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The best prepaid phones from Mint, T-Mobile, and many more
If you’re looking for your next phone, you may want to consider a prepaid carrier. There are plenty of options to choose from, and you can usually save some money over the Big Three. Don’t worry about your phone choices either — most prepaid carriers offer a solid mix of devices. Here are the best prepaid phones you can buy on some of America’s most affordable carriers.
There are a few ways to go when you’re deciding on a prepaid carrier — the Big Three, a wholly-owned subsidiary, or an independent carrier. We’ll do our best to cover all of your options right here, but Mint Mobile, Boost Mobile, and Cricket Wireless are three of our favorites. They offer solid plans and low rates, as well as access to nationwide coverage. Ready to learn more about each carrier’s choices? Let’s hop to it.
The best prepaid phones:
Editor’s note: We’ll update our list of the best prepaid plans for each carrier as we find new options.
Mint Mobile
Ryan Reynolds’s carrier recently launched its first-ever unlimited plan and raised the rest of its data caps, and you can pair it with just about any phone you can think of. Here are some of our favorites, including a chance to bundle an iPhone SE with your Mint service:
- Budget-friendly bundle: Apple iPhone SE (2022) — $429
- Affordable flagship: Apple iPhone 13 Mini and premium wireless — $45 per month
- Premium pick: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra — $1,299
If you’re ready to get foxy and give Mint Mobile a try, be sure to check out our guide to the best plans on the T-Mobile MVNO. You can also check out our full list of the best Mint Mobile prepaid phones while you’re at it.
Check out our reviews: Apple iPhone SE | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile is now owned by Dish Network, but you can still expect the same great selection as when it was a Sprint subsidiary. Here are our favorites in the budget, midrange, and flagship categories:
- Budget: Motorola Moto G Pure — $59.99
- Midrange: Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G — $199.99
- Flagship: Apple iPhone 13 — $829.99
Our picks are only a small sample of what Boost has to offer. Check out our guides to the best plans and prepaid phones you can get on Boost’s nationwide T-Mobile network.
Check out our review: Apple iPhone 13| Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G| Motorola Moto G Pure
Cricket Wireless
Cricket Wireless calls AT&T’s network home, and it has an impressive selection of free devices to choose from. You can choose to spend money on a more premium device, but don’t overlook the freebies. Here are just a few of our favorites:
- Free options: Cricket Dream 5G and Motorola Moto G Power
- Midrange: Samsung Galaxy A53 — $409.99
- Premium flagship: Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max — $1,099.99
If you’re looking for an affordable plan to pair with your phone, don’t forget to check out our helpful guide. Cricket has some of the best family discounts around, so you can even get the little ones connected. Also, dig into our full guide of the best Cricket Wireless prepaid phones.
Check out our review: Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy A53
Metro by T-Mobile
It’s starting to feel like T-Mobile runs the MVNO game, and it’s somewhat true. Many carriers rely on the Un-carrier for service, but none enjoy the same close relationship as Metro by T-Mobile. Here are some of your choices if you’re ready to go magenta:
- Budget-friendly: T-Mobile Revvl 5G — $179.99
- Midrange 5G connectivity: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE —$299.99
- High-end pick: Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max — $1,099.99
If you’re considering Metro for your next phone, be sure to check out our buyer’s guide to the very best plans. We also have an in-depth breakdown of the best phones if you want more options.
Visible
Visible is similar to Metro and Cricket Wireless, though it holds a special relationship with Verizon instead. It only offers one plan but a solid selection of phones to go with it. Here are just a few of our favorites:
- Entry-level: Visible ZTE Blade A7 — $89
- Midrange: ZTE Blade X1 5G — $240
- Premium: Samsung Galaxy S22 — $816
If you want to learn more about Visible’s only plan, check out our guide right here. We also have a longer list of the best deals to get on Verizon’s wholly-owned subsidiary.
