Before you choose voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) software for your business, it’s important to first choose the hardware your team will need to access it. We looked at the most popular VoIP phones on the market today and evaluated them based on price and available features to determine the best VoIP phone for your business.
Top 6 VoIP Phones 2019
| VoIP Phone | Best For |
|---|---|
| (Best Overall) Businesses that want a color display and advanced features like HD Voice | |
| Teams that want to hold video calls with their VoIP phones | |
| Businesses with tight budgets seeking an entry-level phone with basic features | |
| Organizations that want a simple handset offering HD Voice quality | |
| Companies that want smartphone-like features, such as touchscreen controls | |
| Executives and other staff members who want a no-compromise solution packed with features |
Which VoIP Provider is Best For You?
How We Evaluated VoIP Phones
VoIP systems use the internet to transmit data rather than a traditional landline, giving them the ability to do things traditional phones can’t, such as offer high-definition (HD) voice functionality and video conferencing. The best VoIP phone takes advantage of these capabilities while allowing your team to handle calls easily.
The criteria we used to evaluate the best VoIP telephones include:
- Price: We examined the cost of each product and any required hardware or accessories like VoIP adapters and headsets
- VoIP service compatibility: Most modern VoIP phones have universal compatibility, but some services recommend specific phones
- Number of lines: Most small businesses probably need two or three lines per extension, but you might need more depending on your organization’s growth rate
- Call management features: Modern VoIP phones should make it easy to route, block, and hold conference calls
- Call quality & reliability: We looked for phones designed for overall audio quality, such as HD Voice and reliability
- Bluetooth compatibility: The ability to connect a VoIP phone with a wireless Bluetooth headset for hands-free talking was a feature we considered
- Wi-Fi connectivity: We looked for added features like the ability to use the phone without connecting the device to your office’s router via ethernet
- Video features: The ability to hold video calls in addition to traditional phone conversations was another feature we looked for
Based on these criteria, the Grandstream GXP2170 is our pick for best VoIP phone for most small businesses. The Grandstream GXP2170 is an affordable option with many features found on more expensive phones and also offers several lines per extension, making it a great choice for most small businesses with high call volume. Check out our best business phone systems article to find a provider with which to pair your hardware choice. Here’s how our six phones stacked up against each other.
Best Overall VoIP Phone for Small Businesses: Grandstream GXP2170
The Grandstream GXP2170 phone supports twelve lines and is excellent for handling a high volume of calls. HD Voice ensures a high sound quality and Bluetooth connectivity lets you pair a headset for hands-free operation. It is competitively priced, with more features than found in many entry-level phones. It’s the best choice for most small businesses because it provides the best combination of features and affordability.
Grandstream GXP2170 Pricing
The Grandstream GXP2170 costs $98.59 for a single handset. However, some sellers offer a volume discount if you buy two or more handsets. It also comes with a power supply and ethernet cord, saving you the cost of extra accessories. The GXP2170’s pricing puts it in the lower-mid range of VoIP hardware.
Grandstream GXP2170 Features
The Grandstream GXP2170 offers an impressive set of features given its relatively low cost. It has a high number of lines and boasts features like HD Voice quality and compatibility with Bluetooth headsets. The Polycom VVX 601 offers similar functionality but at a higher price point.
Line Support
The Grandstream GXP2170 supports up to 12 lines per extension. Many entry VoIP phones, like the Cisco SPA 303, only offer three lines. This is still lacking, however, when compared with handsets like the Yealink T49G and the Grandstream GXV3370. The GXP2170 is good for staff that has a moderate volume of calls every day.
Bluetooth Connectivity
The Grandstream GXP2170 supports Bluetooth connectivity to any compatible headset. You could get up, leave your desk, and carry on your conversation if you wanted, making it great for customer service staff or other workers who talk on the phone all day. This is a feature only found in the more expensive phones in our guide like the Polycom VVX 601.
HD Voice
HD Voice functionality delivers calls that sound so clear that it can sound like the person on the phone is right next to you. The Grandstream GXP2170 provides this, while the cheaper Cisco SPA 303 does not. Teams who want a truly modern phone presence for their company will like being able to greet their callers with HD Voice.
Ease of Use
The Grandstream GXP2170 boasts a large, clear 4.3-inch color screen, and navigating the interface works is a breeze. With that said, the GXP2170’s display is not a touchscreen like that on the Polycom VVX 601, so you’ll have to navigate its menus with standard buttons. The modern screen could also throw off staff who aren’t used to complex technology. Still, teams who do want a smoother experience than the grayscale screens of old will love this handset.
Ergonomics
The Grandstream GXP2170’s thoughtful design makes it an easy phone to live with. Buttons are well laid out with minimal crowding. They are also clearly labeled and it’s easy to understand what each key does. The phone itself has a modern, sleek look to it. And at 3.2 inches thick, it doesn’t take up much space on a desk.
What the Grandstream GXP2170 Is Missing
The Grandstream GXP2170 does not have a touchscreen. All navigation of the phone’s menus is done with buttons and a directional pad. If you want to navigate through your phone’s options with simple tap-and-drag functionality like on a smartphone, you’ll want to check out the Polycom VVX 601 or the Yealink T49G.
What Users Think About the Grandstream GXP2170
Online users generally like the ease of use and features offered by the Grandstream GXP2170. They find it very easy to set up. However, some users have complained about the voice quality during non-HD calls.
Where to Find the Grandstream GXP2170
Out of all the handsets we looked at, the Grandstream GXP2170 offers the best balance of cost and functionality. It offers midrange features like Bluetooth and HD Voice at an affordable price, and it doesn’t force small businesses to spend very much. Check out the Grandstream GXP2170 by clicking the link below.
Best VoIP Phone for Video Calls: Grandstream GXV3370
The Grandstream GXV3370 costs $249.99, supports up to 16 lines and comes with features like HD Voice, Wi-Fi connectivity, and Bluetooth. It also has an HD camera (of an unspecified resolution) and supports video conferencing right from your phone. It’s certainly not cheap, but it’s great for distributed teams that work closely together because it supports video conferencing and calling.
Grandstream GXV3370 Pricing
Pricing for the GXV3370 retails for $249.99. It’s the second-most expensive phone we looked at, but it’s still half the price of the Yealink T49G. The phone comes with a power supply and a network cable, so you won’t have to purchase any additional items to get the phone running.
Grandstream GXV3370 Features
The Grandstream GXV3370 offers all the basic VoIP features you’d expect, as well as some extras like the ability to connect a Bluetooth headset and Wi-Fi connectivity. It comes with three-way video conferencing support thanks to its built-in camera. We chose it as the best phone for video calls because it delivers both voice and video calling at a fair price, especially when compared to the expensive Yealink T49G.
Line Support
The Grandstream GXV3370 supports a whopping 16 lines per extension, which makes it excellent at handling a high volume of calls. It’s worth noting, however, that the Polycom VVX also supports 16 lines and is cheaper. Still, the GXP 3370 is a great value for staff who want to manage a high volume of calls and hold video conferences too.
Bluetooth Connectivity
The Grandstream GXV3370 supports Bluetooth, so your employees can connect their wireless headset of choice with their work phone. However, this is a feature found in all but two of the phones we looked at — the Polycom VVX 301 and the Cisco SPA 303.
HD Voice
It’s disappointing that the Grandstream GXV3370 lacks HD Voice functionality considering that the company’s cheaper GXP2170 offers it, as does the cheaper Polycom VVX 301. As a result, the GXV3370 is better suited for companies who plan to do more video calling than voice.
Ease of Use
The Grandstream GXV3370’s interface functions much like a smartphone, making it easy to understand. The phone uses a version of Android, so using it works in a very similar fashion to navigating the screen of a smart device. As such, using this device will be second nature to most customers.
Ergonomics
You’ll notice a lack of buttons on the Grandstream GXV3370 when compared to most other VoIP phones. Overall, the capacitive touchscreen display is large and very easy to read. Everyday use of the phone is painless and easy.
What the Grandstream GXV3370 Is Missing
Even though you’ll be able to make HD video calls, The GVX3370 does not have HD Voice functionality. This means you’re stuck with standard definition voice conversations. If you want to make calls with exceptional sound quality, you should take a look at more affordable devices like the Polycom VVX 301, the Polycom VVX 601, or the Grandstream GXP2170.
What Users Think About the Grandstream GXV3370
Customers love the usability of the GXV3370 and are generally very happy with this phone. They find using the different features and navigating options to be a snap thanks to the large color touchscreen. They also love the high number of supported lines.
Best Entry-level VoIP Phone for Business: Cisco SPA 303
The Cisco SPA 303 delivers the basic calling functions that your employees need for a budget-friendly price of $47. The Cisco SPA 303 lacks many of the features found in more expensive phones, such as HD Voice or a high number of lines, but it’s hard to beat it at $47 if your business is on a tight budget. The phone is best for those looking for a low-cost solution with basic phone calling functionality.
