Cellphones have become a must-have device for young people, and in today’s world, every preteen and teenager needs to have a reliable one. As parents, it's our responsibility to select the right cell phone and cell phone plan that best fits our kids’ needs – one that offers reliable coverage, a manageable cost, and appropriate features.

So what are the best cell phones and cell phone plans for kids and what should you consider when shopping for kids cell phone plans?

Factors to consider when shopping for a cell phone and cell phone plans for kids

Sweet young couple having coffee and checking their cell phones.

Reliable Coverage

When shopping for the right cell phone and the best cell phone plan ever for a child, one of the most important factors to consider is reliable coverage. If the cell phone provider doesn’t offer good service, then the cell phone won’t be very useful, no matter how good it looks or how many great features it has.

When shopping for a cell phone carrier, look for one that offers coverage that is reliable and consistent. There's no use in having unlimited talk if you can't get through!

Cost

Cheerful young woman in a blue shirt checking her text messages.

Another factor to consider when selecting a kids cell phone plan for a child is the cost. Cell phone plans for younger users are available from many cell phone companies, and it is important to do some research to find one that is affordable.

Many of these kids' phones and cell phone plans come with discounted support and features that may be beneficial for a younger user.

Features

Pretty brunette in a yellow top walking down a city street.

In addition to coverage and cost, when shopping for the right Android phone or Samsung phone or iPhone for your child you need to consider its features. All phones today offer a selection of features, and it is important to select those that are age-appropriate and beneficial for your child. Some of these features include internet access, parental controls, and apps that can be used to further their learning.

Other features that are important to pay attention to are long battery life, good audio quality, and durable construction.

Best phones for kids according to ZDNET

Cute young couple pointing at an attraction on a city street.

ZDNET is an independent research company that tests a variety of devices, including cell phones, and publishes its findings to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions. For 2023, ZDNET has stated that the following are the best cell kids' phones:

Best overall phone for younger kids: Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation)

The Apple iPhone SE.

Best starter phone for kids: Moto G Pure

The Moto G P.ure

Best kids’ phone for Samsung families: Samsung Galaxy A32 5G

The Samsung Galaxy A32 5G.

Best secure phone for kids: Google Pixel 6A 5G

The Google Pixel 6A 5G.

The cost of the phones featured here ranges from $429 (Apple iPhone SE) to $110 (Moto G Pure), and each offers a variety of features.

Consider your child's age

One of the most important things to think about as you look into a cellphone for your child is how old they are. If they’re very young and likely to lose the phone, you might not want to plunk down $400 for one.

But if they’re a bit older, are more mature, and if this isn’t their first phone (that tends to make a difference), the expense could very well be worth it.

Best cell phone plans for kids

Man in a blue shirt tapping a text message on his phone.

Best cell phone plans for kids

The easiest and most cost-effective cell phone plan for your child is simply to add a line to your current plan. This will get you the best deal on the purchase of a new phone from your wireless provider. It will also get you the best deal even if you don’t buy the phone from your provider.

If you’re already with H2O, adding a line to accommodate your child and his or her new cell phone is fast and easy! And if you’re not, switching is a snap.

What makes H2O better than those overpriced wireless providers?

With H2O Wireless, you get the best cell phone coverage for less and the best unlimited plans – not to mention the most cost-effective, realistically priced unlimited plans – anywhere. You can even choose our 12 month plan (for just $8.33 a month!). And we can’t forget Refer a Friend, the H2O Wireless referral program that can save you a bunch on your H2O Wireless service.

Just $25 a line. No kidding.

At just $25 a line, H2O Wireless gives you great coverage, more than enough data, and unlimited international talk and text (plus a $5 international talk credit), so you can keep in touch with family and friends around the globe and they can keep in touch with you!

Enjoy Multi-Line Savings

Connect your friends and family to get Multi-Line savings with 2 lines for $50 or 4 lines for $100. Each line comes with 6 GB of LTE data so you can stream, listen, and do what you do at $25 per line.

Here’s Exactly What Every Line Gets...

6 GB of LTE Data
Unlimited Data, Talk & Text
Unlimited International Talk to 70 Countries
Unlimited International Text
$5 International Talk Credit

Here’s Exactly What You Don’t Get…

Contracts
Hassles
Headaches!

With H2O Wireless, you get the best cell phone coverage for less and the best unlimited plans – not to mention the most cost-effective, realistically priced unlimited plans – anywhere.

Or, choose our 12 month plan for just $8.33 a month!

With H2O Wireless’ 12 Month Plan, you purchase service once and you’re done for the year. No worrying about missing a payment or tracking the expense. You simply make a one-time payment of $100 using your credit or debit card, and that’s it. Our 12 Month Plan breaks down to crazy low $8.33 a month, and gives you an entire year of unlimited talk and text, as well as 1GB of high-speed data every month. There are no other payments to make or additional steps to take. Plus there’s no contract and no hidden fees.

