The best call center phones balance affordability (e.g., cost and functionality) and essential features (e.g., voicemail, a user-friendly interface, and call handling). They offer diverse call routing options and are compatible with different business phone service providers, improving the customer and agent experience. After evaluating different call center telephones, we identified the top seven devices for small businesses.
- Yealink T54W: Best for advanced telephony features
- Grandstream GXP2170: Best for sales departments
- Snom D735: Best for home offices
- Fanvil X4U-V2: Best for audio quality
- Grandstream GRP2612W: Best for data security and encryption
- Polycom CCX 400: Best call center media phone
- Polycom VVX 450: Best for call management features
Call Center Phone | Key Features | FSB Rating | |
---|---|---|---|
Yealink T54W | $140 |
| 4.70 out of 5 |
Grandstream GXP2170 | $98 |
| 4.34 out of 5 |
Snom D735 | $98.45 |
| 4.34 out of 5 |
Fanvil X4U-V2 | $91.98 | 4.28 out of 5 | |
Grandstream GRP2612W | $63.65 |
| 4.22 out of 5 |
Polycom CCX 400 | $128.90 | 4.15 out of 5 | |
Polycom VVX 450 | $151 |
| 3.91 out of 5 |
Yealink T54W: Best for Advanced Telephony Features
What We Liked
- Eliminates background noise using acoustic technology
- Offers multiple wireless connectivities
- Has a multilingual user interface
Where It Falls Behind
- Takes up considerable desk space with its bulky size
- Lacks video camera function
- Holds up to 1,000 entries in the local contact list only, other providers store up to 6,000
The Yealink T54W ranked as the leading call center phone because of its enterprise-level features like smart dialing and up to 16 voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) accounts. Ideal for managers and executives, it offers IP phone tools like call park, recording, and HD audio to ensure a superior customer experience. This phone excels in delivering reliable call quality for small teams handling complex customer inquiries.
It is user-friendly with an adjustable 4.3-inch color LCD screen, enhancing visibility and comfort. The Yealink Acoustic Shield technology eliminates background noise and integrates with the Yealink Video Conferencing (VC) Desktop for effortless content sharing and team collaboration. For busy environments, the T54W supports multiple cordless handsets, making it a shared phone system.
However, the Yealink T54W’s display is basic compared with other models on this list, which impacts ease of use and information visibility. As an alternative, go for the Polycom CCX 400; it has a 5-inch display and touchscreen functionality.
- Acoustic shield: Yealink’s acoustic shield technology blocks out background noises and distractions. It uses multiple microphones to form a virtual shield between the caller and the speaker so that both parties can hear each other clearly.
- Wireless transmission: The feature includes a built-in Bluetooth 4.2 for headsets and dual-band Wi-Fi for 5G Wi-Fi connectivity. This allows you to add multiple handsets and share content from your laptop.
- Ergonomic display: The large backlit display and LED indicators ensure optimal viewing and navigation experience. The display is fully adjustable, allowing users to change the screen angle according to their needs.
*Some products do not include a power adapter. The T54W IP Phone with a power adapter costs $147 on Amazon.
The Yealink T54W is compatible with several VoIP service providers and pairs well with Grasshopper for seamless integration and affordability. This combination is ideal for budget-conscious small businesses that want to enhance their communication system with a flat-rate monthly fee. Our in-depth Grasshopper review highlights what we liked and what’s missing in this system.
Grandstream GXP2170: Best for Sales Departments
What We Liked
- Provides an aesthetic colored display screen
- Includes automated provisioning for managed system access
- Comes with a full-duplex speakerphone with HD audio capabilities
Where It Falls Behind
- Has an overwhelming number of function keys for beginners and low-volume call users
- Does not come with a video camera
- Has incidents of background static during calls
The Grandstream GXP2170 is one of the best VoIP phones on the market for sales teams, thanks to its 12 lines and six session initiation protocol (SIP) accounts. It can efficiently handle several inbound and outbound calls simultaneously.
Advanced call center features like call transfer and waiting enable seamless communication between sales representatives and clients. Its conferencing tools enable teams to coordinate strategies and effectively discuss service quotes with customers.
This call center phone integrates with customer relationship management (CRM) systems, giving sales departments direct access to client profiles and call logs from the phone itself. On the downside, for call centers and businesses with lower daily call volumes, this may be overkill.
In such cases, the Fanvil X4U-V2 is more suitable because it’s an affordable entry-level call management solution with key functionalities like a color screen, support for up to 12 SIP lines, and excellent audio quality.
- 48 digital speed-dial keys: Instantly connect with people across your network using 48 customizable fast-dial keys, perfect for handling high volumes of calls.
- Automated provisioning: The Grandstream GXP1780’s automated provisioning features with Media Access Control (MAC) allow the phone to automatically configure itself based on predefined settings linked to each device’s unique MAC address. This reduces set-up time and minimizes configuration errors, ideal for large-scale operations or mass deployments.
- Dual Gigabit ports: Dual Gigabit ports with Ethernet ports and built-in Bluetooth provide the fastest connection speed for syncing with mobile devices.
The Grandstream GXP2170 supports advanced features like multiline handling, call forwarding, and voicemail, making it highly compatible with Nextiva’s business communication platform. Nextiva users, this is the phone for you. If you’re unfamiliar with this cloud-based solution, check out our Nextiva review.
Snom D735: Best for Home Offices
What We Liked
- Comes with 43 hard keys, including audio and programmable keys
- Allows expansion model connection via USB port
- Offers monitoring features like busy lamp field tools
Where It Falls Behind
- Has sound quality that lags behind competitors
- Has a limited screen with its smaller 2.8-inch color display
- Has infrequent updates for firmware/software
When choosing a call center phone for home offices, the Snom D735 offers excellent flexibility, allowing users to customize settings based on user-specific needs and preferences. It features 32 virtual and four programmable context-sensitive keys for tailoring setup and quickly accessing frequently used functions, contacts, and extensions.
The D735 supports power over Ethernet (PoE), which minimizes the need for additional power adapters, reducing clutter and maintaining a tidy home office workspace.
While it has a smaller 2.7-inch color display, it remains functional and user-friendly, with intuitive navigation crucial for home-based professionals with limited technical know-how. However, for fast-paced call centers where agents need a more prominent display to read caller information, call logs, and contact lists, give the Yealink T54W a try. It has a 4.3-inch color LCD screen for easy viewing and increased functionality.
- Automatic redial on busy: The feature automatically redials a phone number after an attempt results in a busy signal. Users can set the time interval in seconds for the phone to wait before redialing.
- Dedicated keys: Preconfigurable buttons for specific functions, such as messages, transfers, and pages, allow for quick and easy menu navigation.
- USB headset-ready: It is equipped with a USB port for direct connection with a USB headset, simplifying the setup process without needing additional adapters or converters.
Fanvil X4U-V2: Best for Audio Quality
What We Liked
- Features a 2.8-inch central display and a 2.4-inch side monitor
- Includes a versatile stand with 45- and 50-degree angle adjustments
- Integrates with major platforms like BroadSoft, Avaya, and 3CX
Where It Falls Behind
- Has incidences of system lagging after firmware updates
- Requires frequent software updates
- Offers limited mobility features
Fanvil X4U-V2 Pricing
- Starts at $91.98 per unit
Where to buy: Visit IP Warehouse, Visit VoIP Supply, Visit Amazon
Thanks to its Harman speakers and wideband codec support, the Fanvil X4U V2 is perfect for businesses prioritizing superior audio quality in a call center phone. This ensures agents hear every conversation with crystal-clear sound. Small businesses benefit from enhanced communication efficiency, reducing misunderstandings and customer frustration caused by audio issues like static and voice inconsistencies.
In addition to excellent audio quality, it’s also great for enterprise-level communications as it supports up to 30 DSS keys, ideal for larger companies. Unfortunately, the Fanvil X4U V2 has a pretty limited screen. For a larger display, go for the Grandstream GXP2170, Polycom CCX 400, or Polycom VVX 450, which all feature screens larger than four inches.
- Programmable DSS: Customize specific keys on the phone for different functions, such as call forwarding or application shortcuts. These soft keys streamline agent workflows, enhancing efficiency in handling customer care concerns.
- Six-way conferencing: Facilitate calls with up to six participants, ideal for small group discussions and team collaboration. This is particularly useful for businesses with remote and mobile team members.
