3 Companies Bringing Back The Home Phone (Without The Landline)

Picture yourself tethered to your kitchen wall by a long, coiled cord, picking up your landline with no clue who was calling or whether they wanted to talk to you, your sibling, or even one of your parents. It's a reality that many Gen Xers and older millennials remember fondly, and it's a feeling that some modern parents hope to bring back for their kids.

Some homes still rely on an old-fashioned, corded phone, and of course many businesses remain tethered as well, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 78% of U.S. adults have completely ditched the landline and rely solely on cellular services. Senior citizens lead in landline use, but retro tech is taking off with younger generations. From film cameras to vinyl records, the phrase "what goes around comes around" has never been more true, and soon the same may be said for the family phone.

Almost every young person wants a cell phone, and it can be difficult to tear kids away from screens. From texting to Fortnite to YouTube, temptation is everywhere. To keep kids off screens and encourage a more family-oriented atmosphere, some families are opting to bring back a simple house phone, and you don't need to pay for a landline to do it. Some are geared directly to kids, making screenless phone communication fun again, while others are offering simple, Wi-Fi-powered lines to anyone who prefers what is now considered an old-fashioned form of communication. Here are three companies that can help you and your family connect with relatives and friends the way we all used to, without a screen.

Wiley offers Wi-Fi-based calling that is designed with kids in mind. The company's mission is "to safely give kids and families the freedom to call friends & family without a cell phone-based childhood." These phones work just like a landline but don't require a wired connection. Users get a unique phone number and voicemail, along with speed dial and caller ID so they don't have to answer any unwanted calls. Parents can even set up the phones so that calls are restricted to only approved contacts, making it an even safer option for kids.

The Wiley Buddy WiFi Home Phone is available in either white or black for $89, plus shipping costs. Once you receive the phone, you simply plug it in, complete the initial installation with the included Ethernet cable, then connect it to your Wi-Fi. You will have to create an account, but then your phone is active and ready for use. The service plan is free for the first month, then it costs $9.95 per month with no contract. Wiley provides unlimited nationwide calling, and you can assign your address to your phone number so that when 911 is dialed from your phone, first responders will see your address even if the caller is unable to provide it.

The Wiley phone is a simple solution to a problem that many parents grapple with, but it does have a few downsides. If your Wi-Fi stops working or your power goes out, you won't be able to use the service. It's also stationary, meaning kids can't take it with them when they leave the house.

You may already use Ooma in the office, but the company also offers residential phone services, including a new product called MyPhone that is designed specifically with kids in mind. The company's home phone services require an Ooma Telo, currently available for a one-time fee of $79.99. This device is plugged into your router for a hardwired connection. Buyers can also opt for the wireless Ooma Telo Air for $109.99. Basic phone service is free, with no monthly subscription fee, although users have to pay monthly taxes and fees based on their location. MyPhone comes with its own phone and Wi-Fi base station for $99.99.

MyPhone for kids offers unlimited calling in the U.S. for $7.99 per month. It has features kids should enjoy, like a party line for three-way calls, voicemail, call screening, and a Trusted Circle for approved friends and family. This allows parents to ensure that only approved individuals can call. Parents can also add quiet hours and monitor incoming and outgoing calls. MyPhone has address-based 911 that gives first responders your registered address.

Kids can choose from five different phone colors, which have the sleek look of a vintage trimline phone. Ooma also offers a household phone bundle and a senior phone bundle. The option for seniors comes with advanced call blocking to protect from scammers, along with 24/7 support and automatic 911 alerts for friends and family. The phone has large, backlit buttons for easy visibility, a loud ringer, and hearing aid compatibility. Ooma products are sold online and are one of the cool gadgets available at Costco worth considering for your home.

Younger generations may not understand the reference, but others may remember playing phone across the yard with two tin cans connected by a long string. Tin Can phones are bright and colorful Wi-Fi home phone devices that are made especially for kids. Tin Can offers two plans: a "Can 2 Can" plan that only allows your phone to call other Tin Can phones for free, and a Party Line plan that lets users dial both other Tin Can phones and regular outside numbers, including cell phones, for $9.99 per month after the first free month. Both plans support 911 calls.

Tin Can is a safe choice for kids of all ages, but it is clearly geared to younger children. Parents must approve all contacts in the Tin Can mobile app for calls to come through. Once you receive the phone, you simply plug it in and connect to your Wi-Fi using the parent companion app. It does not need a phone jack. Buyers have a choice of four colors, and the phone costs $100 and currently ships in two weeks. The company also lists the $100 Tin Can Flashback, which more closely resembles a phone from the 1980s, although it's not currently available. You can purchase more than one phone, and each device will have its own number. This option is more limited than other Wi-Fi-based phones, but user reviews praise its fun vibe and free basic Can 2 Can plan.

The landline really is a relic of the past, but that doesn't mean that the family home phone is as well. More and more parents are searching for creative ways to keep their kids away from screens while still allowing them to connect with friends and family. With that in mind, we chose family-focused Wi-Fi phones that don't require a landline for service. Unlike other VoIP services, these phones are mostly geared toward children; however, they work for all users of any age.