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
- Little Giant Ladders M22 Multi-Position Ladder: Best Multi-Purpose
- WolfWise Aluminum Telescopic Ladder: Most Portable
- Xtend & Climb Telescoping Ladder: Most Customizable
- Ohuhu Aluminum Telescopic Ladder: Simplest Design
- Louisville Ladder FE3228 Extension Ladder: Best Heavy-Duty
Compare Top Extension Ladders
| Product | Material | Size Options | Weight Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
Little Giant Ladders M22 Multi-Position LadderCheck Price | Aluminum | 13, 17, 22, or 26 feet tall | 300 pounds |
WolfWise Aluminum Telescopic LadderCheck Price | Aluminum | 8.5, 10.5, or 12.5 feet tall | 330 pounds |
Xtend & Climb Telescoping LadderCheck Price | Aluminum | 8.5, 10.5, 12.5, or 15.5 feet tall | 250 or 300 pounds |
Ohuhu Aluminum Telescopic LadderCheck Price | Aluminum | 8.5 or 12.5 feet tall | 330 pounds |
Louisville Ladder FE3228 Extension LadderCheck Price | Fiberglass | 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, or 40 feet tall | 300 pounds |
Best Multi-Purpose
Little Giant Ladders M22 Multi-Position Ladder
This product from Little Giant Ladders isn’t just an extension ladder—you can also use it in A-frame, trestle-and-plank, 90-degree, and staircase positions, making it useful for all of your household projects. While this ladder doesn’t completely fold up like some of the others in this review, we did like that it has wheels to make transporting it easier.
Pros and Cons of Little Giant Ladders M22 Multi-Position Ladder
- 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 People Are Saying About The Little Giant Ladders M22 Multi-Position Ladder
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
This ladder has several features that make it portable, including its lightweight, aluminum frame that weighs 25 pounds or less depending on the height you choose and its ability to fold down to a quarter of its size. We were also impressed wth its built-in handle for carrying and a strap to keep it in its collapsed position.
Pros and Cons of WolfWise Aluminum Telescopic Ladder
- 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 People Are Saying About The WolfWise Aluminum Telescopic Ladder
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
The versatile Xtend & Climb offers three extension ladder series to fit your needs. You can purchase a Home, Pro, or Contractor series ladder, each with varying weight capacities, colors, and heights. We found that the Home series tends to be shorter with a lower load capacity meant for tasks around the home. The Contractor series is taller with a higher weight capacity for professionals. The Pro series fits somewhere in between the two, making it a good option for the more experienced homeowner.
Pros and Cons of Xtend & Climb Telescoping Ladder
- 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 People Are Saying About The Xtend & Climb Telescoping Ladder
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
We found the design of this Ohuhu telescopic ladder to be user-friendly. It features a one-button retraction, as opposed to a button at every height, and it automatically locks every time you go up a rung. Like the other telescoping ladders in this review, it has a strap to keep the collapsed rungs in place so that it doesn’t open during transportation and accidentally injure you.
Pros and Cons of Ohuhu Aluminum Telescopic Ladder
- 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 People Are Saying About The Ohuhu Aluminum Telescopic Ladder
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
This is the only ladder in this review that’s made of fiberglass instead of aluminum. Since fiberglass is more durable than other materials, it’s ideal for a variety of heavy-duty projects. Aside from its fiberglass construction, we also like that it has wide rungs that are easy to stand on and feet with grooves in them to ensure that they don’t slip, regardless of what surface they’re on.
Pros and Cons of Louisville Ladder FE3228 Extension Ladder
- 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 People Are Saying About The Louisville Ladder FE3228 Extension Ladder
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.
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