Panasonic KX-TG6511B

The bottom line

The Panasonic KX-TG6511B generates close to 1,000 reviews on Amazon.com -- more than any of its competitors -- and earns 4.2 out of 5 stars. Reviewers rave about its sound quality, durability and headset jack, which is especially useful in home offices. Aside from a few complaints about performance and volume range, most users say it's a great choice for a no-frills phone.  

Performance

A functional budget phone. Many consumers say they like the Panasonic KX-TG6511B for one reason: it works. Reviewers praise the solid sound quality, reception and battery life, as well as the $35 price tag. Most comment on the lack of static, echoes or interference, which is consistent with DECT 6.0 technology. A few reviewers say the phone works exceptionally well, but there is no difference between standard DECT 6.0 and the DECT 6.0 PLUS technology that the Panasonic KX-TG6511B offers. The negative reviews are varied, with some reporting poor call quality (including static) and a soft ringtone (others say it's loud). A few reviewers report that when receiving a call, there is a 2 to 3 second delay before you can hear the voice on the other line. 

Durability

Mixed feedback from owners. There are only a few reviews by owners who have owned this phone for several months. It held up well for some, but a handful of negative reviewers say their phones died relatively quickly, with some displaying the message "base no power." The Panasonic KX-TG6511B runs on two AA rechargeable batteries; many users praise the battery life. "After the full battery charge, I used this phone continuously for 2 hours and I still see 2 bars out of 3 in the battery indicator," writes one customer on Amazon.com. Reviewers also praise the lightweight, no-slip handset design and large backlit screen and buttons.

Features

Plenty of bells and whistles. The Panasonic KX-TG6511B doesn't have the bells and whistles of some competitors, but given the price owners say they are generally happy with the features. There is conferencing, a handset option (enabling hands-free calling) and a 50-number phone book, which, while standard for most cordless phones, is not enough for some customers. The phone can be programmed to ring silently during certain hours, which is especially convenient for home offices. There is no talking caller ID, speed dial or answering machine. (There is a blinking indicator light to notify you of new digital voice mail messages if you have the service with your phone provider.) Ringtones can be assigned to groups of numbers, but not individual numbers. The phone can block numbers, but rings once when they call.