The health and beauty retailer Superdrug launched its own mobile network back in the summer of 2018. Superdrug teamed up with one of the four major mobile networks in the UK, Three and became a mobile virtual network under the name of Superdrug Mobile. Using Three as its network provider, Superdrug customers get over 99% 4G population coverage as well as solid landmass coverage across the country.
The network offers four different monthly rolling SIM Only plans, and there are no credit checks so you can get a SIM card and activate it right away.
Superdrug Mobile’s plans offer good value. You even get the cost of your first month back in Health and Beautycard points when you start using your SIM. The carrier also offers a data rollover feature, and double Health & Beautycard points on all your Superdrug shopping.
By offering great value, good network coverage and useful perks such as data rollover & loyalty points we give Superdrug Mobile a strong ranking of 4/5.
Pro’s
- No contract SIMs.
- No credit checks./li>
- Double points on Superdrug shopping.
- Data rollover scheme.
- Health & Beauty card points when you join.
Con’s
- Not many additional perks. No 4G Calling or Wi-Fi Calling or free Wi-Fi.
- The customer service is webchat only.
- Only four plans to choose from.
Half Cooked’s overall rating for Superdrug Mobile: 
(4 / 5)
Table of Contents
Plans & Pricing
SIM Only Deals
There are only four plans available on Superdrug Mobile and they are all 30-day rolling deals with unlimited minutes & texts. You don’t have to sign a contract or undergo a credit check to get a Superdrug Mobile SIM.
The cheapest Superdrug Mobile offer starts at £10/month with 5GB of data allowance, while the most expensive one is the unlimited data plan at £20/month. There are no speed restrictions or data caps for the unlimited data tariff, which makes it a true unlimited data option. For instance, O2’s unlimited data plans come with a 650GB fair usage limit, or SMARTY, which is also powered by the Three Network, sets a 1000GB fair usage limit for their unlimited data plans. Superdrug Mobile and SMARTY are offering the cheapest unlimited data deal in the UK. You can read our SMARTY Review to learn more about the network and their competitively priced deals.
Superdrug Mobile SIM Deals
| Network | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Superdrug Mobile | 5GB | £10.00 |
| Superdrug Mobile | 15GB | £15.00 |
| Superdrug Mobile | 20GB | £18.00 |
| Superdrug Mobile | Unlimited | £20.00 |
| All Superdrug Mobile plans come with unlimited minutes & texts. |
||
Pay As You Go
Technically speaking, all Superdrug Mobile plans are PAYG deals as you need to prepay for them, but they work similar to a SIM only deal.
Having said that, there are no actual PAYG packs, bundles or other types of alternatives on Superdrug Mobile.
You might want to check out our Three Review if you’re looking for a PAYG deal with Three’s coverage. The network allows you to use the service on a traditional basis, meaning you don’t have to top-up monthly or buy a data pack to continue using it or you can buy one of the four PAYG bundles offered by the carrier.
Pay Monthly Phones
At the end of the day Superdrug is a health and beauty retailer, not a full fledged network operator. The MVNO doesn’t offer any type of phone deals, only SIM plans exist for the time being.
If you wish to purchase a new handset alongside a good tariff, we’d strongly suggest checking out O2’s store. The carrier even splits your airtime bill and phone bill into two and gives you the flexibility to upgrade your device whenever you want. Read our O2 Review to learn what else you can get by joining them.
Network Coverage & Speeds
3G & 4G Coverage
Superdrug Mobile is powered by Three, so their customers get the exact same network coverage for 3G & 4G. Since Three doesn’t provide any 2G services, neither does Superdrug Mobile.
Three is one of the four major mobile networks in the UK, and the carrier offers over %99 population coverage, however it’s significantly behind the likes of EE and Vodafone in terms of UK geographical coverage.
Open Signal’s latest test results state that Three’s overage 4G download speed is at around 19Mbps and upload speed is at 6 to 7Mbps. If you get a good coverage from Three, you can stream your favourite series, watch HD YouTube videos and listen to music with no issues whatsoever. Just make sure to use the network’s coverage map before you commit to a plan.
