VoIP adapters—also called Analog Telephone Adapters (ATAs)—are the bridge between analog telephone services and the network that carries your phone calls.
VoIP provides a flexible and high-quality phone service solution through your internet connection. However, you can’t plug any old telephone into your router and expect it to work. VoIP adapters make using VoIP services with your existing phone equipment possible.
Many businesses use VoIP adapters so that they can continue using the devices they’ve already invested in, and with our professional recommendations below, you can ensure that your VoIP setup will be reliable for your business operations.
A Quick Note: How VoIP Adapters Work
So, you know that using a VoIP adapter means you don’t have to buy new devices to use a VoIP system. It works because the adapter converts sound into the appropriate form so that the destination device or network receives it properly.
VoIP adapters convert an analog voice signal into a digital one, compress it, and then break it down into packets that get transferred across the network. When receiving sound, they decompress those packets into a digital signal, converting it into an analog signal for your device to receive.
The Best Single FXS VoIP Adapters
Single FXS port VoIP adapters allow users to use one landline connection with them. They are typically the most affordable VoIP adapters, but their capabilities are limited to one phone.
These three single FXS VoIP adapters support the T.38 fax relay standard, which allows users to send and receive faxes over the internet.
1. Grandstream HT801 ATA
The Grandstream HT801 is perfect for both home and standard offices. It provides a reliable VoIP telephone solution, and with its advanced features, users can easily utilize it for commercial voice service deployment on a small or large scale.
It’s a great solution for traveling and remote employees who don’t have access to the company’s system to join in using existing analog lines in hotel rooms and home offices.
Grandstream HT801 ATA: Top Features
- It has a compact size and modern design
- It features advanced VoIP functionalities like multi-language voice prompt, flexible dial plans, call forwarding, 3-way conferencing, and more
- It uses high-quality encryption, and each unit has a unique security certificate
2. Obihai OBi300 Single Port ATA
The Obihai OBi300 is a great single port analog telephone adapter, and it supports using analog devices with basically any SIP trunking provider.
It’s both simple to set up and to use. If you’re using it with a SIP service provider, you’ll have access to features like speed dial, message waiting indication, call recording, forwarding, history, and more. It’s a perfect solution for businesses that need a mini-phone system.
Obihai OBi300 ATA: Top Features
- With HTTPS redirects to SP servers, it features zero touch configuration
- The OBiTALK management portal helps make setup and configuration hassle-free
- It has a USB port and an OBiWiFi dongle for enhanced placement and wireless use
3. Patton SN101 SmartNode Single FXS Port ATA
The Patton SmartNode has a single FXS port to integrate either a fax machine or analog telephone with your VoIP system.
It supports open SIP communication protocols, so you get a broad choice of VoIP platforms to use. This VoIP router also supports standard features like call forwarding and waiting, high-quality sound, and more.
Patton SN101 SmartNode ATA: Top Features
- It offers password protection and a web configuration interface
- It supports 3-way local conference calls
- It’s compact, which allows for easy placement
The Best Dual FXS VoIP Adapters
Unlike single FXS VoIP adapters, dual adapters allow you to connect two devices with your IP network. You can connect a fax machine and a phone or two telephones. If you need more than a single device, dual FXS adapters make for a more logical choice for your business.
1. Cisco SPA112
The Cisco SPA112 adapter provides quality and investment protection at a reasonable price. It’s easy to install, set up, and use.
Customers of Cisco can easily extend and protect their investment in conference speakerphones, analog telephones, and fax machines while controlling their migration to VoIP voice solutions.
Cisco SPA112: Top Features
- It offers great voice quality with its advanced QoS capabilities and industry-leading voice SIP pack
- It features reliable faxing with simultaneous data and voice use
- It’s compact enough to easily fit on a desktop or mount on a wall
2. Obihai OBi202
The Obihai OBi202 adapter provides support for up to four SIP accounts, and that includes Google Voice accounts.
It’s a unique VoIP adapter because of this, and it allows you to take your international communications further while still keeping your costs low. In fact, because this adapter allows you to use dozens of different VoIP services, the OBi202 is a perfect bridge to landline phone features at a much more affordable price.
Obihai OBi202 Adapter: Top Features
- It works excellent with Google Voice, allowing users to make free or low-rate calls all over the world
- It has flexible placement options due to its USB slot that allows WiFi adapters
- It offers seamless mobile phone pairing with a Bluetooth adapter
3. Grandstream HT802 Dual FXS VoIP Adapter
The Grandstream HT802 is compact and can handle anything from commercial applications to individual VoIP deployments.
It supports two SIP profiles, and the adapter protects your accounts and calls with high-quality encryption technology. It also features a failover SIP server so that you don’t have to worry about calls dropping due to a lost server connection.
Grandstream HT802 VoIP Adapter: Top Features
- It supports a wide range of formats for caller ID
- It offers 3-way voice conferencing
- It has audio enhancements built in, including jitter buffer and echo cancellation
The Best VoIP Adapters With Built-In Routers
If you don’t already have a router for your VoIP setup (or if you only have one Ethernet connection), you’ll need a VoIP adapter that comes with dual Ethernet ports so that you can connect to your network.
