| It's easier than ever to have a phone where you | | | | Other convenient features include auto talk, which |
| want one. The newest breed of cordless phones | | | | lets you lift the handset off the base for an |
| lets you put a handset in any room in the house, | | | | incoming call and start talking without having to |
| even if no phone jack is nearby. | | | | press a button, and any key answer. |
| However, manufacturers still offer a bewildering | | | | Some phones provide a battery holder for |
| array of phones: inexpensive models that offer | | | | battery backup--a compartment in the base to |
| the basics; multihandset, full-featured phones with | | | | charge a spare handset battery pack or to hold |
| a built-in answering machine; single-line and two-line | | | | alkaline batteries for base-power backup, either of |
| phones; digital and analog phones, and different | | | | which can enable the phone to work if you lose |
| frequency bands. In many instances, a phone will | | | | household AC power. Still, it's wise to keep a |
| have a phone-answerer sibling. Many | | | | corded phone somewhere in your home. |
| phone-answerers come in a phone-only version. If | | | | Some multiple-handset-capable phones allow |
| you have a cordless phone that's several years | | | | conversation between handsets in an intercom |
| old, it's probably a 900-MHz phone. Newer phones | | | | mode and facilitate conferencing handsets with an |
| use higher frequencies, namely 2.4 or 5.8 GHz. | | | | outside party. In intercom mode, the handsets |
| They aren't necessarily better than the older | | | | have to be within range of the base for |
| ones, but they may provide more calling security | | | | handset-to-handset use. Others lack this |
| and a wider array of useful capabilities and | | | | handset-to-handset talk capability; they allow you |
| features. | | | | to transfer calls from handset to handset but not |
| WHAT'S AVAILABLE | | | | to use the handsets to conference with an |
| AT&T, Bell South, GE, Panasonic, Uniden, and | | | | outside caller. Still other phones allow direct |
| VTech account for more than 70 percent of the | | | | communication between handsets, so you can |
| market. VTech owns the AT&T Consumer | | | | take them with you to use like walkie-talkies. |
| Products Division and now makes phones under | | | | Some phones can register up to eight handsets, |
| the AT&T brand as well as its own name. | | | | for instance, but that doesn't mean you can use |
| The current trends include phones that support | | | | all eight at once. You might be able to use two |
| two or more handsets with one base, less | | | | for handset-to-handset intercom, while two others |
| expensive 2.4- and 5.8-GHz analog phones, and | | | | conference with an outside party. |
| full-featured 2.4 and 5.8-GHz digital phones. Some | | | | HOW TO CHOOSE |
| of the multiple-handset-capable phones now | | | | Decide how much hardware you need. The basic |
| include an additional handset with a charging cradle. | | | | options are a stand-alone phone, a phone with a |
| About a third of the cordless phones sold include | | | | built-in answerer, or a phone that supports multiple |
| a digital answering machine. | | | | handsets from one base. A stand-alone phone is |
| A main distinction among cordless phones is the | | | | best suited for small families or people in a small |
| way they transmit their signals. Here are some | | | | apartment with little need for more than one |
| terms that you may see while shopping and what | | | | phone. The built-in answerer, a common choice, |
| they mean for you: | | | | adds a big measure of convenience. A |
| Analog. These phones are the least expensive | | | | multiple-handset phone is good for active families |
| type available now. They tend to have the better | | | | who need phones throughout the house; this type |
| voice quality and enough range to let you chat | | | | of phone lets you put handsets in a room that |
| anywhere in your house and yard, or even a little | | | | doesn't have a phone jack. |
| beyond. They are also unlikely to cause | | | | Select the technology and frequency band. A |
| interference to other wireless products. But analog | | | | 900-MHz phone should suit most users, but that |
| transmission isn't very secure; anyone with an RF | | | | type may be hard to find because 2.4- and |
| scanner or comparable wireless device might be | | | | 5.8-GHz models dominate. You're likely to find the |
| able to listen in. Analog phones are also more likely | | | | widest range of models and prices with 2.4-GHz |
| than digital phones to suffer occasional static and | | | | phones. But if you want to minimize problems of |
| RF interference from other wireless products. | | | | interference with other wireless products, look to |
| Price range: $15 to $100. | | | | a 5.8-GHz or 900-MHz phone. Analog phones, apt |
| Digital. These offer about the same range as | | | | to be less expensive than digital, are fine for |
