Consumer Cellular Cell Phone Plans 2024

Consumer Cellular offers AARP discounts and affordable phone plans designed for seniors starting at $20 per month.

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4.6 of 5
Questions? Speak with a Consumer Cellular Specialist:
(855) 643-4847
20+ Years in Business
5% AARP Discount
30-Day Guarantee
$20/mo. Starting Price

SeniorLiving.org is supported by commissions from providers listed on our site. Read our Editorial Guidelines

SeniorLiving.org Rating:
4.6 of 5
Questions? Speak with a Consumer Cellular Specialist:
(855) 643-4847
Morgan Redding, Writer and Editor Read About Our Panel of Experts

Consumer Cellular is a leader in the wireless industry, offering no-contract plans and senior-friendly phones. Its phone plans start at $20 per month and new devices at $69, which is affordable for most senior budgets.

The company offers a 30-day risk-free trial, so it’s easy to give Consumer Cellular a test run. We tested Consumer Cellular ourselves and found their offerings to be a top choice for seniors, even when compared to plans from Verizon and T-Mobile’s 55+ plans. Below we outline all the details of Consumer Cellular’s plans, phones, and how they match up to the competition to help you decide if this provider is right for you. Let’s jump in and see why Consumer Cellular offers some of the best phone plans for seniors!

The external display on Consumer Cellular's IRIS Flip

The external display on Consumer Cellular’s IRIS Flip

Consumer Cellular at a Glance

  • No contracts
  • Plans starting at $20 per month
  • 30-day risk-free trial
  • AARP member discounts
  • Flexible plans
  • Award-winning U.S.-based customer support
  • Senior-friendly phones and plans
  • No activation or overage fees

The Fast Facts: Consumer Cellular’s Senior Phone Plans

Plan type Price* Includes
Unlimited Talk and Text $20 per month Unlimited talk, 1 GB of data, and unlimited text
Unlimited Talk and Text $25 per month Unlimited talk, 5 GB of data, and unlimited text
Unlimited Talk and Text $35 per month Unlimited talk, 10 GB of data, and unlimited text
Unlimited Talk and Text $50 per month Unlimited talk, data, and text

*Price includes a $5 AutoPay and paperless billing discount.

Savings Alert:

Savings Alert: For a limited time, Consumer Cellular is offering a free second month of service to new customers!

A Closer Look at Consumer Cellular’s Plans and Pricing

Consumer Cellular offers customizable, flexible monthly plans. Whether you anticipate using your mobile phone frequently or just for emergencies, Consumer Cellular has a plan that’s right for you and your family.

Speaking of family, you can purchase up to four lines on a Consumer Cellular account using their website, any more than that and they suggest calling customer service. Each additional line is $15 extra per month. Minutes, texts, and data are shared between lines. Keep in mind that you can change your monthly plan anytime without racking up fees or penalties!

If you go over your plan’s limit of minutes or data during the month, Consumer Cellular automatically upgrades you to a plan that covers the amount of data or minutes you’ve used. This way, you are guaranteed to get the best possible rate for your monthly usage, without overage fees.

Consumer Cellular includes a $5 monthly discount for AutoPay and paperless billing in advertised prices. If you prefer to receive a paper bill without AutoPay, prices will be $5 more per month for your chosen plan.

Talk, Text, and Data Plans

If you’re considering purchasing a smartphone, you definitely want to choose a plan with data to utilize all the phone’s benefits and features. If you have just one phone line, a plan with 1 GB or 5 GB should be well suited for you. If you have multiple lines sharing data and minutes, you may want to consider one of the following plans:

  • Unlimited minutes and text and 10 GB of data for two lines: $50 per month
  • Unlimited minutes, text, and data for two lines: $65 per month
Quick Tip:

Quick Tip: Interested in purchasing a smartphone? Visit our list of the best smartphones for seniors to see our top picks.

Consumer Cellular makes it easy to switch between plans each month, which we think is really valuable. In months when you travel, you may want to bump up your data plan because you may use your smartphone more for driving directions or to find local restaurants. Then, when you’re done traveling, you can contact Consumer Cellular to go back to your original plan.

Not sure how much data you need? The chart below can help. It lists common activities that use data and how long you can perform each activity with a certain amount of data. For example, with 1 GB of data, you could video chat for four hours, surf the web for 12 hours, or stream videos for two hours.

Cost* Data Video call Browsing web pages Streaming video
$20 per month 1 GB 4 hours 12 hours 2 hours
$25 per month 5 GB 20 hours 60 hours 10 hours
$35 per month 10 GB 40 hours 120 hours 20 hours
$50 per month Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited

*Price is for one line and includes unlimited talk and text and individual data plans. $5 AutoPay and paperless billing discount included.