Check out our review: ZTE Blade X1
US Mobile
US Mobile is unlike the last few carriers in that its prepaid phones are available on either Verizon’s or T-Mobile’s network. You’ll make your choice when you sign up, but don’t expect to buy an Android phone when you switch. US Mobile only offers iPhones, and here are your options:
- Budget: Motorola Moto G Play — $150
- Midrange power: Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G — $350
- Premium flagship: iPhone 13 Mini — $779
If you’re looking for a customizable plan, US Mobile has you covered. Take a quick look at our buyer’s guide before you start building your plan.
Simple Mobile
Dipping back into the T-Mobile umbrella, Simple Mobile is one of many carriers in the Tracfone family. While not all of Tracfone’s carriers rely on T-Mobile, it’s an excellent reason to side with Simple Mobile, and there are plenty of phones to consider. Try these on for size:
- Budget: LG Reflect — $119.99
- Midrange: Samsung Galaxy A32 — $249.99
- Premium: Samsung Galaxy Note 20 — $999.99
Give our guide to the best plans a look before you switch to Simple Mobile. We also have an in-depth look at the best prepaid phones you can grab for the MVNO.
Check out our review: Samsung Galaxy Note 20| LG Reflect | Samsung Galaxy A32
Google Fi
Google Fi is a great prepaid option, thanks to its multi-network structure. You can switch between T-Mobile and UScellular connections, and you can bring almost any current phone to the network. While you can’t buy as many phones from the carrier, it’s a great pick if you want a Pixel. Here are our picks:
- Budget-friendly: Motorola One 5G Ace — $149
- Basic Pixel: Google Pixel 5a — $15 per month
- Pixel Flagship: Google Pixel 6 — $599
Google Fi’s plans are a bit different than some other carriers. Check out our plans guide to learn a bit more, and check out the 10 best phones you can bring to the network too.
Check out our review: Google Pixel 5a |Google Pixel 6 | Motorola Moto One 5G Ace
AT&T Prepaid
There may be more MVNOs than you can count, but the Big Three have solid prepaid programs of their own. Better yet, you’re not relying on an outside carrier for service. Some of AT&T’s prepaid phones even include 5G access, so here are a few phones to think about:
- Entry-level: Samsung Galaxy A03s — $64.99
- Midrange: Samsung Galaxy A13 — $249.99
- Expensive midrange: Samsung Galaxy A32 — $279.99
If you’re thinking about switching to Big Blue’s prepaid plans, be sure to take a peek at our buyer’s guide. Also, check out our list of the best prepaid phones for the carrier.
Check out our review: Samsung Galaxy A03s
T-Mobile Prepaid
Just like AT&T, T-Mobile’s prepaid offerings are a small slice of the overall carrier. You’re still getting an impressive list of phones and first-party service, though you won’t find too many perks. Here are three of our top picks to dig into:
- Budget: OnePlus Nord N200 — $216
- Midrange: Samsung Galaxy A52 — $504
- Premium: OnePlus 10 Pro — $899.99
Check out our helpful guide to the best T-Mobile prepaid plans while you finish making your decisions. If none of these phones caught your eye, also check out our full list of your options.
Check out our reviews: OnePlus 10 Pro | Samsung Galaxy A52
Verizon Prepaid
The last major carrier, Verizon, has a truly impressive list of 45 prepaid phones to choose from. It’s one of the more expensive options, but you’ll get access to one of the fastest nationwide networks. If you’re ready for Big Red, here are a few of our favorite phones to try:
- Entry-level: TCL Signa — $79.99
- Midrange: Motorola Moto G Power — $249.99
- Flagship: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra — $1,199.99
We have a plan-by-plan breakdown of Verizon’s prepaid offerings too, check that out right here. Also, take a look at our full list of the best phones you can get while you’re at it.
Red Pocket
Red Pocket is one of the most affordable carriers around, but it’s a bit limited in terms of your options. You can bring plenty of phones, but you can only buy five devices from the carrier itself. There are no Android devices to go for, but here are your best options:
Red Pocket has one of the more unique carrier structures — you can choose from the Big Three as well as the remnants of Sprint’s network. Check out our guide to the best plans if you’re ready to make the switch.