for": "Older adults (50+) who prioritize customer satisfaction, in-person service, and discounted unlimited data.",
      "cons": [
        "Generally more expensive than US Mobile"
      ],
      "description": "Consumer Cellular's Unlimited Data plan is a great choice for adults ages 50 or over, offering discounted rates and in-person service.",
      "logo_dom": "consumer.com",
      "logo_url": "https://unavatar.io/consumer.com?fallback=false",
      "name": "Consumer Cellular Unlimited",
      "pros": [
        "High customer satisfaction",
        "In-person service available",
        "Discounted rates for older adults"
      ],
      "provider": "Consumer Cellular",
      "provider_url": "https://www.consumercellular.com/",
      "review_summary": "Consumer Cellular consistently receives high customer satisfaction ratings and is noted for its service quality.",
      "score": 29.0,
      "source_url": "https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-wireless-carrier/",
      "subscores": {
        "5g_access": 0.0,
        "coverage_quality": 0.0,
        "customer_service": 100.0,
        "international_calling": 0.0,
        "monthly_price": 45.0,
        "throttling_policy": 67.0
      },
      "values": {
        "5g_access": false,
        "contract_term": "No contract",
        "coverage_quality": "Basic",
        "customer_service": "Excellent",
        "data_allowance": "Unlimited",
        "hotspot_data": null,
        "international_calling": false,
        "monthly_price": 55.0,
        "perks_included": "Unlimited talk & text, no annual contracts",
        "throttling_policy": "After limit"
      },
      "verified": true
    },
    {
      "badges": [],
      "estimated": true,
      "name": "Helium Mobile Zero",
      "score": 0.0,
      "subscores": {
        "throttling_policy": 0.0
      },
      "values": {
        "5g_access": null,
        "contract_term": "No contract",
        "coverage_quality": null,
        "customer_service": null,
        "data_allowance": "Unlimited",
        "hotspot_data": null,
        "international_calling": null,
        "monthly_price": null,
        "perks_included": null,
        "throttling_policy": "Always throttled"
      }
    },
    {
      "badges": [],
      "estimated": true,
      "name": "Good2Go Mobile 1GB",
      "score": 0.0,
      "subscores": {},
      "values": {
        "5g_access": null,
        "contract_term": "No contract",
        "coverage_quality": null,
        "customer_service": null,
        "data_allowance": "1-5 GB",
        "hotspot_data": null,
        "international_calling": null,
        "monthly_price": null,
        "perks_included": null,
        "throttling_policy": null
      }
    },
    {
      "badges": [],
      "estimated": true,
      "name": "US Mobile 2GB",
      "score": 0.0,
      "subscores": {},
      "values": {
        "5g_access": null,
        "contract_term": "No contract",
        "coverage_quality": null,
        "customer_service": null,
        "data_allowance": "1-5 GB",
        "hotspot_data": null,
        "international_calling": null,
        "monthly_price": null,
        "perks_included": null,
        "throttling_policy": null
      }
    }
  ],
  "lang": "en",
  "license": "Citation with a link to the URL is allowed. Bulk extraction and redistribution of the catalog is prohibited. Volume access: contact us.",
  "markdown_url": "https://comparefairly.com/en/US/best-cell-phone-plans.md",
  "neutral": false,
  "notice": "Neutral ranking, never paid; sorted on measured criteria. Each value is sourced or marked as an estimate (see per-item fields).",
  "query": "best cell phone plans",
  "source": "CompareFairly",
  "title": "Best Cell Phone Plans",
  "unranked": false,
  "url": "https://comparefairly.com/en/US/best-cell-phone-plans"
}