Walk the talk.(cordless phones)(Buyers Guide)(Industry Overview)

The new wave of cordless phones using the highest frequency yet, 2.4 gigahertz (GHz), must be better than the 900-megahertz (MHz) models that have been around for a few years. Right? Not necessarily.

In our tests, 2.4-GHz phones did not offer better voice quality or range than 900-MHz models. Digital phones in general were more immune to eavesdropping and interference than analog models, and digital spread spectrum (DSS) units offered slightly longer range. Still, all the phones we tested, whether 2.4-GHz or 900-MHz, digital or analog, were decent. Even several phones selling for only $30 or $40 were judged to be very good overall.

So what makes one phone a better choice for you than another? Generally, it's features, ease of use, and price.

Two noteworthy trends: More cordless phones are smaller and sleeker, resembling their cellular cousins. And some interesting new features have joined familiar conveniences such as speed dial and speakerphones. For instance, phones with talking caller ID will announce aloud a caller's name, so that you can screen calls without squinting at a display. With some 2.4-GHz models, you can use several handsets, which may also serve as walkie-talkies.

This report explains the key points about cordless-phone technology, discusses the most important features, and rates 32 phones, 10 of them with built-in answerers. We also report on 13 similar models that should offer performance comparable to that of the tested models.

WEIGHING YOUR OPTIONS

While 900-MHz models still dominate the market, most major manufacturers have added 2.4-GHz models to their lines.