Cell Phone Coverages in Los Angeles Independent Review
Consumer Cellular Review 2022
Cell phone service geared toward older adults, but honestly, it can work for everyone hoping to save a little on their phone nib.
Consumer Cellular specializes in flexible, low-data jail cell phone plans. Its site features happy, older developed couples, but honestly, Consumer Cellular could be a deal for anyone who doesn't use a lot of information to stream YouTube or play AFK Arena.
But its prices aren't the cheapest around (nor are they the nigh expensive), and if you're after an unlimited data plan, we recommend looking elsewhere
And then are Consumer Cellular'south low data limits worth its middle-of-the-road cost? Let's dig into the details and find out if it'due south right for y'all.
Consumer Cellular plans
Is Consumer Cellular right for yous?
Consumer Cellular may be aimed at older people, but it'south actually meant for anyone who needs 10 GB or less data each month. And if you ever demand more information (or less), yous can change your plan at a moment'due south find since Consumer Cellular doesn't brand you sign a contract.
Pros
Uses AT&T and T-Mobile networks
AARP discount
No contracts required
Cons
Prices aren't the cheapest
No prepaid options
Worried nigh losing your bespeak while traveling beyond the country? Consumer Cellular connects yous to the strongest network available in the area—whether that'southward AT&T or T-Mobile. And so no need to worry virtually dropped calls or a lost GPS signal on Google Maps.
While it'due south prices aren't the lowest, Consumer Cellular does offer a 5% discount to AARP members (hey, information technology's not just for people over 65) and a $x bill credit if you refer a friend. That could bring your already moderate nib down to match even the cheapest option.
Consumer Cellular offers a 30-twenty-four hour period money-dorsum guarantee
Not sure you'll like Consumer Cellular? It offers a 30-day guarantee that says you'll get your money back if you're not satisfied. And if you're an AARP member, that guarantee extends to 45 days.
1 of our biggest problems 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 case, Visible Wireless offers a $40-a-month unlimited program.
And your unlimited information is technically only 35 GB of high-speed unlimited data. So if you utilize more than 35 GB in a month, your cell phone's browser, app, and streaming speeds volition deadening down.
Aside from that complaint, we exercise wish Consumer Cellular offered prepaid plan options. Otherwise, if you're after a small data program, Consumer Cellular is worth a await.
We recommend the Unlimited Talk & Text + iii GB Data Programme plan
If y'all use a lot less than the typical 11 GB of data in a calendar month, Consumer Cellular'southward Unlimited Talk & Text + iii GB Data Plan is a great choice. Its three GB information limit is plenty, even when you lot want to sentinel that TikTok video your sister sent you.
Again, you can notice cheaper plans with similar amounts of data from providers similar The states Mobile, Mint Mobile, and Twigby. Merely if you're sold on Consumer Cellular, the $25 monthly cost isn't a huge bite out of your budget.
Consumer Cellular Unlimited Talk & Text + 3 GB Information Programme
Consumer Cellular phone plans
It seems like nearly other cell phone providers have passed Consumer Cellular by when it comes to low pricing. It was originally one of the cheapest options out at that place, but now all of its phone plans sport and then-so prices.
We're not saying it'll break the bank, but you can definitely find cheaper phone plans compared to Consumer Cellular.
That said, you lot can bring your cost down with a 5% AARP discount or a $10 refer-a-friend credit. Yup, Consumer Cellular is 1 of only two cell telephone providers that offers an AARP discount. (The other 1 is AT&T.)
Consumer Cellular phone plans
How does Consumer Cellular compare to other cell telephone providers?
Like we mentioned before, Consumer Cellular'due south prices for the pocket-size amounts of data you get aren't the most affordable. Nevertheless, they aren't the most expensive either.
Mobile carriers like US Mobile, Twigby, and Mint Mobile offering ameliorate deals on low-data plans, while Tracfone's prices are very similar to what you'd pay for Consumer Cellular.
Cricket and Live!y, on the other mitt, tend to be more than expensive.
