Cordless phones are relatively straightforward gadgets, and the AT&T DL72210 is the one to buy. Your calls will sound good and stay connected as you walk around, and you can connect to your cell phone for added convenience. The system can be expanded with additional handsets if more than the two provided are needed.
Best Overall
AT&T DL72210 Two Handset Cordless Phone
Connects to your smartphone
Automatic call blocking
Assistant access
Get notifications from your smartphone
Extra handsets not wall mountable
Only 22 minutes of voicemail
Sure, the DL72210 works as a landline phone, but it also pairs with your cell phone, so you can take calls without having to fiddle with your cell phone or try to find it.
You can even use the DL72210 to interact with your digital assistant. This modest system with great features is probably precisely what you're looking for without knowing it.
Answering System: Yes | Speakerphone: Yes | Bluetooth: Yes | Call Waiting: Yes | Caller ID: Yes
Budget Buy
VTech CS6719-2 Cordless Phone
Great price
DECT 6.0 compatible
No answering machine
This two-handset system costs around $40 but doesn't have an answering machine. It's up to you to decide if that is a plus or a minus. The VTech system has the technology to keep your calls loud and clear, so if you want a simple cordless phone for your landline…Well, you're all done.
Both handsets have large, backlit screens which are easy to read. The phone system is expandable to up to five total handsets. We like this as a budget option because it's a multi-handset system with nice extras and a low price tag.
Answering System: No | Speakerphone: Yes | Bluetooth: No | Call Waiting: Yes | Caller ID: Yes
Long Range
AT&T CL82407 Handset Cordless Phone
Four handsets included
Answering machine
Caller ID announce
No wall mount for additional handsets
Handset chargers easily tip
If you have a big home or office (over 2,000 square feet), consider the AT&T CL82407. It has an antenna design that aims to have the best range around. The system has four handsets, but you can expand it as needed to have up to 12.
It also has an answering machine and Caller ID, so you know who's calling before you even pick up the phone. Other features like automatic robocall blocking work well, and the high-contrast screen is easily read, even from a distance.
Answering System: Yes | Speakerphone: Yes | Bluetooth: Yes | Call Waiting: Yes | Caller ID: Yes
Best System for Two Phone Lines
VTech DS6151 2-Line Cordless Phone
Two lines
Up to 12 handsets
Pricey
Like many cordless phones, the VTech DS6151 comes with an answering machine. But the VTech DS6151 includes two answering for two different phone lines. Most of us won’t need a system like this, but if you have a small business, this might be what you need.
The handsets encrypt the calls, so you can feel comfortable that folks won’t be listening to your calls as the signal is sent back to the base unit.
In summary: Two lines, two answering machines, and one handset. Wait, it only comes with one handset?! Yes, but you can add 11 more if you want.
Answering System: Yes | Speakerphone: Yes | Bluetooth: Yes | Call Waiting: Yes | Caller ID: Yes
Best Motorola
Motorola CD5011 DECT 6.0 Cordless Phone
Volume boost
30 min answering machine
No backlight on the keys
Expensive
If you must have a Motorola cordless phone, the CD5011 ticks all the boxes: answering machine, spam button to tell the phone not to accept a call from the number that just called, volume boost for those hard of hearing, and it’ll announce who’s calling before you answer it. The handset keys are not backlit, so dialing at night can be difficult.
Answering System: Yes | Speakerphone: Yes | Bluetooth: No | Call Waiting: Yes | Caller ID: Yes
What to Look For in a Cordless Phone
Expandability
While most cordless phone systems can be expanded, that's not always a given. Can your system handle five handsets? What about twelve? Twenty?
DECT 6.0
DECT stands for Digital Enhanced Cordless Technology. Essentially, it's a cordless phone standard that ensures a phone has good range and call clarity. Plus, DECT phones can intercom with each other and use VOIP, or internet telephony, services like Vonage or Ooma that will send your calls over the internet rather than via the traditional phone network.
Battery Backup
Cordless phones require a battery to function, so they need a base station for charging. It's essential to consider your phone habits when choosing a cordless phone system. It's also important to consider the layout of your home and places where a charging cradle would be convenient.