Have you seen how many different phones there are to make Skype calls now?! This year has seen an explosion in different new models, so I thought it was time for a quick Skypegear overview on the different phones you can use to make calls via Skype.
Cost-wise Skype phones run from around £10 right up to hundreds of pounds, so it's important when you're choosing a phone that you pick one based not just on your budget, but more importantly on your needs. I've divided them up into four categories:
- Phones that you need to have your PC on to use
- Phones that can be used without a PC
- Speakerphones
- Headsets.
Of course there are other ways to make calls such as by plugging in a phone adaptor to your regular phone, or by using the in-built mic in your webcam, but these really are 4 main ways of improving your Skype audio calls with hardware.
There's also a great interactive guide to choosing a phone in the Skype store, but read on for more info...
1) Phones which will work without a PC
If you don't want to have to have your PC on to make and receive Skype calls, then you should consider either a Wifi Skype phone, which will connect directly to your wifi router, and can also be used outside of your house at any wifi hotspot which doesn't use browser-based authentication, or a cordless dual mode Skype phone.
These cordless phones are like regular cordless phones, and because you can plug them into your landline and straight into your router, they can really replace your normal home phone so you can make all your calls from one phone.
Phones to consider:
Wifi: You really have 4 choices - the Belkin wifi phone, the SMC WSKP100, Linksys WIP320(US-only I believe) or the Netgear SPH101 phone.
Cordless dual mode: There are quite a few now, such as the DUALPhone 3088, the Netgear SPH200D, or Philips VoIP 841. There's also the Linksys CIT400 or GE DECT Skype phone (which are both available in the US only at time of press I believe).
2) Phones which plug into your PC
If you're totally fine with having to have your PC on to make calls, then you might want to consider one of these. They come in two basic flavours: corded and cordless, with the cordless ones typically having some kind of dongle or transmitter which plugs into the computer to communicate with the phone.
Cordless handsets: Typically these have a basestation which plugs into your PC. They often have some kind of LCD display on the handset so you can place calls and scroll through your contacts. Recently a few more advanced ones have come out such as the Topcom Butler 4872 USB which allows you to do Skype text chat via the handset, and the Think Xtra Xtender Dual DECT phone which also allows you to use it as a landline.
Other examples of cordless handsets would be the Philips VoIP 321, US Robotics Cordless Dual Phone, or the original Cordless DUALphone.
Plug-in handsets are simply phones that plug straight into your PC, typically via the USB connection. They usually provide an enhanced audio experience to your computer's speakers, as well as an easier way to make calls. Often they will have a normal phone-style keypad which will allow you to dial numbers, as well as choose contacts to call. Some, such as the US Robotics USB Internet phone, have a digital display as well.
There are loads of these on the market now. Recent additions have included the sleek lines of Futiro's Solo, Luna and Terra, as well as Philips' highly-regarded VoIP080. For those of you who fancy something a little different, check out Hulger's old-school P*Phone handset. Cute.
3) Speaker phones
Ideal for businesses, the majority of these simply plug into the USB on your computer to offer a superior calling experience. These really range in price, with the top-end Polycom Voicestation 500 offering an inrivalled call quality, and pairing with your PC either via Bluetooth or cable, meaning that you can connect to it wirelessly.
Other more simple speakerphones include the stylish Ipevo Xing, or US Robotics USB Internet Speakerphone. Also consider Polycom's portable speakerphone, the Polycom Communicator.
4) Headsets
These are great for anyone who uses Skype for considerable amounts of time, especially in a business context. Quite a few Skype phones also include a basic corded headset as well, but if you're serious about using the headset a lot, consider a standalone one. They come in two flavours: corded and cordless, with the cordless ones usually communicating back to the PC via Bluetooth. You also can often choose between versions which plug into the USB vs the audio jacks on your PC.
Examples of corded headsets would be the Logitech Premium USB Headset 350 or thePlantronics .Audio 500USB. As you would expect, headset veterans Sennheiser also do a neat corded headset, the PC130.
There aren't too many cordless headsets for Skype out there, but in the US the Motorola Wireless Skype Calling Kit is definitely worth a look. Also look out for the Plantronics .audio 910 headset, which will allow you to easily switch between calls from Skype and from your mobile at the touch of a button.
Hopefully this gives you an idea; feel free to drop me a comment below if you'd like clarification on anything!
Here's the chart from the Skype store showing the different features of each type of phone:
