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Before smartphones became omnipresent in modern society, many households used cordless phones to communicate. Much like having an old-school flip phone, there are several reasons to consider a cordless in this day and age. For example, a landline-connected phone can automatically share your address with emergency services when you call 911. This feature can be lifesaving in situations when you’re unable to speak or can’t recall your home address.
While cordless phones can’t download apps or browse the web, they’re more advanced than you think, boasting several features that make communicating with friends and family easier. In addition to improved reliability in emergencies, cordless phones are simple to use, so they’re ideal for anyone who isn’t tech-savvy. For those who want an easier, safer, and more straightforward way to communicate, a cordless phone offers the perfect balance of performance and functionality. These are the best cordless phones we recommend.
Best Cordless Phones
- Best Overall: AT&T DL72219 Cordless Phone
- Best Budget: VTech VG101-11 Cordless Phone
- Best Features: Panasonic KX-TDG863W Cordless Phone
- Best for Seniors: VTech SN5147 Cordless Phone
- Most Handset Support: VTech DS6151 Cordless Phone
What to Consider
As we mention above, cordless phones have features beyond the ability to make a phone call. So, what should you look for? Each cordless phone we write about offers a baseline of features that we expect out of the box, including top-notch audio quality, excellent range, and a built-in phonebook. Beyond that, there are several features to consider before buying a cordless phone.
Ease of Use
A cordless phone should be as user-friendly as an old-school flip-phone. This means large, clearly labeled buttons, easy-to-read displays, and an intuitive design for quickly making calls without navigating through confusing menus. The best cordless phones are also low maintenance, with hassle-free setup and simple battery charging.
This uncomplicated design is crucial not only for everyday conversations but also during emergencies when every second counts and stress levels are high. The simplicity ensures that anyone in your household, regardless of age or tech-savviness, can operate the phone without any issues.
Battery Life
Nobody wants their phone to cut out mid-conversation, whether it’s a cordless phone, smartphone, or flip phone. Most of the cordless phones we cover have an estimated battery life of 10 hours of talk time (or up to five days of standby). If you can make it a habit to charge your cordless phone overnight, you shouldn’t run into any battery problems. Some models come with low battery alerts or visual indicators to remind you when it’s time to charge.
Headphone Jack
Long conversations can strain your arm and neck if you’re holding a phone. That’s why a headphone jack is an important feature to consider. It lets you connect standard wired headphones, typically to the phone’s base station, giving your arms and neck a break.
Call Block
Spam calls are an annoyance, so we appreciate models that offer call blocking. Cordless phones often feature a “call block” button, so you can instantly block a number you don’t recognize. This feature generally puts that number on a block list, so you won’t get a call from the number again.
Additional Features
There are several other features that make cordless phones more convenient to use, though they’re not as essential as those listed above. Still, we think they’re worth keeping in mind as you’re shopping.
- Phone locator: Press one button on the base station and the cordless phone beeps. No more wondering where you left it.
- Call recording: This feature can record important calls, so you never miss important details. For safety, the feature announces to both parties that the call is being recorded.
- Answering machine: In the age of smartphones, nobody wants to listen to a voicemail. But in a cordless phone, an answering machine makes complete sense.
- Hearing aid compatibility (HAC): Hearing aid compatibility lets individuals with impaired hearing use the phone easily and comfortably with a hearing aid.
- Multiple phones: You can generally buy a cordless phone by itself or in a pair. Some models let you add handsets if you want to place one in each room of your home.
- Intercom mode: Speaking of having multiple cordless phones, an intercom mode broadcasts a message to the other handsets in your house. Some models even let you use the phones like a walkie-talkie.
- Caller ID: If I don’t know who is calling, I’m not picking up, and I imagine others feel the same way. Caller ID is essential when an unrecognizable number pops. up, so recipients can quickly decide if they want to pick up or not.
