Like Mint Mobile, unlimited plans are limited to 35GB of high-speed data, after which you will experience a drop in speed. Like most unlimited plans, this one made us wonder why it’s labeled “unlimited”.
The Boost Mobile package that we like costs $35 per month for 10 GB.
Phone compatibility: As always, globally unlocked phones will work, along with phones shipped from T-Mobile and AT&T. Make sure yours is compatible by checking here.
Cricket is fine. There’s nothing serious about its offerings, but there’s also nothing about them that really stands out. It’s owned by AT&T and has been eclipsed by newer offerings that offer more features than it manages to. However, it still offers solid service and some levels make a good case for themselves.
The $35 a month rate for 10GB of 4G LTE data ($40 if you don’t use automatic billing) is the most affordable, although it’s light on features compared to the competition. But at least the price of Cricket includes tax.
You have to go up to $55 a month to make free calls to Mexico and Canada. You don’t get a Wi-Fi hotspot unless you pay $60 a month for the top tier, which includes 15GB of hotspot data. And even at that price, you’re limited to streaming video at 480p. As a sort of incentive prize, all tiers now offer access to 5G, which was previously limited to the top tier.
Cricket’s best plan cost $35 a line for 10 GB of data.
Phone compatibility: Any phone unlocked globally, along with ex-T-Mobile and ex-AT&T phones.
Services to avoid
Straight talk is a partnership between Walmart and TracPhone. It uses the widest range of cellular networks of all the carriers in this guide — Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T. It costs $35 a month for 10GB of 4G LTE data, but after that 10GB you are downgraded to 2G, too slow to be almost unusable. At least 5G network access is available on all plans now. Straight chat is only available at Walmart. This is its phone compatibility checker.
Xfinity is another famous name that we will pass on. Two members of WIRED’s Gear team already have Xfinity Mobile, and they’re not fans of it. It’s also not a good deal compared to our other options. Because $15 a month you get 1 GB of data, for $30 a month you get 3GB of data and for $60 a month you get 10GB of data. All plans provide 5G network access, and the Unlimited tier will reduce your speed after you use 20GB of data for a month. Buy Mint for $15 to $25 instead.
