CLEVELAND -- After a person chooses a cell-phone plan, he or she needs to choose a phone.

On Your Side Troubleshooter Chris Caswell reported on what type of features to look for in a cell phone.

Consumer Reports' Chris Bucsko set up test equipment to evaluate the voice quality of cell phones at the side of a busy highway, because that's where he was able to get the strongest signal possible as well as a lot of background noise.

He mixed the sounds of cars whizzing by with voice recordings. Back at the lab, he analyzed the "test conversations."

Bucsko and his team assessed 20 digital phones with analog backup, including ones from Nokia, Motorola, and Ericsson. The testers found that consumers should have a phone with an analog mode so that they're able to talk outside their home area.

Many phones have a new feature that allows people to receive short text messages from another cell phone or by e-mail. Some phones can send messages as well. This feature is handy, because text messages can usually get through, even when a call can't.

Testers also assessed how easy a phone was to use and how long the battery lasts.

For AT&T Wireless subscribers, Consumer Reports recommended the Motorola model V-2397. The phone has good voice quality and a decent battery life.

A good choice for Sprint PCS customers is from Samsung -- model SPH-N200. The phone has a folding case that puts the microphone close to a person's mouth for better voice quality.

For Verizon customers, the Nokia 5185-I is a good, inexpensive phone. One with more features in a small package is the LG TM 510.

For Voicestream users, a good choice is the Nokia 6190. It's a good phone overall, but a person will need to add a module for analog capability.

And Cingular Wireless customers should consider the Nokia 7160. The phone has a large readable display and allows users to easily beam phone numbers from their personal digital assistant via the infrared link.

Testers said that even in noisy surroundings, callers should be able to have a pretty clear conversation with any of these phones.

When a person signs up for a new cell phone service, the plan is a far bigger expense than your phone.

Many providers lure customers by providing free minutes. But consumers should be careful, because some of the freebies may be limited to nights and weekends.