Grandstream GRP2603Three lines on a single-line budget.

Why the GRP2603 is on the catalog.

The GRP2603 is the sweet spot of Grandstream's entry tier. The GRP2601 / GRP2602 below it skimp on ethernet (10/100 only) and line count (two SIP accounts, two hard keys); the GRP2612 above it costs more but does not actually give you more lines. The GRP2603 splits the difference: three SIP accounts, six BLF-capable keys, gigabit ports — all for roughly $80.

It is the phone we recommend for small-office desks where the user actually picks up multiple lines per day — reception desks at a 5-10 person business, sales-floor desks where you need a personal line and a hunt-group line side by side, lawyer / accountant offices with a main number and a direct number that need to be visible simultaneously. The six dual-color line keys mean you can put three SIP lines on the left, three BLF buddy keys on the right, and have everything you need on the home screen.

Where it stops being the right phone: anywhere you need more than three SIP accounts simultaneously (jump to the GRP2613 / GRP2614 — 16 lines), anywhere you want Bluetooth or a USB headset (step up to the GRP2614 — same money tier, completely different feature set), or anywhere the user expects to navigate a long directory on screen. The 2.48-inch panel is fine for caller ID, mediocre for browsing 200 contacts.