Cordless phones are designed to use headsets with 2.5mm plugs , and won t accept headsets with modular plugs that are commonly used with office phones. There are also cordlesses designed to work with specific multi-line phone systems , with up to 12 lines. Cordless phones are often used in places a normal desktop phone wouldn t go, and some models, such as the Panasonic GigaRange Extreme series, include construction details to make them less susceptible to damage from being dropped or splashed with water. A built-in microphone and speaker allow you to dial and have a conversation without picking up the handset. They re also great for monitoring a line if, for example, you are put on hold while checking on a plane reservation or a furniture delivery.
Speakerphones vary in quality the best are digital duplex.
In cordless phones, the speakerphone feature is usually part of the base, not the handset, and some bases with speakerphones do not have touch-tone dialing pads, so you ll have to dial from the handset, or use the speakerphone just for answering calls. Display are often illuminated, too. It s very useful if you ve been put on hold, but unfortunately this feature has become very rare on cordless phones. Some headsets, such as the Plantronics M145 and M175 have their own mute switches, and can be used with phones that don't have mute features. On multi-line phones, a hold button allows you to switch to another line without losing the first call, or to leave one phone to resume the call on another phone, or temporarily suspend a call to answer the door or go to the bathroom.