Consumer Cellular vs. Mint Mobile

Phone Plans and Prices

Consumer Cellular Plans

Consumer Cellular runs on AT&T’s network and offers “big wireless coverage without big wireless cost.” The carrier has four main plans to choose from, ranging in price from $20 to $50. Here’s a quick breakdown of Consumer Cellular plans and prices:

*Price includes a $5 discount for opting in to AutoPay and paperless billing.

Each plan includes:

• Unlimited talk and text
• Cellular data
• Mobile hotspot
• Nationwide coverage
• 5G access at no extra cost
• Paperless billing
• Automatic bill payment
• Customer service via live chat (6 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST) and by phone

Here are some things we like about Consumer Cellular:

• Plans come with free activation, and there are no long-term contracts.
• There are no overage fees. Customers who exceed their monthly allowance will be upgraded to the next plan that covers their usage.
• Plans can be shared with up to seven lines on your account, each for an additional $15 a month. (All lines share minutes, texts, and data on the selected plan.)
• Plans can be changed whenever needed without a fee or penalty.
• AARP members can get two lines of unlimited talk, text, and data for $55 per month. Another member perk is a 5 percent discount on monthly service fees and a 45-day risk-free guarantee.
• If you refer a friend, you and your friend will get a $20 credit when they sign up.

We appreciate the convenience of being able to bring your own phone with a Consumer Cellular plan. If you bring your own phone, Consumer Cellular will prompt you to first make sure your phone is compatible by entering your IMEI number. We found this in our phone settings or by dialing #06# on our phone. If you need help, you can also call Consumer Cellular’s customer service representatives to walk you through it.

» Learn More: Consumer Cellular review

Keep in mind that with Consumer Cellular’s unlimited data plans, access to high-speed data will slow after 50 GB of use. This means you’ll experience slower connection speeds until the end of your billing cycle.

Consumer Cellular doesn’t have a devoted “senior plan,” but that’s because the carrier is designed for older adults. Consumer Cellular does offer a discount for AARP members: At checkout, we could score a five percent monthly discount on any plan or two lines of unlimited talk, text, and data for $55 per month. To redeem the latter, you’ll need to call Consumer Cellular.

And although it’s a separate device, you can add an emergency alert system to your Consumer Cellular plan. The IRIS Ally Medical Alert device goes for $89 currently, and service is $25 a month. The Ally device is water-resistant and has an emergency alert button, fall detection, and GPS location tracking.

Priced at $35 per month, Consumer Cellular’s 10 GB plan is another option for older adults who need a decent amount of data. We also like their risk-free, money-back guarantee. Customers not completely satisfied within 30 days (data use is limited to 500 MB) of their service activation are free to cancel. AARP members get an additional 15 days to decide. So no pressure!

In comparison, Mint Mobile only gives you a week to cancel. The carrier also has a 55+ plan designed for seniors, but its $15 per month cost is the same as Mint’s regular introductory offer or monthly cost when you pay for one year of service. When the duration of your Mint Mobile plan period ends, you must renew for three, six, or 12 months. Only the 12-month plan retains the original rate. Mint Mobile does not have a physical store, so we signed up and renewed our plan online.

Overall, Consumer Cellular is a good fit for older adults who don’t want contracts and appreciate good customer service. It’s also a smart choice for people who want to add more than one line to their accounts, as Consumer Cellular offers multi-line discounts, while Tracfone, Lively, and Mint do not. Affordable month-to-month plans and an excellent money-back guarantee policy (especially for AARP members!) make Consumer Cellular a worthy consideration.

Mint Mobile Plans

Ryan Reynolds. Need I say more? OK, the big sell isn’t just the owner/actor and his entertaining commercials. Mint Mobile also has great plans at great prices. Here’s a breakdown:

*Price is for new subscribers for the first three months. They require a minimum upfront payment of $45 for a three-month plan. Taxes and fees are not calculated in the above costs.

Mint Mobile runs on T-Mobile’s 5G network and offers prepaid plans without contracts. They have a selection of data options that range from 5 GB to unlimited data. Unlimited plan subscribers who use more than 40 GB a month will experience lower speeds and video streaming at 480p. However, 40 GB should be plenty of data for most users. Plans start at $15 to $30 per month, and all Mint Mobile plans feature unlimited talk and text. You also have the option of either buying a new phone or bringing your own phone (BYOP).

All plans come with:

• Unlimited talk and text
• High-speed data
• Wi-Fi calling
• Free calling to Mexico, Canada, and the U.K.
• Instant plan activation
• Free mobile hotspot

Older adults can also select the Mint 55+ plan with unlimited talk and text, free MINTech advisor support, 5 GB of 5G data per month, free international calls to Mexico, Canada, and the U.K., mobile hotspot data, and free Wi-Fi calling.

When you first select a plan, you’ll pay for three months of service. After your first three months are up, you can renew with a three-, six-, or 12-month plan. The 12-month plan will maintain the same rates you began with. But customers should know that they’ll experience a higher rate if they go with the three- or six-month plans. While these aren’t technically “contracts,” it’s important to remember.

If you just want a month-to-month plan, Consumer Cellular may be a better choice. You can cancel at any time with Consumer Cellular, although you will pay more for an unlimited data plan. For example: $50 per month with Consumer Cellular vs. $35 a month for six months with Mint Mobile. And, you must be at least 50 years old to purchase a single-line unlimited plan with Consumer Cellular, which we were disappointed to see. Mint Mobile doesn’t have any age restrictions for an unlimited plan. We could also add additional data at any time, which was a nice feature.

