T-Mobile customers have plenty of options to choose from lately. The company added a new Better Value plan out of the blue that appeals to groups of three or more and rivals the Experience More plan, and perks like T-Mobile Tuesdays continue to make its plans attractive. But which one works for you? Whether you're a current subscriber or you're looking to jump from another carrier, we have recommendations.
The T-Mobile Essentials Saver plan offers unlimited data use and includes 50GB of "Premium" data, which is the fastest-capable 5G rate available in your area. After 50GB, speeds are reduced to 3G levels for the remainder of the month. However, that Premium may not always be so premium: T-Mobile notes in the fine print that "Essentials customers may notice speeds lower than other customers and further reduction if using >50GB/month, due to data prioritization."
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Pros
- T-Mobile's 5G network is generally robust
- Plan includes 50GB of high-speed data in the US
- Phone can be used as a hotspot
- Unlimited calls, texts and data in Canada and Mexico
Cons
- Data in Canada and Mexico limited to very slow 2G speeds
- Hotspot is limited to 3G speeds
- No five-year price guarantee
- Everyone must be on the same plan
- Taxes and fees aren't included in monthly cost
If you compare the specifics of T-Mobile's Essentials and Essentials Saver plans, you might think the company forgot to update one or the other -- they're Essential-ly the same. With both, you get 50GB of fast Premium 5G data (depending on the network capabilities in your area), which drops to 3G speeds of still-unlimited data after that allotment is used up. You can use your phone as a mobile hotspot with unlimited data, but only at 3G speeds and restricted to paltry 2G speeds when you're in Canada or Mexico. In those two countries, calls, text and data are unlimited, while calls made from about 215 other countries are charged at 25 cents a minute.
Jump to details
Pros
- T-Mobile's 5G network is generally robust
- Plan includes 50GB of high-speed data in the US
- Phone can be used as a hotspot
- Unlimited calls, texts and data in Canada and Mexico
- Can have up to six lines on an account
- Third line free is a better deal than Essentials Saver
Cons
- Data in Canada and Mexico limited to very slow 2G speeds
- Hotspot is limited to 3G speeds
- No five-year price guarantee
- Everyone must be on the same plan
- Taxes and fees aren't included in monthly cost
T-Mobile’s Experience More plan sits in the middle of its unlimited plans, but is actually quite a jump above the more value-focused Essentials and Essentials Saver plans. It includes unlimited high-speed data over its 5G network, so you don’t need to worry about whether performance will lag after you’ve used up an initial amount (although T-Mobile does reserve the right to slow data when networks are congested). It also includes 60GB of high-speed hotspot data (then unlimited at 3G speeds once that’s used up).
Jump to details
Pros
- T-Mobile has a strong 5G network
- 5-year price guarantee
- Solid perks like Netflix, Apple TV Plus and international data
Cons
- T-Satellite not included in the plan
- Apple TV, previously included, is now an optional $3 add-on
- Taxes and fees not included in monthly cost
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Read more: Our Guide to the Best Cell Phone Plans
Pros
- T-Mobile's 5G network is generally robust
- Plan includes 50GB of high-speed data in the US
- Phone can be used as a hotspot
- Unlimited calls, texts and data in Canada and Mexico
Cons
- Data in Canada and Mexico limited to very slow 2G speeds
- Hotspot is limited to 3G speeds
- No five-year price guarantee
- Everyone must be on the same plan
- Taxes and fees aren't included in monthly cost
The T-Mobile Essentials Saver plan offers unlimited data use and includes 50GB of "Premium" data, which is the fastest-capable 5G rate available in your area. After 50GB, speeds are reduced to 3G levels for the remainder of the month. However, that Premium may not always be so premium: T-Mobile notes in the fine print that "Essentials customers may notice speeds lower than other customers and further reduction if using >50GB/month, due to data prioritization."
You can use your phone as a mobile hotspot, also with unlimited data, but at 3G speeds. High-speed hotspot access is available as an add-on. Internationally, calls, text and data are unlimited while in Canada and Mexico, but the data is restricted to 2G speeds. Elsewhere, calls cost 25 cents per minute, and texts are unlimited at no extra charge when you're in roughly 215 countries.
As for other T-Mobile features, you'll have to look further up the plan menu. Essentials Saver and Essentials don't carry the five-year price guarantee found in the Experience plans, nor does it include T-Satellite texting access, but you can add the Starlink-based service as an optional add-on. Perks are also reserved for the costlier plans, which means no included Netflix, Apple TV or Hulu streaming thrown in.