1. Obihai OBi302 Dual FXS ATA With QoS and Router
The OBi302 adapter comes with two FXS connections so that you can mix and match whatever you need it for, like two analog phones, two fax machines, or one of each, and connect to the internet to make VoIP calls.
It also has two RJ45 ports so that you can connect your broadband router and a second IP device like a computer.
Obihai OBi302 Dual FXS: Top Features
- It features an integrated 2-port router that supports OBiWiFi, OBiBT, and has seamless QoS
- It offers cloud-based management of your devices through the OBiTALK portal, which gives you control and visibility over your deployed VoIP adapters
- This VoIP adapter supports zero touch configuration
2. Grandstream HT812 ATA
The Grandstream HT812 adapter has two FXS ports, and it’s an advanced telephone adapter that replaced their HT502 model.
As we expect from a Grandstream device, it offers exceptional voice quality in many applications and environments. Installation is simple because of its color-coded network port and integrated NAT router.
Grandstream HT812 ATA: Top Features
- Its built-in NAT router can handle speed up to 100 Mbps
- It has state-of-the-art encryption featuring a unique security certificate for each unit
- It offers 3-way voice conferencing
3. Cisco SPA122
The Cisco SPA122 VoIP adapter is the SPA2102’s direct replacement, and it provides the same reliability and call quality that we expect from a Cisco ATA.
This adapter is compact in design, and it’s compatible with data standards and international voice. You can use it across various business environments to better serve your customers and connect your staff. You can also disable the router function and use this adapter as a dual FXS.
Cisco SPA122 ATA: Top Features
- This adapter offers high-quality voice calls due to its advanced QoS capabilities
- It supports faxing with simultaneous data and voice use
- Its comprehensive feature set includes call waiting, call forwarding, voicemail, distinctive ring, caller ID, and more
- It’s easy to install, make changes, and deploy due to its web-based configuration
4. Grandstream HT814 ATA
The Grandstream HT814 adapter is the next step up from the company’s HT812 we mentioned earlier; it comes with four FXP ports.
This adapter is highly recommended if you need more than the dual ports that you get with the other model. It also replaced the HT502 and HT704 models that were discontinued. It allows users to connect their analog devices in a manageable and robust network, providing excellent voice quality thanks to its wide-band HD codec. It’s one of the most powerful communication solutions.
Grandstream HT814 ATA: Top Features
- It supports two SIP profiles, has four FXS ports, and two Gigabit ports
- It has a built-in NAT router that handles speeds up to 100 Mbps
- When used with the company’s UCM series of IP PBXs, it features zero configuration provisioning
Need a VoIP Adapter That Supports FXS and FXO?
Well, that’s the end of our list of the ten best VoIP adapters, but what if you need a solution that supports both FXS and FXO?
FXS ports are found on all of the above adapters, but FXO ports are what connect to regular telephone system lines. Some businesses prefer to use these adapters so that they have a landline backup if their internet or VoIP service goes down.
So, if you’re looking for a VoIP adapter that comes with both FXS and FXO ports, we’ve added two additional options for you to consider:
1. Patton SN102 ATA
The Patton SN102 adapter comes with one each of FXS and FXO ports. You can connect a fax machine or analog telephone along with a landline for fallback.
It also supports the open SIP communications protocol, giving you a wide range of choices for VoIP platforms to use.
Patton SN102 ATA: Top Features
- It offers 3-way conferencing
- Due to its dynamic jitter buffering and QoS controls, it offers exceptional sound quality
- It’s less than 4” by 4”, making it super compact
2. Poly OBi312 VoIP Adapter with USB
The Poly OBi312 adapter also comes with one FXS and one FXO port, allowing you to bring legacy equipment into your IP network and still connect to an outside phone line that enables remote calling.
With this adapter, you can save money on building infrastructure by adding more analog devices to your network.
Poly OBi312 Top Features:
- It uses an intuitive web-based interface so that you can easily manage the adapter
- It has a USB port to connect to Bluetooth or WiFi with an optional adapter
What About Accessories for VoIP Adapters?
Once you’ve chosen a VoIP adapter for your business, you might need to consider these two accessories to make your VoIP setup work even better:
VoIP Adapter Power Supply
If you’d like to always have a VoIP adapter power supply on hand—like to keep in multiple rooms or offices—and have a backup in the event that one stops working, it’s always a good idea to get a few extra power supplies from the manufacturer of your VoIP adapter.
Bluetooth/WiFi USB Adapter
Many of the VoIP adapters on this list can allow you to use your devices through cell service and a Bluetooth connection. If you want to use this option, the Obihai OBiBT is a great adapter to consider.
You can also turn your VoIP adapter into a wireless device that’s connected over the internet by using a WiFi adapter. The Obihai OBiWiFi5G is a great choice if that’s something you’re interested in doing.
Tips for Choosing the Right VoIP Adapter for Your Business
Before choosing the VoIP adapter you’ll use for your business, there are a few questions you should consider:
- How many phones will you need to connect to it?
- Are you going to need a router?
- Do you want to keep your old telephone service too?
- What level of compatibility and support do you need for your VoIP system?
- What’s your budget?
With those questions and our list of the best VoIP adapters, you’re sure to find the perfect one for your business’s needs.
Here at Momentum, we’re here to ensure that your VoIP service plans match your business needs perfectly. Book a meeting with our communications team and see how we can help!
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