Best Unlimited Phone Plan: T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon Compared
“Unlimited” is a funny term. Unlimited cell phone plans often come with a long list of footnotes, terms, conditions, and exceptions. Mercifully, all of the
“Unlimited” is a funny term. Unlimited cell phone plans often come with a long list of footnotes, terms, conditions, and exceptions. Mercifully, all of the big three cell companies—Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile—have, by now, ditched throttling on their most expensive plans and include 5G data access in all of their unlimited plans. Yet there are still many differences in the services they offer, including differences between each carrier's various tiers. Cheaper “unlimited” tiers do offer unlimited talk and text. But they're not universally unlimited in that they still have rules on how much data you get before the carriers start throttling your speed. Some supposed unlimited plans may throttle your data at any given time.
It's been a fixture of cell service plans for years. These details can be overwhelming to sort when trying to pick the best unlimited cell phone plan for your needs. Below, I've highlighted what each of the three major carriers offers for “unlimited” individual and family plans to help you figure out which option is best for you and your budget. If you want to avoid slower data speeds at peak times, you'll likely be choosing among the plans here. But look to our guide to the Best Prepaid Phone Plans for lower costs (at the expense of some other limitations). Also check out WIRED guides to the Best Android Phones, Best iPhones, and Best Cheap Phones.
Update May 2026: I took note of Verizon's price increase and additional features for its top plan. I also considered AT&T’s reconfigured Elite, Extra 2.0, Premium 2.0, and Value 2.0 plans. Finally, I updated prices and plan details for all three major carriers. The Best Unlimited Plan Right Now: T-Mobile Experience More/Better Value The Essentials plan (with autopay, taxes/fees not included): 1 Line for $60/month | 2 Lines $90 | 3 Lines $90 | 4 Lines $100 | 5 Lines $125 Essentials Saver plan (with autopay, taxes/fees not included): 1 Line for $50/month | 2 Lines $85 Experience More/Better Value (with autopay, taxes/fees not included): 1 Line for $85/month | 2 Lines $140 | 3 Lines $140 | 4 Lines $170 | 5 Lines $200 Experience Beyond (with autopay, taxes/fees not included): 1 Line for $100/month | 2 Lines $170 | 3 Lines $170 | 4 Lines $215 | 5 Lines $260 T-Mobile has the best 5G coverage among the big three, the highest 5G speeds, the fastest downloads, and the best overall reliability, according to analysis from OpenSignal and Ookla.
The carrier also makes claims to winning on value, taking into account perks like entertainment bundles, airplane Wi-Fi, and access to satellite data in emergencies.
The BriefWire