The Philips VOIP841, which lets you place and receive calls over both Skype-no computer needed-and standard telephone lines, joins two similar phones that have recently come to the market-the Linksys iPhone Dual-Mode Internet Telephony kit for Skype-CIT40...

No PC needed. Dual phone. Supports multiple Skype features. Color screen.

Fairly expensive.

An attractive phone system that will fit in with your home decor and lets you make Skype and traditional landline calls without a computer.

Packet8 offers solid quality calls at dirt-cheap prices; just don't expect many frills.

Solid call quality, even during file transfers. Dirt-cheap if you prepay annually. Free calling to eight countries; low rates to others. Supports seven-digit dialing.

Sign-up process can be confusing. Faxing didn't work. Limited choice of phone numbers. E911 service costs extra. No Web access to voice mail. Phone adapter has only one line jack.

Despite its bargain-basement price, Packet8 delivers premium-level calling. Just don't expect a premium selection of calling features.

This impressive dual-mode PC-free phone system can handle both landline and Skype phone calls with aplomb.

No PC needed. Can make both VoIP and analog calls. Supports multiple Skype features. Color screen. Attractive design.

Expensive. Router required for sharing Internet connection between device and PCs.

The Linksys CIT400's more physically attractive sibling, this impressive dual-mode PC-free phone system lets you make both traditional analog calls and VoIP phone calls, via Skype.

The handset portion of this hardware package shares some traits with Apple's recently announced buzz-generating iPhone-both make and receive calls, have color screens, and lay claim to a disputed moniker-but there the similarities cease. The Linksys iPhon...

No PC needed. Dual phone. Supports multiple Skype features. Color screen.

Fairly expensive, plain-Jane design that doesn't entirely mesh with other home networking products.

This great dual-mode, PC-free phone system may lack pizzazz, but it performs quite well, letting you make both traditional analog and Skype calls.

like a phone, it has an automated softphone on board and supports one Vonage phone line. I was initially quite skeptical, but the phone is surprisingly simple to set up and works quite well.

Small. Device itself is inexpensive and easy to use. Generally good sound and voice quality. 256MB of flash storage memory in addition to phone. Bright orange color makes it a bit harder to misplace than other USB thumbdrives. USB-powered.

Requires it's own Vonage service plan. One-size-that-doesn't-fit-all earbuds. Lack of noise cancellation makes for difficulty communicating in a noisy environment. No Mac or Linux support.

This easy-to-use softphone on a USB thumbdrive is a handy communication tool, especially for those who already have Vonage service.

It may cost less and deliver longer talk time than the competing Netgear device, but the Belkin Wi-Fi Phone for Skype still isn't a bargain--and certainly nothing to call home about.

Much less expensive than the comparable Netgear device. Makes fairly clear calls. Supports both WEP and WPA security. Easy to use.

Still pricey. On public-access Wi-Fi, works only with the rare, completely open network that requires no browser authentication. Lacks USB-to-PC connectivity. Entering contact info and the like using the phone keypad is cumbersome.

As with the competing Netgear product, this is a nifty toy for the gadget fiend who has plenty of disposable income and doesn't mind limited connectivity options. Others should save their money.

This attractive Skype WiFi Phone from Netgear is okay for the gadget fiend who has plenty of disposable income and doesn't mind a very short battery life and limited connectivity options.

Attractive iPod-like design. Good audio quality. Easy to set up and configure. Works well on personal home or small-office Wi-Fi networks where you have access to the configuration and/or security settings. Clear, bright color screen. Intuitive Skype inte...

Expensive. Poor battery life. Network must be completely open and not require browser authentication to work with a public Wi-Fi network (a rarity). Difficult to enter passwords and WEP keys using phone keypad. Lacks USB-to-PC connectivity.

This attractive Skype WiFi Phone from Netgear is a nifty toy for the gadget fiend who has plenty of disposable income and doesn't mind a very short battery life and limited connectivity options. Everyone else should hold off until the next release.

NetZero Voice, a Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone service provides local and long distance calling over dial-up and broadband Internet connections.The NetZero Voice Internet phone service works with virtually any ISP service, dial-up or broadband...

Not yet reviewed by editors.

Easy to use. Doesn't interfere with wireless networks. Good range. Displays entire Skype contact list, including online status, on handset.

Cordless handset can't pick up a call previously answered or that originated on the computer using the Skype client. Limited to Skype.

If you've been waiting for a wireless Skype-enabled phone, the CIT200 is it.

Excellent value combining voice and video at one of the lowest rates on the market. The initial cost of the videophone makes it very affordable. Simple to set up.

Requires a two-year commitment and carries a hefty cancellation fee. Lack of an analog jack means that all calls must be made from the videophone, and you can't distribute your VoIP service to other locations in your home.

The Packet8 Videophone service provides a great deal of value at a relatively low initial cost, if you can live with the limitations. 8X8 also offers a number of voice-only VoIP plans starting at $19.95/month.