- Cell phone connectivity: With cell phone connectivity via Bluetooth, you can connect your device to your cordless phone. With this feature, the cordless phone rings when your cell phone gets a call so you can answer it on either device.
- Customizable ringtones: In addition to choosing a ringtone for general calls, some models have a custom ringtone for specific contacts.
How We Selected
As a millennial who came of age during the transition from landlines to mobile phones, I’ve had extensive experience with both technologies. I vividly remember spending hours talking to friends and family using a cordless phone. This firsthand experience gives me a unique perspective on the evolution and current state of what cordless phones have to offer.
To find the best cordless phones, I did extensive research on the best-selling models at retailers like Amazon and Walmart, making sure they met the criteria outlined above. Additionally, I considered user and professional reviews, giving me deeper insight into how these cordless phones perform in the real world.
Pros
Can pair with two smartphones- One-touch call block
Cons
- Uses battery pack, not batteries
This cordless phone gets the basics right, while offering an extensive list of additional features, including a smart call blocker, mobile notifications, and voice assistant support. The list of features is so long it’d be tough to list them here. But they all help make this model easy and enjoyable to use. Plus, the model supports DECT 6.0, a standard that ensures clear, secure calls with minimal interference from other devices.
The phone itself has an easy-to-read 1.8-inch display and large, clearly labeled buttons. A digital answering system saves up to 22 minutes of messages, with a talking prompt that walks you through the initial setup process. The base unit also supports a full-duplex speakerphone, so you can have a natural conversation as though the person were in the room. Additionally, the phone has a redial feature for the last ten numbers, quiet mode, and the ability to answer a call by pressing any key.
There’s even more functionality with the phone’s ability to connect to two smartphones via Bluetooth. This feature lets you make and receive calls from both your phone and landline using the cordless handset. For Android users, the cordless phone provides additional convenience by announcing incoming texts, emails, and other notifications. These advanced features, combined with its user-friendly design, make this model our top overall choice.
Key Specs
| Battery Life | N/A |
|---|---|
| Call Block | Yes |
| Caller ID | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Screen Size | 1.8 in. |
2
Best Budget
VTech VG101-11 Cordless Phone
Pros
- DECT 6.0 support
- Excellent range
Cons
- Lacks many convenience features
This is an excellent budget option that excels at the basics. Like our top overall pick, the model supports DECT 6.0. Also, VTech estimates that the range between the handset and base station is 1,000 feet, which is impressive. Needless to say, you should have no problems walking to the other side of your home with our budget pick.
Other highlights include full-duplex speakerphone, a backlit display and keyboard, caller ID, and hearing aid compatibility.
The caveat is that this model lacks several nice-to-have features, including call blocking, Bluetooth connectivity, and an answering machine, though that’s in line with the price point. If you don’t mind forgoing a few features, this cordless phone is an affordable option that nails the basics.
Key Specs
| Battery Life | N/A |
|---|---|
| Call Block | No |
| Caller ID | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Screen Size | N/A |
Pros
- Can pair two smartphones
- Expandable up to six handsets
- Bilingual talking caller ID
Cons
- Extra features are pricey
With two-way recording, bilingual talking caller ID, hearing aid compatibility, automated call blocking, and intercom support, this model delivers an impressive array of features. And that’s only a partial list of what Panasonic’s handset has to offer. Other features include a call block button and a one-ring scam alert, which warns you about potential fraudulent calls that typically hang up after one ring to entice a callback.
You can pair two smartphones to this cordless model via Bluetooth plus get alerts for incoming calls and texts, effectively turning your landline handset into a hub. The number of features, frankly, can seem overwhelming. But they’re designed to make using a cordless phone easier and safer. This bundle comes with three handsets, though the system is expandable up to six handsets.
