Is Consumer Cellular Worth It? Unveiling the Pros and Cons of this Budget-Friendly Mobile Provider

Consumer Cellular is a modest, no-contract mobile phone provider that offers inexpensive cell phone plans beginning at $20 per month (excluding tax and data add-on) for unlimited texts and 250 minutes.

Customers who want to take advantage of app downloads, high-definition video, and other features of the 5G, 4G LTE, 4G, and 3G networks can then customize their plans to include unlimited minutes and data up to 25 GB per month per line. The most sophisticated plan from Consumer Cellular includes two phone lines, unlimited talk, and 25 GB of data for approximately $75 per month.

It offers AARP members exclusive discounts on its services and Connect plans that integrate well with flip phone devices if desired. In addition, an entirely U.S.-based customer service team is trained to assist novice cell phone users in maximizing their service and instrument.

Partnering with well-known brands and merchants, Consumer Cellular phones offer nationwide coverage and are available in Target stores nationwide.

Due to the fact that Consumer Cellular is a budget-friendly cell phone service, its offerings pale compared to those of larger-scale companies. Consumer Cellular, for instance, does not offer unlimited data contracts. Consumer Cellular is not the right choice if you desire unlimited data.

Consumer Cellular Pros

No-Contract Plans:

Consumer Cellular offers Talk and Connect plans with straightforward benefits and no contracts.

n addition, each monthly Connect plan includes unlimited text messaging. Customers can add $15/monthly phone lines to their plan to share minutes, texts, and data. There are never any additional fees or charges for upgrading or downgrading your service plan. Consumer Cellular has an excellent option for inexpensive family plans, particularly for those who do not use their phones frequently.

Consumer Cellular is risk-free to test for 30 days. If you are not satisfied, you will not be charged for that time.

Affordable Plans:

Consumer Cellular provides customers with a multitude of affordable data plan options. Its website breaks it down by the number of lines desired, the preferred talk plan, and the desired quantity of data. Consumer Cellular's website provides an instantaneous estimate of your monthly expense after you select the desired option from each category. Here is a summary of your options:

• One line is included in the price, and two lines can be added for $15 per month.
• Unlimited talk for $20 per month or 250 minutes of talk for $15 per month.
• 500 MB for $5 per month, 3 GB for $10 per month, 10 GB for $20 per month, 15 GB for $30 per month, and 25 GB for $40 per month are the available Connect plans. All Connect Plans come with unlimited texting.

If you want one phone line, unlimited talk, and the utmost 25 GB of data, you can expect to pay approximately $60 per month.

If you want two lines, unlimited talk, and the utmost 25 GB of data, you can expect to pay approximately $75 per month.

Unlimited Text:

Although Consumer Cellular charges additional fees for unlimited voice and additional data, unlimited text is free. Every Consumer Cellular plan includes unlimited text messaging. This results in unlimited speak and text for one line costing $20 per month without data and $60 per month with a maximum of 25 GB of data.

Coverage Area:

Consumer Cellular provides nationwide service with the exception of a few spots in the Midwest.

High-Definition Voice coverage, also known as the wideband voice, provides clear audio and reduces background noise throughout the majority of the 4G LTE/5G coverage area. It should be noted that Consumer Cellular utilizes multiple wireless networks that differ by geographic area; consequently, the exact coverage areas of your network may not be known until after you sign up for service.

You can verify the coverage in your area for Consumer Cellular on the company's website. Simply enter your postal code and Consumer Cellular will let you know if you are covered. In addition, you will receive a coverage map of the entire United States. You can place a pin anywhere on the coverage map to obtain coverage-specific information.

Device Needed:

Consumer Cellular offers a vast selection of mobile devices based on plan preferences and device requirements. Consumer Cellular phones include simple flip phones for calling and texting, the GrandPad (a tablet designed for seniors), and smartphones for customers who intend to obtain and use applications. Smartphones from Samsung, Android, and Apple are compatible with Consumer Cellular coverage and plans.

