I don’t know about you, but I feel like half of your paycheck goes toward my cell phone bill. Mint Mobile Review – All you need to Know, Plan, Cost, Network, Speed, Owner, Location etc.
Mint Mobile is here to help.
Thanks to majority owner Ryan Reynolds – yes, that Ryan Reynolds – most people have heard of Mint Mobile by now. But there are plenty of other reasons to consider Mint Mobile for your wireless needs.
Related Post: The Best Traveling WiFi Router
Mint Mobile is taking control of the affordable-wireless world with its $30 unlimited plan. As it stands, Mint Mobile currently offers the most value out of any cell phone carrier on the market.
Today I’ll cover everything you need to know about Mint Mobile Review.
What is Mint Mobile? Mint Mobile Review
Mint Mobile was founded in 2016 in Costa Mesa, California, as an alternative to big wireless.
The company offers a refreshing alternative to contract-based carriers. You can buy coverage in three-month increments if you like, but you can also prepay for a full year of coverage.
With Mint Mobile, you have two choices: buy a phone through Mint or bring a device you already own.
Related Post: Best Country To Live In The World
Although there are no physical locations, you can order your device or SIM card through the Mint Mobile website or pick up a starter kit at Target.
As long as your existing phone is compatible, you’ll merely need to replace the SIM card and follow the directions to activate it.
How does Mint Mobile work?
To join the Mint Mobile network, you’ll first need a compatible phone. If you go to the Mint Mobile website, you’ll see the option to either buy a new phone or bring your own device.
If you want to get a new phone to use on the Mint Mobile network, you can choose from a selection of iPhones and Android phones. You can pay full price for the phone or finance a phone at 0%-30% APR.
But you can save money by using your existing phone with a Mint Mobile plan. The phone will need to be both unlocked and compatible with Mint Mobile’s network.
Not sure? You can check your phone’s suitability here. Just input your phone’s IMEI number (available under “Settings”) or the brand and model to see if your phone will work on the service.
Related Post: iPhone 13 & iPhone 13 Mini Review – Best For Vlogging
You can even enter your zip code and get a feel for how good the coverage is in your area.
You’ll be prompted to enter a street address and phone type after you input your zip code, but this is optional.
It just will ensure you get the coverage data for your specific situation.
I have to admit, I half-expected the site to come back telling me that coverage is excellent for my area.
I’m just used to technology service providers promising the moon and delivering…well, less than the moon.
But Mint Mobile was 100% truthful with me in saying I could only expect fair coverage at my home.
To be fair, I live outside the city on a peninsula near the lake, and I get only one to two bars with my current big wireless provider when I’m home.
Related Post: Best Travel Insurance Guide
You can also view a map that shows the coverage strength on your street and in your town, and zoom out to see how things will look as you get farther away from home.
Once you’ve determined you have a compatible phone and you’ll be covered in your area, you can request your SIM card.
Mint Mobile starts you out with a three-month introductory plan to let you try things out. That means you won’t be locked into a one- or two-year contract as you will with other plans.
Once the three months are up, you can continue by choosing a 3-, 6-, or 12-month plan.
You can choose a plan and get a SIM card shipped to your house in two to three days with free shipping.
If you have a Target nearby, you may instead opt to head there, where you can buy a Mint Mobile starter kit for a couple of dollars.
Once you get your SIM, you’ll just pop it into your unlocked phone, download the Mint Mobile app, and follow the instructions to activate.
Pricing for Mint Mobile – Mint Mobile Review
Like many discount cellular providers, Mint Mobile specializes in undercutting big carrier pricing while also eliminating the burden of a contract.
But while many mobile providers offer month-to-month pricing, Mint sells its services in “bundles,” which means you’ll need to purchase at least three months of service.
The more months you buy, the more you save.
Mint Mobile starts subscribers off with a three-month package. Once you reach the end of that three-month trial, you can sign up for another three months, six months, or a year.
Related Post: Ring Always Home Flying Camera – Flying Indoor CCTv
One thing to know about Mint Mobile is that you have to pay for your package in advance. That means you won’t have the option of paying monthly.
Here are the current rates. Although the rates include the monthly cost, Mint Mobile requires you to pay the entire term in advance.
| Term length | Data per month | Monthly cost | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 months | 4GB | $15 | $45 |
| 3 months | 10GB | $20 | $60 |
| 3 months | 15GB | $25 | $75 |
| 3 months | Unlimited | $30 | $90 |
| 6 months | 4GB | $20 | $120 |
| 6 months | 10GB | $25 | $150 |
| 6 months | 15GB | $35 | $210 |
| 6 months | Unlimited | $35 | $210 |
| 12 months | 4GB | $15 | $180 |
| 12 months | 10GB | $20 | $240 |
| 12 months | 15GB | $25 | $300 |
| 12 months | Unlimited | $30 | $360 |
Mint Mobile Unlimited Cell Phone Plan Review
If you’re new to Mint Mobile, you’ll be able to try out the service for three months at the lowest price possible.
