Having a set of ladders at your home is going to be essential for almost all homeowners. Whether you are painting and decorating, putting things in the loft space, or even just trying to clean windows outside your house….none of this can be done without a set of ladders! But, the difficult thing is the amount of space that they take up when they are not being used. Many people come up with solutions for this, such as hanging them from the wall or ceiling, but this is less than ideal and sometimes just not practical! 

If you are currently dealing with this frustration yourself, then the best way forward is to purchase a set of telescopic ladders – but chances are if you are reading this article you already know that! Telescopic ladders are designed to shrink down into themselves, using that clever telescopic design, so that when you need them they will be plenty tall enough to get the job done, but when you don’t they will be small enough to pack away in a tidy corner of your shed or garage. 

Choosing the right pair of telescopic ladders is essential if you are looking for a pair that are going to be safe, easy to use and tall enough to get the job done! Keep reading for some of the best telescopic ladders available at the moment and what you need to look for when you are buying! 

Best Pick – WolfWise 4.7M Telescoping Ladder

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In A Hurry? 

If you have a job that needs doing quickly then keep reading – here we have all the essential information that you could need to be able to get the job done with the best telescopic ladder around! We have also included some of our favourite telescopic ladders to help make your purchase even easier! 

Size – Both Extended and Contracted

By far the first thing that you are going to need to think about is the size of the ladder that you are going to be purchasing. This is going to determine the jobs that you will be able to reach with your ladder and the amount of space that you are going to need when you are storing it! 

The extended height is the biggest height that the ladder will be able to stretch to when fully extended. You will sometimes find that telescopic ladders have a lower height than other ladders due to their design, but in saying that there are still models that are MORE than long enough to complete most jobs safely! Most are going to be at around 16ft – although some cheaper models are considerably less! It is worth noting that we did find some models that went up to 24ft but these tend to be considerably more expensive due to the quality materials that are needed! 

You will usually find that the height the telescopic ladder extends to is going to directly impact on the size that they shrink down to. A larger extendable length is going to mean a larger packed away size! We found telescopic ladders that shrunk down to as small as around 30 inches! This will allow you to store your ladder and transport it considerably easier when you are working! 

TOP TIP: Some telescopic ladders have parts that can be removed to make them even easier when storing! This can be handy if you are planning on taking your ladder in the car for example but you do run the risk of losing the extra parts!

Weight Capacity

The maximum weight capacity is the maximum weight that your ladder can carry safely without risking any damage or accidents. It is essential that you do not overload the maximum weight of the telescopic ladders at any point as this could cause the joins in the ladder to fail….whilst you are using them! Most telescopic ladders are going to have a maximum weight capacity of between 130kg and 160kgs. Although this might seem like a lot – you need to remember that more often than not you are going to  be carrying additional weight when you are using the ladder! Whether this be something as small as tools or as big as your suitcases or a christmas tree, the weight is going to have to be added to what you weigh and still come in UNDER the maximum weight capacity. 

Build Materials 

It is essential to think about the materials that your telescopic ladders are going to be built from before you buy! Most are going to be made from aluminium or stainless steel as this will be strong but also light. If your telescopic ladder is made from these materials then we would always recommend looking to see if the metal is powder coated, this will help to offer an additional layer of protection to help prevent scratches or rust developing over time. 

You will often find that there are aspects of your telescopic ladders that involve plastic as well. Plastic is best used for the handles, runners and the feet of your ladders. This helps to avoid any scratches on your floor from the metal coming into contact, and will add to the comfort when climbing up and down your ladders. If you are particularly conscious of avoiding any marks or scratches on your floor then look out for ladders that have synthetic rubber feet – not only will this maximise the grip of the ladder but it will reduce any scratches or plucks on carpet or hard surfaces. 

Safety Regulations 

It is crucial that your telescopic ladders meet specific safety regulations so that you can be sure you will be safe when climbing up and down the ladders! There are two safety regulations that you should look for, the first is an EN 131 certificate, which is basically a standard safety certificate to state that the ladders are in line with UK regulations. We would also recommend looking out for a EU Certificate of Ladder Safety which will tell you that the ladder has been through specific checks and is meeting safety regulations. 

