A higher frequency may increase the distance you can walk from the base unit without losing the signal, which can be as far as 1,000 feet, Haskins said. The phone is fairly robust and heavy. Higher-end models often feature a backlit caller ID display on the handset or answering machines. Angelo Anania, of electronics goods distribution company H.B. Leiserowitz Co. in Des Moines, recommended sticking to a name brand like Panasonic and steering clear of discount no-name phones. Customers should check to make sure that company whose name is on the phone actually made it, Anania said.
Some brands slap their name on products they hired others to manufacture.
Anania also said consumers should consider the size of the handset. People used to handling larger, older handsets might find the newer smaller ones uncomfortable. The smaller ones also are inconvenient to cradle against the shoulder. Another option is getting a headset phone. These units may help if you are talking for a long time or need your hands free for other activities.