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Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) VoIP December 12, 2024

Best Office Phones for SMBs: Top Picks for 2025

best voip office phones
Compare the best-in-class office phones for your team. Pick the right VoIP gear this year. See business phone pricing, top features, and tips to save.
Alex Doan
Author

Alex Doan

best voip office phones

Your office phone is more than just a device; it’s the lifeline of your business communication. Effective communication can make or break customer interactions, drive sales, and ensure smooth internal operations.

Poor call quality, dropped calls, and outdated features lead to frustrated customers, missed opportunities, and decreased productivity. This guide is designed to help small to medium-sized businesses navigate the world of Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP office phones and choose the best solution for their unique needs.

We’ll explore the top VoIP phone options for 2025, comparing features, pricing, and suitability for different business scenarios, helping you upgrade from traditional landlines and see the benefits of modern business communication.

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Why Choose VoIP Office Phones over Traditional Landlines?

Switching to a VoIP phone system offers many advantages over traditional landline phones, including:

  • Cost savings: VoIP typically offers lower monthly costs and eliminates the need for expensive hardware and maintenance associated with traditional phone systems.
  • Flexibility and scalability: VoIP phone systems are easily scalable, allowing you to add or remove lines as your business grows. They also offer greater flexibility for remote work and multi-location businesses.
  • Improved mobility: Enable your employees to work from anywhere with a stable internet connection, maintaining seamless communication regardless of location.
  • Advanced features: VoIP phone systems offer a wide range of advanced features such as call forwarding, call recording, voicemail-to-email, auto-attendant, and integration with CRM systems, often unavailable or costly with landline phones.
  • Improved call quality: VoIP uses broadband internet connections, resulting in clearer call quality compared to traditional phone lines.
  • Enhanced customer experience: Improve customer satisfaction with features like interactive voice response (IVR) systems, call queues, and music on hold.
  • Environmental friendliness: Reduce your carbon footprint with VoIP’s lower energy consumption compared to traditional phone lines.

Top VoIP Office Phones for 2025: A Detailed Comparison

Here’s a breakdown of some of the best VoIP office phones on the market, categorized by user needs:

FeatureNextiva X-885Poly Edge E550Yealink T57WYealink T46UNextiva X-835Poly Edge E220Cisco 8861
Price annually/mo
(approx.)
$190/$8.40$300/$11$310/$12$200/$7.60$160/$6$160/$5.10$330/$13.30
Screen size4.3″ Color5″ Color7″ Touchscreen4.3″ Color2.8″ Color2.8″ Color5″ Color
Line keys1212/48 (pages)11/29 (More)10124/16 (pages)10
Wi-FiYes (Dongle)YesYesYes (Dongle)Yes (Dongle)NoYes
BluetoothYesYesYesYes (Dongle)NoYesYes
Headset portsRJ9, USB, BTRJ9, USB-C, BTRJ9, USB, BTRJ9, EHSRJ9RJ9, USB-C, BTRJ9, USB, BT
PoEYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Best forExecutives, ReceptionistsHybrid WorkersExecutives, Heavy CallersHigh Call VolumeCustomer SupportBudget-ConsciousExecutives, Conference Rooms

1. Nextiva X-885

Ideal for businesses prioritizing executive-level communication and streamlined workflows.

Nextiva X-885

The Nextiva X-885 is designed for high-level communication needs, offering a premium experience for executives and front-desk personnel. Its 4.3-inch color display provides clear visibility, while the 12 programmable line keys offer quick access to frequently used contacts and features.

Built-in Bluetooth allows for seamless headset integration, and the inclusion of a Wi-Fi USB dongle adds wireless flexibility. The X-885 also boasts exceptional HD voice quality, ensuring crystal-clear conversations.

Price: $190.00 or $8.40/month

2. Poly Edge E550

The perfect choice for hybrid teams that require seamless communication across different work locations.

Poly Edge E550

The Poly Edge E550 is tailored for the modern hybrid workforce, emphasizing flexibility and seamless connectivity. Its 5-inch color display offers a user-friendly interface, and the impressive 48-line capacity (across four pages) caters to users who manage multiple calls simultaneously.

Native Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enable wireless freedom, while USB-C and RJ9 ports ensure compatibility with various headset types. A standout feature is the fast pairing with compatible Poly headsets, simplifying setup and enhancing productivity.

Price: $300.00 or $11.00 per month

Unmatched for professionals who demand a high level of control and customization.

Yealink T57W

The Yealink T57W is a powerful IP phone designed for professionals who handle a high volume of calls. Its large 7-inch color touchscreen provides a user-friendly interface and simplifies navigation.

While it initially displays 11 line keys, the “More” key expands this to 29, and the option to add up to three EXP50 expansion modules allows for extensive customization. Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth offer wireless connectivity, and the option to connect up to four DECT cordless handsets via a separate adapter adds further flexibility.

Price: $310.00 or $12.00 per month

Ideal for businesses that prioritize crystal-clear audio quality and robust security.

Yealink T46U

The Yealink T46U is a well-rounded mid-range IP phone that delivers excellent value and performance. Its 4.3-inch color display provides clear visibility, and the 10-line keys offer customization for individual needs. While it doesn’t have built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, these can be added via USB dongles.

The T46U excels in audio quality, thanks to Yealink Optima HD Voice technology, ensuring crystal-clear conversations. Its robust security features, including HTTPS, SRTP, and TLS encryption, provide peace of mind for sensitive communications.

Price: $200.00 or $7.60 per month

5. Nextiva X-835

A cost-effective solution for customer support teams and businesses seeking a balance of features and affordability.

