10 BEST PHONES FOR THE HOME - Independent, 17 March 2004

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Siemens Gigaset 4015 Micro £120
As small as a mobile phone and weighing just 100g, this digital cordless phone is one of the most pocketable models available. But be careful where you leave it, as it can be set to dial your friends automatically when you call out their names. It also has a built-in answering machine, baby monitor and diary.
Siemens (08705 334411; www.my-siemens.com)

BT Freestyle 2100 Twin ACR £80
To berate late night callers properly, you need to know exactly what time it is. This good value set comprises two digital cordless handsets and chargers, one with an easy to read alarm clock radio. There are two alarm settings, storage for 10 numbers and a choice of ring tones.
BT (0845 6063300; www.bt.com/shop)

Amstrad e-mailerplus £29 --- BEST BUDGET BUY
If your watch has a calculator, you’ll love the geeky e-mailerplus. Not only can you send and receive SMS messages or e-mails with its slide-out keyboard, you can browse the web and even play old ZX Spectrum games. It also has a special reader for secure Internet payments (in the future) using chip-and-PIN bank cards.
Amstrad (01277 228888; www.amstrad.co.uk)

BeoCom 2 £450
Formed from a single piece of slimline brushed aluminium, the BeoCom 2 is as perfect for defusing international crises as it is for ordering takeaway curries. And if the thought of having spent this much on a cordless phone becomes upsetting, settle back and let its specially composed tranquil ring tone relax you.
Bang and Olufsen (0800 1380525; www.bang-olufsen.com)

BT Duet 60 £15
Cordless phones look cool but do tend to end up in the kitchen or down the back of the sofa. This affordable corded model remains safely in its gondola, and can be mounted on a desk or wall. It has a 1571 message waiting light and comes with a 13-number Speed Dial memory.
BT (0845 6063300; www.bt.com/shop)

Il Telefone Alessi £220
Italian design meets German technology in this chic DECT cordless phone. An extensive features list includes downloadable ring tones and screensavers, an integrated answering machine and the ability to send extra-long SMS text messages. You can use up to six of the black or white pearl finish handsets with a single base station.
Siemens (08705 334411; www.my-siemens.com)

Panasonic KX-TCD515EM £120
The large, six-line blue LCD on this cordless phone/answering machine makes searching its 200-entry phonebook simple. There are 15 pre-installed polyphonic ring tones and SMS messaging. For those with large houses, a walky-talky mode allows you to communicate with nearby Panasonic handsets without making a phone call.
Panasonic (08705 357357 ; www.panasonic.co.uk)

BeoCom 4 £200 – BEST LUXURY BUY
This DECT phone combines the handset and charger in a single stylish upright cylinder. A smooth iPod-style thumbwheel ensures easy access to the 200-number phonebook and you can buy an optional hands-free headset. The scratch-resistant finish is available in three metal-pigmented colours: black, blue and beige.
Bang and Olufsen (0800 1380525; www.bang-olufsen.com)

Philips Kala 300 Vox £80
There’s nothing more annoying than your cordless phone running out of power just when you reach the head of an expensive call centre queue. The Kala 300 can manage a full 18 hours of talk time (or 11 days on standby) between charges, using an eco-friendly cadmium-free battery. It can even announce different callers with their own ring tones (requires Caller ID).
Philips (0870 900 9070; www.philips.com)

BT Diverse X10 £80 --- BEST BUY
The X10 is the first home phone that can copy contact numbers from your mobile. Simply slot your SIM card into the X10’s reader and you’ll never have to type in another phone number ever again – or worry about losing your contacts along with your cellphone. It comes with a headset for hands-free operation.
BT (0845 6063300; www.bt.com/shop)


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