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AT&T TL86103 Review

The priciest phone of the bunch, it has plenty of features but mediocre range
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AT&T TL86103 Review (The AT&T TL86103 cordless phone.)
The AT&T TL86103 cordless phone.
Credit: AT&T
Price:  $165 List
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Manufacturer:   AT&T
By David Wise and Austin Palmer  ⋅  Dec 20, 2021
60
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#6 of 9
  • Sound Quality - 30% 7.0
  • Range - 25% 4.0
  • Ease of Use - 20% 5.0
  • Features - 15% 8.0
  • Battery Life - 10% 7.0

Our Verdict

The AT&T TL86103 is a decent phone, but it costs substantially more than any other phone we tested. While it performed well in our tests, and was particularly feature-rich, it is hard to justify its MSRP with its abilities, especially when compared to some of the other models that we tested that cost a little over half as much and performed comparably.
REASONS TO BUY
Tons of features
REASONS TO AVOID
Sub par range

Compare to Similar Products

(change comparison)
 
at&t tl86103
This Product
AT&T TL86103
Awards  Top Pick Award
Great Sound Quality at a Great Price
  Best Buy Award
Best Bang for Your Buck
Price $165 List
$146.99 at Amazon		$66 List
$55.95 at Amazon		$61 List
$49.95 at Amazon		$80 List
$56.95 at Amazon		$45 List
$36.62 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line An expensive phone packed with features and good sound quality, but falls short on rangeThis phone is a fantastic option if you want a bare-bones product that is easy to use with impressive sound quality and rangeThis phone performed moderately well across the board and usually retails at a reasonable priceThis middling phone is basic in its functions and inexpensiveGreat phone for a great price
Rating Categories AT&T TL86103 AT&T CL82207 AT&T DL72219 AT&T BL102 AT&T EL51203
Sound Quality (30%)
7.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
6.0
Range (25%)
4.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
6.0
Ease of Use (20%)
5.0
7.0
8.0
6.0
5.0
Features (15%)
8.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
Battery Life (10%)
7.0
7.0
3.0
7.0
4.0
Specs AT&T TL86103 AT&T CL82207 AT&T DL72219 AT&T BL102 AT&T EL51203
Link to Cell Phone Yes No Yes No No
Caller ID Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Caller ID Announcement Yes Yes No Yes No
Measured Unobstructed Range 700 ft. 840 ft. 840 ft. 840 ft. 840 ft.
Measured Obstructed Range 180 ft. 300 ft. 280 ft. 290 ft. 220 ft.
Call Waiting Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Call Block Dial *60 Smart Call Blocker* Up to 1,000 Yes Dial *60
Expandable Handsets Up to 12 Up to 12 Up to 5 Up to 5 Up to 5
Corded (Phone) Base Yes No No No No
Speaker Phone on Base Yes No No Yes No
Speaker Phone on Handset Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Phone Book Capacity 200 (6000 cell entries) 50 1000 50 50
Speed Dial No Yes No No Yes
Redial Last 10 Numbers Last 10 Numbers Last 10 Numbers Yes Last 10 Numbers
Wall Mountable Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Mute Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Hold Yes No No No No
Any Key Answer Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Push to Talk (PTT) Yes Yes No No No
Backlit Display Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Eco Mode Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Silent/Quiet Mode Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Voice Command Yes No No No No
HD Audio w/ Equalizer Yes Yes No Yes No
Lighted Keypad Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Optional Belt Clip Yes No No No No
Headset Jack Yes No No No No
Additional Lines 2 Line Capable No No No No
RoHS Compliant Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Answering Machine Yes Yes Yes Yes No

Our Analysis and Test Results

Performance Comparison


at&t tl86103 - one of the most expensive phones that we tested, the tl86103 sit on...
One of the most expensive phones that we tested, the TL86103 sit on its charging base.
Credit: Kat Elliot

Sound Quality


This model performed well in our sound quality test, showing an above-average performance, closely following our top-ranking models by a single point. Our panel of listeners felt that this phone was very clear, just a little bit of static keeping it away from the top score.

Range


The TL86103 scored below average. This model made it 700' in our open range test, becoming extremely broken-up and intermittent shortly after that. This was about 140' shorter than our top scoring models.


Based on its uninspiring performance in the line-of-sight test, we didn't have the highest expectations going into the obstructed test. The TL86103 proved us right, delivering some lackluster results overall. The call began to cut in and out with only 180' between the handset and the base station when the signal was obstructed by multiple walls.

Ease of Use


This model scored right in the middle for ease of use. The handset did have a backlit keypad, with blue numbers that we felt were aesthetically pleasing, but overall it was a bit dim and was only illuminated enough to make dialing out a number easy.

at&t tl86103 - while it only lit up the number pad and screen, this model would be...
While it only lit up the number pad and screen, this model would be easy enough to dial in a dark room, but don't count on easily changing any other settings.
Credit: Kat Elliot

We found that the ringer for the lost handset function was on the quieter side, measured at 61 dBa on our meter at 6' away. The display became hard for us to read at 5' away from the handset, and almost impossible at 6'.

at&t tl86103 - the tl86103 proved very difficult to read, hard to read at 5' away...
The TL86103 proved very difficult to read, hard to read at 5' away and completely illegible at 6'.
Credit: Kat Elliot

This model ranked about average at navigating through its various menus and slightly above at inputting names to the phonebook, but this phone excelled at linking to a cell phone. It would easily reconnect if the mobile device was brought out of range of the base, and will announce the name of the person calling if the directory is already downloaded.

Features


This model is feature-rich. It can host up to 12 expandable handsets and is also capable of linking to mobile devices. Additionally, there is a corded handset on the main module. This product also has an answering machine, and the handsets include a belt clip and headphone jack for adding an external headset for hands-free operation.

Battery Life


The TL86103 had above-average battery life. This model lasted for 13 hours and 32 minutes in our talk time test, couple with a manufactured claimed standby time of up to 7 days and a charging time of 11 hours to fully fill the handset battery. Surprisingly, the TL86103 surpasses the manufacturer claimed talk time by 6 hours and 32 minutes.

Value


The TL86103 is the most expensive phone we reviewed, and while it had an above-average performance in our tests, we found the high price unpalatable, severely reducing the value of this model.

Conclusion


While this is a capable model of cordless phone, it is hard to recommend this due to its high price, as well as being outperformed in every category that we rated by a different model. This model of phone is capable of linking to mobile devices and is capable of voice command when hooked up to a computer.

— David Wise and Austin Palmer
 
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