A sturdy landline phone still provides a sense of security that mobile phones can’t offer. This is because landlines connect via analog methods, like wire and fiber optic cable, and don’t require a signal from a cell tower or an internet connection.
That’s why plenty of homes still have a landline. Some landline phones don’t rely on electricity to transmit the signal required for a call, so they will still operate even in an electrical outage. That’s a big advantage, especially if you’re in an area prone to storms or cell tower outages.
Many freelancers, remote workers, and entrepreneurs opt for a home landline to provide a reliable connection and a base for their operations.
But which type of landline unit should you get? Well, there are two main types: Corded and cordless.
Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks, and this article will give you a thorough rundown of all the pros and cons to help you make the right decision.
Which type of landline phone is right for you?
We’ve looked at four categories—call quality, versatility, functionality, and cost—to help you decide which type of landline phone is the best option for both your personal life and working-from-home setup.
Will it be corded or cordless? Let’s find out.
1. Call quality
One advantage of landline phones is that the sound quality can be far superior to a mobile phone call.
If you’re someone who values clarity and doesn’t like to lose impetus on those high-pressure work-from-home calls, that’s a huge boon.
Imagine reaching out to a prospective client, only for the call to become crackly and drop halfway through. Not the greatest first impression for a potential new partnership.
While most landlines perform well in terms of sound quality, corded landlines are most likely to give you the most consistent performance.
Cordless phones use a technology called DECT—Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications—to connect to the base unit. Like any signal, they can be interrupted, especially if you’re prone to wandering off with the handset though they do supposedly have a fairly long range.
A corded landline will lock you into place, but you’ll get the benefit of a crisp and uninterrupted call.
2. Versatility
Working from home can really test anyone's multitasking skills. Depending on how important your calls are and how often you get distracted, you’ll want to consider having the ability to move away from your desk.
While we’ve covered that corded phones will give you the best quality, modern-day cordless units can still be pretty efficient at allowing you to keep those calls going in other rooms.
If you’re finding the post always gets delivered right in the middle of your morning catch-up, you’ll want to consider being able to keep the flow going while you run to the door.
A standard cordless phone can provide a range of up to 50 meters indoors or 300 meters outdoors—though how the signal holds up between your walls and various devices will need to be tested.
If, after testing, you find that the signal becomes a little dulled on your travels away from the base unit, you can purchase a "repeater," which will help boost the signal strength. Repeaters are much like wireless Wi-Fi boosters—they pick up the signal from the phone's base unit and give it a little zip, helping maintain full signal strength between the two units.
This makes the cordless phone the most versatile of the two and will theoretically give you the freedom to wander around your home as you communicate. That means you can forage for snacks in the kitchen during those pesky overrunning meetings.
3. Functionality
It really is horses for courses in this category as it truly depends on how you and others in your home plan to use your phone.
When purchasing a cordless phone, there is an option to buy just one handset, or sets of 2, 3, and more. If you're in a large family home where several occupants might need to be on both personal and business calls at one time, you might be well placed to invest in a multi-set of cordless units.
Each handset connects independently to the base unit, so while all of them will ring on an incoming call, you can have multiple phone calls taking place at once. Nifty!
One thing to bear in mind, though, is that you'll need to charge each of these handsets. That means a plug socket for as many handsets as you have, which also means an increased electricity bill.
As corded units are generally larger, they tend to have more options for those who require accessibility features. For example, some units have larger buttons and a bigger screen to enable easier use for those with visual impairments. If you have a visual impairment and are thinking about the cordless option, ensure you get a chance to test the units first, as some of the handsets can be small and finicky.
Corded units also benefit from being connected directly to the signal output. This means that many corded phones will continue to work through power outages as they don't require electricity to make a connection, unlike the cordless handset, which does.
Avid headset wearers might also want to think about a corded phone. Wearing a headset with a landline phone is possibly the clearest and most reliable call quality you can get, with the headphones providing extra comfort from not having to pick up a receiver. That’s more hands for typing, eating, and petting the cat.
Connecting a headset to cordless units is possible, but you may need to get a Bluetooth version of both your headset and wireless unit or invest in an adapter that will connect the two together.
4. Cost
It’s always important to shop around for the best value before buying anything, and landline phones are no different.
A modern, top-brand corded phone with all the mod cons will likely set you back between £30 to £50. These come in various shapes and usually with nuisance call-blocking technology.
With cordless phones, you generally pay more for how many handsets you want. Cordless units tend to be more expensive, ranging anywhere from £60 to £120.
Remember—the more handsets you get, the more you might find your electricity bill going up too. So, definitely, something to factor in if you're concerned about the rising and falling energy costs.
It's worth remembering that large companies have centralized suppliers and can often give you a phone for your work if you ask for one. Most companies will provide a smartphone so that you can access your emails, work documents, and HR management software around the clock. Some may also fit you with a home phone for extra reliability. Be sure to check out the equipment provided by your employer before going ahead and spending your own hard-earned cash on work stuff.
Cordless vs Corded Home Phones: Which Will It Be?
A tough decision indeed. I certainly don’t envy you. Just like any aspect of your life, from choosing the right paint for your kitchen to picking the best hiring software at work to deciding what to have for dinner, the right choice is one that fits your specific needs.
The corded phone is the old-school king of reliability, providing the best sound quality and keeping things nice and simple.
The cordless version is the younger millennial sibling with new ways of working—taking calls from different rooms and empowering others in the house to get in on the act too.
No matter which one you pick, your landline connection is sure to give you a safe and reliable option in emergencies—and time away from the mobile phone is always a good thing.