10 Best Telescoping Ladders of 2023 – Top Picks & Reviews

For the professional, the homeowner, or the handyman, having a telescopic ladder is truly essential. So how do you know which telescopic ladder is right for their needs? By coming to us!
We love tools (paint sprayers, drills, ladders, you name it), and we’re lucky enough to spend all our time researching them.

We’ve found 10 of the best telescopic ladders available, and below, we have reviews of each product to help you determine which model is suitable for your needs.

A Glance at our Favorite Models in 2023:

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Xtend & Climb	5-foot maximum length 50 lb max weight capacity Durable carrying handle strap	CHECK PRICE
		WolfWise	Highly adjustable Aluminum alloy build 330 lb weight capacity	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Lifewit	Easy to store Best for the money High weight capacity	CHECK PRICE
		Ohuhu	Affordable Wider steps One button retraction	CHECK PRICE
		Jason	Strong Lightweight Made to last	CHECK PRICE

The 10 Best Telescopic Ladders:

1. Xtend&Climb Telescoping Ladder – Best Overall

The Xtend and Climb 785P packs quite a bit in its compact and lightweight package. It’s our pick for the best telescopic ladder that treats owners to an impressive 15.5-foot maximum length. The strong aluminum alloy ensures that it’s both lightweight and durable. The tool also converts easily for transportation: it’s fully collapsible and features a carrying handle strap that will make it easy to move from one place to another.

Last but not least, the ladder also features a solid 250-pound weight capacity. Most adults can safely ascend it, even with tools in tow. The cons aren’t significant. One thing that budget shoppers will want to keep in mind is that this is one of the most expensive ladders on our list, which may eliminate it as an option for some people.

Other than that, it’s going to be an excellent purchase for buyers who are looking for the very best telescopic ladder that they can get their hands on.

2. WolfWise 15.5ft Telescopic Ladder

The WolfWise actually has quite a bit in common with the Xtend and Climb ladder. It features an impressive length of 15.5 feet, is made of a durable and lightweight aluminum alloy, and can be extended one foot at a time for maximum utility. It’s even capable of sustaining more weight than our top pick.

With a maximum weight capacity of 330 pounds, the average person will not be taking any risks as they head up the ladder. The only reason that this ladder didn’t assume our top slot was that it’s simply not quite as durable as the Xtend and Climb.

We found—and have heard from other users—that the step’s ability to lock in place diminishes over time, which effectively renders the ladder useless and unsafe until sound repairs have been made. However, it’s a more affordable alternative to our top pick.

3. Lifewit 12.5ft Telescoping Ladder – Best Value

The Lifewit will be an excellent option for buyers keeping a close eye on their budget. It is a little bit shorter than the last two we looked at, but with 12.5 feet of length, you should still be able to access most roofs. There is a lot more to like about this tool than its price. The weight capacity is 330 pounds, which should be sufficient for most users, and like the last two tools, you still get sturdy aluminum alloy materials.

The Lifewit can also be made to be very compact. The ladder collapses to only 4 feet, making it very easy to store and transport. Of course, like every tool, it’s not perfect. One thing that we noticed about this ladder is that it’s pretty uncomfortable to use. The rungs aren’t padded or angled, which will be hard on the feet.

We also noticed that the design interface is confusing. It’s a little bit challenging to distinguish between the collapse and extension controls, which can make it easy to injure your hands. However, it’s a very budget-friendly option for buyers who don’t want to compromise on quality.

4. Ohuhu 12.5ft Extension Ladder

The Ohuhu is an affordable option for buyers on a budget, but unfortunately, due to some issues, it’s going to have a hard time competing with our “best for the money” pick. Before we get into the negatives, let’s reflect on some of the things that the Ohuhu gets right.

It features the 330-pound weight capacity that we found so impressive with the last couple of tools that we looked at. It also has the same durable aluminum build featured in all of the other ladders we looked at today.

Unfortunately, the Ohuhu is heavy and somewhat challenging to transport. It’s not as sturdy as we’d like to see when it’s fully extended, and several of the top and bottom rungs aren’t very stable, which is an obvious safety concern.

Ultimately, the Ohuhu does get some things right, but most buyers will probably be better off with other tools on this list.

5. Jason Telescoping-Ladder

The Jason telescoping ladder has a respectable weight limit of 330 pounds. Weighing in at only 25 pounds, it’s pretty light compared to other ladders of similar strength. It extends to a full length of 13.5 feet. Again, that is pretty decent, considering the low weight of this ladder.

While it’s a very usable ladder overall, we didn’t like the sway when the ladder was fully extended. Telescoping ladders are never as strong as other ladders, but this one just didn’t feel quite as stable as some competitors we tested. However, it’s at a very modest price point that many people may still find attractive.

6. Xtend& ClimbPro 780P+ Telescopic Ladder

Since it’s Rugged, dependable, and safe, the Xtend & Climb Pro Series 780P+ telescoping ladder is a premium choice. It’s compliant with all current 2019 ANSI/OSHA safety standards. The 780P is aerospace-engineered with an aluminum alloy.

It opens to 12.5 feet and is only 32.25 inches long when closed. At 32 pounds, this isn’t one of the lightest models, though it is much thicker and stronger than many competitors. Whether this warrants the exorbitant price or not is your call.

7. Hausse Telescoping-Ladder

With a weight capacity of 330 pounds, this stout telescoping ladder from Hausse offers a unique option for the top. While most ladders simply lean against a structure for support, the Hausse ladder has removable hooks that can go in the very top to help secure your ladder. At 27 pounds, it is on the lighter side of the scale and folds up to just under 3 feet high.