This arrangement provides a good opportunity to get a sampling of how Mint Mobile works.
You can also test the connection speed to your device and determine if the service covers your needs before committing to a longer timeframe.
Once the three-month period ends, you can renew the plan for three, six, or 12 months. The best rates come with the 12-month plan, which needs to be prepaid.
Customers who are comfortable paying in advance will gain a key feature–unlimited data–for much cheaper than the price that many other plans charge.
The Mint Mobile Unlimited plan comes with unlimited talk time and texting, along with nationwide coverage.
Related Post: Most Popular Products On Amazon To Buy Today
The unlimited data plan offers 35 GB of data at 5G or 4G LTE speeds. If you use more than 35 GB of data each month, the speed of your data will slow down for the remainder of the month.
Another factor that impacts the data speed is that Mint Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator, or MNVO, and runs on T-Mobile’s network for its service.
Given this, during times of heavy traffic, you could be deprioritized and experience sluggish data speeds.
If you’re a heavy data user and prioritize access to high-speed data, this plan might not be suitable for your situation. However, you have the option to purchase more high-speed data during the cycle.
Mint Mobile does not have any brick-and-mortar stores, as it is available only online. Customer service is available via chat or by phone.
Mint Mobile Features – Mint Mobile Review
The discount mobile market has a few great options. Here are a few things that make Mint Mobile stand out.
1. Unlimited Plans Available
Although you’ll save by going with a 4GB, 10GB, or 15GB plan, the unlimited plan lets you use as much data as you want.
As with other carriers, you can use your phone as a hotspot to get data access on devices like laptops and tablets when Wi-Fi isn’t available.
2. Mobile Hotspot
Like many wireless carriers, Mint Mobile will let you use your phone as a mobile hotspot, but Mint doesn’t charge extra for that.
That means when you’re out and about, you can connect your laptop, tablet, or other WiFi-capable device and connect.
If you have the unlimited plan, you’ll be capped at 5GB of hotspot data use a month.
3. Mint Family
Chances are, you won’t be the only cell phone user in your house. Mint Family lets you manage up to five lines through one handy portal.
It will show monthly data usage for each line and even let you add data to a line. The members don’t even have to be in your household.
Add friends, long-distance relatives, or anyone else who wants a Mint account.
4. Transparency
A top concern when switching to discount cellular service is coverage. Mint Mobile is upfront about that, letting you check coverage in your area before you sign up.
There are also no mysteries concerning pricing. Since you’re paying in advance, you don’t have to worry about fluctuating monthly bills.
5. No Contracts Required
You can commit to a full year if you want, but there’s nothing preventing you from sticking to three-month plans.
You could continue to pay in three-month blocks for years, at rates that are competitive with what you’d pay every month with the two biggest mobile providers.
6. Free Calls to Canada and Mexico
If you have loved ones in Canada or Mexico, Mint Mobile’s free calls to those two countries will come in handy. You’ll also get reduced rates to more than 160 other countries.
You can buy credits for those international calls directly in the Mint Mobile app.
7. Largest 5G Network
Mint Mobile operates on the T-Mobile network, which currently bills itself as the nation’s “fastest and largest 5G network.” T-Mobile achieved this status when it merged with Sprint.
If you don’t have a 5G-compatible device yet, you’ll still get a fast connection with T-Mobile’s robust 4G LTE network.
8. Wi-Fi Calling
You don’t need a phone connection to make calls and texts. Simply enable Wi-Fi calling in Settings and your phone will use Wi-Fi for those features.
This comes in handy if your cell signal is weak or if cell service isn’t available for a period of time.
9. Bring Your Own Device
You don’t have to purchase your phone through Mint Mobile. You can use your existing phone or buy one anywhere you want, as long as it’s compatible.
With the compatibility checker, you could even input a device’s IMEI number and check before you buy the phone.
10. Data add-ons
If you don’t routinely use more than 15GB of data a month, you may want to opt for a lower-tier plan rather than unlimited data.
If there’s a month you’re going over, you can always purchase data add-ons, which allow you to easily add 1GB of extra data for $10 or 3GB for $20.
You can check your current data usage at any time by texting “DATA” to 6700, then add extra data directly in the app.
11. Data Plan Recommendations
Unlimited may not be the best plan for you, but how will you know? UnliMINTed will help.
