Panasonic 2-Line Corded/Cordless Phone System with 2 Handsets - Answering Machine, Link2Cell, 3-Way Conference, Call Block, Long Range DECT 6.0, Bluetooth - KX-TG9582B (Black)

My wife and I both work from home and have two phone lines coming to the house. Yes, we both have cell phones as well, but having a "land line" is still required for us, noting that cell phones still run out of batteries and sometimes have limited service, drop calls, etc. I did extensive research on 2-line phone systems and physically tried the AT&T TL86109 and this Panasonic. Each unit has pros can cons, but in the end I chose the Panasonic model. Since this is a review of the Panasonic system only, here are my thoughts on this unit:Cons* Handsets feel cheap and light, all of the ring tones are cheesy (except the normal "tone 1" and "tone 2").* Charge stands don't have removable power cords - this makes cable management a little harder as the transformer block doesn't fit through desktop holes.Pros* Panasonic has a range extender/repeater that allows the phones to reach the ends of even the largest homes. This was key for us and basically a deal-killer for the AT&T system. The only other system with a range extender is the AT&T SynJ system, which is a 4-line entry-level business system, and costs literally double that of the Panasonic system here.* Handsets have a intercom, speakerphone, mute, hold functions, allow naming each handset (Family Room, Office, etc.), and have a relatively simple interface. A very full feature list with really nothing missing.* Reliable... so far. I haven't had this system very long, but everything seems stable and reliable, and worst case, replacement cost for a single handset is pretty cheap.Summary: In my opinion this is the best 2-line base station-type phone for home use. The handsets are full-functional, though somewhat light. The next step up is a 4-line business phone system by AT&T at twice the price.

Overall, I really like this system.The GOOD:-2 line operation plus link up to 4 cell phones-call quality (I use the equalizer in the bass mode) is very clear and no background noise-works perfect thru a 3 floor townhouse with the base on the top floor-displays all light up and are easy to read-text message alert is awesome in addition to link to cell phone for calls-loads of features like silent mode, call block, talking caller id, handset naming for easy intercom use and many more little features-many of the features are individually selectable on each handset-ability to ring only specific extensions or all extensions based on which (of 4) cell phone is ringing-phonebook storage for 3000 entries, ability to group entries into sub phonebooks, and easy spell by name searching for entries-love the doorbell ringtone because I have my front door intercom setup as one of the lines-ability to link 12 extensions-handset chargers are wall mountable-relatively inexpensive for what you get-I've had it a few weeks and have had no issuesThe BAD:-as many have already said, the hold button requires 3 key presses but I don't need it much so it's not a big deal to me-when on a call, a soft key turns to a mute button and it should have turned to a hold button which would solve the issue above-while you can link 4 cell phones, only one can be in use at a time (not a problem for me but will be an issue for many)-if you attached the belt clip, it slightly covers the speaker for the speakerphone-the display is easy to read but the display is not designed to look pretty with the placement of all the various icons-the base phone does not have the ability to assign different ringtones to each line like the extensions can-handset chargers are hard-wired. I cut some of them and installed disconnect plugs to run the power over cat5 wire to wall mount the chargers with no power cords showing (see picture of phone charging with no visible wire)-handsets don't have a quality upscale design. I would have paid a little more for the addition of "hold" button (unless they changed mute to hold as mentioned above), better back lighting, and no rubber keys (the talk/off/soft keys light up on the edges but the icons don't light).

This is a great phone system. I have two phone lines (yes I still want a landline in my house) one I use for my personal use and the other for business. I have purchased other brands of phone systems similar to this in the past and they were terrible. The issues with the others systems were too many to count. I took a long time researching a new phone system and I very happy I picked this one.Here is what I love about this phone:1. It works as it should2. No crazy bright blue light on it showing it's charging. My previous phones systems all had this and I didn't like it. This has a display on the face and when I pick up the hand set is the only time it lights up.3. You can hear people on the other end. Both on the main base and on the cordless handsets.4. Re-playing a message is easy. So is deleting a message.5. CID is easy6. Editing a number from CID is easy7. It has a cool feature that after 2 or 3 rings it will announce who is calling. When I'm not right near a phone it helps me determine if I wan to run to pick up the call.8. The batteries seem to last a long time.Cons:1. Challenging to set up your outgoing VM message.2. Ok not a big a thing but I did purchase a head set to plug into my cordless phone and the rubber thing on the side where you plug the head set into is difficult to move. I sometimes have to use a butterknife to unplug the rubber piece. The jack doesn't seem to work too well. I did purchase the headset that was recommended to go with it.Overall I recommend this phone to anyone.