Cisco SPA 303 Pricing
At $47, the Cisco SPA 303 is by far the most inexpensive handset in our guide. However, it does require you to purchase additional accessories, like a wired headset, separately. For $26 more, you get HD Voice and twice as many lines with the Polycom VVX 301.
Cisco SPA 303 Features
As an entry-level device, the Cisco SPA 303 can do little beyond making calls and letting you access voicemail. That being said, it has all the basics, like caller ID, conferencing, and call hold, but you’ll have to do without features like Wi-Fi connectivity and a color display.
Features of the Cisco SPA 303 include:
Line Support
The Cisco SPA 303 supports three lines per extension. While this will likely be enough for the average worker, employees in client-facing roles might find themselves frustrated at the inability to handle many calls at once. In comparison, the Polycom VVX 301, another budget offering, supports six lines. Therefore, the SPA 303 is best for team members who only speak to one or two people at a time.
Bluetooth Connectivity
Unlike most of the other phones we looked at, the SPA 303 does not support Bluetooth connectivity, so you’ll have to connect a wired headset (sold separately) for hands-free talking. However, If your employees don’t make calls all that often, this won’t be much of an issue. This is a better option for employees outside of your sales or customer success teams who wouldn’t benefit much from a wireless VoIP headset.
HD Voice
The Cisco SPA 303 is not capable of making HD Voice calls. All of the other phones except for the Grandstream GVX3370 offer the ability to make calls with crystal clear voice quality. Still, it’s easy to overlook this lack of HD Voice considering that the phone is so affordable and standard definition calls still offer adequate sound quality for conversations. General business users who’ve never experienced HD Voice in the first place won’t mind the lack of HD Voice here.
Ease of Use
Because it lacks most of the features of a more expensive VoIP phone, using the Cisco SPA 303 is a pretty simple process. It can be set up in less than ten steps, and a directional pad allows you to scroll through menus on the device’s monochromatic display. Teams who aren’t tech savvy and want a straightforward VoIP phone will love the SPA 303.
Ergonomics
The Cisco SPA 303 has spaced out, labeled buttons for all functions. In addition to the dial pad, there are clear visual icons for voicemail, volume controls, and muting. It’s not exactly a sleek looking device, but most small businesses will appreciate the no-nonsense design of the handset. Especially if there are less technical employees who might be turned off from the touchscreens of the Grandstream GVX3370.
What the Cisco SPA 303 Is Missing
All told, the Cisco SPA 303 lacks most of the features found on more expensive handsets. It doesn’t come with a color display, HD Voice, Bluetooth connectivity, Wi-Fi compatibility, or the video conferencing features found on the more expensive handsets we looked at like the Yealink T49G. If you’re looking for a more midrange alternative with more functions, consider the Grandstream GXP2170, which offers a large feature set at a relatively affordable price.
What Users Think About the Cisco SPA 303
Online customers love the minimalist nature of the Cisco SPA 303. Customers who value basic phone functionality at a low price say that the phone is painless to set up and use. They also say that the call quality, while not HD, is consistently good.
Best Low-cost VoIP Phone for HD Voice: Polycom VVX 301
The Polycom VVX 301 is an inexpensive device that offers more features than offered by other entry-level phones, such as HD Voice functionality. At $73, its affordable enough for most small businesses and cheaper than all of the phones we looked at except for the Cisco SPA 303. This is a great option for teams that want to make HD Voice calls but aren’t very technical and have no use for advanced features like Bluetooth connectivity or video calling.
Polycom VVX 301 Pricing
The Polycom VVX 301 costs $73.00, making it one of the more affordable phones we looked at. It includes more lines than found in similarly priced phones as well as HD Voice. However, it does not come with a power supply.
Polycom VVX 301 Features
The Polycom VVX 301 has all the basic calling functions of a modern phone, like the ability to route, block, and hold calls like you would with any other business handset. You are also able to make high-quality voice calls with HD Voice. The VVX 301’s feature set makes it good for VoIP users who want to leverage HD Voice functionality but have no use for wireless connectivity via Bluetooth and other bonuses.
Line Support
The Polycom VVX 301 supports up to six lines per extension, which is double that of the cheaper Cisco SPA 303. The GXP2170 offers 12 lines but costs more. Employees with moderate call volumes, like front desk workers, will likely have a perfect fit with the VVX 301.