| analog phones, but with better security and less | | | | many people. But if privacy is important, choose a |
| susceptibility to RF interference. And, like analogs, | | | | DSS or digital phone. |
| they are unlikely to cause interference to other | | | | To be sure you're actually getting a DSS or digital |
| wireless products. Price range: $50 to $130. | | | | phone for its voice-transmission security, check |
| Digital spread spectrum (DSS). A DSS phone | | | | the packaging carefully. Look for wording such as |
| distributes a call across a number of frequencies, | | | | "digital phone," "digital spread spectrum (DSS)" or |
| providing an added measure of security and more | | | | "frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS)." |
| immunity from RF interference. The range may | | | | Phrases such as "phone with digital security code," |
| be slightly better than that of analog or digital | | | | "phone with all-digital answerer," or "spread |
| phones. Note that some DSS phones--usually the | | | | spectrum technology" (not digital spread |
| 2.4-GHz or the multiple-handset -capable phones | | | | spectrum) all denote phones that are less secure. |
| with handset-to-handset talk capabilities--use such | | | | Phones that use dual-band transmission may |
| a wide swath of the spectrum even in standby | | | | indicate the higher frequency in a larger print on |
| mode that they may interfere with baby | | | | the packaging. If you want a true 2.4- or 5.8-GHz |
| monitors and other wireless products operating in | | | | phone, check the fine print. If only the frequency |
| the same frequency band. Price range: $75 to | | | | is prominently shown on the package, it's probably |
| $225 (for multiple handset systems). | | | | analog. |
| Frequency. Cordless phones use one or two of | | | | Settle on the features you want. You can typically |
| the three available frequency bands: | | | | expect caller ID, a headset jack, and a base that |
| * 900-MHz. Some manufacturers still make | | | | can be wall-mounted. But the features don't end |
| inexpensive, 900-MHz phones, usually analog. They | | | | there for both stand-alone phones and |
| are fine for many households, and still account for | | | | phone-answerers. Check the box or ask to see |
| about one-quarter of the market. | | | | an instruction manual to be sure you're getting the |
| * 2.4-GHz. The band most phones now use. | | | | capabilities and features that matter to you. As a |
| Unfortunately, many other wireless | | | | rule, the more feature-laden the phone, the higher |
| products--baby monitors, wireless computer | | | | its price. |
| networks, home security monitors, wireless | | | | Performance variations. Consumer Reports' tests |
| speakers, microwaves ovens--use the same band. | | | | show that most new cordless phones have very |
| A 2.4-GHz analog phone is inherently susceptible | | | | good overall voice quality. Some are excellent, |
| to RF interference from other wireless devices, | | | | approaching the voice quality of the best corded |
| and a 2.4-GHz DSS phone may cause | | | | phones. In our latest tests, most fully charged |
| interference in other products. However, DSS | | | | nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) or nickel-metal hydride |
| phones billed as "802.11-friendly" are unlikely to | | | | (Ni-MH) batteries handled eight hours of continuous |
| interfere with wireless computer networks. | | | | conversation before they needed recharging. Most |
| * 5.8-GHz. The band that newer phones use. Its | | | | manufacturers claim that a fully charged battery |
| main advantage: less chance of RF interference | | | | will last at least a week in standby mode. When |
| because few other products currently use this | | | | they can no longer hold a charge, a replacement |
| band. Some phones are dual-band, but that only | | | | battery, usually proprietary, costs about $10 to |
| means they transmit between base and handset | | | | $25, and may be difficult to find. Some phones |
| in one band and receive in another; you can't | | | | use less-expensive AA or AAA rechargeable |
| switch to or choose one band or another. | | | | batteries. (To find a store that will recycle a used |
| IMPORTANT FEATURES | | | | battery, call 800-822-8837.) |
| Standard features on most cordless phones | | | | Give the handset a test drive. In the store, hold |
| include handset earpiece volume control, handset | | | | the handset to your head to see if it feels |
| ringer, last-number redial, a pager to locate the | | | | comfortable. It should fit the contours of your |
| handset, a flash button to answer call waiting, and | | | | face. The earpiece should have rounded edges |
| a low-battery indicator. | | | | and a recessed center that fits nicely over the |
| Some phones let you support two or more | | | | middle of your ear. Check the buttons and |
| handsets with just one base without the need for | | | | controls to make sure they're reasonably sized |
