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Though nearly all of these phones are quite small, the larger models can become a surprising nuisance to carry around. A few ounces will make a big difference. Phones like AT&T's Nokia 6100 series, the best all-around phones we tested and the most popular wireless phones on the market, were a pleasure to carry because of their smooth and slim design. The 6160's keypad features easy scroll keys that took us straight to our programmed list of telephone numbers, while the easy to read display continuously shows battery and reception strength as well as time of day. On top of that, the signals were always sharp, even when using long-distance.

In contrast, Nextel's Motorola i1000, while small and compact, has confusing options for its menu, requiring a multitude of button pressing to get the necessary information. One big mark in the Motorola's favor, however, is its ability to double as a speakerphone-a far safer option for car or truck use. But the biggest selling point for the i1000 is the "Direct Connect" feature, a useful short-range walkie-talkie option that lets you talk to anyone in your area code as long as they have an i1000 and you have the right code. The reception is clear and it's cheaper and quicker than roaming for an actual phone call when you're in rural areas...perfect for outdoor workers.

The Sanyo SPC-3000 dual mode phone sold by Sprint is a solid phone with good reception in both the digital and analog areas. It's a little bulkier than either the Motorola or the Nokia, but it's easier to use than the Motorola. The Sanyo's only drawbacks seem to be its scroll keys-which are located at the bottom of the keypad, making them awkward to access—and its short battery life.

Two other mainstream phones you might want to take a look at are the Qualcomm and Erickson models. Having joined forces in May, the conglomerate is offering the best of cellular technology: Qualcomm's advanced CDMA digital quality combined with Erickson's sleek, Swedish handset designs.

The Service Plans

For the purpose of this article we looked at the country's five largest cellular service providers offering the broadest amount of coverage. Sprint, AT&T and Nextel provide thorough nationwide coverage. GTE markets mostly in Texas and the South as well as in some Western and Northwestern states, while Prime Co. operates mainly in the Midwest.

One of the first things we learned and you should know is that there's a lot of fine print when it comes to the monthly plans. As a general rule, when you sign up for a rate plan from any of these companies you are signing on for a specific number of minutes. These can range from 30 to 1,600 minutes per month, depending on your calling needs.

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