Best Cordless Phones

Panasonic makes the best DECT phones

Panasonic's cordless phones get consistently good reviews from both experts and users. Special features -- such as a Bluetooth connection to your cell phone (for making or receiving calls on cell phone lines); talking caller ID, handset batteries that can power the phone during an electrical outage; visual voice mail; and an energy-saver mode -- set these phones apart from the competition.

Thanks to the mobile phone revolution, cordless phones are less popular than they were 20 years ago, but their quality is far superior to that of their predecessors. The best models are easy to use and have clear connections as well as outstanding range and battery life. They can run off saved battery power, are lightweight with large, backlit keypads and have features such as the ability to seamlessly transfer phone books from mobile devices into your cordless phone.

One model in particular stands out: The Panasonic KX-TG7643M (*Est. $100 with three handsets) DECT cordless phone earns top marks from reviewers and users, who praise its unique ability to link to up to two cell phone lines via Bluetooth. The phone can receive or send calls routed from mobile phones, and includes a stored battery that will keep the phone running in a power outage. The newer line of Panasonics (KX-TG7743S, 7742S, 7744S and so on; $75 to $110) has the same functionality but generates fewer reviews.

The Panasonic KX-TG7643M doesn't face too much competition. The Panasonic KX-TG4032B (*Est. $135, 2 handsets) gets good reviews from customers for its reception, ease of use and long battery life, though some say the volume can be too low at times. Panasonic's KX-TG6644B (*Est. $100, 4 handsets) has the opposite issue: though it has a very long range, some users say it can be too loud and to watch the volume. Consumers report that many models -- in addition to the Panasonic KX-TG6644B, the AT&T EL52100 (*Est. $30), the Panasonic KX-TG6644B and the best-reviewed basic phone, the AT&T CL84100 (*Est. $65 with one handset) -- can extend hundreds of feet. These models lack Bluetooth and link-to-cell technology, however.