- Unlimited data plan available
- Competitive rates
- Unlimited talk and text
- International calling available
- Mobile hotspot capability
- Widely available in stores
- 7-day customer care
- No basic plans
- No international roaming
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At a glance
- Value for money: Kroger Wireless is a good value if you plan to utilize their rewards program as a Kroger shopper.
- Coverage: Good coverage on the T-Mobile network.
- Customer experience: Most users love the rewards program incentives, but many report issues with connectivity and cusomter service, citing limited availability, long waits, and untrained staff.
- Transparency: The price you see is what you pay with Kroger Wireless. There are no hidden fees or surprise charges.
- Range of choice: They have four plans available, with only 1-month or 12-month options for purchase.
Kroger Wireless review: An in-depth analysis
Today, consumers have a multitude of wireless providers to choose from, making it overwhelming to find the right one that meets their needs.
If this sounds familiar, you've landed in the right spot. I've done all the research for you to save you valuable time and money.
In this comprehensive Kroger Wireless review, I'll look at various aspects of the carrier, including details about its plans, network coverage, and customer support. Plus, I'll go over your commonly asked questions to help you decide on your wireless service.
Let's delve in and determine if this budget-friendly provider is the right one for you.
What is Kroger Wireless?
Kroger Wireless is an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) that sells prepaid phone service online as well as in Kroger grocery stores and its affiliate stores nationwide. The carrier provides prepaid cell phone service powered by the T-Mobile network. It replaced the grocery chain's previous prepaid service - iWireless.
What makes Kroger Wireless different?
Kroger Wireless plans offer Kroger customers a significant boost in rewards via a 4x fuel points bonus on all plan prices. Plans are available in one-year increments for additional savings of up to 20%.
If you're not familiar with Kroger fuel points, this is a program that gives you a point for every dollar you spend in their stores. For every 100 points, you get 10¢ per gallon off your fuel purchase at a Kroger gas station.
Plans & pricing
What are the best Kroger Wireless plans?
Kroger Wireless 3GB plan
- T-Mobile coverage
- Unlimited talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
Kroger Wireless 6GB plan
- T-Mobile coverage
- Unlimited talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
Kroger Wireless 10GB plan
- T-Mobile coverage
- Unlimited talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
Kroger Wireless unlimited data plan
- T-Mobile coverage
- Unlimited talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
How does Kroger Wireless compare to T-Mobile?
T-Mobile vs Kroger Wireless comparison
Keep your T-Mobile phone, number & coverage: Save $360 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G/5G Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $75/mo | $900/yr |
| Kroger Wireless | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $45/mo | $540/yr |
| Savings | $30/mo | $360/yr | ||
How much does Kroger Wireless cost?
Plan prices start at $15 per month. It's worth noting that to get this price, you must purchase three months at once. If you prefer to go month-to-month, you'll pay a minimum of $25 a month.
Is Kroger Wireless a good value?
This prepaid carrier can be a solid option for low-data users, as its lower-data plans are a better value than its unlimited (which has a 25 GB high-speed data cap). Kroger Wireless is the best value if you're a Kroger shopper who already takes advantage of the rewards program.
Compare Kroger Wireless vs other carriers
During my research, I found numerous carriers with significantly cheaper plans:
| Kroger Wireless | How do Kroger Wireless plans compare? | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
*30 Day FREE Trial
|
*$45 for 3 Months
|
| T-Mobile 4G & 5G | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | Verizon & T-Mobile 4G & 5G | T-Mobile 4G & 5G |
| Unlimited data | Unlimited data | Unlimited data | Unlimited data |
| $45/mo | $25/mo | $15/mo* | $15/mo* |
| $540/yr | $300/yr | $306/yr | $315/yr |
| 3.8 on Trustpilot | 4.6 on Trustpilot | 4.7 on Trustpilot | 2.9 on Trustpilot |
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Network coverage
What network does Kroger Wireless use?
This budget-friendly cell phone provider uses T-Mobile's network. Prior to making any decisions, check out our Kroger Wireless coverage map to evaluate the network coverage in your area.
Does Kroger Wireless have good coverage?
T-Mobile is known for its extensive coverage, so unless you live in an extremely remote area, you should have no problems. Before choosing any carrier, though, it's helpful to see which one has the best coverage in your area.
Does Kroger Wireless have 5G coverage?
As long as you have a 5G-capable phone, you can enjoy T-Mobile's extensive 5G network, which has won the fastest 5G network experience in the 2023 OpenSignal 5G Experience Report.
Kroger Wireless 5G coverage map
How fast are Kroger Wireless data speeds?
It's worth noting that data speeds differ based on your network, location, and device. This MVNO is powered by the T-Mobile network, which means you should get the network's available speeds most of the time, including 5G if available in your location.
As with many MVNOs, however, you may experience deprioritization during times of heavy network congestion.
Customer service
Does Kroger Wireless have good customer service?
Of course, everyone wants an optimal customer service experience. The reality is that customer care experiences vary widely because they are individual and unique to each person and situation.
Some customers applauded the customer service team for being friendly and helpful, while many complained about limited availability, slow response times, and inability to provide solutions.
For an overview of what real customers have to say, head over to our Kroger Wireless customer reviews for insights about this budget carrier.
Kroger Wireless customer reviews roundup
- Kroger Wireless MoneySavingPro rating: 2 stars (30)
- Kroger Wireless Trustpilot rating: 3.8 stars (31)
- Kroger Wireless Amazon rating: 3.2 stars (28)
- Kroger Wireless Google rating: 4 stars (114)
If you need to get in touch with Kroger Wireless customer service, you've got a few different options:
- Existing customers: Dial 611 from your Kroger Wireless phone
- New customers: 1-866-434-7796 Mon-Sat 10 am - 11 pm, Sun - 10 am - 7 pm EST
- Contact form: Via the website
User experience
What are reviewers saying about Kroger Wireless?
