Are Office Phones Still Essential? Plus 8 of the Best

From Fortune-500 companies to small home businesses, the office phone is an essential part of the 21st-century office. Modern office phones offer a wide range of useful features like HD audio, video calling, software integration, and VoIP (voice over internet protocol) compatibility. 

With such a wide range of options, it can be challenging to choose the right office phone system for your business. We’ve conducted thorough research into the office phone market and found the best office phones available. 

Without further ado, here are our top picks for office phones for 2021. 

This office phone has all the standard functions that your office needs. It has an 18 number speed dial and a built-in 100 names/numbers phonebook directory. You can also seamlessly set up three-party conference calls if you have a virtual office.   

The speakerphone and two-line functionality fit perfectly for a business that demands flexibility.

Additionally, it has caller ID/call waiting, so you know who is calling to avoid pesky spam and robocalls.  

We recommend this cordless office phone for any business that needs multiple handsets on the same phone line. You can purchase up to five handsets, seamlessly connecting your entire office.   

Also, this phone’s DECT 6.0 wireless technology provides coverage for your whole office while minimizing interference from other electronic devices. This feature alone makes it much easier to communicate using the handset to handset intercom within your office.  

Finally, this Panasonic is the slimmest phone on our list, perfect for keeping desk clutter to a minimum. 

As working from home becomes more and more popular, you might be one of the many people searching for the perfect home office phone. 

The Vtech CS6649 is the best phone for your home office. This single-line office phone comes with one wired phone and one wireless handset. However, you can expand it up to five handsets giving you coverage throughout your home.   

If you’re looking to maximize your productivity with the best phone for a home office, check out the Vtech CS6649.

This Panasonic corded/cordless phone system features a 3.4-inch high contrast LCD that you can adjust easily for optimal readability. It also has an illuminated keypad and buttons for ease of use.    

You can block numbers with one finger using this phone’s one-touch telephone call blocker. Additionally, you can register up to 250 numbers in the built-in directory.  

While this is a single-line business phone, it comes with two additional handsets. 

IIf you have a big office, then this is the perfect business phone for you. This office phone system comes with one cordless and one corded handset, but you can expand this system with up to 12 handsets.  Plus, each of the handsets features an extra-large display that makes it easy to read the incoming caller ID

You can store up to 50 names/numbers in its Caller ID history. Plus, you don’t have to worry about missed calls with this office phone. It features a digital answering system that will record up to 22 minutes of voicemails.  

This wireless phone features excellent call quality at long distances (up to 2300 feet!) using its unique antenna design and advanced noise-filtering technology.  

If you prefer taking calls on your cellphone or a Bluetooth headset, you can also connect them to this business phone system using Bluetooth technology. You can connect up to two different mobile phones or Bluetooth headsets this way. 

We value the flexibility that this Bluetooth technology provides. A Bluetooth headset can make taking calls from your office chair much more comfortable.

This corded business phone features Caller ID/Call Waiting, so you always know who is calling. The large LCD display is adjustable so you can easily read the name, number, time, and date of incoming calls. The extra-large LCD display and the extra-large keys make this phone an excellent choice if you are visually impaired.  

This AT&T phone has audio assist so you can temporarily increase the overall volume to make speech easier to understand.  Additionally, it has an extra loud ringer, so you will never miss a call. For additional flexibility, it has a speakerphone for hands-free functionality. 

The VTech AM18447 is the most powerful, all-in-one phone system on our list. It provides almost every functionality you could want in an office phone system.  

You can expand it up to 10 total stations (one console and nine handsets). You can connect it to multiple phone lines so you can provide connectivity for your entire office.

It features auto attendant software that will answer calls, provide the company directory, forward calls to specific extensions and record voicemails if you are not available.  

The powerful digital answering system records up to 180 minutes of incoming messages, announcements, and memos.     

Landlines are becoming less and less popular. You may be even wondering if landlines still exist? You should consider the benefits and drawbacks of a landline or office phone before making a decision.

• Reliability – A landline will work under almost any condition, so you won’t have to worry about internet outages. 

• Call Quality – Consistent call quality is still a big concern for mobile or internet phone users. For example, Verizon (the largest mobile provider in the US) only has adequate coverage over 70% of the country.  
• Office Phone Price – Office phones are a much cheaper alternative, especially when compared to the price of the latest smartphones. 

• Long Distance Bills – Most landline services charge a premium for long-distance calling. This can be a deal-breaker if you are in contact with clients intra-state or overseas.  
• Spam/Robo Calls – Landlines are vulnerable to telemarketers and spam callers. You can pay for specialized services to protect your business phone number, but this is an additional cost against your bottom line.  

We hope this list helps you find the best phone for your business needs.  Not all business phone systems have the functions that fit your businesses’ needs, but every item we’ve listed is a quality phone that will serve your business well.