Which Phones Last Longer Land Lines Or Cordlss Phones?

You might make virtually of your calls on your mobile, but that doesn't mean the end of landline phones. Some people still like making and taking calls the one-time fashioned way, while at that place are however situations where your landline phone might be cheaper or more than convenient, especially if your phone and broadband package bundles in some inclusive calls.

What'due south more, the landline telephone is evolving, albeit slowly. Today'southward cordless phones are getting easier to fix and easier to use, with better features for treatment voicemail, contacts and nuisance calls. They're taking some tips from smartphones on usability, and they're besides adjusting to changes in communications tech, as the copper-based analogue lines switch over to IP-based networks. This is happening at present and due to stop rolling out past the end of 2025. However, nearly existing DECT phones should work with the new organisation, including those tried and tested here.

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Best cordless telephone: At a glance

Best everyday cordless phone | £45 | Gigaset CL390 Hello
Best cordless phone with big buttons | £35 | Panasonic KX-TGE820EB
Best phone for blocking spam calls | from £60 | BT Premium Cordless Abode Phone

How to cull the all-time cordless telephone for you

What should I expect for in a cordless telephone?

Every cordless phone these days offers a basic set of features: a clear DECT connection between the handset and base station, an address book, caller display and a list of recent calls. Pay a little more and you lot can get various extras such as a built-in answerphone and/or phone call-blocking facilities.

Across that, there are some practical upgrades that might be worth investing in, such equally longer battery life, extended wireless range or h2o resistance for use outdoors. More than superficial extras might include a wide selection of ringtones or a colour screen.

When choosing a telephone, it'south too worth thinking about whether you might want a second or tertiary handset. You can normally buy additional handsets to connect to an existing base station, but it's often cheaper to buy a two-pack or three-pack straight abroad. Information technology might also be worth paying the extra if the single handset version of your preferred phone is out of stock.

How do I block nuisance calls?

On sure phones, y'all can simply printing a push button while you're in a call to add the number to your blacklist. You might besides exist able to manually enter numbers (or parts of numbers) to prevent specific callers from getting through. Either way, when blacklisted numbers call, your phone won't ring: you lot can send them straight to answerphone, or refuse them entirely.

Some BT phones likewise offer a screening characteristic, which asks unknown callers to give their name before you accept their call, giving you more command over who you talk to. Just exist aware that all these features rely on your having a caller ID service from your home phone provider.

Are DECT phones compatible with new IP-based landlines?

The UK's analogue PSTN telephone network is due to go switched off in 2025, at which point all phone lines in the Great britain are going to exist digital, running over an IP (Internet Protocol) connexion. For almost of us, this is going to mean our broadband connexion. You lot'll plug your DECT phone into a socket on your router or a new socket in the wall. About existing DECT phones volition work fine with the new technology, though a few older models may have issues.

What other features should I look out for?

For a while at that place was a trend for cordless phones to mimic smartphones, but manufacturers are increasingly going back to more traditional designs and useful features over touchscreens and app-related gimmicks. There are yet some cordless phones with colour screens and photo backgrounds, while a few accept sync features that enable you to copy contacts from your mobile to your home or office phone, or make and accept mobile calls through your landline. The latter tin be surprisingly useful if you struggle with mobile dead spots in some rooms or notice your smartphone uncomfortable to concur over longer periods.

Finally, some phones have been designed to piece of work over longer distances, or been ruggedised for outdoor employ. Want to exist reachable even when y'all're down at the bottom of the garden? Do you spend a lot of time working in a yard or workshop? Yous might have to put up with a larger, uglier phone, but it will hold up to more corruption and you won't miss a phone call wherever yous are.

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The best cordless phones to buy in 2022

1. BT Everyday Cordless Home Phone: The best cordless phone under £xx

Price: £23 single, £50 trio (Twin pack currently unavailable) | Buy at present from Amazon

BT's Everyday Cordless is priced similar a bones home telephone but manages to pack in some actress features. Information technology'southward easy to utilize, with skillful-sized buttons and simple menus, including a multi-function rocker that scrolls through lists and options and controls the volume. It'due south likewise very comfortable to hold. However, it'due south got built-in controls for 1571 answerphone services, a l-number contacts list that syncs between handsets and – best of all – telephone call blocking for up to twenty numbers and a Do Not Disturb way, where only numbers tagged as VIP contacts can get through. Call quality is good, although the default ring volume will be too quiet for some, and the merely real issue is the lack of speakerphone. If you lot don't want to spend much on your landline phone, this is the i to purchase.

