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Answering Machine Buying Guide
In this digital phone age, most people regard the answering machine as a technology on its way out. But answering machines have a distinct advantage over the built-in voicemail programs on your cell phone or landline—they let us screen our messages AS they’re being left. This is crucial when you’re unsure if Aunt Sally is just phoning for a marathon chat or has important news to share. Whether you’re buying an answering machine for your home or small business, there are a few things you should know before buying. Pronto’s Answering Machine Buying Guide takes the guesswork out of choosing for you so that you wind up with the answering machine that meets your needs.
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the five
What are the five key points I need to look at?
Stand-Alone vs. In-Phone
Standalone answering machines offer more message storage and additional features than built-in phones and are the best choice for homes where the telephone is constantly in use.
Recording Options
Look for machines that allow you to determine the message length callers can leave or set no limit if regular callers need to leave long, detailed messages. For the ultimate in convenience, look for answering machines that can record calls—great when you can’t jot a note but need to take down important information.
Message Storage
Most answering machines today record up to 15 minutes of messages, which is about right for personal use. Large families or small businesses should invest in high-end machines that can hold up to 45 minutes of messages and offer individual mailboxes for family members or employees.
Remote Access Options
Look for answering machines that allow you to call in remotely for messages, change greetings and turn the machine off. If you travel often and use calling cards, toll savers indicate new messages by the number of rings. Don’t want to memorize keypad commands to get your messages? Purchase an answering machine that features voice prompts instead.
Additional Features
Make sure your answering machine offers either a battery backup, or recording on flash media, to prevent the loss of your messages in the event of a power outage. Options on time and date stamps, and Caller-ID announcement, can very from machine to machine. Check auto-disconnect functionality to ensure that you will be able to intercept calls as needed.
pronto pick
What product do we recommend?
We like the GE 29875GE1 Digital Answering Machine for its ease of use, affordability, and simple options (est. $13-28). With 30 minutes of digital recording time, remote access capability, and date and time stamp, the simplicity of this unit will meet most household needs without being unnecessarily complicated.
experts say
Circuit City Reviewer - GE 29875GE1 Digital Answering Machine: “This is an excellent and very attractive message system. Blends well with any decor. Most of all, the generic message is and sounds like a human voice as opposed to others I have heard. I usually record my own message but the generic was so calm and pleasant that I used that one instead. Easy to set up and/or change features, if necessary. Your price was the best too. Service at pick up location was superb!” Source: Circuit City
Consumer Guide Products – “Attractive in its black-and-silver design, the AT&T 1722 Digital Answering System is a surprisingly well-made product. All incoming messages are stamped with the time and date and are stored digitally in the 19-minute memory. A single-digit message counter shows you when you have messages waiting and should you experience a power failure, don't worry, your messages will not be lost.” Source: Consumer Guide Products
Best Consumer Products.com - GE Digital 2-9869 Digital Answering Machine: “GE digital answering machine has all the bells and whistles to deliver your messages with ease and clarity. It is fully digital with the capability to hold messages for four different mail boxes and two outgoing messages. It also has a call screening function.” Source: Best Consumer Products
hot buzz
What's the latest in the world of answering machines?
Though the digital voices that leave the ‘standard’ greeting on today’s answering machines are sounding more and more human, you might want to spend big bucks and have a celebrity leave your outgoing phone message. Hollywoodiscalling.com offers the services of many ‘celebrities’ ranging from Martha Reeves (from Motown’s Martha and the Vandellas) to Butch Patrick (Eddie from the Munsters). For various prices, you can have the celebrity of your choice leave a ‘customized’ outgoing message.
Wallet Impact
What can I expect in my price range?
| Price | Description | Good Pick (see all Answering Machines) |
| $ | Budget answering machines record up to 15 minutes of messages, feature a date/time stamp and basic remote access. |
Buy now at 
$49.99 |
| $$ | Mid-range answering machines deliver all the basics plus expanded features. Expect to have the option of multiple mailboxes, simpler remote access and more message storage capacity. |
Compare prices at 31 stores $20 - $50 |
| $$$ | At the high end, answering machines offer advanced privacy functions and security settings, multiple mailboxes and 45 or more minutes of message storage capacity. With these answering machines you’ll get voice-prompted remote access and a choice of message backup methods. |
Compare prices at 3 stores $18 - $50 |
shop talk
What are the terms and definitions I need to know about?
Auto-disconnect
An answering machine with auto-disconnect will allow you to pick up the phone during answering machine operation and intercept the phone call. Some answering machines will allow you to pick up at any point in the process, while other answering machines will only allow you to pickup while the greeting is playing, before recording has begun.
Remote access
This function allows you to call in from an outside location and access your answering machine. Remote access may be as simple as checking messages, to as advanced as deleting messages, changing greetings, and turning the answering machine on or off.
Toll Saver
This feature will change the number of rings depending on whether there are new messages waiting on your answering machine. Typically, if there are no messages, the answering machine will pick up a call after 4 rings, while if there are messages, the answering machine will pick up after 2 rings. With this option, if the phone rings more than twice, you know there are no messages and can hang up without incurring long-distance charges or having to go through a series of menus to check messages.
Time/date stamp
A time and date stamp will announce the time and/or date that the call was received. Different answering machines offer different time/date options, so look for one that meets your needs.
Caller-ID announcement
Caller-ID announcement will record the phone number of your caller and announce it when you check messages. This is a useful function if your caller forgets to leave a number, especially in a small business setting.
Mailbox
The mailbox refers to the message storage box. Some answering machines offer only one mailbox, while some machines offer up to 4. Multiple mailboxes may be useful in a busy family or small business, so each person has private access to their messages and they cannot be accidentally erased.
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