It goes without saying that homeowners need a variety of tools for projects related to home repair. In addition to other equipment like hammers, screwdrivers, and wrenches, ladders are essential for completing DIY projects. Homeowners and professionals must consider many factors before making their purchases because ladders come in various sizes and forms that are intended for particular environments.
Best Ladders for Home
Ladders allow you to complete various tasks that you might otherwise defer or engage a contractor to complete by extending your reach above your standing height. Ladders are an essential piece of equipment to have on hand, provided they are used safely.
Step ladders are more portable, easier to store, and typically tall enough to reach most rooms of your home if you’re primarily looking for a ladder for interior use. Consider buying an extension, telescoping, or multipurpose ladder for outdoor chores so you can reach your home’s gutters, siding, tree branches, and other high places.
Home improvement projects might be your best or worst nightmare, but they are a necessary component of home ownership in either case. A reliable ladder is among the most crucial pieces of equipment to have on hand, in addition to having all the appropriate tools. However, finding the option that fully realizes the potential of your project’s potential can be challenging given the abundance of options available.
Read on to learn more about the best ladders to buy for your home improvement projects:
Rubbermind Lightweight Aluminum Step Stool with Oversized Project Tray
Key Features
- Step Ladder
- 5 Feet Height
- 250 Pounds Weight Capacity
- Aluminum Material
Overview
The Rubbermaid Lightweight Aluminum Step Stool is a portable yet reliable partner to help you get the job done, whether you’re painting the interior of your home, installing a new light fixture, or starting the latest home improvement project. It unfolds and locks into place just as quickly when you need it. When not in use, it can be easily folded up and stored in a closet.
Our testers discovered that this ladder was fairly strong even on the highest step and didn’t sway, so they felt secure placing their entire weight on it without concern that it might go over. You won’t have to worry about slipping when you move around thanks to its sizable non-slip feet, which give it more grips.
A magnetic project tray is another feature of this step ladder that makes it simple to keep track of any loose screws, nails, or other tiny tools you might require while working. The project tray also has an extra-large platform, a paper towel holder, and a container that may carry a paint bucket and various equipment. This feature is great because it makes it simple to keep all of your important equipment close at hand while working.
The Rubbermaid ladder is best used for jobs that are no more than 9 feet above the ground because it is just 5 feet tall. If you need to reach higher in or around your home than this, you should get an extension ladder or something taller.
Little Giant Ladders Velocity M22 Multi-Position Ladder
Key Features
- Aluminum Material
- 39 Pounds Weight
- Tip & Glide Wheels
- Multi-Position Ladder
Overview
Because the leg lengths on each side of these ladders are adjustable, we have expertise using them and can attest to how much easier the worksite is with them. Going with the Little Giant brand also gives you a lot of options, allowing you to choose the precise ladder you require with exceptional quality.
Here is an illustration of a lightweight, distinctively designed Little Giant Step Ladder that simplifies climbing higher levels thanks to its staircase design. You will look like the best candidate for the job when you arrive at the job site with a Little Giant Ladder. And there is no better ladder for usage around the house.
Delxo Three-Step Folding Step Stool Ladder
Key Features
- Step Ladder
- 3 Feet Height
- 500 Pounds Weight Capacity
- Alloy Steel Material
Overview
It doesn’t make sense to buy a full-size ladder for your home when all you need is a little extra height to reach the top shelf in your cupboards or change a light bulb in the bedroom. An alternative that won’t take up a lot of storage room is a small step ladder, like the Delxo Step Ladder Folding Step Stool.
This sturdy step stool is made of alloy steel and stands 43.2 inches tall at its tallest point, providing you with just the right height to access overhead areas inside your home without bringing out your full-size ladder. When you unfold it, it automatically locks into position so it won’t fall over on you. You can use it for home jobs when you need a little extra height, such as hanging picture frames, wallpapering, and cleaning.
For its portability, our testers scored this step ladder a perfect score. It is lightweight (12.5 pounds) and neatly folds to a depth of 2.2 inches, making it simple to move around the house without being difficult to carry. It is also simple to store without taking up a lot of room. Given its compact size, we were astonished to see that this step ladder has a weight capacity of 500 pounds, making it more robust than many of the other step ladders we examined.
Louisville 16-Foot Fiberglass Extension Ladder
Key Features
- Extension Ladder
- 16 to 40 Feet Height
- 300 Pounds Weight Capacity
- Fiberglass Material
Overview
The best extension ladders will make it safer for you to access high spots in your home or yard, whether you’re painting the outside of your house, putting up Christmas lights, cleaning your home’s second-story windows, or working on any other activity. Our testing shows that the Louisville Ladder Fiberglass Extension Ladder is among the most durable and user-friendly.
Our testers observed that this ladder was incredibly smooth and easy to use when extending and retracting it. Heavy-duty metal guides on both sides of the ladder help you avoid overextending it, and after you’ve achieved the length you want, the rung lock locks the two separate ladder components together.
Additionally, the ladder has two serrated swivel shoes at the bottom to prevent slipping, and the serrated D-shaped rungs give you a little bit more stability as you ascend. The Louisville fiberglass extension ladder is safer to use for any electrical work you may be performing because it is less conductive than steel or aluminum. Additionally, the ladder can support up to 300 pounds of weight.
Gorilla Ladders 3-Step Project Ladder
Key Features
- Extra-Large Project Tray
- Podium-Style Top Step
- Compact Storage
- 5 Feet Height
Overview
The Gorilla Ladders 3-step Project Ladder is incredibly durable and can support up to 300 pounds. It has extra-wide steps with treads, a top step designed like a platform to offer you more room to move around as you work, and it is only 3 inches thick when closed.
But the nicest feature of the design is likely the enormous project tray to keep materials within reach. It can hold 1-gallon paint can and a range of other equipment. Non-slip feet are also included to keep the ladder steady.
Bauer Corporation 6-Foot Fiberglass Folding Step Ladder
Key Features
- A-Frame Ladder
- 6 Feet Height
- 375 Pounds Weight Capacity
- Fiberglass Material
Overview
The robust, long-lasting design of this folding step ladder particularly pleased us. If you routinely take on new home improvement projects or have a lot of yard work that necessitates a ladder, the fiberglass Bauer Corporation Lightweight Folding Step Ladder is a wonderful purchase.
Our experts praised its flawless quality throughout testing, particularly the deep treads on the ladder rungs that make it easier to hold as you ascend. The strong locking mechanism that keeps the A-frame structure from collapsing when weight is added is something we liked. Even better, a little parts tray at the top is ideal for storing tools, keeping nails, and hanging paint cans.
The Bauer Corporation ladder is commercial-grade, making it sturdy enough to withstand years of yard maintenance, home improvement projects, and other activities. When you step on it, the slip-resistant feet keep it from scooting and keep it from harming your floors. You can use it for just about any job because it is authorized for both indoor and outdoor use.
We don’t necessarily advise the Bauer Corporation ladder; nevertheless, if you just require a ladder occasionally. Since you presumably won’t be using it often enough to necessitate such a strong ladder, there are less expensive ones on the market that’ll do the trick.
Gorilla Ladders 14-Foot Reach Multi-Position Ladder
Key Features
- Multi-Purpose Position Ladder
- 10 Feet 10 Inches
- 300 Pounds Weight Capacity
- Aluminum Material
Overview
Multi-position ladders work best on stairs since they can be transformed into an A-frame ladder and extend or retract from both ends. Since they’re so adaptable, they’re also fantastic for a ton of other projects, and the Gorilla Multi-Position Ladder is no exception.
There are 13 possible configurations for this aluminum ladder, including trestle-and-plank, extension, step ladder, 90-degree ladder, and more. It can extend up to 14 feet when completely extended, making it useful for both inside and outdoor applications. Its adaptability and stability surprised our testers, who noted that it was even simpler to use than a conventional step ladder.
With a weight of only 24 pounds and a foldable construction, it’s quite simple to travel from one place to another without your arms getting tired. You can stretch the legs or bend the ladder in half using speed locks that are positioned at various positions along the length of the ladder. No matter the configuration you use it in, it doesn’t seem weak or shaky because of its sturdy hinges.
Xtend & Climb Pro Series 780P + Telescoping Ladder
Key Features
- Telescoping Ladder
- 5 Feet Height
- Aluminum Material
- 300 Pounds Weight Capacity
Overview
Purchasing a collapsible ladder is a terrific way to get all the functionality of an extension ladder without taking up extra space in your tool shed or storage closet. One of the best-rated ladders of the day, the Xtend & Climb Pro Series Telescoping Ladder received great marks from our testers for its premium build and design.
This heavy-duty telescoping ladder feels incredibly strong while standing on it, despite the slight learning curve required to set it up (according to our testers, the telescoping mechanisms are difficult to understand at first). This ladder’s feet have plenty of traction to prevent slipping, and the angled thumb releases allow you to expand or collapse individual rungs without squeezing your fingers.
The 12.5-foot extension of the Xtend & Climb Pro Series telescopic ladder allows you to use it to reach heights of up to 16.5 feet. But when fully collapsed, it compacts down to only 32 inches, making it simple to store in a tool shed or throw in the trunk of your car for off-site tasks. It is one of the heaviest ladders on our list at 32 pounds, but because of its small size, it was still rather simple for our testers to carry.
Final Words
The ladder is one of the first innovations that has withstood the test of time and remains useful in the modern, technologically dependent society. Probably because there are no less expensive ways to reach few-foot heights. In this article, we have reviewed the best ladders that you can buy for your home improvement projects. You can read the reviews to compare and find the best one for your needs. This article will surely help you find the best ladder that suits your needs and budget.
FAQ
How Do You Properly Use a Ladder?
Making sure you have the appropriate type of ladder for the job is the first step in using a ladder appropriately. It’s also crucial that your ladder is the right height; you must never reach or lean while standing on a ladder. Before using the ladder, ensure it is fastened and positioned on a level surface. The American Ladder Institute advises wearing non-slip footwear whenever using a ladder. As you climb and descend the ladder, hold on to both sides and proceed with caution at all times. And you should never attempt to relocate a ladder while it is in use.
What Type of Ladder is Best?
The best ladder will depend on its intended use. An A-frame ladder can be used to do the majority of household tasks, such as hanging window treatments or changing light bulbs. You may need a straight ladder that rests against the structure and has a longer reach if you intend to paint the exterior of your home or clean the gutters.
Which is Better, a Fiberglass or Aluminum Ladder?
Comparatively speaking, aluminum ladders are more portable and lightweight than fiberglass ones. Fiberglass ladders are stronger than aluminum, which comes at a higher cost. The intended use of the ladder should be considered when deciding between an aluminum and a fiberglass one. Ladders made of aluminum conduct electricity; thus, they can’t be used for maintenance or repairs.