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AT&T EL51209

Price range:

$38.99 - $49.97

Summary: A 1.9 GHz DECT 6.0 multiple-handset-capable cordless phone. Comes with 2 cordless handsets.

4 people have reviewed this model.

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Type: Cordless phones

About - AT&T EL51209
The EL51209 is part of the cordless phone test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, cordless phone models like the EL51209 are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below. Voice quality: Voice quality considers listening quality which reflects what you hear and talking, what's heard by other phones. Tests were conducted in a quiet environment using a live phone call. Phone ease of use: This score mainly covers handset weight and comfort, talk time, ease of phone setup and use, readability of labels; accessibility, location, and size of controls and buttons; and other convenience factors, such as auto talk, any key answer, lighted keypad, one-touch dial, and others. Talk time (hrs.): Talk time, measured to the nearest hour, is how long you can converse on the handset when it is fully charged.

About - AT&T EL51209

The EL51209 is part of the cordless phone test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, cordless phone models like the EL51209 are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below.

Voice quality:: Voice quality considers listening quality which reflects what you hear and talking, what's heard by other phones. Tests were conducted in a quiet environment using a live phone call.
Phone ease of use:: This score mainly covers handset weight and comfort, talk time, ease of phone setup and use, readability of labels; accessibility, location, and size of controls and buttons; and other convenience factors, such as auto talk, any key answer, lighted keypad, one-touch dial, and others.
Talk time (hrs.):: Talk time, measured to the nearest hour, is how long you can converse on the handset when it is fully charged.

About This Brand
This well-known cordless phone brand is actually owned by VTech. It offers a wide range of phones, with and without answering machines, for consumers and small business. Form factors include single- and multi-handset models, cordless-corded combos, and multi-line phones. AT&T still offers stand-alone corded phones. The company has made a serious effort to go green with its packaging.

About This Brand

This well-known cordless phone brand is actually owned by VTech. It offers a wide range of phones, with and without answering machines, for consumers and small business. Form factors include single- and multi-handset models, cordless-corded combos, and multi-line phones. AT&T still offers stand-alone corded phones. The company has made a serious effort to go green with its packaging.

Features & Specs - AT&T EL51209
Number of handsets included The number of cordless handset(s) with a charging cradle included with the product. Number of handsets included	2
Maximum no. of cordless handsets The manufacturer stated maximum number of cordless handsets that can be registered to a multiple handset capable phone. A phone that can support up to eight handsets, for example, can have eight handsets registered to the base, but you may only be able to use four at once, say two using handset to handset intercom, while two others conference with an outside party. Others may just allow one handset to be used at a time, so can't be used like an additional (extension) phone you have connected to the same phone line. NA represents not applicable. See Buying Advice for more information. Maximum no. of cordless handsets	2
Handset conferencing Also referred to as handset-to-handset intercom, and other terms. Many multiple handset capable phones allow conversation handset to handset, or among handsets for conferencing. For some phones the handsets have to be within range of the base, while others also allow a direct link between two handsets so you can take them with you to use like walkie-talkies. Multiple handset phones without this capability can't be used to conference. Handset conferencing	Yes
Caller ID Caller ID with a three-line display shows the name and phone number of a caller and the date and time of the call, provided you subscribe to caller ID services. Some phones have an additional display line that shows which line, say line 1 or line 2, the call came in on, or indicators such as a battery strength or voice mail. If you have Caller ID with Call Waiting, the phone displays the name and number of the second caller if you're already on the phone. The display is usually on the handset; some phones also have one on the base. Phones with Call Waiting Deluxe provide you with more choices on how to handle a second call when you are already on the phone assuming you subscribe to the service, but not all features may be available in all areas. Some of the choices that the service supports; facilitates conferencing with two outside parties, or a prerecorded message states that you will be available shortly, and the caller is put on hold, or prerecorded message indicates you are busy, and the waiting call is disconnected, or the caller is sent to your voice mail. Caller ID	Handset
Voice-mail indicator (Telco) A visual indicator on the handset or base to notify you that you have new messages awaiting from your telephone company message waiting service, such as an LED, or an envelope icon on the display. That means you don't have to pick up the handset to respond to a message waiting signal. Voice-mail indicator (Telco)	Yes
Base speakerphone A base speakerphone offers a hands-free way to converse or wait on hold and lets others chime in as well, and allows you to answer a call without the handset. When used with a base keypad, you can make a call from the base and have a hands-free conversation. Base speakerphone	No
Base keypad Also referred to as Dual or Second Keypad. A keypad on the base supplements the keypad on the handset. It can be handy for navigating menu-driven systems, because you don't have to take the phone away from your ear to punch the keys. When used with a base speakerphone, you can make a call from the base and have a hands-free conversation. Base keypad	No
Base ringer All phones have a handset ringer, and many phones have a base ringer, but not all allow you to set them on or off, adjust the volume, or change the auditory tone. Base ringer	No
Handset speakerphone A handset speakerphone offers a hands-free way to converse or wait on hold and lets others chime in as well conveniently anywhere in the house as long as you stay within a few feet of the handset. Handset speakerphone	Yes
Lighted keypad Also referred to as backlit keypad. A keypad that either glows in the dark or lights up when you press a key, and when the phone rings; makes the phone easier to use in low light conditions. Lighted keypad	Yes
Wall mountable The phone base can be mounted on a wall, and includes with the product any parts that may be needed, such as a wall mounting bracket. Wall mountable	Yes
Mailboxes For phones with an answerer, some phones have several mailboxes where a caller can direct a voice message to an individual family member, or to separate business and personal calls, for instance. This allows the convenience of listening to messages just meant for you. We show the maximum number of mailboxes. Mailboxes	NA
More features and specs

User Reviews - AT&T EL51209

Average User Rating

(based on 4 reviews)

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Displaying Reviews 1-3 of 4 See all 4 user reviews

[3 of 3 customers found this review helpful]

Voice quality awful

By Tom 3 ski from Grafton, OH on 1/19/2010

Pros:

Inexpensive

Cons:

Voice quality awful

How long have you owned it:

One-to-three months

Bottom Line:

No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Use the phone for residential service, below average usage. Have begun to use cell service more due to problems with this phone. Caller claims that they cannot hear our voices. I have called home and voices are so muffled you must ask them to speak up. I actually cup my hand around microphone to intensify voice. Callers now realize this problem and will only call cell phone numbers to speak to us.

[3 of 4 customers found this review helpful]

Terrible Battery Life

By Suzanne from Florida on 1/10/2010

Pros:

Good sound, Handy re-dial from ID, Multiple hand sets

Cons:

20 minute talk time max, Batteries fail after 6 mo, No headset hook up

How long have you owned it:

More than six months

Bottom Line:

No, I would not recommend this to a friend

After less than 4 months the batteries wouldn't charge properly anymore. At this point I can get roughly 10-20 minutes of talk time on BOTH handsets. The battery failure doesn't appear to be connected to use as the other handset is used very minimally but has the same batter problems. If it weren't for the battery the phones would be decent.

[16 of 28 customers found this review helpful]

failed after two days

By really old man from Mobile, Alabama on 10/30/2009

How long have you owned it:

A month or less

Bottom Line:

No, I would not recommend this to a friend

not sure I want to cope with AT&T.

See all 4 user reviews

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