Cordless phones offer a whole host of benefits over a corded phone or even cell phones.
They have great sound quality (both talking and listening), which can be important for long conversations or where you need to sound professional, or where people have trouble with hearing.
Whatever your reason for wanting a cordless phone, we’re here to help you choose the best one for your needs. Below you’ll find the top phones in Australia, followed by a handy buyer’s guide to help you make the right choice for your home.
1. Uniden XDECT 8355 Cordless Phone (Top Pick)
One of the most popular phones on the market in Australia, the Uniden XDECT delivers where you need it. Reliable, easy to use, and feature-packed, it’s hard to look past this great product from Uniden.
While cordless phones are often considered a thing of the past, the XDECT has stayed relevant with Bluetooth connectivity, a USB Charging Port, and the ability to use a handset to dial and receive calls to your mobile phone.
The list of intelligent features on this phone will take you a while to work through, but some of our favourites include the Integrated Digital Answering Machine, Caller Announce Caller ID, Eco mode and Call Block Pro.
What We Like:
- Lightweight, ergonomic handset
- Good, reliable performance
- Feature-packed
- Good battery life
What We Don’t Like:
- More expensive than other options
2. Panasonic KX-TG6822 Cordless Phone
If you’re looking for a reliable, no-fuss cordless phone, then you may have met your match with this great product from Panasonic.
Along with twin handsets, the KX-TG6822 features a speakerphone, caller ID, speed dial and intercom.
The audio performance is crisp and clear, while the display is bright and the buttons are big and easy to press.
What We Like:
- Affordable
- Impressive 15-hour talk time
- Intercom feature
- Big bright display and easy to press buttons
What We Don’t Like:
- Less features than high-end units
3. Telstra Call Guardian 301 Cordless Phone
Created to try and combat the increasing number of spam calls received in Australia, the Call Guardian 301 cordless phone requires unknown callers to announce their name prior to being connected.
The user of the phone then has the name played to them so they can decide whether to accept or reject the call (or direct it to the answering machine).
If the caller is in your list of saved contacts, their call will be directed straight through without needing to state their name.
What We Like:
- Nifty anti-spam call feature to block nuisance calls
- Affordable
What We Don’t Like:
- Process of call filtering is not flawless and some users face technical issues
- Lacking smart features
4. Uniden DECT 1735 Cordless Phone
The 1735 represents a very wallet-friendly option from one of the leading phone manufacturers on the market.
Complete with DECT technology, this device also includes a digital answering machine with message counter, blackout power failure protection, and a digital duplex speakerphone for handsfree conversations.
What We Like:
- Affordable
- Reliable brand
- Includes all basic features including blackout protection
What We Don’t Like:
- Less features than higher-end Uniden phones
Cordless Phone Buyer’s Guide
Not sure where to start when choosing your home phone? Keep an eye out for the following features when weighing up your options:
Number of Handsets. This is one of the most important decisions you’ll need to make when choosing your phone, and it can also have a significant impact on the price. If you’re less mobile you may like to have one handset located by your armchair or bed while the other one charges. Likewise, if you have a large home you may want multiple units so you don’t have to walk too far to answer the phone.
Connectivity to base station. A cordless phone is not much use if the call cuts out or gets fuzzy if you walk a few metres from the base station. A good cordless phone will have an uninterrupted signal for at least 20 metres, even when blocked by walls.
Caller ID. With the number of unwanted callers on the rise, being able to identify the caller before answering is a common requirement. Make sure your device has this capability.
Call waiting. This is old technology and should be a given, but any decent cordless phone should have this feature.
Controls and displays. If you have poor eyesight, are elderly, or just like things that are easy to use, you’ll want to ensure the buttons on your phone are a good size and have clear markings. Same goes for the digital displays on both the base and cordless handset.
Connectivity with your mobile. This functionality turns a handset into an extension of your mobile phone. You will be able to place or answer calls using your handset that are routing through your cellphone.
Call barring. Been hassled by the same number one too many times? Make sure you have the ability to block a number to prevent future calls.
NBN. While almost all cordless phones will work with NBN, it’s still worth keeping in mind, especially if you encounter connectivity problems. See more here.
Cordless Phone FAQs
DECT stands for Digital Enhanced Cordless Technology and simply refers to a frequency range reserved for cordless phones. Phone with DECT can operate wirelessly, meaning users can walk around while using the handset.
During your cordless phone research, you’ll likely also come across other variations such as XDECT, WDECT, or DECT 6.0. These are generally the same or very similar to DECT but are variations developed for some products and brands, mostly for marketing purposes.