- Secondary display: This device features a 2.4-inch secondary display and a 2.8-inch primary color display, allowing agents to manage calls more efficiently by viewing additional information, such as call details.
Grandstream GRP2612W: Best for Data Security & Encryption
What We Liked
- Has a color LCD with swappable faceplates for customization
- Offers enterprise-level protection with encrypted data storage and dual firmware
- Includes a 24-minute recording capacity
Where It Falls Behind
- Limits SIP accounts to 4, much lower than other provider’s offerings
- Has network-dependent audio quality
- Lacks an integrated video conferencing camera
Grandstream GRP2612W Pricing
- Starts at $63.65 per unit
Where to buy: Visit Grandstream, Visit VoIP Supply, Visit Amazon
The Grandstream GRP2612W stands out as an exceptional call center phone with advanced security capabilities like transport layer security (TLS), secure real-time transport protocol (SRTP), and data storage encryption.
It features a secure boot process that protects against firmware attacks and maintains software integrity by ensuring the device only boots with trusted firmware. This feature is essential for small businesses to prevent unauthorized software from compromising their communication systems.
This phone for call centers has built-in dual-band Wi-Fi support, providing flexible deployment options without wired connections. Unfortunately, despite being a reliable calling workhorse, the Grandstream GRP2612W’s audio speaker is limited to an HD handset and speakerphone with support for wideband audio.
As an alternative, the Fanvil X4U-V2 offers similar capabilities, but this call center telephone comes with branded Harman speakers, known for enhanced clarity and rich sounds.
- Dual-band Wi-Fi: The feature allows users to connect to 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi networks, offering more connectivity options for stable internet, especially in high network traffic environments or with multiple wireless devices.
- Multilanguage support: This phone operates in various languages, which is ideal for multicultural teams speaking different languages. You can use English, German, Italian, Spanish, and Japanese, reducing language barriers and enhancing device usability.
- Hot desking: The feature enables shared workspaces by allowing different users to log into the same phone with their credentials, giving them access to their personalized settings and extensions regardless of their phone.
Polycom CCX 400: Best Call Center Media Phone
What We Liked
- Offers robust audio features, including acoustic echo cancellation and background noise suppression
- Offers hearing aid compatibility—magnetic coupling to hearing aids
- Comes optimized for Microsoft Teams
Where It Falls Behind
- Lacks physical buttons for a tactile feel, which traditional users look for
- Restricts connection to certain expansion models like the Poly CCX EM60
- Offers Wi-Fi through an external dongle, which is a paid add-on accessory
The Polycom CCX 400’s 5-inch color LCD screen delivers a vibrant interface for efficient call management and multimedia use. Its multitouch capacitive screen, with a 9:16 aspect ratio, mirrors modern smartphone displays and vertical video formats, providing an immersive and engaging user experience. Its Microsoft Teams integration enables agents to manage calls, messages, and meetings from one device.
This reliable entry-level phone improves agent performance and customer satisfaction by providing an easy-to-use device with robust functionality. However, according to user feedback and experience, it performs best when integrated with Microsoft Teams. If you’re not using Teams and need an alternative device, consider Yealink T54W. It offers built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and is compatible with various VoIP platforms, making it a versatile choice.
- Two color modes: The feature enhances user comfort by allowing users to switch between normal and dark modes. Normal mode is ideal for well-lit environments with clear visibility, while dark mode is perfect for low-light situations requiring subdued brightness.
- Poly Acoustic Clarity: The feature improves call quality by ensuring voices sound clear and natural. This technology minimizes distracting audio issues by reducing background noise and echo, even in noisy environments.
- On-screen virtual keyboard: The feature facilitates text input directly on the phone’s touchscreen for composing emails, entering contact information, and navigating the menu. It offers a convenient way to interact with functions directly from the phone screen.
Polycom VVX 450: Best for Call Management Features
What We Liked
- Allows up to 96 presence per phone using expansion modules
- Supports both Polycom HD Voice and Polycom Acoustic Fence technologies for quality voice experiences
- Comes with robust provisioning and management
Where It Falls Behind
- Has a complex initial setup
- Comes with limited mobility features
- Integrates best with RingCentral, with provisioning challenges when synced with other platforms
Polycom VVX 450 Pricing
- Starts at $151 per unit
Where to buy: Visit RingCentral, Visit Headsets Direct, Visit Amazon
When it comes to call management tools, the Poly VVX 450 stands out because of its features, such as a 12-line desktop system with a color LCD, a busy lamp field, and extension module compatibility. Its attendant console allows agents to manage simultaneous calls and monitor their presence regularly. It supports one expansion module per phone and shows presence for up to 102 lines with an expansion module using a multipage display.
