The cheapest cell phone plans offer reliable coverage, fast speeds, and as much data as you need at affordable prices.

If that's still too much to pay, check out our guide on the best cheap phones under $300. I'm the senior editor for mobile at Tom's Guide, where I've been working since 2023. I've been covering ...

If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Mike Sorrentino is a Senior Editor for Mobile, covering phones, texting apps and smartwatches -- obsessing about how we can make the most of ...

The best cheap phone isn't cheap, it's a bargain compared to the big flagship smartphone that give you too much and make you pay for things you don't need. If you need to save money, we can ...

Not everyone is ready to take a chance on a low-profile phone carrier, even though Mint and Visible use the networks of T-Mobile and Visible, respectively. So I also highlight the best cheap cell ...

Eli Blumenthal was a senior editor at CNET covering the latest in the ever-changing worlds of telecom, streaming and sports. He previously worked as a technology reporter at USA Today. While ...

Note: Most prices in the lists below are before taxes and fees. Cheap(er) cell phone plans from Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T If you want to buy cell phone service directly from one of the big three ...