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VoIP has been a rising technology for some time, and the phones that connect you to your friends are an integral piece of it. Smartphones have given way to mobile phone use as traditional landlines become obsolete. With these trends in mind, we’re looking ahead at what’s coming next in this industry-from voice assistants like Alexa and Google Home to wearable devices that turn your face into a microphone-by 2022 (the year our report was published) with 6 best conference phones from 2 different manufacturers: Harman Kardon Horizon One and Huawei Mate 20 Pro
The “best conference phones” is a list of the top 6 VoIP Conference Phones that are expected to be released in 2022.
The best voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) conference phones provide crisp audio and noise suppression to keep conversations clear, as well as features that make it simple to set up and start your meeting. They can also accommodate a wide range of room sizes and budgets. To determine the best VoIP conference phones for small organizations, we evaluated conference phones based on call management capabilities, media features, and microphone ranges.
A Quick Overview of VoIP Conference Phones
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Best Overall VoIP Conference Phone for Small Teams: 55Wx Konftel
55Wx Konftel
4.00 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE
What We Enjoy
- The 2-year guarantee is twice as long as comparable manufacturers’ warranties.
- Audio recording may be done with up to a 32GB memory card.
- In 17 languages, the phone menu and directions are provided.
What Isn’t There
- With no video capability, the display is smaller.
- There is just one USB port available.
55Wx Konftel Pricing
The 55Wx Konftel is a mid-priced VoIP conference phone perfect for huddles with up to 12 people. It features high-definition (HD) audio, echo cancellation, and noise suppression for clear conversations. The multidirectional microphone captures audio in a 320-square-foot room, and the volume goes up to 90 decibels (dB) sound pressure level (SPL).
It’s compatible with several VoIP providers, including Avaya, Skype for Business, Cisco, and Mitel. Plus, the 55Wx Konftel has integrated Bluetooth and near-field communications (NFC) for seamless in-room device connections. Unlike the less expensive GAC2500 by Grandstream, you can expand the range of 55Wx Konftel using optional microphones.
55Wx Konftel Features
By using your touchscreen, you may upgrade your software. (Image courtesy of Konftel)
- Scalable: The 55Wx Konftel grows with you, and you can update your software for free using a USB-connected, Windows-based computer. Add expansion microphones and conference cameras for large meeting support and easily connect your tablet, smartphone, computer, or desk phone.
- Touchscreen: Switch or combine connections, record conversations using an optional memory card, and utilize VoIP call management capabilities with the touchscreen.
- Full-duplex audio technology: Konftel’s audio technology provides good sound in both directions. To minimize background noise to a minimum, the 360-degree microphones include automated echo suppression and static reduction.
Check out 55Wx Konftel
Trio 8500 Polycom: Multilocation Provisioning’s Best VoIP Conference Phone
Trio 8500 Polycom
3.88 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE
What We Enjoy
- Register your device for various session initiation methods at the same time (SIPs)
- Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Skype for Business have all certified us.
- Unintentional hang-ups are reduced thanks to three LED mute buttons.
What Isn’t There
- A one-year warranty is less than Konftel’s.
- For audio conferencing, there is no built-in Wi-Fi.
Trio 8500 Polycom Pricing
The Trio 8500 Polycom is a popular device sold by several VoIP providers, including Vonage and RingCentral. Its gesture-based, five-inch touchscreen is user-friendly—requiring one-touch to join a meeting. Like 55Wx Konftel, the Trio 8500 Polycom supports 17 menu languages. However, the Poly phone has a USB A and micro B port, whereas the 55Wx Konftel supports a single micro-B USB.
Poly also makes deployment simple, so it’s an excellent option for enterprises with multiple locations. You can configure devices and review endpoint statuses using Poly’s resource management tool. The Trio 8500 Polycom works with many business phone services, including 8×8 and Nextiva. But the speakers have 14 kilohertz (kHz) compared to 22 kHz with the Polycom Real Presence Trio 8800, so it has slightly less sound quality, which can be noticeable in larger spaces.
Trio 8500 Polycom Features
Manage your gadgets to get the most out of them. (Photo credit: Poly)
- RealPresence Resource Manager: Manage all Poly devices and set up standard or custom configurations for each one. You may also link your conference scheduling tools from your PC for easier meeting management.
- Handle up to three lines and join with other huddle spaces with the local five-way audio conferencing tool.
- Multiformat sharing: Share audio, video, and content using your Trio 8500 Polycom device. It supports Bluetooth for wideband speech and multimedia streaming.
Check out Trio 8500 Polycom
The GAC2500 by Grandstream is the most affordable VoIP conference phone on the market.