Consumer Cellular prices compared to Us Mobile, Twigby, Mint Mobile, and more
If y'all're because a prison cell telephone plan with AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon, Consumer Cellular's unlimited data program is one of the cheaper choices amidst the four.
Consumer Cellular unlimited plan compared to AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless
Consumer Cellular family unit jail cell phone plans
If prison cell phone programme shopping is all about the family, information technology's good to know that Consumer Cellular discounts its per line price when you lot add together someone to your programme. This also applies to friends (who are like family anyway).
Pros
Discounted 2nd and tertiary lines
Free calls to folks on the same account
Cons
Just shareable with up to 2 more people
Modest data caps that aren't ideal for sharing
When compared to your plan cost with one line, hither'south how much you can save by calculation ane to two more people to your Consumer Cellular plan:
- 2 lines saves: $5–$35/mo.
- three lines saves: $5–$75/mo.
There are also two things to annotation if you lot plan on inviting a friend or family unit member to share your Consumer Cellular plan—you can take but three lines max, and yous share data.
That ways you'll have to be choosy when it comes to sharing your program. (More than power to y'all if y'all accept that many close friends and family members.) And make sure you don't invite a data hog that will suck up your iii GB of data in a week.
Here's what the cost for our plan pick, the iii GB Data Plan, looks like with one, two, or iii lines to give yous an idea of how the cost changes.
Consumer Cellular Unlimited Talk & Text + three GB Data Plan prices
- 1 line: $25/mo.
- ii lines: $45/mo.
- iii lines: $60/mo.
You share your Consumer Cellular information cap with anyone on your plan
If y'all share your Consumer Cellular plan with a couple of family unit members, remember that y'all all share the same saucepan of data. It might be a skilful idea to remind them too, just in case they become the urge to stream YouTube videos all mean solar day, every twenty-four hour period.
How does Consumer Cellular compare to other family plans?
Merely like the rest of its plans, Consumer Cellular'south family plans land smack dab in the middle when it comes to price.
If your upkeep is your primary business organization, you lot might detect ameliorate deals from Twigby, United states of america Mobile, or T-Mobile.
Consumer Cellular 3 GB data program with 3 lines compared to other family plans
Go along in mind that other prison cell phone providers may also allow you to add more than three lines. And then if your family unit and friends network is big, that might work out meliorate when it comes to keeping in touch on.
Consumer Cellular coverage
Consumer Cellular uses 2 networks—AT&T and T-Mobile. That should give you adequate coverage across the US and peradventure even zippy 4G LTE or 5G speeds. (Though you'll need a 5G-enabled phone to get that fast.)
Here'south what coverage looks like on the AT&T network.
And hither's what the T-Mobile network looks like.
When information technology comes to coverage, the Verizon network is best overall. Merely with a mix of AT&T and T-Mobile, you'll probable just see your prison cell signal driblet if you're out West, in the far Northeast, or in the mountainous areas of West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
Consumer Cellular prison cell phones and devices
Consumer Cellular lets y'all bring your former telephone with you lot when you lot switch. But if you need a new phone, you'll take your option between 29 unlike 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 13, and iPhone 13 mini
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G and Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
- Motorola 1 5G Ace
- iPhone 12
- iPhone SE (2020 model)
Here's another look at the 5 most popular prison cell phones other Consumer Cellular subscribers have chosen.
Popular Consumer Cellular cell phones
Consumer Cellular GrandPad tablet
Consumer Cellular is targeted to older adults, and it also offers a tablet along with the devices above.
Called the GrandPad, this eight-inch tablet provides a user-friendly and like shooting fish in a barrel-to-encounter interface designed for folks who take little to no experience using a smartphone or the internet. Information technology uses 4G LTE cell service, then at that place'southward no Wi-Fi needed.
The GrandPad costs $299 brand new, and you'll also need to subscribe to a $xl-a-calendar month service plan.
Possibly the all-time part is that y'all can preload the GrandPad with photos and contacts using the web portal or app. That means it'south pretty much ready to go once y'all take it out of the box and charge information technology up for the first time.
