Cordless phones have become so common thing in most UK households that you may find at least one cordless phone in each household ,and in some cases, you’re likely to find more than a cordless phone model. Cordless phones of today come with improved features that they are no longer prone to short ranges, echoing, interferences and tinny voices.

The latest cordless phones offer excellent, clear sound quality and come with long ranges so that you can roam far and wide. In addition, there is a wide range of features that ensure better performance, security and usability in various conditions.

Naturally, cordless phones with better performance and other sophisticated features cost more and which is why you need to plan and research a bit before you decide on which cordless phone model can best work for you at a price level that can suit your budget.

Cordless phones send and receive audio signals of radio frequencies between the handset and the base. The range of radio frequencies is usually measured in hertz (Hz). For clear signal to produce better sound quality for long ranges, the cordless phones come three frequency ranges:

• 900 MHz range cordless phone
• 2.4 GHz range cordless phone
• 5.8 GHz range cordless phone

Cordless phones with 900MHz frequency are prone to interferences so you cannot expect good sound quality and long range. They are cheaper, but are generally not preferred by most users in recent times.

Cordless phones in 2.4 GHz RF range offer better coverage and security features. They have become cheaper in recent times, however, the only downside of these cordless phones is that they are susceptible to interference from microwave ovens and wireless networking environment

Panasonic KX-TG4500B 5.8GHz Line expandable Cordless Phone

Cordless phones in the 5.8GHz range offer the best sound quality, clarity and long range. Since the interference is so much less, these phone models are perfect for offices and homes. They work well even in wireless networking environment and are not affected by other interferences.

When it comes to the issues of security or interference, the signal processing technology used in the cordless phone model can make a real difference.

Cordless phones use analog or digital signals carry voice data between the base and the handset. Analog signals are in the form of electronic pulses while digital signals are bits in 0s and 1s. Digital signals provide better clarity and security when compared with analog signals, however, the cordless phone models that use analog signals are cheaper and offer warmer sounding. Some models use both methods, known as DSS and FHSS and offer improved security features.

Digital Spread Spectrum or DSS enabled cordless phones rioves any kind of radio frequency interferences and also provides excellent security features. DSS is capable of finding the most suitable channel in the wider frequency range and transmitting stronger signals using more power. These phones are also ideal for using in longer distance ranges. Frequency Hopping Spectrum Spread or FHSS offers the best clarity, much longer range and so far the best security. These phones are capable of working with a wide range of frequencies simultaneously. They pick up the smaller frequency range within the range and have the ability to shift between frequencies.

Answering Machine

Most cordless phones come with in-built answering machine which you can access and record the phone numbers, time and date of the calls on the internal miory. It is a good idea to choose a phone model that has more internal miory, as it can allow you to record long messages. As they have phone equipment and answering machine in a single unit, they occupy less space and save your money that you will otherwise subscribe to your phone service provider.

Multiple Handsets

Panasonic TG7223E Trio DECT Cordless phone

Many cordless phone models come with multiple handsets which means you will leave main base connected to the phone jack and place other handsets at different locations in your home. If so, make sure their bases are plugged into electrical source so that the handsets can be charged.

The analog sets tend to be available in bundled packages, but you cannot use extra handset. So, choose a digital cordless phone which will allow you to use multiple handsets. If you plan to use phones in many rooms, use additional handsets with a main base plugged into the phone jack. They are least expensive when compared with new phones connected to different phone jacks.

Caller ID feature

All cordless phones have liquid crystal display (LCD) screen to show you who is calling. This, you can see on the LCD screen in the handset or the base. Some models have back-lit LCD screen on both. However, for the caller ID to work, you will need to get this feature by subscribing to your phone service provider.

Some cordless phones come with talking caller ID that will say the name of the person calling, or the phone number. If you have enabled call waiting feature, you may also see the details of the incoming call while you are talking.

Intercom

Cordless phones can also be used as an intercom so you can talk to someone in another room by pressing the intercom button on your handset/base and using the speakerphone or handset.

Phone Directories

Most cordless phones come with phone directory built on their internal miory so you can store the numbers and names of all your contacts. If you use multiple handsets, choose the model that allow you to access the phone numbers from any handset and share the contact details between the handsets and the base.

Visual Message Waiting Indicator

Some cordless phones display an icon on the LCD screen and allow you to know the voice mail or messages as soon as you receive thi.

Speakerphone

Neo Bio Digital Cordless phone with speakerphone

This common feature in many cordless phones allows you to speak without handsets or many people to speak over a single phone. Most cordless phones have speakerphone on their base while a few models feature speakerphone on their handsets.

Real Music Ringer

Some cordless phones come with musical ring tones and also allow you to download ring tones from the PC using USB cable. So you can choose your own ring tone for your cordless phone.

Voice enhancient Tools

Digital cordless phones come with Voice Enhancer which adjusts the sound of your voice and improves sound quality. The Voice Scramble feature provides better protection while Voice Changer feature just changes the pitch of your voice so that no one can identify your voice.

Why are cordless phones so necessary?

Cordless phones are quite useful in many circumstances and since they occupy less space you can keep the handset wherever you like – whether in a closet or in a table drawer. They are quite handy in case of iergencies. However they have a drawback: they need power to work. This is not the case with the corded phone.

A few cordless phone models come with batteries and these phones are a bit costlier than the cord phones without batter backup.

Bottom line

There are so many cordless phone models available at various price ranges. If your budget permits, the best option will be a cordless phone in the 5.8 MHz range with additional handsets that can best meet your requirients. However, if you are on budget, make sure that you choose the cordless phone that offers the desired functions, performance and security features.