For example, an agent handling multiple calls simultaneously can use the device to quickly switch between calls or manage conference calls with a few simple taps. The call timer feature allows agents to monitor the duration of each call in progress, ensuring efficient time management.
The Polycom VVX 450 excels in voice quality with its Acoustic Clarity technology, which minimizes background noise to deliver clear conversations. Despite its robust functionality, the phone only features an LCD screen. If you’re looking for a powerful business phone with a touchscreen display, consider the Polycom CCX 400. It has a 5-inch touchscreen display for easy input and navigation.
- HD audio: The feature combines Polycom’s HD Voice and Acoustic Fence Technology for crisp, clear sounds, making conversations sound more natural and professional.
- USB ports: This feature enhances productivity by enabling hands-free note-taking and multitasking. It is equipped with two USB ports for attaching headsets or connecting other peripherals.
- Wall-mount: Install this phone on the wall to optimize desk space and keep tabletops clean and organized. This is particularly useful if the phone is used as a shared device.
The Polycom VVX 450 is also noted for its seamless integration with RingCentral. Users already using this cloud-based phone system will find this phone particularly beneficial. Our RingCentral review breaks down everything you need to know about this system and who it’s for.
How We Evaluated the Best Call Center Phones
The best VoIP phones for call centers facilitate communication within and outside an organization, using digital, analog, or IP technologies. This guide reviews seven top call center phones that excel in flexibility, scalability, personalization, and cost-effectiveness.
30% of Overall Score
We considered basic functionalities and examined each unit based on the call management features it offers, such as call handling, voicemail, conference calling, and call recording. We also focused on essential call center functions like call queueing and hands-free capabilities.
20% of Overall Score
Affordability is a crucial consideration for small business owners, so we compared the costs of handheld devices with value for money in mind. We looked at the availability of warranties and gave higher points to phones that cost under $200 per unit. We also confirmed if the call center telephone is available via Amazon and VoIP providers.
20% of Overall Score
Some businesses require more niche features that address advanced communication needs. We looked for units offering full-color display, HD voice, device compatibility and ports, and connectivity options like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. We also looked at multiline functionality, which allows agents to handle multiple calls simultaneously.
15% of Overall Score
We analyzed customer support offerings to see which providers offer customer support, including phone support, email support, live chat, and hours of operation. Encryption security is another crucial area because personal information is often exchanged during call center conversations.
15% of Overall Score
We arrived at our expert score by considering each handheld unit’s value for money and ease of use. We also factored in its popularity and standout features.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Call centers manage incoming and outgoing calls through a centralized system, frequently using VoIP technology to streamline communication. When a call is received, the system directs the caller to the appropriate person or department based on their needs. Basic features like call forwarding and caller ID are commonly available, while advanced systems offer sophisticated tools like interactive voice response (IVR) and call analytics.
In a call center, it’s best to answer a call promptly, greet the caller with a friendly tone, and immediately identify your company and name. Listen actively to the caller’s concerns or questions and respond with empathy. Maintain a positive demeanor throughout the call to create a pleasant experience and focus on resolving the caller’s issue efficiently.
Basic call center services may start at around $1,000 to $2,500 per month for a small team, while advanced solutions with niche features can cost at least $5,000 monthly. Costs vary based on the number of agents, call volume, and software and service providers you’re working with.
You can save on upfront fees and maintenance costs by opting for VoIP phone systems like RingCentral, Nextiva, and Grasshopper, which charge per-user rates starting at $17 per month, exclusive of devices and hardware.
Bottom Line
Finding the best call center phone elevates your small business’s operational efficiency and customer service. Based on our comprehensive review, the Yealink T54W is the top choice because of its comprehensive feature set and mobility. Its advanced tools, such as programmable keys and HD audio, reduce call handling times, driving customer satisfaction and business growth.