6 Best Ladders

Design: This is a highly versatile ladder, with a telescoping/extending design that gives you up to 13 feet of ladder reach. However, you can turn it into a 2-person ladder or even a scaffold platform. Whatever you need for work at home or on the job side, this is the ladder for you.

Werner ladders are known for their quality design and durability, and that’s exactly what you get with this bad boy. It’s made of industrial-grade aluminum, and though it’s fairly lightweight, its design is sturdy enough for any construction site.

Weight Limit: The ladder can hold up to 300 pounds, making it ideal for heavier users or for those carrying heavy tools.

Safety: The ladder is built with your typical safety features: non-marking rubber feet to prevent slipping, double-riveted steps to keep your feet securely in place, and a J-lock to make height adjustment easy and secure. The steps are a bit narrow, but they offer excellent traction so you’ll never slip or fall off. The extra wide-flared bottom of the ladder will give you a wider base of support, keeping the ladder steady and secure on solid ground.

Be warned: there’s a very high risk of catching your fingers while retracting the ladder.

Price: Starting at $120, this is definitely on the pricier side. But given its durability, solid construction, and user-friendly design, it’s absolutely worth it!

Design: This ladder is the most versatile on the market, thanks to the fact that it can be adjusted in up to 33 different configurations: from A-frame ladder to extension ladder to 90-degree ladder to three scaffolding platforms. It extends up to 22 feet long, with a standing platform up to 15 feet off the ground. If you live in tall buildings, this ladder is just what you need.

The build is also quite excellent. It’s made from aircraft-grade aluminum, with a wide-flared base that offers extra stability. Sadly, the extension part of the ladder is a bit challenging at first, and locking the ladder in place can be difficult.

Weight Limit: The ladder has a 250-pound weight rating, making it suitable for most users.

Safety: The ladder is built to exceed all ANSI and OSHA safety standards, and it’s as safe a ladder as it gets, no matter what position it’s in. There’s even a side extension that increases stability on uneven ground—it’s like the ladder has SIX feet instead of four!

Price: At $210, this is the priciest ladder on our list, but also the most useful for a construction site. If you’re looking for a great work ladder, this is your top pick!

Design: This fire escape ladder is designed for quick installation, with hooks that slip over any regular window frame. When the time comes to flee, you simply pull the ripcord and the ladder descends. The 13-foot length makes it ideal for second-story windows (no taller buildings, sadly!), and though it’s a bit heavy to move around, once it’s installed it will provide you with a safe fire escape route.

The ladder is a bit narrow, but the handles are very sturdy and easy to grip. The ladder comes ready to use right out of the box—no need to figure out assembly or installation!

Weight Limit: The ladder is tested up to 1,000 pounds, meaning it can hold 3-5 people (depending on size/weight) at once. However, in cases of emergency, it may be able to support more weight.

Safety: The ladder is very secure, and its anti-slip rungs will keep your feet in place as you climb out of a burning building. The manual shows you how to quickly slip the hooks over the window sill, and once it’s installed, it will never slip out of place.

Price: At $33, this is one of the best-priced options on our list. It’s definitely not a handyman’s tool, but it will be a must-have if you own a two-story home or office and need a quick escape in case of fire.

Design: The ladder comes with three hinges, which allow it to be adjusted to up to 7 different positions, including A-frame, stepladder, extension ladder, and scaffolding platform. The hinges automatically lock in place as the ladder is extended, making it easy to snap it from one configuration to the next.

When fully extended, the ladder reaches a height of 12.5 feet, but it folds down to just 3.33 feet in height. It’s built with quality aluminum, and it’s both beautifully lightweight and very durable.

Weight Limit: The weight limit on this ladder is 300 pounds, making it suitable for heavier users.

Safety: The extra-wide base of the ladder with its non-marking, anti-slip rubber legs will keep you solidly in place. The instructions include safety details, but they can be a bit hard to read/understand. However, thanks to the design of the hinges (snapping into place automatically), you should have no trouble adapting the ladder safely to each task.

Price: At just under $80, this is one of the best-priced ladders on our list. It delivers a versatile design, solid construction, and simple operation, all at a price tag you can afford.

Design: The ladder comes with three hinges, which allow you to adapt it to a step-ladder, scaffold platform, bridge, A-frame, extension ladder, and more. It can be a bit tough to figure out the hinge locking system, but once you do, it’s easy to snap the ladder’s various segments into place.

The frame is made of aluminum, with an anodized surface that is resistant to wear and corrosion. Whether you use the ladder outdoors or inside the house, it won’t be worn down or damaged by the elements or heavy use.

Weight Limit: The ladder can hold up to 300 pounds.

Safety: The ladder is built to exceed all European safety standards, and it’s one of the safest ladders on the market thanks to its wide base and non-slip rubberized feet.

Price: At $67, this is the best-priced ladder on our list, and worth every penny for both indoor and outdoor use! Whether you’re on a construction site or cleaning house, this is the budget buy worth considering.