For those with voicemail greetings that get changed about as often as a new president is elected, know that this is doing a serious disservice to the caller-recipient relationship. It signals to callers that the business is anything but an authority, most likely not very detail oriented, and has questionable overall credibility and competency.
The other problem with creating humorous messages is that occasionally someone with actual information will call. Potential employers, current bosses and clergy may not appreciate sitting through a PG-13 outgoing announcement before leaving an important message. Length is another consideration. Many people prefer an answering machine's outgoing message to be as brief and as professional as possible. Unless you own a business where listing hours of operation or contact numbers is important, try not to go past 15 seconds on an outgoing message. Post your comments Please enter the following code: Login: Forgot password? Register:

A. You usually can’t use an answering machine to record entire phone calls. That’s because once you pick up the phone, most models turn off the recording feature and simply connect you to the caller. The BestReviews editorial team researches hundreds of products based on consumer reviews, brand quality, and value. We then choose a shorter list for in-depth research and testing before finalizing our top picks. These are the products we considered that ultimately didn't make our top 5. Corded/Cordless Phone System with Answering Machine Digital AnsweSystem with Time and Day Stamp 2-Line Corded Telephone with Digital Answering System CS6529-4 DECT 6.0 Phone Answering System DECT 6.0 Cordless Phone plus answering system Cordless Phone with Answering Machine KX-TGD532W Cordless Phone and Answering Machine KX-TGD530M Cordless Phone with Answering Machine KX-TGC362B Cordless Phone and Answering Machine KX-TGF575S KX-TG9552B Phone with Answering Machine DECT 6.0 Expandable Cordless Phone System with Digital Answering System Single Handset Expandable Cordless Phone with Answering System Get exclusive content, advice, and tips from BestReviews delivered to your inbox. FAQ About Contact Privacy Policy Terms and Conditions Partnerships Press Blog Gift Ideas How it Works Pricing Features Phones Solutions Business Need Business Phone Service SIP Trunking Dental Office Practice Management Software Integration Healthcare Schools Pizza Delivery Business Size Small Business Multiple Offices Virtual Office Resources Blog Glossary How To’s Setup Web Portal Manage Phone Setting Contact
The most budget-friendly models are basic standalone answering machines with few special features. They usually only offer 13 to 15 minutes of storage space and cost between $17 and $28. This is a good option if you only need a machine to record occasional messages on your landline.