Best Budget – DICN 2.6m Telescopic Ladder

Last update on 2024-12-13 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

Additional Features To Consider

Once you have found a telescopic ladder that is going to be the right size and have the right weight capacity for you, there are always going to be additional features that you need to consider before buying – especially if you are wanting ladders that are going to be long lasting! 

• A-frame – These are quite uncommon but there are some telescopic ladders that will fold out into an A-frame design instead of a standard upright ladder. These are going to be arguably safer and able to stand up on their own instead of needing propping against a wall or other surface. 
• Easy to use – Some telescopic ladders that we tried were actually incredibly difficult to set up! They were cumbersome and time-consuming to erect and even harder to fold back in on themselves! Look out for models that are going to be smooth to set up with locks that click into place! 
• Weight – The weight of your telescopic ladders is important as this will determine how easy your ladders are going to be to move around between jobs. Some will be as light as 9kg which is going to be more than easy enough for you to carry! 
• Fixtures and fittings – There is going to be a lot of strain put on the fixtures and fittings of your telescopic ladders when they are being used and not only that but there are going to be a lot more fittings due to the design of the ladders. Make sure that these are made from heavy-duty, weight bearing steel that will be able to cope with the weight for a long time. 

Wanting the Safest Telescopic Ladder?

If you are serious about safety and are wanting a telescopic ladder that is going to help you achieve this then there are some additional features that are definitely worth looking out for. Ladders can be dangerous if you are not careful – but these features help to avoid any accidents from occuring. 

• Look out for rungs that are larger – this will help to provide additional stability and ease when climbing up and down the ladder. Rungs with 50% larger spacing can actually achieve an additional safety standard of EN131-6. 
• Rungs with individual locks – Some telescopic ladders have one locking system that comes into place when the ladder is fully extended. The problem with this is that you have to have your ladder at full height all the time and you are relying on that one mechanism to keep you safe. Look out for ladders with locking mechanisms at each stage of the ladder making them safer and more adjustable in size. 
• Visual indicators – Some of the best telescopic ladders have visual indicators that make it clear when the locks are in place or when they aren’t. This is usually as simple as a red and green design but makes a big difference in terms of safety. 
• Safety strap – Look out for models that come with a safety strap, this will make them both easier to erect and easier to fold away when the job is done. The last thing you want is an accident before you even get on the ladder! 
• Good quality instruction manual – There are many sets of telescopic ladders, particularly models that are imported, that don’t actually come with instructions at all! How are you supposed to safely erect your ladders if you don’t even know how to use them? Make sure your ladders come with  good quality instructions to avoid this issue! 

• Electric shock protection – For most people this probably won’t be a relevant feature, but if you are planning on working with light fittings or drilling into walls, then you are going to need ladders that will offer you this protection. For this you will need either fibreglass ladders or ones with rubber feet to offer that barrier between the ground. 
• Height safety – It is generally considered unsafe to use the top few rungs of your ladder due to the position when they are leaning against the wall. Therefore make sure to take this into consideration when you are looking for the height that you need so you aren’t relying on those rungs! 
• Moulded hand supports – Perfect for not just added safety but also extra comfort and reduced friction when you are working! 

Best of the Rest

Last update on 2024-12-13 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

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Last update on 2024-12-13 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

Frequently Asked Questions

Do telescopic ladders come with a guarantee? 

Yes, you will find that all good quality telescopic ladders come with at least a 12 month warranty. If you are wanting a telescopic ladder that you know is going to be safe and secure for years to come then look out for models that come with upwards of a 3 year warranty. 

Do telescopic ladders have to be fully extended? 

This really depends on the make of the ladders and the build design. Some are going to need to be fully extended for them to be safe to use. Other ladders will offer a much greater flexibility so that you can work at any height you need. In this instance, make sure that you always leave the unextended parts of your ladders at the top of the ladder so that they aren’t part of the ladder that you are putting full weight on.

How should I maintain my telescopic ladder?

The best way for you to maintain your telescopic ladder is to keep it stored in a dry secure place. This will help to avoid any rust from forming which is going to affect the usability and the safety of your ladder. We would also recommend oiling the moving parts of your ladder every few months so that the telescopic motion moves and locks into place with ease.