Reviewers typically give positive feedback on the pricing of Kroger Wireless plans and the bonus of the fuel points rewards. But as you probably already know, particularly when it comes to cell phone providers, individual experiences can differ.
Kroger Wireless has some mixed reviews. Amazon's rating is mediocre; many of the negative reviews relate to the SIM kit missing a SIM removal tool. Meanwhile, the Kroger Wireless Trustpilot score is overall good.
What are some common complaints about Kroger Wireless?
While many customers have had a smooth experience with the carrier, there are a couple of common issues that have cropped up.
Several customers report difficulty establishing service and coverage issues. Also, people have complained about trouble getting in touch and overall experience with customer support.
SIM activation
Is it easy to switch?
Switching is simple, whether you prefer an online or in-person experience. You can buy your Kroger Wireless SIM card quickly and easily online or in any one of the Kroger Family of Companies stores.
Setting up your new line should be a simple procedure that can be completed in under 15 minutes after you receive your SIM card.
Does Kroger Wireless support eSIM?
If your device supports eSIM, you're good to go to activate a plan instantly with this low-cost carrier. Most smartphones made since 2018 are compatible with eSIM technology, which simplifies the process of changing to a different carrier.
Phone selection
What phones do they have?
If you're in the market for a new phone, you can choose from a modest selection of popular smartphones, including iPhone and Samsung Galaxy devices, as well as a couple of flip phones. Device installment plans are available through Affirm.
Can I bring my own phone to Kroger Wireless?
You can boost your savings by keeping your current device and bringing your current phone number, too.
Bringing your own phone is a great way to save even more money. Just make sure that your device is unlocked and compatible with the T-Mobile network.
Is my phone compatible?
While most devices manufactured in the past few years can work on any network, double-check by plugging your IMEI into our compatibility checker. It's also helpful to check on the carrier website before switching.
Kroger Wireless features
My viewpoint: Is Kroger Wireless any good?
Short answer: This low-cost carrier has been available in Kroger grocery stores and its affiliates (Ralph's, Fred Meyer, etc.) since 2019. Kroger Wireless is an MNVO that uses the T-Mobile network at a much lower price. Plans range from 3GB of data to unlimited data plans starting around $15 to $45 per month. There's no one perfect carrier or plan for all needs, so we've compared various options to help you make the right choice for you.
Is Kroger Wireless worth it?
This carrier may be ideal if you're a low-data Kroger shopper or a family in search of a cheap service with reward bonuses. It can also be a great value for younger kids who don't need a lot of data for their first phone.
By switching to an MVNO like Kroger Wireless, you can save up to 50% a year while still enjoying reliable service on a major network. According to this J.D. Power report, the typical monthly payment for cell phone service is approximately $157, totaling over $1800 annually.
Cell phone expenses are increasing and are expected to keep rising unless consumers send a message to major wireless companies. Switching away from big wireless and hitting them where it counts - the wallet - is the only way they'll wake up
Kroger Wireless FAQs
You can buy your Kroger Wireless SIM card online or in stores. With eSIM, your plan can be activated within minutes. If you choose a physical SIM card, it's free of charge and should arrive within 3-5 business days.
If you're looking for other options, there are plenty of choices available. Compare carriers like Boost Mobile, Tello, and Twigby to find a prepaid cell phone plan for your specific needs.
No. There are no activation fees, line access fees, or contracts required.
Yes, sometimes. For example, at the time of publication, the carrier is offering a free smartphone with any plan purchase.
No. Each line costs the same, no matter how many you have.
You can make international calls if you purchase an international calling card from the Kroger Family of Companies or any retailer that sells them.
No. International roaming data is not available, and you will not be able to use your phone to make calls while abroad.
Recap: Is Kroger Wireless the right choice for you?
Kroger Wireless can be a good option in certain circumstances. If you just need a backup phone, or you're looking for a cheap plan and don't need a ton of data, this could be a great value for your needs.
Consider these points and use your own judgment when selecting the most suitable phone plan for you:
- Plans: This T-Mobile MVNO provides a solid selection of basic phone plans. All plans come with unlimited talk and text messages.
- Coverage: Most customers can anticipate excellent service with dependable coverage on a major network.
- Features: This carrier is no-frills, no fuss, with basics like mobile hotspot access.
- Customer experience: Reviews are mixed, although that's more the norm than unusual in the mobile phone service industry.
- Promotions: Watch out for special offers like a free phone or plan discounts.
How we reviewed Kroger Wireless
To select the best carriers and plans, MoneySavingPro's team of experts evaluated over 30 different carriers.
Carriers were rated in five categories, with a star rating from 1-5, with 5 stars being the best. We then calculate the overall star rating using the five categories:
- Value for money: We compare carriers based on price, features, benefits, and promotions. It's not just about the lowest price but getting the most bang for your buck.
- Coverage: We look at network 5G and 4G LTE coverage across the US. We use coverage maps to determine service availability and data speeds in urban, suburban, and rural locations.
- Customer experience: We take into account items such as current user experience, website and app usability, ease of switching, and customer service in terms of availability, channels, and satisfaction ratings.
- Transparency: We assess whether carrier pricing is clear and straightforward. We examine the fine print to check for hidden fees, confusing terms or conditions, and misleading offers to ensure upfront, honest prices and advertising.
- Range of choice: We evaluate the diversity of plan options to determine if they fit the individual needs of all customers.
Read more about our carrier ratings methodology and our editorial process.
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