Founder
About Rob
Rob has 15+ years experience running price comparison & review websites that empower consumers to find the cheapest cell phone services, cell phone deals, home phone, and internet providers available. He has been published in Forbes, US News, Entrepreneur, Huffington Post, Inc.
Rob's Expertise
5G wireless networks, cell phone plans, cell phone deals, MVNOs, internet services, tablets, comparison shopping, money saving, reviewing telecom products & services
MoneySavingPro independently researches the products & services to bring you our recommendations. We may earn money when you click our links - disclosure policy.
Are you looking for the best cell phone for kids? At MonesySavingPro we can help you find the best deal while saving up to $600 a year, per line.
At a time when all your household costs are increasing, your cell phone bill doesn't need to be one of them. We can help you find the phone you want, on your favorite network, at a much lower cost.
If you've not heard of MVNOs, you're not alone. They're low-cost carriers that operate on the three major US networks, offering the same 5G & 4G LTE wireless coverage but with plans starting as low as $10 a month.
Buying a phone directly from a major network may look like a good deal initially but after factoring in the cost of their over-priced unlimited data plans over 3 years, you could end up paying as much as $2,000 more than you need to!
We've compiled a list of the latest cell phones for kids from low-cost carriers, so you can find the best phone deal at the cheapest price without sacrificing your wireless service.
Kids cell phone deals
Best iPhones for kids
Apple iPhone SE (2nd Gen)
- Retailer
- US Mobile
- Storage
- 128GB
- Network
- Verizon
- Condition
- NEW
- Price
-
$37/mo 15% APR for 12 mths
The Apple iPhone SE (2nd Gen) has 128GB storage capacity. It includes a 4.7 inches screen and 12 MP camera. This new iPhone SE (2nd Gen) is available from US Mobile with Verizon & T-Mobile network coverage and prices starting from $37/mo.
| Device | 128GB | 64GB | 256GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone SE (2nd Gen) Verizon | $37/mo | $39/mo | $46/mo |
| Apple iPhone SE (2nd Gen) T-Mobile | $37/mo | $39/mo | $46/mo |
| Apple iPhone SE (2nd Gen) Unlocked | $37/mo | $39/mo | $46/mo |
Apple iPhone 11
* Save $100 with phone service
- Retailer
- Red Pocket
- Storage
- 64GB
- Network
- AT&T
- Condition
- NEW
- Price
-
$17/mo* 0% APR for 24 mths
The Apple iPhone 11 has 64GB storage capacity. It includes a 6.1 inches screen and 12 MP camera. This new iPhone 11 is available from Red Pocket with AT&T network coverage and prices starting from $17/mo.
| Device | 64GB | 128GB | 256GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 11 AT&T | $17/mo | $19/mo | $27/mo |
| Apple iPhone 11 Unlocked | $17/mo | $19/mo | $27/mo |
Apple iPhone 12 mini
* Save $100 with phone service
- Retailer
- Red Pocket
- Storage
- 64GB
- Network
- AT&T
- Condition
- NEW
- Price
-
$22/mo* 0% APR for 24 mths
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has 64GB storage capacity. It includes a 5.4 inches screen and 12 MP camera. This new iPhone 12 mini is available from Red Pocket with AT&T network coverage and prices starting from $22/mo.
| Device | 64GB | 128GB | 256GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 12 mini AT&T | $22/mo | $24/mo | $28/mo |
| Apple iPhone 12 mini Verizon | $61/mo | - | $73/mo |
| Apple iPhone 12 mini T-Mobile | $61/mo | - | $73/mo |
| Apple iPhone 12 mini Unlocked | $22/mo | $24/mo | $28/mo |
Apple iPhone 13 mini
* Save $100 plus $200 rebate
- Retailer
- Red Pocket
- Storage
- 128GB
- Network
- AT&T
- Condition
- NEW
- Price
-
$22/mo* 0% APR for 24 mths
The Apple iPhone 13 mini has 128GB storage capacity. It includes a 5.4 inches screen and 12 MP camera. This new iPhone 13 mini is available from Red Pocket with AT&T network coverage and prices starting from $22/mo.
| Device | 128GB | 256GB | 512GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 13 mini AT&T | $22/mo | $30/mo | $35/mo |
| Apple iPhone 13 mini Verizon | $71/mo | $69/mo | $86/mo |
| Apple iPhone 13 mini T-Mobile | $71/mo | $69/mo | $86/mo |
| Apple iPhone 13 mini Unlocked | $22/mo | $30/mo | $35/mo |
Best Samsung phones for kids
Cell phones for kids benefits
When your kid wants a new cell phone, or maybe it's their first. MVNOs have the cheapest cell phones for kids to choose from.
