AT&T TL86109 DECT 6.0 2-Line Expandable Corded/Cordless Phone with Bluetooth Connect to Cell, Answering System and Base Speakerphone, 1 Corded Handset and 1 Cordless Handset, Silver/Black

I'm not much for writing product reviews but I've been using it for about a month now and, in the case of this phone, I felt sort of obligated.I've been a work-at-home private consultant for many years and I've been through several phone system solutions.Just as some background, I've used all manner of corded and cordless headsets (Plantronics, Sennheiser, Blue Parrot, etc.) and all manner of corded and cordless one and two line telephones (RCA, AT&T, Telematrix, etc.). I also used to work in IT as a telecom/network engineer. I've worked with and implemented technologies including but not limited to Avaya (non-IP), Nortel (back when they were called that/existed), Siemens ROLM (yes, I'm that old), and others.Having established all that, I must say I couldn't be more pleased with this phone.In most ways, it's what you'd expect from a cordless base station-with-expansion-sets type arrangement. I will say it's my first DECT 6.0 system and the range is much better than the unit it replaced. I haven't actually bumped into the limit yet so I can't say how much better but better all the same. I can go all the way out to the dumpster (70-feet maybe?) which puts two walls and a cinder block garage in the way, without a hitch. The tilting back-lit display is also very nice and easy to read--especially when considered against other phones in this class.I use the handsets with a 2.5mm corded headset and I haven't had any trouble. Sound quality is good and even on bad connections I haven't had any trouble hearing on being heard. I have been told by coworkers that I sound a bit tinnier than before but nothing worth dropping a star in my opinion.The speakerphone is pretty standard half-duplex. I virtually never use it so it's not a problem for me but, if you want a good speakerphone, you'll probably have to buy a dedicated or specialized unit anyway. Actually, the phone that this replaced was a Plantronics Polycom SoundPoint which, while it did have an amazing speakerphone, was in all other ways lackluster.The memory and caller ID functions are great. Everything seems to be centralized on the base station so all info for directory entries and caller ID is available from any handset or the base station. If you've never owned a phone system like this for which that was not the case, believe me when I say it's a significant upgrade to have it.Some of the interface elements, like how many button presses it takes to get to the caller ID, directory, or other features are bit cumbersome but nothing that I had any trouble adapting to after the first couple of days of use.Okay, finally, the big winner and the only real negative I've found.The big winner is the bluetooth integration. When I read about it before buying I though it sounded neat but basically useless to me. Having now implemented it, I'm absolutely head-over-heals for it. After connecting my cell phone to the base station via bluetooth, I essentially have three lines. Even the handsets have a third "cell" button and it works seamlessly with features like conference, hold, mute, etc. It's a little annoying that, when receiving a call from your cell, the caller ID only displays "Droid" (I have the original Motorola Droid. Yes I know I'm desperately in need of an upgrade) and the phone number. Even if the number is in the directory, it won't recognize it and display the proper details. Really though, it's a pretty casual complaint considering the extreme benefit of the feature. This also means that outgoing calls placed using the "cell" line use my cell minutes which can be nice for mobile-to-mobile minutes use and other contract features. Additionally, the manual indicates it is possible to download the contents of your cellphone's contact database into the base station via bluetooth. I haven't gone there yet but I could imagine that being helpful if I ever need it. It paired easily with my VXi BlueParrot headset too. Although I should note you can only use one bluetooth connected device at a time. So you could not, for example, use your connected bluetooth headset to place a call using your connected bluetooth cell phone through the AT&T phone.The only real complaint I have is a design feature of the handsets. The handsets are pretty sleek and compact. In general a good thing I suppose. However, none of the buttons are recessed at all. In fact, if anything the numbers and hold/speaker/redial buttons on the bottom half of the handset are raised slightly from the surface of the phone. I can't see this being a problem for everyone but I walk around pretty much all day with this thing on my hip (corded headset as I mentioned above) and it doesn't take much of a bump to trigger an errant button press including hold, mute, line, etc. Now certainly, I could just try to be less of a bull in a china shop but I doubt I'm likely to get much more dexterous or graceful in the near future so I'll just need to suffer the occasional annoyance of accidental number dial beeps or sudden unexpected hold.All in all I really can't say enough nice things about this phone. If you've been suffering under the yoke of a frustrating, unreliable, non-cordless two-line small or home office phone system, you could do much much worse than this one.

We bought this as a replacement for the same model after our house was hit by a lightning strike that came in over the phone line [nothing survives that!]. The base unit is handy in our office with the speakerphone and the handset right there for us at our partners' desk. The satellite units are all over the house. Volume and clarity are very good [we are older and find this important] even with the speakerphone in the handsets. It is easy to set up. One caveat - the Bluetooth works great with the iPhone 4 but not so much with the iPhone 5. The iPhone 5 works fine, but when you come into the house [within range] it does not automatically pick up this unit's Bluetooth [you have to set that manually on the iPhone 5]. My guess is that's a glitch with the iOs for the iPhone 5. When I first got this AT&T unit, the Bluetooth took two clicks on the satellite handset to answer, but that has changed [I talked to Apple about it when it was a problem and I think it got picked up in a bug fix for the iOs.] Other than this minor issue with having to make sure the iPhone is Bluetoothed to the AT&T when I come home, it works great. I recommend this system since it allows all our household lines [2 land and 2 cell, we work at home] to work over all the units, anywhere in the house.

The main reason I got this phone is the 2 line capability. The Bluetooth feature for the cell phone is a great extra I am using the most. No need to run and find the cell phone, it is virtually wherever the home phone is, including its address book when I need to make a call from the cell. The two line is a necessity when most people nowadays have already a voip line for various purposes. I haven't used the extra handset I bought separately, I am still discovering new features. I also like the data port (for the fax) which adds functionality. Cons for this phone? Only ten speed dial numbers, buttons on the main unit are somehow old style, but overall this is a great product and I am very happy with it.Review after 2 years. The system have performed properly. Very happy with 2 lines + 2 cell phones constantly connnected for convenience of answering in one place only. Transfering the calls between 2 lines is spectacular. You do connect 2 individual lines and this is huge opportunity when you have one voip or skype line. I have yet to see a product that can compete esthetically or in functionallityReview after 3 years. This phone system is a superbe CHAMP. I came back to see the reviews if by chance anyone could have provided useful information on the reviews. I agree with one of the reviewers which defined this phone AMAZING I have added 2 extra cordless as my needed in a bigger space. I also noticed Iphone 5S paired perfetly and performed perfectly. I should remind you folks that Iphone 5S would not pair with devices of over 3 years ago, but it did perfectly with this phone. I have yet to see a product that can compete esthetically or in functionallity, but I am so proud of my choice for this system. The only downside I discover in the last two months is the range.I did not have the perfect quality while the base was in the basement and I was trying to use the cordless in the second floor. So I had to bring the base in my main floor. I will soon buy another