How to Get the Best Deal With Consumer Cellular

While Consumer Cellular already offers affordable plans, there are a few ways to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible:

  • Be an AARP member: AARP members can save 5 percent on their monthly phone bill and, as a new exclusive benefit, can get two lines of unlimited talk, text, and data for only $55 a month. Not an AARP member? Visit our guide to AARP membership to get started, or you can sign up for your membership during checkout on the Consumer Cellular site.
  • Refer a friend: When you refer a friend or family member to Consumer Cellular, you’ll both get a $20 referral credit added to your account when they sign up for service.
  • Look for seasonal deals: Consumer Cellular runs seasonal promotions to keep money in your wallet.
  • Pick up the phone: Speaking with a customer service representative is a great way to save some money. Ask them if they have any special promotions going on or discounts you should be aware of. They’ll know the scoop!
Consumer Cellular: Cell phone plans made just for seniors

Consumer Cellular’s cell phone plans were designed with seniors in mind, featuring affordable prices and no contracts.

4.6 of 5

The Best Consumer Cellular Cell Phones for Seniors

Consumer Cellular has plenty of cell phones to choose from, so we’re pretty sure you’ll find one that fits your lifestyle and needs. We’ve detailed two of our favorite Consumer Cellular senior-friendly phones below.

Did You Know?

Did You Know? You can find Consumer Cellular devices and services at a Target store near you if you want to get your hands on the products before buying.

If you already have a device that you would prefer to continue using, that’s fine! Thanks to Consumer Cellular’s bring-your-own-phone option, you can keep your current phone and number. We all know switching phones and phone numbers can be a hassle, so this is a nice perk. Plus, you’ll save some money since you won’t have to purchase a new phone.

IRIS Flip

Taking photos on Consumer Cellular IRIS Flip

Taking photos on Consumer Cellular IRIS Flip

For some older adults, a good ol’ fashion flip phone remains a practical choice. If you consider a smartphone to be overly complex for your lifestyle, Consumer Cellular’s IRIS Flip offers simplicity at an unbeatable price of just $69. It is compact and lightweight, making it easy to slide into a pocket or purse. The phone’s large, high-contrast keys make dialing a breeze for older eyes.

In short, the IRIS Flip is well suited for older adults who prefer a very simple device. If you want to use your cell phone for talking and texting and can do without online features, the IRIS Flip is right up your alley. The IRIS Flip is one of our favorite flip phones. Visit our list of the best flip phones for seniors to learn more.

Our favorite features for seniors:

  • Simple, easy-to-use flip phone
  • Great for texting and talking
  • Large, rubberized high-contrast keys
  • $69 equipment fee

Moto G Stylus 5G

Motorola Moto G 5G

Moto G 5G

It has been reported that 73 percent of 50- to 64-year-olds and 45 percent of those 65 and older use social media. If you enjoy checking social apps, video chatting with grandchildren, and emailing from your phone, the Motorola G Stylus 5G r is a powerful smartphone that keeps you connected.

At $269, the Moto G Stylus 5G delivers smartphone features at a terrific value. For comparison, other Android smartphones can cost over $1,000. The Moto G Stylus 5G doesn’t have a top-quality camera or stylus, but it provides the conveniences of a smartphone at a fraction of the cost.

Our favorite features for seniors:

  • Smartphone with practical features
  • Two days of battery life
  • 6.6″ full HD display
  • 48 MP quad camera system and 16 MP selfie camera
  • Ideal for using social apps and video chatting
  • $269 equipment fee

How Does Consumer Cellular Compare to Other Phone Carriers?

If you want an unlimited data plan, Consumer Cellular delivers excellent value. For comparison, Verizon’s price for an unlimited data plan is $62 per month for one line. AT&T’s cost for an unlimited plan is $60 per month for a single line. Going with Consumer Cellular’s unlimited plan is $50 per month, saving you at least $120 per year when compared to Verizon and AT&T. Plus, these big-name providers typically charge an activation fee, and Consumer Cellular doesn’t. Talk about savings! To top it all off, Verizon and AT&T’s 55+ plans are only available to Florida residents, while Consumer Cellular is available nationwide.

When compared to similar senior-focused providers we’ve reviewed like Lively, Consumer Cellular has fewer safety options, but a larger selection of phones to choose from at lower prices. The Jitterbug Flip2 we tested is similar to the IRIS Flip, but the Jitterbug Flip2 is $99.99, whereas the IRIS Flip is a more affordable $69. The Jitterbug Flip2 has urgent response capabilities, a better camera, and some other features that justify its higher price.

If you’re deciding between Lively and Consumer Cellular, you’ll want to read our in-depth comparison of the two providers.

Final Thoughts on Pricing and Value for Consumer Cellular

Whether you’re a tech-savvy senior or you just want something simple, Consumer Cellular can meet your mobile phone needs. What the company lacks in safety features, they easily make up for with senior-friendly phones and flexible wireless plans that keep you connected without breaking the bank. With plans starting at just $20 per month and phones as low as $69, you’re sure to find a Consumer Cellular plan and cell phone that fits your budget.

Frequently Asked Questions About Consumer Cellular

Written By:
Morgan Redding
Writer and Editor
Read About Our Panel of Experts
Morgan has been writing about the senior living industry for the past five years. In addition to over 400 hours of research on topics like medical alert systems, health insurance, and technology for older adults, she also brings her previous… Learn More About Morgan Redding