Best Answering Machine

The 1740 records both incoming and outgoing messages on a microchip capable of storing up to 60 minutes of recording time. Fully digital operation enables you to access your messages instantly, either on the unit itself or via remote. The same remote feature also allows you to change your outgoing message from any location. There's also a Message Guard Memory feature on the machine that will keep your messages safe in the event the power goes out.

Set-up and general use are a cinch with large, clearly labeled buttons to control options like volume, play, rewind/fast forward, and message deletion while red LED light display the number of messages. At this price you're getting a secure and reliable answering machine that will perform consistently.

The AB900 is designed for use by hearing impaired individuals so you can crank the playback volume on this unit all the way up to 40 decibels with a rotary volume dial. But what also makes this unit so unique is that you can also control the speed of each message, either slowing it down or speeding it up as you wish.

One-touch playback makes this machine easy to use and you can skip, repeat, and erase messages with just the push of a button, making it suitable for anyone who has trouble with “fancy gadgets”. Oddly enough, the AB900 also offers voice prompts in six languages; English, German, Italian, Dutch, Spanish, and French. However, there’s only 24 minutes of recording time, so this machine may not really be suited for anyone missing a lot of calls.

The ANS3000 comes with 30 minutes of record time and playback can be amplified for clarity. The machine allows for you to record two outgoing messages and it even has two pre-recorded versions if you'd rather use one of those instead. User-friendly, this machine has big, clearly labeled buttons that do most basic functions with just one touch. Each message has time/date stamp and you can access all of them remotely as well.

The unit lets you screen calls and playback is clear, although in comparison the sound was better on some of the other picks on our list. It also features memo recording, not offered by any other pick on our list, allowing you to record messages for others at duration of up to three minutes long.

AT&T's combo pack includes a digital answering system and cordless handset with built-in speakerphone capability. It has caller ID announce which tells you who's calling on both the base and the handset, and an extra large LCD display to easily read the ID and call history. You can access that history through the oversized button panel with enlarged font and huge backlit keys, making it well-suited for consumers with impaired vision.

The CRL32102 is a great choice for hearing impaired individuals, coming equipped with an HD audio equalizer. This lets you tweak the bass, treble, and natural tones to your preferred levels along with four preset audio profiles. The audio assist function takes it one step further to enhance volume and sound frequencies so the party on the other end is better heard and understood.

The CS6529-17 brings an answering system and handset together for all the amenities in one unit. The digital answering system has up to 14 minutes of recording time, offers remote access of your messages, and has an indicator light to let you know you have unheard messages. The handset is cordless and offers called ID on a large, easy to read display that shows the name, number, time, and date of the caller.

You also get a speakerphone in the handset for hands free communication that you can take along with you anywhere in the house. Standard stuff like redial, call memory, 50 number phonebook directory and mute are all part of the package. Even the price is right, around $30 at most online retailers.