Question 1

What is the difference between a DECT phone and an analogue phone?

Accepted Answer

A DECT phone is a digital cordless handset that communicates wirelessly with a base station, giving you freedom to move around your home. An analogue phone is a traditional corded model that plugs directly into the phone socket and draws power from the line itself. The practical difference: DECT phones need mains power for the base and will stop working in a power cut, while analogue phones keep functioning. DECT also offers encrypted audio and better sound quality than analogue lines.

Question 2

Will my existing phone still work after BT's PSTN switch-off?

Accepted Answer

Most standard DECT and analogue phones will still work after the PSTN switch-off, provided your broadband provider supplies an analogue telephone adapter (ATA) — which most do. However, some features like nuisance call blocking databases that rely on the phone network may behave differently. If you want to future-proof properly, a VoIP-native handset such as the AVM FRITZ!Fon C6 connects directly to your router and bypasses the need for an adapter entirely.

Question 3

Is automatic nuisance call blocking worth paying extra for?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if cold calls and scam numbers are a regular problem — and for most UK households they are. Manual blacklists require you to add numbers one by one, which is reactive and time-consuming. Automatic blocking with a pre-loaded database (as found on the BT 4600 and Decor 2600) stops thousands of known numbers from the moment you plug in. The difference in price between a basic model and one with proper automatic blocking is typically modest within the 44 £ to 70 £ range, making it one of the better-value upgrades in this category.

Question 4

Which brands make the best phones for elderly users?

Accepted Answer

Doro is the standout choice for accessibility, with large-button handsets, amplified audio up to 30dB, and simple menu navigation designed specifically for older users. BT's Big Button range is a close second and tends to be more widely available in UK retailers like Argos and Currys. Panasonic also offers accessible models within its KX-TGC series. Avoid feature-heavy Gigaset or FRITZ!Fon models for this use case — the menus are more complex and the buttons are standard-sized.

Question 5

How many handsets do I actually need for a typical home?

Accepted Answer

For most three-bedroom homes, a duo pack (two handsets) covers the essentials — one downstairs and one upstairs. Single-handset packs are cheaper upfront but often cost more in the long run if you later buy a second handset separately. Trio packs make sense for larger properties or if you want a handset in the kitchen, living room, and bedroom simultaneously. Most DECT bases support up to six registered handsets, so you're not locked in at purchase.

Question 6

Are cheap phones under 44 £ actually worth buying?

Accepted Answer

It depends entirely on the use case. A corded analogue phone at the lower end of the price range is perfectly adequate as a backup handset or for a room where you only occasionally take calls. What you sacrifice is call blocking, a decent phonebook, and any form of cordless convenience. We'd caution against buying a cheap DECT handset at this price point — battery quality and range tend to disappoint. Spend a little more and you'll get a noticeably better experience.

Question 7

Can I use a home telephone with a VoIP or fibre broadband line?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but the method depends on your setup. If your ISP provides an analogue telephone adapter (ATA), you can plug any standard DECT or analogue phone into it and it will work as normal. For a cleaner solution, VoIP-native phones like the AVM FRITZ!Fon C6 connect directly to your router via the FRITZ!Box system, delivering HD Voice quality without any adapter. Check your router's compatibility before buying — FRITZ!Fon handsets are optimised for AVM routers and offer limited functionality with other brands.

Telephones Price Comparison

Gigaset E720HX Analog/DECT telephone Caller ID Black

Panasonic KX-TGB612 DECT telephone Caller ID Black

Gigaset AS690HX Analog/DECT telephone Caller ID Black

Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise 3BN67378AA telephone DECT telephone Caller ID Blue

Gigaset R700H PRO DECT telephone Caller ID Black

Gigaset S700H PRO DECT telephone Caller ID Anthracite

Gigaset R700H PRO DECT telephone Caller ID Black

Gigaset DESK 400 Analog telephone Black

POLY Rove 30 DECT Phone Handset

Telephones Price Comparison