The Panasonic KX-TGE433B is a cordless phone that's crammed full of features yet is super simple to use with a clear and solid handset – in fact there's three of them included. This cordless phone works as well in the home as it can do in an office with features like baby monitoring for parents or headset and handsfree for offices. The answering machine is also a great inclusion with plenty of capacity for even longer periods away from the line.
The battery life is a stand out feature which means the handset not only can stay out of dock for long periods but also charges back up quickly. This is great when used as a baby monitor. Phone to phone intercom is another nice feature that works well in offices but also in larger homes that have phones across multiple floors. This is why it tops our list of the best cordless phones in 2021.
Panasonic KX-TGE433B: Design and build
The Panasonic KX-TGE433B is basic, but that's a positive. You get solid, chunky buttons that are easy to press and, thanks to being backlit, can be used even in the dark. There is also a volume rocker on the side for easy audio level adjustments while on a call with the phone to your ear.
The menus are clear and easy to navigate using the central control section. The screen is equally clear with a large display that's bright enough to work both indoors and out in direct sunlight.
You get the main base station and phone, with voicemail controls, as well as two more bases for the other handsets. All three of the handsets come with a hook for attaching this to your belt should you need to – say while outside working in the yard. There is support for up to six handsets from one base station.
While the phone does have a plastic feel, it's a reassuringly solid one. These feel like they could take a knock or two without them being affected. This is another reason that their simplicity is a good thing as there's less to go wrong.
Panasonic KX-TGE433B: Features
The Panasonic KX-TGE433B features a very simple to use and comprehensive answer machine. This is able to record up to 17 minutes of audio which can be split across as many as 64 separate messages. You can access these from both the base station and the handsets directly.
Each handset supports speakerphone as well as headsets thanks to a port. It's this speakerphone feature that's used when the phone is set into baby monitor mode or is being used for voice paging.
The phones can be used as an intercom system around your property. That means use between handsets and support for up to three at a time on a conference call.
The phones feature up to 15 ring tone options that are polyphonic. When on a call the volume rocker can be used to vary the output by six levels for clarity.
You can store up to 101 entries in the phone book and the handset will remember your last five dials and 50 caller ID entries. If your phone line provider offers caller ID then you'll see that come up on the display and can also have the phone call out who's ringing if you want.
There's the ability to block up to 250 numbers which includes telemarketers and scammers, all by using a simply button press.
This also features a backup so that, in the event of a power cut, you can still make a receive calls as the base draws power from the charged handset's battery. If you're a business user, and demand more features, we recommend the Panasonic KX-TG7875S system instead, which is more expensive, but way more versatile.
Panasonic KX-TGE433B: Performance
The Panasonic KX-TGE433B was one of the best we've tested. This is thanks to how easy the handset is to use and also how well it just works without being overly complex.
The battery life is worth a mention as it offered an impressive 50 hours of life out of the dock in standby mode. That means you can use this as a baby monitor effectively without worrying about it running out of charge. Crucially the handset also charges very quickly in just five and a half hours, making it the fastest we tested.
The ringtone options are decent with lots of types, from a softer home phone to a more attention grabbing office style, there's something for everyone.
The speakerphone calling mode is loud and clear. However, if you plug in a headset for hands-free calling this is a clearer option, as you might expect. It outperforms most smartphones for clarity, which is quite something.
Should I buy the Panasonic KX-TGE433B?
The Panasonic KX-TGE433B is one of the best cordless phones we've tested. This is thanks to its ease of use, allowing you to plug in and go, but also its plentiful features that let you customize the experience for your needs. So if you're at home or run a business this is a great option with top battery life and support for up to six handsets at once.
The answerphone and speakerphone work well and the intercom is a genuinely useful feature. This is a super cordless phone at a decent price point – a tough piece of kit to fault. If price is an issue, we recommend the VTech CS6719 instead, which is almost as good, but costs less.