Tracking data usage in the Mint Mobile app

On the other hand, if you’re more concerned about cost than having a lot of data at your disposal, you might like a plan with Tracfone, which offers inexpensive low-data plans, such as one month of 2 GB of data for $20.

You can change your Mint Mobile at any time in the mobile app.

Like Tracfone, Mint Mobile lets you bring an unlocked phone to their plans. (Note: Lively requires a purchase of a Jitterbug phone to get their cell service.) We tried out the online phone compatibility checker, and our phone passed. Since Mint Mobile plans are prepaid, we chose and paid for our plan and ordered a 3-in-1 SIM kit. After we received the kit in the mail, we were prompted to enter our activation code and transfer our existing phone number (or you can get a new number). You can follow along with the mint-colored fox in Mint Mobile’s activation tutorial, which walks you through the steps.

Of all the prepaid mobile carriers we tested, Mint Mobile is the cheapest if you opt for the 12-month plan. The Mint 55+ plan is another good option for older adults. It comes with free premium MINTech advisors activation support, who can help you activate your phone, install your SIM card, bring your existing phone, and even cancel your plan. And it costs $5 less than Consumer Cellular’s 5 GB plan with the same amount of data.

» Learn More: Mint Mobile review

If you have any questions, customer service is available seven days a week over the phone, and there’s a 24/7 chat feature as well. As a thank you, Mint Mobile gives all customers a chance to earn up to $90 for each friend referral, depending on the plan chosen (your friend will get a $15 credit). Consumer Cellular has a referral program, too: $20 for each friend you refer, and your friend also receives $20.

All in all, Mint Mobile is best for older adults looking for budget-friendly prepaid plans with lots of data. It’s also best for those who don’t mind paying for a year of service in advance, as this will get you the best rates.

Nationwide Coverage

Consumer Cellular

Consumer Cellular says that it uses the networks of the biggest U.S. cellular providers, with access to 99 percent of the U.S. population.2 To provide service, Consumer Cellular taps AT&T and T-Mobile networks to offer nationwide 5G data speeds in a most urban areas and 4G data speeds in most rural areas.

Expert Insights

From Taylor Shuman, Senior Tech Expert

Because Consumer Cellular and Mint Mobile piggyback on other carriers’ networks, you may experience slower speeds during high-traffic times. This is because large carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile prioritize their own customers before other carriers who use their networks.

We had solid 4G coverage when testing Consumer Cellular with 5G speeds in more populated areas. There were a few occasions when we experienced slower speeds during high traffic times in the evening, but other than that, the service was reliable.

Mint Mobile

Mint Mobile uses T-Mobile’s 5G network for nationwide coverage. The company states that customers receive premium wireless service on the country’s biggest 5G network.3 Similar to Consumer Cellular, we had solid service in most areas, with the best coverage in more populated areas. Again, we had slower data speeds during peak usage times.

Consumer Cellular vs. Mint Mobile Phones

Consumer Cellular

Consumer Cellular offers flip phones and smartphones from brands such as Samsung, Nokia, Motorola, and Apple. The carrier also has branded phones, such as the IRIS Connect and IRIS Flip. Customers also have the option of using their own phones with a Consumer Cellular SIM card.

Testing out the IRIS Easy Flip from Consumer Cellular

Like other mobile plan providers, Consumer Cellular stays competitive by offering discounts and promotions, which are ever-changing and can be found on their website. Some discounts AARP members won’t want to miss are the 5 percent discount on monthly service, a 30 percent discount on select accessories, and an extended 45-day risk-free guarantee.

Mint Mobile

Mint Mobile promotes BYOE (bring your own everything), which includes your own unlocked phone and phone number. Customers also have the option to buy a new cell phone. Mint Mobile offers phones from Google, Apple, and Samsung. Customers can also bundle their new phone with Mint Mobile’s premium wireless service.

Testing out Mint Mobile's service on an iPhone

Like other mobile plan providers, Mint Mobile offers several promotions on their website, many geared toward new customers. For example, the website has a “Deals” link under the phone tab at the top.

Both Consumer Cellular and Mint Mobile offer a choice of new phones, BYOP, and deals for older adults. Consumer Cellular gets bonus points here for offering extra discounts for AARP members and more time to decide (45 days!) whether to cancel your service.

If you’re looking for a new cell phone, check out our guide to the best cell phones for seniors!

Our Final Thoughts on Consumer Cellular vs. Mint Mobile

Consumer Cellular and Mint Mobile both have great plans for older adults. Neither carrier requires you to sign a contract, and both let you bring your own phone or purchase a new one. Consumer Cellular offers month-to-month plans, while Mint Mobile requires a minimum three-month service commitment.

Mint Mobile offers affordable phone plans, including a senior-specific plan that offers “white glove” customer service support with MINTech. A drawback for people who would prefer shopping for a phone and plan in person, however, is that Mint Mobile doesn’t have brick-and-mortar stores to visit. They also only give you seven days to cancel, while Consumer Cellular offers 30 days to change your mind (or 45 for AARP members). Consumer Cellular offers discounts for AARP members, which we love. Both know how to cater to older adult customers and offer affordable plans with the option of multiple lines.

You really can’t go wrong with either carrier, but ultimately, the best one for you will depend on your individual needs, typical cell phone usage, and budget.