Cordless phones aren’t an outdated technology just yet, especially when you take a look at the best cordless phones on the market. Today’s cordless phones aren’t the clunky, battery-zapping models of the past. They’re sleek, with high-end devices that improve clarity and range. There are many reasons to keep a landline, from running a home business to poor cell coverage in your area. 

Cordless phones come with a wide range of features, from a built-in answering machine to caller ID announce, voicemail, and hearing aid support. The layout of your home and the needs of those who use the phone ultimately determine the features that will enhance your communication. Our list of the best cordless phones includes models that work for home use, home business, seniors, and everything in between.

— Best Overall: AT&T CL82407 — Best for Business: Panasonic KX-TG7875S — Best for Seniors: VTech SN5127 — Best Corded/Cordless: Panasonic Corded/Cordless Phone System (TGF352N) — Best Budget: AT&T EL51203 DECT 6.0 Phone

Cordless phones are not outdated or redundant. Buying a model with the latest technology and features ensures the best communication. In choosing the best cordless phones, we took the following factors into consideration:

— Technology: For the best range and clarity, there’s nothing better than Digital Enhanced Cordless Technology (DECT). DECT allows the phone to be used for VoIP so you can take advantage of internet calls, too. 

— Handsets and Expandability: We looked for models with the option to expand the number of handsets. While not everyone needs handsets in every room, it’s nice to have the choice.

— Display and Digits: Well-lit LCD displays and bright backlit digits make calls easier in dim lighting. We also considered the size and distance between buttons. 

— Backup Battery and Battery Life: You should replace the phone’s rechargeable batteries once a year, but you should get at least that much time from each handset. Models with backup batteries will stay powered even when the power is out.

Why It Made The Cut: The four included headsets, high recording capacity, and excellent range and clarity make this an easy pick for the best cordless phone.

Specs: — Handsets: Four (expandable up to 12 handsets) — DECT: Yes — Recording Capacity: 22 minutes

Pros: — Includes 4 handsets and can expand up to 12 — Call blocker, caller ID, built-in answering machine — Excellent range and clarity — Extra-large, backlit buttons — Quiet mode

Cons: — Complicated to set up call blocking

The AT&T 82407 is loaded with features that prevent robocalls and spamming while offering excellent range and clarity. The DECT 6.0 technology gives the handsets the range so that you can walk around your home or outside without losing a signal. You also get good volume and clarity, even at the extended range.

This phone is loaded with features like call blocking, caller ID, caller ID announce, a built-in answering machine, and handsets that function as speakerphones and an intercom system. You can also expand the system to include up to 12 handsets. (But  make sure all additional handsets are compatible.)

This model is also a good cordless phone for seniors or children because of the large, high contrast, LCD screen and backlit keys. Our other favorite feature is the quiet mode, which silences calls for up to 12 hours.

On the downside, some of the features like the call blocking can take a while to set up because of the sheer number of setting options.

Why It Made The Cut: This phone’s cell phone integration and excellent battery life make it ideal for business use.

Specs: — Handsets: Five (expands to six) — DECT: Yes — Recording Capacity: 18 minutes

Pros: — Cell phone integration — Excellent battery life — Full set of features, including handset intercom, call log, and phonebook directory — USB charger on base

Cons: — Expensive — Difficult to read buttons in the dark

The Panasonic KX-TG7875S is built for small businesses. It’s loaded with features like handset intercom, call log, a built-in phone book directory, and an answering machine. Features go beyond basic with a few advanced options like caller ID announce and headset jacks on each handset.

This model also boasts an excellent battery life for each of the handsets, including a backup battery. The call-blocking feature can save and block up to 250 numbers.

But the best feature for businesses has to be the cell phone integration option. You can connect up to two cell phones to the system via Bluetooth so you can make and receive telephone calls from your mobile phone using the handsets. The connection between the phone system and cell phone can also alert you to text messages or forward voicemail to your registered phone number. Additionally, there’s a USB charger on the base to charge extra devices.

Keep in mind that this system is pricey, and the buttons aren’t very bright.

Why It Made The Cut: This model's audio boost and photo dial features make it ideal for seniors.

Specs: — Handsets: One — DECT: Yes — Recording Capacity: 22 minutes

Pros: — Audio boost goes up to 50dB — Loud, 90dB ringer volume — Photo dial offers easier speed dialing — Option to use talking digits

Cons: — Mute button is located next to the talk button

The VTech SN5127 is specifically designed for seniors, starting with the auto boost button, which takes the sound up to 50 decibels when needed. The ringer has five settings, with the loudest topping out at 90 decibels. However, one of our favorite features is the photo dial. Seniors can attach a photo to the speed dial buttons so they have a visual image of who they’re calling.

