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An extension ladder is a versatile tool that helps you safely tackle everything from high-reach tasks like cleaning gutters and trimming trees to smaller jobs like hanging holiday lights or indoor decor. Before choosing one, consider what kinds of projects you’ll be using it for, the height you need, and whether additional accessories will enhance your experience.
In this guide, the This Old House Reviews Team breaks down the best extension ladders available on Amazon and highlights key factors to keep in mind before you buy. For more smart shopping tips, don’t miss our full household tools buying guide.
Top 5 Extension Ladders
- Best Multi-Purpose: Little Giant Ladders M22 Multi-Position Ladder
- Most Portable: WolfWise Aluminum Telescopic Ladder
- Most Customizable: Xtend & Climb Telescoping Ladder
- Simplest Design: Ohuhu Aluminum Telescopic Ladder
- Best Heavy-Duty: Louisville Ladder FE3228 Extension Ladder
Compare Top Extension Ladders
| Product | Material | Size Options | Weight Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Giant Ladders M22 Multi-Position Ladder | Aluminum | 13, 17, 22, or 26 feet tall | 300 pounds |
| WolfWise Aluminum Telescopic Ladder | Aluminum | 8.5, 10.5, or 12.5 feet tall | 330 pounds |
| Xtend & Climb Telescoping Ladder | Aluminum | 8.5, 10.5, 12.5, or 15.5 feet tall | 250 or 300 pounds |
| Ohuhu Aluminum Telescopic Ladder | Aluminum | 8.5 or 12.5 feet tall | 330 pounds |
| Louisville Ladder FE3228 Extension Ladder | Fiberglass | 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, or 40 feet tall | 300 pounds |
| Product | Material | Size Options | Weight Limit |
Best Multi-Purpose
Little Giant Ladders M22 Multi-Position Ladder
- $352.94
- $369.99
- 5% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Can hold up to 300 pounds
✔ Comes with attached wheels for easy transportation
✔ Comes in sizes of 13, 17, 22, or 26 feet
✘ Doesn’t retract for easy storage like the telescoping extension ladders in this review
✘ Some customers said it wasn’t as sturdy as advertised
What Customers Are Saying
Customer reviews our team found liked how easy this ladder was to use. Many customers were first-time ladder owners and said that they had figured out how to use the ladder and were already climbing it to complete a variety of tasks around their home within seconds. However, we also noted that some customers said the ladder didn’t feel as sturdy as they expected.
Most Portable
WolfWise Aluminum Telescopic Ladder
- $154.28
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Features one-button retraction for a convenient and safe breakdown
✔ Includes a carrying handle and heavy-duty closure strap for easy transportation
✔ Amazon’s Choice for telescoping ladders
✘ Its aluminum frame is less durable than fiberglass
✘ Its feet are made of plastic instead of rubber, so they have less grip and might damage your flooring
What Customers Are Saying
Several customers we found liked this lightweight and compact ladder, saying that it hardly took up any storage space in their home or vehicle, and even petite women were able to carry the ladder without a problem. A common complaint we noticed was that the feet on the ladder are made of hard plastic, which caused the ladder to slip and damage the flooring.
Most Customizable
Xtend & Climb Telescoping Ladder
- $329.99
- $369.99
- 11% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Extends and locks by the feet, featuring a no-pinch closure system
✔ Has a weight limit of 250 or 300 pounds, depending on the series you choose
✔ Available in green, yellow, red, blue, or black
✘ Has fewer customer reviews than the other ladders in this review
✘ Requires users to press a button each time they go up or down in height
What Customers Are Saying
Our research showed that satisfied customers said this ladder felt sturdy while they were on it, even if they were close to the maximum weight capacity. However, this sturdiness came at a price, as the material used to make this ladder steady increased its weight and made it cumbersome to carry.
Simplest Design
Ohuhu Aluminum Telescopic Ladder
- $175.19
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Crafted from high-quality aluminum alloy, making it lightweight and easy to carry
✔ Has a self-locking mechanism that secures the ladder each time you go up in height
✔ Features one-button retraction for easy storage
✘ Has fewer size options than the other ladders in this review
✘ Some customers said one of the rungs didn’t retract, preventing the ladder from closing
What Customers Are Saying
Customers said this ladder was easy to handle because of its ability to collapse, which made it easy to store and transport. However, our team noted that some customers said that one of the rungs stopped collapsing after a while, which prevented them from being able to close the ladder completely.
