How to Choose The Best Cordless Telephone

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By HowDragon
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best cordless telephone

With nearly all phones in use today being cordless, manufacturers are free to focus exclusively on improving and making the best cordless telephones. A few things to consider when deciding on the best include frequency, number of handsets, answering machine, caller-ID, backlit keypad, button size, compatibility with VoIP, and call waiting. Read on, and learn exactly how to choose the best cordless telephone.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Choose a frequency. If you have a wireless b, g, or n network in your house, you'll need to get either a 5.8GHz or DECT cordless phone, as the 2.4GHz phone operates on the same frequency as these wireless networks, causing interference and no internet. Both 5.8Ghz and DECT cordless phones are newer than the 2.4Ghz phones, with DECT being the newest.
Step 2

Decide how many handsets you need. Each cordless phone supports a different number of handsets, a certain number of which are included with the package. While additional handsets can usually be bought separately, the best cordless telephones will include everything you need in one package.
Step 3

Ask yourself if you need an answering machine. Some have them, some don't.
Step 4

Decide if you want caller-ID. If you want to know who's calling, and you already get this service from your phone company, the best cordless telephone will include caller-ID.
Step 5

Consider a backlit keypad. For easier viewing of the keys during the night, get a phone with a backlit keypad.
Step 6

Decide on a button size and whether or not you want a dedicated 911 button. Some cordless phones have large buttons for easier viewing and pressing, while others include a 911 button for quick emergency access.
Step 7

Check compatibility with VoIP. If you use your internet connection to place and receive phone calls, make sure the phone you get supports the software (Skype and Vonage, for example) you use to make calls.
Step 8

Ask yourself if you want call waiting. If someone else calls while you're on the phone, you can switch to the other caller without hanging up on the first.
Step 9

Read customer reviews. The next best thing to trying the phone out is reading about other people's experiences with the phone, as customers tend to reveal all the good and (especially) bad points about the phone the manufacturer misses. The more reviews you read, the more you know about the phones, and the better your chance of getting the best cordless telephone.