This article on “Top Cordless Phones for Seniors Panasonic KXTG400 Series” highlights the differences between four look alike and sometimes confusing phone models. At first glance these cordless phones for seniors look exactly the same.
The only difference appears to be their model numbers – KXTGM420W, KXTGM470W, KXTGM450S and KXTG490S. Moreover, the manufacturer product details provided do not make comparison easy.
Their differences are important as they can influence your decision to purchase one over the other especially if you wear a hearing aid.
General Features of the Panasonic KXTGM400 Series
The four models are all amplified cordless telephones with digital answering machines. They are specially designed for everyone affected by mild and moderate hearing loss and are popular with seniors.
General features include senior features and convenience features.
Senior Design Features
Amplification of Incoming and Outgoing Caller Voice
- The caller can clearly hear and be heard by the other party
- Volume is loud and clear with Volume Boost control for amplified caller voice volume up to between 40 dB – 50 dB
- Have amplified calling and amplified (extra loud) or flashing ringers, to function effectively for reduced hearing individuals
- Includes six voice tone settings and a loud base unit ringer.
Visual and Talking Caller ID
- Flashes and announces name
- Have large LCD screens and back lit, easily visible buttons to make viewing the numbers and Caller ID easier, as well as choosing the six tone levels for clarifying different voice types. Most regular phones have screens which are simply not lit brightly enough for seniors with low vision
Slow Talk Mode To Slow the Speed of Caller Voices
- One-touch Slow Talk control automatically slows the speed of caller voices while conversing in real time. This helps understand quick-talking callers and garbled or rapid-fire voice message
- Ideal for clearer conversations, screening incoming calls and voice message playback. Slow Talk touch buttons are conveniently located on both base unit and handsets.
Noise Reduction
Suppresses background noise
Audible / Visual Call Alerts
- 15 ringtone options
- Bright red LED visual ringers on the base unit and handsets also flash when someone calls.
- The combination of Panasonic’s Talking Caller ID, visual ringers and the flashing handsets alerts you audibly and visibly to incoming calls, but also tells you who’s calling
Convenience Features
Answering machine, Power Backup, Speakerphone, Talking Caller ID, Talking Digit Keypad and Phone book, Intercom, DECT 6.0 Plus for optimum signal range, 100 Phone book entries, 9 Speed dial numbers and Voice messaging.
Phone system is expandable up to six handsets. Additional handsets sold separately.
Built-in backup battery in the base unit allows you to make and receive calls when the power goes out
Top Cordless Phones for Seniors: PANASONIC KX-TGM430B Amplified Cordless Phone with Digital Answering Machine
PRODUCT DETAILS – Unique Features
- Item Weight: 499 grams – Light
- Product Dimensions :14.2 x 18.0 x 7.4 cm
- Color: White
- Amplified caller voice volume up to 40 dB
- Set ringer tone volumes up to 100dB
- 250-number Call Block
- Up to 17 minutes of voice messaging
- Mounting Hardware: AC Adapter, telephone line connector cord, belt clip, Base unit, Handset, Rechargeable AAA NiMH battery (2 already installed in the base unit at time of shipment).
Top Rated Cordless Phones for Seniors: PANASONIC KX-TGM470W Amplified Cordless Phone with Digital Answering Machine
PRODUCT DETAILS – Unique Features
- Item Weight: 916 grams
- Product Dimensions :5.6 x 7.0 x 7.4 cm
- Color: White
- Amplified caller voice volume up to 40 dB
- Set ringer tone volumes up to 100dB
- Up to 15 minutes of voice messaging
- Mounting Hardware: One Handset, Belt Clip, Wall Mounting Adapter, Telephone line Cord, AC Adapter, Rechargeable batteries
- Fully charged handset provides up to (NOT STATED) hours talk time and 9 days standby
- 2 AAA batteries required. (included)
Top Cordless Phones for Seniors: PANASONIC KX-TGM450S Amplified Cordless Phone with Digital Answering Machine
PRODUCT DETAILS – Unique Features
- Item Weight: 499 grams
- Product Dimensions :14.2 x 18.0 x 7.4 cm
- Color: Silver
- Amplified caller voice volume up to 50 dB
- Set ringer tone volumes up to 112 dB
- Up to 15 minutes of voice messaging
- 250 number call block
- Mounting Hardware: AC Adapter, telephone line connector cord, belt clip, Base unit, Handset, Rechargeable AAA NiMH battery (2 already installed in the base unit at time of shipment)
- 2.5 mm headset/neck loop jack
- 2 AAA batteries required. (included)
- Fully charged handset provides up to 13 hours talk time and 9 days standby
- English and Spanish LCD and talking caller ID option
- HEARING AID COMPATIBLE
Top Cordless Phones for Seniors: PANASONIC KX-TGM490S Amplified Cordless Phone with Digital Answering Machine
PRODUCT DETAILS – Unique Features
- Item Weight: 1.08 kg – Heavy
- Product Dimensions :5.6 x 7.0 x 7.4 cm
- Amplified caller voice volume up to 50 dB
- Set ringer tone volumes up to 110 dB
- Up to 15 minutes of voice messaging
- Mounting Hardware: One Handset, Belt Clip, Wall Mounting Adapter, Telephone line Cord, AC Adapter, Rechargeable batteries
- Optional Headset (additional purchase)
- 2 AAA batteries required. (included)
- Fully charged handset provides up to 13 hours talk time and 9 days standby
Select Yours From Top Rated Cordless Phones for Seniors
This article compares the features of four top rated cordless phones for seniors belonging to the Panasonic KX-TGM400 series.
