Best Home Phones for Older Adults in 2023

The VTech SN5147 includes a corded and cordless home phone in one package, earning the title “Best Bundle” from our team. We recommend this two-phone package if you have a larger home or want the flexibility of a cordless phone combined with the accessibility features offered by both phones. 

The ringer volume for the two phones goes up to 90 decibels (dB)—as loud as a leaf blower or concert. This loud ring is paired with a flashing red light to help indicate an incoming call. 

When talking on the phone, you can adjust the speaker volume up to 50 decibels and switch to speakerphone for a hands-free conversation. The VTech phone automatically blocks annoying robocalls, and you can block spam calls and other unwanted phone numbers with the Smart Call Blocker feature. 

One of our favorite features of the corded phone is the eight large speed dial buttons at the top of the keypad. Each speed dial button has a plastic slip for a small photo, making it clear who you’re calling when pressing the button. No more memorizing the assigned number for each speed dial contact—just press the button once, and you’re calling them. 

The cordless phone has speed dial buttons labeled m1 to m4, which may be more difficult since you’ll have to memorize which contact is assigned to the keypad number instead of using visual cues. 

This landline phone’s oversized keypad buttons and foam handset cover are two of the many reasons we named the Acenis TerryPhone “Best for Dexterity Issues.” Not only are the extra large keypad buttons easy to press, but they can help users with low vision navigate the phone. 

The soft foam cover helps keep a comfortable, no-slip grip while talking on the phone. If the phone’s loud ringer is stressful or alarming for you or a loved one, the foam cover also helps muffle it. 

We like that you can place the phone on a flat surface, such as a kitchen counter or a desk, or mount it to the wall. A small plastic piece in the cradle keeps the handset in place if you mount the phone to the wall, keeping the phone stable and making it easy to return the phone to its place.

The TerryPhone has an amplified ringer and flashing red light to indicate incoming calls, which may be helpful if you are hard of hearing. 

Like the VTech SN5147 phone, the TerryPhone has picture speed dial buttons, but instead of eight buttons, the TerryPhone only has three. Another drawback is the TerryPhone’s short cord. If you enjoy talking on the phone without having to stay in one spot, you may need to purchase an extension cord.

While other phones in this review help accommodate users with hearing loss by offering features such as visual cues and loud ringers, the Panasonic KX-TGM420W goes a step further with Slow Talk. This feature slows down the speech speed of the caller on the other end in real-time with the push of a button. 

You’ll activate Slow Talk by pressing the Slow button at the bottom right of the keypad either during a call or when playing back voice messages. Panasonic’s noise reduction technology also minimizes background noise while enhancing your voice for clearer calls, and you can raise the caller’s voice volume up to 40 decibels. 

Other features that help support hearing loss include:

• Up to 100 dB ringer volume
• Six adjustable voice tone settings
• Red flashing light paired with ringer 

While we love all the available accommodations with the Panasonic KX-TGM420W home phone, we wish the keypad buttons were larger and easier to press.

Best Smartphone

Lively Jitterbug Smart3

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If you or your loved one spend time outside your home running errands, eating at restaurants, and enjoying activities with family and friends, a smartphone may be a better option than a home phone. The Jitterbug Smart3 is one of the two Lively mobile phones designed specifically for older adults. 

Some of our favorite design features include a simple list-based navigational menu, large font, powerful speaker, and voice typing options. You can also turn your Smart3 into a medical alert system with the optional Urgent Response feature starting at $24.99 per month. 

With Lively Urgent Response, you have access to a 24/7 monitoring center from your phone. The red button is always available on your screen and connects you to a professional monitoring center staff member. Depending on the situation, they can dispatch emergency services to your location, notify your emergency contacts, or both.