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All About the Best Skype Phones, Handsets, and Headsets 2010

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Skype has made life easier and cheaper for many of us - but talking on the computer just ain't the same thing as talking on a phone

That's where Skype handsets and phones come to the rescue! They allow us to use Skype in a way that is more natural and similar to how a regular phone is used. For me, it completely replaces the need for a normal land-line phone, by using SkypeIn to receive calls.

But there are many different kinds of handsets and phones that can be used with Skype. On this page I introduce each type, along with recommendations on what I consider to be the best of each category. Please leave a comment with your own tips and experiences!

New Poll: How do you make Skype calls?

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How does Skype and Skype phones work?

Routing phone calls over the Internet

Skype allows you to talk to other Skype users as well as dial up ordinary phones using a service called Skype Out. There is also a service called Skype In that allows you to attach a regular phone number to your Skype account, so that even people who are not using Skype can call you on Skype.

When using Skype Out you pay what is essentially the local charge for phone calls in that area. Which means that you can call a number essentially anywhere in the world and pay the same price as someone who is making that call in that area instead of paying for an international call. This is very attractive to those of us who live far away from the relatives and family, or when you just need to call up some number in a foreign country such as customer support for airlines, hotels, online shopping, etc.

By using a Skype phone or Skype handset attached to your Skype account, you can essentially make calls to anyone anywhere in the world, either on Skype or using Skype Out, and not worry too much about costs. It also means that you can cancel your regular phone land-line, thus saving money. That is what I have done since a long time ago, and I can recommend it to anyone.

Quick Vote: What's the best Skype accessory?

1

Vote Up
IPEVO S0-20 WiFi Phone for Skype

IPEVO S0-20 WiFi Phone for Skype

Operate via a Wi-Fi wireless Internet connection. more...1 point

2

Vote Up
Belkin F1PP010EN-SK Desktop Internet Phone for Skype (Black)

Belkin F1PP010EN-SK Desktop Internet Phone for Skype (Black)

Skype Internet Desktop Telephone1 point

3

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IPEVO FR-33.2 Skype USB Handset with LCD- Black

IPEVO FR-33.2 Skype USB Handset with LCD- Black

A Skype handset for making Skype callsTo many people more...1 point

4

Vote Up
USB Phone Adapter for Skype, MSN, Yahoo, USB VOIP Interface connects your home phone to network

USB Phone Adapter for Skype, MSN, Yahoo, USB VOIP Interface connects your home phone to network

Now you can use your regular home phone for Skype more...0 points

5

Vote Up
Logitech® ClearChat Comfort USB Headset with Noise-Canceling Microphone

Logitech® ClearChat Comfort USB Headset with Noise-Canceling Microphone

Logitech® ClearChat Comfort USB Headset with Noise-Canceling more...0 points

Make Skype calls without a computer

Use a phone that plugs directly into your Internet router

With a phone that plugs directly into your Internet router/modem, you don't need to plug it in to a computer or have a computer turned on in order to make or receive phone calls. Just plug in the power and the cable to a free port on your router and it's good to go. From there on it works essentially like a normal landline phone, especially if you have the SkypeIn product that allows you to receive phone calls via Skype to a regular phone number for regular phones.
Belkin F1PP010EN-SK Desktop Internet Phone for Skype (Black)

Belkin F1PP010EN-SK Desktop Internet Phone for Skype (Black)

Amazon Price: $79.00 (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

This is a solid, high quality Skype phone for a reasonable price. And on top of that the design is good too! It has hand-free speaker functionality, and supports all the great features of Skype: skype-in and skype-out to any number in the world for local prices, contact list (up to 500 contacts are supported), and free calls to all Skype users. For me, this phone is good enough to be a landline replacement.

Go wireless with a Skype wi-fi handset

Freedom to use the phone anywhere away from your Internet router

If you can't or don't want to place your Skype phone where your Internet router or modem is, another option is to go with a wireless, Wi-Fi, skype handset, provided that you have wireless Internet at home. If you can connect to the Internet wirelessly with your laptop, then you can use a wireless Skype phone too. Wireless phones cost a little bit more than the wired counterparts, but they offer more flexibility in placement, and of course you can walk around and talk on the phone anywhere in your house. Most wireless Skype phones have all the features of the wired ones, so you don't miss anything.
IPEVO S0-20 WiFi Phone for Skype

IPEVO S0-20 WiFi Phone for Skype

Amazon Price: $329.95 (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

This is a modern, cleanly designed, easy to use wireless Skype handset. It can connect to any B or G (i.e. normal) wireless network, such as the one you have in your house if you have a normal wireless Internet router. It supports all common forms of wireless encryption so you don't need to compromise the safety of your Internet connection to use this phone. It comes with a handy charger and the battery lasts up to three days between charges, which is top of the class. This phone offers the convenience of a cell phone and all the great features of Skype in one device.

A Skype USB handset is the easiest way

Giving your Skype calls the same feeling as talking on a normal phone

The simplest and cheapest option is to get a Skype handset that plugs into your computer's USB port. The Skype software then redirects calls to your Skype handset, so that you don't need to use the computer's speakers and microphone. It also gives you a convenient number pad to dial on, just like on a normal phone. If you're finding using and talking on Skype on the computer somewhat cumbersome, a USB handset is the easiest and cheapest way of making Skype take on a familiar form. The downside is that you need to have your computer turned on and the handset plugged in to it, unlike the wired and wireless options presented above.
IPEVO FR-33.2 Skype USB Handset with LCD- Black

IPEVO FR-33.2 Skype USB Handset with LCD- Black

Amazon Price: (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

This is a stylish, easy to install and use USB Skype phone that plugs into your computer and allows you to make and take calls directly on the handset. It's like having a Skype remote control unit for your PC. The display can bring up your Skype contact list, see your contacts' online status, and make calls quickly to both other Skype users and normal landline or cell phones using SkypeOut.

Other products

There are a lot of options out there

There are actually a lot of different, useful accessories for making Skype better. More than I can present on this page. If you want to recommend some particular device, please use the comment form at the bottom of this page!
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Best USB Skype headset

A good Skype headset for when you're on the computer

You can place and receive calls, both to/from other Skype accounts and to/from ordinary landlines and cell phones using Skype Out/In, on your computer as well, using just the Skype software. For this to work well you need a good headset though, and I personally prefer one with noise canceling so that background environment noise is eliminated. That way I can hear the other party much clearer. It's also good if the headset has a good microphone instead of relying on a cheap built-in microphone often shipped with the computer, so that the other party can hear you clearly as well. With a headset that plugs in via USB you can even keep your speakers connected and operational while Skype utilizes the USB headset, just make sure you change the settings in Skype to always use your headset when it's plugged in, and you won't have to change any cables around before and after making Skype calls.
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Comments and suggestions

Please share your experience using Skype handsets

  • jillian22 Jan 15, 2011 @ 8:47 pm | delete
    How secure is a skype line in comparison to a land line?
  • SaveMySystem Oct 2, 2010 @ 7:04 am | delete
    Always try to buy the headphones by having a visit of the Skype Shop because they provide headsets which are certified by Skype.
  • wong Jun 16, 2010 @ 2:54 am | delete
    Does the USB Phone Adapter for Skype work on Windows 7 ? Anyone ?
  • hefa Jun 16, 2010 @ 9:56 pm | delete
    I would bet it does, since Windows 7 uses the same driver model as Vista, which is fairly old by now. Not 100% sure though.
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Hi! I'm Henrik. I'm from Sweden but moved to Japan five years ago to work in the mobile software industry, and I'm loving it here and plan on staying.... more »

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