A word about “unlimited data”

With so many cellular phone businesses vying for your money, it’s difficult to tell which you can trust. The overpriced services clamber, “Pick me!” with promises of low cost, unlimited data plans. But do you really need an unlimited amount of data? Will you use all of that data? Maybe. But if you don’t, guess what? You still have to pay for it.

If you’re on a $70 a month plan which gives you up to 23GB of data it means you’re paying $3.04 per GB of data. And if you’re using just 4GB a month (which is what most people typically use), you’re paying $57.40 per month for data you’re not using. Ouch.

The truth is…

Most people use just 2-5GB of data per billing cycle, and that’s because you’d have to spend every waking moment, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week online to exceed that amount. The average consumer doesn’t do that, and that’s why the average consumer doesn’t need a $50, $60 or $70 a month unlimited plan!

At H2O Wireless, we don’t think you should pay for data you don’t need and aren’t going to use.

That’s why we’re proud to offer you plans starting as low as $18 a month (with auto pay) for unlimited talk and text and 2GB of data.

Need more data one month? Simply go into your account portal and add more. When next month rolls around, if you need less data, you can go right back into your portal and reduce it. Simply log onto PureTalk.com, click on My Account, and select Manage My Data. Make your changes, save them, and log out. It’s that simple.

Plus, H2O Wireless Connects You to the World

Each H2O Wireless Monthly Unlimited Plan includes unlimited international talk to 70 Countries (including China and Mexico), unlimited text to any country in the world, and up to $5 international talk credit depending on the plan you select.

Purchase these features whenever you need:

International Talk

You can purchase International Talk for your plan for $5 or $10. Simply log into your account to make this purchase.

International Roaming

You can purchase International Roaming for your plan. This can be used for talk minutes, text, or MMS.

5G / 4G Data

You can purchase additional high speed data for your plan. Get 2GB for $10 or 5GB for $20.

Hotspot Data

Share your cellular data via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB using laptops, tablets, and more by purchasing Hotspot Data for your plan. Get 2GB for $10, 5GB for $20, or 10GB for $30.

More reasons to love H2O Wireless: Refer a Friend

When you join H2O Wireless, you can take advantage of our Refer a Friend (RAF) referral program. It enables you to share the H2O love and lower your bill! Share the H2O love with enough friends, and you might not even have a bill.

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Spread the Word

Get your unique referral link, then send it to friends and family.

Step 2: Sign Them Up

Help your friend select an H2O Wireless Plan.

Step 3: Get Rewarded

Once your friend activates their H2O service, you each get rewarded with $20 in RAF rewards points.

RAF FAQs

What is the Refer a Friend Program?

Refer a Friend is the H2O® Wireless referral program in which you and a friend get $20 of H2O points for each activated referral.

When are H2O points applied to my account?

When the person referred activates their H2O Wireless service your rewards points will be applied. Please note: For Port-Ins, points will be received within 1-5 business days.

Do I get referral points if I just tell a friend about H2O?

No. They need to use your referral link.

How many people can I refer?

You can refer up to 10 people per month, which is a total of 120 referrals per year, for thousands of dollars’ worth of reward points. So many rewards points they might pay for your H2O service!

More reasons to love H2O Wireless: Bring Your Own Phone

Have a phone you love? H2O Wireless makes it easy to bring it with you. Simply join H2O Wireless and, at checkout, choose eSIM. Like a physical SIM card, but without the 3-5 day wait for a physical card to arrive, eSIM enables you to use your new service much faster. In fact, you can activate your service right after checking out. Of course, before you select eSIM, make sure your phone is eSIM compatible by reviewing the list below.

Is my phone eSIM compatible?

eSIM compatible phone models include:

iPhone XS series
iPhone XR
iPhone 11 series
iPhone SE 2nd gen
iPhone 12 series

What our customers are saying…

“I have been using H2O prepaid service for more than 3 years. I get a good connection in the mid-west and other places I have visited in the US, with no dropped calls. I only recharge when my balance is low and never had any issue with their customer service. I have contacted their customer service on few occasions, and they’ve been most helpful.”

“I have had H2O monthly unlimited for a few years now. I use WIFI and Data interchangeably, and don't even think about it. My data is unlimited, and even if I stream videos or the news to my phone any time I want, I have never had it slow down.”

“My phone is an unlocked, international version Samsung. I pay $28 a month at H2O and get a service that is literally unlimited in every way. A special bonus with this plan, is that I get international texting - which I was unable to achieve with T-Mobile, Sprint or AT&T.”

With H2O Wireless it’s easy to stay connected to your family, friends, work, your favorite shows, podcasts, news outlets – your whole world – for less. That’s what makes us refreshingly. different. wireless.