Ladders are a staple around most homes and workplaces. These versatile pieces of equipment can be used for projects around the home, such as hanging pictures and paintings or changing light bulbs. Ladders are also used for maintenance-type situations around homes, like roof repairs and window work. They can also help you maximize your storage space by helping you get to hard-to-reach places. On the job site, this piece of equipment can be priceless. They must be made of quality material to ensure safety when in use. Below, we discuss the top ladders in 2023 available on the market based on their durability and efficiency.
With a 300-pound load capacity, this ladder has an elegant design, a smooth finish, and a molded top with a recessed tray. The inside spreader braces protect it as it’s transported. Its classic look and sturdy design make it the best overall ladder on our list.
This ladder is made of an aerospace-engineered aluminum alloy with a Clean-Touch anodized finish. It measures 8.5 feet at full length and retracts to a quarter of its height to fit in a car.
This ladder provides a feeling of stability when in use. The quality and construction of this ladder exceed OSHA and ANSI standards, making it a trusted piece of equipment and industrial rated.
This 12.5-foot ladder offers the whole package at a great price. It is versatile enough for use on any job around the house. Whether you plan on painting, changing fixtures and bulbs, or anything in between, this ladder is perfect for all projects.
Considered more of a step stool than a ladder, this product is a handy piece of equipment for smaller jobs and taking care of issues around the home. Featuring three traction molded steps, this compact step stool offers safety and convenience.
This 22-foot telescoping ladder offers the versatility to tackle any and all projects. With the ability to be used as a two-person stepladder, extension ladder, or scaffold this piece of equipment has 28 adjustable heights and positions for perfect use.
This is a ladder with a non-slip rubber pattern, and the extra-wide steps give you better foot support in case you’re on it for a while.
Aircraft-grade aluminum and supporting tubes makes this ladder more stable to use.
We have done in-depth research to figure out which factors are the most important when choosing a ladder. With a lot of products on offer, it can be pretty challenging to know which one you should choose. We’ll take you through the different kinds of ladders so you can select the one that’s best for you.
We’ve made this guide to provide you with a bit of information about the various types of ladders, what they’re commonly used for, and why they’re different from others.
You can use step ladders everywhere, because they don’t need a supporting wall to lean on. This makes them ideal for a variety of jobs, including painting, cleaning, and construction work. They come with a specific mechanism that secures them in an ‘A’ shape; it’s essential that you engage this mechanism before using the ladder. There are various step ladders, and each serves its own purpose, but here are the most common ones:
If a step leader can’t help you reach higher places, then an extension ladder will help you. It can be made out of two or more sliding parts that can be extended to a total height of over 10 meters. A lot of users find an extension ladder very helpful because of its versatility and compact storage size. So if you mainly do your work at tall heights, then a simple extension ladder is the solution.
When we’re talking about compact ladders, you can’t find a better option than the telescopic one. It works in a pretty identical way to binoculars or a telescope. You can pack a telescopic ladder to a pretty small size whenever you’re not using it. This style of ladder is ideal for people with limited storage or for people who are required to reach tall heights on the move. They can easily fit inside most car boots and vans.
If you use a ladder regularly and for various jobs, then a combination ladder is perfect for you. By combining the functionality of a step ladder and an extension ladder, you’re buying a product that will be worth every penny.
Step ladders and extension ladders are mainly manufactured out of wood, aluminum, or fiberglass. On the other side, telescopic and combination ladders are made out only of aluminum.
Many decades ago, wood was the most common ladder material. But now, except for permanent attic ladders, wood is rarely used because of its massive weight.
Ladders made out of aluminum are strong, lightweight, durable, and resistant to corrosion. Aluminum can quickly transfer electricity, so picking a fiberglass ladder is a better choice if you’re working near electrical lines.
The price of a ladder can vary depending on the type, size, and brand.
The maximum weight that a ladder can hold is identified as its maximum load capacity. On some ladders, you may see this called the performance rating. Look for the following ladder ranks:
When discovering the ladder load capacity required for your project, factor in your weight, the weight of anything you’ll bring with you on the ladder, and any tools you’ll put on the ladder.
Another critical factor is picking the correct height for the ladder. Be sure to think about the types of tasks you will be doing on the ladder, and what height you will need to reach. Many ladder accidents happen because of overbalancing, which is mainly due to users trying to stand too high up on the ladder. It’s essential to know the platform height (the height at which it’s safe to stand) for every single ladder. Ladder heights range from 3- or 4-foot stepladders up to 40-foot extension ladders. You will be able to find this information in the specifications for a ladder.
For example: if you know how high you want to reach – let’s say 12 feet – you would likely purchase an 8-foot step ladder allowing you to stand almost 4 feet over the ground securely.
Ladder height | Maximum reach |
16’ | 15’ |
20’ | 19’ |
24’ | 23’ |
28’ | 27’ |
32’ | 31’ |
36’ | 34’ |
40’ | 37’ |
Before you get started on your next project that requires the use of a ladder, take a look at the Five Steps to Ladder Safety from Montana State Fund: