magicJack Review

Laptop Mag Verdict

This pocket-sized device lets you place unlimited local and long distance calls for a fraction of the cost of a traditional landline.

Pros

  • +

    Easy setup

  • +

    Call quality better than cellular

  • +

    Lots of extra features

Cons

  • -

    Not quite as crisp as true landline

  • -

    PC must be turned on to make calls

Why you can trust Laptop Mag Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

If you've pondered ditching your landline because of exorbitant phone bills, magicJack just may be for you. It's an unassuming cigarette lighter-sized plug-and-play USB telephony device that offers unlimited local and long distance calling within the U.S. and Canada (international dialing expected by the end of the year). We were pleasantly surprised with how easy it is to use and the quality it provides for less than $40.

Installation was simple: We plugged the 0.9-ounce magicJack into a USB port on a Windows-powered PC (Mac OS X drivers will be available by the end of the year), and about 30 seconds later the bundled software automatically loaded. After registering the device and receiving a personal magicJack phone number (users will be able to port their existing numbers to the service before the end of the year), we plugged a standard landline phone into the device's phone jack and began making calls. Users who wish to forgo a traditional handset can opt to use a cordless phone.

You can also use the magicJack to make calls using your PC, whether you're at home or on the road. Dial using the keyboard or an onscreen keypad, and you can talk using either a headset or your computer's built-in microphone and speaker.

The overall voice quality was good: better than most cell phones but not quite on par with true landlines. Friends and colleagues reported only the occasional crackle and pop, and we didn't encounter a single dropped call on our tests. This level of quality and stability is courtesy of magicJack's proprietary network, which maintains a solid, reliable connection that the company claims can't be achieved on traditional VoIP channels.

MagicJack doesn't skimp on features, either; it comes packed with all the amenities you'd expect from a phone service, including voicemail (you can receive messages even when you're offline), caller ID, call waiting, call forwarding, and emergency 911 dialing.

Priced at a reasonable $39.95, magicJack comes with a year's worth of service (an annual subscription runs $19.95 after that, with international prepaid packages starting for as little as $5). Although it's designed for use with a single phone line (multiple lines require a magicJack for each) and your PC has to be turned on to use it, the magicJack is a fine way to cut your monthly telephone bill without making too many tradeoffs.

Suggested Stories:

magicJack Inventor Speaks

Dan Borislow answers our questions about future features of magicJack, including Linux support, number portability, and more.

magicJack Update

We check on the progress of magicJack and look at new features like Mac compatility andinternational calling.

VoIP Phones Under $100
Five dual-mode handsets that make Internet calls and work with your landline.

Turn Your Cell into a VoIP Phone
We test four mobile apps that transform your regular clamshell into a low-cost Internet phone and instant-messaging center.

T-Mobile HotSpot @Home Review
Innovative but inconsistent Wi-Fi service provides very good in-home reception and cheap and clear calls on the go for those who want to use only one phone.

magicJack Specs

Company Websitewww.magicjack.com
Required OSWindows Vista, Windows XP, Mac OS X
Size2 x 1 x 0.5 inches
VoIP Price RangeUnder $50
Weight0.9 ounces
More
Latest in Laptop Accessories
Phone with Amazon logo sitting on a laptop showing Amazon's landing page
7 best Amazon Big Spring Sale deals under $50 you need to know about
60 vs 75 percent keyboard comparison side by side
I switched from a standard size keyboard to a 60% one — here's why I love it!
Mudra display the Mudra Link wearable neural wristband at MWC 2025, Barcelona, Spain.
This wearable could replace the mouse and keyboard, and I saw it first-hand at MWC 2025
Walmart store front
The top 9 Walmart flash deals on must-have laptop accessories and more
Anker Prime 200W Power Bank with Charging Base
Save $75 on this Anker Portable Charger with Charging Base for a limited time
laptop hovering over a seenda laptop cooling pad against blue gradient background
3 laptop cooling pad deals under $35 — keep your laptop from overheating
Latest in Reviews
The Asus Vivobook 16 Flip convertible laptop on a black and white desk, against a gray background.
Asus Vivobook 16 Flip (TP3607) review: A gorgeous OLED and great battery life make for a compelling convertible
The HP Victus 16 (S100) with lid open on a wood table
HP Victus 16 (S100) review: A stellar gaming laptop for the price with only one flaw
Asus Vivobook Pro 15 (N6506, 2025) open at an angle on a white table.
Asus Vivobook Pro 15 (N6506, 2025) review: Asus dials in its MacBook Pro competitor
A hand holding up the iPad Mini 7 with Apple Pencil Pro attached in front of a wood table
Apple iPad Mini 7 (2024) review: The ultimate mobile entertainment device
Lenovo ThinkPad X9-14 Aura Edition
Lenovo ThinkPad X9-14 Gen 1 Aura Edition review: Does it hold up to Lenovo’s best?
HP ZBook Studio 16 G11 mobile workstation on a white desk with a black table mat, against a yellow backdrop.
HP ZBook Studio 16 G11 is the ultimate video editing workstation — if you can afford it