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Best Apple Watch cellular plans in 2024

The key to finding the best value Apple Watch plan is all about leveraging the competitive rates offered by low-cost carriers. You'll get the same coverage for a fraction of the cost without hidden fees and price hikes. Here are the most affordable providers to consider.

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Apple Watches are the most popular smartwatches, and we can help you find the best Apple Watch plans at affordable prices.

MVNOs (also known as Mobile Virtual Network Operators) offer budget-friendly Apple Watch plans powered by the same major wireless networks: Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T.

There are other benefits to signing up with an MVNO, including customized plans and the ability to amend your plan without additional fees.

So, which MVNOs have the best Apple Watch plans? We've selected the best for you to compare below.

Image of cell phone with Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile unlimited data plan
Best unlimited plan for Apple Watches
Image of cell phone with Tello
Tello 2GB plan
Best prepaid Apple Watch plan
$10/mo
Image of cell phone with Ultra Mobile
Ultra Mobile 3GB plan
Best BYOD plan for Apple Watches
Image of cell phone with US Mobile
US Mobile unlimited data plan
Best family plan for Apple Watch

Best overall Apple Watch plan

Mint Mobile unlimited data plan

Image of cell phone with Mint Mobile
  • T-Mobile coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
Unlimited
data
$15/mo*
$30/mo
See at Mint Mobile

*$45 for 3 Months

4.2 Read our Mint Mobile review
$585 in annual savings

Best prepaid Apple Watch plan

Tello 2GB plan

Image of cell phone with Tello
  • T-Mobile coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
2GB
data
$10/mo
5 Read our Tello review
$780 in annual savings

Best BYOD plan for Apple Watches

Ultra Mobile 3GB plan

Image of cell phone with Ultra Mobile
  • T-Mobile coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
3GB
data
$16/mo*
$19/mo
See at Ultra Mobile

*$48 for 3 Mths

3.4 Read our Ultra Mobile review
$681 in annual savings

Best family plan for Apple Watch

US Mobile unlimited data plan

Image of cell phone with US Mobile
  • Verizon & T-Mobile coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
Unlimited
data
$15/mo*
$29/mo
See at US Mobile

*30 Day FREE Trial

5 Read our US Mobile review
$594 in annual savings

Best unlimited plan for Apple Watches

Mint Mobile unlimited data plan

Image of cell phone with Mint Mobile
  • T-Mobile coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
Unlimited
data
$15/mo*
$30/mo
See at Mint Mobile

*$45 for 3 Months

4.2 Read our Mint Mobile review
$585 in annual savings

How to choose the best cellular plan for an Apple Watch

What network coverage do you prefer?

Network access is a key consideration wherever you live, but especially in rural areas. Luckily, low-cost carriers operate on the same 5G & 4G LTE networks as major carriers. T-Mobile scores the highest for 5G coverage, according to an Opensignal 5G Experience Report (2023). If there is a particular network you prefer, choose an MVNO that operates on that network. Use our coverage checker to find the best cell phone service in your area.

How much data do you need?

Do you really need an unlimited data plan? The big wireless companies 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 will be much lower. You can choose a data plan tailored to your needs with cheap cell phone providers, meaning you can pay less if you use less. But if you do choose an unlimited data plan, be aware that high-speed data is normally capped.

Is hotspot data included?

Most carriers allow hotspot data usage but limit the amount of data that can be used via tethering. The limit depends on the carrier and plan you choose. Some carriers also offer data only plans so you can access the internet on mobile devices like iPads, tablets, and mobile hotspots when Wi-Fi's not available.

What's the monthly price?

While big wireless unlimited plans cost around $75-90 per month, the best MVNOs offer budget-friendly plans, ranging from $5-35 per month without sacrificing wireless coverage and data speeds. Watch out for hidden fees & taxes; some carriers include these in the price, and others, such as Verizon and AT&T, don't.

How many lines do you need?

With big wireless, 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 now offer further discounts for multi-line plans.

Can I bring my own phone or buy a new device?

While the big three love keeping their customers locked into a constant phone upgrade cycle, MVNOs encourage you to bring your own phone. This means you take back control and only change your phone when it suits you. If you do want to purchase a new phone, many MVNOs offer an affordable and easy way with 0% financing over 1-2 years.

Are there any deals or promotions?

Big wireless promotions can seem good at a glance. But once you read the small print, it often leads to buying things you don't need and committing to 3-year phone contracts. Many MVNOs offer short-term introductory promotional pricing for new customers, and their pricing is much more transparent.

What perks or add ons can I expect?

Most big wireless plans include "free" TV subscriptions. Initially, these seem like a great deal. 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.

Is international calling included?

Most MVNOs offer free international calls to many countries. If this is important to you, make sure to choose a carrier that includes this.

Are there parental controls?

Some Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) provide parental controls that allow parents to monitor their children's cell phone usage and data consumption. By using these features, you have the ability to establish limits on data usage, limit access to specific apps or websites, and even keep track of your child's whereabouts. These capabilities are accessible either through subscription plans or can be adjusted in the settings of your mobile device.

Check out our cell phone plan comparison to ensure you find the best deal.


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Compare the cheapest prepaid plans for Apple Watches

Carrier Network Data Price
Twigby 2GB plan Verizon 5G/4G Coverage 2GB $5/mo $15/mo
Tello 2GB plan T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage 2GB $10/mo
Boost Mobile unlimited data plan AT&T & T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage Unltd $12.50/mo $25/mo
US Mobile unlimited data plan Verizon & T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage Unltd $15/mo $29/mo
Mint Mobile unlimited data plan T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage Unltd $15/mo $30/mo

Apple Watch plans FAQs


Recap: What is the best plan for Apple Watches?

Apple watches come packed with a variety of health features that monitor your health and exercise habits. They also offer a wide range of apps to enhance your daily life.

And the good news is the best Apple Watch plans don't have to come with a high price. With MVNOs, you'll get the same perks and could save up to $600 a year on their cheap smartwatch plans.

As a prepaid plan, you're free to make changes at any time or switch carriers if your needs change.

How we choose the best carriers and plans

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

We regularly update our comparisons. Updating cell phone plans weekly and our content monthly to ensure we are showing the latest and most accurate information.

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