There are plenty of options when it comes to business VoIP handsets, and sometimes choosing the right devices for a business can be overwhelming.
Here are a few savvy device selections to consider among the multitude of offerings.
First, take a look at Polycom (News - Alert) IP 335, which is priced around $105 and serves as the base model for many business VoIP providers. The phone is often served up as the starting point for an upgrade to the slightly pricier IP 550, and both the IP 335 and the IP 550 are being phased out in favor of new color phone models. But the IP 335 has it where it counts, including the same HD voice quality that comes with the more expensive models. You can pay more for the latest and greatest, but the IP 335 handles the essentials and does it on a budget.
The phone handles two lines, so it is a good option for small businesses. It makes a great primary or secondary phone.
For those who want a little more, the Panasonic (News - Alert) KX-TGP500 is a strong contender. Priced at about $165, it strongly resembles a home cordless phone but comes packed with a full range of business features.
It has a large LCD screen, with controls handled by a little joystick. The base station is a small black device that can be mounted on a wall or hidden from view.
The KX-TGP500 comes with one handset and can support up to six handsets. It can support up to eight inbound DID numbers, with each base station being able to handle three outside calls at once. The handsets also have an intercom system.
Even though snom is not a heavyweight when it comes to VoIP, the snom 870 is a solid performer worth giving a look. It is priced at roughly $260, and it has many of the same touchscreen features of its better known competition, the Polycom VVX series. snom’s 870 combines good looks and functionality via its TFT touchscreen display, which can be sued to dial or to click and drag to start a conference call. It can be connected to Wi-Fi via USB, too.
It also might be worth your while to consider an unconventional choice: The iPad Mini as a VoIP device.
Yes, you read that correctly. The iPad and its iOS brethren gets plenty of attention for FaceTime (News - Alert), but the platform runs a battery of VoIP apps and of course comes loaded with the right hardware. From consumer services such as Skype to major business VoIP providers such as Nextiva, the iOS platform supports a wide range of VoIP possibilities.
When pairing an iPad Mini with an enterprise-quality headset, it is entirely possible to make an iOS-centered calling solution that seamlessly supports both inbound and outbound calling.
The lower-cost iPad Mini is priced at about $440, making it an intriguing option. It also, of course, plays well with the bring your own device trend.
Edited by Rachel Ramsey