Originally I wanted to get a two-handset phone, but after getting this model later bought a 3-handset Panasonic KX-TG7623B. Prior to that, I have used the Panasonic KX-TG2226SV 2.4 GHz GigaRange cordless phone for 6.5 years. Although it worked very well, with good range and clarity, once we moved into a new apartment, the phone would develop noise when the handset was further away from the base more than 10 feet or so. I assume that it was due to an abundance of wireless WiFi routers in the building. 2.4 GHz was such a good frequency that after cordless phones started to use it, WiFi routers joined in and now sometimes spoil all the 2.4-GHz cordless phone fun.
Also, we needed more handsets, so I decided to get a DECT 6.0 phone with multiple handsets. Since I have always had good luck with Panasonic phones in terms of sound quality, durability, ease of use and ergonomics, I went with the Panasonic KX-TG7622B
phone first, later replaced with the Panasonic KX-TG7623B.About the Phone
The Panasonic KX-TG7622B is a DECT 6.0 1.9 GHz cordless phone with a digital answering machine, two handsets, caller ID, call waiting and call-waiting caller ID, built-in handset speakerphones, Bluetooth, lit buttons on handsets and an option to increase a number of handsets to up to 6 total.
Each handset can have individually-set ring tone and volume and have individually-set “silent mode” that prevents the handset from ringing during certain hours. Each of the handsets also has an alarm clock functionality.
The base unit has Bluetooth connectivity that allows it both to use Bluetooth headsets and to place/receive cell phone calls using the phone. The phone has a 3050-place phone book, 18-minute digital answering machine.
In Use
Each handset uses included 2 NiMH rechargeable AAA batteries that require about 7 hours of initial charge (even though they were not completely discharged when I inserted them into handsets). The use of standard-size NiMH batteries takes care of the need to look for the specific battery for your phone model and also reduces the cost of replacement, even though I expect the batteries to last a very long time. My previous phone used a NiMH battery pack and it is still going strong after 6.5 years.
The Panasonic KX-TG7622B was easy to connect to AC power and the phone line. The initial setup was easy and required no manual reading. The menus are straight-forward
The Panasonic KX-TG7622B is easy to use. Similar to modern cell phones, it uses three soft keys, as well as clearly marked Menu and Up/Down/Left/Right buttons. You can see your choices on the backlit LCD screen, which is well-legible. You can adjust the LCD contrast. The buttons are also backlit, which is convenient in the dark. Unlike the days of yore, the handset has no protruding antenna and is convenient to hold and is light, without being flimsy. The only issue I see is the menu control buttons (up/down/left/right) make it unclear sometimes what would happen if I hit left or right.
The phone lets you select among various ring tones, varying from subtle to loudly-annoying or you can choose from several polyphonic melodies. You can also select several degrees of the ring volume and speaker volume, all of which are set on per-handset basis.
The handset is well-balanced and the button have good tactile feel. You can easily scroll through the last dialed numbers and redial them, ditto the caller ID entries for received or missed calls.
The handset features a 3050-entry phone book with manual entry and has a feature that lets you import your cell phone contacts using Bluetooth.
One issue I found was the inability to quickly change the ring volume while the phone is not in use. You have to go through menus to do that. But the “silent mode” helps here: you can handsets individually not to ring during certain hours, e.g. between 9pm and 7am.
Answering Machine
The built-in digital answering machine can store up to 18 minutes of messages and greetings. You can use the default greeting or record your own. I found the sound quality of the answering machine to be good and the machine itself easy to use.
You can listen to your messages on the base or using the handset and even remotely, by dialing your own number and then entering a password. You can set up voice mail mailboxes and do other crazy stuff.
Range
I did not test the maximum range, but whereas my 2.4 GigaRange would produce poor reception at anywhere over 3 feet from the base (due to interference), this phone has no problem or any issues with sound quality at 30 feet range through several concrete walls.
Sound Quality
The sound clarity is improved and is pretty close to the corded phone-like. Previously, I liked the sound quality of my mother's analog 900 MHz Panasonic phone (Panasonic KX-TC1731B). My digital 900 MHz phone of the approximately same vintage sounded noticeably (but not excessively) worse (slight static and fuzziness). The 6.5-year old 2.4 GHz model provided excellent clarity, which was as close as I have heard to the corded phones and this new DECT 6.0 model did even better.
Handset Base
The handset other than the one that is placed on the main base comes with compact charging station and an AC adapter. The AC adapters for both the main base unit and the charging station of the extra handset are the same and interchangeable.
Private Mode
You can set “private mode” to on setting, in which case when one handset is used, the other handsets cannot be used to listen in. Or you can use a couple of handsets simultaneously to have a 3-way call (something that used to be easy to do when we had corded phones).
Durability
The phone seems to be well built and replacement handsets can be bought for it in case of damage (or if you want more handsets for more rooms, up to 6 handsets total).
The use of AAA NiMH batteries makes for easy battery replacement if needed. In fact, I already have a few AAA NiMH batteries I am not using.
Hands-Free Operation
You can use a Bluetooth headsets to the base unit and use it for hands-free calls. The only issue comparing with cell phones is you cannot use voice dialing.
Talking Caller ID
The phone has talking caller ID in addition to Caller ID. This feature announces who is calling based on caller ID info or on what is stored in the contacts/phone book. It takes a while for the voice to announce the caller and it only works for ringer settings of over 2 rings.
Intercom
There is a built-in intercom. You can call any handset from another handset.
Extra Handsets
You can buy and register extra handsets with corresponding charging stations, up to 6 handsets total. I discovered that it is cheaper to buy the phone with the handset number needed rather than buy the phone and additional handsets, so I returned this model and got the one with 3 handsets: Panasonic KX-TG7623B 1.9 GHz DECT 6.0 3-Handset Cordless Phone With Answering Machine And Bluetooth
Pros: No interference with WiFi, Bluetooth, 3 Handsets, esy to use, features, sound clarity and range.
Cons: Changing ring volume of handsets requires going through menus
Bottom Line
The Panasonic KX-TG7622B
is an excellent phone/answering machine. With clear sound, good range and features like caller ID, Bluetooth, handset speakerphone, combined with its ease of use, it is an excellent choice. And it is expandable so if you need more handsets, you can just buy extras.My web site
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