Now if you already have a ladder you may not think that a telescoping ladder is really necessary. We’re here to tell you that it most definitely can be. After all, a traditional ladder is going to take up a lot of space in your garage, shed or house, and you just might not have that much space. So what do you do about it? Well a telescoping ladder is going to help you out by making sure that you don’t take up too much extra space. These ladders shrink down to a fraction of their fully extended size so that you can easily store them anywhere you want. In fact, a telescoping ladder could take up less space than a step stool, but when you’re ready to use it you’ll be able to extend it to upwards of 10 feet, depending on the specific model you choose. That’s where you’re going to need a little better understanding of what your needs are and how you’re going to achieve them. Here we’re going to go over some of the best telescoping ladders so you can decide just that.
Best Telescoping Ladder List
1. Telesteps 1800 EP OSHA Compliant
$294.00 From Amazon
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14.5 feet tall, this ladder actually allows you to reach up to 18 feet and is rated to hold up to 300 pounds. Easy to pull down or to extend with a one-touch release, you can even extend it to smaller distances, each with one foot increments so you don’t need shorter ladders either. This ladder weighs only a little over 30 pounds and that makes it much easier to carry wherever you need and though it’s a little higher priced it has excellent ratings including being OSHA complaint. Fully automatic, it has 100% silicone feet to make sure you get a good grip no matter where you’re setting it up or what you’re trying to climb. It’s been used for anything from hunting and fishing to farming and even working in an office or professional jobsite because of the durability and versatility as well as the light weight.
2. Xtend & Climb 785P Aluminum
$229.99 From Amazon
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A little higher priced, this ladder has a thumb release to make it easier to raise or lower. The best part is likely the included carry handle that allows you to close it up and take it wherever you want to go. It’s made of high quality aerospace engineered aluminum alloy and has one foot increments to allow use in a variety of different places. Only a little over 36 inches when fully closed, this ladder actually extends to over 15 feet and can hold over 250 pounds. Weighing only about 36 pounds itself, that definitely means it’s going to hold its own for whatever you need. It locks one foot at a time and it has a six month warranty that will ensure you get a high quality product right from the start and don’t need to worry about anything.
3. Telesteps 1600ET OSHA Compliant
$268.85 From Amazon
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If you’re looking for an easier way to get your ladder set up then this is definitely a great option. It’s fully automatic and can be extended all the way to 12.5 feet. This allows you to reach approximately 16 feet so you can get to anything you need. It even has a one touch release and is the ladder used by the US military. Weighing only 23 pounds you can carry it longer distances and set it up quickly and easily. This tactical ladder has a one year warranty and is made with high quality nylon composite in the ladder brackets and silicone for anti-slip. The upper section folds nearly entirely flat and even though it may not look like much, you’re definitely going to like this ladder once you’ve started using it. The apparently inferior looking materials aren’t actually inferior at all.
4. Xtend & Climb 770P Aluminum
$164.56 From Amazon
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This is a ladder you’re not going to lose. The bright yellow accents make sure of that. What’s even better is that this ladder is actually moderately priced, especially compared to many of the other options. It’s also extremely easy to expand and lock into place and because it doesn’t use a pinch closure you don’t have to worry so much about accidental injury. It also has a carry strap and handle so you can transport it and the entire thing expands up to 12.5 feet. It’s also narrower than other options, which means it can fit in more compact spaces. It only weighs 26 pounds, which is about average for this type of ladder and it’s perfect for anyone who really likes to do things themselves around the house, and especially those who do their work inside, though this ladder will work well outdoors and for other projects as well.
5. Telesteps 1400E OSHA Compliant
$187.00 From Amazon
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Though this ladder is a little smaller than some of the others, it still allows you to reach up to 14 feet and is rated up to 250 pounds, which is close to some of the larger ladders. It has a one touch release and it’s entirely automatic both up and down so you don’t have to worry about having enough upper body strength. At only 18 pounds of weight it’s also extremely easy to carry and is the same type that is used in many branches of the military as well as Swat teams. Not only that but it folds up to only 28 inches tall and that makes it easy to store in smaller spaces. It can be used in office buildings, outdoor jobsites and a whole lot more, pretty much anywhere you could possibly need a ladder you’ll be able to use this one easily and get it set up fast.
6. Useful UH-TL189 12.5Ft. Aluminum
$129.97 From Amazon
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This ladder is not only tall enough to get you anywhere you need to be at 12.5 feet, but it’s fully loaded with additional features as well. It’s made with anti-corrosion, lightweight aluminum alloy and is rated to hold over 300 pounds. It also has finger safety protectors so you don’t have to worry about pinching your fingers while putting it up or taking it down. The added cross piece also helps to stabilize it and make this a safer option, with a still moderate price tag to go along with it. In fact, it’s the only one of these ladders to include any type of stabilizing piece which makes it even better for anyone who might be less than comfortable on larger ladders. After all, this one reaches up a decent amount and it’s intended to be somewhat flexible, which can be difficult for those who are afraid of heights, for example.
7. Generic EN131 Std. 12.5Ft. Aluminum
$110.99 From Amazon
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This is an extremely heavy duty option that can get you anywhere from 2.5 feet off the ground to 12.5 feet up. Easy to close down to 34 inches, it has a spring loaded lock for each rung so you can feel confident while climbing. This is definitely a flexible ladder, which can be a good thing for many people, but that means it might move just a little more than others. It’s about 22 inches wide, which makes it somewhat narrow for some but is still within the average range for any ladder. You will need to use two hands to get the ladder to open, but this is one way that you can be sure you’re not going to hurt your fingers as well, but you’ll definitely be able to get it up and you won’t have to worry too much about stability when you’re ready to use it.
8. Ollieroo 12.5Ft EN131 Aluminum
$119.99 From Amazon
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Able to hold up to 330 pounds, this ladder is certified to European Safety Standard EN131. It’s used commonly for maintenance, window washing and other outdoor tasks but can be used for anything. It includes 12 separate steps and a thumb button lock to keep it sturdy. With a low to moderate price, it’s easy to set up each of the steps to get you up where you need to be. It’s also easy to use the safety catch and attach the strap for easy carrying. At just under 21 inches wide it actually has steps that are a bit smaller, with the bottom step being only about 12 inches. That means that this ladder is a little narrow for some, though not very much different from other options. The steps are also about 1.5” thick so they are sturdy but also easy to stack as you bring the ladder down. It’s going to be a personal preference whether that’s actually going to be wide enough. The feet ensure that it’s stable even on rougher surfaces so you don’t have to worry about too much flexibility.
