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The 5 Best Ladders for Homeowners

Safe reach for gutters, paint, and roofs

Independently tested·4.6/ 5avg of 5··5 picks· How we tested
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The right ladder prevents the most common home-project injury. We compared step ladders, extension ladders, and multi-position models for stability and storage.

At a glance

Our top 5 picks

PickAwardRatingPriceJump to
22 ft Multi-Position Ladder
Little Giant
Best Overall4.8$250-$400Read
24 ft Fiberglass Extension Ladder
Werner
Best Extension4.7$250-$350Read
6 ft Fiberglass Step Ladder
Werner
Best Step Ladder4.6$100-$160Read
3-Step Folding Step Stool
Cosco
Best Compact4.4$40-$70Read
17 ft Telescoping Ladder
Xtend & Climb
Best for Gutters4.3$180-$260Read
Best OverallLittle Giant

22 ft Multi-Position Ladder

4.8/ 5

Works as a step ladder, extension ladder, and stair ladder, which is why it replaced two ladders in our garage.

Pros
  • Extremely versatile
  • Very stable
  • 300+ lb rating
Cons
  • Heavy
  • Expensive
$250-$400
At Amazon
Check Price on Amazon
Best ExtensionWerner

24 ft Fiberglass Extension Ladder

4.7/ 5

Minimal flex at full extension and fiberglass rails keep it safer near service drops.

Pros
  • Rigid at height
  • Non-conductive rails
Cons
  • Heavy to raise alone
$250-$350
At Amazon
See Price on Amazon
Best Step LadderWerner

6 ft Fiberglass Step Ladder

4.6/ 5

The right height for ceiling fans, paint cutting-in, and smoke detectors in standard 8-9 ft rooms.

Pros
  • Solid platform
  • Tool tray
Cons
  • Awkward to store
$100-$160
At Amazon
See Price on Amazon
Best CompactCosco

3-Step Folding Step Stool

4.4/ 5

Folds flat into a closet and still gets you to upper cabinets and light fixtures safely.

Pros
  • Stores anywhere
  • Light
Cons
  • Limited reach
$40-$70
At Amazon
See Price on Amazon
Best for GuttersXtend & Climb

17 ft Telescoping Ladder

4.3/ 5

Collapses to about three feet, so it fits in a trunk and behind a garage door for quick gutter checks.

Pros
  • Very compact
  • Fast setup
Cons
  • Rungs need clean tracks
$180-$260
At Amazon
See Price on Amazon
Methodology

We loaded each ladder to its rated capacity, tested flex at full extension, and timed setup and folding for storage in a standard garage.

How we make money: Some links above are affiliate links — when you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never influences our picks. Read our editorial standards.

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