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Cordless phones - what to ask before you buy

If you're thinking about buying a cordless phone, but you don't know what to ask before you buy, here are some ideas to help you decide what cordless phone is most suitable for you.

Click on a question below for more information.

Range: What range does the cordless phone have?
Comfort: How comfortable is the handset of the cordless phone?
Security: Is it the cordless phone secure?
Interference: What are DECT and DSS?
Load on the landline :What is a 'REN'?
Sound: How good is the audio?
Answering machine: Does the cordless phone have an answering machine?
Accessibility: What if you are have a hearing or vision disability?
Features: What other features do I need in a cordless phone?

1. What range does the cordless phone have?

Check that its effective range is suitable for the use you have planned for the phone. Also, how do you know when it is out of range - is there an audible signal?

2. How comfortable is the handset of the cordless phone?

If you talk for a long time, a heavy handset can be annoying. It may be worth considering a headset that leaves your hands free while you're talking - if you require this feature, check if there is an input for the headset.
Check the shape of the handset to see if it's easy to hold for the duration of a conversation.

3. Is it the cordless phone secure?

Analogue phones are not particularly secure, so should not be assumed to be private. Digital phones are unlikely likely to have this problem.

4. What are DECT and DSS?

Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT - which was previously Digital European Cordless Telephone) means that the phone is digital and transmits on 1.9gHz which is exclusive to cordless phones so it isn't associated with interference from or to other electronic devices.
Digital Spread Spectrum (DSS) is said to have a better range and audio quality and the highest level of security because it jumps from one signal to another over a wide range of frequencies. It may cause minor interference with other electronic devices.

5. What is a 'REN'?

This is a Ringer Equivalence Number. Your landline will have the ability to deal with a certain REN, and every device that uses the landline will use up some of the REN. If you exceed the REN (because you have an answering machine, fax etc. connected) the devices may not work correctly. The REN of a landline is generally 3, and the REN of each appliance is usually on a sticker on the product. The total RENs of all your attached devices therefore shouldn't exceed 3.

6. How good is the audio?

This is often the most important feature for a telephone. Try it before you buy.

7. Does the cordless phone have an answering machine?

If you don't have an answering machine, you could rely on voicemail but voicemail may have associated costs.

8. What if you are have a hearing or vision disability?

Adjustable volume in the ringer and the handset is a plus if you or your family have a hearing impairment. Backlit buttons and a light that blinks when a call is received will also help here.
Large size buttons which are well illuminated will make is easier for those with a sight impairment.

9. What other features do I need in a cordless phone?

Extra features may include the following:

Automatic redial (so the phone keeps dialling until the number you call is available)
Low battery indicator
Call waiting and/or caller id
Intercom feature
Multiple handsets
If it has an answering machine, can you access it remotely? Does it have an obvious but not obtrusive way of letting you know you have messages? A regular beep can be really annoying if you can't retrieve the message immediately, but a purely visual indicator can be missed. Look for a flashing indication of messages.