Key specs – Type: DECT phone with mono screen; Phonebook: 50 entries; Answerphone: No; Speakerphone: No; Nuisance call blocking: Yes; Talk time: x hours; Standby fourth dimension: 100 hours

ii. Gigaset A270A: The best entry-level telephone with answering car

Cost: £25 unmarried, twin ready currently unavailable | Buy now from Amazon

The Gigaset A270A keeps things simple, with a relatively basic fix of features and a design that focuses on ease-of-use. There'due south an fourscore-entry phonebook and basic intercom features if yous have two or more than handsets, plus the built-in answering machine, simply otherwise very little else to call up about. Information technology's a well-congenital telephone with responsive keys and a well-designed menu system, and the push button for easily-costless calling is illuminated, which makes information technology easier to choice out in a bustle. The chunky answering machine controls on the base station also help when you're going through your letters, and while 25 minutes isn't a huge corporeality of recording time, information technology should be merely plenty for near people.

There are louder cordless phones out there, simply unlike some budget phones the Gigaset is hearing-help compatible. Information technology also uses Gigaset'due south Eco DECT applied science, which auto-adjusts the power of the wireless signal to proceed energy usage low. Look elsewhere if you want nuisance call blocking or other mod cons, merely this is a proficient, solid cordless phone that just happens to be cheap every bit fries.

Cardinal specs – Type: DECT telephone with mono screen; Phonebook: 80 entries; Answerphone: 25 minutes; Speakerphone: Yes; Nuisance call blocking: No; Talk time: xvi hours; Standby time: 200 hours

3. Gigaset CL390 Hello: The best everyday cordless phone

Price: £35 | Buy now from Amazon

While information technology doesn't take all the bells and whistles of some previous Gigaset phones, the Gigaset CL390 Hello excels as a simple cordless option. It's a nicely designed handset, slim and light, with a large, clear illuminated display and easy menus and controls. Information technology's not short of essential features, either, with a telephone call-blocker for blocking anonymous calls or up to 32 specific numbers, along with a 150 contact phone book, clock and warning features and room and baby monitoring functions. It also comes in a choice of five different colours, although not all are widely available.

There are models with and without a congenital-in answering automobile, and clear alerts for missed calls and new messages. And while the dissever handset charger and base of operations station hateful it takes up two power sockets, this does give you more flexibility in terms of where you identify your phone. Throw in Gigaset's usual excellent sound quality, both in standard and speakerphone modes, and you've got a great phone for everyday calling.

Key specs – Type: DECT phone with mono screen; Phonebook: 150 entries; Answerphone: 20 minutes (answerphone models merely); Speakerphone: Yes; Nuisance call blocking: Yes; Talk fourth dimension: 12 hours; Standby time: 180 hours

iv. Panasonic KX-TGE820EB: The all-time large-button phone

Cost: £40 single, £sixty twin | Buy at present from Amazon

The Panasonic KX-TGE820 isn't a huge change from the KX-TGE720 it replaces. Physically it'south virtually identical, and the main new features are a larger phonebook and a longer 18 hr talktime, although standby time goes downwardly from 300 hours to 250. Luckily, more of the same is probably what everybody wanted; with its large, clearly-labelled buttons and straightforward menus, this is still an easy-to-use and very applied handset. It's also louder than your average DECT handset – good news for those with impaired hearing – and the same goes when y'all're on speakerphone. It's hearing aid compatible, too.

The features for blocking automated calls and nuisance calls are some of the best in the concern; unknown callers are hit with an access code which automated systems can't recognise and apply. Meanwhile, callers in your phonebook will be let through unaffected, with the phone announcing who's calling when they band. You can block whole groups of numbers by their prefix, or block a number at a press of the defended push button. You'll struggle to find a phone that makes it easier to make or take calls, while keeping unwanted calls at bay.

