The telescoping ladder was recently designed in the 21st century and lets you adjust it so that you can get full control of the ladder to put it at the ideal height for the job you are doing. It is largely seen as a hybrid of an extension ladder and a step ladder. Its increase in popularity has made home DIY’ers, and professional contractors seek it. It is a profoundly revolutionized ladder that can be extended for you to reach items that are out of reach while letting you fold it into a size that can allow it to be stored in a car’s trunk or closet. With the best telescoping extension ladder, you no longer need to tie down a ladder to the roof rack.
In the beginning, the price of this ladder used to be very high. But due to the increase in production and entry of more manufacturers, prices have dropped to a level that makes them affordable to even homeowners. However, due to the increase in the brands offering this convenient product, you can get confused when you are considering buying it. Therefore, this buying guide and product review will shed light on what to look for as well as the ten best telescoping extension ladders that you should consider.
Best Telescoping Extension Ladders Buying Guide
When you are researching the best telescoping extension ladders so that you can find the one that meets your needs, it is ideal you look at the features of every ladder. Here are the elements you must consider when shopping around for the best telescoping ladder.
1. Set-Up
It is crucial to set up the ladder according to the specifications offered by the manufacturer. Always look at the pinch points where the ladder’s extension extends. After closing the ladder, be sure that your hands remain safe. Ensure that the ladder is located on a level surface and has firm footing prior to your climbing. Telescoping ladders are multi-functional and can be used in many ways. In case the ladder can be utilized as a scaffold, make sure you set it up according to the manufacturer’s instructions. In case you are utilizing it as a straight ladder, make sure it leans against the wall or a similar surface at the instructed angle. A telescoping ladder needs to be placed one foot from the wall for each foot that extends upwards.
2. Maintenance
Always make sure that you eradicate any oil or water from the ladder prior to use. Also, be sure that the ladder is cleaned and dried before storing it away. The bolts and hinges need to be tight. It is very crucial to look out for wear and tear on hinges and locks. The majority of telescoping ladders are made from aluminum and must not have any bent or dents. Additionally, check for missing parts or cracks. Safeguard your ladder from destructive elements by keeping it securely indoors or in a garage.
3. Weight
Always make sure that your telescoping ladder has been certified to the required weight. It is dangerous to weigh 300 pounds on a telescoping ladder that has been certified to 200 pounds. There are various classifications for this ladder. For instance, Type 1A has been certified to 300 pounds, Type 1 has been certified to 250 pounds, and so on. Watch out for a ladder that has no rating and fails to meet safety standards of ladders. There are more than 175,000 ladder injuries in the US, and several of these are because of the fact that rungs collapse or ladders break under the weight.
4. Size
Consider the job type that you are going to do with your ladder so that you can pick the one that has the appropriate size. A big factor is the height at which you will be working. In case you will have to be stretching too far at your work, your ladder could be stabilized. Hence, it would be ideal to get a ladder that will extend some feet above where you will work. Telescoping ladders extend between 8 foot and 22 feet.
5. Material
It is also essential to consider the material of the telescoping ladder. Aluminum ones are the best since they are very light. But keep in mind that they conduct electric current and hence they must not be used when you are working close to voltage sources.
10 Best Telescoping Extension Ladder Reviews
WolfWise EN131 Telescoping Ladder
This telescoping ladder by Wolfwise is perfect for occasional use. It has been manufactured from high-strength aluminum and has a weight of fewer than 25 pounds. It is rated as a Type 1A, meaning you cannot weigh anything over 330 pounds on it. The telescoping ladder extends to its complete length of 12.5 feet but compacts to 34 inches, making it perfect for storage. It is accompanied by rubber feet that can be compromised by the aluminum tube that it coats to safeguard the floor. It has been designed to protect the fingers of the user from being smashed. This is seen in its independent locking at every stop that increases the retraction and extension time. Your fingers will not be caught between the rungs when folding the ladder. This portable ladder offers great value for your money.
Pros
Compact and lightweight
Solid construction
Affordable price
Safety mechanism to safeguard the finger
Cons
Rubber feet can be cut by rails
Some users feel uneasy
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Xtend & Climb 785P Telescoping Ladder
This ladder consists of robust aluminum that is airplane-grade as well as 16 no-slip tread rungs that offer users up to 20 feet of reach. However, it retracts to as little as 36.5 inches when completely compact, which is impressive since some 12.5 feet ladders fail to retract that much. It weighs 36 pounds and has been rated to 250 pounds. With this telescoping ladder, your safety is a priority. Its safety features have been rated by both ANSI and OSHA and include a no-pinch closure feature, which protects your fingers as you close the ladder. It needs a thumb release that uses the user’s foot to retract itself sequentially. Its high price will offer you a telescoping ladder that is worthwhile.
Pros
No-pinch closure
Compact storage
Exceptional warranty
15 feet ladder with 20 feet maximum reach
Cons
Expensive
Heavy
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OxGord Telescoping Ladder
This is one of the most affordable models that will offer you more value for your money. The superior ladder weighs a mere 24 pounds and is rated to 250 pounds, which makes it solid and robust. It extends fully to a length of 12.5 feet, which is sufficient for your tasks. The OxGord Telescoping Ladder folds into a compact 24-inch shape that can fit in any place. It locks at each one-foot step through two pins where each is on every rail.
