Call center phones are at the heart of any customer support or contact center team. These integral pieces of hardware must provide crystal-clear audio and video, and they need to be compatible with voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) service providers. You’ll also want to find a call center phone that’s easy to use and affordable, on top of providing various features that’ll enable your agents to more effectively manage inbound and outbound calls.
Devices range in price and have varying features, so we examined six different phones to find our pick for the best:
- Grandstream GS-GXP2170: Best overall top-of-the-line call center phone that delivers the right features at an affordable price
- Yealink SIP-T58A: Best sleek, intuitive VoIP phone that delivers on high-end features and style
- Yealink T54W: More affordable version of the Yealink SIP-T58A built for the Linux operating system
- Grandstream GS-GXP1780: Great alternative to the Grandstream GXP2170 that handles large call volumes at a discounted price
- Polycom VVX 311: Simple, easy-to-use phone with competitive affordability for low-to-moderate call volume
- Snom SNO-D715: Perfect entry-level phone for business phone systems that need the most basic call center phones
Grandstream GS-GXP2170: Best Overall Call Center Phone for Small Businesses
Grandstream GS-GXP2170
What We Like
- Affordable
- Bluetooth compatible
- Full-color display
What's Missing
- No touchscreen
- No video camera
- Overwhelming number of buttons
Grandstream GS-GXP2170 Pricing
A single Grandstream GS-GXP2170 VoIP phone costs just $95 brand-new, and you can find renewed versions for less than $90. This phone is only one of three phones on this list that dips below the $100 threshold.
The Grandstream GS-GXP2170 provides a competitive set of features for an affordable price. It offers a full-color display, Bluetooth compatibility, and fantastic HD audio quality for almost half the price as Yealink’s leading phones. The overwhelming number of buttons can be a bit intimidating at first, but you’ll find the Grandstream GS-GXP2170 is relatively easy to use once you play around with it for a bit.
Grandstream GS-GXP2170 Notable Features
- Bluetooth compatibility: Sync your Bluetooth headset or mobile device with this phone for a wireless experience.
- Full-color display: Ditch the monochromatic color scheme in favor of a fresh, colorful display that makes your desk phones less bland and more inviting.
- HD voice: Experience top-notch phone call quality with a high-end phone that maintains quality via the built-in handset or Bluetooth connections.
Check out Grandstream GS-GXP2170
Yealink SIP-T58A: Best Call Center Phone for High-end Features
Yealink SIP-T58A
What We Like
- HD video calling
- Touchscreen
- Built-in browser, calendar, and recorder
What's Missing
- Requires handholding to learn to use
- Expensive
- The screen isn't anti-glare
Yealink SIP-T58A Pricing
Each Yealink SIP-T58A unit costs a hefty $257, which is on the pricier side for call center phones. However, its built-in browser, calendar, recorder, and video conferencing functionality may warrant the price tag.
The Yealink SIP-T58A features the only video conferencing-capable and touchscreen-enabled phone on this list. Plus, it comes with a built-in browser, calendar, and recorder. However, these extra features come at a price. The Yealink SIP-T58A sits at the top as the most expensive phone on the list at $257.
Yealink SIP-T58A Notable Features
- Video conferencing: Use the Yealink SIP-T58A’s built-in camera to initiate and join video calls straight from your desk phone.
- Touchscreen: Enjoy the scrolling, button-pressing familiarity of a touchscreen device that mirrors most Android interfaces.
- Built-in functionality: Browse, schedule, or record calls all from your desk phone with advanced built-in functionality that most other phones don’t provide.
Yealink T54W: Best Call Center Phone for Linux Operating System
Yealink T54W
What We Like
- Ergonomic handset
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- Linux operating system
What's Missing
- Poor screen resolution
- Expensive
- No touchscreen or video camera
Yealink T54W Pricing
At $158 per device, the Yealink T54W is still an expensive call center phone. It sits in the middle ground between the high-end phones like the Yealink SIP-T58A and the bare-bones options like the Snom SNO-D715.
Unlike most Android OS-based call center phones, the Yealink T54W uses a Linux operating system that’s a bit more evolved and user-friendly. This phone provides high-quality audio calls and conferencing with built-in Bluetooth connectivity and Wi-Fi functionality. However, it doesn’t offer a video camera or touchscreen, which is disappointing considering the higher-than-average price tag.
Yealink T54W Notable Features
- Ergonomic handset: Yealink T54W’s handset features a user-friendly design that will have most agents opting for the wired phone rather than their own Bluetooth earbuds or headsets.
- Built-in Wi-Fi: Take advantage of 5G Wi-Fi connectivity to share content from your phone to your laptop or desktop.
- Linux OS: If Linux is your go-to operating system, then you’ll be right at home with the Yealink T54W.
Grandstream GS-GXP1780: Best Call Center Phone for Large Call Volume
Grandstream GS-GXP1780
What We Like
- Custom ringtones and ringbacks
- Phone includes AC adapter and Ethernet cable
- Quick, easy setup
What's Missing
- No Bluetooth capabilities
- Voice quality isn't the best
- LCD screen has poor backlighting
Grandstream GS-GXP1780 Pricing
You can find the Grandstream GS-GXP1780 for $74.99 per phone, making it the second-cheapest option on this list (behind only the Snom SNO-D715). You get what you pay for, though—you won’t find a full-color display or Bluetooth connectivity on this device.
