Best Doro phones: “I’m a 78-year-old technophobe and these devices are ideal for me”

This phone from Doro is super simple to use with widely spaced keys for easier dialling and texting, along with a built-in torch, camera, an assistance button, and an FM radio. Although the screen is fairly small in comparison to modern day smartphones it does feature a wide display.

Tested by Jane Reed, aged 78: "The first thing I noticed about this phone was that you can't connect it to the internet. It's not a 'smartphone' so you can't use it to send emails or access the internet.

"It was very easy to set-up and reminded me of one the first mobile phones I had about 25 years ago. The main menu is very easy to access and navigate. The screen is very small but as you wouldn't be using it for the internet it's a perfectly adequate size for calling and texting.

"The buttons are very large and well spaced which I loved! It meant I wasn't accidentally pressing the wrong one with my swollen fingers. The ringtone is also very loud. Even if it was in the bottom of bag I hear it every time. This phone is also very reasonably priced at around £60. It's absolutely ideal for someone who just wants to be able to use it for calling and texting. The camera is nice addition but the quality of the photos is very poor."

The Doro 8200 is perfect choice for seniors who want to stay connected with family and friends. It features the Doro ClearSound which helps make conversations super clear for anyone beginning to experience age-related hearing loss. One press of the assistance button send alerts and automatically connects you with family or friends, should you fall or need urgent help. Don't worry if you're not tech savvy as the TeamViewer feature enables a person you invite to access and assist you with your phone directly from their own device.

You can also use voice commands rather than typing, so it's great for anyone with arthritis or mobility issues in their hands.

Tested by Jane Reed, aged 78: "I really liked this phone as it reminds me of an iphone but just a much simpler version. I found it very easy to setup but older people may need some help as you need to connect to the internet in order to use it.

"The apps icons on the phone are very large and clear and instead of just being an image they also say in words what they are, for example email, calls, text message. This is great feature for anyone unfamiliar with these standard icons.

"I'm hard of hearing and loved the fact I could sync this device with hearing aid. Even without being synced to my hearing aid the ringtone and message alerts were very loud and clear and I didn't miss a call or text.

"I loved the fact that if I got stuck and didn't know how to do something on my phone I could get someone to take over and show me what to do using Team Viewer.

"I did find the typing keyboard to be a bit slow and have fairly large fingers so it was sometimes hard to hit the right key. I did however use the voice command feature when sending texts and that made it so much easier.

"Overall, I think this is a great phone for a confident older person, who still wants to be connected to the internet but doesn't need, or want, a complicated and expensive smartphone."

This stylish flip phone that is super easy to use and will keep you well-informed The Doro 2880 features an external display that not only shows you who's calling right away, but also keeps you from missing any important reminders or notifications. There's a larger screen inside and although not a smartphone this model does have 4G.

Tested by Jane Reed, aged 78: "Like almost all of the Doro phones I've tested, this one was super easy to set-up. It's not connected to the internet so all I really needed to do was to insert the battery and sim card. It did take a while to work out how get the back of the phone off. This was also something I couldn't do myself and needed a friend to help with as I couldn't get my nail into the corner to remove the back. It would definitely be tricky for anyone with mobility issues in their hands.

"This phone has a large and backlit keyboard which is great if you have arthritic fingers like me. I was able to navigate the main menu very easily and find all the basic functions I needed like calls, messages etc. I really liked the external display on the front as it meant I could see who was calling before I actually answered the phone. The other functions I liked were the torch, the fact it's very loud, it's hearing aid compatible and the assistance button (which all Doro phones have) made me feel very safe indeed."

With a large screen display and big buttons, this Doro 2404 flip phone has a sleek, black design. It also features a camera with flash, Bluetooth, and an assistance button, making it perfect for those who don't need a fancy smartphone. Its soft-touch coating makes it easy to grip, and its folding clamshell design means you won't make any accidental calls from your pocket. 

This phone is perfect for young and old people who desire simplicity. It comes with a camera, a torch and FM Radio, so it's a good package for everyday needs and basic entertainment.

The Doro 6820 is a sim-free phone with a sleek clamshell design. It has a wide 2.8-inch screen. Features like hearing aid compatibility, HD voice, 3G capabilities, a 2MP camera, and an assistance button with GPS for emergencies make it the perfect choice for your elderly loved ones. The hearing aid compatibility makes it possible to adjust the audio settings of the phone to get loud and clear sound easily through your hearing device. Coupled with the HD voice technology, this phone makes life easier for those with hearing issues.  

It is very simple to set up and use. Navigating the menu should be simple and intuitive for anyone. With a talk time of up to seven hours and standby time of up to 380 hours, the battery life is fantastic as well

With all the standard features of a Doro, this phone also has an internal and external display. Any notifications will show on the small screen outside so you don't have to flip open your phone every time. It is hearing-aid compatible and comes with a camera, Bluetooth and a handy torch. 

The phone also comes with a GPS positioning mechanism where it sends a text message to the contacts in the number list when the assistance button is activated with the date, time, and location of the Doro user. Do note that this is a used model, but that also makes it much more budget-friendly.

This smartphone version from Doro comes with Google Assistant built-in with Maps, Gmail, YouTube etc. The phone also has a torch, high-speed Wi-Fi and a touchscreen. The audio boost function allows you to increase in-call volume by 20 per cent. Plus, you have the option to download other apps too. The 8100 Plus is intuitive and responsive, with a great battery life that will last you a while.

It is a good phone for internet browsing, banking and music streaming as well. This would be a great option if you're used to an Android device, or if you're looking for something highly intuitive and a little more simple than most smartphones.

The Doro 780X is designed to be as simple as possible for an elderly user. It has loud and clear sound, is hearing aid compatible and has a simplified three-button keypad to instantly call three contacts you rely on. While you can't send messages, you can receive them. The phone is also equipped with the Response by Doro service which enables 'responders' to be alerted to your needs, location and safety. 

You can press two buttons to call and one button to signal an emergency. One can also log on to the My Doro website and check the location of the phone remotely and whether it's charged. This phone will be a great option if you're worried about your own well-being or that of an elderly family member, especially if they live alone.

This Doro 1380 camera phone is ideal for anyone who requires a wider screen to message or view photos. It is very easy to use and comes with three keys to take you right to texting, a handy torch and a little camera. You can set up simple, single-key press shortcuts, and the emergency feature can call up to five numbers and text them as well, so it's a great device for peace of mind. The phone also ensures easier use with the widely spaced, convex keys. Plus, it has an FM radio for your entertainment.