This review will help seniors and the elderly who desire to maintain a quality of life that allows them to communicate with their family and friends and get help in case of an emergency.
Unfortunately, aging is accompanied by reduced vision, hearing and in many cases dexterity issues related to unsteady hand movements.
Special phones with big buttons address these conditions and popular top rated cordless phones for seniors include the Panasonic KX-TGM400 series.
Four models of Panasonic KX-TGM400 series (420W, 470W, 450S and 490S are VERY similar in build.
By just looking at the manufacturers detailed product information for each, it is very clear that they provide little consistency. In addition, features tend to be very confusing to compare.
Only the 450S is stated (in the product documentation for all four models) as Hearing aid compatible. Others are said to be good for mild to moderate hearing impairment.
Conclusion – Top Cordless Phones for Seniors
This article wades through all this confusing information to compare all four models using the general product specifications and functionality design features in addition to convenience features.
Leave a comment below if you find the article informative or if you have a question.
Related Articles
- Panasonic Cordless Phone Review – KXTGM450S Seniors Model
- Top Cordless Phones for Seniors. The Confusing Clarity XLC
FAQ
Which brands of top rated cordless phones for seniors carry hearing aid compatible models?
Top-rated brands offering cordless phones for seniors with hearing aid compatibility include Panasonic, VTech, and Clarity. These brands provide models with amplified sound, large buttons, and easy-to-read displays, catering to seniors’ needs for better accessibility and usability.
References
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders – NIDCD (2012)https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/age-which-hearing-loss-begins
This is a great idea! Thanks for sharing this list of top cordless phones for seniors. I can see that all of them are Panasonic and the difference between them is minor. I like the Panasonic. It’s one of the top companies in this industry and its products are always made to last. Do you have any alternatives or Panasonic is it? Thanks in advance?
Hi Ivan, you may also check my review of popular Clarity brand phones at Top Cordless Phones For Seniors – Clarity XLC Series
Ceci
I think that your review has made things so much clearer. It almost like one is walking into a store and speaking to a really helpful staff member.
I think that the 450S cordless phone will do the trick for me. I wear a hearing aid. And it’s exciting to learn that they make these sorts of devices with hearing-impaired people in mind.
I also like the feature of having the ability to slow down a person’s voice. That will help me a lot. Many times I find myself lost in a conversation and sometimes it’s not always easy to remember what the speaker said if he or she speaks fast.
Thanks for all the help.
Really appreciate it.
Regards
Roopesh
Hi Roopesh,
Delighted that you found the article helpful. Panasonic (and many other manufacturers) make several similar models such that it is quite hard trying to find the differences!. The 450S is an excellent choice. Take a read of my review
Panasonic Cordless Phone Review – KXTGM450S Seniors Model
Ceci
Thank you for this great advice. I do often call with my grandpa, who has a hearing issue( as many elderly I guess) and when we speak it is sometimes hard to understand each other. Therefore this telephone seems to be the solution to it other repeated sentences. Do you know if they do deliver everywhere in Europe or just in the states or is there a regulation? Thanks in advance
Hi Julius,
I think they probably do especially now with the pandemic making the world one giant marketplace. I will look into this for you in detail and contact you later with the information.
Ceci
Hi Ceci,
This is a great article that not only brings awareness to seniors with hearing loss but to anyone who has suffered a hearing impairment. I was a property manager in the past with a resident who was partially deaf and she really relied on flashing phones for being able to know when she had an incoming call. To me, it’s an important detail when looking for a landline for the hear impaired. Luckily most smart phones have that built in as well.
I also like that it suppresses background noise. I remember screaming on the phone with my grandmother sometimes so that she could hear me more clearly without the distraction of background noises. I wish I would’ve known about these then!
Awesome Haley. Please get your grandparents to subscribe to our newsletter. The more they read, the more they will understand the changes that are happening.
Ceci
Thank you very much, Ceci, for an interesting article.
I think I love all of the phones, actually, but for me, it is also important to have rechargeable batteries. I am very much for sustainable items.
I know that we all age not well in this world, eating and living wrong takes our health at an early stage.
However, it is great to be able to purchase supporting products so that life is livable again. I don’t see very well and need an operation, but I try to avoid it, so I am always very thankful for people who have great advice to help me improve my sight.
Luckily I still hear very well, but of course, this might decrease as I age. My lifestyle is a very healthy one, actually a natural one, so I try to avoid eating food to make my eyesight worse.
Because I am a nurse, I see many older people who don’t see or hear very well, but I believe this is a lifestyle problem. In Africa, there is a tribe that ages so well because of their diet and lifestyle, so I believe it is us causing the problem.:)
Hello Sylvia,
Eating healthy is definitely helpful for us all and you certainly know about that, but aging is a natural process we cannot avoid. Computer and phone usage as well as long hours of watching television greatly contribute to poor vision. A lifestyle of ear phone usage and listening to loud music is also not very helpful either. Thankfully, gadgets such as these specially designed phones help to improve the quality of life of seniors and the elderly.
Ceci