T-Mobile T-Mix Saver

T-Mix Saver is $55 a month for one line, or $45 with the $10 AutoPay discount. Two lines are $80 with AutoPay, and 2 lines is the max. Taxes and fees are extra, there's a $5.49 monthly fee per line, and T-Mobile charges a $35 activation fee.

If you bring your number from another carrier, T-Mobile knocks one line down to $30 a month with AutoPay ($65 for 2 lines). That discount comes as $15 a month in bill credits over 36 months, it's for new accounts, and the credits stop if you cancel or change plans.

You get unlimited talk, text, and data with 50GB of premium data. After 50GB, I'd expect slower speeds when the network is busy. Video streams in SD (480p), and hotspot is unlimited at 3G speeds. In Canada and Mexico you get unlimited talk, text, and data at 128Kbps, and you get unlimited texting in 215+ countries. International calling is $0.50 a minute. Scam Shield is included.

T-Mix Saver replaces Essentials Saver 2.0, and it's the only T-Mix plan with no Picks. That means no streaming perks, no T-Satellite, and no discounted watch or tablet lines. If you want those, T-Mix Standard is the next step up.

Why I don't recommend it: T-Mix Saver is the cheapest way onto T-Mobile postpaid, but you still get a credit check, extra fees, and only 2 lines, with no Picks. Prepaid plans on the same network give you similar data for less, and the $30 port-in price depends on bill credits over 36 months.

Consider T-Mix Saver if: you want the cheapest unlimited plan directly from T-Mobile and don't care about Picks.

For unlimited data on the same T-Mobile network for less, our top pick is Mint Mobile Unlimited Annual: $30 a month when you pay for a year upfront, with a 20GB hotspot. If you'd rather pay month to month, Metro Unlimited $30 BYOD is $30 a month with taxes included.