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The Cordless Wall Phone

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The Convenience and Affordability of a Cordless Wall Phone

Cell phones are popular devices. However, a landline can work in locations where a cell phone falters. They also provide more consistent sound quality and volume. For anyone with a hearing impairment or difficulty operating a tiny cell phone, landline phones can also be a better option.

Of course being tethered to a corded landline phone isn't very convenient. The best compromise within your home therefore is a cordless phone. A device that provides a bit of mobility and yet landline reliability and quality. Cordless wall phones are often preferred by those who have limited space to work with in their home. Learn more about how to choose these devices and shop for the one you want on this page.

Choosing a Cordless Wall Phone

A cordless phone offers a number of convenient features. They provide the reliability of a landline, with more mobility than a corded phone. They're also quite affordable in most cases. Desk top models offer the ability to easily change the location of the base station and primary handset, but cordless wall phone models can save desk space and reduce the risk of being knocked off onto the floor.

Once you've decided whether or not you want a cordless wall phone or a desktop model, there are other things to consider.

  • The type of phone and the frequencies used.

    Analog phones can still be found on the market and are often the least expensive models available. They tend to have good voice quality but often don't allow the user to wander as far from the base station as a digital phone. Analog phones also don't offer the same security to assure others can't listen into your calls. Digital phones are more common now. They tend to offer greater range of operation and give users the option of adding more handsets to the system.

    These phones can operate at 900MHz (not very common anymore), 2.4GHz, 5.8GHz, and 1.9 GHz. Problems with interference tend to be less prominent with those operating at 1.9 GHz.

  • The number of handsets needed.

    For some, the only need is to add a line to a spare room or the kitchen, and one handset is all they want. For others, having one base station and handset in a central location is desired but they want additional handsets elsewhere in their home. Some systems can accomodate 4 or more handsets.

  • The number of lines needed.

    If you want a separate line for the kids or a separate line for your home office, you'll need a phone that can accomodate more than one line.

  • Special needs.

    If someone with a hearing loss will be using the phone, then features like a good ear seal, a light indicator to alert them to calls, hearing aid compatibility, or convenient volume control on the handset will be important.

  • Call quality.

    The only way to really assess call quality is to go to the store and try out the phone.

  • Important features.

    Individual users have to identify which features are critical for their situation. Some phones have caller ID, call waiting, and voice mail capabilities. However, users who want these amenities will also need to sign up for such services through their phone service provider. Some cordless wall phones even offer multiple mailboxes so that each family member can have their own mailbox. Other phones may offer an answering machine function that eliminates the need to sign up for voicemail services.

    Some phones offer a larger phonebook than others to store numbers. Others provide one touch re-dial or perhaps the ability to store caller ID information for up to 45 or more calls. Speakerphone function is convenient for those who want to be able to talk while performing other tasks, while large button phones are easier to operate in general. Some phones offer 3-way conferencing capability, but many do not. If a user wants to be able to use a headset, then a jack is needed.


  • Technical issues.

    It's good to at least consider the operating range or the distance from the base station at which you'll still be able to use the phone. How far is far enough, is dependent upon your individual needs. Battery life can also be important as you'll want to know how long the phone can go between charges. Generally speaking, a NiMH battery tends to offer the most use between charges.

  • Mounting.

    Many cordless wall phones are also desk top models. This means that they may stick out from the wall several inches. Other models may be made specifically for wall mounted use and lay closer to the wall. If you know where you'll be mounting the phone, then you'll know your space requirements. In any case, you will need a wall mount or adapter at a minimum.

    • Terms to Know When Shopping for a Cordless Wall Phone

    There are just a couple of terms and acronyms that you may encounter while shopping for a cordless wall phone that aren't familiar.

  • DECT phone

    DECT stands for Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication. DECT phones are digital phones that generally offer a greater operating distance than traditional cordless phones. They also tend to offer superior sound quality. They tend to also be more expensive. If you want more technical information about DECT, you can review this Wikipedia article. DECT 6.0/6.0 Plus are currently the top of the line cordless phones.

  • FHSS

    FHSS stands for "frequency hopping spread spectrum". The frequencies used by many cordless phones can interfere with other devices using the same frequency. The 900MHz and 2.4GHz frequencies tend to experience this more. FHSS allows a device to hop frequencies to avoid this interference. Thus, a cordless phone with FHSS technology can also help reduce problems with interference from microwave ovens, baby monitors, wireless devices, and other equipment. If you want to learn more of the specifics about FHSS, you can read this article.

    • Need an Amplified Phone?

    If you need an amplified phone, corded or cordless, be sure to check out our page on Amplified Phones.

    Find a Cordless Wall Phone

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    Still looking for a cordless phone? Be sure to stop by our online home electronics store.

    • newbizmau Feb 14, 2011 @ 2:35 pm | delete
      Knowing the terms helps. Thanks
    • Philippians468 Jan 12, 2011 @ 1:04 am | delete
      such convenience! thank you for this informative lens! cheers
    • AnthonyThornny61 Nov 2, 2010 @ 4:37 am | delete
      Phone Systems are still trusted nowadays because there are places where cellphones fail. All we need is to upgrade our phone system to have a maximum use of it.
      www.ringcentral.com/fax/features.html
    • jwilks70 Nov 1, 2010 @ 8:42 am | delete
      Yet another good argument for why analog cable systems are never going to be fully dead. If these technologies constantly bail us out of the faults of digital, It is only a matter of time before both technologies are improved to work together more seamlessly and the perfection of the analog systems will help educate the manufacturing of digital technologies for the future. Awesome lens. Thanks for posting.
    • poutine Dec 26, 2009 @ 7:37 am | delete
      A lot of good info on the subject of cordless wall phone.
    • JaguarJulie Nov 6, 2009 @ 9:13 am | delete
      You know, I am in heaven with our cordless wall phone. Heaven, I say!
    • sukkran Jun 11, 2009 @ 8:42 pm | delete
      it is really an useful page. great lens.
    • TheWhistler May 27, 2009 @ 11:55 am | delete
      How do you know all this tech stuff? Thanks for the lens.
    • Irenemaria May 27, 2009 @ 10:31 am | delete
      You present an endless stream of useful lenses. When do you sleep and eat? Thank you for this really good information.
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    Photo Credits

    Introduction: sheldonschwartz
    Choosing a Cordless Wall Phone: SeRVe61.
    Terms to Know: The_Ladd.

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    mulberry

    A landline is dependable and offers great sound quality. A cordless phone provides a bit of mobility. If you're interested in a cordless wall phone to... more »

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