The best unlimited data plan in 2022 is T-Mobile Magenta Max for its truly unlimited premium data, followed closely by AT&T Unlimited Elite for 5G coverage and Verizon 5G Get More for hotspot data allowances. All unlimited plans include unlimited talk and text, but "unlimited" data typically has speed thresholds or deprioritization during network congestion.
Best unlimited data plans compared
| Plan | Price | High-speed data cap | Hotspot allowance | Standout perk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile Magenta Max | $85/month | No set cap | 40GB high-speed | Netflix included |
| AT&T Unlimited Elite | $85/month | 100GB premium data | 30GB | HBO Max included |
| Verizon 5G Get More | $90/month | Unlimited premium network access | 50GB premium | Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, Apple Music |
| Walmart Family Mobile | $49.88/month | Unlimited 4G | 30GB | Aggressive multi-line discounts |
| Ultra Mobile | $49/month | 40GB 5G/4G then unlimited | 10GB high-speed | Unlimited talk to 80+ countries, $5 international roaming credit, runs on T-Mobile towers, no-contract temporary option |
| Mint Mobile Three-Month Unlimited | $30/month | 35GB high-speed then unlimited | 5GB | Free calls to Mexico and Canada, purchased in 3/6/12-month bulk upfront. Mint Mobile six-month plan costs $35/month, which is higher than the three-month and 12-month plans at $30/month for the same perks. |
| Spectrum Unlimited Data Plan | $29.99/line per month for 2+ lines | 20GB high-speed then unlimited | 5GB (600kbps after) | Requires Spectrum Internet subscription. Spectrum offers an Unlimited Plus upgrade adding 10GB more high-speed data for $10/month. |
| Xfinity Mobile Unlimited | $45/month | 20GB high-speed then reduced to max 1.5Mbps download/750kbps upload | Personal hotspot at 600kbps | SD video streaming, exclusively for Xfinity internet customers. Xfinity Mobile allows mixing unlimited and by-the-gig plans across lines on the same account. |
Unlimited plans work by offering high-speed data up to a certain threshold, after which speeds may be reduced during network congestion. This process is called deprioritization, and it applies to all carriers, though some plans offer "premium data" that avoids it longer.
T-Mobile Magenta Max, best overall unlimited data plan
T-Mobile Magenta Max is priced at $85 per month for a single line. It offers truly unlimited premium data with no set high-speed cap, meaning you will not be slowed down based on how much data you use. Deprioritization only happens during congestion, and T-Mobile claims it cannot slow data speed based on usage alone. The plan includes 40GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data, followed by unlimited 3G hotspot speeds. You also get Netflix Basic for a single line or Netflix Standard for two or more lines. Multi-line discounts are significant: you can get Magenta Max for up to five accounts at $40 per line.
AT&T Unlimited Elite, best 5G unlimited data plan
AT&T Unlimited Elite costs $85 per month per line and provides 100GB of premium data before any deprioritization. It includes 30GB of hotspot data, free access to HBO Max, and strong 5G coverage across at least 14,000 cities in the United States. AT&T also offers Stadia Pro for a limited six-month trial and Advanced Mobile Security. AT&T Unlimited Elite includes a limited six-month free Stadia Pro trial. Multi-line pricing cuts costs significantly: for example, the base Unlimited Starter plan drops to $45 per line for five lines.
Verizon 5G Get More, best unlimited data plan with hotspot
Verizon 5G Get More is priced at $90 per month per line and offers unlimited premium network access. It includes 50GB of premium mobile hotspot data, followed by unlimited lower-speed hotspot data. The plan comes with a full suite of streaming perks: Disney+ Premium (No Ads), Hulu (With Ads), ESPN+ (With Ads), and Apple Music. Verizon 5G Get More includes free access to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ for six months, and free Apple Music for six months. Verizon 5G Get More offers free access to Apple Arcade and Google Play Pass for gamers. You also get 600GB of Verizon cloud storage. Multi-line savings bring the cost down to $50 per line for five or more lines.
Walmart Family Mobile, best unlimited data for families
Walmart Family Mobile's Truly Unlimited plan costs $49.88 per month for a single line. It includes unlimited 4G data, 30GB of hotspot data, unlimited talk and text within the US, and international calls to Mexico and Canada. Multi-line discounts are aggressive: each additional line costs $24.88, so a five-line plan totals $149.40. This makes it one of the most affordable options for families needing multiple lines with unlimited data.
Google Fi Simply Unlimited, best shared unlimited data plan
Google Fi Simply Unlimited is priced at $30 per month per line when you have three lines. It offers 22GB of high-speed data before speeds slow down, and you can share your data connection as a hotspot, with consumption deducted from the high-speed allowance. You can add or remove lines flexibly, with two lines costing $45 each and a single line costing $65. The plan also includes unlimited texts abroad and affordable calls to other countries.
How to pick the best unlimited data plan for you
- Determine your network coverage needs. If you travel frequently or live in a rural area, check which carrier has the strongest signal in your region.
- Assess your hotspot requirements. If you need to connect multiple devices, look for plans with larger hotspot data allowances, such as Verizon 5G Get More with 50GB or T-Mobile Magenta Max with 40GB.
- Consider streaming perks. If you already subscribe to HBO Max, AT&T Unlimited Elite saves you money. If you want Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, Verizon 5G Get More bundles them.
- Evaluate multi-line savings. If you have multiple family members, Walmart Family Mobile or T-Mobile Magenta Max offer the best per-line discounts.
All unlimited plans include unlimited talk and text. Remember that "unlimited" data still has speed thresholds, once you exceed the high-speed cap, your speeds may be reduced during congestion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "premium data" mean on unlimited plans?
Premium data is the amount of high-speed data you can use before your traffic may be deprioritized during network congestion. Plans like AT&T Unlimited Elite offer 100GB of premium data, while T-Mobile Magenta Max has no set cap.
Can I use my unlimited data plan as a home internet replacement?
Most unlimited mobile plans are not designed for home internet replacement. Hotspot data is typically capped at 30-50GB of high-speed data, after which speeds slow significantly. For home internet, consider dedicated fixed wireless or home hotspot plans.
Do MVNOs like Walmart Family Mobile have the same coverage as major carriers?
MVNOs run on the networks of major carriers, Walmart Family Mobile uses T-Mobile towers. However, during peak times, the major carrier's own customers get priority data, which means MVNO users may experience slower speeds.
What happens after I use all my high-speed hotspot data?
After you exhaust your high-speed hotspot allowance, most plans continue to provide hotspot access at reduced speeds. For example, T-Mobile Magenta Max offers unlimited 3G hotspot after the 40GB high-speed allotment, and Verizon 5G Get More provides unlimited lower-speed hotspot data after 50GB.