This feature monitors your data usage during your introductory period, which is those first three months, and lets you know whether you really need an unlimited plan.
Mint Mobile Optional Features – Mint Mobile Review
A). Data Add-Ons
If you binge one too many episodes of your favorite show and find you’ve hit your data threshold before you planned, you may want to add data to your prepaid plan.
Customers can add data by using the Mint Mobile app or by texting UPDATA to 6700.
B). International Services
If you’re looking to go abroad, you can use Mint services overseas by purchasing international call credits and roaming credits.
UpRoam allows you to purchase credit to use your Mint services overseas, including outside of Canada and Mexico.
To place international calls, you’ll first need to load money to your Mint Mobile wallet on your account.
Once you submit your order, the changes will be enacted immediately so you can call to and from the far-off destinations of your choosing.
My Experience Researching Mint Mobile
I don’t have an unlocked phone, so I have to stick with my current carrier for now. But I have to admit, Mint Mobile’s affordable rates are enticing.
Mint Mobile’s coverage is pretty bad around my house, but AT&T’s coverage is pretty bad, too. I find when I’m at home, I’m on Wi-Fi anyway.
I haven’t had issues with dropped calls or missed texts, but if you rely on talking on your phone for business, it’s probably wise to look at Mint Mobile’s coverage map.
If the coverage is good in your area, it’s tough to beat the deal. No contracts, and in my case, the price for three months is still less than what I’m paying every month with AT&T.
You just have to either buy your phone through Mint Mobile or get your phone unlocked. You can also buy a phone that’s unlocked.
Unlocking an existing phone is a little complicated, so make sure you can do it before you commit to three months with Mint Mobile.
For those thinking of switching cell providers, Mint Mobile provides a much more affordable alternative to contract-based phone plans. You just need to work out the phone compatibility before you get started.
Mint Mobile Setup Fees: Mint Mobile Review
A benefit of Mint Mobile is the company’s straightforward pricing. Its Unlimited plan starts at $90 for three months of prepaid coverage.
Upon checkout, there is a recovery fee of $5.50, plus tax.
According to Mint Mobile, the recovery fee – which varies for all plans – is used to recover the company’s cost of complying with state and federal programs, taxes, and administrative fees.
At the time of this article, Mint Mobile is offering free shipping on all three-in-one SIM cards that are part of the Mint Mobile plan.
What Additional Cell Phone Plans Are Available From Mint Mobile?
COMPANY | 1 LINE | 2 LINES | 3 LINES | 4 LINES | 5 LINES | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mint Mobile Unlimited » | USD30 | $30 | USD30 | $30 | USD30 | |
| Mint Mobile 15 GB » | $25 | USD25 | $25 | USD25 | $25 | |
| Mint Mobile 10 GB Plan » | USD20 | $20 | USD20 | $20 | USD20 | |
| Mint Mobile 4 GB » | $15 | USD15 | $15 | USD15 | $15 |
Who is Mint Mobile best for? Mint Mobile Review
1. Those in Transition
Being able to purchase your cell service in three-month blocks can be a huge benefit if you’re between carriers.
With an unlocked phone, you can use Mint Mobile for a while, then sign up for a contract-based carrier once you’re settled (or just stick with Mint!)
2. First-Time Cell Phone Owners
If someone’s never owned a cell phone, compatibility won’t be as big an issue. You can shop specifically for compatible phones.
Look for a phone that works with the T-Mobile network for best results, and make sure it’s 5G compatible if you want to take advantage of the faster speeds.
3. Wi-Fi-Heavy Users
Although Mint Mobile’s pricing beats what you’ll pay with many other carriers, the best rates come with the lower-tier plans.
If you’re on Wi-Fi most of the time, you can save money by going with a plan that has lower data caps.
Who shouldn’t use Mint Mobile? Mint Mobile Review
1. Those Needing Customer Service
If you go with a major carrier, you can visit a physical location and talk to a sales consultant. You can even get onsite troubleshooting if you need it.
Mint Mobile sells starter packs at some retailers, but you can’t hand your phone over to an associate to set up for you, as you can with other providers.
2. International Travelers
While Mint Mobile’s U.S. network is fairly robust, once you leave international borders, you can run into some roaming costs.
You’ll need to purchase UpRoam credits if you’re traveling internationally. You can buy the credits directly to your phone, and they’re available for as little as USD5.
3. Compatibility-Challenged Customers
The first thing you should do, if you’re considering Mint Mobile, is check your phone’s compatibility. Mint makes it easy to see the quality of coverage where you live.
Also, check your workplace and any other area where you spend time.
