So you know you need data. But the question is, how much? That really depends. The average North American used 11.1 GB per month in 2020.1 But many people use a lot more than that. In this article, we’ll help you figure out how much you need and how you can get a good deal on a data plan that meets your needs. If you’re an Android user you can check your data usage like this: Checking your past data usage should help you determine how much you use each month. But it’s not an exact science, and we would recommend overestimating your usage because people are using more data than ever. And the trend is just going up. Even if you don’t have an existing smartphone and data plan, you can estimate what your data usage might look like by adding up how much time you think you’ll spend on the online activities. But you may want to get an unlimited data plan, even if you’re not a social media–addicted teenager. Even if you don’t think you use a lot now, data usage in North America is expected to spike from an average of 11.1 GB of data a month to 48 GB by 2026!1 Your overall data consumption shouldn’t change with 5G, even if your data speeds are faster. But many cell phone plans do have higher data caps on 5G data usage, which means you could do a lot more with a 5G connection for the same price.
Best plan for data hogs: If you just want the most high-speed data, period, then there’s one plan that really stands out. T-Mobile’s Magenta MAX plan has no data cap, boasts the fastest data speeds in the industry, and connects you to a big 5G network. But it will cost you a pretty penny. Best plan for entertainment: If you want data for gaming and streaming video, then Verizon’s Play More unlimited data plan is an awesome option because it offers unlimited data and HD streaming. Best cheap unlimited data plan: If you don’t mind having your data slowed down occasionally, then Visible Wireless’s unlimited data plan is an incredible deal at just $40 a month (even cheaper if you add extra lines). Best plan for 4–15 GB of data: Mint Mobile is a smaller cell phone company (yes, it’s the one owned by Ryan Reynolds) that offers unbeatable deals on limited-data plans. Best low-data plan: If you just need a few MB or GB of data for Google Maps and Pokémon Go, then we recommend checking out these prepaid plans. Best no-data plan: No data? How retro of you. We’re impressed. And yes, there are still plenty of cheap talk and text plans just for you.
No matter if you choose to go with AT&T, Mint Mobile, Visible Wireless, Verizon, or T-Mobile, remember that you can save bookoo money by bundling in a family plan. Background refresh, GPS navigation, not using Wi-Fi when you can—these are just some of the activities that may be using up your data without you even noticing it. Check out our article about how to reduce your data usage for some useful tips. Honestly, given how many apps use data, most people will want an unlimited data plan. But even these plans have soft data caps, and if you go over that cap, your speeds will be reduced. So be sure to read the fine print and find a plan that gives you what you need. If you’re relying on your Wi-Fi to reduce your data usage, you might want to consider our advice on How Much Internet Speed Do I Need?
