A ladder is just one of those things that’s essential to have in any household. Unfortunately, we have yet to evolve ourselves to the point where our bodies are able to stretch to double the size in a vertical fashion, so ladders are vital for ensuring that we can reach those harder to reach areas.
Telescopic ladders are a fantastic choice in this regard, as they can fold down to be compact for easy storage. You can usually adjust them by heights too.
With that being said, it can be tricky sometimes to know what telescopic ladder is the right one for you to buy. To start with, you have no way of knowing how safe that particular model is. Thankfully we’re here to help to take the guesswork out of selecting a telescopic ladder.
Read on to find out more about our choices of the best telescopic ladders. We’ve also written a handy buyer’s guide to help you to know what you’re looking for.
In a hurry? Here’s our first choice!
In a hurry? This is our winner!
- Lightweight and stable: high strength aluminium alloy, stable load-bearing, maximum load-bearing capacity 150 kg. Easy to move and carry.
- Flexible Height Adjustment: Adjusted freely by using a multi-level switch, which is convenient for the use of small spaces such as the attic and avoids the risk of folding caused by a mistake.
- Portable and convenient: folded size: 76.6 x 50.1 x 7.9 cm; fully extended size: 260 x 50.1 x 7.9 cm, weight: 7 kg. 9 steps, step width: 4 cm.
Best Telescopic Ladder – Comparison Table
Best Telescopic Ladder – Reviews
Nestling 8.5ft/2.6M Telescopic Ladder, Aluminium Loft Ladder Extendable, Max Load 150kg/330lb, Adjustable Step, for Decorating, Painting
This telescopic ladder is a fantastic choice for reaching those hard to reach high places while still feeling secure off the ground. The Nestling Multi-Purpose Aluminum Telescopic Ladder is available in a number of different sizes ranging from 2.6 to 3.8 maximum heights.
The ladder is made out of aluminum so when you’re carrying it, it’s very lightweight so it can be moved with ease. When standing on it, it’s incredibly strong and durable so you can feel safe using it.
The ladder features an easy to use mechanism to adjust the heights, you can even extend it one step at a time. There are black plastic end caps on the bottom of the ladder too so you can be sure it won’t tip over when moved.
In addition to this, there is also a very durable bar designed to help to make it stable.
When you aren’t using it, you can simply pack the whole unit down into a small size, so you can put it right back in your cupboard without needing to move things around too much to accommodate it in most cases.
This is a very versatile ladder that you can use for a whole range of activities, for example painting or cleaning, and you can use it all while feeling safe.
- Easy to use
- Range of height options
- Compact
- Some users have reported that it does flex a little bit under a lot of weight
Multi-Purpose 5M Aluminium Portable Telescopic Ladder DIY Extendable A-Frame Ladder Extension 16 Steps 150KG
The AutoBaBa Multi Purpose Retractable telescopic ladder is a very versatile ladder that is ideal to use for any jobs either out or inside of your home. This durable ladder will support you even when at some of the tallest heights.
The ladder boasts some impressive features. You don’t have much space to store your ladder? That’s no problem – this ladder folds down into a compact 88cms. This means it’s also perfect for carrying around with you from job to job.
You can turn this 8 step ladder into a 16 step ladder when you unfold it. It’s even able to handle up to 150kg of weight at one time. With that being said, you should make sure that if you are planning on carrying anything up the ladder that the weight of you and the item does not exceed the capacity the ladder is able to handle.
The ladder comes with industrial grade height locking latches which are very convenient. This simply adds to the overall durable construction, so you can feel supported on this ladder whenever you’re on a job.
- Compact design, it’s able to fold down to 88cm for easy storage and carrying
- Durable and strong design
- Height locking latches
- Can be a bit scary to use as you get higher up, though this can be an issue with telescopic ladders in general
SogesHome 3.8M Aluminum Telescopic Extension Loft Ladder Telescoping Ladder Multi-Purpose Ladder Portable Foldable NSD-JF-001
This is an incredibly durable telescopic ladder constructed of aluminium alloy that is most certainly made to last. It’s able to handle up to 149 kgs of weight in total, and it even has slip resistant rungs so you don’t need to worry about slipping as you make your way up it.