The Essentials Saver plan costs $50 a month for a single line, $80 for two lines and $100 for three lines, the maximum number allowed on this plan. If you need three or more lines, the Essentials plan is a better value.
Why we like it
Providers want to push you toward their more expensive offerings, but they also know there's a place for cost-conscious people who want just the basics. Essentials Saver includes 50GB of fast data before the data rate slows down. And even though the hotspot feature is especially pokey at 3G speeds, it's still there in a pinch if needed.
Who it's best for
The Essentials Saver plan is great for individuals or pairs who don't want to spend much for a cellular plan and aren't looking for perks or fast data.
Who shouldn't get it
The plan isn't for people seeking features such as larger amounts of premium data, regular hotspot access or included perks, or folks who need to set up a family or group with three or more lines.
Customer service options
• Online: T-Mobile
• Phone: 1-855-315-6244
• Store: Store locator
• App: T-Life app
Pros
- T-Mobile's 5G network is generally robust
- Plan includes 50GB of high-speed data in the US
- Phone can be used as a hotspot
- Unlimited calls, texts and data in Canada and Mexico
- Can have up to six lines on an account
- Third line free is a better deal than Essentials Saver
Cons
- Data in Canada and Mexico limited to very slow 2G speeds
- Hotspot is limited to 3G speeds
- No five-year price guarantee
- Everyone must be on the same plan
- Taxes and fees aren't included in monthly cost
If you compare the specifics of T-Mobile's Essentials and Essentials Saver plans, you might think the company forgot to update one or the other -- they're Essential-ly the same. With both, you get 50GB of fast Premium 5G data (depending on the network capabilities in your area), which drops to 3G speeds of still-unlimited data after that allotment is used up. You can use your phone as a mobile hotspot with unlimited data, but only at 3G speeds and restricted to paltry 2G speeds when you're in Canada or Mexico. In those two countries, calls, text and data are unlimited, while calls made from about 215 other countries are charged at 25 cents a minute.
The Essentials plan also doesn't include perks such as streaming video from Netflix, nor the five-year price guarantee found on the Experience More and Experience Beyond plans. T-Satellite service also is not included, although it can be added for $10 a month.
Where Essentials comes out ahead of Essentials Saver is the number of lines you can have on your account. Essentials Saver is limited to just three, but Essentials can accommodate six lines. In fact, a trio of people will save money going with Essentials thanks to a free third-line deal, paying $90 a month (plus taxes and fees) for a $10 savings over Essentials Saver. If your household needs four lines, an Essentials 4-Line Offer plan takes advantage of the third-line deal for $100 a month.
However, if you need just one or two lines, Essentials Saver is still the better deal. A single line on Saver is still the better offer at $50 a month compared with $60 for the same features on Essentials, and two lines on Saver costs $80 a month compared with $90 for Essentials.
Why we like it
You get a solid level of basic phone service, with unlimited calls, texts and data, 50GB of premium higher-speed data and better pricing than the Essentials Saver plan for three or more lines (up to six).
Who it's best for
Essentials is great for a cost-conscious family of three or more that wants unlimited everything, even at some slower speeds.
Who shouldn't get it
This plan isn’t for people who want features such as larger amounts of premium data, regular hotspot access or included perks, or folks who need to set up a family or group with three or more lines.
Customer service options
• Online: T-Mobile
• Phone: 1-855-315-6244
• Store: Store locator
• App: T-Life app
Pros
- T-Mobile has a strong 5G network
- 5-year price guarantee
- Solid perks like Netflix, Apple TV Plus and international data
Cons
- T-Satellite not included in the plan
- Apple TV, previously included, is now an optional $3 add-on
- Taxes and fees not included in monthly cost
T-Mobile’s Experience More plan sits in the middle of its unlimited plans, but is actually quite a jump above the more value-focused Essentials and Essentials Saver plans. It includes unlimited high-speed data over its 5G network, so you don’t need to worry about whether performance will lag after you’ve used up an initial amount (although T-Mobile does reserve the right to slow data when networks are congested). It also includes 60GB of high-speed hotspot data (then unlimited at 3G speeds once that’s used up).
Note: T-Mobile recently introduced a new plan, Better Value, that closely competes with Experience More. In fact, for the same cost you can get more perks. However, we're not including it as the pick here because it carries some restrictions: It's available for a limited time (though T-Mobile hasn't specified just how long), and you either must be a new T-Mobile customer or an existing subscriber with at least five years on another plan. Read more about the plan here.