Bluetooth Connectivity
There is no way to connect a wireless Bluetooth headset with the Polycom VVX 301. Organizations who want hands-free calling will have to buy a wired headset. If you want to connect a wireless headset with your phone, you’re better off looking at the Grandstream GXP2170. Still, the Polycom VVX 301 is a good fit for general business users who don’t need to talk on the phone away from their desks.
HD Voice
Although it’s a basic phone, the Polycom VVX 301 offers HD Voice, so you’ll be able to send and receive calls with extremely high sound quality. In comparison, the Cisco SPA 303 and the much more expensive Grandstream GXV3370 do not offer this feature. HD Voice is something that can be appreciated by employees regardless of technical expertise. This makes it a great feature for about any general business user.
Ease of Use
The Polycom VVX 301 does not have a color touch display like the Polycom VVX 601, which might make it less intuitive for employees who are used to using Android and iOS devices outside of the office. With that said, its monochromatic screen is large and has a clean interface. And the relative lack of features makes the VVX 301 a very straightforward device to use. After all, you’re doing little more than making and managing calls.
Ergonomics
It may have a bland design, but the Polycom VVX301 offers a very smooth user experience. Buttons are spread apart and have a nice travel to them. Buttons are clearly marked as well. It is a bit bulky, however, at 7.09 inches wide 5.91 inches thick.
What the Polycom VVX 301 Is Missing
Those who are looking for a more modern phone with things like a color screen and Bluetooth connectivity will want to look elsewhere, as the Polycom VVX 301 is very much an entry-level device. For less than $25 more, one might want to consider the Grandstream GXP2170, which does offer a color LCD the ability to connect a wireless headset.
What Users Think About the Polycom VVX 301
Polycom’s customers love the sound quality of the HD Voice feature. They also find it to be a reliable device that holds up well after many hours of use. With that in mind, Some have complained about the lack of an included power cord.
Best VoIP Phone for Low-cost Touchscreen Controls: Polycom VVX 601
The Polycom VVX 601 offers many of the features that you would expect from a mid-range priced phone like Bluetooth connectivity and HD Voice quality. However, what truly separates it from its peers is its 4.3-inch TFT color LCD touchscreen with a 480×272 resolution. The device is good for teams who want their phones to have a large color touchscreen but still want to pay less than $200 for a phone.
Polycom VVX 601 Pricing
At $185, the Polycom VVX 601 is nearly twice the price of the Grandstream GXP2170, a handset that matches it in nearly every respect except for the touch display. It doesn’t come with a power supply, either. All thing considered, the Polycom VVX 601 is an expensive device and best for businesses who want a large color touchscreen.
Polycom VVX 601 Features
The Polycom VVX 601 offers all of the basic calling features you’d expect of a VoIP system, along with some extras. You get a color touch display, Bluetooth connectivity to wireless headsets, and HD Voice functionality. All in all, the VVX 601 offers solid mid-range functionality when compared with the other phones we looked at.
Line Support
You get 16 lines per extension with each Polycom VVX 601 handset. Staff who find themselves handling a high volume of calls will find this useful and matches the more expensive Yealink T49G. It also beats the Grandstream GXP2170 by four lines. That won’t make much of a difference to the average user, but organizations who need to handle a ton of calls may have their ideal fit in the VVX 601.
Bluetooth Connectivity
The Polycom VVX 601 allows you to connect a Bluetooth headset make calls hands-free. This is an upgrade over the VVX 301, which offers no such functionality. If your team often has long phone conferences, the VVX 601 could be the ideal phone for you.
HD Voice
HD Voice isn’t a necessity in today’s business world, but it’s certainly nice to have. The Polycom VVX 601 offers HD Voice, so people calling your organization will enjoy exceptional call quality. Some businesses may not care ― the Cisco SPA 303 does not offer it, after all ― but it is helpful for companies who want a professional-sounding phone presence.
Ease of Use
The Polycom VVX 601 has a 4.3-inch touchscreen with a smooth, modern interface. Making calls and accessing voicemail is a breeze thanks to large, intuitive icons. Users should have no trouble using the system, and the handset has a stylish look than most of the other phones we looked at.
Ergonomics
Outside of the touchscreen, the buttons on the Polycom VVX 601 are large and have a satisfying feel to them. Giant buttons have icons, like the microphone with a slash through it for “mute” that are self-explanatory. All in all, the VVX 601 is extremely easy to use.
