Finding the best telescopic ladder for your purpose can be a little overwhelming, there are so many to chose from. I have scoured what is available in terms of telescopic ladders and have put my findings into an easy to navigate top list for you.
Let me just clarify something that might save you some confusion down the line when being confronted with conflicting product reviews.
Telescopic ladders can sometimes get a bad name and reputation because people use them incorrectly, hurt themselves and then leave the product a terrible review..
The telescopic folding feature is not a magic trick where you press a button when the ladder is vertical and allow it to come crashing down all at once.. that is a recipe for disaster and trapped fingers and hands, believe me!
The proper and safe way to fold a telescopic ladder is to do it slowly and carefully, section by section. Follow the manufacturers guidelines and if in doubt, type your ladder name into Google and watch a video of someone folding down your exact ladder.
A Telescopic Ladder is a great invention and perfect for the modern and often small, family home. They are ideal for trade work as they are adjustable to suit a variety of needs and projects.
If you don’t want to buy a ladder for one job and then have to struggle to find a place to store it or have to look at it wedged in your garage or shed everyday, a telescopic ladder may be perfect for you. Telescopic ladders are incredibly easy to store.
Check out our top picks:
1. Finether 3.2m / 5m Aluminium Telescopic / Telescoping Loft Extension Ladder
The Finether telescopic ladder is the perfect first ladder, it comes in a variety of maximum heights and is light in weight. The free gloves and storage case are an added bonus, the case especially, as this helps to protect the ladder when in storage, increasing the longevity of use.
For the purpose of this review, we will talk about the 3.8m ladder that we tested. The measurements and sizes given are based on this particular ladder so if you go for the slightly smaller or larger version then the measurements will differ slightly.
The size when fully retracted is 84 cm high, which will free up valuable space in your garage or shed! It can even be stored safely away in that pokey cupboard under the stairs.
The Finether 5m ladder has a maximum weight limit of 150kg so is very strong.
The size can be adjusted in 1ft increments which is ideal for any tight jobs that require a specific height setting. You can work at smaller heights of 33 inches all the way up to 12.5ft for higher up jobs.
Its ability to work at specific heights in 1FT increments makes it ideal as a loft ladder if you don’t want to invest in the high cost of having a specific one installed.
Pros:
- Constructed of durable aluminum alloy.
- Easy to use, quick to set up and down.
- Free work gloves and case included.
- Folds very small for storage or for transporting.
- EN131 certified.
- A huge 150kg weight limit.
Cons:
- Not suitable for trade or professional use.
2. Wolfwise 3.2m Telescopic Ladder – Also in 3.8m and 4.7m
Ready to use straight out of the box, sturdy and convenient. This ladder will have endless uses around the home. Wolfwise has created a reputable name for itself in ladders so you can be sure in knowing that you are in safe hands when using this telescopic ladder.
This telescopic ladder features anti-pinch finger protection (many ladders will pinch fingers when they are closed up).
It also has a great safety feature that shows when rungs are safely engaged (so you don’t accidentally not engage them causing the ladder to collapse).
This ladder is safe for light commercial use, so is good for tradesmen who require one for the odd job here and there (it shouldn’t be used all day every day for continuous use as a tradesperson ideally).
It is made from lightweight aluminium and heavy duty PVC for the side components.
Pros:
- Built to GPSD & EN131-1, EN131-2, EN131-3 standards.
- Incredibly lightweight 9kg.
- Easy and quick to set up an use.
- Well known and reputable manufacturer.
- Very affordable.
- Comes with a two year manufacturers warranty.
Cons:
- Carry case sold separately.
- A little awkward to close, take care not to trap fingers.
3. WORHAN 5m A-Frame Double Telescopic Ladder
This telescopic ladder has 5m of length when fully extended, this is an incredible amount of height and makes jobs like cleaning the upstairs windows easier!
It can also be folded in half making a free standing A-frame ladder for general use. (Which is more practical and useful for doing general DIY.)
Worhan is a popular German manufacturer of ladders and produces high quality products. This ladder is no exception and is great considering the price. It is suitable for both professional and domestic use making it one of the most robust telescopic ladders available.
Pros:
- Great height of 5m.
- Can be used as one straight ladder for full height, or folded in half to make an A-frame free standing ladder.
- Made by Worhan, a well known manufacturer of ladders
- EN131 safety standard
- Size when folded is only 93cm high.
- Weight limit of 150kg
Cons:
- No case included (but this can be purchased separately)
- Slightly more expensive than regular telescopic ladders because of the increased functionality.
4. Multi Purpose 3.8m Telescopic Ladder
This is an entry-level telescopic ladder.
This is ideal for those who don’t see themselves requiring the use of a telescopic ladder regularly and don’t want to spend an unnecessary fortune.
It is one of the cheapest telescopic ladders on the market, but this doesn’t mean you settle for poor quality!
Pro’s:
- Can be used from 83cm high up to the 3.8m maximum length.
- Easy to fold down and store away
- Features rubber feet to help grip uneven outdoor surfaces and protect precious indoor flooring
Cons:
- Not manufactured by a “big name” brand
- You can find slightly lighter alternatives (weighs 11kg)
5. Homdox Telescopic Ladder A-Frame 5m
The Homdox Telescopic Ladder is an ideal all rounder. With this ladder there is no need to invest in a set of steps or step ladder, this telescopic ladder can cover all bases and is suitable for a huge variety of jobs.
Safe and sturdy, this ladder can also extended to 5m but is slightly cheaper than the Worhan branded ladder. Its folded size is also only 93cm heigh. Meaning that is still very compact and manageable for transporting.
