The T-Mobile Essentials Saver plan offers unlimited data usage and includes 50GB of «Premium» data, which is the fastest-capable 5G rate available in your area. After 50GB, speeds are reduced to 3G levels for the remainder of the month. However, that Premium may not always be so premium: T-Mobile notes in the fine print that «Essentials customers may notice speeds lower than other customers and further reduction if using >50GB/month, due to data prioritization.»

You can use your phone as a mobile hotspot, also with unlimited data, but at 3G speeds. High-speed hotspot access is available as an add-on. Internationally, calls, text and data are unlimited while in Canada and Mexico, but the data is restricted to 2G speeds. Elsewhere, calls cost 25 cents per minute, and texts are unlimited at no extra charge when you’re in roughly 215 countries.

As for other T-Mobile features, you’ll have to look further up the plan menu. Essentials Saver and Essentials don’t carry the five-year price guarantee found in the Experience plans, nor does it include T-Satellite texting access, but you can add the Starlink-based service as an optional add-on when it launches on July 23. Perks are also reserved for the costlier plans, which means no included Netflix, Apple TV Plus or Hulu streaming thrown in.

The Essentials Saver plan costs $50 a month for a single line, $80 for two lines and $100 for three lines, the maximum number allowed on this plan. If you need three or more lines, the Essentials plan is a better value.

Why we like it

Providers want to push you toward their more expensive offerings, but they also know there’s a place for cost-conscious people who want just the basics. Essentials Saver includes 50GB of fast data before the data rate slows down. And even though the hotspot feature is especially pokey at 3G speeds, it’s still there in a pinch if needed.

Who it’s best for

The Essentials Saver plan is great for individuals or pairs who don’t want to spend much for a cellular plan and aren’t looking for perks or fast data.

Who shouldn’t get it

The plan isn’t for people seeking features such as larger amounts of premium data, regular hotspot access or included perks, or folks who need to set up a family or group with three or more lines.

Customer service options

If you compare the specifics of T-Mobile’s Essentials and Essentials Saver plans, you might think the company forgot to update one or the other — they’re Essential-ly the same. With both, you get 50GB of fast Premium 5G data (depending on the network capabilities in your area), which drops to 3G speeds of still-unlimited data after that allotment is used up. You can use your phone as a mobile hotspot with unlimited data, but only at 3G speeds and restricted to paltry 2G speeds when you’re in Canada or Mexico. In those two countries, calls, text and data are unlimited, while calls made from around 215 other countries are charged at 25 cents a minute.

The Essentials plan also doesn’t include perks such as streaming video from Netflix or Apple TV Plus, nor the five-year price guarantee found on the Experience More and Experience Beyond plans. T-Satellite service is also not included, though it can be added for $10 a month when it launches on July 23.

Where Essentials comes out ahead of Essentials Saver is the number of lines you can have on your account. Essentials Saver is limited to just three, but Essentials can accommodate six lines. In fact, a trio of people will save money going with Essentials due to a free third-line deal, paying $90 a month (plus taxes and fees) for a $10 savings over Essentials Saver.

However, if you need just one or two lines, Essentials Saver is still the better deal. A single line on Saver is still the better offer at $50 a month compared with $60 for the same features on Essentials, and two lines on Saver costs $80 a month compared with $90 for Essentials.

Why we like it

You get a solid level of basic phone service, with unlimited calls, texts and data, 50GB of premium higher-speed data and better pricing than the Essentials Saver plan for three or more lines (up to six).

Who it’s best for

Essentials is great for a cost-conscious family of three or more that wants unlimited everything, even at some slower speeds.

Who shouldn’t get it

This plan isn’t for people who want features such as larger amounts of premium data, regular hotspot access or included perks, or folks who need to set up a family or group with three or more lines.

Customer service options

T-Mobile’s Experience More plan sits in the middle of its unlimited plans but is actually quite a jump above the more value-focused Essentials and Essentials Saver plans. It includes unlimited high-speed data over its 5G network, so you don’t need to worry about whether performance will lag after you’ve used up an initial amount (although T-Mobile does reserve the right to slow data when networks are congested). It also includes 60GB of high-speed hotspot data (then unlimited at 3G speeds once that’s used up).

The Experience More plan also carries T-Mobile’s five-year price guarantee. The T-Satellite feature for texting via satellite when you’re away from a cellular network is not included in the plan, but it can be added as a free service once it begins operation in July through the end of 2025; after that date, it will cost $10 per month.

Internationally, Experience More includes unlimited talk and text while traveling in Canada and Mexico, plus 15GB of high-speed data (then unlimited at 256Kbps). In more than 215 other countries outside the US, you get unlimited texting and 5GB of high-speed data (then unlimited at 256Kbps), plus calling charged at 25 cents per minute.

The Experience More plan also includes a few attractive perks above the 5G and data speed allotments. Included in the price are Netflix Standard (with ads) and Apple TV Plus, which includes the MLS Season Pass, at 4K resolution where available. A one-year AAA membership can also help when you’re traveling. T-Mobile’s Magenta Status adds even more perks, such as 15% discounts on Hilton hotel stays, 25% off tickets to “more than 8,000 shows at over 120 venues nationwide,” and T-Mobile Tuesdays, a series of deals that can include perks like cheap movie tickets and discounts at national restaurants.

Through Aug. 4, T-Mobile subscribers can sign up for a free year of the DoorDash DashPass service.

Why we like it

Although it’s more expensive, Experience More packs a lot of perks into one plan. Unlimited high-speed data means you don’t need to monitor your app and streaming usage.

Who it’s best for

Individuals and families who want to get the most for their monthly cost.

Who shouldn’t get it

People looking to pay less per month who don’t need hotspot data or a multitude of perks.

Customer service options