Customers also have the option (under certain conditions) of using their current mobile phone when signing up for a new Consumer Cellular plan. Consumer Cellular phones come with a free SIM card that is simple to swap out, and there are no activation fees. It should be noted that in order for the phone to be compatible with the SIM card, it must be:

• A consumer Cellular phone is a phone previously used with AT&T or T-Mobile (includes Apple and Android phone options as well as an unlocked (GSM) phone.

It is possible to retain a previous phone number, depending on the location and the previous service provider.

Customers can choose between a new phone and a certified pre-owned phone when purchasing a device from Consumer Cellular if one is available. Certified pre-owned phones are those returned by consumers within the 30-day guarantee period and restored to factory default settings.

Easy Pay Services

It also provides an EasyPay service that allows you to make monthly payments on more costly phones, such as iPhones and Android smartphones. Consumer Cellular charges no interest or other fees. Customers can make payments in advance or pay off the balance at any time.

Others Benefits

Due to the company's focus on retirees, cell phone service plans are typically very inexpensive for those who do not require a great deal of data, text messages, or minutes. WiFi calling is supported on iPhone models 5C and later and the majority of Android devices. There are no fees for any of Consumer Cellular's services, and there is no activation fee because there are no contracts.

AARP Benefits:

• 5 Percent Off Monthly Fees
• 30 Percent Off Select Accessories

Consumer Cellular Cons

Limited Data Plans:

Consumer Cellular is designed for those who desire a cell phone but do not anticipate using a great deal of data. Consumer Cellular is an excellent service provider for those who desire basic minutes and text messaging.

However, if a potential customer wants to frequently use a phone to stream videos and music, browse the web, check email, and communicate via social media applications, this company is probably not the best option. The highest plan from Consumer Cellular only includes 25 GB of data.

Extra Phone Line Cost:

Family contracts from Consumer Cellular cost an additional $15 per additional phone line. Although most cell phone providers charge an additional fee per phone line, this fee is typically less than $15 per month.

With many cell phone service providers, having more phone lines on your plan reduces the cost of your cell phone coverage. If you do not wish to pay $15 for each phone line you wish to add to your plan, we recommend researching alternative cell phone providers.

Roaming Charges:

While Consumer Cellular imposes lower international roaming fees than industry leaders such as Verizon and T-Mobile (30 cents versus 99 cents per minute of talk), the company imposes strict financial limits on roaming, disabling the phone once roaming charges reach or exceed $100 for the monthly billing cycle. Although the purpose of this measure is to prevent customers from incurring hundreds of dollars in roaming fees, the limit may be inconvenient for some.

Some Poor Consumer Cellular Reviews:

Consumers have not given Consumer Cellular many accolades, despite the company's competitive offerings, low prices, and absence of a required contract. The vast majority of Consumer Cellular reviews are negative, resulting in a low aggregate consumer rating.

In terms of product and service quality, client service, and company reliability, Consumer Cellular falls short, as indicated by customer reviews. Unresponsive and unreliable customer service and technical support are one of the most common customer complaints, with many reviews noting that when attempting to receive assistance, you are either entirely ignored or passed from person to person.

Customers appear to believe that the low price is not worth the poor service, based on the issues highlighted in reviews of Consumer Cellular.

Bottom Line

This is one of the best-prepaid phone service providers for people who want a plan that is simple and gives them options. If you need to change how much you talk or how much data you use, or if you want to add or remove a phone line, there are no fees to do so. For $20 a month for one phone line, you can also talk and text as much as you want. This doesn't include data, though.

Customers of Consumer Cellular can expect fair prices (given the limited services), a way to pay month-to-month, good coverage all over the country, and flexible plans.

Consumer Cellular is a good choice for people who don't need a lot of internets but want a lot of minutes and texts to talk or text with. The provider has great perks for AARP members and coverage that are about the same as T-Mobile and AT&T, whose GSM networks it uses.

The fact that the service is month-to-month and you can stop at any time may be the most important thing to know. Customer help for Consumer Cellular is also based in the United States, and most customers get answers quickly.

For 30 days, you can try Consumer Cellular without risk. If you're not happy with the service, the company won't charge you for the time you spent with them.