Key specs – Type: DECT phone with mono screen; Phonebook: 200 entries; Answerphone: xl minutes; Speakerphone: Yes; Nuisance call blocking: Aye; Talk time: eighteen hours; Standby time: 250 hours

5. BT Premium Cordless Home Phone with Voice Control: The best cordless telephone for blocking nuisance calls

Price: £70 single, £99 twin, £110 trio | Buy at present from Amazon

Plagued by unwanted calls? BT has the answer. Its trueCall virtual assistant asks unknown callers for their name earlier it puts them through, leaving you to decide whether to have the telephone call, block it or send it to the answering machine. Specific numbers can be blocked permanently, and you can set the phone to ignore anonymous or international calls. Meanwhile, built-in parental controls let yous cake outgoing calls to mobile, international and premium-rate numbers.

The Premium Cordless Home Telephone also features clever mobile sync capabilities, enabling you to re-create contacts beyond from your smartphone or receive calls coming to your mobile through the bigger cordless handset. The latest version even includes Voice Control features, although you might not want to get besides excited. Instead of enabling you to make landline calls or retrieve voicemails via phonation commands, this only ways that pressing and holding the OK key will put you in bear upon with Google Assistant or Siri on your smartphone. Still, you can ever place a call via your voice assistant and use your call allowance on your mobile contract.

Phone call quality is excellent, the 1.5in colour LCD screen looks skilful and even the speakerphone doesn't audio bad. This is a superb phone for anyone who values their privacy – or who just likes having access to the latest features.

Cardinal specs – Type: DECT phone with colour display; Phonebook: 1,000 entries; Answerphone: sixty minutes; Speakerphone: Yeah; Nuisance call blocking: Yep; Talk time: 21 hours; Standby time: 240 hours

6. Panasonic KX-TGK220E: The all-time fashionable cordless phone

Price: £45 | Buy now from John Lewis

Panasonic's cordless phone is and then elegantly stylised that y'all might not fifty-fifty recognise it as a phone. The handset sits upright in its matching cradle to look like 1 smooth tapered cylinder, with only the blue LED on the rear to alert you when there'south a message or a phone call. Lift it out and it's only like a regular DECT phone, with a elementary keyboard layout and a nice, crisp monochrome screen.

Beyond the design in that location are enough of slap-up features, including a 30-minute answerphone, speakerphone and a nuisance call blocker, which can be set to block specific numbers, withheld numbers or numbers with a certain string of digits. On top of that there's a useful Do Not Disturb mode that only allows calls from your nearest and dearest – or maybe crucial work calls – through. Call quality is peachy and there'due south fifty-fifty an Eco mode to cut the radiations and minimise power consumption. Both within and out, information technology's an exceptional phone.

Key specs – Type: DECT telephone with mono screen; Phonebook: 120 entries; Answerphone: 30 minutes; Speakerphone: Yeah; Nuisance call blocking: Yes; Talk time: eighteen hours; Standby time: 200 hours

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7. BT Elements: Best cordless telephone for the garden

Price: £90 single, £120 twin | Buy at present from Amazon

If you spend a lot of time outdoors or need a telephone for the workshop/warehouse, this hardy handset will be just what you're looking for. A high-power base of operations station and sensitive external antenna give you a range of upward to 150m indoors and upwards to a kilometre outside – although your actual mileage will naturally depend on walls and other obstacles. It'due south IP67-rated for protection from water and dust, and with 13 hours of talk time and 160 hours of standby, information technology'll continue going for days on finish. Features are fairly limited, simply you lot get a 200-number phonebook, a 30-infinitesimal answerphone and basic nuisance call-blocking. It's a bit more than expensive than other phones, only if you need the range and rugged build it's an excellent option.

Key specs – Type: Ruggedised DECT telephone with mono screen; Phonebook: 200 entries; Answerphone: 30 minutes; Speakerphone: Yep; Nuisance call blocking: Yeah; Talk fourth dimension: 13 hours; Standby time: 160 hours