Digital voice (BT) additional handsets

It's time [once again] to change my cordless handsets... since the batteries have started to fail.

This time; I thought of going for more "Essential Digital" handsets (like the one BT gave out for free), instead of replacing the entire cordless setup, with the same type of thing that needs to have the "base unit" physically plugged into a phone line.

... At that point; I came up against a brick wall and the pointless Google search coming back with every type of regular/standard cordless phone... because they're all "digital"... just not the right type of digital!!!

Since the information on the BT website is non-existent and BT only supply a single "essential digital" handset (even if you ask for the advanced one; they still send you the cheaper option); does anyone know if it's possible to pair additional digital-only handsets to the SmartHub2 ?

The "essential digital" handsets generally only seem to be available on fleabay.

BT (and various other stores) sell cordless "essential" handsets, but these appear to be different to the ones BT send out [for free] with their full digital packages.

The fact BT don't appear to sell the additional handsets, suggests either they're not available (apart from people who've got them for free, don't want them, so are flogging them on fleabay)...
... or that it's only possible to pair one handset, to the SmartHub2...
... or not enough people want additional handsets; for BT to bother selling them, separately.

BTW; well done to BT for having two different handsets (both called "essential", but are physically different and one plugs into a standard phone socket)... a stroke of genius, there

Edited by adebov (Tue 11-Jan-22 13:27:27)

In reply to a post by adebov:

It's time [once again] to change my cordless handsets... since the batteries have started to fail.

Have you looked into changing the batteries? Possible on many handsets.

You can buy handsets from www.bt.com/dvequipment

Assuming it’s the handset in this guide https://www.bt.com/content/dam/bt/help/digital-voice... it’s just 2 AAA batteries. The IKEA ones are supposedly quite good (they are same cells as eneloop it seems) and £5 for 4, probably better than the no name cells that are included

This one?
https://www.bt.com/help/user-guides/phones/digital-v...

There's a phone number where you can buy additional handsets here:
https://www.bt.com/help/landline/digital-voice--will...

They're a bit pricy at £40 each though.

In reply to a post by mwarby:

The IKEA ones are supposedly quite good (they are same cells as eneloop it seems) and £5 for 4

I'm using IKEA AA rechargeables in a few things and can confirm they are as good as everyone says.

In reply to a post by adebov:

even if you ask for the advanced one; they still send you the cheaper option

Not my experience.

Both Digital Voice orders I've placed came with the handsets that were ordered.
2 x Essential handsets on 1 order and 1 x advanced (alexa enabled) handset on the other order.

The advanced handset took about 8 weeks to arrive but the essentials handsets arrived prior to activation.

Both orders were placed roughly 6 months ago.

I seem to remember reading somewhere that the new smart hub can act like a normal dect base station, so most dect phones should work with it

Edited by threelegs (Tue 11-Jan-22 16:25:57)

THe Alexa ones according to https://www.bt.com/content/dam/bt/help/digital-voice... still just use AAA NiMH batteries. Would seem a pity to replace the whole phone just to replace the batteries

No; I'm not saying the batteries have already failed in the digital voice phone (it would be going straight back, if they'd failed after a few months).
It's on the old DECT cordless phones I've had for years; so the option is to replace their rechargeable batteries (which are also AAA NI-MH) or take the option to get rid of the wired base-station and change to all digital phones.

I expect I'll go for the cheaper option (better than paying £40 per handset) and swap out the batteries!