You'll find the same phones as with the big three, but with a number of other benefits.
Save money: Low-cost carriers offer the best deals while saving you up to $600 per year, per line.
Latest cell phones: Offering the same phones as the big three, but without the three-year contract.
No long-term commitment: Find a selection of prepaid phone deals from low-cost carriers giving you the freedom of no lengthy contract.
Cheap monthly payments: Many low-cost carriers offer affordable interest-free payment plans on their phones along with cell phone plans starting from only $10 a month.
Unlimited data plan: There's still the option of unlimited data phone plans, however unlimited doesn't always mean unlimited, so be sure to check the small print.
5G compatible: If your kid wants access to the fast 5G network, there are plenty of 5G phones suitable for kids to pick from.
Family plans: Low-cost carriers offer a variety of best family phone plans with multi-line discounts.
Best T-Mobile phones for kids
| Device | 128GB | 64GB | 256GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 14 (T-Mobile) | $35/mo | - | $39/mo |
| Apple iPhone SE (T-Mobile) | - | $39/mo | - |
| Apple iPhone 14 Plus (T-Mobile) | $39/mo | - | $43/mo |
| Apple iPhone 14 Pro (T-Mobile) | $42/mo | - | $46/mo |
| Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max (T-Mobile) | $46/mo | - | $50/mo |
| Apple iPhone 12 (T-Mobile) | $71/mo | - | - |
Best AT&T phones for kids
| Device | 64GB | 128GB | 256GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone SE (AT&T) | $14/mo | $16/mo | $20/mo |
| Apple iPhone 13 mini (AT&T) | - | $22/mo | - |
| Apple iPhone 13 (AT&T) | - | $26/mo | $30/mo |
| Apple iPhone 14 (AT&T) | - | $30/mo | $35/mo |
| Apple iPhone 12 Pro (AT&T) | - | - | $33/mo |
| Apple iPhone 13 Pro (AT&T) | - | $33/mo | $37/mo |
| Apple iPhone 14 Plus (AT&T) | - | $35/mo | - |
Best Verizon phones for kids
| Device | 64GB | 128GB |
|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone SE (Verizon) | $39/mo | - |
| Apple iPhone 14 Pro (Verizon) | - | $63/mo |
| Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max (Verizon) | - | $69/mo |
| Apple iPhone 12 (Verizon) | - | $71/mo |
| Apple iPhone 13 (Verizon) | - | $74/mo |
Cheap refurbished phones for kids
Best refurbished iPhones
Apple iPhone 7
The Apple iPhone 7 has 32GB storage capacity. It includes a 4.7 inches screen and 12 MP camera. This refurbished iPhone 7 is available from Back Market with AT&T network coverage and prices starting from $72.
Apple iPhone 8
*$40 off
- Retailer
- Tello
- Storage
- 64GB
- Network
- T-Mobile
- Condition
- REFURBISHED
- Price
-
$239* MSRP: $279
The Apple iPhone 8 has 64GB storage capacity. It includes a 4.7 inches screen and 12 MP camera. This refurbished iPhone 8 is available from Tello with T-Mobile network coverage and prices starting from $239.
Apple iPhone XR
The Apple iPhone XR has 64GB storage capacity. It includes a 6.1 inches screen and 12 MP camera. This refurbished iPhone XR is available from Back Market with AT&T network coverage and prices starting from $185.
Best refurbished Samsung phones
Samsung Galaxy S10
The Samsung Galaxy S10 has 128GB storage capacity. It includes a 6.1 inches screen and 16 MP camera. This refurbished Galaxy S10 is available from Back Market with T-Mobile, Verizon & AT&T network coverage and prices starting from $160.
