10 Best Answering Machines 2025 in the United States

The AT&T BL102-3 cordless phone with answering machine is a solid choice for home use, especially if you want reliable call blocking and clear caller ID features. It offers a good recording time of up to 22 minutes for incoming messages, outgoing announcements, and memos, which should be sufficient for most households but may be limited for heavy message users. It supports a single mailbox, making it suitable for a single user or family setting rather than multiple mailboxes.

The phone excels in call screening with a large call block directory that can hold up to 1,000 numbers, auto-blocking robocalls, and allowing easy blacklisting with just one button. Caller ID is clear and enhanced by an announcer that speaks the caller's name, making it easier to decide whether to answer. The handset design is user-friendly, featuring bigger, well-lit buttons and a large, easy-to-read 2-inch screen with high-contrast text, providing comfortable dialing and caller info viewing even in low light or for those with vision challenges.

Additional features like a speakerphone, audio assist, and intercom add convenience for daily use. The phone requires battery power, and while the answering system is digital and straightforward, it does not include advanced remote access or support for multiple mailboxes. For users prioritizing ease of use, strong call blocking, and clear caller ID announcements in a cordless phone with a straightforward answering machine, this model is a good fit.

The VTech SN5147 is a solid choice for those wanting a phone with an answering machine geared towards seniors or anyone needing louder and clearer sound. It features a smart call blocker that automatically stops robocalls, plus you can manually block up to 1,000 unwanted numbers, which is great for reducing spam calls. The phone has an extra-loud ringer at 90dB and a 50dB audio assist that temporarily boosts volume and clarifies speech, making it easier to hear and understand conversations.

Big buttons, a large display, and photo dial speed up calling favorite contacts, enhancing ease of use. Weighing just over 3 pounds and powered by a corded connection, it’s reliable but less portable.

This phone suits seniors or anyone who values loud volume, clear audio, and call blocking but doesn’t necessarily require advanced answering machine features like multiple mailboxes or remote message retrieval.

The Panasonic Cordless Phone with Call Block and Answering Machine (KX-TGD830M) offers a comprehensive set of features to manage your calls efficiently. Its standout feature is the advanced call blocking system, which pre-blocks robocalls and allows you to block telemarketing calls with a single touch. This is particularly useful for avoiding unwanted interruptions. The one-ring scam alert adds an extra layer of protection by prompting you before returning one-ring calls.

Additionally, the phone offers 2-way recording, ensuring you can capture important call details for later reference. The illuminated keypad with large characters and speed dial function enhances ease of use, even in low light conditions. The bilingual talking caller ID is a thoughtful feature, allowing caller information to be announced in either English or Spanish, which can be convenient for multilingual households.

However, there are some limitations. The recording capacity is relatively modest at 17 minutes, which may not be sufficient for users with high call volume. The product supports only one mailbox, which could be a drawback for households needing multiple mailboxes. While the phone is cordless and lightweight, it does require 2 AAA batteries, which are included but will need periodic replacement. The phone's digital answering system is user-friendly, but it lacks some advanced remote access features that other answering machines might offer. This Panasonic model stands out for its call management features and ease of use, making it an excellent choice for those looking to block unwanted calls and record conversations, albeit with some trade-offs in recording capacity and mailbox options.