| extra phone jacks. Additional handsets including | | | | and legible. |
| the charging cradle are usually sold separately, | | | | Don't discard the corded phone. It's a good idea to |
| although more phones are being bundled with an | | | | keep at least one corded phone in your home, if |
| additional handset and charging cradle. | | | | only for emergencies. A cordless phone may not |
| An LCD screen, found on many handsets and on | | | | work if you lose electrical power, and a cell phone |
| some bases, can display a personal phone | | | | won't work if you can't get a signal or the circuits |
| directory and useful information such as the name | | | | are full. A corded phone draws its power from |
| and/or number dialed, caller ID, battery strength, | | | | the phone system and can function without |
| or how long you've been connected. Caller ID | | | | household AC power. |
| displays the name and number of a caller and the | | | | MESSAGE CENTERS AND ANSWERING |
| date and time of the call if you use your phone | | | | MACHINES |
| company's caller ID service. If you have caller ID | | | | Digital answering machines come as stand-alone |
| with call waiting, the phone will display data on a | | | | devices or as part of a phone/answerer combo |
| second caller when you're already on the phone. | | | | unit. The main advantage of a combo unit--less |
| A phone that supports two lines can receive calls | | | | clutter--has to be weighed against the loss of one |
| for two phone numbers--useful if you have, say, | | | | part of the combo if the other goes bad. |
| a business line and a personal line that you'd like to | | | | Answerers usually have standard features and |
| use from a single phone. Some of the phones | | | | capabilities such as a selectable number of rings |
| have two ringers, each with a distinctive pitch to | | | | and a toll-saver, answerer on/off control, call |
| let you know which line is ringing. The two-line | | | | screening, remote access from a touch-tone |
| feature also facilitates conferencing two callers in | | | | phone, and a variety of ways to navigate through |
| three-way connections. Some two-line phones | | | | your messages. Most have a message day/time |
| have an auxiliary jack data port to plug in a fax, | | | | stamp, can delete all messages or just individual |
| modem, or other phone device that can also be | | | | ones, allow you to adjust the speaker volume, |
| useful. | | | | and can retain messages and greeting after a |
| A speaker phone offers a hands-free way to | | | | momentary power outage. |
| converse or wait on hold and lets others chime in | | | | Other answerer features you may want to |
| as well. A base speakerphone lets you answer a | | | | consider are the number of mailboxes, advanced |
| call without the handset; a handset speakerphone | | | | playback controls, remote handset access, |
| lets you chat hands-free anywhere in the house | | | | conversation recording, a message counter display |
| as long as you stay within a few feet of the | | | | that indicates the number of messages received, |
| handset. | | | | and a visual indicator or audible message alert that |
| A base keypad supplements the keypad on the | | | | lets you know when you have new messages. |
| handset. It's handy for navigating menu-driven | | | | In Consumer Reports' tests, most answerers |
| systems, since you don't have to take the phone | | | | delivered very good voice quality for recorded |
| away from your ear to punch the keys. Some | | | | messages and good quality for the greeting. |
| phones have a lighted keypad that either glows in | | | | Phones that let you record your greeting through |
| the dark or lights up when you press a key, or | | | | the handset (i.e., using the remote handset |
| when the phone rings. This makes the phone | | | | access) usually sound better. Some let you listen |
| easier to use in low-light conditions. All phones | | | | to your greeting through the handset, as opposed |
| have a handset ringer, and many phones have a | | | | to listening though the base speaker; that gives |
| base ringer. Some let you turn them on or off, | | | | you a better indication of how the greeting will |
| adjust the volume, or change the auditory tone. | | | | sound to the calling party. Price range: $20 to $80 |
| Many cordless phones have a headset jack on | | | | (stand-alone units); $30 to $240 (combos). |
| the handset and include a belt clip for carrying the | | | | Copyright © 2002-2006 Consumers Union of |
| phone. This allows hands-free conversation | | | | U.S., Inc. |
| anywhere in the house. Some phones have a | | | | For the latest information on this and many other |
| headset jack on the base, which allows | | | | products and services, visit |
| hands-free conversation without any drain on the | | | | Find Morecordless Phone with Easy Deal at |
| handset battery. Headsets are usually sold | | | | ShopNdeal. |
| separately for about $20. | | | | |