The Experience More plan also carries T-Mobile’s five-year price guarantee. The T-Satellite feature for texting via satellite when you’re away from a cellular network is not included in the plan, but it can be added at a cost of $10 per month.
Internationally, Experience More includes unlimited talk and text while traveling in Canada and Mexico, plus 15GB of high-speed data (then unlimited at 256Kbps). In more than 215 other countries outside the US, you get unlimited texting and 5GB of high-speed data (then unlimited at 256Kbps), plus calling charged at 25 cents per minute.
The Experience More plan also includes a few attractive perks above the 5G and data speed allotments. Included in the price is Netflix Standard (with ads) at 4K resolution where available. (Unfortunately, T-Mobile removed Apple TV -- formerly called Apple TV Plus -- which included the MLS Season Pass. It can now be added for $3.)
A one-year AAA membership can also help when you’re traveling. T-Mobile’s Magenta Status adds even more perks, such as 15% discounts on Hilton hotel stays, 25% off tickets to “more than 8,000 shows at over 120 venues nationwide,” and T-Mobile Tuesdays, a series of deals that can include perks like cheap movie tickets and discounts at national restaurants.
Why we like it
Although it’s more expensive, Experience More packs a lot of perks into one plan. Unlimited high-speed data means you don’t need to monitor your app and streaming usage.
Who it’s best for
Individuals and families who want to get the most for their monthly cost.
Who shouldn’t get it
People looking to pay less per month who don’t need hotspot data or a multitude of perks.
Customer service options
• Online: T-Mobile
• Phone: 1-855-315-6244
• Store: Store locator
• App: T-Life app
Best T-Mobile plans compared
| Plan | Cost 1 line (autopay) | Cost 4 lines (autopay) | High-speed data | Hotspot data limit | Price guarantee | Max number of lines | Streaming resolution | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | Essentials Saver | $50 | n/a | 50GB | Unlimited 3G | n/a | 3 | 480p (SD) |
| T-Mobile | Essentials | $60 | $105 | 50GB | Unlimited 3G | n/a | 6 | 480p (SD) |
| T-Mobile | Experience More | $85 | $170 | Unlimited 5G | 60GB | Five years | 12 | Up to 4K |
T-Mobile shook up its plans in early 2025, replacing its Go5G Plus and Go5G Next plans with Experience More and Experience Beyond. And yet, the stalwart Essentials and Essentials Saver plans are still in the lineup as lower-cost alternatives to the bells-and-whistles Experience plans. T-Mobile also announced a new family plan, Better Value, at the beginning of 2026. We still think Experience More is the better option if you're a current T-Mobile customer who has not already been on a plan for five years. (See the Experience More section above.)
It also announced that the Starlink-based T-Satellite service is included in Experience Beyond, Better Value and Go5G Next plans, and available as a $10 a month add-on for other plans (even extended to competing carriers). T-Mobile also introduced its five-year price guarantee on its prepaid plans as well as the postpaid plans. Unfortunately, the Essentials More and Essentials Beyond plans no longer include Apple TV (formerly known as Apple TV Plus) as a streaming service, but it's available as a $3 add-on.
A wireless carrier saying it offers 5G is like me saying I have a car. Good for me -- but what make and model is it? Does it run reliably? Can it actually get up to the top speed on the speedometer or will it sputter when I try to merge onto the freeway? And could I have gotten the same performance if I'd paid less for a model without extras like heated seats and a TruCoat sealant?
As you're evaluating carriers, keep the following things in mind.
Know your area
Wireless coverage can make or break a plan. If you aren't getting reliably fast connections, or if calls often drop or aren't picked up, then you could be paying for more than you're getting. Fortunately, most areas of the US are blanketed by some type of cellular coverage, so there aren't as many dead zones as there used to be. (And now satellite service is starting to fill those holes.) The major companies are also putting a lot of money and effort into broadening their coverage.
On the other hand, even in a dense area, one carrier's network may be stronger than another's, or signals could be reduced because of interference. So the best approach is to ask friends or family members which services they use and if the quality is acceptable. You can also test-drive services to see how your devices work in your area. (See the FAQ below for more on how reliable coverage maps can be.)
