Consumer Cellular is a leader in the wireless industry, offering no-contract plans and senior-friendly phones. Their phone plans start at $15 per month and devices at $59, which is affordable for most senior budgets.
The company guarantees a risk-free trial, so it's easy to give the provider a test run if you'd like. We tested out 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!
| Plan type | Price* | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Talk Only | $15 per month | Unlimited minutes |
| Unlimited Talk and Text | $20 per month | Unlimited talk, 1 MB of data, and unlimited text |
| Unlimited Talk and Text | $25 per month | Unlimited talk, 3 GB of data, and unlimited text |
| Unlimited Talk and Text | $35 per month | Unlimited talk, 7 GB of data, and unlimited text |
| Unlimited Talk and Text | $40 per month | Unlimited talk, 10 GB of data, and unlimited text |
| Unlimited Talk and Text | $45 per month | Unlimited talk, 15 GB of data, and unlimited text |
| Unlimited Talk and Text | $55 per month | Unlimited talk, data, and text |
*All prices listed are for one line. Customers can add up to three lines, and each additional line adds $15 to the monthly bill.
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.
Did You Know: 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.
Speaking of family, you can have up to three lines on a Consumer Cellular account. The first additional line is an extra $20 per month, and the third 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!
Consumer Cellular offers one Talk Only plan for $15 per month for unlimited minutes. If you use your cell phone just for calls and you don't care about texts or data, the $15-per-month plan would fit your needs at a very low price. On the other hand, if you're looking for texts or data, take a look at one of the other plans we detail below.
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 3 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:
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 hour |
| $25 per month | 3 GB | 12 hours | 36 hours | 6 hours |
| $40 per month | 10 GB | 40 hours | 120 hours | 20 hours |
| $45 per month | 15 GB | 60 hours | 180 hours | 30 hours |
| $55 per month | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
*Price is for one line and includes 250 minutes of talk and unlimited text.
While Consumer Cellular already offers affordable plans, there are a few ways to make sure you're getting the best deal possible:
Consumer Cellular has nearly 20 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: 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.
Consumer Cellular Link II
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 Link II offers simplicity at an unbeatable price of just $59. 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.
Did You Know: The Link II is one of our favorite flip phones. Visit our list of the best flip phones for seniors to see why!
In short, the Link II flip phone 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 Link II is right up your alley.
Our favorite features for seniors:
Moto G Power
It has been reported that 68 percent of 50- to 64-year-olds and 46 percent of those 65 and older use Facebook.1 If you enjoy checking social apps, video chatting with grandchildren, and emailing from your phone, the Motorola Moto G Power is a “powerful” smartphone that keeps you connected.
Still Can't Decide?: Check out our list of this year's best cell phones for seniors. You may see one that catches your eye!
At just $150, the Moto G Power delivers smartphone features at a terrific value. For comparison, other Android smartphones can cost over $1,000. The Moto G Power 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:
If you want an unlimited data plan, Consumer Cellular delivers excellent value. For comparison, Verizon's price for an unlimited data plan is $70 per month for one line. AT&T's cost for an unlimited plan is $65 per month for a single line. Going with Consumer Cellular's unlimited plan is $55 per month, saving you $120 to $180 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!
Learn More: If you're deciding between Lively and Consumer Cellular, you'll want to read our in-depth comparison of the two providers.
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 Link II, but the Jitterbug Flip2 is $99.99, whereas the Link II is a more affordable $59. The Jitterbug Flip2 has urgent response capabilities, a better camera, and some other features that justify its higher price.
Whether you're a tech-savvy senior or you prefer to stay away from all the bells and whistles, Consumer Cellular can meet your mobile phone needs. What the company lacks in device variety and safety features, they easily make up for it in their senior-friendly phones and flexible wireless plans that keep you connected without breaking the bank. With talk plans starting at just $15 per month and phones as low as $59, you're sure to find a Consumer Cellular plan and cell phone that fits your budget.
Consumer Cellular uses AT&T towers to provide customers with excellent service coverage. With 99 percent of the U.S. population covered by Consumer Cellular’s service, you can rest assured you will have optimal coverage.
Consumer Cellular offers several options for you to keep track of your usage. You can sign up to receive email and text alerts, or if you have a smartphone, you can download the company’s My CC app. In the app, you can view your data and minutes usage, pay your bill, and change your monthly plan.
Thanks to the company’s risk-free guarantee, if you’re unhappy with the service within 30 days of your activation, you can cancel your service with Consumer Cellular without having to pay any fees.
If you’re a world traveler, you can still use your Consumer Cellular phone at international roaming rates, which are $0.30 per minute and $0.10 per text message.
By partnering with ride-share company Lyft, Consumer Cellular offers a convenient and reliable transportation service called CC Go. For seniors who no longer drive, this can be a perfect solution for running errands and getting to appointments. All customers have to do is dial (888) 750-2246 to schedule a ride.
Pew Research. (2019). Use of different online platforms by demographic groups.
