For this roundup, Ullman received extensive input from our ladder testing team at The Lab in Des Moines, Iowa, where 23 ladders were put through their paces. All ladders sold in the United States are required to have a safety specifications label affixed to the side that states the ladder's duty rating. This safety guideline states the maximum weight capacity of the ladder, which includes not just your own weight but also the weight of all tools and supplies you set on the ladder or hold in your hands while standing on the ladder. For the best stability when standing atop a ladder, a platform-style stepladder with an extended frame for support and grip is your best option. The Cosco 6-Foot Signature Series Step Ladder won our top score for ladders in this category. We found the overall design very secure and never felt the ladder shift while climbing and standing on the top. The ladder has three regular rungs, but the fourth top rung is a large platform that measures 14.2 inches wide and 13.5 inches deep. The platform is 45 inches above the ground, and the frame extends 24 inches higher, providing a secure grip should you need one. The reach height of this ladder is around 8 feet, making it a good choice for many projects. This aluminum ladder adjusts to four different heights in the double-sided stepladder position, with a maximum reach height of 12.2 feet. There are seven adjustable heights in the extension configuration, with a maximum reach height of 19.1 feet, which is high enough to clean gutters, hang holiday lights, or paint fascia trim on a one-story house or even some two-story homes. Finally, we folded the ladders down fully, evaluating how easy or difficult it was to do so, as well as the effort required to move the ladder from place to place. We scored the ladders on a 1-to-5 scale, with 1 being the lowest possible for design, effectiveness, portability, features, and value. Our editors then took the time to review lab results and evaluate which models excelled during testing in a variety of categories.

Ladders, Tested and Reviewed - The Spruce The 11 Best Ladders, Tested and Reviewed - The Spruce

Always set a ladder on even, solid ground. Avoid muddy spots, puddles, slopes, or loose ground, such as gravel or pebbles. When climbing a ladder, face forward, so your body is between the ladder’s side rails. Don’t lean to the side. This ladder has performed and excelled as a multi-purpose tool just as we expected. While it is a bit bulky for day-to-day tasks around a home, it's a great option for more involved projects. It continues to perform well even after 6 months of use. If you're working mainly indoors a 4- to 6-foot step ladder will offer the right amount of reach in most homes. When it comes to using an extension ladder outside of your home, we recommend purchasing a ladder that has plenty of rungs that go above your roof (about 3 feet). This not only ensures you have a stable connection to the house but that you can also easily climb down the ladder if you get off to work on your roof. You can learn more about choosing the right type of ladder for every kind of project through our guide. This ladder has swivel safety feet that can compensate for slightly uneven ground, mar-resistant end caps so the ladder won’t scratch the surface it’s resting against, and smooth-performance outside glides so you won’t struggle to extend the ladder to its full height. We found it was easy to extend and retract, but we did experience a slight learning curve to do so. Because of its design, this ladder is heavier than other models in our roundup, but it isn't too difficult to maneuver with someone's help.

After six months of regular use, we're still impressed by this ladder's sturdy, yet lightweight design. It's a go-to height for most projects around a home and it hasn't shown any signs of wear. While some ladders can be unwieldy this model is always easy to pull out and set up. The M17 has a total height of 17 feet when fully extended, with a maximum standing level of 11.7 feet and a maximum reach of 18.1 feet. When used as a stepladder, you can adjust it to anywhere between 4 feet and 7 feet in height, depending on how you configure it. The ladder is rated 1A, which means it can hold up to 300 pounds and is made of aluminum. How It Performed Long-Term But the actual height of the ladder isn't the most important number; you also need to consider reach height. It is not safe to stand on the top rung of a ladder, meaning you'll be lower than the ladder's full height. On a stepladder, you should avoid standing on the top two rungs. However, the length of your own arms and torso adds to how high you can safely reach. As a rough guideline, a stepladder's reach height is 4 feet beyond its actual height, assuming that the user is an average height of 5 feet, 9 inches tall. So, for example, a 10-foot stepladder has a reach height of 14 feet. Despite its telescoping design, the ladder is very stable and steady. During testing, we found this ladder felt sturdy even at the top and it felt comfortable while climbing. Collapsing the ladder is easy: Just depress the two red buttons simultaneously, and the ladder slowly retracts, making it less likely you’ll get a finger pinched. We felt the ladder was easy to set up, extend, and collapse and very easy to carry when fully collapsed. All in all, this is a solid choice if you only need a basic ladder for occasional simple tasks around your home.

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After extensive testing in The Lab, our top ladder is the Bauer Corporation 6-Foot Fiberglass Folding Step Ladder, which won the highest marks for design, portability, sturdiness, value, and features. But if budget is a big concern, we also recommend the HBTower 5-Foot Wide-Step Folding Step Ladder with Tool Platform, which is a sturdy ladder that is perfect for many tasks around the home. Other Options We Tested When used as a stepladder, there are three height settings, with the lowest at 3.5 feet and the highest at 5.5 feet for a reach height of around 9.4 feet. As an extension ladder, there are five height settings, with the lowest at 6.10 feet and the highest at 10.10 feet for a reach height of around 14.3 feet. The ladder has a tool tray at the top, providing an easy way to stash your paint can, drill, hammer, or other tools while you work. There’s also one oversize rung, which serves as a small standing platform in the extension configuration. We wish the rungs were slightly larger, but overall, we still felt safe during our testing experience, even when the ladder was extended and leaning against a wall.

THE ORIGINAL THREE LEGGED TRIPOD LADDERS

While a stepladder is the most common type of ladder for most around-the-house tasks, extension ladders, telescoping ladders, and multi-position ladders are popular options to consider if you need to reach higher up. Think about how high you'll need to climb on your ladder—your answer to that will tell you what height you should be looking at. Ladders range from small step stools with just one rung to giant extension ladders that can reach the roofs of multi-story homes. By choosing a ladder that's appropriately sized for your needs, you’ll avoid safety concerns, since a ladder that's too short may tempt you to lean and sway on the top rung, while one that's too long can become unsteady at the base.