1. Siemens Gigaset SL785
What we think: Words can’t describe just how good this phone is. Firstly lets start with its beautiful metal exterior and its gorgeous TFT QVGA display. It really is stunning (reminicint of the Blackberry Bold mobile phone) and is by far the closest thing we’ve seen in a home phone that resembles a top quality mobile. Packed with an array of useful features, this stunning phone is now the no1 seller in Europe (only 3 months after release). If you have the cash, this is the best home phone ever made – we can’t emphasise this enough. Great sound/build quality, fabulous looks, a host of features and the best speakerphone we’ve come across in a cordless phone. If you’re looking for the best, then look no further – you’ll be the envy of all your friends.
2. Siemens Gigaset C475
What we think: Yet another Siemens phone in the top we hear you cry. Its been a terrific year for Siemens who seem to have got it spot on and now have a great range of phones – arguably the best. The C475
surprised us in many ways (all good). An absolute bargain at only £79 for the twin, we weren’t expecting much but not only did it deliver with excellent sound and an easy to use system, but it was also quite an attractive phone. Our bestseller and a best buy with Which? to boast. If you’re on a budget but still want a great cordless phone, then look no further. Who said the recession was bad!
3. Siemens Gigaset S795
What we think: Launched in mid 2010, this phone has exceeded all our expectations. It has all the features you could possibly want, looks stylish and look set to be a bestseller for the next couple of years. This Eco friendly phone boasts all the latest features with a great sound and a fantastic colour screen. If you want a business like premium phone with the best sound in the market at a very competitive price, you need look no further. Our only trouble was where to place this phone. It’s not quite as feature rich as the Siemens SL785 (which rocks by the way) but it’s also not as value for money as the Siemens C475 (which rolls) – stuck between a rock and hard place we hear you cry. If your budget doesn’t stretch to the SL785 but you still want a super sexy new cordless, then the Gigaset S795 come with all the trimmings (except bluetooth).
4. Panasonic KX TG 8522
What we think: The best phone from Panasonic by a country mile. Known for making some of the best cordless phones, it was no surprise again that this year saw them produce another contender for the top honour. Shame it doesn’t have a SIM card reader, otherwise it would have scored a tad higher. It did, however, boast one of the clearest speakerphones in our tests and the first real bargain at only £80 for a quality twin (or £125 for 4 handsets).
5. Siemens Gigaset SL400A
What we think: The all singing, feature packed, top of the range SL400. If you want a sexy home phone that has bluetooth and a host of other features, then the the sleek and stylish SL400A is the one for you. With great performance to match, it’s a sure fire winner. Voted in Germany as “Phone of the Year in 2010″ we are sure it will quickly become a favourite in the UK as well. The best looking phone currently on the market.
6. Panasonic KX TG 6522
What we think: You simply can’t go wrong with Panasonic (or Siemens for that matter). This is their 2010 upgrade to the best selling 6422 (discontinued in 2009). It is a no frills phone with all the essential features such as call transfer, intercom, speakerphone, caller display etc. If you’re on a bit of a budget but still want a high quality phone, then this (along with the Siemens C475) are the only to consider.
7. Siemens Gigaset E495
What we think: Here it is – one of the best cordless home phones released end of 2009. All round, the top family phone on the market. One of only two ruggedised phones, Siemens have produced a phone worthy of the top spot. For the price, it doesn’t come much better than this. You can read an extended review here.
8. Philips SE565
What we think: Philips have been somewhat hit and miss in recent years but the SE565 is certainly more of a hit. It’s a nice looking phone with good features. It’s claims of high definition sound are hard to establish, although its sound quality is generally very good. At £140 for the twin, its a tad pricey. Look out for better deals on the trio or quad. Now on Special Offer (50% OFF).
9. Panasonic KX TG 6461
What we think: bit of a late entry this one which was only released in September. The only high quality corded and cordless phone combination currently on the market. Great for small businesses or at home. Big buttons and speed dial make this phone very attractive. If you ever lose the handset, you can simply make calls from the base. A nice feature which is also suited to business users.
10. Siemens Gigaset C595
What we think: A terrific phone which we are sure will be a best seller in months to come. The Gigaset C595 is cram packed with useful features including a slient ringer if the caller has withheld their number. Sound quality is clear and the display is a vast improvment on other models. The Siemens C595 should really be a more expensive product – a steal at around £80 for the twin version.