Key Specs
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours (5 days of standby) |
|---|---|
| Call Block | Yes |
| Caller ID | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Screen Size | N/A |
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Pros
- Photo dial
- Audio assist
- SOS feature
Cons
- Photo dial features is on the base station
In addition to call blocking and a handset with large, clearly labeled buttons, this cordless phone stands out for its photo dial feature. Granted, the feature is found in a corded base, but adding eight frequently dialed numbers with a picture always lets you know who’s calling. The added visual cue makes this phone particularly user-friendly for seniors, providing an intuitive way to identify and connect with frequent callers.
The corded base comes with a cordless phone, so you can take your conversation to the next room. The handset has a convenient “audio assist” feature, which can temporarily increase overall volume by up to 50 decibels. This helps enhance sound frequencies that make speech clearer and easier to understand. Additionally, an SOS button can function as an emergency button to not only page other handsets in the house but call a preset number for help.
Key Specs
| Battery Life | N/A |
|---|---|
| Call Block | Yes |
| Caller ID | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Screen Size | N/A |
Pros
- Expandable up to 12 handsets
- Two-line support
Cons
- Lacks more advanced features
Most cordless phones offer expandability up to six handsets. This VTech model doubles that with up to 12 handsets using only one phone jack. That makes this system ideal for small businesses or large households. The phone also supports two lines and three-way conferencing capabilities, further underscoring its versatility and suitability for professional use.
The handsets encrypt your calls, protecting you from potential eavesdropping to ensure your conversations remain private. A typical household may not find this feature essential, but it can be invaluable for businesses discussing sensitive information.
Another highlight is that this model supports a digital answering system, with a mailbox for each line so you can listen to your messages remotely.
Key Specs
| Battery Life | N/A |
|---|---|
| Call Block | No |
| Caller ID | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Screen Size | N/A |
Pros
- 14,000 pre-installed call block numbers
- Can pair two smartphones
- Two-way recording
Cons
- Expensive system
Battery life is comparable across the cordless phones on this list, with most handsets offering up to an estimated 10 hours of talk time. This Panasonic model is no different, but we are still giving it the nod here for a few reasons. First, it uses rechargeable AAA batteries, which are included with your purchase. This gives you a bit more flexibility when replacing them when they run out of juice, rather than relying on a battery pack.
Second, it offers many of the features that help elevate the overall experience. The system comes with 14,000 pre-installed call block numbers, protecting you from spam right out of the box. Like other handsets on this list, the Panasonic supports one-ring scam alert and one-touch call blocking, further bolstering your defenses. Additionally, you get two-way recording and can add 3,000 names and phone numbers to the phonebook to keep in touch.
Key Specs
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours (5 hours of standby) |
|---|---|
| Call Block | Yes |
| Caller ID | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Screen Size | N/A |
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Pros
- Impressive range
- Durable design
Cons
- Lacks more advanced features
If you work outdoors or in a separate garage from your home, the Motorola O211 ensures you stay connected. Its antenna design gives you an ultra-long cordless range of over 2,000 feet, so you can still take calls far away from the base station. It’s perfect for anyone who frequently works on outdoor projects or has a large property. This kind of range also makes it possible to maintain communications at work across multiple buildings.
The Motorola O211 is designed for outdoor use, with an IP67 rating for both dust and water resistance. It can withstand submersion in up to 3 feet of water for 30 minutes, providing peace of mind if you accidentally drop it in that creek behind your house.
Other features include expandability up to 11 handsets and an extended talk time of up to an estimated 12 hours. For users prioritizing durability, impressive range, and a straightforward experience, the Motorola O211 is an excellent choice.
Key Specs
| Battery Life | Up to 12 hours (250 hours of standby) |
|---|---|
| Call Block | No |
| Caller ID | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Screen Size | 1.8 in. |
Brandon Russell
Brandon Russell is a freelance writer covering gear and technology. He started his journey as a news writer at a small newspaper and later began reviewing smartphones, movies, and video games. In his free time, he enjoys the slower, more intentional experience of using a 35mm film camera and making short videos about movies he grew up watching.
