Cordless phones: How to buy the best Dect cordless phone Cordless phone advanced features
Cordless phones often come with advanced features that you'd previously see only on mobiles. Here's a round-up of some of the ones to look out for:
Speed dial/hot keys
Store your most important telephone numbers so they can be recalled using a short sequence of key presses – for example, *1 or R1.
Night mode
This feature lets you select times of day when the ring tone volume is automatically reduced.
Illuminated screen and keypad
Backlit screens and keypads make cordless phones easier to use in the dark.
Sim card reader
A Sim card reader is useful to transfer phone numbers and contact lists between your mobile phone and your cordless phone handsets.
SMS messaging
Further bridging the gap between mobile phones and cordless telephones, several models we've tested allow you to send text messages. Check that your telephone service (line rental) supplier offers an SMS feature.
Out-of-range indicator
This feature can let you know with an audible (beeping) or visual (flashing LED) signal that your battery is low or you're out of range of the base station, so you can recharge or move to avoid dropping your call.
Handset naming
Some cordless phones let you name each handset so that their name is displayed on the screen, and you don’t lose track of where each phone is in your home.
Handset ringer volume control
Some handsets let you control the volume of the ringtone from the handset itself, rather than via the base station.
Read Which? reviews of more than 250 cordless phone packs to find the best Dect handset for your lifestyle.
Ring tone choice
Some cordless phones offer a choice of polyphonic ringtones, similar to a mobile phone. Some models even allow you to allocate different ringtones to specific names in your phonebook.
Message counter
A message counter is a useful answering-machine function. The LCD screen on the base station shows how many messages have been received. Alternatively, the number of messages can be displayed on the handset’s screen.
Wall mounting
Some cordless phone base stations can be wall mounted if space is at a premium, though you’ll still have to run power and phone cables up the wall to the base station.
Big button cordless phones
Some cordless phones have been specially designed with big buttons to make them easier to use. They're particularly suitable for those who are visually impaired or just want a very simple cordless phone.
Voip
Voip stands for voice-over-internet protocol. Put simply, your voice is carried over a broadband internet connection, which is much cheaper than a traditional phone line. If you call like-minded Voip-enabled family and friends dotted around the globe, it's a fantastic money-saving option.
You may have to pay a fee to set up your Voip service to receive calls, but calling other people using the same service is usually free.
Fees are often charged on calls to traditional landlines, but it’s still cheaper because the type of connection is much more cost-effective. Some cordless phones are Voip enabled and can work with either a traditional phone line or over the internet.
