Best Cordless Phones

Panasonic makes the best DECT phones

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 $20 to $40). Most let you use the handsets as walkie-talkies, as well as transfer calls from one handset to another and hold handset conferences. All of the models discussed here are DECT phones, which outperform older-style cordless phones in expert tests. All of these phones work with either standard plain old telephone service (POTS) through your local phone company or digital phone service, which routes calls through your Internet connection.

Panasonic's cordless phones get consistently good reviews from both experts and users. Special features such as talking caller ID (phone reads out number to you), visual voicemail and a built-in energy saver mode set these phones apart from the competition. The Panasonic KX-TG6512 (*Est. $60) DECT cordless phone earns the top spot in a recent comparative test for its extended range, voice clarity and overall value.

The Panasonic KX-TG6512 DECT cordless phone is part of a series that differs only in the number of handsets that come standard. The KX-TG6512 comes with two handsets, the KX-TG6511 (*Est. $40) comes with only one and the KX-TG6513B (*Est. $80) has three. You can expand any of these systems by purchasing additional headsets (*Est. $10), up to a maximum of 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.

The Panasonic KX-TG1032S (*Est. $45) DECT phone/answering machine also does well in both professional testing and owner reviews. More than 500 owners contribute to its high average rating at Amazon.com, and two extensive comparative reviews praise its excellent range, very good voice quality and long battery life. However, the Panasonic KX-TG1032S 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 saw no complaints about interference with this cordless-phone system.

Some AT&T cordless phones also fare well in expert and user reviews. The AT&T SL82318 (*Est. $90) phone/answering machine combo earns first place in a recent test by a major consumer publication. The SL83218 has very good range, and it can support up to 12 handsets. Consumers are impressed with the voice quality and easy setup. Some customers complain of low volume, while others say the placement of the handset volume control is inconvenient.

Some cordless phones/answerers include a corded phone on the base unit. This is especially handy for power outages, when cordless phones won't work. A corded handset also makes over-the-air eavesdropping impossible. The AT&T CL84209 (*Est. $110) performs well on every measure in expert tests, with an exceptionally long range from the base and exceptional voice clarity. It includes one corded and two cordless handsets, and an answering machine. Additional handsets cost approximately $20 each, and the unit can support up to 12. Another AT&T model, the TL86109 (*Est. $170), also does well in tests, and not only will work during blackouts, but it also can wirelessly connect to your cell phone using Bluetooth technology.

Many people still want a phone with an answering machine, but if you have voice mail through your phone company (or don't need message recording at all), you can save money by skipping the answering machine. The inexpensive AT&T EL51209 (*Est. $40) is a DECT cordless phone that performs well in expert tests. It includes two cordless handsets but no answering machine. You can also get one with an answering machine, the AT&T EL52209 (*Est. $50). These phones are not expandable, however. The aforementioned Panasonic KX-TG6512, which does not include an answering machine, is a bit pricier than these two AT&T models, but it is expandable up to six handsets.

Motorola's L402C (*Est. $55), available in corded and cordless versions, is also recommended by users at Amazon.com and other retail sites for its ease of use and sound quality, though a few users complain about durability and speakerphone volume. VTech makes some inexpensive DECT cordless phones that perform well in expert tests and, despite some past complaints regarding customer service, garner mostly positive customer reviews. Popular models include the VTech DS6151 (*Est. $80) and VTech LS6325-3 (*Est. $75). Not long ago, Uniden boasted some of the highest-rated phones, but some owners report poor voice quality from the new Uniden DECT crop. Even the Uniden DECT 2080-2 (*Est. $70), which gets good ratings in a leading expert test, falls short in customer reviews, with many complaining of a lack of durability. A better-performing model in reviews is the Uniden DECT 1580-2 (*Est. $60) and its sister models, which have more handsets and fewer consumer complaints. The Uniden CEZAi2998, discussed in the next section, also gets good ratings.