The Grandstream GS-GXP1780 is a great low-cost alternative to the Grandstream GS-GXP2170 that trades features like Bluetooth compatibility and pristine audio quality for ease of use and affordability. It’s not the most sophisticated call center phone, but it’s hard to beat the price and core functionality, especially considering its audio conference calling and advanced call routing options.
Grandstream GS-GXP1780 Notable Features
- Advanced call routing: Get your inbound callers to the right extension from the get-go with custom rules for routing your customers.
- Complete setup: The Grandstream GS-GXP1780 rolls out the red carpet for new users with a quick step-by-step tutorial bundled next to the included AC adapter and Ethernet cable.
- Eight lines: Maximize your efficiency by allowing up to eight lines to make and transfer calls.
Check out Grandstream GS-GXP1780
Polycom VVX 311: Best Call Center Phone for Low-to-Moderate Call Volume
Polycom VVX 311
What We Like
- Easy-to-read backlit LCD
- Dedicated port for headset
- Basic call routing
What's Missing
- Expensive
- No Bluetooth or USB port
- No call logs
Polycom VVX 311 Pricing
Previous iterations of the Polycom VVX were more affordable, but the VVX 311’s price point jumped to $143, making it one of the more expensive phones on this list. However, sometimes a higher price point is worth the ease of use and basic functionality.
The Polycom VVX 311 is one of the most basic call center phones you’ll find. It provides an easy-to-use panel, great call routing options, six lines, and an open application platform. However, it’s missing a USB port and Bluetooth connectivity. It also doesn’t come with call logging functionality, which is a feature of almost every call center phone.
Polycom VVX 311 Notable Features
- App support: Supports a full WebKit, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
- Call routing: Mute, hold, divert, or transfer calls with ease.
- Ease of use: No user’s manual required—just hook this phone up to a power supply, and you’ll be up and running in no time.
Snom SNO-D715: Best Call Center Phone for Simplicity & Ease of Use
Snom SNO-D715
What We Like
- Simple and easy to use
- Affordable at scale
- Uses Power over Ethernet (PoE)
What's Missing
- Lacks core features
- No HD voice
- Noisy buttons
Snom SNO-D715 Pricing
The Snom SNO-D715 costs just $55.61 per unit, making it the most affordable call center phone on this list.
When it comes to simplicity and ease of use, nothing beats the Snom SNO-D715. This basic call center phone has all the bare-bones functionality you need for making and receiving calls—nothing more, nothing less. There’s little-to-no learning curve required, and its budget-friendly price makes it easy to scale across your businesses.
Snom SNO-D715 Notable Features
- Simplicity: Sometimes, the most notable features are the lack of features—the Snom SNO-D715’s basic design is the epitome of call center simplicity.
- PoE: Rather than needing a dedicated power cable, you power the phone directly using your ethernet connection.
- Scalable: If you need a large number of phones for your call center, offices, dorm rooms, or healthcare facilities, you won’t find a more affordable option at scale.
How We Evaluated the Best Call Center Phones
Modern-day call center representatives tend to use a mix of call center phones and VoIP-enabled desktop and mobile devices. While VoIP apps are becoming the more mainstream option, businesses still need on-premise phones that can get the job done. These phones still need to deliver clear audio communications, an easy-to-use interface, and basic call management functionality.
With a score of 4.44 out of 5, the Grandstream GS-GXP2170 is our best overall call center phone for small businesses that need a balance of reliability, functionality, and affordability. The Grandstream GS-GXP2170 delivers a full-color display desk phone with all the features you’ll need—the only thing it doesn’t have is a video conferencing feature.
Here’s how we evaluated the top call center phones:
25% of Overall Score
We compared the price of each call center phone in relation to the features it provides. However, we took into account nice-to-have features versus need-to-have features, such as a full-color display versus a voicemail box.
25% of Overall Score
We evaluated the basic features of each call center phone to ensure it delivered the fundamental functionality, such as voicemail, HD voice, call management, and call recording.
25% of Overall Score
We reviewed each phone’s advanced functionality to see what high-end features it provides to users, such as Bluetooth connectivity, app support, and video conferencing. While these aren’t make-or-break features, they can make agents’ lives much easier.
25% of Overall Score
We analyzed the product datasheets, ratings, and user feedback to provide an unbiased, comprehensive assessment of each phone. The scores also reflect our subjective thoughts on each device.
Bottom Line
Call center agents need the right phones to get the job done—and that phone will look different for every business. We found a wide range of call center phones to cover a variety of use cases. Whether you need a basic phone that’s affordable enough to scale or a high-end VoIP phone that’ll provide your agents with end-to-end functionality, you’re bound to find the phone you need on this list.
However, if you’re struggling to pick one for your team, we recommend the Grandstream GS-GXP2170. This call center phone made our top pick because it delivers all the right features at a reasonable price. For more information, check out the Grandstream GS-GXP2170’s Amazon listing.
