Essentially you have two choices, corded and cordless. The benefits of a cordless phone over a corded phone is the easy of use and mobility without the constraints of the cord.
With a cordless telephone you have a base unit that connects directly to the power source. A plus point is that you could have numerous handsets but only one phone line. This can be extremely useful, for example having a phone set upstairs in the bedroom as well as one in the living room and kitchen.
This cordless telephone has many benefits and features of a mobile phone
Features I look for in a cordless phone include ease of set up and use, having a clear caller display panel, can it be used with caller ID and the number of handsets you can get. Other features that are useful are the handsfree function, the use of an in-built answer machine, and a quick charging time. I also look at the design as it is important to me for it to be aesthetically pleasing.
Features
Ease Of Set Up And Use
With the many features some cordless phones have, I feel it is important that the instructions are clear and written in plain English. The ease of set up and use is an important consideration. If you are a technophobe you may want a simple phone without an array of state of the art features, if you love technology you may go for the most advanced phone you can afford to buy.
Caller Display Panel
Is the display panel large enough to see who is calling? Can it by used with Nuisance Call Block and Caller ID to prevent unwanted and nuisance phone calls. * requires subscription service. Does the background contrast so that the numbers are displayed clearly?
Handsfree Use
Does it have an in-built speaker system so it can it be used handsfree? This can be extremely important for those who have difficulty using their hands or a disability like arthritis.
Answer Machine
A cordless phone with an answer machine is considered almost essential today
If you do not have an answer machine already, an in-built answer machine can be incredibly useful. How does the answer machine alert the user that a message has been left?
Charging
How long does the phone take to charge and how long does the charge last? This is particularly important if you are a heavy phone user.
Number Of Handsets
This phone is packed full of useful features, with a number of handsets and a slimline design
If you have a big family or big house, more than one handset can be particularly useful. Can you buy additional handsets at a later date if you want to?
Design
Something that is often overlooked is the design. Does it look pleasing to the eye and fit in with your sense of style? Do you prefer a solid well built look or a more streamline design.
Other Features
There are many other features that can be useful to the consumer. Some phones have a setting that completely eliminates radiation when the phone is on stand by mode. Other phones have an 'eco mode' that can let you lower the power consumption whilst on stand by, or a night time mode that flashes when a call is incoming. Some cordless phones have many features of a mobile phone, such as being able to surf the net or read your emails. This can be useful if you do not want to tie yourself into a mobile contract or buy another phone, however you would need wi-fi to use the features.
As you can see there are many points to consider when buying a home cordless phone. Which features do you consider useful or essential?
* a collaborative post in conjunction with Panasonic, all words and opinions are my own
