Getting Started

When shopping for a phone, you'll need to decide whether you want a phone that uses analog or digital technology. Generally, analog phones are less expensive and have better voice quality, while digital models offer better security and are more immune to interference. But each technology has equally significant drawbacks. And, because cordless phones might interfere with other wireless devices and home networks, you'll also have to consider which frequencies the phone uses.

And you'll have to decide whether you want an answerer. Many people still do, despite the ubiquity of cell phones with voice-mail capability. Single- and multiple-handset phones come in versions with a built-in answerer. Such phones often cost little more than comparable phone-only models and take up about the same space. If you're considering an answerer, you need to make these two additional decisions.

Features such as a speaker phone for hands-free communication, a keypad for dialing from the base, and a large LCD screen can help you get the most from your phone.

Types

A main distinction among types of cordless phones is the way they transmit their signals.

These are the least expensive type and tend to have better voice quality than digital models, though their range is somewhat shorter. They are also unlikely to interfere with other wireless products. But analog transmission isn't very secure; anyone with an RF scanner or comparable wireless device might be able to listen in. Analog phones are also more likely than digital phones to suffer occasional static and RF interference from other wireless products. Also, multiple-handset-capable phones can't conference handsets with an outside party, and the number of handsets that can be supported by the base unit is typically limited to two.

These provide an added measure of security and are more immune to RF interference. Their range might be slightly better than that of analog phones. Note that some phones-usually the 2.4-GHz or the multiple-handset capable phones with handset conferencing capabilities-use such a wide swath of the spectrum even in standby mode that they might interfere with wireless LAN, baby monitors, and other wireless products operating in the same frequency band. The latest phones use a technology called Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication, which addresses the interference problem by using the 1.9-GHz frequency band that was recently reserved by the FCC for voice-only applications. DECT phones also tend to have the longest talk time. Some digital models support up to 12 handsets from one base and allow conferencing of handsets.

To be sure you're actually getting a digital model, check the packaging carefully. Look for wording such as "digital phone," "digital spread spectrum or DSS," "frequency-hopping spread spectrum or FHSS," or digital enhanced cordless telecommunication or telephone or DECT. Phrases such as "phone with digital security code," "phone with all-digital answerer," or "spread spectrum technology" (not digital spread spectrum) all denote phones that are less secure. Phones that use dual-band transmission might indicate the higher frequency in a larger print on the packaging. If you want a true 5.8- or 2.4-GHz phone, check the fine print. If only the frequency is prominently shown on the package, it's probably analog.

Features

Standard cordless phone features include handset earpiece volume control, handset ringer, last-number redial, a pager to locate the handset, a flash button to answer call waiting, and a low-battery indicator.

Found on many handsets and on some bases, this can display a personal phone directory and useful information such as the name and/or number dialed, caller ID, battery strength, or how long you've been connected. Caller ID displays the name and number of a caller and the date and time of the call if you use your phone company's caller ID service. If you have caller ID with call waiting, the phone will display data on a second caller when you're already on the phone.

These can receive calls for two phone numbers--useful if you have, say, a business line and a personal line that you'd like to use from a single phone. Some of the phones have two ringers, each with a distinctive pitch to let you know which line is ringing. The two-line feature also facilitates conferencing two callers in three-way connections. Some two-line phones have an auxiliary jack data port to plug in a fax, modem, or other phone device that can also be useful.

This cordless phone feature offers a hands-free way to converse or wait on hold and lets others chime in as well. A base speakerphone lets you answer a call without the handset; a handset speakerphone lets you chat hands-free anywhere in the house as long as you stay within a few feet of the handset.

This supplements the keypad on the handset. It's handy for navigating menu-driven systems because you don't have to take the phone away from your ear to punch the keys. Some phones have a lighted keypad that either glows in the dark or lights up when you press a key, or when the phone rings. That makes the phone easier to use in low-light conditions. All phones have a handset ringer, and many phones have a base ringer. Some let you turn them on or off, adjust the volume, or change the auditory tone.

Many cordless phones have a headset jack on the handset and include a belt clip for carrying the phone. This cordless phone feature allows hands-free conversation anywhere in the house. Some phones have a headset jack on the base, which allows hands-free conversation without any drain on the handset battery. Headsets are usually sold separately for about $20.

Other convenient cordless phone features include auto-talk, which lets you lift the handset off the base for an incoming call and start talking without having to press a button, and any-key answer. Some phones have a side volume control on the handset conveniently placing the control for adjusting volume while you're on a call.

Some phones provide a battery holder for battery backup--a compartment in the base to charge a spare handset battery pack or to hold alkaline batteries for base-power backup, either of which can enable the phone to work on a traditional landline service if you lose household AC power. Still, it's wise to keep a corded phone somewhere in your home.

Some multiple-handset-capable phones allow conversation between handsets in an intercom mode and facilitate conferencing handsets with an outside party. In intercom mode, the handsets have to be within range of the base for handset-to-handset use. Others lack this handset-conferencing capability; they allow you to transfer calls to another handset, but they don't allow more than one handset to take part in a call. Still other phones allow direct communication between handsets, so you can take them with you to use like walkie-talkies. Some phones can register up to 12 handsets, for example, but that doesn't mean you can use all 12 at once. You might be able to use two for handset-to-handset intercom, while two others conference with an outside party. With some models, it's possible to buy a replacement handset and charging cradle in case one breaks. With others, you'll have to purchase an entirely new system to keep that extension.

Some phones have Caller ID alerts. A phone with distinctive ring capability allows you to hear who is calling by associating the calling number with a specific ring tone. Some are visual, so you can tell who's calling by the handset display or the antenna flashing a particular color. Phones with talking Caller ID, also referred to as Caller ID announce, speak the name of the caller, which is useful because you don't have to view the display to know who's calling.

Most phone-answerers have one mailbox. Some answerers have several mailboxes to which a caller can direct a voice message to an individual family member, or to separate business and personal calls, for example. That allows the convenience of listening to messages meant just for you.

Most answerers can skip to the next message, skip back to a previous message, and repeat a message. But some also have fast playback for listening to messages more quickly, slow playback for deciphering a garbled message, and rewind to replay any message segment. Some models also have an audible message alert, typically a beep, that lets you know you have new messages without having to go look at the answerers' visual new message indicator. Some phones allow you to listen to messages from the handset and might even allow you to access to other answerer functions, such as recording your greeting; that offers more privacy and convenience.