Best Cordless Phones

Top-rated phones and cordless phone/answering machines

Cordless phone/answering machine combos usually come with two or more cordless handsets, plus the ability to buy additional handsets that can be linked to the system (extra handsets usually cost $30 to $50). Most DSS and all DECT models let you use the handsets as walkie-talkies, as well as transfer calls from one handset to another and hold handset conferences. Some cordless phones/answerers also include a second corded phone on the base unit. This is especially handy for power outages. Since the base unit for cordless phones needs to plug into an outlet, the phones won't work if the power fails. Corded phones that are integrated with the base unit, however, will still operate in a blackout (provided your phone service is up and running, of course). A corded handset also offers a greater measure of security.

We found the best reviews overall for the Panasonic KX-TG1032S (*Est. $70) DECT phone. This model, which comes with two cordless handsets, does well in professional testing, but also is a success in owner reviews. More than 300 owners contribute to the Panasonic cordless phone's high average rating at Amazon.com. With excellent voice and message quality, as well as battery life and range, this system is top-rated in two extensive comparative reviews. The Panasonic KX-TG1032S comes with two handsets, while the KX-TG1033S (*Est. $85) offers three and the KX-TG1034S (*Est. $100) comes with four. The phone can accept up to six handsets total. Calls can be transferred between handsets, and two- and three-way handset conferencing is possible. One convenient feature of this model is phonebook sharing between handsets. However, it is not free from faults; the most common complaint is the lack of a backlit keypad. The answering machine can hold 15 minutes of messages, but it has just one mailbox. We read no complaints of interference with this cordless phone system.

If you only need a single handset, the VTech 6032 (*Est. $60) is a little less expensive than the Panasonic KX-TG1032S and is ranked as one of the two best cordless phones in a major roundup at Good Housekeeping magazine. This DECT phone, however, gets mixed reviews from owners, who mainly complain about terrible battery life.

If you need a phone with a speakerphone and headphone jack, and you aren't worried about interference with a Wi-Fi network or other electronics, the 5.8 GHz AT&T TL72308 (*Est. $75) is rated highly by owners posting reviews at BestBuy.com, and it also gets a handful of great comments at Amazon.com. The expandable, 5.8 GHz frequency-hopping spread-spectrum cordless phone features an answering machine and two handsets, but can support up to four. Like other systems, you can transfer calls between handsets, as well as use handsets like an intercom and hold handset conferences. The answering machine has 14 minutes of recording time. This AT&T cordless phone has key features such as a backlit keypad, wall mounting, handset speakerphone and base ringer. While we haven't found any professional reviews for this cordless phone -- even user reviews are scarce -- the ones we did find are highly favorable.

The 5.8 GHz Uniden CXAI5198 (*Est. $60) receives good professional and owner reviews. It gets some of the highest ratings among cordless phones at Amazon.com (though we saw some complaints about interference and voice quality). This model has a single cordless handset, plus a corded phone on the base unit, which also houses the answering machine. Although the Uniden cordless phone is analog (meaning it is not as secure as a digital phone), the corded handset provides a secure way to transmit sensitive information. Corded phone calls cannot be intercepted with a scanner. In addition, the corded phone will work during a power outage, provided your phone service is still working. It's possible to find similar phones that are all-digital, but they cost more. This model gets better owner reviews than the similar Uniden CXAI5698 (*Est. $60), which also performs well in professional reviews. Note the Uniden CXAI5198 is hard to find in stores.