The feet of the ladder are made from rubber meaning it will grip floor surfaces both indoors and outdoors with ease.
Pros:
- EN131 and CE approved.
- Cheaper than other 5m telescopic ladders.
- Light weight and sturdy.
- Made of T5 aluminum.
Cons:
- Takes a while to set up the full 5metres.
- No case included.
- Not suitable for trade use
6. Nestling Multi-Purpose Folding Telescopic Ladder in 2m/2.6m/2.9m/3.2m/3.8m Sizes
This telescopic ladder conforms to the EN 131 regulation (suitable for light industrial use and trade) which is fantastic considering how cheap it is.
The latter is available in 5 different heights – 2m,2.6m, 2.9m, 3.2m and 3.8m – ideal for those who may not be after a ladder that extends beyond 3m for general jobs around the home and garden.
This ladder is very affordable, the smallest size is just over £50 and the largest just under £100.
The Nestling telescopic ladder has clicking buttons that produce an audible click to let you know it is locked safely in position.
Whilst not suitable for daily long term use by a tradesperson (someone requiring constant ladder use could do with a traditional solid metal ladder, more suited for heavy duty projects.
Pro’s:
- 150kg weight limit
- Easy and quick to fold down using buttons
- Very affordable price
- Suitable for light trade use
- Very light (differs dependant on size)
Con’s:
- Not the greatest quality ladder – but you really can’t grumble too much when it is so cheap.
- There really aren’t any other cons – if you fold the ladder down incorrectly, you will put yourself in danger. Follow the instructions!
Our overall favourite?
Is the WolfWise Telescoping Ladder, available in 3.2m, 3.8m and 4.7m sizes.
This ladder does everything you need it to do with great robust features and functionality. The EN131 conformity means it is suitable for light industrial use – a plus for those looking to purchase for the home as you know it has to be incredibly hard wearing to see it last for many years.
It is inexpensive and you can select from 3 different sizes to suit your needs.
At £89.99 – £134.99 you are investing in something that will last a very long time and have a lot of practical uses around the home and garden.
Click here to see this ladder on Amazon.
What is a Telescopic Ladder?
Telescopic ladders are a fantastic invention – a ladder that can extend to a very large height but can be stored in a very small space once collapsed.
The ladder collapses inside itself (exactly like an old fashioned telescope). Telescopic ladders are thankfully now available to buy everywhere.
They were once considered quite a luxury item but the prices have really come down on them as they are produced in larger quantities and by more manufacturers.
Telescopic Ladders were first seen in the car boots of surveyors – especially those who were well dressed and drove a fancy car. They would pluck the ladder out of their boot and extend it to access almost any point of a house as part of the survey. This is something you still see today!
Benefits of Telescopic vs a Conventional ladder:
- Much easier to store – storing a telescopic ladder is easy, but if you have a 5m long ladder that will not fold down or become any smaller, keeping that somewhere hidden will be almost impossible! Conventional ladders have to be left outside unless you have a massive garage or shed in which to store them. This can cause them to deteriorate much faster and is simply not practical.
- More uses – if you require a ladder to access different heights on your home (for roof, windows, loft etc) then you will need more than one ladder. You can use a 5m long conventional ladder to clean out the guttering but using that to get into the loft would be impossible! A telescopic ladder is adjustable to suit the need of the project.
- Lightweight and compact – Carrying a telescopic ladder won’t result in some kind of comedy routine like trying to carry a larger conventional ladder! In fact, a telescopic ladder can be carried in and out of the home and anywhere in one hand! A conventional ladder will bash, crash and smash into things and you have to be really careful when moving it around.
Telescopic Ladder Brands:
- Finether – A manufacturer of homewares, kitchen, garden and DIY products sold all over the world.
- Worhan – a German manufacturuer of high quality ladders.
- Charles Bentley – a huge UK based company founded in 1860 that sells a large variety of garden products.
Classes/Certification of Telescopic Ladders:
- BS2037/BS1129 Class 1 – For heavy duty and industrial use – If you are needing a ladder that is incredibly strong and going to be used every day at work, this is the class for you. If you need a ladder just to use at home, there is no sense in investing in such a robust class. If working on a building side, this may be the one for you. Examples such as these. You will be hard pushed to find a telescopic ladder that is Class 1 certified. The heavy use means that is just doesn’t suit the needs.
- EN131 – For trade and light industrial use – This is the class to go for as it means the ladder conforms to a standard that is suitable for light industrial and trade use. By getting one of these ladders to use in the home, you know you are investing in something that is high quality as it can be used in a trade environment.
- BS2037/BS1129 Class 3 – For domestic use only. This class was withdrawn in November 2017 and no longer applies to ladders. This was a tightening of health and safety regulations to avoid too many accidents on ladders. Class 3 ladders had to be reclassified as EN131, if they don’t meet the requirements of EN131, they can no longer be sold.
Is a Telescopic Ladder Right For Me?
There are a number of different styles of ladders available on the market now, to suit a variety of needs.
The first thing to consider is whether your ladder is going to be used for light duties around the home, like accessing a loft or to help with decorating. Or if you need a ladder which is suitable trade and business uses.
If your needs are for general use and a variety of jobs, a Telescopic may be best in terms of:
- Being easy to store and transport
- They are fairly lightweight and manageable
- They have good solid feet that can be stabilised on many different surfaces.
- To lean against any wall or surface such as a loft hatch or gutter.
- The larger telescopic ladders can also fold in half – the become an A-frame free standing ladder.