Nextiva X-835

The Nextiva X-835 is a cost-effective IP phone that provides essential features for efficient communication. Its 2.8-inch color LCD screen provides clear information, and the 12 programmable keys offer quick access to frequently used functions.

While it requires a USB dongle for Wi-Fi connectivity and lacks native Bluetooth, it offers reliable performance and essential features like speed dialing and an RJ9 headset port.

Price: $160.00 or $6.00 per month

6. Poly Edge E220

The ideal entry-level VoIP phone for small businesses seeking a balance of affordability and essential features.

Poly Edge E220

The Poly Edge E220 is a budget-friendly IP phone that packs surprising features into a compact design. Its 2.8-inch color screen provides basic information, and while it has only four physical line keys, it supports up to 16 lines across four pages.

Built-in Bluetooth and NFC offer wireless convenience, and the inclusion of USB-C and RJ9 ports ensures compatibility with various headsets. The E220 also features text-to-speech, making it more accessible for users with visual impairments.

Price: $160.00 or $5.10 per month

7. Cisco 8861

An excellent choice for businesses that require a high level of reliability, advanced features, and accessibility.

Cisco 8861

The Cisco 8861 is a robust and reliable IP phone built for demanding business environments. Its 5-inch color display provides ample screen real estate, and the 10 programmable line keys offer customization for individual workflows.

Native Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity provide wireless freedom, while the inclusion of USB and RJ9 ports ensures compatibility with a wide range of headsets. A standout feature is the voice feedback, which audibly guides users through menus and functions, making it particularly useful for those with visual impairments.

Price: $330.00 or $13.30 per month

Benefits of VoIP Desk Phones

A VoIP desk phone offers many advantages that softphones alone can’t fully replicate. Here’s why you should consider upgrading from a traditional landline to a VoIP desk phone:

  • Dedicated, reliable calling experience: VoIP provides stable connectivity over the internet, minimizing call disruptions and downtime.
  • Built-in integrations with softphones: Softphones like Nextiva, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Zoom Phone extend communication to any internet-enabled device, enhancing mobility and collaboration for remote and hybrid teams.
  • Easy, instant calling & flexibility: VoIP services offer accessories like USB dongles and headsets for enhanced functionality.
  • Better call quality, including speakerphone: VoIP supports HD audio and wideband codecs, delivering superior call clarity. Speakerphones with noise reduction and echo cancellation further enhance audio quality.
  • Advanced features: VoIP provides features like call recording for training and compliance, voicemail-to-email for convenient message retrieval, call analytics for performance monitoring, and CRM integration for streamlined workflows.
  • Enhanced security: VoIP systems use encryption protocols (HTTPS, SRTP, TLS) and network security measures to protect communication data.

Useful Office Phone Accessories

Your office phone isn’t complete without one or more of these VoIP phone accessories and hardware.

Headsets

VoIP headsets allow you to make and receive calls hands-free. Choose from mono (single ear – ideal for staying aware of your surroundings), stereo (dual ear – best for focused calls and immersive audio), and noise-canceling headsets (essential for noisy environments). Wired headsets provide reliable connectivity, while wireless headsets offer greater freedom of movement.

Prices of VoIP headsets vary greatly based on their features and complexity. They can start at $15 and go up to $500 or more. 

Wireless dongles

A wireless dongle is a small hardware device that helps you connect your VoIP phone to a Wi-Fi network or Bluetooth device. You’ll need them if your office phone lacks native Bluetooth and wireless network connectivity.

The exact price depends on what you’re getting. The Nineplus wireless dongle for Wi-Fi costs about $30, while the Maxuni USB Bluetooth dongle costs about $18

PoE equipment

Power over Ethernet (PoE) delivers both data connectivity and electrical power to your VoIP desk phone simultaneously through a single Ethernet cable. This simplifies installation and reduces cable clutter.

All Nextiva’s VoIP phones are PoE compatible, but this isn’t the case with all other VoIP service providers. Before investing in PoE equipment, check with your service provider to be sure your phone supports PoE. 

Once confirmed, you can buy your PoE equipment via your service provider’s hardware and accessories store. You can also purchase this equipment on e-commerce marketplaces, such as Amazon. Some PoE devices cost as little as $16. 

The Best Office Phones Need the Best Phone Service

Investing in a high-quality VoIP phone is only half the battle. Choosing a reliable VoIP service provider ensures optimal performance and maximizes the benefits of your new phone system. Nextiva provides an easy-to-use platform, exceptional customer support, and a range of features to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes.

👀 Check out Nextiva’s extensive business phone system, and let us know what you think! 

VoIP Office Phones FAQs

Get answers to common questions about VoIP office phones. 

How much does an office phone cost? 

Office phones range from $100 to $300, depending on features. Leasing options and monthly subscriptions are also available, allowing you to spread the cost over time. Consider the total cost of ownership, including potential savings on long-distance calls and advanced features compared to traditional phone systems.

For example: Simple VoIP phones, such as Nextiva’s X-885, cost as little as $8.40 per month, while a phone like the Poly Edge E550 costs about $11 per month.  Be sure to get a price quote and see your options.

Which office phones are best for small businesses?

The Nextiva X-835 and Poly Edge E220 offer a great balance of features and affordability for small businesses.

Which desk phones are best for enterprises? 

For enterprises, consider phones like the Cisco 8861 and Yealink T57W, which offer advanced features, scalability, and integration with enterprise-level systems.

How do I set up an office phone? 

Most VoIP phones are easy to set up. Typically, you connect the phone to your network via Ethernet or Wi-Fi and then configure the settings using a web interface or the phone’s display. Consult your VoIP provider’s setup guide for specific instructions. Read our helpful guide for setting up a VoIP phone

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