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Go cord-free in your home or office
By
Patrick Hyde
Patrick Hyde
Writer
- University of Houston
- Texas A&M
Patrick Hyde has 4+ years' experience writing about consumer technology and electronics. His work has appeared in Los Angeles Review of Books, Reactual, and more.
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Updated on January 8, 2024
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Stephen Slaybaugh
Fact checked byStephen Slaybaugh
- New York University
- London Metropolitan University
Stephen Slaybaugh is a fact checker and music writer with with more than 20 years experience writing about internet retail and consumer tech. He has been featured in Digital Trends, DealNews, and TechRadar. He is a content designer at Bose Corporation and is completing his Master of Arts in Digital Media.
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In This Article
- Reviews
- What to Look For in a Cordless Phone
- Frequently Asked Questions
Cordless phones are relatively straightforward gadgets, and the AT&T DL72210 is the one to buy. Your calls will sound good and stay connected as you walk around, and you can connect to your cell phone for added convenience. The system can be expanded with additional handsets if more than the two provided are needed.
Pros
Connects to your smartphone
Automatic call blocking
Assistant access
Get notifications from your smartphone
Cons
Extra handsets not wall mountable
Only 22 minutes of voicemail
Sure, the DL72210 works as a landline phone, but it also pairs with your cell phone, so you can take calls without having to fiddle with your cell phone or try to find it.
You can even use the DL72210 to interact with your digital assistant. This modest system with great features is probably precisely what you're looking for without knowing it.
Answering System: Yes | Speakerphone: Yes | Bluetooth: Yes | Call Waiting: Yes | Caller ID: Yes
Pros
Great price
DECT 6.0 compatible
Cons
No answering machine
This two-handset system costs around $40 but doesn't have an answering machine. It's up to you to decide if that is a plus or a minus. The VTech system has the technology to keep your calls loud and clear, so if you want a simple cordless phone for your landline…Well, you're all done.
Both handsets have large, backlit screens which are easy to read. The phone system is expandable to up to five total handsets. We like this as a budget option because it's a multi-handset system with nice extras and a low price tag.
Answering System: No | Speakerphone: Yes | Bluetooth: No | Call Waiting: Yes | Caller ID: Yes
Long Range
AT&T CL82407 Handset Cordless Phone
Pros
Four handsets included
Answering machine
Caller ID announce
Cons
No wall mount for additional handsets
Handset chargers easily tip
If you have a big home or office (over 2,000 square feet), consider the AT&T CL82407. It has an antenna design that aims to have the best range around. The system has four handsets, but you can expand it as needed to have up to 12.
It also has an answering machine and Caller ID, so you know who's calling before you even pick up the phone. Other features like automatic robocall blocking work well, and the high-contrast screen is easily read, even from a distance.
Answering System: Yes | Speakerphone: Yes | Bluetooth: Yes | Call Waiting: Yes | Caller ID: Yes
Best System for Two Phone Lines
VTech DS6151 2-Line Cordless Phone
Pros
Two lines
Up to 12 handsets
Cons
Pricey
Like many cordless phones, the VTech DS6151 comes with an answering machine. But the VTech DS6151 includes two answering for two different phone lines. Most of us won’t need a system like this, but if you have a small business, this might be what you need.
The handsets encrypt the calls, so you can feel comfortable that folks won’t be listening to your calls as the signal is sent back to the base unit.
In summary: Two lines, two answering machines, and one handset. Wait, it only comes with one handset?! Yes, but you can add 11 more if you want.
Answering System: Yes | Speakerphone: Yes | Bluetooth: Yes | Call Waiting: Yes | Caller ID: Yes
Pros
Volume boost
30 min answering machine
Cons
No backlight on the keys
Expensive
If you must have a Motorola cordless phone, the CD5011 ticks all the boxes: answering machine, spam button to tell the phone not to accept a call from the number that just called, volume boost for those hard of hearing, and it’ll announce who’s calling before you answer it. The handset keys are not backlit, so dialing at night can be difficult.
Answering System: Yes | Speakerphone: Yes | Bluetooth: No | Call Waiting: Yes | Caller ID: Yes
What to Look For in a Cordless Phone
Expandability
While most cordless phone systems can be expanded, that's not always a given. Can your system handle five handsets? What about twelve? Twenty?
DECT 6.0
DECT stands for Digital Enhanced Cordless Technology. Essentially, it's a cordless phone standard that ensures a phone has good range and call clarity. Plus, DECT phones can intercom with each other and use VOIP, or internet telephony, services like Vonage or Ooma that will send your calls over the internet rather than via the traditional phone network.
Battery Backup
Cordless phones require a battery to function, so they need a base station for charging. It's essential to consider your phone habits when choosing a cordless phone system. It's also important to consider the layout of your home and places where a charging cradle would be convenient.
FAQ
Do you still need a cordless phone?
Cordless phones are great for use around the house without being tied to a single place. If you have a landline, a cordless phone is a convenience taken for granted. Some pair with your smartphone and pull double duty. You can leave your smartphone in a place that gets a good signal and still take calls.
What's the advantage of owning a cordless phone?
A dedicated landline can help you make and receive stable calls that don't rely on cellular signals. Some areas have bad cell reception, and a landline completely circumvents that. Landlines and their handsets cost significantly less than their cell phone equivalents. While smartphone plans can cost up to $50 or more per month, landlines typically cost a fraction of that. Similarly, the phones themselves will rarely top $100.
Can cordless phones work without power?
An excellent cordless phone base will have a battery backup for times that you lose power. Otherwise, having a corded phone somewhere in the house is a good idea as a backup.
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