VoIP Phone Buying Guide

What is a VoIP phone?

VoIP stands for voice over internet protocol. A VoIP phone plugs into your network, or joins it over Wi-Fi, and uses it to place and receive calls. A SIP phone is a VoIP phone that uses the SIP standard to register with a compatible phone system or VoIP service, which is why most business VoIP phones from different makers work with the same systems. It is used as an office or business phone, whether on a desk, at reception or carried around a site.

Five questions that decide it

1. What is it registering with? Your phone system or VoIP service decides which phones work. Check its supported-phone list first.
2. Is it a fixed desk or a person on the move? Fixed desks suit a desk phone. Warehouses, wards and sites suit a cordless phone.
3. How will it be powered? Power over Ethernet from a PoE switch saves a power supply per phone. See Data Networking for switches.
4. Do you use Microsoft Teams for calls? If so, look at a Teams phone rather than a SIP phone.
5. How many lines and what screen? A reception phone needs more lines and keys than a corridor phone.

The four types at a glance

IP desk phones

Our IP desk phones range from entry-level models with two lines to touch-screen and Android models. Many are powered by PoE.

• Yealink SIP-T31P and SIP-T31W (with Wi-Fi) are 2-line phones with HD voice and PoE.
• Yealink SIP-T33G has a colour display and gigabit PoE.
• SIP-T73U, T73W, T74U and T74W step up to larger colour screens, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on the W models.
• SIP-T77U and SIP-T87W have 7-inch touch screens, and SIP-T85W has a 5.5-inch display.
• Yealink T88W and SIP-T88V Pro run Android, and the T88V Pro is a video phone.
• Yealink T74LTE takes a nano SIM for 4G where there is no wired network.
• Grandstream GRP2613 is a 6-line gigabit PoE phone, and HP Poly VVX 250 is a 4-line PoE phone.

DECT and wireless IP phones

A cordless handset that connects to an IP base station, or to Wi-Fi. Pick DECT when you want a dedicated radio that is separate from your Wi-Fi, and Wi-Fi handsets when you already have good wireless coverage. Our DECT and wireless IP phones include:

• Ready-to-use systems: Yealink W76P, W78P and W79P Pro each pair a W70B base station with a handset.
• Handsets to add: W56H, W71H, W73H, W74H and W78H, plus the rugged W57R (IP54) and W59R Pro (IP67).
• Base stations for bigger sites: Yealink W80B with the W80DM DECT manager, and the RT30 repeater to extend range.
• Gigaset PRO: single-cell bases N530 and N610, multicell bases N770 and N870, and the S700H PRO and IP65 R700H PRO handsets.
• Wi-Fi handsets: Grandstream WP810, rugged WP836, and Yealink AX83H and rugged AX86R.

Single cell or multicell? A single-cell base covers one area, which suits a small office or shop. A multicell system uses several base stations so handsets can move around a larger building, and it needs more planning. If you are unsure, tell us the building size and we will say which fits.

Microsoft Teams phones

A desk phone built to run Microsoft Teams calling, with a touch screen. If your business already uses Teams for calls, these are the natural choice. Our Microsoft Teams phones include Yealink MP45, MP52 E2, MP54 E2, MP55 E2, MP56 E2, MP58-WH E2 (with a Bluetooth wireless handset) and the Audiocodes C470HD. They differ mainly in screen size, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and PoE, so check each product page.

VoIP phone accessories

Expansion modules, wall mounts, USB dongles and power supplies. Always check the accessory lists your phone model, because they are not interchangeable. Browse VoIP phone accessories.

PoE or power supply?

PoE powers the phone through the network cable, so you need a PoE switch or injector, but no extra plug at the desk. Without PoE you need a separate power supply for each phone. Most desk phones above are PoE-capable, but check the product page for your model, and check the switch can supply enough power for every phone on it. A few models also take a Wi-Fi connection instead of a cable.

Choose by brand

• Yealink
• Gigaset
• Grandstream
• Audiocodes
• Mitel
• HP Poly
• Cisco

• Yealink is the widest range here: desk phones, DECT, Teams phones and accessories.
• Gigaset PRO is IP DECT, built around base stations and handsets for business use.
• Grandstream offers SIP desk phones and Wi-Fi handsets.
• Audiocodes makes Microsoft Teams IP phones.
• Mitel and HP Poly are well known SIP desk phone names, and Mitel phones suit Mitel systems.
• Cisco accessories are listed for Cisco 6800 Series phones.

Mixing makes is fine for SIP phones on an open system, but a handset has to be supported by your system, so check before you order.

Common questions

What is a VoIP phone?

A VoIP phone, also called an IP phone, makes and receives calls over a network connection instead of an analogue telephone line. It is used as an office or business phone and registers with a compatible phone system or VoIP service.

What is the difference between a VoIP phone and a SIP phone?

A SIP phone is a VoIP phone that uses the SIP standard. Most business VoIP phones are SIP phones, which is why they can register with many different phone systems and VoIP services.

Do I need special equipment for VoIP phones?

You need a network, a phone system or VoIP service to register with, and a way to power each phone. That is either a PoE switch or injector, or a separate power supply. Cordless DECT phones also need a base station.

What is a DECT phone?

A DECT phone is a cordless handset that connects by radio to a base station. With IP DECT, the base station connects to your network and phone system, so the handsets work as VoIP phones around the site.

What is a Microsoft Teams phone?

A Microsoft Teams phone is a desk phone built to run Microsoft Teams calling, usually with a touch screen. Choose one if your business makes and receives calls through Teams.

Will a VoIP phone work with my phone system?

If it supports the system, yes. Check the phone system or VoIP service's list of supported phones, then tell us the make and model and we will confirm the phone suits it before you order.

Can I use a VoIP phone without PoE?

Yes, if you use a separate power supply. We list power supplies under accessories, and each product page says what is in the box.

How quickly can I get a VoIP phone?

Orders placed before 2:30pm are normally dispatched for delivery within 1–2 working days to England, Scotland and Wales. You can also collect from our trade counter; call first so we can confirm your order is ready. We do not ship to Northern Ireland.