Keep your business connected with our picks of the best VoIP phones.
Voice over Internet Protocol, or VOIP, is a technology that allows phone calls to take place over the internet. IP phones, also known as VoIP phones, come in a number of varieties, depending on an organization’s particular needs. Among a broad spectrum of VoIP office phones, there are both corded and cordless varieties for businesses to choose from depending on whether extra mobility will be useful. There are also VoIP phones that are specifically designed for conference calls, have speakerphone functionality, some that offer video calling, and others that work best in call centers. In this buying guide, we’ll be taking a look at the hardware behind the best VoIP phones on the market. Although VoIP services obviously play an important role regarding the quality of a company’s phone networks, the hardware underpinning a business phone system determines the kind of functionality that will be available. The technology underpinning VoIP or IP phones, with audio data packets delivered via online connections rather than traditional PSTN and ISDN networks, means that VoIP services are usually cheaper and more scalable than traditional Private Branch Exchange (PBX) phone networks and offer advanced telephony features. Some of the best IP phones run on modern smartphone operating systems such as Android to give them these advanced features – from video conferencing to multi-user calls, as well as contact and schedule management. These can also work with audio conferencing services to get the most out of your communications. Some of the major brands in the VoIP space include Cisco, Poly, Grandstream, Mitel, and several others. These companies have cornered a sizeable section of the IP phone market by offering much-needed features like speed dial keys, graphical displays, Bluetooth compatibility, and much more. These features have appealed to both business and home users, with VoIP phones being embraced in both corporate and personal settings, with both B2C and home IP phones becoming increasingly popular of late. With the COVID-19 pandemic ongoing and organizations desperate to maintain business continuity, both VoIP and IP phones have gained a new lease of life. Although often used interchangeably, IP and VoIP phone systems are subtly different, with the latter using the public Internet to carry voice traffic. Regardless of the intricacies of the particular system you chose, both VoI{P and IP phones offer a number of benefits over traditional phone lines. And we’ve listed some of the best devices on offer below: US firm Cisco offers a wide range of hardware, software, and other telecommunications equipment but the company has recently built up a reputation for offering some of the best VoIP phones around. The company now manufactures a portfolio of different handsets, including cloud phones, PBX phones, and unified communication phones. Here, we’ve decided to shine a spotlight on Cisco’s 6800,7800, and 8800 series of VoIP phones – perfect for both the office and the home office. Each range has its own strengths and weaknesses, with the 7800 series best suited to general business VoIP communications,8800 devices offering next-generation video and voice calling features, while the 6800 range covers more entry-level devices that are ideal for occasional use. Looking at each device range individually, the 6800 series boasts an ergonomic design, wideband audio capabilities, and comes with a high-resolution 3.5-inch grayscale display with white backlighting for easy reading. The 7800 range, which comes equipped with the same usability standards as the 6800 series, also offers localized language support and boasts impeccable green credentials through its power-save mode. As a UC phone, the Cisco 8800 series is more expensive than other models but does come with a built-in Gigabit Ethernet switch for your PC connection, an optional wall-mount kit, and USB connectivity. Particular models, including the 8845 and the 8865, also come with HD video capabilities, which could be particularly sought after for businesses that foresee remote working becoming a permanent fixture of office life. With such a range of headsets available and competitive price tags for each, the Cisco 6800,7800, and 8800 range of devices are great all-rounders for businesses – whether they want a simple, easy-to-use VoIP phone or are looking for high-end UC functionality. Grandstream Networks supplies both businesses and consumers with IP voice and video communications equipment, with its GRP, GXP and GVC ranges all making excellent choices for individuals that need a top-quality VoIP handset. The GRP range is a series of carrier-grade IP phones that are intended for mass deployment.