Refurbished phone benefits
While your child may pressure you for the latest $1000 Apple iPhone model, realistically it's unnecessary - and impractical - to spend that kind of dough on a cell phone (honestly, we don't even recommend that parents drop that kind of cash for their smartphones!).
What's the alternative? Buy a refurbished phone for your child. This approach not only saves you a ton of money but also minimizes your risk should your child lose or break their phone.
It's cheap: Basic phones with all the capability your child wants - music and video streaming, apps, social media, phone cameras (front-facing camera and rear), etc. - start under $100.
Repairs are easy: With phone repair stores available to most people these days you can get your child's phone fixed quickly and affordably.
You're free to switch carriers: Buying used allows you to own the phone outright. This means you can choose a cheap cell phone plan for your child instead of being tied to an expensive wireless carrier (more on that later).
Considerations when buying a phone for your child
There are a few things to keep in mind, regardless of whether you're considering a fully functional smartphone or a basic flip phone for your child.
Warranty: A warranty protects you by ensuring you have recourse if your child's device fails. Many used phone warranties start at 30 days. You might want to consider buying from a site like Decluttr which covers you with a one-year limited warranty on all of their used phones.
Return policy: What if you change your mind about the mobile phone you choose or it arrives in a different condition than you expect? No problem - reputable sellers allow you to return your phone, just make sure you read their terms so you know how long you have after purchase.
Compatibility: There are two types of wireless networks - CDMA. Check your phone model against the carrier website to make sure it will work with your plan.
Timing: If your child is older - say, a teenager - they may have a strong preference in terms of phone model. You can get the best deal on the device they want if you buy it when a new model is released.
Payment plans: Some sellers offer installment plans on used cell phones. We don't recommend this, as kids will be kids so you're better off buying something you can afford to pay for in full at the time of purchase.
Best cheap phone plans for kids
Carrier |
Network | Data |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|
T-Mobile | 1GB |
$10/mo |
|
T-Mobile | 2GB |
$20/mo |
|
T-Mobile | 4GB |
$15/mo |
|
Verizon & T-Mobile | 15GB |
$20/mo |
|
AT&T & T-Mobile | Unltd |
$25/mo |
T-Mobile vs Mint Mobile comparison
Keep your T-Mobile phone, number & coverage: Save $660 per year
Carrier |
Network Coverage |
4G/5G Data |
Price |
Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
T-Mobile |
T-Mobile 4G & 5G | Unltd* |
$70/mo |
$840/yr |
Mint Mobile |
T-Mobile 4G & 5G |
4GB |
$15/mo |
$180/yr |
*Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB |
Savings |
$55/mo |
$660/yr |
|
Kids are expensive - we know that much! So keeping your budget in control becomes even more important when you're adding another family member to your wireless bill.
Whether you have a data-hungry teenager or just need a few minutes and text messages each month to give your tween a safety net to make a phone call, you can use all the help you can get to save money on your cell phone bill.
MVNOs - or Mobile Virtual Network Operators - are smaller cell phone carriers that rent space on one or more of the big three networks and resell it to you at a discounted rate. They have lower overhead and marketing costs so they can afford to pass the savings on to you.
Kids cell phones FAQs
What phone should I get for my 11 year old?
There's a great selection of basic phones available for kids, some of the more popular handsets are Nokia 3310 3G, iPhone SE, iPhone 8, and Moto E6 Plus.
Which Android phone is best for kids?
The Google Pixel 4a is one of the most popular Android phones for kids, along with the Motorola Moto E and the Nokia 2.4 for affordability.
What is the best mobile phone for a child?
The best will depend on the age of your child and what they need their cell phone for. Some of the best value phones that are popular for kids are the Nokia 3310, Motorola G7 Play, and a budget-friendly option like the Nokia 4.2.
Recap
Whether your kid wants the latest iPhone or just a cheap cell phone, MVNOs can save you hundreds of dollars a year.
Low-cost carriers, like Visible or Mint Mobile, offer phones with cheap plans, often with interest-free payments over 12-24 months.
Although the major networks offer to finance over 36 months, being tied into their over-priced unlimited data plans for 3 years could mean wasting as much as $2,000!
Compare deals from low-cost carriers to find the best cell phones for kids at the cheapest price.
