What’s the best cell phone plan for me?

Streamlining mobile data usage is kinda our thing. So we’re all on the same page, mobile data (also called cellular data) is any information sent or received by your smartphone over the internet through a cellular network. And that’s where we come in. Mint Mobile plans fit your lifestyle–not the other way around. So if you’re wondering, “What’s the best cell phone plan for me?,” you’re in the right place.

In this article you’ll learn the most important questions to ask when choosing the best cell phone plan for you or your family, so you can pay for only the data you need. Are you ready? (don’t answer that one–it’s rhetorical.) 

What do I use mobile data for? 

Whether you’re following questionable directions from Google Maps or streaming music, mobile data consumption is a daily activity for all of us. Understanding your needs is the first step in choosing the best data plan. Fortunately, it’s easier than ever to track your usage, as most smartphones include in-depth, real-time statistics found in your Cellular Settings. 

For reference, with just 1GB of data, you could upload or download 1,000 high-resolution photos, stream video for about 500 minutes, or download a little over 300 apps, games or songs. Clearly, a little data goes a long way. For more eye opening cellular facts, check out our blog on How Many MB are in a GB. Now that you’re fluent in Giga-nese, let’s move on to pricing.

What’s my mobile data budget?  

Choosing the best data plan for your wallet shouldn’t be a headache. Let’s break it down.

Hot take: You probably don’t need unlimited. Most people are fine on smaller data plans if a stable Wi-Fi network is accessible, and you’ll be surprised to learn how little data you actually use in a given month–just ask our own employees. Of course, there is a place for unlimited if you stream on-the-go, but the economics of wireless show that many users are paying for more GBs than they can use. Unlike big wireless we don’t try to sway you into expensive plans with gimmicks you don’t need (another VR headset anyone?). 

Every Mint Mobile plan is packed with the same essential wireless features, so all you need to decide on is your mobile data allowance. Don’t get hoodwinked into thinking unlimited plans are the one-size-fits-all solution. There’s always a sweet spot between affordability and data amount, so let’s find yours.

Which data plan size is right for me? 

Everyone’s cellular needs are different, so use these categories as a starting point on your quest for the best data plan for one person:

The Wi-Fi Wizard : 5GB

A good chunk of us stay here. With remote work becoming more prevalent, many of us sweatpant-execs have access to a stable Wi-Fi network, and so do most students. 5GB/mo is enough to stream around 6 hours of audio, browse the web for 5 hours and send about 10,000 emails per day. See this plan. 

The Spontaneous Searcher: 15GB

This one goes out to passenger seat co-pilots everywhere. 15GB is the perfect amount if you use mobile data for small things like getting directions from Google Maps or streaming the latest hits on Spotify. With 15 GB/mo, you can stream 3 hours of video and 18 hours of music, browse the web for 15 hours, and send about 30,000 emails per day. See this plan. 

The Social Guru: 20GB 

Do you photograph your food before digging in? If uploading photos and video to your accounts is a must, 20GB/mo will do the trick. With this amount, you can stream 4 hours of video and 24 hours of music, browse the web for 20 hours and send about 40,000 emails per day. See this plan. 

The Streamin’ Machine: UNLIMITED

If streaming videos on YouTube and Netflix off Wi-Fi is a part of your day, then consider bulking up to an unlimited plan*. The extra data will have you covered, but keep an eye on your usage. Although the data is unlimited, throttled data speeds will vary depending on the rate of your consumption. See this plan. 

What data plan size is right for my family? 

If you’re looking at data plans for others, does it make sense to pay for unlimited when only one person needs that much? Of course not. On the flip side, you don’t want to share the data across multiple devices either (it burns bridges faster than UNO). 

Before the accusations fly, know that Mint Mobile has flexible multi-line plans that tailor to everyone’s specific needs. Learn more about how to pick the best family phone plan or the best phone plan for seniors to cover all your cellular bases. 

Why is flexible data important?

So you’ve tracked your data usage, selected a mobile data plan, and you’ve run out in the middle of week two. It happens to the best of us. With Mint Mobile you can purchase your data up front without being locked into a contract. That means you can dial up or dial down your data plan as needed. So if you find your plan didn’t work quite like you hoped in practice, you can always tailor your allotment to find that best fit. If you want to learn more about why having flexible data is important, study up on the attached article to use your Mint plan like a pro.  

What is the best cell phone plan? 

The best data plan balances lifestyle and budget. Be honest about your usage habits, considering your day-to-day Wi-Fi access and your essential cellular needs. You can get started with our free Plan Match Quiz to find a plan that’s Mint to be. You’ll save on wireless bills and stress with premium wireless plans starting at $15 a month*. 

_{*New activation & upfront payment for 3-month plan req’d. Taxes & fees extra. Addt’l restrictions apply. Heavy data users (>35GB/mo.) may temporarily notice reduced speeds when our network is busy. Videos stream at ~480p. Availability, speed & coverage varies. See terms.}