Buying guide for best cordless phones
If you’re not quite ready to give up your landline, a cordless phone is a great solution. You don’t have to worry about being tethered by pesky phone cords, so you can take your phone to any room in your home. Cordless phones these days have clearer signals than landlines from before.
When you’re hunting for cordless phone sets, consider the size of your home. You may need to purchase multiple sets to place throughout your space, especially if you don’t live alone. Also consider features such as a phone directory, call blocking, signal range, and battery life. Answering machines are a fairly common feature in cordless sets.
We take pride in suggesting some top quality sets for your perusal. Our reviews cover the points above, in addition to price point. Before you decide on a purchase, read through our suggestions in this buying guide to make an informed purchase.
Some cordless phones are designed to handle two separate phone lines, even offering distinctive rings to indicate which line is being called.
A note on DECT 6.0
In the past, many people had issues with interference on their cordless phones. Signals from domestic radios, baby monitors, WiFi, Bluetooth, and other sources are all flying around all the time. They can interfere with a cordless phone, resulting in poor signal, issues with clarity, or literally picking up a radio station, or even someone else's phone conversation through your handset.
However, the latest cordless phones use Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications Technology (DECT) 6.0.
DECT 6.0 provides excellent security — so you shouldn't get any interference from other signals — plus great sound quality and range.
When exploring the various cordless phones available, we consider the useful features each provides, such as a phone directory, caller ID, and call blocking.
For larger homes and offices, multiple handsets are often needed. We look for options that include several handsets for convenience and value.
When considering various cordless phones, we think about the size and readability of the buttons and the degree to which each model is intuitive and user-friendly.
It’s important to understand the battery life and charging requirements of a phone before buying it. We consider whether each model can run on regular rechargeable batteries or requires a proprietary battery pack that is more difficult to replace.
Signal range determines how far a user can travel from the docking station without losing connection. We assess signal range for each phone to determine which models are best for larger households or phone calls in the backyard.
Having a phone that is comfortable to hold against your face is important, especially for those who frequently participate in phone meetings or long conversations. We look at comfort, weight, and grip when choosing phones.
Cordless phones have a broad range of price points. We look at simple, budget-friendly models; mid-range models with a few solid features; and high-end models with advanced features. This helps us find quality options for every budget.
Some models allow you to sync your cordless phone to your mobile phone via Bluetooth. We research ease of setup and the overall functionality of this feature.
Some users prefer a compact phone that requires little space. Others prefer a large handset with a sturdy base and easy-to-read buttons. We explore a variety of phone sizes and shapes to find an appealing selection for all consumers.
For businesses and large households, a cordless phone with an option for multiple call lines can be useful. We look at the number of lines each model provides in our assessments.
Considerations for selecting a cordless phone
Here are some of the factors you should consider when picking out the perfect cordless phone to fit your requirements.
Number of handsets
Think about how many handsets you need. If you live in a small house or apartment, a single handset will probably suffice. However, many people like to have at least two, especially in a home with more than one story, so they don't have to run up or down the stairs when they hear the phone ringing. Some cordless phones come with five or more handsets, which is great if you have an extremely large home, or if multiple household members want a handset in their room.
Did you know?
Some cordless phones have a call waiting function with their caller ID, so you can tell who's trying to reach you when you're already on the phone.
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Number directory
In this day and age, who actually memorizes phone numbers?
All but the most basic cordless phones have a number directory, allowing you to store important contact information in your phone for easy access. Most models can store between about 30 and 50 numbers, but some models can handle 70 or more.
"Some cordless phones on the market still use older technology, but we recommend avoiding any models that don't use DECT 6.0."
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Caller ID
If you want to be able to screen your calls — so you avoid telemarketers or unknown numbers — look for a model that has caller ID.
If you've stored a number in your phone's directory, the caller ID will flash up with their name, so you don't have to worry about recognizing all your contacts' numbers.
