Answering Machines

Best answering machines

Most digital models can record about 15 minutes of messages, far less than older tape models, which could often hold 60 minutes of messages on a cassette. But if you travel or receive a lot of calls, you do have a few options. GE has models that have multiple voice boxes and 40 minutes of recording time. The GE 29869GE2 (*est. $35) , for example, can record 40 minutes of messages. This model has four mailboxes to keep your messages separate from others in the household. This GE model is equipped with a time/day voice stamp, voice menu and prompts, a programmable security code and a battery backup.

There are some mixed reviews regarding the sound quality of the GE 29869GE2. Some owners say they hear crackling, while others insist it’s the best answering machine they've found. Despite the mixed reviews, the GE has the best blend of features among standalone answering machines, and the long recording time and multiple mailboxes are a plus. Similar to the GE 29869GE2 is the GE 29861GE2 (*est. $25) , which has three mailboxes and 30 minutes of recording time. Reviewers at Amazon.com give it decent overall ratings and the comments are similar to those of the model above.

The GE 29875GE2 (*est. $20) and the GE 29871GE3 (*est. $25) each has 30 minutes of recording time, remote access, time/day stamp, digital message counter and one mailbox. Unlike most answering machines, these two models have voice prompts available in both English and Spanish. Even though neither model has battery backup, both have message protection in case of a power failure. What sets these models apart is that the GE 29871GE3 has three adjustable viewing positions. The 29875GE2 gets good reviews from owners at Amazon.com. People think it is decent for the price and easy to set up. Most agree that the sound quality could be better, although messages can be understood. Owners of the GE 29871GE3 at Amazon.com generally agree that it is easy to set up this answering machine but that the sound quality isn’t the best. Each has a one year warranty.

The AT&T 1726 (*est. $20) , like the GE 29869GE2, also has 40 minutes of recording time along with three mailboxes. While this model has been discontinued, it is still widely available in stores and online. Messages can be transferred from box to box. There is also a caller ID announcement and a time/day stamp. If an unidentifiable call is received, you have the option of sending a message informing the caller that you do not accept non-caller-ID calls. It also has two-way recording ability. Despite the similar features, the AT&T gets lower overall ratings from owners than the GE. Over 40 contributors give this model an average of just 2.5 stars (out of five) at Amazon.com. Several users say that despite its good features, it is complex, difficult to operate, has confusing directions and poor sound quality.

If you are looking for a very long recording time, consider the RadioShack Extended Capacity 43-3829 (*est. $30). It has up to 60 minutes of recording time, one of the longest times of all the answering machines in this report. There are also three mailboxes. Other features include remote access (for getting your messages on the road), call screening and a memo function for leaving messages for yourself and others. Owner reviews are mixed. Some think it is easy to set up, reliable and durable with good voice quality. Others feel it is too complicated to set up; several complain that the machine cuts off messages after one minute and that there are no instructions on how to set up the mailboxes.

If you need a basic, inexpensive answering machine, the AT&T 1722 (*est. $17) looks like a good choice. This digital answering machine is also the only model that AT&T currently manufacturers. It has 19 minutes of recording time for incoming messages and outgoing greetings. It also has a Message Guard feature that protects messages in the event of a power failure without the need for battery backup. Other features include a time/day stamp, remote access and call screening. You have the option to set up an audible message signal that tells you when you have a new message. Voice prompts guide you through the setup of the machine. You can also listen to messages at different speeds.

Owners at Amazon.com give the AT&T 1722 answering machine mostly good reviews with an average overall rating of 3.5 stars (out of five). Most of the detractors complain about sound quality. One owner points out that you'll need to reset the date and time if you lose power even briefly. Fans of the AT&T 1722 like the compact size, price and ease of use. But at Epinions, reviews aren't so positive, and the AT&T 1722 gets a much lower overall score of just 1.5 stars out of five. At this site, all the owners like the price and feature set of the AT&T 1722 but criticize the sound quality. CircuitCity.com has the most reviews on the AT&T 1722, and here, this model receives higher scores all around, consistent with the comments we found on Amazon.com. Users mainly say it is affordable and easy to use, but there were some complaints about voice clarity. To be fair, we found at least a few voice-quality complaints about every answering machine. Interestingly, some owners at CircuitCity.com praised the caller ID announcement feature, although this feature is not mentioned at Amazon.com or on the AT&T website.

Important Features: Answering machines

Here's what experts say to shoot for when purchasing a telephone answering machine.

• Power outage backup. The machine should have a battery backup in case of a power outage of a few hours or more. Otherwise, you may lose messages.

• Total recording time. Many digital units hold only fifteen minutes of messages. If you receive many messages or travel for long periods of time without checking messages and deleting them, look for a machine that offers 30 minutes or more.

• Remote message retrieval. Look for a machine that lets you change your greeting and turn the unit on and off from a remote location. Most have this feature.

• Toll-saver. When you're checking your messages from a remote location, this sets the machine to answer on the fourth ring if there are no messages (as opposed to answering on the first or second ring if there are messages), which allows you to hang up before you're charged for the call.

• Auto-disconnect. This feature automatically disconnects the answering machine when you pick up the receiver; it's useful for people who screen their calls or sometimes don't get to the phone fast enough. Be aware that some machines only stop while the outgoing message is playing, but not once the machine starts recording. Other models only disconnect when the directly attached phone is picked up (meaning this feature won't work with an extension).

• Variable speed playback. This function speeds up or slows down playback to electronically enhance messages; it's useful if you miss a number and don't want to skip ahead.

Other features to look for include an option that allows you to hear only new messages, message preview (which plays the first five seconds of each new message), a stamp that tells you what day and time the message was received, short burst/cellular compatibility (which ensures that the message will keep recording even when calls have fragmented transmission), room monitor (which lets you listen to the sounds in a room while you're away), priority calling (which alerts you when an important caller is trying to reach you) and message transfer (which forwards messages to a telephone number you program into the machine).

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Model (With Retailer Links)	Details from Amazon.com
2	GE 29869GE2 (*est. $35)	details
2	AT&T 1738 (*est. $22)	details
2	AT&T 1722 (*est. $17)	details
1 each	AT&T 1726 , AT&T 1739

The GE is a good choice if you need long recording time and multiple mailboxes. The AT&T 1722 receives good reviews as a budget model. The AT&T 1738 is similar, but costs a bit more.

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