GAC2500 by Grandstream
3.86 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE
What We Enjoy
- 7-line conference bridge supports more lines than the Trio 8500 Polycom
- 4.3-inch touchscreen with full color
- On a single device, you may set up six session initiation protocol (SIP) accounts.
What Isn’t There
- Configuration is more difficult than with other conference phones.
- When compared to Polycom software, Android is an older operating system (OS).
GAC2500 by Grandstream Pricing
The GAC2500 by Grandstream is the best overall value as it works with six lines, seven-way calls, and six SIP accounts at nearly $100 less than our top pick, the 55Wx Konftel. Like other VoIP conference phones, the GAC2500 by Grandstream has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth so that you can connect headsets and mobile phones.
However, it’s less scalable than other equipment, as it supports daisy chains of two devices versus three with the Trio 8500 Polycom, and you can’t expand the voice range with additional microphones. Likewise, the 86 dB volume is less than Konftel and Poly devices, making it harder to hear in larger spaces.
GAC2500 by Grandstream Features
Connect your Google Calendar to your conference phone. (Photo courtesy of Grandstream)
- Call scheduler: Use your PC to set up a meeting or check out future or past events. You may also schedule meetings using your Google Calendar, which will sync with your smartphone.
- Up to 2,000 contacts may be saved in a downloaded phonebook, customised ringtones can be created, and calls can be parked. Call waiting, music on hold, and call records are some of the other VoIP features.
- Install third-party applications from the Google Play Store to personalize your phone, such as Skype for Business or Google Voice.
Check out GAC2500 by Grandstream
The Best VoIP Conference Phone for Portability is the 300Wx Konftel.
300Wx Konftel
3.84 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE
What We Enjoy
- On an extra memory card, you may record up to 100 hours.
- Up to 5 calls may be made at the same time.
- The conference phone may be controlled via a smartphone.
What Isn’t There
- Only 200 phonebook contacts are supported.
- Comparable VoIP meeting phones are more costly.
300Wx Konftel Pricing
The 300Wx Konftel is a wireless conferencing system that works with an elective digital enhanced cordless telephone (DECT) base station. It’s the best option if you want to move your device between meeting rooms or locations without messing with wires. The battery lasts up to 60 hours of use (51 more hours than the 55Wx Konftel or 270 hours on standby. It’s backed by a two-year warranty and supports an optional standard definition (SD) memory card of up to 2GB.
However, you can’t daisy chain 300Wx Konftel devices like the GAC2500 by Grandstream and Trio 8500 Polycom. You’ll also need to purchase extra microphones if you have more than 12 people or people sitting further than 14 feet from the device.
300Wx Konftel Features
Use your mobile phone to control the 300Wx Konftel. (Source: Konftel)
- Konftel Unite app: Add the Unite adaptor to your 300Wx Konftel for ultimate portability. It transfers control of your conference phone to a mobile device, allowing one-touch conferencing from a smartphone.
- On-screen menu: Your base station’s display includes six major features that you can change between using the keypad. A call list, phone book, conference guide, recording, settings, and status are all included.
- Conference groups: If you regularly meet with the same people, the 300Wx Konftel makes it easier by allowing preset categories with up to six individuals. Press one button to pick a group, see who’s in it, and make a call to everyone. Once they answer, they’re automatically connected to the conference call.
Check out 300Wx Konftel
The Best VoIP Conference Phone for Large Meetings is the CP960 (Yealink).
CP960 (Yealink)
3.76 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE
What We Enjoy
- The screen is clear and simple to navigate.
- Meetings with up to 20 participants
- When no voice is detected, the microphone is automatically muted.
What Isn’t There
- On this list, the most costly conference phone is
- Compared to Grandstream, there are fewer conference lines.
CP960 (Yealink) Pricing
The CP960 (Yealink) is an excellent choice for larger spaces as the speakers sound clear up to 20 feet away without dead zones. Plus, you can add a wireless microphone to include people up to 60 feet away. Since it automatically mutes when human speech isn’t detected, you can put it in the center of the room without needing to repeatedly reach for the mute button.
In addition, the CP960 (Yealink) has a unique feature that shows the name of the current speaker on screen. It also supports up to 100 hours of local call recording and five-line conference calls, fewer than Grandstream’s seven. However, the CP960 (Yealink) uses the Android 5.1 operating system (OS), whereas Grandstream has the older 4.4 version.
CP960 (Yealink) Features
The easy-to-navigate touchscreen display is straightforward and clear. (Photo courtesy of Yealink)
- Meetings using unified communications (UC) are possible: Calls are routed to your Yealink device through a USB port or Bluetooth connection from your computer’s VoIP softphone or smartphone.