Consumer Cellular customer service
Need to get a hold of someone at Consumer Cellular? You can either chat with someone online or telephone call them on the phone. Both options connect you to a live representative, so it's actually down to which one you prefer.
- Consumer Cellular client service: 1-888-345-5509
- Contact Consumer Cellular via alive chat: Conversation with an amanuensis
Our own experiences with Consumer Cellular'due south customer service department were positive. At one point, we asked well-nigh using SIM cards with a Google phone (yes, y'all tin), and our representative seemed genuinely interested in finding u.s. the answer.
And in the latest J.D. Power study, Consumer Cellular was the highest-rated provider among Value Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs).1
A mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO, is a cell phone provider that piggybacks off of a network owned by another company. In Consumer Cellular's case, it piggybacks off of the AT&T and T-Mobile networks.
Learn about the pros and cons to this setup in our MVNO video guide.
Recap: Is Consumer Cellular a good mobile provider?
Consumer Cellular is an all right pick if you don't need a lot of information and don't desire to pay premium prices. And thanks to the GrandPad tablet and other friendly services, it might make an excellent option for an older fellow member of the family unit. But you'll hands observe cheaper depression-data, family, and unlimited plans out there.
- Prison cell telephone plans: Consumer Cellular'due south prices aren't the most expensive or the cheapest, but if you don't demand a lot of data, it makes an affordable pick. It's besides one of only two providers that offering an AARP discount.
- Family cell phone plans: Consumer Cellular'due south family unit plans max out at three lines, so you're limited in who you can add to your program. Its family plan prices are likewise middle of the route, so don't await a ton of savings here.
- Cell phones and devices: Y'all've got a broad pick of modern cell phones to choose from with Consumer Cellular, or you can bring your own. There'southward also the GrandPad, a tablet made just for keeping older adults connected.
- Client service: Our experience with Consumer Cellular reps was neat, and it consistently receives high marks when it comes to taking care of folks.
Epitomize: Consumer Cellular Unlimited Talk & Text + 3 GB Data Plan
Methodology
We looked at the following features when writing our Consumer Cellular review:
- Prices and how they compare to other similar jail cell telephone plans
- Data options
- Family program and prepaid options
- Available cell phones and devices
We also chosen Consumer Cellular'south customer service line to become a experience for how the provider treats its customers and how quickly yous can get help with a problem. We likewise 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? Nosotros can help.
What network is Consumer Cellular on?
Consumer Cellular uses two networks: AT&T and T-Mobile.
What phone options are bachelor with Consumer Cellular?
You'll get a choice of over 20 different phones with Consumer Cellular, including various iPhone 13 models, the iPhone SE, Samsung Milky way Z Flip or Fold, and Motorola Ace. You tin also choose to bring your ain device.
How much does Consumer Cellular cost?
Depending on which plan y'all choose, Consumer Cellular costs anywhere from $15 for a no-data programme to $55 a month for an unlimited-data program.
What happens if you go over your minutes or data limit with Consumer Cellular?
If you lot use too many minutes or too much data in a calendar month, Consumer Cellular automatically upgrades you to the adjacent level programme instead of charging overage fees.
Can you keep your existing cell phone number with Consumer Cellular?
Yep, y'all can go on your old cell telephone number when you switch to Consumer Cellular. You'll only need to give them a call and take your account info or billing statement for your erstwhile prison cell phone provider handy. Once you telephone call and begin the process, it usually takes about a 24-hour interval for the transfer to consummate.
Related Articles
Norton Secure VPN Review
Norton Secure VPN (backed by Symantec) includes a unique ad blocker, flexible pricing, and a...
VPN Unlimited Review
VPN Unlimited by Keep Solid offers affordable plans, expert flexibility, and plans for connecting either...
Mullvad VPN Review
Mullvad VPN provides a lot of flexibility in how you pay, fifty-fifty by sending greenbacks...
Back To Top
Source: https://www.reviews.org/mobile/consumer-cellular-review/