This is the perfect ladder that encompasses safety, reliability and it gives you the added peace of mind you need when on a ladder.
It’s a very portable ladder as it is collapsible and folds down very easily, making it easy to also store away when it isn’t in use.
The ladder also features double couplings on every rung so that you can keep your hands in the proper position. This can help to avoid getting pinches accidentally.
- Durable
- Portable
- Double coupling
- Rungs get narrower the higher you go up
Ohuhu 4.7M Telescoping Ladder with Stabilizer Bar, EN131 Certified Convenient Aluminum Telescopic Extension Ladder, Portable Foldable Ladder 150kg Capacity
If you’ve never used a telescopic ladder before, you may be apprehensive about whether they are decent to use. If you need reassurance, look no further than the Ohuhu 4.7m collapsible ladder.
This is by far one of the most popular telescopic ladders on the market, and it’s heavy-duty and durable to boot.
You don’t need to worry about finger pinching with this model as it actually has its own anti-pinch finger protection system due to the quick extension on a rung by rung basis.
For easy storage and portability, you can simply fold this ladder down into a height of only 87cm in total!
This ladder is incredibly versatile and so light to carry. It goes right up to 4.7m when extended so you can reach pretty high. It’s ideal both for home and work use, so if you’re looking for something for a home business, for example, you will be well suited to this telescopic ladder.
- Very easy to use
- Easy to carry
- Ideal for use at work and at home
- A little heavier than a lot of other options on this list
WolfWise 3.8M Telescoping Ladder, Aluminum Telescopic Extension Tall Multi Purpose Loft Ladder, 330 pound/150 kg Capacity Red
The WolfWise 3.8m Aluminium telescopic ladder is perfect for whatever job you need to complete, taking you to all new heights while still maintaining your safety.
The ladder is made to be smooth in operation, with seamless opening and closing, without the risk of damaging your fingers. It also has non slip caps so the ladder can stay in place while you’re in the middle of a job. Because of this, you’re less likely to have falls so long as you follow the proper safety advice for using a ladder such as this.
What’s more, it’s possible to extend the ladder in one foot increments so you can find the ideal height that will work for you and your current task. It’s incredibly durable with a corrosion resistant allow construction.
Furthermore, it’s very lightweight and is able to support up to 150kg. If you need to carry it around with you to a number of different locations then you need not worry either, as it is easy to transport. You can retract it into a very small size despite the fact you can extend it up to a whopping 12.5 feet of height.
It’s a little bit heavier than you may think it would be, but despite this you can barely notice it.
- Smooth operation
- Anti slip caps for safety
- Able to support up to 150kg of weight
- Be careful when you’re using the runners as it’s possible to trap your fingers
Best Telescopic Ladder – Buyer’s Guide
Why Do You Want a Telescopic Ladder?
Telescopic ladders are a massive help, and in fact they can be better in a lot of respects to most other ladders. Here are a few reasons why:
You Can Use Them On Any Height
As long as you are leaning the ladder on a structure that is able to support the upper end of the telescoping ladder, a telescopic ladder can provide a lot of versatility as you are working. It’s possible to extend every section or rung of the ladder so you can make it longer to suit your needs.
Your ladder may only be 3 feet tall when it’s closed, but you can extend it up until it gets to its full length. This means that you can use it for a range of different tasks. As you can move it in little increments you are able to make accurate adjustments, which isn’t always the case with an extension ladder.
They are portable
Telescopic ladders are able to be collapsed into just a one rung high contraption, so they are very easy to move around and then pack up into your closet when you are finished with it. They are also incredibly lightweight, and they don’t usually weigh much more than 14kgs.
A Durable and Sturdy Construction
It’s easy to assume that because these ladders are collapsible, they aren’t strong enough to be able to handle your weight. Thankfully telescopic ladders are tested to ensure that they conform to EN131, CE, or both of these standards so you can be sure they are able to support you. In fact, a lot of folding telescopic ladders even come with a support bar or foot that will give even more stability when the ladder is fully extended.
