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.

See Price on Amazon

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.

See Price on Amazon

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)

See Price on Amazon

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

See Price on Amazon

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!

See Price on Amazon

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.

The post Best Telescopic Ladder Review 2023 appeared first on Ladder Review.

But which long is the longest telescopic ladder? Surely they cant go above a certain height right?

Right.

The longest telescopic ladder on the market is a whopping 8.2 metres!
Which is pretty epic, considering that the ladder folds down inside itself for easy storage!

This 8.2m telescopic ladder is the longest I have been able to find available to buy. It is made by Worhan and due to its length, it very well made and robust.

When compared to an extension ladder, (due to their more simple structure and mechanism, traditional extension ladders can be made to reach well over 10 metres in length).

Telescopic ladders however, can only be built to reach a certain height due to their nature of being well, telescopic.

This is the ZR Herringbone telescopic ladder, the longest I have found.

The whole ladder is a like a set of Russian dolls – each section of the ladder starting from the bottom being the biggest, gets slightly smaller, so that it can fit inside the leg below.

A telescopic ladder is an ingenious piece of kit, with the legs being hollow to allow it to fold down, but strong enough to hold around 100 – 150kg in weight!

The longest telescopic ladder is currently 8.2 metres. As you can see, this makes it quite bulky and it has to be wider than other shorter telescopic ladders to give it enough strengths.

Perhaps in the future, I will be coming back to update this post with news of an even longer telescopic ladder!

Is height everything when it comes to a telescopic ladder though?

You have to ask yourself, would you really need or feel comfortable using an 8m ladder?

8m is pretty high. When climbing an 8m ladder outside, if you’re not used to ladders it could be pretty daunting.

Also, there’s the obvious struggle of carrying around the extra weight of a very long telescopic ladder.
They are naturally more bulky and heavier.

If you are only interested in using a telescopic ladder inside the house for general jobs like accessing the loft, cleaning out the gutters and for painting the stairs, then you may be wasting money by going for the longest telescopic ladder.

Asses your needs and only buy a ladder that is just a bit longer than what you actually need it for. That way you will have the most suitable ladder – which may be lighter or smaller and possibly cheaper.

The post What is the Longest Telescopic Ladder? appeared first on Ladder Review.

They do not look as safe and strong as a tradition extendable ladder and relatively speaking, are still quite new to the market compared to how long traditional ladders have been around.

Is the telescopic mechanism safe? Can you trust an extending ladder that is made of lightweight metal and plastic to be strong enough to hold your weight?

Read on to find the answers to these questions and more:

Are telescopic ladders strong enough?

Modern telescopic ladders are made of lightweight materials that are also very strong.

From researching different brands, there seems to be a majority of telescopic ladders with a 100kg – 150kg maximum weight limit.

(This is often the safe weight limit for standard and tradition extension ladders. Which people tend to perceive as being safer.

What are telescopic ladders made from?

Many of the telescopic ladders I have researched are made from an aluminium, aluminium alloy or T5 aluminium structure.

Some of the parts (usually the joints) are made from a strong moulded plastic. (Again this is similar the the locking mechanism on a traditional extension ladder – where the locking latch is usually made of very durable plastic.)

The MOST important thing to avoid having any problems is to thoroughly read the instruction manual that comes with your ladder.

How do I use a telescopic ladder?

Not all of these ladders are exactly the same.

Be sure you read the specific instructions on setting up and taking down your telescopic ladder, this will tell you any specific information you need to know in relation to the locking mechanism and release catch.

Some have different ways of opening and locking. You will need to double check the instructions for your specific ladder before use, so as not to damage the safety locking mechanisms on each rung.

Usually, the key information on how to set up the ladder and how to put the ladder away is on a label which is visible on the ladder itself to remind you of how to safely set it up.

(Along with important information on maximum weight loads too.)

Setting the ladder up in the wrong way or using it incorrectly are usually the reasons for incidents.

Telescopic ladders, when bought from a reputable seller, with consistently positive feedback and reviews should work perfectly well, when used correctly and safely.

-If you don’t know exactly how your ladder works, you may end up with trapped fingers or even a collapsed ladder at worst!

If you follow the instructions exactly, you should have absolutely no problems.

Can I trust the cheap telescopic ladders I have seen online that are not branded?

Whilst sellers of ladders online may claim that their ladder has passed the necessary European safety test (European EN 131 certification), there have been cases in the past where ladders have been tested by trading standards and they have actually failed these tests.

(Even though online, they claim to have passed all the necessary safely tests.)

There was a huge problem with substandard telescopic ladders being sold back in 2017. They were investigated and fined.

You can read more about the investigation, the ladders which were recalled and the fines that were given to these dodgy companies by trading standards here.

What should I look out for to avoid buying a cheap import without safety certificates?