Alternatively you can check out Half Cooked’s EE Review and discover why they have the best 4G network coverage and fastest data speeds in the UK.
5G Coverage
Sadly, Superdrug Mobile doesn’t offer any 5G coverage even though its provider Three arguably has the best 5G infrastructure in the country. So far, Superdrug made no announcements about 5G. It’s safe to assume that 5G isn’t coming to Superdrug Mobile any time soon.
Most MVNOs skip 5G for the time being, but some carriers like Tesco Mobile and VOXI offer 5G services to their customers. VOXI has only one 5G plan, while Tesco Mobile offers different data options. Make sure to read our VOXI Review and Tesco Mobile 5G Review to learn more.
Voice Call Quality
At Half Cooked we prefer to rely on voice call tests performed by independent bodies that are widely accepted as authoritative and objective. Open Signal, OOKLA and umlaut take the helm for us, because they perform extensive nationwide tests.
According to their combined results Three is currently ranked at the bottom among the four major mobile networks. Three’s overall score is “sufficient”. umlaut states that call setup times of Three were significantly longer than those of EE & Vodafone, and a bit worse than O2’s. Superdrug itself wasn’t tested, but piggybacking on Three, their results would be identical.
While EE is still holding the top spot in this category, Vodafone is making huge leaps forward and closing the gap with EE. We suggest giving a read of our extensive Vodafone Review, they may be offering the best network coverage in your area.
Wi-Fi Calling & 4G Calling
With Wi-Fi Calling you can make and receive voice & video calls over a Wi-Fi connection rather than using your cell connection.
4G calling is more or less like making a regular phone call, but instead of using 2G or3G signals your device utilizes 4G. Thanks to 4G Calling your calls will connect quicker & your calls will be clearer. This feature also eliminates many indoor blackspots, so you can stay connected in more areas.
Both of these schemes improve your overall voice call quality, but unfortunately Superdrug Mobile customers can’t benefit from either of them. Three offers both Wi-Fi Calling & 4G Calling to its customers at no extra cost, but most MVNOs skip these features so that they can provide more competitive prices to their customers.
If you’re looking for a low-cost Three alternative with both Wi-Fi Calling and 4G Calling, we’d recommend checking out iD Mobile. It’s powered by Three, prices are fairly competitive and offers 4G Calling & Wi-Fi Calling for free. You can also read our extensive iD Mobile Review, we’ve got everything covered.
Wi-Fi Hotspots
This is yet another feature Superdrug completely skips. Wi-Fi hotspots are non-existent for the network’s customers. Free Wi-Fi can save your precious data or allow you to use your regular data when you need it the most. We’d recommend checking out BT Mobile in this case. BT uses EE’s network and offers millions of free Wi-Fi hotspots across the UK. Read our BT Mobile Review to find out if BT is the right network for you.
Alternatively, you can check out our guide for Free Wi-Fi Hotspots. We covered all the networks that offer a free Wi-Fi service.
Tethering
Tethering is turning your mobile device into a personal hotspot so you can share your data allowance with other compatible devices and Superdrug hits the nail on the head.
There are no speed restrictions, no data caps or limitations to the number of devices you can tether to. Just make sure you have enough data, because when you tether to other devices your data gets eaten up at a much faster rate.
International Roaming
All the UK based networks must provide inclusive roaming in the EU, and Superdrug Mobile is no exception to this law. You can roam like at home in the EU zone with Superdrug, but if you’re travelling outside of Europe to make international calls you must purchase a cash add-on.
The carrier also has a pre-set roaming data limit of £52.77 (including VAT). After reaching your roaming data limit you can’t carry on using data on your device. This resets at the start of every month.
Features
Double Health & Beautycard Points
Health & Beautycard is Superdrug’s loyalty/reward programme. You can pick up a free Health & Beautycard from any Superdrug store and register it online or you can complete the registration form in a store. The activation process may take upto 5 working days.
