IP phones are designed to work with VoIP services in a dedicated way, rather than work with landlines. This means they can have all the features you'd expect from a telephone, but are more properly integrated into the wider array of features that a business VoIP telecoms service can provide.
Some of the best IP phones run on modern phone operating systems such as Android to give them 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.
Continue reading to check out our picks of the best IP phones for small business and home office.
- Also check out our roundup of the best conference phones.
Best IP phones - at a glance
- Polycom VVX300 IP Phone
- Grandstream GXP2130
- Gigaset C530IP
- Cisco DX 650 Video IP Phone
- Grandstream GXP1625 HD IP Phone
- Yealink SIP-T46S IP Phone
- Cisco CP-8865 IP Phone
- Grandstream GS-GXP2170 VoIP Phone
- Cisco SPA525G2 5-Line IP Phone
- Grandstream DP720 Dect Cordless VoIP Telephone
When you don’t need all the bells and whistles of more expensive handsets, the VVX300 fits the bill. Designed to be as simple as possible for IT departments to deploy, it features good call quality for everyday communications, six speed dial keys and a 12-key dial keypad for basic functions such as muting the headset, placing somebody on hold and muting the call.
This VoIP phone from Grandstream offers dedicated landline and SIP functionality, working with all the features you'd expect to need to use with a good VoIP phone. The 8 speed dial keys make it quick and easy to get in touch with main contacts efficiently, and the HD audio means that the sound should be clear both through the handset and also through the speakerphone. 4 XML programmable soft keys allow for 4-way voice conferencing and Bluetooth support allows you to switch between phones as required.
If you need a simple cordless handset that can be used with a lineline or over the internet, this German-engineered handset is worthy of consideration. By connecting the C530IP to an internet router, it can be used for making up to three parallel calls removing the need for separate lines for multitasking. It also features a 1.8-inch TFT color display where VIP contacts can be saved and assigned custom ringtones. Just be aware that this handset is no longer compatible with Skype.
An affordable entry-level IP phone for SMBs, the GXP165 is capable of making excellent quality calls and features a narrow graphical LCD display that’s operated using three buttons. It offers HD wideband audio for full-duplex hands-free speakerphone operation, and it’s designed for use in larger offices thanks to an echo cancellation feature. Its large phonebook can store up to 500 contacts and 200 records in its memory, and has a built-in web configuration that can fetch the phone’s IP directly from the LCD display for IT support.
This Grandstream unit features an elegant dark and sleek design with a large colourful display to give it a modern touch, though we found that the display suffers from a very slight amount of latency when you’re whizzing through its various menus. But for the price, you get a great package – the unit itself has a high-end feel in the hand that belies its affordable price tag. In terms of functionality, it features Dual Gigabit ports, integrated PoE and the ability to speed dialling up to 160 contacts (48 can be displayed on-screen for dialling).
For when call quality and range matters, Grandstream has prepared the DP720. As a simple black handset that slots into a flimsy yet functional base, it’s ideal for workers who want a cordless phone that can be picked up and taken out of the office – up to 50 metres away indoors. It supports up to 10 SIP accounts per handset, immediately displays caller ID instead of between the first and second rings, it and can handle multiple calls in wideband voice quality.
Video-calling still has many practical uses in business, and this Cisco Video IP phone makes dialling into face-to-face meetings a breeze. Its touchscreen LCD display sports 1,024 x 600-pixel resolution and is compatible with a host of meeting applications including Cisco WebEX and the Cisco Jabber messaging integration platform, in addition to on-demand cloud services. And because it runs Android, the DX650 can be easily paired with smart devices using Bluetooth to share contacts and call histories.
This Yealink IP phone is great option if you’re seeking a phone with a big and useful display that’s operated with buttons rather than using your greasy fingers. It offers excellent call quality, houses a dual-port Gigabit Ethernet port around the back and can work with up to 16 SIP accounts. Just be aware that this model does not have Wi-Fi built into the handset and requires a dongle for such functionality. Not does it ship with a power supply due to having POE (power-over-ethernet) built into the unit).
The CP-8865 is an affordable SIP phone designed for video calling that features a big and bold 5-inch display operated using buttons positioned on either side. It offers exception call clarity, and video calls stretch to 720p HD which looks clear and crisp on its small display. There’s also programme feature keys which can be customised to be used with a variety of deployment options including Cisco on-premises hosted calls, Webex Calling, and other third-party alternatives. To top off the package, this unit features USB ports for charging smartphones or Bluetooth headsets.
Cisco calls this model a handset that’s ‘as smart as any smartphone’, which is a contentious claim (excuse the pun) and doesn’t quite ring true (and again). However, it is one of the most feature-packed on our list, featuring built-in Wi-Fi without the need for a dongle. The SPA5252G also can transfer calls to a smartphone to easily take a call out of the office. Most impressive of all is its support for Cisco MonitorView, which allows you to stream video to its 3.2-inch color display from a remote IP camera.