The Best Telescoping Ladders From Our 2024 Testing
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The new kids on the block—telescoping ladders—offer a leg up on overhead chores, but are they all they’re cracked up to be? Find out how today’s most popular telescoping ladders fared in our hands-on tests.
If you are tired of lugging around a heavy, traditional-style ladder for home improvement projects, a telescoping ladder is a better alternative. Typically made of aluminum, these ladders can extend 10 feet or more and then retract to a size small enough to carry under one arm. However, while telescoping ladders are popping up everywhere as alternatives to traditional ladders, are they sturdy enough to use safely? We wanted to know more about the durability of telescopic ladders, so we decided to test 10 of the most popular models on the market today.
We didn’t pull any punches with our tests—we put the telescopic ladders through the paces, focusing above all on safety and stability. We checked to see whether the ladder shoes would slip on various surfaces, and we evaluated each ladder’s overall strength and balance. Unlike traditional ladders, some of these telescopic ladders extend and contract incrementally, so we also tested to find out the probability of a user getting a finger pinched.
Our favorite ladder in this guide is the Xtend+Climb 12.5-Foot Telescoping Extension Ladder because of its light weight, compact design, and sturdiness. Keep reading to learn what features to look for when shopping for a telescoping ladder and discover how each of the best telescoping ladders on this list fared in our tests.
- BEST OVERALL: Xtend+Climb 12.5-Foot Telescoping Extension Ladder
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Gorilla Ladders 18-Foot MPXA Multi-Position Ladder
↓ Jump to Review - BEST A-FRAME: Werner 18-Foot Reach 5-in-1 Multi-Position Pro Ladder
↓ Jump to Review - BEST SHORT REACH: Archom 8.5-Foot Aluminum Telescoping Ladder
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR HIGH USE: Gorilla 26-Foot MPX Aluminum Multi-Position Ladder
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR STEPS: Little Giant Ladders Velocity Multi-Position Ladder
↓ Jump to Review - BEST MULTIPOSITION: Werner 22-Foot Multi-Position Telescoping Ladder
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR HOME USE: Archom 16-Foot Aluminum Telescoping Ladder
↓ Jump to Review - BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: Feete 12.5-Foot Aluminum Telescoping Ladder
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR RV: Xtend+Climb 10.5-Foot Telescoping Ladder
↓ Jump to Review
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 11 |
| Time spent testing | 12 hours |
| Tests performed | 4 |
| Price range | $68 to $380 |
Our Top Picks
To qualify as one of our top picks, each telescoping ladder we tested had to be stable when extended and remain anchored in place when a user climbed it. The ladders in this guide cater to a wide range of categories; however, they all passed our stringent testing protocols to ensure durability and safety. One of these best telescoping ladders is likely to suit your needs.
Best Overall
Xtend+Climb 12.5-Foot Telescoping Extension Ladder
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Stability 5/5; Portability 5/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Ladder weight: 25 pounds
- Ladder height: 12.5 feet
- Weight capacity: 250 pounds
What We Like
- Sturdiest telescoping ladder we tested
- Tabs reveal a green dot for easy reference when locked
- Raised strips on the rungs provide excellent traction
- Nonskid feet stick firmly in place
What We Don’t Like
- More expensive than other telescoping ladders this size
Xtend+Climb offers a variety of American National Standards Institute (ANSI)–certified and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)–compliant telescoping ladders, including its 780P+ 12.5-foot telescoping extension ladder. It is made of aircraft-grade aluminum alloy for strength and weighs 25 pounds. This pro-series ANSI Type 1A ladder measures 12.5 feet long when fully extended, for a maximum reach of 16.5 feet, and has a load capacity of 250 pounds. The retracted height is just 32 inches.
The Xtend+Climb ladder was everything we were looking for in a telescopic ladder: compact, relatively lightweight, sturdy, and offering a good reach for most interior and single-story exterior projects. It was fast and easy to set up and retract. During setup, the locking tabs clicked audibly in place, and a green dot revealed beside each tab gave visual confirmation that it was safe to climb.
This ladder felt as sturdy as a traditional extension ladder. We had no reservations about climbing up and down with tools and equipment. The feet are wide, resting firmly in place on flat surfaces, and the textured rungs provide sure-footed traction.
Get the Xtend+Climb 12.5-foot telescoping ladder at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Best Bang for the Buck
Gorilla 18-Foot MPXA 2.0 Multi-Position Ladder
Photo: The Home Depot
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Stability 5/5; Portability 4.5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Ladder weight: 30.5 pounds
- Ladder height: 18 feet
- Weight capacity: 300 pounds
What We Like
- Multiposition; 5 options to choose from
- Oversize hinges improve rigidity
- Provides integrated tool hangers in hinges and feet
- Stronger yet more lightweight than other multiposition ladders
What We Don’t Like
- Bulkier than standard telescoping ladders
- Add-on purchase required for use as a scaffold
Although it takes up more storage space than a standard telescoping ladder, the 18-foot multiposition ladder from Gorilla offers more reach for the money. This five-in-one aluminum ladder can be configured as an 18-foot max reach extension ladder, an 11-foot max reach two-sided step ladder or stairway ladder, or a 10.5-foot max reach 90-degree wall ladder. You can also separate the ladder for use as a scaffold, with the additional purchase of the rail brackets accessory. When retracted and folded for storage, it measures 4.5 feet long,
The Gorilla 18-foot MPXA 2.0 was easy to set up and use in all of the available configurations. We would have been willing to pay a little more to get the full five-in-one functionality with the initial purchase instead of adding $20 in hardware afterward. The chunky hinges and locking pins were very easy to operate with gloved hands and held the ladder perfectly steady when we climbed. We especially liked the tool hangers as an added convenience for projects that involve switching from one tool to another.