The problem with this ladder was discovered when trying to extend it. Some sections didn’t want to extend and had to be moved by hand. This was more of an inconvenience than anything, but over time, it could become an annoyance.

After using this ladder a few times, it no longer wanted to close all the way, instead getting stuck with a few rungs still lifted away from where they should be sitting. Although it’s decent, with so many similar options on the market, we have to suggest one that’s more reliable.

8. Flash 12.5Ft Telescoping Ladder

Flash Enterprise produces an affordable telescoping ladder with some features that may be viewed positively or negatively. For instance, when folded closed, there are rubber stoppers between each rung to prevent them from closing all the way. This stops you from smashing your fingertips between rungs when the ladder closes.

However, it also means this ladder is 6 inches larger than competitors when fully closed. Some may prefer the safety feature, but if you need to fit this in an already crowded RV, the extra size, when folded, may be a real nuisance. The final straw for this ladder was the cheap plastic on the rungs. It’s not holding up well to use, and in several places, it started cracking within the first few weeks.

9. Telesteps 1800EP Extension Ladder

At first glance, we had high hopes for the Telesteps 1800EP. First off, it’s fully OSHA compliant, so it’s built to job-site standards. At a weight of 30 pounds, it’s rated to hold 300 pounds, so it’s definitely strong, though not leading the class. To be fair, we also liked the looks of this particular model. It has a bit more of a sleek appearance than the other ones we tested.

To our dismay, we discovered that the Telesteps is not reliable enough to serve a useful life. When we first opened it up, everything seemed fine. However, when it came time to close the ladder down, one of the rungs wouldn’t close again. It seemed that the plastic release mechanism allowing it to collapse had broken. The ladder was now useless, and we were glad that we weren’t dependent on it for anything.

10. Idealchoiceproduct Telescopic-Ladders

This ladder is unique among the telescoping ladders we reviewed, and we honestly really wanted to love it. The Idealchoiceproduct ladder is not just telescoping, but it’s also hinged. You can use it as a double-sided A-frame stepladder and extension ladder. Though at 41 pounds, it’s one of the heavier options.

It has a bit more reach than similar ladders at 16.5 feet, though it still folds to the same 36 inches. If it functioned properly, this ladder would be in the running for the top positions of this list. Our excitement was quickly abated when we realized how unstable the ladder was, no matter which configuration we set it up in.

If you’re uncomfortable with heights, expect this ladder to help you realize your fears. It was unbalanced, the feet kept sliding and moving, and it swayed under every step. We did love the concept of this ladder, but it just didn’t pan out as a very useful tool.

Buyer’s Guide – Finding the Best Telescoping Ladder

If you’re still uncertain about which ladder is right for your situation, that’s okay. Because of the safety component that’s involved, finding the right telescopic ladder is something that you should take seriously. The more information, the better, right?

Below is a list of buying considerations to help you determine which features you should value in a telescopic ladder.

Length:

One of the most obvious things to keep in mind as you look to buy a new ladder is the length. As you probably noticed throughout this guide, it can vary slightly from model to model. While several of the units we looked at were 12.5 feet long, you can find a telescopic ladder that is as tall as you need it to be.

Generally speaking, bigger is better… to an extent. However, you should also remember that you don’t want to go too tall. The taller the ladder, the less stable it is, and the harder it is to store and transport.

Getting something that’s a few feet more than you need will make the ladder more versatile while still keeping it manageable.

Materials:

Ladders can be made from a wide range of materials; most of the ladders that we looked at were made of aluminum. Aluminum has the benefit of being extremely durable while usually weighing less and costing less.

If you’re looking for an affordable, durable, easy-to-transport telescopic ladder, aluminum is the ideal material.

Cost:

As you also probably noticed, the cost can range significantly between ladders. The ladder’s quality is incredibly important, but keep in mind that you don’t have to spend loads of money to get a good tool.

A high price certainly doesn’t guarantee quality. As our “best for the money” pick demonstrates, you can pay a reasonable price for a sturdy, safe telescopic ladder.

Max Weight Capacity:

While the weight capacity of any ladder should be considerably higher than your weight, there’s more to consider than just the number you see on the scale. Remember that you’ll often be climbing the ladder while carrying materials.

With that in mind, you’re going to need to find a telescopic ladder that’s not only capable of handling your weight but also the weight of the equipment that you’re likely to use.

Safety Rating:

We’ve continuously mentioned safety as the key concern when choosing a ladder. The good news is that there are concrete ways to determine exactly how safe a collapsible ladder is. Don’t take a company’s reputation at face value. Investigate the safety rating of the ladder by checking to see what one of several organizations has had to say about it.

The ANSI supplies scores for American buyers, while the European Safety System holds products to the safety standards of Europe. OSHA also provides potential buyers with safety scores on products. Simply put, if a product does not have a good safety rating from one of these organizations, it will not be worthwhile to purchase it.

Conclusion

Although we discussed several brands, we have a few ladders from our list that became our favorites. The Xtend and Climb 785P is the best telescoping ladder for buyers who need the highest quality that they can find. On the other hand, customers who want a decently priced, durable ladder will probably appreciate the Lifewit. But hey, these are just suggestions. Now that you’ve read this guide, you are more than qualified to decide on the best telescopic ladder for you.

Note, we also have an article for painters, where we review ladders exclusively made for painting jobs. That article can be found here.