Testing cordless phones
We considered 53 models of cordless phones before picking our best. We then purchased our top pick and tested its connectivity and audio quality in our lab.
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Call blocking
Nobody likes nuisance calls, and often there's nothing you can do about them.
However, if you choose a cordless phone that offers call blocking, you can program in nuisance numbers and your phone will automatically block them when they call. Problem solved.
Signal range
A cordless phone's signal range determines how far you can go from the base/docking station before you start to lose signal. A long signal range is important if you have a large house or if you want to be able to use your cordless phone out in the yard.
Few manufacturers give a concrete distance measurement for range — perhaps because multiple variables can affect it — but our research has found that some phones have a range of as little as 60 to 80 feet, whereas others work perfectly 300 feet from their base.
Cordless phones have a much longer range outdoors, because fewer obstacles are around to block the signal.
Did you know?
Some cordless phones work with an additional "range extender" that boosts the distance you can travel from the base with your handset.
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Batteries
Cordless phones run on rechargeable batteries or battery packs that charge while the handset rests on the base. This means cordless phones can only be used for a limited time before they run out of battery. Luckily, most cordless phones last somewhere between 5 and 15 hours of talk time before they have to be recharged, which should be more than sufficient.
Even rechargeable batteries have a finite lifespan, and most will stop holding their change adequately after a couple of years. Due to this, we prefer cordless phones that run on regular rechargeable batteries rather than proprietary battery packs, as they're cheaper and easier to replace.
Answering machine
Unless you opt for a basic model, most cordless phones come with a built-in answering machine, with most able to store roughly 10 to 15 minutes of messages.
While not everybody wants or needs an answering service, others find it an extremely useful feature to have.
Cell phone integration
A less common, but rather interesting, feature some cordless phones offer is linking your cell phone to your landline phone via Bluetooth.
This lets you receive cell phone calls straight to your cordless phone handset, so you don't have to carry your cell phone with you at home.
Did you know?
Some cordless phones integrate with your cellular phone, which means you can answer cell phone calls on any of the cordless handsets in your house.
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Cordless phone price
Let's examine the average cost of a cordless phone and what you get for your money.
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A basic cordless phone that comes with just one handset and has few extra features should cost somewhere between $15 and $30.
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For a mid-range cordless phone, which has two or three handsets, plus some extra features (such as an answering machine and caller ID) expect to pay somewhere between $30 and $70.
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A top of the line cordless phone with all kinds of extra features — like cell phone integration and voice paging — that comes with three or more handsets can cost anywhere between $70 and $200, depending on how many handsets and what kinds of features it includes.
While some cordless phones cost far more than others, we've found the cost is usually worthwhile for all the extra features you receive.
FAQ
Q. What kinds of extra features can cordless phones offer?
A. You might be surprised about some of the features available on high-end cordless phones. Besides those we've already covered in depth, we've found phones with built-in baby monitors and optional key detectors, and phones that let you voice page another cordless phone handset anywhere in the house, so you don't have to yell for your family members when you need them. Some users may find these extras to be overkill, but they can be extremely handy for others.
Q. Can you buy large button cordless phones?
A. Cordless phone handsets are often fairly small, which is problematic for people with poor eyesight, or issues with dexterity or hand-eye coordination. However, you can find large button cordless phones, making dialling easier for everyone.
Q. Are cordless phones compatible with multiple phone lines?
A. Some, but not all, cordless phones can support two separate lines. This is useful if you're running a small business or you have a particularly chatty teenager at home. Often, these phones ring at two distinctive pitches so you can tell which line is receiving a call.
Q. Can I use a cordless phone if I wear a hearing aid?
A. Historically, cordless phones have been a bit useless for those who wear a hearing aid — hearing aids can be affected by interference from cordless phones, causing feedback and background noise. However, it's possible to find phones compatible with hearing aids. These use inductive couplers that give a clearer sound by working with your hearing aid directly. Just make sure you switch your hearing aid to the “telecoil” setting.
