I have an AT&T cordless that has been in use for over 30 years. The batteries have been changed once or twice, and the buttons are getting a bit stiff, but it works and has better fidelity than the newer phones. It also is big enough you can tuck it under your ear/chin for hands-free operation.
Trivia: it’s the model they used on-camera in Friends.
I worked for BestBuy for years and was in charge of keeping track of the phones the departments used on a daily basis. These were the phones the departments used 10+ hours a day, off the charging base for prolonged periods, dropped a lot, carried around by employees and used a couple hundred feet from their bases around metal fixtures and a lot of electricity.
These phones were taken directly out of stock (Sony, AT&T, Uniden, Panasonic, VTech, etc.) and department managers were free to choose whatever phone they wanted. I didn’t care, I just kept track of them and wrote them off. If the phone crapped out they brought me the dead one and a new one (of their choice) to replace it.
Didn’t take more than 1 year before every department went to Panasonic. Simply put they just had the best combination of durability, reception, and battery life.
Biggest problem I had with Panasonic was when the battery reached EOL. I could not find a replacement battery & ended up with a Uniden phone in its place.
I have since acquired a Phillips DECT cordless for my office use. Its pretty nice. Less interference with wireless network using that. No feedback on durability yet, though.
We’re on our second Uniden. The first one lasted for over 10 years and was wonderful. The weight of the handset is “right” (I cannot* stand* a phone that’s too light). The sound is clear, controls work well, etc.
The one I have now is even better. I have a speaker in the base and then another base and phone in the other room that works off this. And I can add up to 10 additional bases. Also, I can talk for 10 hours or more before the battery craps out on me. Loooove the Uniden! It’s a little more expensive, but worth every penny.