Pros
Strong but light in weight
Low cost
Cons
A bit short
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Todesco Aluminum Telescopic Ladder
This ladder by Todesco is a robust and solid ladder that is a bit larger than some. It extends up to 13.5 feet and has been rated as Type 1A. It weighs about 25 pounds and combines easy maneuverability with strength. Even with the additional length, it can fold into a compact 35 inches long that simply fits into its carrying case and any place indoors. The ladder has a reasonable price, and it is exceptional at light-duty tasks in your home.
Pros
Longer range
Affordable price
Cons
Can’t do heavy-duty tasks
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Cosco Telescoping Ladder
The Cosco ladder offers a sturdy daily use for both the contractor and homeowner. It is robust with a Type 1A, meaning it can hold a weight of up to 300 pounds. It has a heavier package of 29lb. However, the soft close feature gradually collapses a step at a time after unlocking it. Hence, your finger will not be pinched.
Pros
Easy close safeguards your fingers
Strong and sturdy
Cons
Expensive
A bit heavy
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Senrob Telescoping Ladder
This ladder is solid and strong but still has a lightweight. Its great features are reasonably priced. It is rated for Type 1A, which means you cannot weigh over 300 pounds on the ladder. It weighs about 25 pounds and extends up to 12.5 feet and folds to up to a compact 34 inches. The ladder can help you carry out heavy duty tasks without maneuvering issues. Its positive lock mechanism sequentially elevates the ladder, and the no-pinch closure mechanism safeguards your fingers. The company ensures it informs the users to avoid using the top three steps to ensure they are safe. The company also offers you an unconditional refund/ replace policy for up to one month after purchase.
Pros
Great price/performance ratio
Compact storage
Solid and strong
Unconditional warranty
Cons
None
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Easy Access Innovations Telescoping Ladder
This ladder is great and resembles some other 12.5-foot ladders that consist of lightweight and robust aluminum. It is Type 1A rated and extends up to 12.5 inches before folding to a compact 34 inches. It weighs about 30 pounds but does not feel that heavy. Easy Access also ensures that you are protected as you are working on this ladder. The ladder is completely compliant with every safety feature of ANSI and OSHA. It has wide rungs that offer extra stability for you. It has a quick-rung retraction system that makes retracting it a snap. This Easy Access telescoping ladder is more expensive than most, but its safety features and solid build makes the price/performance ratio exceptional.
Pros
Easy retraction system
Wide rungs
Easy storage
Safety measures
Cons
A bit heavy
Quick retraction system might hurt the fingers
A bit pricey
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Ohuhu Telescoping Ladder
Ohuhu has designed a robust telescoping ladder that is light in weight. It is rated to 330 pounds, and hence it is strong enough for heavy-duty tasks. It weighs about 25 pounds, meaning it combines lightweight with stability and strength. What lures the majority of the people to this ladder is its affordable pricing. If you only need a telescoping ladder for occasional uses, then this ladder is for you. Ohuhu ensures that their customers know that the top three ladders are not safe for use.
To add to its safety standards, it has rubber feet to safeguard your floor. After a complete extension, it reaches 12.5 feet and compacts to 40 inches. While some clients initially reported issues with the ladder, many of them indicated great customer service in such instances. These instances were as a result of shipping and manufacturer concerns.
Pros
Great Customer service
Affordable price
Lightweight
Cons
Shipping and manufacturing concerns
Compact size is larger than other ladders
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Telesteps 1600EP Telescoping Ladder
Telesteps was the first company to develop a telescoping ladder. Hence, the Telesteps 1600EP ladder sets a benchmark for all the other brands to beat. It has been designed with robust but lightweight aircraft grade aluminum. It has a weight of 20lbs and has been rated to Type1A, 300 pounds. Its height is 12.5 inches and can extend for up to 16 feet. Also, it folds into a compact 30-inch shape that you can store anywhere. Its rungs have an impressive width of 3.5 inches that offer exceptional safety and stability for you.
Additionally, it is both ANSI and OSHA compliant. It has a patented one-touch technology that makes it effortless to lower a ladder. Moreover, it has soft silicone feet that will safeguard your floor. However, the disadvantage of this ladder is that the price is high.
Pros
Folds into a compact size
Soft silicone feet
Safety features
Industry-leading performance
Cons
Very expensive
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Vulcan Giant Telescoping Ladder
This telescoping ladder is 17 feet in height and it’s very versatile. If you want, you can obtain it in various heights. It can convert into a step-ladder, wall ladder, and a scaffold frame, which means you can use it for every task at your home and achieve exceptional results. The Vulcan Giant Telescoping Ladder is perfect for painting outdoor surfaces as well as ceilings. It has a wide base for stability and an aircraft-grade aluminum frame that is robust. Also, it has a no-pinch mechanism that will safeguard your fingers. Additionally, you can adjust the height by one inch at a time, which is perfect for achieving a good height.
Pros
Lightweight
Versatile
17 configurations
Aircraft-grade aluminum build
No-pinch mechanism
Cons
A limited number of features
Poor packaging
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