Home > Consumer Reviews > VTech ip5825 5.8 GHz DSS Cordless Speakerphone with Dual Handsets and Caller ID (Pewter)

Note the 5825 does not have an answering machine (the 5850 does).
To start, I want to point out that this is actually a hybrid 2.4/5.8 system. The handset transmits @ 2.4GHz and the base @ 5.8 GHz. (I remember Panasonic did a similar thing with their first 2.4 phones which actually used 2.4 and 900MHz.) So if you think this phone will be 100% interference free from 2.4 GHz sources you may be disappointed (though I have not had any problems yet with our other 2.4G phone). Now leaving that, I find that this phone works quite well. The sound is good with normal use, speakerphone and headset. I especially like that there is only one phonebook that either handset can access. I also like that it uses regular AAA NiMH batteries (included).
I took off one star because of the extremely limited way you can edit names/numbers in the phone book. For example, you cannot add a "1" in front of a number. You have to delete the whole number and re-enter it. Same with names.

We've been looking to replace our Panasonic 900 MHz phone which just died. We tried numerous Panasonic phones (2.4 and 5.8 GHz), and were unhappy with most of them. Brought home the Vtech i5867 5.8 Ghz with the built-in digital answering machine to try out. The phone had great sound quality, but the answering machine sounded terrible. In fact, most of the built-in answering machines we tried were awful. I know, digital will never be as clear as tape. But you should at least be able to understand part of the message a caller leaves. We finally found the ip5825 and decided to purchase a separate digital answering machine (AT&T). We're very happy with our choice. What can you say? The price is reasonable, the phone has excellent sound quality and range, and it uses the standard AAA rechargeable batteries. So you can go to your local Wal-Mart for replacements. I've been a panasonic fan for along time, so it was hard at first switching to Vtech. But the Panasonic 5.8 GHz phones were all pretty expensive compared to the Vtech. And to be honest, didn't sound as good.

The only negative I would mention is the on/off buttons on the handset could be a little larger and easier to locate. But the ip 5825 has the "any key answer" feature, which kind of makes that complaint mute. You can't go wrong for the price.

I recently got these phones from Costco and am very pleased. They replaced a much more expensive Siemens system that I'd had for four years. At first I was a bit disappointed by the toy like appearance that these phones have and I would have been happy to return them if there had been anything functional that I didn't like about them. After a month, I don't care what they look like because I love these phones.

Here's what I like:
Great range - I live in a three story house in the city and I get great reception in every room and even outside. Better than I've ever had with a cordless set.
Excellent volume - I hear people much better than I am used to, the sound is quite clear, the volume controls are simple and easy to access. I've had nothing but positives on how I sound to other people.
Speakerphone - Surprisingly good! I can use it with confidence of great sound both ways. Also is a huge help for those times when I'm in some call queue.
Voice Mail waiting indicator - love having that.
Other things I like: It stands upright on my desk. It feels sturdy. It was easy to set up. The batteries will be easily replaceable if need be. Nice weight. Number entered in phone book on phones automatically copies to the other phone.

Possible negatives:
Can't add more phones. Keys, though lighted, are a bit small. That's about it.

Don't let the toy like appearance put you off.

I had purchased the 2.4 GHz VTech single phone, but returned it partly because of the good reviews here and I wanted 2 handsets. I'm glad I did these phones are much better. Some of the features I like:

- When you press 'On' to make a call a timer starts in the display window, and tells you how long you've been on the phone. Very handy, especially when on hold. Then, if you like, set the phone down (stand it up) and press the Intercom button. Now you're in speaker phone mode and can do other things while waiting.

- It feels good in the hand, has a solid feel. One handed dialing with thumb is easy. Volume control on the side is OK.

- The msg waiting light on the base unit is very noticeable - much more than the previous Vtech I just returned.

- Backlit keypad and display is handy at night. The Display window is very informative with various array of messages.

- The intercom-walkie talkie feature is kind of neat. The handsets can call each other. Nice around the house when you don't want to use cell phones. While talking to each other, either phone can make an external call, and have a 3-way conversation.

- I like the default ringer tone. It's softer, warmer. I turned the ringers off other phones in the house.

- Shared phone book between handsets is smart and time saving. Changes, updates to the phone book on handset 1 are seen on handset 2, and vice versa.

- You can give each handset a unique name. The default is 'Vtech' on both. That can be changed.

People must like this phone - Amazon can't keep it in stock!

I've always been happy with Vtech phones and think the features, quality and price can't be matched by comparable brands.

These phones are an excellent choice. Read the above features for all the normal stuff.

The phones work great. Unusual items of interest:
1) The phones SHARE a phone book. This is very cool. If you are using the second handset, and you have typed all the numbers into the first handset, they will all be there.

2) The phones use standard size NimH batteries. This should make it very easy to replace them when they wear out (a common cordless phone problem).

Downsides: Only supports the 2 handsets it comes with.

I am very happy with my purchase.