T-Mobile 5G Home Internet Review: Affordable Wireless Alternative

Long gone are the days when the internet was considered a luxury. Now, not only do most of us have it — we need it to do our jobs or daily tasks. That’s why it’s easy to get trapped into overpaying for home internet. If your local internet provider jacks up prices, what can you do? T-Mobile 5G home internet is marketed as a more affordable alternative to traditional cable internet. Is this a legitimate choice for those looking to save on their internet bill? Our T-Mobile 5G home internet review has all the details. 

What Is T-Mobile 5G Home Internet?

T-Mobile 5G home internet is a home internet service that launched nationwide in 2021 and doesn’t use traditional cable internet connections. Instead, you’ll get it via T-Mobile’s 5G and LTE network and use a gateway device that acts as the router and modem. 

It’s a monthly service, so you’re not locked into an annual contract or commitment. It offers an alternative to contracted cable providers that often are more expensive, and it aims to bring more options to underserved markets, like rural areas. 

T-Mobile 5G home internet also offers a 15-day test drive. So you can get your money back if you decide you don’t like it within that time frame. 

Pricing & Plans

If you sign up with a voice line and set up autopay you could pay as low as $30 a month, taxes and fees not included. The faster the internet speed, the higher the price. A plan with faster speed and 24/7 tech support is $40 a month, and one with all that plus access to Hulu and Paramount+ is $50 a month. You also get those prices with a voice line and auto pay. If you don’t want the voice line, you could pay as low as $50 a month.

Another sweet perk is the five-year price guarantee. That means the price won’t go up for at least five years while you’re on an eligible plan, not including things like voluntary upgrades. And you get it without an annual contract, so you can switch whenever you want. 

Speeds & Performance

How fast your internet is will depend on your location, tower congestion and even time of day. T-Mobile advertises average speeds of 250 Mbps, which is considered good for most households. You can expect that level of speed in metro areas. Larger households with more internet users or those in rural areas may find it somewhat slow. Because congestion can affect speeds, your internet will likely be lower in the evening when more people are at home using their devices. But the good news is data usage is unlimited, so there’s no cap on it. 

Availability & Coverage

T-Mobile 5G home internet is available in all 50 states, but you’ll have to search your specific address to see if it’s available for your household. It’s important that it’s your address too, because it can vary from block to block. This is because it’s determined by the capacity of the local network. 

The coverage typically is stronger in larger and mid-sized cities. Although the signal could be weaker in rural areas, T-Mobile says more than 40 million households are eligible for T-Mobile 5G home internet, and more than a third of its internet customers live somewhere rural. 

Pros and Cons of T-Mobile Home Internet

Customer Reviews & Complaints

There are both good and bad reviews when it comes to T-Mobile 5G Home Internet. T-Mobile as a whole has a rating of 1.4 out of 5 stars on TrustPilot, and several of those reviews relate to the internet. Negative reviews say the connection can be iffy, they experienced surprise charges after canceling and had poor experiences with customer service. 

Positive reviews mostly praise the affordable price, and some say they’ve had no issues with internet speeds. 

If you want to read more reviews, this Reddit thread talks about people’s experiences. Several people agree that if you need reliable internet and can afford a solid traditional cable internet setup that it may be the better choice. However, it’s a good option for those who need the lower price point or don’t mind slower speeds. 

How It Compares to Cable & Fiber Providers

Outside of the fact that it doesn’t do annual contracts, T-Mobile 5G home internet differs from traditional setups because it doesn’t use fiber or cable internet. Without getting too technical on the differences, they’re more reliable ways to transmit data and typically offer faster speeds. Cable and fiber is what companies like Xfinity and Spectrum use. 

Those types of connections come with higher infrastructure costs, which is why they’re typically more expensive. The T-Mobile internet connects to existing cellular networks. That’s why they can charge a lower price. Whether or not T-Mobile is actually cheaper for you depends on where you live and the speeds you’re looking for, so check with traditional providers as well before making a choice.

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet Review Final Thoughts

T-Mobile 5G home internet is certainly worth looking into if you’re tired of traditional cable internet companies who lock you into annual contracts. It’s especially nice for those in bigger cities, renters who might need to switch soon and households with moderate internet use. If you’re a frequent gamer, live in a rural area or get easily frustrated within varying internet speeds, you might want to consider other options. Overall, even though it has its drawbacks, it is a good alternative to the internet companies you’re used to.

FAQs About T-Mobile 5G Home Internet