This phone also has large buttons with a good amount of space between them for easier use. If needed, users can turn on talking digits, which announces the number after the button is pressed.

A smart call blocker feature allows users to block calls with the touch of a button as soon as they see the call come through. And you really can see calls coming through because of a flashing call light. Users can also ask the caller to record their name and press the pound key. From there, the user can decide whether to answer the call, send it to the answering machine, or block it.

There’s one small design flaw you have to watch out for. The mute button is located below the talk button, which makes it easy to hit the wrong one.

Why It Made The Cut: Get the benefits of a large screen plus two handsets that can act as baby monitors or an intercom.

Specs: — Handsets: Two — DECT: Yes — Recording Capacity: NA

Pros: — Large screen on the base unit — Can act as a baby monitor — Eight hours of battery backup power — Compatible with many range extenders

Cons: — Low audio quality of voice messages

The Panasonic Corded/Cordless Phone System (TGF352N) does a lot from a fairly small base. A large LCD screen on the base makes it easy to see caller ID and decide whether or not you want to accept, decline, or block the call. You can block up to 250 numbers.

The handsets have up to eight hours of battery backup power. The handsets can be used as a baby monitor. The phone sends an alert to the base when the handset detects sound.

This model is compatible with some range extenders, but check compatibility before buying. The Panasonic contains noise reduction technology that works well for phone calls. However, a common complaint is the low audio quality of voice messages.

Why It Made The Cut: This phone performs well for basic functions, is easy to use, and saves up to 50 numbers in its directory. 

Specs: — Handsets: Two (expandable to five) — DECT: Yes — Recording Capacity: NA

Pros: — Brightly lit buttons — 50 names and numbers phone book directory — Handsets can act as speakerphones

Cons: — Handsets easily fall out of charging base

The AT&T EL51203 DECT 6.0 Phone is a basic model with good clarity and a decent range. It also features brightly lit buttons and a relatively large LCD display on each handset. 

Users can save up to 50 names and numbers in the built-in phonebook directory. If you have a subscription to your provider’s voicemail service, the phone will display a voicemail waiting indicator. 

However, you have to consider placement carefully because the handsets easily fall out of the charging base cradles.

Digital Enhanced Cordless Technology, or DECT 6.0, is the standard in cordless phone technology. DECT phones have better clarity and range. They can also be used for internet calls (VOIP services) using services like Ooma or Vonage. DECT also allows the handsets to intercom with one another. 

Cordless phones rely on batteries in each handset and a charging station to keep them fully charged. Before buying a cordless phone, decide where you will put the charging stations to make sure you have adequate room. This exercise should also give you a good idea of how many handsets you need.

The battery life and location of charging stations should support your phone habits. Do you leave the phone off the charging station in between calls? Could you potentially run through a battery after a couple of long calls?

Most cordless phone systems are expandable, meaning you can add handsets or headsets to the system. However, each system has its limits. Can you add two, four, or ten handsets? How many handsets do you need? If you’re running a business, you may need to add 10 or 12, so make sure the system has the room to grow with you.

The AT&T CL82407 has excellent clarity, volume, and range. If you’re looking for sheer volume, the VTech SN5127 can go to a maximum of 50 dB with a ringer that can reach a max of 90 dB.

The most reliable cordless phones made our list, but the AT&T CL82407 stands out for reliability. These models have a proven track record and are loaded with features to enhance performance.

All DECT phones are cordless, but not all cordless phones are DECT. DECT is a type of cordless phone technology that enhances range and clarity. Models with DECT typically offer the best performance. 

The phone itself can last for years. However, the rechargeable batteries won’t. You’ll get better service if you replace the batteries once a year.

The easiest cordless phone to use is often the simplest, like the AT&T EL51203 DECT 6.0 Phone . If you’re concerned about simplicity, stick to a basic model with a few built-in features like an answering machine and caller ID.

You can leave a cordless phone in the charger all the time without harming the batteries or shortening the battery life. 

The AT&T CL82407 provides a good list of features and superior clarity to boost it to the top of the list. It helps that this AT&T cordless phone can handle up to 12 handsets. However, if you don’t need quite that many features or handsets, the AT&T EL51203 DECT 6.0 Phone costs considerably less but still offers good range, clarity, and a few extras.

This post was created by a non-news editorial team at Recurrent Media, Futurism’s owner. Futurism may receive a portion of sales on products linked within this post.