Know your deals and discounts
One other thing to keep in mind: discounts. All the carriers offer additional discounts you could be eligible for, depending on your employer, military status, student status or age. T-Mobile's Work perk could knock 15% off the monthly price of an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan.
If you're 55 or older, you may also be eligible for a discounted plan: T-Mobile offers discounted plans nationwide for as low as $55 a month for two lines.
It's also worth noting that some carriers may advertise different rates geared toward switchers on their websites, for example if you bring your own phone (not trade in and finance a new one on an installment plan). Our recommendations reflect the actual rate outside of these very specific promotions.
The T-Mobile Launchpad facility is home to many of the labs the company uses to investigate new wireless technologies.
Jeff Carlson/CNETPicking a wireless plan and carrier is a highly personal process. What works for you and your family's needs may be vastly different from what your friends or neighbors are looking for. Even geographically, some areas have better AT&T coverage, while others work best on Verizon or T-Mobile. The picks we make are based on more than a decade of covering and evaluating wireless carriers, their offerings and overall performance.
Specifically, we take into account coverage, price/value and perks.
Coverage
Because all three major providers cover most of the country with reliable 4G LTE or 5G, this is largely a toss-up on a macro level. It's why we recommend a variety of eSIM options for figuring out what works best for you in your particular location, so you can best decide what's right for you. Looking at coverage maps on each provider's website will likely show that you get good coverage even if your experience isn't full bars or the fastest speeds.
Price/value
Value is factoring in the total experience you might get, such as how much high-speed data you get and what's included in the sticker price. We also take into account whether a plan includes typical taxes and fees, or whether those are charged separately, inching your monthly bill up higher.
Perks
Perks are add-ons beyond the core components of wireless service (talk, text and data). This could range from bundling in or discounting streaming services, to extra hotspot data, or the ability to use your phone internationally.
Why not go for the Experience Beyond plan?
The main advantages of T-Mobile's highest-tier plan are T-Satellite and Hulu with ads included, unlimited hotspot data, 30GB premium data in Canada and Mexico, and 15GB high-speed data in other supported countries. Another nice addition is a $5 per line cost for a cellular-enabled smartwatch or tablet; some carriers require another full line just for these limited devices. By contrast, the Experience More plan includes 60GB of hotspot data, 15GB of high-speed data in Canada and Mexico and 5GB of the same in the other countries.
But with Experience More, you can add T-Satellite for $10 a month, and you can subscribe to Hulu separately for $11 a month, which also includes Disney Plus. At that point you're less than $10 in range of the higher-priced plan. If the larger capacities of high-speed hotspot and international data are important, then the price jump of Experience Beyond is probably worth it. Beyond also lets you get a new phone on a line each year, versus every two years on Experience More, which is nice if you want to upgrade to the latest models as soon as they come out.
But for most people, those aren't constant needs worth paying for every month, making the Experience More plan the better deal overall
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Do I need to change my T-Mobile plan when I upgrade my phone?
You don't necessarily need to change plans when you upgrade your phone, but you may need to move plans if you want the carrier's best deals.
T-Mobile has been reserving some of its best deals for folks who are on its priciest plans. For instance, its top iPhone 17 Pro deals generally require the priciest Experience More or Experience Beyond plans (and potentially for you to add a line or switch from a different carrier).
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Are there discounts to lower my T-Mobile bill?
Yes. Like its rivals, T-Mobile offers a variety of discounts depending on your age, employer or profession. Teachers, military, first responders and others can take advantage of various programs that could save them significant money on their bill. The carrier also offers special pricing for folks age 55 and older (though with a max of two lines on an account).
It's worth noting that these discounts are often for the whole account. If you have three lines and one of those users is a first responder or a teacher, your entire family can benefit from the savings.
Some of these discounts have caps on the amount of lines that can benefit, so make sure to check the details when signing up.
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How does satellite texting work?
When your phone is outside the range of a cellular or Wi-Fi network, it can't connect to the outside world. There are still many "dead zones" in the US where you can't get a signal. Satellite texting makes it possible to have limited connectivity, though different options are out there. If there's no other signal, T-Mobile's T-Satellite service can connect automatically to the network of hundreds of Starlink satellites in low Earth orbit. It also works with most smartphones made within the last four years; other services, such as that offered on Apple phones, require separate built-in satellite transmission hardware.
Satellite data is extremely limited, however, which is why text messaging is the main form of communication between phones and satellites. It's fine for texts and alerting someone that you've gone out of normal cellular range, but don't expect much more for the time being. Late in 2025, T-Mobile rolled out support for apps that have been updated to work with the narrow satellite data stream, including voice and video calls using WhatsApp.
