AT&T - Corded Speakerphone with Digital Answering System

Needed a new wall phone with speaker function for the kitchen and settled on this unit; I figured for the money, how could I go wrong? Been very happy. I like that it uses batteries instead of having to plug it in; no cord to deal with and usable when power dies. For taking calls hands-free in kithchen while cooking/cleaning and making calls via speaker phone on the big key pad buttons, this unit is perfect. The speaker phone sounds great and the microphone placement is perfect - I hear everyone fine and they hear me just great. Good solution for the money.

I do not like this telephone, it's not easy to understand setup, does not have a lighted LCD display, does not have a lighted keypad, has a horrible triple ring and not at all pleasant, answering machine message does not come through clear - it is very distorted and difficult to make out what the caller is saying. I'm very dissatisfied, however, if you want a less expensive phone and don't care very much, this is the one to buy.

If you want an "integrated" corded phone/speakerphone/answerer (minus any cordless handset), AND if you can't afford to spend a penny more, AND if you're not overly picky about the sound quality of your recorded announcement and callers' messages, then this might be the product for you. Don't get me wrong: the sound quality of your announcement and caller's messages is certainly "acceptable." It's just not as good as what you could get from a roughly twice-as-expensive product of this sort (moreover, the somewhat more expensive product could include not only better sounding messages and announcement but also a cordless handset to complement the corded one on the base unit. Then, too, you'd likely be getting a much larger "phone directory" (beyond just 9 or 12!) into which you could save frequently called numbers and names. That said, this unit seems pretty durably made for the price, and it does include adjustable ringer pitch and volume settings somewhat beyond what some other costlier models offer, not to mention that its digital message-storage capacity (19 minutes) is significantly greater than the 12, 13 or 14 minutes that you'll get from many comparable "integrated" phones costing MUCH more money! But just be sure you understand what you're getting and why you're getting it (i.e., presumably because you really can't AFFORD the costlier products' somewhat clearer-sounding messages and announcements). This phone WILL get the job done, in any case. And, finally, for just basic live TALKING and LISTENING on the phone, it should seem entirely fine!

Would have been very satisfied with this phone except for one unacceptable flaw. Answering machine records dead space or sounds of silence often left by telemarketers these days. One day had three messages recorded and they were all void of conversation ie. machine records silent messages left by irritating telemarketers. Would definitely not recommend to a friend unless they add a feature which would prevent recording of speechless telemarketers. I'm still looking for a good telephone/answerer.

AT&T Model 1856 has more features than I could ever use; however it is still difficult to program even basic functions. The user manual needs a greatly expanded index. It would have been nice to have the LCD screen and pushbuttons lighted for night time use, but is it is still a real bargain for the price.

When I bought this phone I ws excited.. NOW, I am dissappointed. Either the directions are wrong or the buttons do not work at all. I have tried for 3 days now & everytime I try it does not work the way the directions tell me to. When I push the TAS button it runs thru the list so fast that by the time you hear the part you want it is already on to the next one. I give up! I have to wait 10days to return it because I wrote a check. But I will take it back and get my money back & go elsewhere to buy a different one.

Great product will recommend to a friend only down fall is some features are to program like the voicemail, and caller id

I just purchased this product today it is great so far the only hard part was the setup and I just wish they made it a backlit display the key pad is nice and big great features love the ringer options