Panasonic KX-TG4500B Corded/Cordless Telephone
71 Stores $290 - $800
Cordless Phone Buying Guide
With so many of today’s electronics operating on frequencies that were once used only by cordless phones, manufacturers have developed new technology to reduce interference so your calls are crisp, clear and uninterrupted. As result, there’s more you need to know before you choose a cordless phone. Pronto’s Cordless Phone Buying Guide will introduce you to the new technology and outline what you need to know before you buy.
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the five
What are the five key points I need to look at?
Frequency and bandwith
2.4 GHz cordless phones are prone to the most interference. Choose them only if you live in a rural or other sparsely populated area and look for “wireless friendly” models so any wireless devices in your home don’t interfere with your calls. In urban and suburban areas, select 5.8GHz cordless phones or 1.9 DECT cordless phones, which are pricier, but operate on a frequency the FCC has reserved for voice communications.
Analog versus digital
Analog phones tend to have warmer voice tones, but are more easily intercepted or overheard by baby monitors, other phones and police scanners. Choose digital phones with DSS, FHSS or a DECT cordless phone for the best security. Beware of “phones with digital” as these are analog phones with digital accessories, such as an answering machine.
Battery life
Look for a Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) or Nickel Medal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery for long-term battery life and longevity. Keep in mind that cordless phone batteries may cost $15-40 to replace. When shopping for a new cordless phone, make sure replacement batteries are readily available.
Features
Caller-ID, speed dial, paging and speakerphone are common features to look for. Spending more will get you multiple phone lines, full-color displays that rival cell phones and built-in answering machines. If you don’t have a corded phone elsewhere in your house, look for models that have corded phones on the primary base so you don’t lose your phone during a power outage.
Innovations
If you’re looking to ditch your land line, consider a VoIP cordless phone that works with your computer. If spotty cell reception at home is a problem, choose a DECT phone that’s compatible with your cell and sends calls from it to your land line. Multi-handset cordless systems make intercom and conference-call communications easy.
pronto pick
What product do we recommend?
We like the AT&T EP5995 Cordless Phone. This 5.8 GHz digital cordless phone incorporates a dial-in-base speaker phone, answering machine, a full-color graphical display and a battery backup. Expandable up to 8 handsets, this system is the perfect choice for a busy household or small office.
experts say
Wired Magazine—AT&T EP5995: “Leave it to Ma Bell to build the ultimate cordless phone—and sell it for cheap. The center-piece of the system is a lightweight handset with a color LCD that displays your choice of 31 pictures or animations as wallpaper. Don’t like any of the 21 included ring tones? Record your own through an analog input. A perfectly designed base unit offers a big (monochrome) display with caller ID info, plus a digital answering system with 15 minutes of recording time. Audio quality was crystal clear throughout our testing.” Source: Wired Magazine
Business Week—V-Tech 6042: “The 6042 also wins kudos for Energy Star green technology compliance, thanks to a backlit LED screen. While the screen isn't color, it's pretty readable from a few feet away, displaying relevant information such as battery status, time, and voice-mail status. The digital answering system, with 15 minutes of recording time, was easy to set up.” Source: Business Week
CNET—“All in all, despite a few small shortcomings, there’s a lot to like about the Philips system. While it delivers nearly all the same features as competing dual-mode Skype phones, the Philips is arguably the best-looking of the lot. The only real knock is that it lacks the ability…to toggle and conference between the landline and Skype line number. Otherwise, the Philips VOIP8411B is an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a PC-less Skype experience.” Source: CNET
hot buzz
What's the latest in the world of cordless phones?
Panasonic has teamed up with Skype, an internet long-distance provider, to bring users a hybrid cordless phone that can make phone calls over both the traditional land line and through Skype services. Skype users may find it preferable to a potentially spotty headphone and microphone.
Wallet Impact
What can I expect in my price range?
| Price | Description | Good Pick (see all Cordless Phones) |
| $ | At the budget end of the price range, expect to find analog cordless phones with 2.4GHz, standard features like Caller ID, speakerphone and digital display. These phones are a fine choice for someone with basic needs, or perhaps someone who supplements cell phone usage with a land line phone for backup. |
Compare prices at 22 stores $26 - $60 |
| $$ | Midlevel cordless phones operate on 2.4 or 5.8 GHz and are usually digital phones. Features include built-in digital answering machines, DSS or FHSS security technology, speed dial and call memory modes. |
Compare prices at 14 stores $81 - $98 |
| $$$ | High-end cordless phones are most often multiple line, multi-handset and expandable systems. These systems provide customization options for a busy family or business as well as high-end, 1.9 GHz DECT security technology. |
Compare prices at 71 stores $290 - $800 |
shop talk
What are the terms and definitions I need to know about?
DECT
DECT stands for Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication. This technology works in combination with 1.9GHz, the frequency reserved by the FCC for voice only to minimize interference and maximize security via digital encryption to prevent others from listening in on your line.
DSS
Digital Spread Spectrum technology is a digital security protocol which digitizes your voice over a slightly longer range and offers added security with a cipher key that scrambles conversations across several frequencies.
FHSS
Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum is a specific type of digital security where the signal moves very quickly from one frequency to another. These signals are extremely difficult to intercept and are less subject to interference.
GHz (Gigahertz)
Gigahertz is a measure of radio frequency equal to one thousand million hertz. 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz are frequencies licensed for electronic use in the past few years. Those frequencies are now becoming crowded due to the number of electronic devices using them, so 2.4 and 5.8 GHz phones may experience interference. 1.9 GHz is a frequency that has recently been licensed for voice applications only.
MHz (Megahertz)
Megahertz is a measure of radio frequency equal to one million hertz. 900 MHz is a frequency used by cordless phones, but RF bandwidth has become so crowded at lower frequencies that it is often prone to interference.
RF Signal
Cordless phones operate using Radio Frequency Signals. Many other electronics also use RF signals and may cause interference with cordless phone operation.
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