What the Polycom VVX 601 Is Missing
While it has most of the VoIP phone feature you’d want, the Polycom VVX 601 lacks video conferencing features. If this is something that you think your business would use, consider the fact that the Grandstream GVX3370 lets you send and receive video calls for $50 more than the cost of the VVX 601. If you don’t care about video meetings, then the Grandstream GXP2170 is a much better buy at half the price.
What Users Think About the Polycom VVX 601
In general, online users find the Polycom VVX 601 to be a quality phone. Particular highlights mentioned in reviews are the Bluetooth connectivity, and the HD Voice feature. With that in mind, several customers have found it hard to manage their contacts on the phone.
Best High-end VoIP Phone for Business: Yealink T49G
The Yealink T49G offers the widest range of features of all of the phones we reviewed, including HD Voice and HD video. The 8-inch IPS color LCD touchscreen offers video at a 1080×800 resolution as well as an HDMI output for projecting calls on to a larger screen. However, it is also one of the most expensive, making it best for those who want a high-end phone where budget is not a factor.
Yealink T49G Pricing
For the princely sum of $499, the Yealink T49G is twice the price of the Grandstream GXV3370, which also offers HD video calling. The truth of the matter is that this device is too expensive for the average small business user and should be reserved strictly for those at the executive level.
Yealink T49G Features
The Yealink T49G is a no-compromise VoIP phone. It has every feature we found in the other phones, along with some extras. The LCD touchscreen boats a 1080p resolution like you’d find on a modern big screen TV. The camera also captures a 1080p image, unlike the unspecified but lower resolution of the Grandstream GXV3370. It also has bonuses like power over ethernet and HDMI output for your video calls.
Line Support
With the Yealink T49G, you’ll be able to support up to 16 lines per every extension like the Polycom VVX 601 and the Grandstream GXV3370. A CEO or other executive that would end up using this phone might not need to accommodate 16 simultaneous lines very often, but it’s helpful to have that ability if needed. It’s perfect for users who want the best of the best and can afford it.
Bluetooth Connectivity
You’ll be able to connect your Bluetooth headset with the Yealink T49G for hands-free calling. A nice bonus here is that the phone can connect with your smartphone via Bluetooth and sync your contacts. None of the other phones we looked at have this feature, and we could see it being perfect for any executives who don’t want to fuss with the phone’s management system and manually enter a new contact every time they meet someone.
HD Voice
The Yealink T49G supports HD Voice. HD Voice is included with all of our phones except for the Grandstream GXV3370 and the entry-level Cisco SPA 303. This feature is great for workers who want to sound their best during important phone meetings.
Ease of Use
Everyday use of the Yealink T49G mostly consists of tapping through options on the phone’s enormous 8-inch color touchscreen. That screen size rivals most tablets and makes for a very smooth user experience. The interface is uncluttered and is the easiest phone to use out of the ones we looked at.
Ergonomics
The buttons on the Yealink T49G are smaller than the other phones on our guide but are clearly labeled and spaced out nicely. Color-coded options for headset use (green) and muting (red) help you understand what each button does. The handset itself has a boxy, modern look and the phone itself is slim despite its gigantic screen.
What the Yealink T49G Is Missing
The Yealink T49G isn’t missing anything when it comes to VoIP phone features. It offers the widest set of features out of all the phones we looked at here. It’s a great device, but companies that plan on buying a large number of phones will likely find it unaffordable. Most business users would be satisfied with the features of the Grandstream GXP2170, which comes at a far lower price and still offers things like HD Voice and Wi-Fi connectivity.
What Users Think About the Yealink T49G
Customers are very happy with the wealth of features offered by the Yealink T49G, especially the HD audio and the ability to sync contacts via Bluetooth. With that said, users did complain that video resolution can frequently drop below 1080p.
The Bottom Line
If you are in the market for new VoIP phones for your business, you have no shortage of options. Some devices do little more than a landline phone would, while others can send and receive HD video calls. It’s ultimately up to you to assess your needs and budget to figure out exactly what VoIP service is best for you. Now if you’re ready for it, read our article on setting up VoIP phone service and find out what else you need to consider.
We find that the Grandstream GXP2170 offers the best combination of features for the price. It’s a great buy because it offers a color display, Bluetooth connectivity, and HD Voice at under $100. For more info, check out their Amazon listing.
Mason Kelsey
Grandstream really does seem to be the best. I do need to point out one thing in this article that was wrong. The GXP2170 actually has POE too.
Jamie Balfour
Grandstream for us too. I have a GXP2170 myself and it’s fantastic and wasn’t overly expensive either.
Chris
I agree, my vote is for Grandstream. They have a variety of phones all at a competitive price.