More important, though, satellite texting can be invaluable during an emergency. T-Mobile says 911 emergency texting via satellite will be available to all T-Mobile customers, even if they don't pay for the T-Satellite service.
You can read more about T-Satellite, including how T-Mobile is making it a paid service even for customers of other mobile carriers.
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How reliable are coverage maps?
The three major companies in the US -- T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon -- offer services directly and have robust nationwide networks that offer 4G LTE (fast) and 5G (even faster) data. They all promise coverage that blankets most of the US, and they're actively trying to build up 5G coverage everywhere they can.
But maps are one thing and experience is another. That's why it's impossible to say that one carrier is objectively better than another. For example, T-Mobile's service in New York may be excellent, but Verizon is more reliable in rural Iowa. Or you may have basic 5G coverage but not faster millimeter wave 5G.
If possible, ask neighbors, friends or family near you about which carriers they use and how fast or reliable the wireless service is. And don't forget to take into consideration not just where you live, but the places you frequent: Your house might get a clear connection, but your workplace could be in a cellular black hole.
You may also be able to test-drive a network -- go to a carrier's store and ask if there are free ways to try out the company's service. T-Mobile offers a free three-month Network Pass, Verizon has a 30-day "trial" program, and AT&T has its own 30-day eSIM free trial program.
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What to know about 5G
"5G" is an umbrella term that encompasses the current fifth-generation cellular wireless network technologies. All the major carriers and phones support 5G connections, which can offer faster data speeds than older technologies such as 4G LTE or 3G.
Essentially there are three types of 5G: Millimeter-wave (mmWave), which can be fast but has limited range; low-band 5G, which has slower speeds but works on a broader range; and midband, which is a balance between the two that's faster than low-band but also covers a larger range than millimeter-wave. Midband also incorporates C-band, a batch of spectrum auctioned off by the Federal Communications Commission in 2021.
Your phone's 5G connection depends on which type blankets the area you're in, as well as other factors, such as population density and infrastructure. For instance, mmWave is super fast, but its signals can be thwarted by buildings, glass, leaves or by being inside of a structure.
When your device is connected to a 5G network, it can show up as several variations such as 5G, 5G Plus, 5G UW or others, depending on the carrier. Here’s a list of icons you see at the top of your phone for the major services:
AT&T: 5GE (which isn't actually 5G, but rather a sly marketing name for 4G LTE), 5G (low band), 5G Plus (mmWave, midband)
Verizon: 5G (low band, also called "Nationwide 5G"), 5G UW/5G UWB (midband and mmWave, also called "5G Ultra Wideband")
T-Mobile: 5G (low band), 5G UC (midband and mmWave, also called "Ultra Capacity 5G")
There's also 5G Reduced Capacity (5G RedCap), which is a lower-power, smaller-capacity branch of 5G used by devices such as smartwatches and portable health devices; the Apple Watch Ultra 3, for example, connects via 5G RedCap.
Just around the corner is 5G Advanced, promising much faster speeds because of carrier aggregation, or combining multiple spectrums.
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Why consider an unlimited plan?
Unlimited plans were once rarities, but now nearly all plans -- especially postpaid plans -- offer unlimited data. If you're on T-Mobile, all your plans are unlimited, and Verizon no longer lets new users sign up for a shared data plan. Although everyone's wireless needs are different, we think unlimited plans are the best option for most phone users, especially when choosing a new plan.
Only AT&T still offers a tiered data plan where data flow stops when you reach the limit. For example, the AT&T 4GB plan isn't great. It has a 4GB-per-line plan that runs $50 a month for one line ($160 for four lines). Each line here gets 4GB of data, but if you go over that threshold in a month, you're paying $10 for every 2GB. That plan also doesn't include access to its 5G networks.
The company's basic unlimited plan, Value 2.0, costs $50 per month for one line or $120 per month for four lines.
If you have one or two lines and don't use a lot of data, you may be fine with a plan like this, though if you have just one line, we'd recommend switching over to T-Mobile's Essentials Saver or AT&T's $50 per month Value 2.0. Two lines of that T-Mobile plan run $80 a month, which is still $10 cheaper than two lines of AT&T's 4GB plan, and you won't have to worry about how much data you're using.
For most people, we really do believe that unlimited is the best choice when choosing a new plan.
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