Review of Uniden Cordless Phone (EXI4246)

I bought this cordless telephone because it was inexpensive, can hold up to 30 numbers in the caller ID feature, it was a nice color (white), and it has head set capability. And because I bought it at an electronics store, I could get a two year warranty. My family had previously purchased a similar Uniden phone a couple of years ago which didn't work that well, but I thought this phone would be different.

While the phone is easy to use and the charger is relatively small so you can fit it into a small space, the reception is horrible. I live near telephone lines and in certain areas of my house, I cannot move without static-keep in mind that I only have a one bedroom apartment! When I am near the kitchen area (which is where the phone base is situated), the phone gets clear reception and I can hear fairly well. However, if I move into the bedroom next door, static assaults my ears and the person on the other end cannot hear me even if I can somewhat hear them. I'll often have to repeat myself and it is not uncommon for me to become acrobatic as I move around trying to get just the right position for a clear connection.

If you live in a large house, I would not recommend this phone because as soon as you move too far from the telephone, you or the party on the other end will not be able to hear anything! Or, worse, you will hear loud, crackling noises that sound like you are launching a space shuttle.

That being said, the phone is easy to use with a functional clear ringing sound. The buttons are large enough that you can easily dial without accidentally pressing other keys and it has separate buttons to manage the caller ID features. There are up and down arrow keys as well as a caller ID menu button, an end button and at the bottom of the phone there are delete and select keys. I'm not exactly sure why the bottom keys are separated from the upper caller ID keys, but everything is easy to understand, so that a 10 year old can figure it out quickly.

If you live in a studio or a dorm room, this phone will work well for you. However, I do not recommend this phone for a multi-level home or a spacious house with a back yard. This phone is essentially a step up from a traditional corded phone because of the caller ID features and digital display. But ultimately, it defeats the purpose of mobility that is inherent in a cordless phone. I would advise anyone looking at this phone to either shop another brand or to invest extra money into a better phone.