Customer Reviews

AT&T SL82218 DECT 6.0 Digital Dual Handset Answering System - Titanium and Carbonite

5 star:		(52)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

First and foremost, this line of AT&T DECT 6.0 cordless phones works extremely well, no background noise even with a home wireless system, great range, and very good sound quality both with the handset to your ear and on speaker phone. It does all that one should expect from a cordless phone system. Entering names and numbers into your directory is very intuitive, as is using the caller ID and changing the ringer tone and volume. You hardly need the manual. We use the "phone company" voice mail, so I haven't evaluated the "usability" of the answering machine, but it "talks you through" the setup steps, setting the clock, etc., and seems very user friendly to operate. Another nice feature is that directory and CID entries are maintained in the base station, so if, for example, you enter a name/number on handset #1, it is immediately available on all other handsets on your system.

The handset is quite lightweight and compact compared to our previous cordless phone, which took a little getting used to, but my wife and I adapted to it after one or two days. The handsets come with belt clips, which I use, not to clip them on my belt but because they raise the back of the handsets slightly if you lay them down, which I find improves the the speaker phone sound (the speaker is on the back of the handsets).

One minor drawback, compared to my prior cordless phone, which permitted each handset to be identified by location, e.g., "kitchen," "bedroom," etc., is that each AT&T handset has a number (and added handsets are given consecutive numbers as they are registered to the base up to the maximum of 12), so you have to remember the location numbers to call another handset on the intercom or to transfer incoming calls. Not a big deal, but being able to name each handset is a nice feature.

Be aware that the SL82(X)18 models are all the same, with the (X) indicating the number of handsets with that bundle. For example, SL82318 comes with three handsets, SL82418 with four, etc. I mention this because the various bundles appear to be different products, but they are all essentially the same, so keep this in mind when shopping for the best deal. The only exception seems to be that models SL82518 and SL82558 both have five handsets, but I haven't been able to find what the difference between them is, even on the AT&T site. Since my review applies to all bundles of this system, (if they let me) I will post this review under the several different model numbers.

All in all, I am extremely pleased with these purchases, first a four handset bundle, then three additional handsets for a total of seven. Hope this review is helpful in making up your mind about selecting a new cordless phone.

I work out of my home with an office upstairs, and a lot of time spent downstairs - I bought this product simply to provide an extension downstairs so I could answer calls without racing upstairs. I'm no techie - so I needed ease of use; and I wander while I talk so I needed lots of range and clarity.

This unit provides exactly what I need, and is incredibly easy to use. It includes features I thought only existed on much more expensive systems. I particularly like the blinking light when you have a message left with your phone service provider while you were on the line, a lot of low-priced units skip that. And the range! It is my fourth cordless at my current location and the first one that allows me to sit on the deck and yap (about 40 feet and several walls from the base).

I've purchased several ditital phone and answering systems over the past decade and this is the first one of which I can say I am completely satisfied - and it was the least expensive.

Excellent product and value.

I moved into a new condo, and decided in this day and age, since I was putting in cable modem, I'd use Vonage for my home phone - minimal need for a home phone given 2100 minutes a month on my cell. I bought cheap set of GE 5.6 phones because 2.whatever interfere with home wireless network, Uniden newer phones were terrible and DECT 6.0, per my brother who tried Phillips were not ready. Well, I attributed all the "you sound terrible" to the Vonage Voice over IP until I ready reviews of the GE and they were "you sound terrible".

Well I ordered these phones - awesome sound, awesome battery, you can use the handset speakerphone even with Vonage VOIP, you can use the menus without even using the manual, the range is AWESOME and when you add a number to one phone, oh my, it actually adds to both phones. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Speakerphone doesn't work well.

Batteries last about a year. Cheapest replacement price (per battery) that I could find is about 24 dollars.

I purchased this phone/answering system (SL82218) because consumer reports gave a similar at&t product (SL82318) high grades. It turned out to be an excellent choice. The dual handset with caller/id and large blue lighted display is very clear and attractive. The digital answering machine has 14 minute large recording capacity, voice mail indicator, message number display with time stamp, and voice prompts. The telephone features are extensive including long range coverage, voice clarity, DEC 6.0 digital technology that prevents interference, handset volume control, ringer volume control etc. I like this phone system and I recommend it.

This is a great phone. The features we were looking for included: slick-plastic buttons, answering machine, speaker phone, and (especially) chain dialing. All features function as expected and all parties can hear well on both ends.

The feature I would like to see is memory dial. Instead this phone features a phone directory. This requires you to search for the person to call using up/dn buttons rather than using the "mem-<number>" process to which my family was accustomed. Benefit: it is good that the directory information is accessible by both handsets in the package.

Note: after 4 months, we are now used to the new directory-dial process.

Without question, this is the best cordless phone I have ever owned. It is extremely clear and without any background noise at all.

My wife can walk the entire subdivision and never loose contact, using the intercom feature (cordless handset to cordless handset).

I have received a phone call while at the neighbors, 4 homes away -(believe that this can work even further away, never tried).

Incredible range, security & clearness (very clear voice, both on this and receiving end). Easy to setup and use. Voices on answering machine are very clear. 5 out of 5 stars, very highly recommended.

I had to buy a new phone because the display on my old phone was getting more and more dysfunctional--couldn't read half of it anymore. After a lot of research, I decided on this set despite paying more than I wanted to.
I LOVE this phone set. I was worried about having a phone upstairs--the baby still sleeps in my room. However, there are several ring volume options. I didn't even have to go to the lowest option. I love that I could enter phone numbers into the directory and have it show up on all of the phones. I love that I can pick up the phone and press the OFF button when someone calls to mute the ring just like a cell phone. I love that it works with Vonage voicemail. I love that I can call the other phone with the intercom button. My 5yo especially loves that feature.
The only thing I have found that I don't like about this phone set is that on the base with the answering machine, I cannot adjust the volume of its ring. The volume adjustment on the base only seems to change the volume of the computerized voice that tells you the time, message info, etc. It doesn't change the volume of the base's ring, which is separate from the actual base phone's ring. I tried putting tape over the base's speaker, but that didn't help. The base's ring also doesn't seem to be customizable, and it's high-pitched and irritating. (Unless I just missed something in the instructions, feel free to comment and let me know!) BUT, despite that minor irritation, this phone set is AWESOME! And if it lasts, it will definitely make it worth the price.

This AT&T set is great. The range is fantastic and the battery life ok. I wish I could get better battery life and a clearer screen and easier to read. However, it is still very good.
The sound quality is one of the best out there for a wireless phone system.
Highly recommended.

I got this phone system to replace a Panasonic cordless that recently died.My wife wanted a phone with a headset plug so that she could talk & cook at the same time.This phone filled the bill nicely....and the fact that the stored numbers are shared automatically between ALL handsets is a BIG plus.Great ,clear reception & no dropouts or static.We live close to powerlines that caused static on a lot of lesser cordless phones.I would recommend this AT&T system to anyone .