If you plan to bring your current smartphone, check compatibility for that, as well, and make sure you can get your phone unlocked with your current carrier.
Mint Mobile Review Vs The Competition
Mint Mobile vs. Tello
Both Mint Mobile and Tello specialize in low prices and straightforward features, making them solid choices for those looking for a prepaid plan that provides specific amounts of data each month.
While Mint Mobile offers its best deals for those who pay a year ahead, Tello relies on a monthly payment system in which your plan is automatically renewed each month.
For customers interested in a small amount of data, Tello ‘s Economy plan includes 1 GB of data for just USD10 a month, which is less than Mint Mobile’s cheapest plan of 4 GB for USD15 a month.
That said, if you are looking for unlimited data, Mint Mobile provides a USD30 a month unlimited prepaid plan when you lock in for 12 months.
Tello’s unlimited plan is USD39 a month, making it the pricier option of the two for unlimited offerings. Both operate on T-Mobile’s nationwide network.
While this allows them to offer low prices, it also means that their customers can be deprioritized when the network is full and preference is given to T-Mobile’s postpaid customers.
Mint Mobile vs. Visible – Mint Mobile Review
With something for nearly everyone, Mint Mobile offers a 4 GB plan, a 10 GB plan, a 15 GB plan, and an unlimited plan. Visible, on the other hand, has just one plan that is packed with features.
At an introductory rate of USD25 for the first month, Visible gives customers unlimited data, unlimited mobile hotspot usage, unlimited messages, and unlimited minutes, along with calling to Canada and Mexico.
That rate increases to USD40 the next month. However, if you bring in a friend to Visible, you both get a month of service for USD5, and if you have a party of at least four users, you will pay just USD25 a month.
Mint Mobile offers discounts for buying ahead in bulk, so if you’re able to pay for 12 months in advance, you could get unlimited data for just USD30 a month.
Visible operates on the Verizon network, which is known for having extensive coverage, while Mint Mobile uses the T-Mobile network.
You can check the coverage map on the Mint Mobile or Visible site to see if there is coverage in your area.
Mint Mobile accepts a longer list of compatible phones than Visible, and it also offers international roaming, which Visible does not.
Mint Mobile 10GB Cell Phone Plan Review
The Mint Mobile 10 GB Cell Phone plan includes up to four lines, and you’ll pay USD20 per month, per line for three months if you are a new customer.
That equals an upfront payment of $60 per line. After the initial three-month period, you can sign on for another 12 months and pay in advance to get the best rate.
You may also choose to pay for six months of the plan or three months, each at higher rates.
The plan offers 10 GB of 5G or 4G LTE, whichever is available depending on your location, each month. If you have an eligible device, you’ll also receive a free SIM Card Kit or an eSIM.
A SIM card kit allows you to choose from three differently-sized SIM cards to find a fit for your phone. You’ll get free calls to Mexico and Canada, along with unlimited talking and texting throughout the nation.
Free mobile hotspot capability is included with the data allotment, and the plan also includes free Wi-Fi calling and texting.
If you use more than 10 GB in a month, the speed of data will slow down, but data will still be unlimited.
Mint Mobile 10GB Cell Phone Plan Cost
If you sign up as a new customer, you will receive a deal of USD20 a month, per line, for the first three months of the plan.
After that, you have several options. You can choose to pay for a 12-month plan, which costs USD20 a month and comes to $240 for a year.
You may also decide to pay for a 6-month plan and spend USD25 a month, totaling USD150 for six months. If you renew the six-month plan, the cost will be USD300 a year.
Another choice is to pay for a three-month plan at USD35 a month, or USD105 up front.
For the year, paying every three months in advance will be USD420 in all. Therefore, if you’re able to pay for all 12 months upfront, you’ll save the most money.
FAQ – Mint Mobile Review
1. How Do I Cancel My Mint Mobile Cell Phone Service?
Once you are outside of your seven-day window from your purchase, you’re locked into your Mint Mobile cell phone contract.
Thankfully, the prepaid wireless plans are available for short windows ranging from three months, six months, and 12 months.
You can upgrade your plan anytime with Mint Mobile. However, if you downgrade or cancel in the middle of a plan period, you’ll lose money since the plan is prepaid.
To avoid this, you may want to wait until the end of your contract to downgrade or cancel your service.
Make sure you know the ins and outs of renewals before starting your plan. If your plan is set to auto-renew, your plan will renew with the same terms.
Mint Mobile sends out a reminder before the renewal date so customers can make changes to their plan or cancel.
If you don’t want to risk being automatically signed up to extend your plan, we recommend opting out of auto-renew by logging into your Mint Mobile account more than 24 hours before the last day of your contract.
2. Does Mint Mobile Offer a Money-Back Guarantee?
All purchases made on the Mint Mobile website or app have a seven-day money-back guarantee.
If you’re unhappy with the service or have a change of heart, you can cancel for any reason within the seven days of activation for a full refund, including fees and taxes.
Note that Mint Mobile will not recoup your losses for any shipping fees incurred.
Unused SIM cards can be returned for a full refund within 10 days of purchase as long as they’re in mint condition.
3. Does Mint Mobile Offer a Trial Period?
Mint Mobile offers a seven-day trial period that features 250 MB of data, 250 text messages, 250 minutes, and a three-in-one SIM card.
Customers can use the trial on their own phone but must use a temporary number provided to them by Mint Mobile.
The trial won’t interfere with your current carrier’s service. If you’re happy with the experience, you can upgrade to a Mint Mobile plan using a $5 discount.
4. How Do I Get Mint Mobile Cell Phone Service?
Mint Mobile is ideal for shoppers who prefer to do business online. The company doesn’t have a brick-and-mortar location but customer service is available online and by phone.
- Visit the Mint Mobile website to browse plans and checkout online.
- After you have set up your service online, a three-in-one SIM card will arrive in the mail two to three shipping days following your purchase. Devices that are eligible for an eSIM card can be activated digitally without the need for a physical SIM card.
- Insert the SIM card into your phone to access the Mint Mobile network.’
What Network Does Mint Mobile Use?
Like most prepaid carriers, Mint is what’s considered an MVNO, or mobile virtual network operator.
MVNOs operate on the infrastructure of existing networks: in Mint’s case, that network is T-Mobile.
(Gt more on the prepaid vs. postpaid phone service differences if you want to explore that topic in greater depth as well as a look at what an MVNOs is.)
What Phones Can You Use With Mint Mobile?
As Mint operates on T-Mobile’s GSM-based network, you’re going to want a GSM-based phone to use it.
Unlocked phones are typically geared for GSM networks, like AT&T and T-Mobile, rather than CDMA-based networks, like Verizon.
Some phones can run on both, but you should be aware that CDMA-only devices will have difficulty connecting to all of the bands Mint and T-Mobile employ for service.
LTE and 5G connectivity may be fine, for example, but the base-level infrastructure for calls, texts and 3G data won’t be accessible to a CDMA handset.
Recap: Is Mint Mobile good?
Mint Mobile offers some of the most impressive and cheapest unlimited data plans we’ve seen. Your data speeds and coverage can vary, but your price will stay the same.
If the latter matters to you more than the former, Mint Mobile makes a lot of sense for wireless users looking for a bargain.
Plans:
All of Mint Mobile’s plans include unlimited data, with the difference between the plans being your data caps. The higher-tier the plan, the higher your data cap, which means you’ll enjoy faster speeds.
Coverage:
Mint Mobile uses T-Mobile’s network, which is one of the best in the country.
But because Mint Mobile is an MVNO, its users will be deprioritized for T-Mobile users. Translation: your coverage and data speeds are prone to fluctuation.
Overall:
Mint Mobile is a prepaid cell phone provider with tons of value. You’ll never have to worry about paying for data overages or running out of data. The only thing to worry about is your data slowing down.
What’s got you considering the switch to Mint Mobile? If you’ve recently switched to Mint Mobile, what has your experience been like so far? Let us know in the comments below our review.
Mint Mobile Review: Verdict
Like most prepaid wireless networks, Mint does sacrifice some comforts. Such as readily available customer support and the best possible data speeds. For a lower monthly cost.
Still, Mint’s bulk sales model helps it achieve some of the lowest prices in the industry.
And if you can put up with occasionally slowed-down data and having to go to community forums to solve some problems on your own, Mint shouldn’t let you down.
Conversely, less savvy users, or those in search of more perks, would be better-advised to take a look at Metro by T-Mobile. Republic Wireless or Boost Mobile. Prepaid carriers that charge more for the same data, but provide more consistent performance as well as premium features.
More Related Posts:
Best Money Making Apps For Australia
Best Phone Car Charger To Buy Today
Best 5G Phones For Vlogging To Buy Now
Top Car Gadgets Review | Car Accessories You Can Buy
Best Swimming Headphones – Waterproof and Durable
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Review
Sony ZV-1 Review – Sony’s First Vlogging Camera
New Apple iPad Pro Tablet – Best For Vlogging
Best Smartphones To Buy Ranked
Best Smart Home Gadgets That’ll Upgrade Your Home Life
The Best Tablets to Consider Buying
Best Wireless Chargers For iPhone, Android In 2024