When you get a SIM plan from Superdrug, you’ll receive a credit for your Health & Beautycard with your plan’s cost in points. From that point on you’ll also start earning double points on all your Superdrug shopping.
Superdrug gives you 1 point for every £1 you spend. You can only spend your points in multiples of 100. 100 Health & Beautycard points equal to £1, 200 points equal to £2 and so on.
Unlimited Data Plan
As stated above Superdrug Mobile offers one of the cheapest, truly unlimited monthly rolling data plans. There are no data caps, speed restrictions or anything else limiting you. On top of that you earn double Health & Beautycard points. The plan already comes with unlimited minutes & texts so you won’t have to worry about them either. You’re not on a contract, which means you can cancel your plan any time for any reason.
Data Rollover
The network offers a decent data rollover scheme. Basically you get a second chance to use any leftover data you have left from the past month. All you have to do is continue purchasing a Superdrug plan and your unused data will carry over automatically. Superdrug Mobile’s add-ons also rollover to the next month, so you’re not going to lose that data either.
No Credit Checks
One of the best things about monthly rolling plans is not having to undergo a credit check. Even if you are under 18, have poor credit or have recently moved into the UK you can get a Superdrug SIM, no questions asked. Get the SIM, activate it and you’re good to go.
Half Cooked’s Overall Breakdown
Half Cooked’s overall rating for Superdrug Mobile: (4 / 5)
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- Network Coverage and Speeds– With over 99% 4G coverage and decent data speeds, Superdrug gets the basics right, but there’s a lot of room for improvement.
- Voice Call Quality – umlaut rated Three’s (Superdrug’s host) voice call quality as ‘sufficient’. The main issue Three faced was longer call set up times than others.
- Tethering – You can tether freely on Superdrug Mobile, no limitations.
- International Roaming – You get the basic EU inclusive roaming deal. Outside the EU zone you’ll need an add-on.
- Wi-Fi Calling & 4G Calling – Unfortunately, neither Wi-Fi Calling, nor 4G Calling are available on Superdrug.
- Wi-Fi Hotspots – There are no free Wi-Fi hotspots for Superdrug customers.
- Double Health & Beautycard Points – The carrier’s customers get double BC points on all their Superdrug shoppings.
- Unlimited Data Plan – Superdrug’s unlimited data deal is one of the most wallet friendly, high value offers out there. Plus, it’s truly unlimited, no caps, no limitations.
- Data Rollover – The network offers a decent data rollover scheme, which also includes data add-ons.
- No Credit Checks – You can simply walk into a Superdrug store and purchase a SIM, or do it online. No credit checks required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What network does Superdrug SIM use?
Superdrug Mobile uses Three as its network provider. You can use Three’s network coverage map and find out if your area is well covered.
Does Superdrug offer an unlimited data plan?
Yes, Superdrug Mobile offers one of the cheapest unlimited data plans (priced at £20) on the UK’s mobile market and it offers great value.
Superdrug or SMARTY? Which one is better?
At Halfcooked we prepare extensive reviews between the operators, but in this case similarities are everywhere. Both SMARTY and Superdrug use Three’s network, they offer similar unlimited data plans and only offer pay monthly plans. We rate both networks highly, but SMARTY’s money back offers and cheaper pricing means it tops Superdrug.
Can I keep my number when I switch to Superdrug Mobile?
Yes, it’s a straightforward process. Get your PAC Code from your current network operator, deliver it to Superdrug Mobile and they’ll move your number. It shouldn’t take more than a day under normal circumstances.
Does Superdrug Mobile have an app?
No, Superdrug Mobile doesn’t have an app right now. Superdrug has an app that you can download to get your Health & Beautycard on your phone though.
Does Superdrug Mobile offer Wi-Fi Calling or 4G Calling?
Currently, no. Superdrug Mobile doesn’t offer Wi-Fi Calling or 4G Calling. We don’t expect the network to offer these features any time soon.
Does Superdrug Mobile have 5G?
Unfortunately, at the time of writing this article Superdrug Mobile doesn’t offer any 5G coverage to its customers. The network made no announcements about it either.