By Molly McLaughlin on January 18, 2010 in
Prepaid wireless ain't what it used to be. You no longer have to settle for ugly brick-sized phones and limited features -- you can even surf the web on some prepaid handsets. While contract cell phone service can run you $100 a month or more for unlimited service, Boost Mobile charges only $50 a month for unlimited talk, messaging, web and walkie-talkie, knocking Virgin Mobile out of the top spot. If you don't use your phone so much, cheaper plans from T-Mobile Prepaid and the more basic TracFone service also get high marks in reviews.
Boost Mobile's Monthly Unlimited prepaid plan includes fees and taxes -- other than local -- unlike its competitors, a nice touch. Reviews say Boost Mobile offers sleeker, more full-featured handsets than the basic models you'll get from TracFone (plans start at *Est. $10 for 30 min.). In fact, Boost just announced it will add a BlackBerry to its offerings for $60 per month. T-Mobile Prepaid remains popular for its pay-as-you-go and annual plans and Tracfone is a great choice for those on a budget.
TracFone doesn't offer an unlimited monthly plan, however, but Straight Talk (plans start at *Est. $30 for 30 days), a division of Tracfone does. For $45 per month, Straight Talk gives you unlimited talk, text, 411 calls and mobile web for a month. The downside: Tracfone and its subsidiaries offer only bare-bones handsets, so Straight Talk isn't for everybody.
Read our newly updated prepaid-wireless report for detailed information on these and other prepaid plans. We also have reviews of the best prepaid phones to go with your plan.