We did find that this ladder may be more difficult to store given its height, but it could easily be stored in an outdoor storage shed or larger crawl space, too.Īfter six months of regular use, we're still impressed by this ladder's sturdy, yet lightweight design. Plus, the feet of the ladder are capped with non-marring rubber “boots” that provide an extra layer of stability. We felt secure while climbing this ladder the deep, slip-resistant treads provided excellent foot support, even with one of our team members who wears size 11 shoes. The top of the ladder has a small tray and six tool holders to keep your hammer, nails, and other necessities right at hand while you work, so you don’t have to climb up and down to access them. The ladder’s sturdy locking mechanism prevents the ladder from swaying or closing while you’re above the ground. That’s enough for most people to easily change ceiling light bulbs, paint walls, or reach lower tree branches for trimming. At an overall height of 6 feet, you can safely stand on the fourth rung up from the bottom, giving you roughly 10 feet of reach. The Bauer Corporation 6-Foot Fiberglass Folding Step Ladder impressed us during testing for its stability, sturdiness, and relatively light weight-we think it's the best option for most household needs, indoors and outside. While they are more durable and longer-lasting than aluminum ladders, they tend to be more expensive.įor more shopping help with ladders, check out our What to Look for Section below.Įditor's Note: This review was revised in January 2024 to include updated testing insights after testing seven products for 6 months Fiberglass ladders, including step ladders, are a better option for electrical projects, and for tasks around the house where you don’t have to travel too far, as they tend to be heavy. However, they are not safe for electrical work (even changing a lightbulb), as metal conducts electricity. The Right Materials: Aluminum ladders, including extension ladders, are best for outdoor projects like painting and cleaning gutters as they are lightweight and easy to carry.If you have to stand on the topmost step to reach the light fixture you need to change, you need a taller ladder. Proper Height: 'Your stepladder should be tall enough so that you never need to stand with your knee higher than the top of the ladder,' Larry Campbell, a licensed electrical contractor and member of The Spruce's Home Improvement Review Board says.Most of the options on this list have a Duty Rating of Type 1A (Extra Heavy Duty) for up to 300 pounds, except for our best overall and best with handrails picks, which have a Type 1AA (Extra Heavy Duty) to hold up to 375 pounds. Duty Rating: This rating is required on every ladder, and includes the maximum weight (load capacity) the ladder can safely hold, including the weight of your clothes and tools.To help you find the sturdiest ladder for your needs, you'll also want to look at the Duty Rating, height, and material. That is mostly dictated by stable, grippy ladder feet that can be adjusted on uneven ground, rungs that have a grippy tread and are the right depth for the user, and an effective locking mechanism for A-frame or extending ladders (so they stay secure in their position). The most important feature all our testers noted was stability-you want to be able to stand on your ladder and not feel like it's going to tip over in the slightest. Each ladder was evaluated for design, effectiveness, portability, features, and value. We also tested in our homes for six months to see how each ladder handled various tasks and chores around the house and held up after long-term use. We set up each ladder, climbed its full height, and then folded it back down, taking note of the ease of each maneuver. To help you find the best ladder for your next DIY project or everyday chores, we tested 23 ladders, including stepladders, extension ladders, and multi-position ladders, in The Lab. The right ladder puts everything around your home or workspace safely within reach and is easy to store and grab when you need it. The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board.

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