The internet is a wonderful place where not much can be hidden in terms of selling substandard products.

People have the ability to leave reviews for products – which means that companies selling through sites such as ebay and amazon will not be able to sell substandard products without being discovered very quickly.

Always look to make sure that the product meets the European EN 131 certification. All independent businesses who are based in the UK who sell ladders will only sell ladders that pass this certification.

For example, BrownsLadders, Ladderstore, Wickes, Homebase, Worhan, Travis Perkins etc.

The ones to watch out for are sellers who sell ladders through sites such as amazon and ebay, where the ladder is unbranded, you are not sure where they are based – (outside of UK?).

Also, look out to see if copy (the information text) looks fabricated or just not quite right. – This can be a warning sign that the ladder may be a cheap import.

Ultimately if you follow these steps, you should be fine.

• Do some research before buying – we will never recommend a bad ladder on this site, but have a look around other sites too and read reviews of the ladders on sites like amazon on ebay too for more confidence.
• Buy from a reputable company.
• Always follow the specific guidelines for the ladder you have, each one may operate slightly differently.
• Don’t immediately go for the cheapest option – there may be a ladder that is significantly better quality for just a few pounds more.
• Look for signs of quality – such as the supporting bar at the bottom of the telescopic ladder which makes the ladder stronger and less wobbly.

How to use a telescopic ladder safely.

• Always make sure you check each rung has locked in place before attempting to use, they usually ‘click’.
• Open from the bottom if not using the full height of the telescopic ladder. (If you open only the top section, the ladder may well collapse.)
• Telescopic ladders are quite lightweight, so maybe tie it up or stabilise it in some way against a solid surface before using it.
• Never try to adjust the locking mechanism whilst the ladder is in use.
• Always take care when retracting the ladder, some telescopic ladders fold down very quickly if you don’t guide them. If the ladder shuts down too quickly, the impact could potentially damage the locking mechanisms, damaging the ladder.
• Always make sure the ladder is clean and dry, many telescopic ladders come with a carry bag for this reason.
• Keep the ladder clean, but don’t oil the mechanism unless your instruction manual specifically tells you to.
• Check to see if your telescopic ladder needs a support bar attaching at the bottom for extra stability before use.

The post Are Telescopic Ladders Safe? appeared first on Ladder Review.

Telescopic ladders have individual locking mechanisms on each rung to enable you to use them at any height.

Telescopic ladder are extremely useful to have around. They give you the best of both worlds, being able to complete jobs at height outdoors, and to work at less height, indoors.

Note: I have spent a long time researching at all of the different brands of telescopic ladder available online and reading their instruction manuals.

I have not encountered any telescopic ladder that must be fully extended to its full height before you can use it.

If you do have any doubts. Dig out your instruction manual to double check. You will know from the instruction manual whether your ladder can be safely used at any height or has to be fully extended as the manufacturer will have to make is VERY clear to you, for obvious safety reasons.

Is it safe to use my telescopic ladder at less that full height?

With these types of ladder, each rung will have its own individual locking mechanism. (Enabling you to open only a few of the rungs and to lock them safely.)

An example of a telescopic ladder that can be used at any height is the Youngmans Telescopic Ladder. (See image below.)

The Youngman’s ladder can be used at any height, up to its full height. It also has lock indicators on each rung that change from red to green to show that each rung has locked safely in place.

Is there anything else I need to know?

Always extend the telescopic ladder from the bottom first, opening and securing each section from bottom to top, you can use the ladder at any height safely.

Do NOT try to open the ladder from the top, leaving the bottom part closed, this is dangerous and could cause the ladder to collapse.

The only time it is safe to open a telescopic ladder from the top is if you are wanting to open the ladder fully, including every section.

In this instance, work down the ladder, making sure you hear the safety click of each rung as you go.

Why Would I Need A Telescopic Ladder?

If you have a long telescopic ladder, say 3 metres or more, it is great height and really useful for working on the outside of the house.

For completing tasking such as cleaning windows, gutters, painting etc.

However, it would most like need to be used only to some of its full height when working indoors, (going up a loft, or hanging a picture for example).

A telescopic ladder is especially useful when using the ladder in a house, with low ceilings.

Can my Telescopic Ladder Be Used At Any Height?

It is very likely that your telescopic ladder, if bought within the last few years, can be used at any height.

This is a key design feature of telescopic ladders, which make them more multifunctional and useful to have around the house as they can be adapted to your house and needs.

Here are some of the brands of telescopic ladder that I have checked that can definitely be used at any height:

• Youngmans
• Worhan
• Finether
• AutoBABa
• Wolfwise
• Nestling
• Superworth
• Zarges
• TB Davies
• Rubyz

I hope this information was useful to you!

Leave a comment below in the comments section if you have a question that you can’t find an answer to and I will try to find out for you.

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