BTAdvanced Cordless Landline House Phone with 100 Percent Nuisance Call Blocker, Digital Answering Machine, Twin Handset Pack

I am 78 years old and care for my invalid wife and was finding that I was being pestered by sales calls and would be scam calls. It was obvious that I was on some "vulnerable old git" list. I saw an article in the press about call blocking and when I went online to investigate came across an article recommending the BT8500 telephone. I looked at the reviews which seemed mostly favourable so went ahead and ordered one. It has transformed my life. I set up my contact list which was very easy and straightforward, plugged it in and waited for the pesky calls so that I could add them to the block number list. Well the phone has been in situ for over a week now and I have not had a single nuisance call. As soon as they are asked to identify themselves they hang up. So I have not had to block a single number as yet. It's bliss when the phone rings as I know it's a genuine call. I found the phone easy to set up and easy to use and the only action required so far has been to add a few numbers to the allowed list. If every phone was like this then those dammed people would go out of business. EVERY OVER 65 SHOULD HAVE ONE.

I bought this to replace the existing handsets for two reasons - 1, low volume and 2, call blocking facility. Firstly, you need to activate the caller ID function if you have a BT line (it took 15 minutes for it to activate and cost nothing). Once done, you can program the handset with all the numbers of the people you love (or the ones you don't but can't avoid, like a mother-in-law.) Then, when any of them call, they come straight through as normal (and the handset displays the whom) and you can answer (or not.......). For anyone else, they get told to say who they are and then the phone rings with a "xxxx is calling, press ...... to take, ..... to answerphone or ..... to block (or something)." That way you can filter the annoying people or - and best yet - not ONE single call centre call has come through. No "Your phone liine may be cut off", no "Microsoft here to clean your Windows" - NONE. So.........good job......... well, except the mother-in-law.

Fantastic.... Best phone I have ever bought... Since installed and set up, not 1cold caller.....

Sound quality is muffled compared to previous BT phone. Build quality feels and looks cheap compared to previous phone. Button functions are irritatingly organised and slow - when I open the contacts section instead of showing my contacts I get a few moments of a ‘loading’ screen! Very disappointed. Will throw away and replace soon.

The features of these phones are pretty good, they look great and the price is not too bad… however... for me, there is a major issue. They worked fine for a few days, then I noticed the answer machine would not kick in when someone called. Also, when I called out, there was a lot of crackling on the line. At first, I couldn’t work out what was going on… so in frustration, I switched it off and on again at the socket. It solved the issue!! Well, for a few days, until it happened again! It keeps happening periodically for no discernible reason. Obviously, this is just not good enough. If you are having this issue, try switching it on and off at the socket, but be aware the issue seems likely to return again.