It’s never easy to determine which cordless phone is best suited for your home or office needs. There are many offers, and the differences between one model and another are not clearly defined. In this mini-guide, we aim to provide some clarity on this topic.
The cordless phone is similar to a mobile phone because it allows you to move freely in the environment without forcing you to stay in one spot; however, it differs from a mobile phone in that it does not use the mobile network, but rather the fixed one.
Many users complain because they are forced to keep their landline phone, as they need the 24-hour ADSL line. It is to them that we recommend using a cordless phone.
How to choose a cordless Phone? Structure
This type of telephone consists of a base, which connects to both the telephone socket and the electrical socket, and a receiver.
The base has two tasks:
- It converts the analog signal (coming from the landline) into digital and transmits it to the receiver.
- Serves to charge the phone batteries.
Many people think that choosing a cordless phone is an easy task, as it is simply a matter of deciding on a budget and sticking to it. Still, this is not the case, as there are numerous models on the market, with manufacturers continually investing in making these devices increasingly advanced.
Let’s examine the key features of a good cordless must-have.
Main features
Avoid making blind purchases, but buy only after reading the features of a telephone set to avoid finding yourself with a product that doesn’t meet your needs.
The factors to be taken into consideration are different, for example:
1.) Electromagnetic Radiation
The first models of cordless phones generated conflicting opinions; some claimed that they emitted radio waves that were hazardous to humans, while others maintained that such waves had no effect. To avoid consequences, it was decided to set a limit on emissions beyond which cordless phones became risky for health.
Today, thanks to technological innovations, it is possible to find safer devices on the market that emit radiation at a low level. The best ones are those with the words ECO DECT or ECO PLUS.
2.) The Scope
When buying a cordless phone, be sure to check the range. Typically, by removing the receiver from the base, it achieves a maximum range of 300-500 feet. If your need is only related to this feature, there is no need to spend as much as you would on a standard model. If, on the other hand, you have a large apartment, this range may not be sufficient. We recommend purchasing a cordless duo or trio, and place the bases at a suitable distance from each other to extend the range.
3.) Cordless Duo or Trio
If you have an apartment with different levels, a single cordless phone may not be enough to cover the entire room; we recommend the duo or trio models, which always use the same telephone line. These models have numerous advantages, such as allowing you to listen to or participate in the same call simultaneously. This feature also enables you to continue the conversation using the second or third receiver if you need to discharge the battery of the first receiver.
Offer the possibility of making internal calls with the “INT” key without having to install the intercom system. They take advantage of HSP or HDSP technology, which ensures excellent sound quality and minimizes interference. This feature also allows you to memorize telephone numbers by creating different, easily accessible headings.
4.) Long Life Battery
Batteries typically last one or two years, allowing the cordless device to have a talk time of 24 hours and several days in standby mode. Avoid buying appliances that require the manufacturer’s batteries, as this can be time-consuming, and they can cost between $10 and $25. Instead, opt for those that use traditional NiMH batteries, which can be purchased from any retailer.
5.) Models With Reserve Battery
The cordless device, as we have mentioned before, is connected to both the telephone socket and the power socket; for this reason, it stops working in the absence of electricity. This is the reason why it is always advisable to keep a traditional corded telephone at home.
To solve the problem, manufacturing companies have equipped their most expensive models with a backup power supply system that enables calls to be made even during a blackout. The Panasonic company has produced several models with this feature.
6.) Design
Modern cordless phones, compared to those of the past, have smaller dimensions that make them more manageable and easier to transport from one environment to another. However, a smaller size also means smaller screens and smaller keys. On the market, you will find models suitable for all needs, featuring large and bright displays, easy-to-press and straightforward keyboards, as well as devices designed for the elderly or those with vision or hearing impairments.
For special needs
A cordless phone is the most suitable system for individuals who want to move freely or those with mobility issues, such as the elderly. Some companies, considering their needs, have decided to develop models that are larger than average but easy to hold, with the numbers visible and backlit, the larger keys to avoid pressing two together, an easily accessible address book with drawings for facilitating memorization and a light that flashes continuously to allow the elderly to find him again when he does not remember where he placed him.
However, vision reduction is not the only problem for an elderly person; they may also experience hearing loss. The manufacturers have also addressed this by adding louder ringtones to standard models, ensuring they can be heard from a distance; offering a listening volume that can reach higher levels than regular phones; and ensuring compatibility with hearing aids.
Those who have problems with their hands or arms can use cordless phones with talking buttons that are operated by voice, while for those who have trouble remembering the phone number they belong to, some models match the picture with the person’s image. Then, press the photo to make the call.
Value for money
The price of a cordless phone, as well as the brand’s fame, also depends on the number of functions and can range from a minimum of $20 to a maximum of $100. On the market, some models offer only the basic functions, such as reception, phonebook, and various ringtones, while others include additional features. Let’s examine what these extra features are.
Extra functions
The most expensive models, as well as those of the latest generation, can offer Bluetooth connectivity to allow connection to a headset, an alarm function, hands-free activation, call identification, a call log, and voicemail.
The possibility of connecting your home phone to your smartphone, allowing you to receive both mobile and fixed-line calls; the color display; and the ability to connect to Skype without using a PC, thanks to VoIP models, which stands for “Voice over IP.“
Some models of recent production also feature a function that saves 60% of the electric current compared to previous models, thanks to an automatic adjustment of the signal strength based on the distance from the base itself.
Of great value are the cordless phones that bear the HSP (High Sound Performance) inscription, as they offer excellent sound quality. Those with the HDSP (High-Definition Sound Performance) inscription provide twice the sound quality of traditional phones.
