What to Buy > Phones & Accessories > Top Cordless Phones That Will Change the Way You Connect We like the AT&T DL72210 because its expandable, affordable, and works with smartphones By Patrick Hyde Patrick Hyde Writer University of Houston Texas A&M Patrick Hyde has 4+ years' experience writing about consumer technology and electronics. His work has appeared in Los Angeles Review of Books, Reactual, and more. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on February 19, 2025 Fact checked by Stephen Slaybaugh Fact checked by Stephen Slaybaugh New York University London Metropolitan University Stephen Slaybaugh is a fact checker and music writer with with more than 20 years experience writing about internet retail and consumer tech. He has been featured in Digital Trends, DealNews, and TechRadar. He is a content designer at Bose Corporation and is completing his Master of Arts in Digital Media. lifewire's fact checking process We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews What to Look For Frequently Asked Questions Photo: Sam Edwards / Getty Images Cordless phones are still very useful in some situations, especially when one fits your needs, budget, and offers useful features, like expansion capabilities. Here are the best cordless phones that check those boxes to help you stay connected. Note: Prices are subject to change. Our Top Picks Best Overall: AT&T DL72210 Two Handset Cordless Phone at Amazon $50 Jump to Review Budget Buy: VTech CS6719-2 Cordless Phone at Amazon $39 Jump to Review Long Range: SALE AT&T CL82407 Handset Cordless Phone at Amazon $100 $80 Jump to Review Best System for Two Phone Lines: SALE VTech DS6151 2-Line Cordless Phone at Amazon $88 $73 Jump to Review Best Motorola: Motorola CD5011 DECT 6.0 Cordless Phone at Amazon $120 Jump to Review Best Overall AT&T DL72210 Two Handset Cordless Phone PHOTO: BEST BUY $50 at Amazon $82 $75 at Walmart $60 at Best Buy TL; DR: A modest cordless phone system with slightly more than modest features, but it's likely the one you're looking for. Why We Recommend It The DL72210 works as a landline phone, with the usual features, including an answering machine, robocall filtering, and caller ID. But it also pairs with your cellphone, so you can take calls without having to fiddle with your cellphone or try to find it. This system comes with two handsets and can expand to include two cellphones or a Bluetooth headset and one cellphone for landline calls. Pros Connects to your smartphone Automatic call blocking Assistant access Get notifications from your smartphone Cons Extra handsets not wall mountable Only 22 minutes of voicemail Another useful feature is Smart Call Blocking, which allows you to prevent repeat calls from spammers with a touch of a button. You can even use the DL72210 to interact with your digital assistant. While you can't mount the headsets and voicemail time is limited to 22 minutes, this modest system with great features is probably precisely what you're looking for in a cordless phone. Amazon purchasers give this product 4.2 out of 5 stars. Budget Buy VTech CS6719-2 Cordless Phone PHOTO: Amazon $39 at Amazon $43 at Walmart $50 at Staples TL;DR: A frugal multi-handset system with a few nice extras. Why We Recommend It If you're looking for a bare-bones cordless phone, this two-handset system from VTech costs around $40 and comes with all the basics, including caller ID, call waiting, and speakerphone. One significant omission, depending on your preferences, is that this model lacks an answering machine. It's up to you to decide if that is a plus or a minus. Pros Great price DECT 6.0 compatible Expandable up to five handsets Cons No answering machine Both handsets have large, backlit screens that are easy to read. The phone system is expandable to up to five total handsets. The VTech system has the technology to keep your calls loud and clear, so if you want a simple cordless phone for your landline, this is a worthy pick with a low price tag. Over 38,000 purchasers have reviewed this product on Amazon and give it an average 4.4-star rating. Long Range AT&T CL82407 Handset Cordless Phone PHOTO: Amazon $100 $80 at Amazon $150 $149 at Walmart $100 at Best Buy TL;DR: Equipped with an antenna that promotes enough range to cover spaces bigger than 2,000 square feet. Why We Recommend It If you have a big home or office (over 2,000 square feet), consider the AT&T CL82407. Its antenna design aims to have the best range around. The system has four handsets, but you can expand it as needed to have up to 12. Pros Four handsets included Answering machine Caller ID announce Expandable up to 12 handsets Cons No wall mount for additional handsets Handset chargers easily tip It also has an answering machine and caller ID, so you know who's calling before you pick up the phone. Other features, like automatic robocall blocking, work well, and the high-contrast screen is easily read, even from a distance. Nearly 30,000 purchasers have weighed in on Amazon, giving this product an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars. Best System for Two Phone Lines VTech DS6151 2-Line Cordless Phone PHOTO: Amazon $88 $73 at Amazon $90 $53 at Walmart $89 $75 at Best Buy TL;DR: This system includes two answering machines for two different phone lines. Why We Recommend It Like many cordless phones, the VTech DS6151 comes with an answering machine. But the VTech DS6151 includes two answering machines for two different phone lines making it a great option for small businesses or families that want separate lines. Pros Two lines Expandable up to 12 handsets Cons Pricey The handsets encrypt the calls, so you can feel comfortable that folks won’t be listening to your calls as the signal is sent back to the base unit. In summary: Two lines, two answering machines, and one handset. Wait, it only comes with one handset?! Yes, but you can add 11 more if you want. Amazon purchasers give this product 4.2 out of 5 stars. Best Motorola Motorola CD5011 DECT 6.0 Cordless Phone PHOTO: Amazon $120 at Amazon TL;DR: If you want a Motorola cordless phone, the CD5011 is for you. Why We Recommend It If you must have a Motorola cordless phone, the CD5011 ticks all the boxes. This three-handset system comes with answering machine and a spam button to tell the phone not to accept a call from the number that just called. The CD5011 also has volume boost for those hard of hearing, and it’ll announce who’s calling before you answer it. Pros Volume boost 30 min answering machine Spam button for unwanted calls Cons No backlight on the keys Expensive The handset keys are not backlit, so dialing at night can be difficult. But you'll get 30 minutes of voicemail recording and an ergonomic shape for more comfortable handling during conversations. Amazon purchasers give this product 4.2 out of 5 stars. What to Look For While most cordless phone systems can be expanded, that's not always a given. Always consider how expandable you want your system to be and choose accordingly. In addition to expandability, look for models that comply with Digital Enhanced Cordless Technology (DECT), a cordless phone standard that ensures a phone has good range and call clarity. DECT phones can intercom with each other and use VOIP, or internet telephony, services like Vonage or Ooma that will send your calls over the internet rather than via the traditional phone network. A final consideration is the layout of your home and calling habits to determine where a charging cradle would be convenient, whether wall-mounted or on designated surfaces. The Best Cellphone Signal Boosters FAQ Do you still need a cordless phone? Cordless phones are great for use around the house without being tied to a single place. If you have a landline, a cordless phone is a convenience taken for granted. Some pair with your smartphone and pull double duty. You can leave your smartphone in a place that gets a good signal and still take calls. What's the advantage of owning a cordless phone? A dedicated landline can help you make and receive stable calls that don't rely on cellular signals. Some areas have bad cell reception, and a landline completely circumvents that. Landlines and their handsets cost significantly less than their cell phone equivalents. While smartphone plans can cost up to $50 or more per month, landlines typically cost a fraction of that. Similarly, the phones themselves will rarely top $100. Can cordless phones work without power? An excellent cordless phone base will have a battery backup for times that you lose power. Otherwise, having a corded phone somewhere in the house is a good idea as a backup. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit