| There are so many cordless phones available on the | | | | able to transfer calls can save you a lot of |
| market; it is difficult to narrow down your choices or | | | | aggravation. Some phones have a feature where you |
| even to know where to start looking. Choosing a | | | | can program specific ring tones to certain numbers so |
| phone that specifically suits your needs it the best way | | | | you know who is calling without even looking at the call |
| to make your selection. | | | | display. This way, you never have to run for the phone |
| 1. How many handsets do you need? If you need just | | | | if someone you don't want to speak to is calling. |
| one handset, then you can probably choose a fairly | | | | 5. Do you have a hearing impairment? Some cordless |
| expensive model in that category. If you need more | | | | phones have special amplification features for people |
| than one handset because you want to put one in | | | | who are hard of hearing. Another option is the speaker |
| each room of your home, you will want to look at a | | | | phone function which allows people who have hearing |
| base that has expandable capabilities. | | | | impairments to be able to hear well. |
| 2. Do you need an answering machine? Many | | | | 6. How much do you want to spend? Cordless |
| cordless phones come with the answering machine | | | | phones have a wide price range. Just remember that |
| built in to the base, but not all. If this is an important | | | | cheaper is not always better. Sometimes the |
| feature to you, then look for a phone that has | | | | cheapest phones are the worst. They have poor |
| answering machine capabilities. | | | | sound quality, short battery life and low range. Nothing |
| 3. Range. How far do you need to be away from the | | | | is more frustrating than a phone that sounds horrible |
| base? Will you be across the room or across the | | | | so that neither you nor the person you are talking to |
| yard? Make sure you select a phone that has the | | | | can hear or understand each other. |
| range capabilities you require. This will save you a lot | | | | Once you decide on the features that you need in a |
| of frustration from dropped calls. | | | | phone, narrow your list down to choices that only |
| 4. Intercom/Transfer feature. If you live in a multiple | | | | include those features. You may want to look at |
| person household, having the convenience of being | | | | popular reviews to assist you in making a choice. |