Best Heavy-Duty
Louisville Ladder FE3228 Extension Ladder
- $450.26
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Features D-shaped rungs, which are easy to stand on
✔ Comes in sizes of 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, or 40 feet
✔ Fiberglass is non-conductive, preventing electrocution
✘ More expensive than the other ladders in this review
✘ Heaviest ladder in this review at 60 pounds
What Customers Are Saying
Customers we found said the ladder was easy to extend and collapse because of the rope and pulley system that’s included with the product. However, some customers said the ladder was heavy and awkward to carry because of its fiberglass construction.
Buying Guide
Before deciding on an extension ladder, there are several factors you should keep in mind, such as the ladder’s length, the ladder class, the material, the number of feet, and the included accessories. Take a look at our buying guide below to help you determine what to look for in an extension ladder.
Length
The number one consideration to think about when purchasing a ladder is its overall length. The advertised height of a ladder is its maximum height when it’s fully extended. However, extension ladders are adjustable, so you can usually set them at one-inch increments starting at half the ladder’s height.
Class
There are five extension ladder classes, each of which have different uses:
- Type IAA—This type is designed to hold up to 375 pounds.
- Type IA—This is an industrial-grade ladder that holds up to 300 pounds.
- Type I—This is also an industrial-grade ladder and holds 250 pounds.
- Type II—This commercial-grade ladder holds up to 225 pounds.
- Type III—This ladder is best for household tasks and has a weight capacity of 200 pounds.
Material
Extension ladders are either made of aluminum or fiberglass. Aluminum extension ladders aren’t as strong as fiberglass ones, but they’re lighter and easier to move from place to place. They’re also more affordable than fiberglass ladders.
If you’re working near electricity lines, you’ll want a non-conductive fiberglass ladder to avoid getting electrocuted. Fiberglass extension ladders are also good for heavy-duty projects because of their durability.
Feet
The feet of the ladder are important because they keep the ladder stable during use. High-quality ladders will have non-slip feet and swivels that allow you to dig the feet into the softer ground for more security.
Accessories
Extension ladders bring you tens of feet off of the ground and lean against parts of your home, increasing the risk of injury and damage to your house. To prevent injuries or damage, you can buy safety accessories like stabilizers, ladder mitts, and levelers.
Stabilizer
A stabilizer is a U-shaped bar that attaches to the top of a ladder. It pushes the ladder away from the structure it’s leaning against to prevent damage.
Ladder Mitts
Ladder mitts are rubber inserts that go over the top of your ladder. In addition to helping the ladder grip onto the structure it’s leaning against, it protects that area from damage.
Levelers
If you’re going to be working on uneven ground, consider purchasing levelers. Levelers attach to the feet of your ladder and make sure the ladder doesn’t wobble while you’re climbing it.
Ladder Safety Tips
While a ladder is an essential item for any homeowner, it also presents obvious danger if used carelessly or improperly. When using an extension ladder for various DIY projects around your home, it’s important to make note of the following safety tips.
- Ensure the ladder is on a secure, firm surface
- Double check that the ladder is fully locked and secure before climbing
- Avoid using extension ladders near power lines
- Don’t climb up higher than the fourth rung from the top to ensure it remains steady and secure
- Don’t use extension ladders outdoors when there has been precipitation or conditions are wet or slippery
- While climbing, stay near the middle and face forward while holding the side rails with at least one hand
- Keep the area surrounding the ladder clear and free of debris
- Avoid leaning away or turning back while using an extension ladder
- If possible, have someone on the ground spotting you while you use the ladder in case there is an accident
Frequently Asked Questions
What angle should I use my extension ladder at?
For every four feet of height between the ground and the structure your ladder is leaning against, there should be one foot of space between the base of the ladder and the base of the supporting structure. For example, if the ladder is leaning against a 20-foot building, there should be five feet between the base of the ladder and the base of the building’s wall.
How do you store extension ladders?
To prevent corrosion, store your extension ladder somewhere dry, like a shed or garage. If you have a fiberglass ladder, make sure that it stays out of direct sunlight because too much UV exposure can cause it to crack.
Do extension ladders require maintenance?
Extension ladders don’t require much maintenance, but before every use, you’ll want to remove grease or other substances that could cause someone to slip and inspect the ladder for any damage or wear and tear.
Do I need an extension ladder for household tasks?
If you don’t need to reach high places for your household tasks, you’re better off with a shorter and safer stepladder or step stool. This HBTower ladder has an average rating of 4.8 stars from over 40,000 customers on Amazon, with reviews mentioning that it’s easy to fold and use and feels sturdy.
Why Trust The This Old House Team
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
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