Get the Gorilla 18-foot telescoping ladder at The Home Depot.
Best A-Frame
Werner 18-Foot 5-in-1 Multi-Position Pro Ladder
Photo: The Home Depot
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Stability 5/5; Portability 4/5; Value 4.7/5
Product Specs
- Ladder weight: 31.5 pounds
- Ladder height: 18 feet
- Weight capacity: 375 pounds
What We Like
- ANSI rated and OSHA certified for reliability and safety
- Intelligent locking mechanism provides 5 secure positions
- Wide-flared bottom and slip-resistant feet offer stability
What We Don’t Like
- Parts are not replaceable if the ladder breaks
We were impressed by the quality and versatility of this multiposition ladder from Werner. It features an intelligent locking mechanism with five locking positions and legs that adjust to multiple lengths, so it is excellent for use on sloping ground where traditional step ladders can present a tipping hazard. We used it as an extension ladder, a twin step ladder, a stairway ladder, and a 90-degree wall ladder. We also paired it with another multiposition ladder for use as a scaffold. It was sturdy in all positions.
This aluminum telescoping ladder comes with all the safety bells and whistles, complete with an ANSI rating and OSHA certification—and that’s evident in how stable the ladder feels underfoot. It includes an extra-wide flared bottom, well-made locks, sturdy feet that are nonmarring and slip-resistant, and push knobs that make the ladder feel secure in any position. Werner is a highly reputable name in the world of ladders, and we found this model to be comparable to the brand’s other ladders.
The ladder has a type IAA rating, which means it should safely hold up to 375 pounds. We saw no reason to doubt that claim. It features high-quality materials that will stand the test of time. This ladder is well suited for larger home DIY projects, and it would be helpful on a jobsite due to its overall durability and safety. At only 31.5 pounds, it’s also easy to lift into the back of a pickup truck.
Get the Werner 18-foot Telescoping Ladder at The Home Depot.
Best Short Reach
Archom 8.5-Foot Aluminum Telescoping Ladder
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Stability 4/5; Portability 5/5; Value 4.7/5
Product Specs
- Ladder weight: 13.9 pounds
- Ladder height: 8.5 feet
- Weight capacity: 330 pounds (We disagree.)
We What Like
- Smooth extension and retraction for ease of use and storage
- Soft closure for finger safety and ease of collapsing
- Suitable for light-duty use
We We Don’t Like
- Questionable that it would support 330 pounds
- Velcro strap didn’t hold tightly during storage
At just 30 inches tall when retracted and weighing a mere 13.9 pounds, the Archom telescoping ladder is easy to carry and stow in the trunk of the car. The extension and retraction movement is smooth and also safe for fingers as it retracts only one rung at a time. We had no problem opening or closing the ladder during our testing.
We first extended this ladder to its full height and leaned it against a kitchen wall. We then checked to see if the feet would slip with someone on the ladder, and they held firm. However, while the rungs felt solid underfoot, we doubt whether this ladder would hold up to 330 pounds as advertised. The ladder flexed slightly under 155 pounds of weight, so we estimate that anything over 200 pounds might be pushing it. Overall, we like this ladder, but we think the weight capacity is incorrect based on our testing.
This is another light-duty telescoping ladder: It’s beneficial when you need a ladder to reach items on a high shelf but not stable enough for DIY projects or extended use. The main value of this ladder lies in its ability to be stored in a small place, such as beside the fridge or in a hall closet, making it quickly retrievable for reaching something overhead. It would also be a suitable ladder for an RV.
Get the Archom 8.5-foot telescoping ladder at Amazon.
Best for High Use
Gorilla 26-Foot MPX Aluminum Multi-Position Ladder
Photo: The Home Depot
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.5/5; Stability 5/5; Portability 4/5; Value 4.3/5
Product Specs
- Ladder weight: 54 pounds
- Ladder height: 26 feet
- Weight capacity: 375 pounds
What We Like
- Stable construction is suitable for indoor or outdoor use
- High-quality construction lasts for years
- Wheels allow for portability and ease of use
What We Don’t Like
- Quite heavy; may be difficult to transport
At 54 pounds, this Gorilla ladder is the heftiest of all the models we tested, but it’s also a fantastic ladder. To start, we extended the ladder to its maximum height of 26 feet and then climbed it to determine its stability. Since this is a hinged ladder, it had a little flex but still felt sturdy and safe. The ladder feet are oversize and nonslip, and the rungs are ribbed to reduce slipping. We appreciated the flared legs, which added to the ladder’s stability.
After testing the ladder in the extended position, we adjusted it to the other available positions: a twin step ladder, a stairway ladder, a 90-degree ladder, and a scaffold. We found the 90-degree position to be a good option when we wanted to work close to a wall, and this position also adds a measure of safety when working on sloped ground. This formidable Gorilla ladder is rated to hold up to 375 pounds, and we don’t doubt that claim. Everything about the ladder—the hinges, the rails, the rungs—is well constructed.
The downside is that this is not an around-the-house ladder—it’s more of a dedicated DIYer or contractor ladder. While it takes some muscle to lift into the back of a pickup, a traditional extension ladder that reaches 26 feet could easily weigh twice as much. The bottom legs have wheels, which makes it easy to roll, and we appreciated that feature.
Get the Gorilla 26-foot telescoping ladder at The Home Depot.
Best for Steps
Little Giant Ladders Velocity Multi-Position Ladder
Photo: Amazon