9 Best Voice AI Agents for Reducing Average Handle Time in 2026

In 2026, AI voice agents are increasingly being used to reduce Average Handle Time (AHT) in contact centers, a critical metric for measuring return on investment. These AI platforms are designed to streamline specific parts of a call, such as minimizing talk time, reducing on-hold routing loops, expediting authentication, and providing clearer handoffs to reduce after-call work. The guide evaluates various AI platforms on their ability to lower AHT through hands-on testing in real phone environments, focusing on production behavior rather than merely sounding conversational. Platforms like Retell AI and PolyAI are noted for their efficiency in reducing repetitive tasks and improving call routing, while others like Bland AI and Vapi require strong engineering support due to their reliance on scripted flows and custom infrastructure. The guide emphasizes the importance of telephony integration, efficient information capture, and quality handoffs in achieving AHT reduction, and highlights that while some platforms assist agents, others require significant engineering input to optimize performance.