As technology has advanced, traditional telephony setups have become increasingly lacklustre in terms of their cost, flexibility and functionality. But any successful business that has regular communications in-house or with clients needs a reliable and convenient phone service.
That’s why most businesses have already turned to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), with a VoIP provider.
VoIP services offer phone technology using broadband internet connections, and hosted VoIP systems, in particular, offer many advantages over the older systems.
There are myriad benefits of VoIP telephone systems over traditional setups, including:
Cost savings
Portability – employees' numbers go wherever they go
Flexibility – scales up and down easily
Accessibility – even older technology like fax is supported
Improved productivity
Easier to install, configure and maintain
VoIP integrates with other business systems
Determining the best VoIP phone for your business will depend on the setup of your organisation – how many people will be using VoIP, what level of technology you’ll benefit most from, how much you’re looking to spend, etc.
Once you’ve taken stock of your requirements, it’s best to compare some of the best options on the market and assess their suitability to your needs.
As featured on Amazon, here are five of best-selling VoIP phones and their main benefits and features:
The Polycom VVX 411 offers improved productivity for your staff with its intuitive, large colour display and easy-to-use line appearances. A high-quality, cost-effective system with advanced features. Ideal for moderate call volume.
Key highlights:
Unparalleled voice clarity is delivered through Polycom HD voice for higher quality calls
Polycom zero touch provisioning and web-based configuration for simple deployment, and ease of administration, upgrade, and maintenance
Can be used with your existing network without needing to upgrade your call control platform
Easily integrate with third-party web-based UC and productivity applications for broad, standards-based, open APIs
Features:
3.5" TFT (320 x 240)
12 lines or speed dial keys
HD Voice up to 7KHz on all audio paths (speaker, handset, headset)
Two x Ethernet 10/100 or GigE (VVX410 )
Asian character support
Hard keys: 12-key dial pad, home, speaker, mute, headset, volume, messages, hold, transfer
Four-way navigation cluster with centre “select” key
Supports VVX Expansion Module and VVX Color Expansion Module (Expandability up to three modules)
Skype for Business and Office 365 Cloud PBX interoperability
What’s in the box:
IP desk phone / Handset with handset cord / Network (LAN) Cable - CAT-5E / Quick start guide / Ferrite clamp
The GXP 1610 is a next-generation single line enterprise/business desktop SIP phone. Ideal for small to medium sized businesses, it delivers on all the standard functions of the average office phone such as call hold, transfer, forward and mute.
Key highlights:
HD wideband audio and advanced acoustic echo cancellation for clear communications
SIP desktop phone with 1 SIP account and 2 Ethernet ports
Internal directory and call log: 500 contacts and 200 call records
HD wideband audio with advanced echo cancellation – ideal for speakerphones and headsets
Advanced call features including three-way conference calls and auto dialling/ answer
Features:
Off the hook auto dialling
Auto answer, hot-desking and dial planning
1 SIP account and 2 lines
Dual RJ-45 10/100Mbps ports
Three XML context-sensitive soft keys
Clear 132 x 48 pixel LCD display
Three-way conferencing
What's in the box:
GXP1610 phone / Handset with cord / Base stand / Universal power supply / Network cable / Quick installation guide and brochure / GPL License
For superb sound quality through high definition wideband audio, the Polycom CX300 R2 USB IP Desktop Phone maximises the accuracy and productivity of real-time conversations.
Key highlights:
Great call quality in handset, full duplex speakerphone, or headset mode
Seamless integration with Skype for Business
Convenient dial pad and display similar to a traditional phone
Driverless plug-and-play USB operation from phone to PC for ease of use
Volume control and mute function
Features:
A two-line, monochrome, back-lit display
Full duplex speakerphone and headset (via headset jack) operation
USB powered, no external power supply required
LED indicator for off hook, message waiting, speakerphone, headset, call forwarding
RJ-22 Headset jack with integrated amplifier
What’s in the box:
Polycom CX300 USB deskphone / 6ft handset curly cord / Captive USB cable / Quick start guide / Product registration card
A consistent IP telephone that delivers familiar features to cater for basic communications needs – a productivity enhancing phone for the everyday user. The 1608 includes several fixed feature keys for common telephone tasks including conference calls, transfer, drop, hold, mute.
Key highlights:
Backlit display - 3.5" diagonal, three rows by 24 characters
Ergonomic hearing aid compatible handset – supporting TTD acoustic coupler
Eight-line appearance/feature key buttons - with dual LEDs (red, green)
Telephony application button to return to main telephone screen
Full duplex speakerphone
Supports Avaya wired and wireless headsets through its integrated headset jack
Features:
Message waiting indicator
Dual position flip stand
Three contextual softkey buttons
Quick-access voicemail message button
Static or dynamic address assignment
Dual Ethernet ports for connection of phone and collocated PC w/VLAN separation
Power over Ethernet or optional 48V power supply
What’s in the box:
1608I IP Phone / Handset and cord / Unit stand
The feature-rich SNOM D375 provides quality and functionality on-premises or in hosted PBX environments. Boasts robust CTI integration and wideband HD audio for crystal clear conversations.
Key highlights:
Digital Signal Processor (DSP) for excellent, unmatched audio performance
Tiltable high-resolution colour display
Supports simultaneous use of several audio devices, including operation of the headset and loudspeaker
Compatible with Bluetooth, high-definition displays
Provides support for security standards such as TLS and SRTP
Capable of hosting third-party applications
Features:
12 multicolour function keys
Gigabit switch | USB port
12 SIP identities | Sensor hook switch
Bluetooth-compatible Dual Stack IPv4/IPv6
What’s in the box:
Base phone unit / Foot stand / Handset with cord / Ethernet cable / Quick start guide
As well as looking at the above five VoIP phones featured on Amazon, we’ve scoured the market to determine which are the best VoIP phones.
The best phone for your business will depend on your everyday needs, so some may not have the features to suit your requirements and others may not offer the right compatibility for the setup you want for your communications.
Looking at all the options currently on the market, from an objective point of view, our current pick for best VoIP phone has to be the Polycom VVX 411.
The Polycom VVX 411 VoIP phone is a mid-range professional desktop setup that’s a perfect fit for a range of professionals, from secretaries to salespersons and startups to executives.
With its 320x240 display and four-directional navigation buttons, the VVX 411 has an interface that is intuitive and easy-to-use.
Its range of call handling and audio features is extensive – suitable for most business requirements, and its capability to integrate with third-party UC and productivity applications make it all the more dynamic and easy to use.
Amvia specialises in VoIP for business, and we understand that clear, reliable and cost-effective communications are essential to the success and growth of your company. Whether you need a small SME VoIP system for a few users or a full contact centre package, choosing between the best business VOIP providers is simple with Amvia.
Speak to us about your business’s VoIP requirements today.