- Sound: Harman-developed acoustic technologies provide clear audio with a 20-foot, 360-degree speech pick-up zone that eliminates dead spots. When no speech is detected, the noise-proof technology minimizes background noise and mutes the microphone.
- Active speaker: Check the display for the active speaker’s contact name so you don’t have to query who is speaking.
Check out CP960 (Yealink)
Best VoIP Conference Phone for Full-Range Audio: RealPresence Trio 8800 from Polycom
RealPresence Trio 8800 from Polycom
3.67 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE
What We Enjoy
- At 92 decibels, it has the greatest peak loudness.
- Over 60 communication platforms are supported.
- The user interface is available in 17 different languages.
What Isn’t There
- Supports up to three lines vs the Grandstream model’s six.
- For small spaces and gatherings, this may be overkill.
RealPresence Trio 8800 from Polycom Pricing
The RealPresence Trio 8800 from Polycom provides the highest acoustic clarity with a frequency response of 100 hertz (Hz) to 22 kHz, as compared to the Trio 8500 Polycom’s 200 Hz to 14 kHz. It also includes Wi-Fi network connectivity, Bluetooth, and NFC. As such, the RealPresence Trio 8800 from Polycom is an excellent fit for larger meetings with eight or more people and has a 20-foot pick-up range.
Like the Trio 8500 Polycom, the RealPresence Trio 8800 works with many VoIP phone services, such as RingCentral, 8×8, and Vonage. Plus, it’s certified through Microsoft Teams. However, if your space is smaller and you have fewer people in the room, consider the less expensive 55Wx Konftel or Trio 8500 Polycom models.
RealPresence Trio 8800 from Polycom Features
Use the touchscreen to make a call or establish a conference. (Photo courtesy of Polycom)
Adjusting settings is simple with the touchscreen display. (Image credit: YouTube)
- Call management: Use your VoIP conference phone to access your corporate directory and transfer, forward, or put calls on hold. There’s also a one-touch speed dial, call waiting, and a do not disturb (DND) mode.
- Sound: The RealPresence Trio 8800 from Polycom offers the fullest range of all the phones on our list, allowing listeners to hear the highs and lows of most voice conversations. It also has echo cancellation and noise reduction with intelligent processing.
- Expandable: Add a camera and up to three additional conference phones for video conferencing and content sharing. It may be used in conjunction with Visual+ and VisualPro to create inclusive, collaborative experiences for on- and off-site employees.
Check out RealPresence Trio 8800 from Polycom
How We Decided Which VoIP Conference Phone Was the Best
Your conference room phones should have high-definition audio and a user-friendly interface, whether it’s a keypad or a touchscreen. Your VoIP conference phones should also be appropriate for your budget and room size. Pricing, basic and advanced features, and our expert assessment were used to evaluate different phone models.
Learn How We Decided Which VoIP Conference Phone Was the Best by clicking on the tabs below:
15% of the overall score
The price of VoIP conference phones ranges from $280 to $600 and includes a one- or two-year guarantee. The price and duration of the guarantee were used to assign a score to each model.
30% of the overall score
Phone consoles with larger microphone ranges and conversation times received better marks, while versions with HD voice, call management, and call recording features received bonus points. We also checked at call queuing, voicemail, call analytics, and an auto-attendant, among other VoIP capabilities.
25% of the overall score
Full-color displays, built-in video cameras, and detachable microphones scored better than those without. Bluetooth headset compatibility, app support, and portability were all taken into account.
30% of the overall score
Our expert evaluation takes into account characteristics that are distinctive or stand out, as well as overall value for money. We also looked at user experiences to see how popular each device is and how simple it is to engage with the user interface and add more units.
*Percentages based on total score
Conclusion
Adding a VoIP conference phone to your meeting rooms or huddle spaces may help your on-premise and remote employees collaborate more effectively. Your staff can exchange multimedia for more productive meetings with a device that has good audio and Bluetooth connection. However, since meeting consoles may be costly, it’s essential to think about the size of your room before purchasing a new phone.
The 55Wx Konftel earned 4 out of 5 rating, making it the best overall VoIP conference phone. It’s suitable for small spaces and meetings with up to 12 people, but it’s also scalable with optional, compatible expansion microphones. Upgrade your meeting spaces with the 55Wx Konftel.
Visit 55Wx Konftel
The “wireless conference phone” is a device that allows users to make calls from anywhere. 6 of the best conference phones of 2022 are listed below.
Related Tags
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