Best Cell Phones for Seniors

Lively's Jitterbug Smart3 is the best cell phone for seniors because it combines accessibility, functionality, and safety. This simple smartphone has a large menu with only the essentials like maps and directions, a camera, email, and an internet browser. 

Even the phone’s service plans have features like on-call conferencing with a doctor or nurse and an SOS button that turns your cell phone into a simple medical alert system. 

But it's not the only senior-friendly cell phone on the market. Check out our other top picks below.

When you turn the phone on, you’ll be greeted by a bright, simple menu. You can make a phone call, check your voicemail, or send a text in just a few clicks. And the call quality is loud and clear too, thanks to the front-facing speaker. 

The Smart3 improves on the Jitterbug Smart2 with an even larger screen for easy viewing. You also don't have to pay extra for brain games like with the Smart2—the games come standard on the Smart3.

Lively gives you lots of options when it comes to customizing your cell phone plan. Talk, text, and data come à la carte .

The talk and text plan's monthly prices are slightly misleading since they don't include a cellular data plan. You have five data options to choose from, and it costs $0.10 per MB used above your plan limit.

There are a few more optional services to add to your plan: Lively's Health and Safety packages get you cool features like Urgent Care, Urgent Response, and even a personal operator. 

The GrandPad has a camera and supports video calls. It features a web browser, email app, and music and radio apps. 

And while there's no app store access for your loved one to download Angry Birds or Candy Crush, the GrandPad boasts an impressive roster of classic games, including:

A $59/mo. Consumer Cellular subscription is required to access all features. 

One of the biggest complaints we saw about the Go Flip 3 was its camera. If you aren’t planning on snapping a lot of pictures, it’s not a problem. But the photos a 2 MP camera produces will look grainy and unclear compared to those from phones with 13 MP cameras.

This flip phone for seniors is available through T-Mobile or Metro by T-Mobile, so prices may vary. But when we checked, the phone is about $89 from T-Mobile.

If you’re looking for a simple mobile phone, the Alcatel Go Flip 3 is a cheap option for just calling and texting. Reviewers on T-Mobile said navigation takes practice and the camera was a big drawback for them. That said, it’s great for the ultra-minimalist in your life who prefers short phone calls and a way to check emails on the go.

The Apple Health app is like having a tiny doctor in your pocket. It can record nutrition, activity, and vitals information from daily steps to blood glucose. If you need to track it, it’s probably there.

If you use a wearable device for seniors like the Apple Watch or a FitBit, your device will automatically sync with Apple Health. 

There are advantages to going with one of the most popular smartphones around. The iPhone 8 is a great choice for older adults who love to tinker with tech. For example, if the older adults in your life also use an iPhone, you can video chat with them directly through FaceTime.

Apple iPhones connect to a huge range of smart home and health devices. The iPhone is compatible with popular smart home devices like these: 

• Amazon Echo
• Google Home 
• Smart light bulbs
• Indoor security cameras
• Home security systems

As you get older, tasks like typing, reading, and remembering become more of a challenge. The iPhone 8 has the power to tweak almost every aspect of the phone’s functions to make it more accessible to those with hearing, vision, or motor impairments.

Toggle the VoiceOver feature on to have the phone read text aloud to you or hook it up to your hearing aid to hear conversations more clearly. You can also adjust the color settings to make the screen easier on your eyes.

Or for a simpler solution, adjust the font size on the phone to make the text bigger.

If you're worried your loved one may dial 911 during non-emergency events, you can sign up for RAZ professional monitoring for $99/yr. Instead of dialing 911, the emergency button dials RAZ's monitoring center. The monitors will talk to your loved one and dispatch first responders if needed.

Take care to purchase the RAZ Memory Cell Phone model that works with your preferred carrier. The one we've linked to works with every major carrier so you can find the best cell phone plan for you. There's a slightly cheaper version that only works with Mint Mobile, T-Mobile, and Metro by T-Mobile. 

For us, the Jitterbug Smart 3 hits the sweet spot. It caters to older users without watering its function down. You’ll get all the important features from your smartphone without the distractions and noise that comes with standard phones.

Whether you thrive on the latest tech or prefer a simple phone in your pocket, it’s important to be honest about your needs in a cell phone. After all, you’ll probably use it every day.

Older adults have different needs than younger folks. Devices with large displays, simple controls, and loud audio got pushed to the front of the line for our senior cell phone review. 

We also looked for phones with fewer distractions. The best cell phones for seniors put communication front and center, rather than apps, games, and social media. 

And finally, we looked at the price. Newer phones are expensive, so we wanted to help senior citizens save some cash for what matters to them, like spoiling the grandkids or enjoying a vacation.

Check out our methodology page to see our best practices for reviews like this one. 

• How Can I Keep Grandma and Grandpa Safe Online?
• Best Fitness Trackers for Seniors
• Best Safety Devices for Seniors
• How Smart Home Tech Can Help Older Adults
• Types of Medical Alert Systems and How They Work

1. Federal Communications Commission, “Hearing Aid Compatibility and Volume Control,” October 2021. Accessed March 14, 2023.