How to choose the best T-Mobile tablet data plan
Does T-Mobile have coverage in your area?
T-Mobile MVNOs are powered by the same 5G & 4G LTE network. T-Mobile scores the highest for the fastest 5G speed, according to this Opensignal 5G Experience Report 2023. If you're new to T-Mobile, you can use our coverage checker to find the best cell phone service in your area.
How much data do you need?
Do you really need a T-Mobile unlimited data plan? They want you to believe so, but in reality, the average monthly cellular data consumption is around 10GB. However, if you spend most of your time at home or work on Wi-Fi, it's likely your cellular data usage for things like video streaming will be much lower. You can choose a data plan tailored to your needs with the best data only plans, meaning you can pay less if you use less.
Is hotspot data included?
Most T-Mobile MVNOs allow mobile hotspot data usage but have a data cap on the amount of data that can be used via tethering. The limit depends on the carrier and plan you choose. T-Mobile mobile hotspot plans offer plenty of affordable plans to compare.
What's the monthly price?
T-Mobile unlimited plans cost around $75-90 per month, while T-Mobile tablet data plans with their low-cost carriers range from $10-50 per month. So you don't have to sacrifice wireless coverage and data speeds. Watch out for hidden fees & taxes; some carriers include these in the price, whereas some may have additional taxes and fees.
How many lines do you want?
With T-Mobile, you only get the advertised price if you buy four lines. With MVNOs, the price you see is the price you pay, even for one line. Many low-cost carriers on the T-Mobile network now offer additional discounts for multi-line plans.
Can I bring my own device or buy a new one?
While T-Mobile loves keeping its customers locked into a constant device upgrade cycle or offering free phones or device accessories, you can bring your own device to T-Mobile; in fact, they encourage it. So as long as you have a capable device that's compatible with the network, you can save even more money.
Are there any deals or promotions?
T-Mobile promotions can seem good at a glance. But once you read the fine print, it often leads to buying things you don't need and committing to 3-year contracts. Many MVNOs on T-Mobile's network offer short-term introductory discounts for new customers, and their pricing is much more transparent.
Can I get any free perks?
Many T-Mobile plans include "free" TV subscriptions; however, these usually turn into a paid subscription that is automatically added to your bill a few months down the line. A few low-cost carriers, such as US Mobile, do offer plan options with free subscription services, but we generally recommend keeping these subscriptions separate so you don't end up paying for things you don't need.
How long do I have to commit?
Low-cost carriers on the T-Mobile network are prepaid, so no credit approval is needed, and there are no contracts, offering more flexibility. However, some, like Mint Mobile, require you to sign up for a 3-month plan minimum, but their cheap data plans still offer better value for money than the big 3 wireless carriers.
Check out our T-Mobile data only plans to ensure you find the best deal.
Compare the cheapest tablet data plans on T-Mobile
| Carrier | Network | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good2Go Mobile 1GB data plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 1GB | $5/mo |
| Tello 1GB data plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 1GB | $5/mo |
| US Mobile 500MB data plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 500MB | $5/mo |
| Tello 2GB data plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 2GB | $6/mo |
| Boost Mobile 1GB data plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 1GB | $8/mo |
If T-Mobile isn't giving you the best coverage, check out the best Verizon tablet plans and AT&T tablet plans.
T-Mobile tablet data plans FAQs
Yes, you can get a data only plan for your tablet with T-Mobile. Mint Mobile and US Mobile are T-Mobile MVNOs that operate on their nationwide network but offer affordable plan options.
Yes, as long as your device is compatible with T-Mobile, you can bring it across to save money.
Recap: What is the best tablet data plan on T-Mobile?
T-Mobile MVNOs offer you flexible data only plans for tablets that can help you cut your costs and save you money.
With no contracts, you can amend your plan or cancel at any time if your needs change, with no early termination fees.
Although these low-cost carriers only provide a small variety of plans, there are still plenty of options for all budgets. They offer the same benefits but at half the price of a plan with one of the big three.
T-Mobile data plan guides
- The Cheapest Data Only Plans on T-Mobile
- Best Value T-Mobile Tablet Plans
- Best Value T-Mobile Hotspot Plans
- Best Value T-Mobile MiFi Plans
- Best Value T-Mobile BYOD Plans
- Best Value T-Mobile Prepaid Hotspot Plans
- Best Value T-Mobile Unlimited Hotspot Plans
- Best Data Only Plans
- Best Tablet Data Plans
- Best iPad Data Plans
- Best Mobile Hotspot Plans
MoneySavingPro methodology
At MoneySavingPro, we're all about finding and sharing affordable cell phone plans that offer the best value for money. We put a lot of care into looking at all the options out there, focusing on what's best for you, the consumer. Our goal is to help you save money by showing you cheaper alternatives to the expensive plans from the big wireless companies.
With over 10 years of experience in the industry, we intentionally don't recommend plans from the big wireless networks in our reviews. This is because of how they handle their pricing and fees and their lack of transparency.
T-Mobile MVNOs operate on the same T-Mobile network, and we research each T-Mobile low-cost carrier with the features and benefits it offers. This includes coverage, easy activation, eSIM compatibility, multiline discounts, and special discounts for specific demographics such as military, students, seniors, and more.
We also examine additional perks like pay-as-you-go options, unlimited plans, kids plans, senior plans, and smartwatch plans, evaluating them for their individual benefits and overall value.
We did consider these other T-Mobile alternatives: Straight Talk, Metro by T-Mobile, Google Fi, and Consumer Cellular, but we discounted them because we still don't consider these to be good value for money.
We regularly update our comparisons. Updating cell phone plans weekly and our content every 3 months. To make sure we are showing the latest and most accurate information.
