Interested in Consumer Cellular? The Wirefly experts have done the research and spent the time to write an expert review.
Consumer Cellular gives outstanding customer service, and users can rely on its network, powered by AT&T.
Customers do not have access to flexible plans.
Great coverage and support is provided by Consumer Cellular, but their choice of plans is a little different. Their marketing is mainly aimed at senior citizens, many of whom can use their AARP membership to get a 5 percent discount.
Most cell users and those in search of a plan have most likely never even heard of Consumer Cellular, unless they already belong to AARP and are using one of the prepaid cell plans with the AARP discount. The rates on entry-level service are very good and compare favorably with other carriers. Their customer service has received great reviews and they utilize the AT&T network. The plans offered by the company though, are a little different.
Compare plans from other carriers besides Consumer Cellular below, or read on for the rest of the review. You should also check out our picks for the best cell phone plans of the year before you make a decision.
| Phone | Plan | Minutes | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Phones Available |  Consumer Cellular Unlimited Talk & Text 1GB No Contract Featured
| Unlimited Minutes + Unlimited Texts | 1 GB 5G LTE data, then slowed (no overages) | $ 20 /mo Get Plan |
| 25 Phones Available | Consumer Cellular Unlimited Talk & Text 1GB No Contract
| Unlimited Minutes + Unlimited Texts | 1 GB 5G LTE data, then slowed (no overages) | $ 20 /mo Get Plan |
| 4 Phones Available | Consumer Cellular Unlimited Talk & Text 5GB No Contract
| Unlimited Minutes + Unlimited Texts | 5 GB 5G LTE data, then slowed (no overages) | $ 25 /mo Get Plan |
| 4 Phones Available | Consumer Cellular Unlimited Talk & Text 10GB No Contract
| Unlimited Minutes + Unlimited Texts | 10 GB 5G LTE data, then slowed (no overages) | $ 35 /mo Get Plan |
| 4 Phones Available | Consumer Cellular Unlimited Talk & Text 15GB No Contract
| Unlimited Minutes + Unlimited Texts | 15 GB 5G LTE data, then slowed (no overages) | $ 40 /mo Get Plan |
| 4 Phones Available | Consumer Cellular Unlimited Talk & Text 20GB No Contract
| Unlimited Minutes + Unlimited Texts | 20 GB 5G LTE data, then slowed (no overages) | $ 45 /mo Get Plan |
| 4 Phones Available | Consumer Cellular Unlimited Data, Talk & Text No Contract
| Unlimited Minutes + Unlimited Texts | 50 GB 5G LTE data, then slowed (no overages) | $ 50 /mo Get Plan |
The plans provided by Consumer Cellular are divided into two parts: data in one plan and voice in other. Within each category there are different plans that are offered to customers. If you want to add another phone to a line you already have, you can get a voice plan that begins at zero minutes for $10. This gives you an advantage if you want to share in the minutes on your existing line, and the more you pay, the more increase in minutes you'll receive. Two hundred minutes begin at $15, 1500 minutes start at $20, and unlimited minutes come in at $30. A similar deal is in effect for text and data plans. Three hundred texts and 30MB of data will cost you $2.50, 2000 texts and 200MB of data will cost you $5. A 5GB data plan with unlimited texts will run $40.
The amount of text that Consumer Cellular allows you appears to be very good the majority of the time, but the data they allow you seems to be lacking. Customers feel like they are getting a more versatile plan when the voice and data plans are separated, but they feel like they're paying for unnecessary services when the text and data plans are bundled together. Customers will have to pay a hefty price if they want a huge amount of voice and text, which can include 3GB of data at $30, which doesn't even include voice.
Plus, there are no unlimited plans. Even if you only use your phone for specific occasions, there are no options available such as pay as you go or daily plans to choose from for your text and data use.
An EasyPay payment plan is available for Consumer Cellular customers, which many consider a great benefit. You usually have to pay the full price of a phone when you use one of the other no-contract cell companies. However, prepaid customers using Consumer Cellular can get a smartphone for an initial cost, and then pay it out monthly similar to what a contract carrier would do. You can pay $50 for a Apple iPhone 7, and then pay it out over a 24 month period at $25 a month. A credit check is required but fans of the iPhone like this option. Many customers will be disappointed to learn that they can't get any of the flagship phones from Samsung or HTC. Only the Samsung Galaxy S7 is offered to consumers. They do have the option of purchasing the Moto G, but it only comes new, refurbished models aren't available.