Things to Consider When Buying a Telescopic Ladder
So now that we’ve covered the best telescopic ladders, you may be wondering what exactly it is that makes a good telescopic ladder. The best choice for you will largely depend on personal preference and your individual needs, but there are a number of features worth considering.
The Material
One of the key considerations to make when looking for a telescopic ladder is what materials it is made from. The lightest material is aluminium and so aluminium ladders are quite light weight. Unfortunately, this also means that they conduct electricity, so you will need to avoid using them when you are working around sources of electricity. In this case it’s better to opt for a ladder that is constructed using fiberglass, as they give extra strength.
As you may expect these kinds of ladders are generally more expensive. You can also find ladders that are made of plastic, wood and steel, but these are usually a little shorter.
The Size
The size of ladder that you choose can sometimes depend on the kinds of things you are going to be using the ladder for, but it is certainly important to consider the height or length of your ladder. Ensure that your selection is a minimum of 3 feet higher than the surface that the top of the ladder is going to be resting on.
If you are trying to get an extension ladder than you should be opting for a ladder that’s at least 7 feet longer than the supporting structure for the top section of the ladder.
Weight Rating
You need to ensure that your weight is going to be able to properly support your weight. As a result of this, you should be certain that you have the right weight rating. The weight rating will include your weight in addition to any other things you plan on carrying up the ladder. The vast majority of telescopic ladders are able to manage a weight of up to 150kg, which is okay for most people.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a telescopic ladder?
A telescopic ladder is a kind of ladder that has overlapping rungs which are able to be collapsed into each other. These rungs are able to be extended and then locked into the right position, and it does this usually using a built in locking mechanism. This means that you can use it as a straight ladder on any particular height, and your only limitation is the maximum height of the actual ladder.
Can you extend the telescopic ladder and still use it at less than the maximum height?
One of the best things about telescopic ladders is that it’s possible to extend them to a range of different heights. With this being said, there is a limit to the amount that each individual rung can be adjusted. For instance, you can’t adjust a ladder to 4.5 feet if your ladder rungs can only be adjusted in increments of 1 foot.
What you can do though is extend is to 5 feet or keep it at 4 feet. You will be able to use this system just fine as long as the height you need to reach is less than the maximum height intended for the ladder.
How do you properly store a telescopic ladder?
Ladders are notoriously irritating to store in a lot of cases, but that is certainly not the case with telescopic ladders. The reason for this is because you are able to collapse them fully so they are compact. You can close a normal 12.5 foot telescopic ladder into a tiny 32 to 24 inches.
Because the rungs or sections don’t lie on top of one another and instead slide into each other, they will keep the thickness of the lowest rung. The ladders also usually come with straps so it’s possible to properly secure the rungs so they don’t slide out.
Some of them even have storage bags that they come with, and in this case, you can store them by putting them inside of the storage bags. With others all you need to do is put them somewhere safe in a shed or a car.
How do you stay safe on a ladder?
When using a ladder, safety is paramount as you are going to be quite some distance off the ground. There are a few different safety things to keep in mind:
First of all, you should always make sure that you check the ladder before you start using it. In the case of a telescopic ladder, it’s important that the locking mechanisms are properly working. Also ensure that there aren’t any visible damages or cracks to any parts of the ladders.
Make sure that the last has some sort of slip-resistant padding on the feed. Don’t use the ladder if these are not present. When using the ladder, make sure that you put it on a solid, firm and level surface. In addition to this, make sure that whatever you rest it on is structurally stable.
When using the ladder, make sure that you always have 3 parts of your body on the ladder constantly. You may choose to have two feet and one hand, or two hands and just one foot.
When you are setting up the ladder, make sure that it is set at a 75-degree angle. Also if you are going to be more than 10 feet above the ground then you should make sure that you wear a safety harness. Always set up your ladder in a safe place, and make sure it’s away from any doors or pedestrian walkways where people will often be walking. If you are able to, put up some appropriate markings.