I want to ditch my Google voice ATA and get an IP phone, so that it’s an all in one device. I’ve been looking around, and from my research I think I might possibly rule out Grandstream (unreliable?) and Cisco (complicated to set up and finicky?) phones.
I recently started looking into Snom and Yealink phones. I work from home, but don’t run a business, so I don’t need 16 lines. It would be nice to have a relatively large screen though. I see that most IP phones come with a headset button, but not sure if that means I can switch to a headset from the handset during a call? (which I would like to be able to do).
Oh, and most importantly (apart from clear voice audio), it must have good quality dialing buttons…. meaning: crisp tactile buttons that don’t wobble, and are not mushy.
Price: under $400. CAD. I am in Canada.
Can anyone recommend good quality IP phones that are easy to set up with voip.ms for a techo-noob?
If you don’t mind using a Chinese company, Yealink has worked well for me. Their documentation is complete for both Web UI and auto-provisionning configuration file. I am using the T4 series.
On the other hand, I hated Fanvil. The phones seems to be well built but I had a lot of problem finding a comprehensive documentation for all the options.
I decided to go with the Grandstream phones for my home system. I used their ATAs at work for more than a decade so I trusted their brand and their interfaces. So far there is only one feature I have not figured out how to make work (call transfer using the BLF buttons). The desk phones do seem to be designed to be connected to an in house PBX so there is a more setup needed if one uses voip.ms as the PBX. I’d say their phones are inexpensive, not cheap, I returned the 1615 that I tried but the 1625 and 1630 phones have a heavy weight handset and comfortable buttons.
We have a Cisco Unified Communications System at work so I am familiar with their professional products. I have never considered using one for home use.
I have use Greadstream (and recommanded it) for years and had good performances for phones. I also used Yealink and they worked great. But I never bought the super low priced ones. (We always have for what we pay for; I usually wait for deals for the phone that interests me.)
Grandstream! You can get them on Ebay for about $35.. 2612’s are what we use in our office.. they are bulletproof and never have had any issues at all with them.
Ive used both Yealink and Grandstream, love them both. There is for sure a model that will meet your needs. My preference though for my desk phone at home was the Grandstream GXV3380, because I wanted something that ran android so I can use the phone to monitor my security cameras, front door.
Recently picked up a Yealink T54W at a thrift store and would recommend this (or a later) model. Clear screen, good quality sound, good buttons, good documentation, etc. Subsequently bought their W52P/W56P DECT cordless combo off eBay.
If factory resetting a used phone, make sure auto-provisioning is turned off. (Mine automatically provisioned to somebody else’s account!) Yealink has an auto-provision system which allows you to register the provisioning information with them by phone serial number. (By default the phone will check Yealink’s servers to see whether it can automatically provision itself.)
Grandstream works fine, I have sold and installed tons of them over the years. I am a reseller as well which means your warranty is intact. If you buy from a rando on Amazon or eBay, that’s fine just be aware that Grandstream will not honor the warranty if not purchased from an authorized reseller or distributor.
I’ve been very happy with Polycom phones. I have a couple of VVX 250s and an older 400 series and they’ve worked great. I also have a Yealink that’s set up through another carrier so I can’t weigh in on how well it works with VoIP.ms but it’s worked just as well as the Polys.
I think I’ve narrowed it down to the Yealink T46U and the Grandstream GRP 2615.
They are within $50 of each other depending on which retailer I buy them from. Both have blue tooth which I would like for a wireless headset in the future. Both seem to have similar features. Just wish I knew which one had a nicer dialing key pad.