The AT&T EP5632 5.8-GHz digital cordless answering system is a very nice phone, but the fact that it has Bluetooth gives it a real advantage over the myriad of competitors.

The $99 EP5632 is manufactured by VTech for AT&T. Standard features include color display, digital answering system, caller ID/call waiting, handset speakerphone, 50 name/number address book and expandability to as many as 12 handsets.

AT&T

The AT&T EP5632 5.8-GHz digital cordless answering system has an advantage over its myriad competitors: Bluetooth.

Those features are nice, but you can find those on 50 different models. What separates this phone from the pack is Bluetooth.

I'm a huge fan of Bluetooth and its convenience. My collection of Bluetooth headsets is quite large.

I've long wanted to be able to use my favorite Bluetooth headset with my home phone, and the EP5632 makes that happen.

But the EP5632 takes things one step further – the handsets of the phone can act as a Bluetooth headset for your cellphone.

This may not sound sexy, but it works like this: You come home from a long day at work and put your cellphone in its charger. The cellphone and EP5632 are paired up, and your cellphone ringing causes the EP5632's handsets to ring at the same time. Therefore, you can pick up your cell calls on any EP5632 handset in the house.

You can also place calls through your cellphone using the EP5632 handsets.

The EP5632 can connect up to eight Bluetooth devices, but only two can be paired at any one time.

This is the perfect phone for the family that wants a cellphone to be the only phone.

The EP5632 works equally well with or without a land line attached. In fact, for most of my review time, I only used the cellphone.

Where this comes in especially handy is when cellphone reception is spotty in your home. You can locate the cellphone in an area of good reception, and the base of the EP5632 can be positioned within 30 feet. AT&T EP5632 ANSWERING SYSTEM

Pros: Full-featured 5.8-GHz wireless phone. Bluetooth extends cellphone convenience.

Cons: None.

Bottom line: If the Bluetooth features appeal to you, this is a great choice.