Our Top SIP Desk Phone Picks for 2026
| Yealink T31P | Yealink T54W | Grandstream GXP2170 | Polycom VVX 450 | Yealink T41S | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SIP Accounts | 2 | 16 | 6 | 12 | 6 |
| Screen | 3.7" greyscale | 4.3" colour | 4.3" colour | 4.3" colour | 2.7" greyscale |
| PoE | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Basic reception desk or single-line office | Power users, reception, small contact centre | Multi-line office desk, feature-rich mid-range | Executive desk, high call volume | General office, mid-range |
| Est. Price (AUD) | ~$80-100 | ~$200-250 | ~$160-200 | ~$250-300 | ~$110-140 |
What Makes a Good SIP Phone for Australian Business?
For Australian businesses deploying a hosted VoIP phone system, the most important SIP phone criteria are: Power over Ethernet (PoE) support, which eliminates the need for separate power adapters; G.722 wideband codec support for HD audio quality on good NBN connections; compatibility with your hosted PBX provider's auto-provisioning system; and screen size appropriate for the number of lines and features you need.Power over Ethernet (PoE): Why It Matters
Power over Ethernet allows the phone to receive power through the Ethernet cable that also carries network data. This eliminates the need for a power adapter at each desk, simplifies cabling, and means the phone continues to function during a power outage if your switch is connected to a UPS. All the phones in our recommended list support PoE.
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If your office network switch does not support PoE, you have two options: replace the switch with a PoE-capable model (recommended for any new office network install), or purchase PoE injectors for individual phone ports. PoE injectors are a cost-effective option for small deployments.
Yealink T31P: Best Entry-Level SIP Phone
The Yealink T31P is the most widely deployed entry-level SIP phone in Australian businesses. It handles 2 SIP accounts, has a 3.7 inch greyscale display, supports G.722 HD audio, and is PoE-powered. Setup time is minimal when using a hosted PBX provider that supports Yealink auto-provisioning (which most Australian providers do). At roughly $80-100 AUD, it is the obvious choice for a general office desk where the user makes and receives standard calls.Yealink T54W: Best Mid-Range SIP Phone
The Yealink T54W supports 16 SIP accounts, has a 4.3 inch colour touchscreen, built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and 27 programmable buttons. It is the standard recommendation for reception desks, executive desks, and any user who handles high call volumes or monitors multiple extensions. Its built-in Wi-Fi allows flexible placement without requiring an Ethernet cable run, though PoE via Ethernet is still preferred for reliability.Grandstream GXP2170: Best Feature-Rich Mid-Range Option
The Grandstream GXP2170 offers 6 SIP accounts, a 4.3 inch colour screen, 48 virtual BLF (Busy Lamp Field) keys, and PoE support. It is a strong alternative to the Yealink T54W for users who want extensive BLF monitoring of other extensions without the touch-screen interface. Grandstream is well-supported by Australian hosted PBX providers for auto-provisioning.Australian Provisioning Notes
All the phones recommended above are compatible with the provisioning systems used by major Australian hosted PBX providers. Before purchasing, confirm with your hosted PBX provider that they support your chosen phone model and can supply a provisioning URL or configuration file. Pre-configured phones (shipped by your provider ready to plug in) are available from most hosted PBX providers and are the lowest-friction option for businesses without IT staff.For businesses deploying an on-premise PBX, all the phones above support manual SIP configuration via their web interface.How We Tested
Do I need a SIP phone or can I use a softphone?
Both options work with hosted VoIP systems. A SIP desk phone is a dedicated hardware device that provides a reliable, consistent experience similar to a traditional phone. A softphone is an application on a computer or mobile device. Softphones reduce hardware cost but mean phone functionality is tied to the computer being on and the application running. For most Australian businesses, desk phones for reception and heavy users, with softphones for occasional users, is the practical approach.
Will my existing analogue phones work with a VoIP system?
Traditional analogue phones (the kind with RJ11 phone connectors) can connect to a VoIP system using an ATA (Analogue Telephone Adapter). However, this adds a device to maintain and limits the features available (no HD audio, limited BLF, no provisioning integration). For a new VoIP deployment, purchasing SIP phones that are natively compatible with your hosted PBX is the more practical long-term approach.
What is BLF (Busy Lamp Field) and do I need it?
BLF keys on a SIP phone show the real-time status of other extensions (ringing, on call, or available) as coloured lights or indicators. They also let you speed dial or pick up calls for those extensions. BLF is most useful for reception desks that monitor and transfer calls across multiple staff. For general-purpose office phones, BLF is useful but not essential.
How long do SIP desk phones last?
Quality SIP desk phones from Yealink, Grandstream, and Polycom typically last 5 to 8 years in a standard office environment. The limiting factor is usually firmware support. Manufacturers stop releasing security updates for older models after several years. Yealink and Grandstream have generally maintained firmware support for their mid-range phones for 5+ years post-release.
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