Uniden TRU-4485-2 2.4 GHz DSS Cordless Phone with Call Waiting, Digital Answering System, and Speakerphone

I've been looking for an answering machine/cordless phone to replace my old AT&T 5635. I needed better quality message recording and a speaker phone option. Most reviews complained about recording and/or speaker phone quality problems from VTech, AT&T and Panasonic. The Uniden line did not suffer from this shortcoming in most of the reviews I saw. Initially I was looking at the new 5.8Ghz model, but the price was more then I wanted to pay. I bought this 2.4Ghz model and it is everything I needed and then some. The only limitation I have noted is that you cannot talk on both cordless phones at the same time, but you can use one cordless and the base speaker phone together. You can also transfer a call from one cordless to another or to the base. Record time is limited to 10 minutes and can be set to limit each message to either 1 or 4 minutes. Not really a big deal for me, but if you get a lot of messages get a phone with larger memory. Reception is good, as is speaker/mic...Read more

So far I have been pleased with this purchase.

Pros:
Great reception and range. Great battery life. I talk on the phone a lot and sometimes forget to charge it for a day or two and have no problems. Clear sound quality. Ability to access messages from the handsets as well as the base. I purchased my set with headsets included and use them every time I'm on the phone, definite bonus for busy moms! Preprogrammed outgoing message for answering machine, but you can also record your own without overriding the original. So if you ever want to switch between the two, you can.

Cons:
You do have to program each phone individually for storing numbers, changing ring tones, etc. Somewhat of a drawback, but not a major complaint.

If you are looking for a multiple handset system that you can have more than one person on the line at the same time, this won't work. Only one handset can be used at a time, and a call has to be "transferred" to the other handset...Read more

I've read the other reviews. I did not encounter any of the problems that they have. My headsets both work fine and I haven't had any complaints about my voice not being loud enough on the other end.

The reception is very clear. I walked and talked from my apartment to my friends apartment 5 units away (all 2 bedroom units) with no static at all. The reception was lost when I went inside, but was clear until then. I've only encountered VERY MINIMAL static while using the microwave and near a computer monitor. It did not affect conversation at all.

I was a little disappointed when I found out that the answering machine only holds 10 min worth of messages, but then I realized that I have never received at most more than 3-4 minutes worth of messages in my life. One important note about the answering machine is that you do NOT lose your messages if there is a power failure. I tried unplugging my base unit for about 45 min. and the messages were still there.

I chose this phone above...Read more