In a Nutshell
pros
- Premium wireless starting as low as $15/mo
- No contracts, overages or hidden fees
- Unlimited talk and text plus mobile hotspot
cons
- Unlimited plan data speed slows down after 35 GB
- No month-to-month plans
Mint Mobile at a Glance
Plans
Data Limits
Commitment Required
Data Speeds
Perks
Mint Mobile at a Glance
Best for: Low prices and flexible plan options
Price: $15-$30/month per line for first 3 months, then $25-$40/month per line unless you renew with a 12-month plan
Plan: Unlimited talk and text plus varying amounts of high-speed data
Network: T-Mobile
Phone purchase required: No
Which Services and Features Does Mint Mobile Offer
Each Mint Mobile plan comes with the following:
- Unlimited talk and text in the U.S.
- Free calling to Mexico and Canada
- Nationwide coverage (covering more than 99% of Americans)
- Use of 5G or 4G LTE up to monthly data limit, whichever is strongest
- Video streaming at 480p
- Free mobile hotspot
- Option of bringing your own device or purchasing one from Mint Mobile
- Free 2-3 day shipping or paid same-day delivery (California only) or overnight delivery (nationwide) if you’re in a rush
- No charges for exceeding your data limit (only a slow down in your data speed)
- Mobile app where you can view monthly data usage for the whole family
Prices, Plans and Value for Money
Mint Mobile offers a choice between four data plans. Each plan has unlimited calls and text, with the only difference between the options being the max amount of high-speed data. Each plan carries a three-month introductory discount, after which the plan auto renews for another 3 months at the full price unless you purchase a 12-month plan to lock in the same low rate that you received with the introductory offer. Note that you must commit to a 3-month contract to claim the introductory offer.
If you’re not sure which plan to choose, the good news is that the Mint Mobile home page has some handy tools to help with your decision. Just select the number of lines you need, your usual amount of data usage (or, if you don’t know, select the features you use for an hour or more per day when not connected to Wi-Fi, e.g. YouTube, web surfing, Google Maps), and tell Mint Mobile how much you spend with your current provider. Submit the information to have Mint Mobile reveal your recommended plan.
Add-ons include:
- UpRoam credit: Add money to your international roaming balance in $5, $10, or $20 increments.
- Competitive rates to more than 160 countries (log into your Mint Mobile account, click “load wallet” and add credit to begin)
- Data add-ons: 1 GB for $10 or 4 GB for $20, anytime you need it
Activation Process
When you sign up to Mint Mobile, you get a choice of bringing your own device or upgrading to a new one. If you’re bringing your own device, check compatibility using the free tool on the Mint Mobile website.
Your SIM kit should arrive within 2-3 days of order, or even quicker if you pay for express delivery. To activate your SIM card, simply download the Mint Mobile app (iOS or Android) and enter the 11-digit ACT code on the back of your SIM card.
Lastly, each new order comes with a second SIM kit (called the Share the Love Kit) which you can pass on to a friend for a 7-day free trial with 250 minutes, 250 texts, and 250 MB of data. If your friend purchases a full plan, both of you will earn $15 of credit for your next plan renewal.
If your phone is compatible and has dual-sim capabilities, you can even activate an eSIM with Mint Mobile and keep two phone numbers.
Selection of Phones Available
When you sign up to Mint Mobile, you can purchase or finance any of the newest iPhone or Samsung Galaxy devices. Current deals include the latest iPhone or Google Pixel. What's more, is that if you purchase a new phone, you'll get six months of free service and a 12-month data plan.
Mint Mobile Call and Text Performance
Mint Mobile operates on the T-Mobile network, one of the big three U.S. wireless networks covering more than 99% of Americans. Based on a study of the IHS Markit RootMetrics map of the T-Mobile network, call performance is good across the vast majority of locations in the United States, with fair or poor performance in only a handful of rural areas.
Mint Mobile Data Speeds
When you use Mint Mobile, you get high-speed data through T-Mobile’s 5G and 4G LTE network (whichever is fastest in your location at the time). High speeds continue until you hit your data limit, after which you can accept slower speeds until the next billing month or purchase a data add-on. T-Mobile currently has the largest 5G network of the big-three wireless networks, covering more than 80% of Americans.
Mint Mobile Customer Service
Mint Mobile has one of the best customer ratings of any mobile plan provider, with a 4.6-star rating from around 5,000 customer reviews on Trustpilot. Customers say they value Mint Mobile for its superior prices (compared to the big three carriers), reliable service, and user-friendly website and app.
If you have any issues, you should be able to find the answer on the FAQ section on Mint Mobile. Alternatively, the “Fox Bot” on the Mint Mobile website is available 24/7, and human customer support staff can be reached 7 days a week from 5am to 7pm PST on 800-683-7392.
What People Say About Mint Mobile
Here’s a sample of 5-star reviews for Mint Mobile on Trustpilot:
“I had Sprint for years before I made the switch. I honestly saw the difference right away on the call quality. The price is a bargain and living in Los Angeles, I have not had any issues with not having signal... Mint makes having a mobile phone easy. Their app is all you need to do almost anything you would at a retail company store.” – Edward Alvarado
“It was very easy to join Mint!! The SIM card arrived home within a week and I could use it the same day I got it. The plan I chose for 3 months of 15 Gb works fine for my daily use at a most fair price of 25$ per month. I assure to subscribe for the same year plan.” – Rocío Chicha Calderón Madrid.
Bottom Line
Mint Mobile’s 3-month introductory discount really is a great deal. While the renewal price is a little expensive unless you renew with a 12-month plan, the reliable coverage, top-notch customer service, and other perks (like free trials for your friends) are enough to get most people to stick with Mint Mobile beyond the initial 3-month period.