Are you a part-time handyman around your house, and you often have to work in high places? Okay, take a close look at our best telescoping ladders for DIY projects to ensure your safety and to make transporting and storing ladders become easier.

But, we will say something about the benefits of telescoping ladders. Scroll down!

Top 5 Best Telescoping Ladders Reviews 2019

Top 5 Best Telescoping Ladders for The Quality Awards in 2019

Xtend and Climb 785P Pro Series

Xtend and Climb 785P Pro Series

Features

  • Height: 36 inches (closed), 15.5 feet (fully extended), 12.5 feet (safety working), 19.5 feet (maximum reach)
  • Width and depth: 19.75×4.5 inches
  • Level of height adjustment: rung by rung, 16 steps
  • Weight: 36 pounds
  • Load capacity: 250 pounds, ANSI Type I
  • Material: Aerospace Engineered 6601 aircraft-grade aluminum, rust-proof and easy cleaning anodized finish
  • Warranty: 6 months for parts and repair, free from manufacturers defects in materials or workmanship

The Xtend and Climb Pro Series Ladder’s features are patented by the True Telescoping Technology, meaning you cannot get the same quality anywhere else. The ladder is safe to use, compact, and stylish.

The feet are double over-molded with non-slip end caps to increase its durability, traction, as well as a sturdy footing when you climb up and down the ladder.

Its release button with red-green indicating rungs lock and a curve design is placed on the side of the rung to avoid jamming your thumb and other fingers when you retract the ladder.

You can also bring it from place to place easily with the soft carrying handle comfortably fitting your finger/hand and the military-grade closure strap to keep it close when moving. A carry case can be bought separately for better storage.

It also comes in four colors: gray with yellow, red, green, and blue, so your selves of DIY tools are never boring to look at.

Pros: Sturdy rungs. High Reach. Durable material . Anti-pinched retract button. Suitable for heavy work of contractors and DIY workers, both outdoor and indoor projects. Compact size for its reach; easily fit in the front or back of a truck, closest, etc.

Cons: Quite expensive. Difficult to retract on horizontal position. Quite heavy but can only carry a maximum load of 250 pounds

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Cosco 20313T1ASE Smartclose Telescoping Aluminum Ladder

Cosco 20313T1ASE Smartclose Telescoping Aluminum Ladder

Features

  • Height:  33.1 inches (closed), 12.6 feet (fully extended), 16 feet (maximum reach)
  • Width and depth: 20×3.6 inches
  • Level of height adjustment: rung by rung, 11 inches between each step, 13 steps
  • Load capacity: 300 pounds, ANSI Type 1A
  • Weight: 28.1 pounds
  • Material: industrial-grade aluminum

Cosco has a smart close one-touch release retraction to prevent fingers pinching. It is slowly descending, and its button is designed quite similar to that of Xtend and Climb to ensure proper hand position and avoid pinched fingers.

The green-red locking indicators on every rung to tell you when it is safe to climb (green means the rungs are locked and good to go). And the rungs are molded with a depth of 1.6 inches, creating a more steady feeling when climbing up high.

Pros: Lightweight, compact size, enough reach height for any household works.

Cons: Quite expensive.

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Telesteps 1800EP Pro Extension Ladder

Telesteps 1800EP Pro Extension Ladder

Features

  • Height: 34 inches (closed), 14.5 feet (fully extended), 11.5 feet (safe working), 18 feet (maximum reach)
  • Width and depth: 18×4.9 inches
  • Level of height adjustment: rung by rung, 15 steps
  • Load capacity: 300 pounds, ANSI Type 1A
  • Weight: 30.5 pounds
  • Other safety certificates: AS/NZ, EN 131, TUV GS, trusted by the US military
  • Material: Aircraft-grade aluminum, rubber bumpers

The silicone pivoting feet grips is flexible enough to adjust to a slight change in angle of the ladders and the ground and thus hold it stable.

Serrated and elliptical tubing rungs along with the green-red lock indicators allow sturdy footing with every step you walk on the ladder.

With one touch on the release button, the ladder is fully automatically extended or retracted in just a second. You can stretch it to maximum height from the top rung or by the foot from the bottom rung.

Pros: Multiple usages: outdoor and indoor works, at home, on boats, farms, etc. Compact size that easily fits in any storage space. Effortless retraction and extension. Non-slip feet grips. Anti-pinched retraction button.

Cons: Expensive, replacement parts are sold and bought only at the manufacturers, cause scratches on walls.

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Oxgord LDAL-TS02-12 Multi-purpose Ladder

Oxgord LDAL-TS02-12 Multi-purpose Ladder

Features

  • Height: 41 inches (closed), 12.5 feet (fully extended)
  • Width and depth: 20×4 inches
  • Level of height adjustment: step by step, 13 steps
  • Load capacity: 330 pounds ANSI Type IA
  • Other safety certificates: EN131, CE, SGS
  • Weight: 24.2 pounds
  • Material: aluminum
  • Warranty: 1 year free from manufacturer defects

The steel spring auto-locking pins make sure the rungs are locked into place when fully extended. Between each step are small plastic pillars to protect your fingers from being jammed when retracting

The ladder can be tilted at an angle of up to 75 degrees, providing more sturdy footing as you climbing up its maximum height.

Travel with the telescoping is also not a problem with a durable carrying strap and case of its own. At its size, it can fit in any small spaces like the trunk, storage sheds, or closets.

Pros: Good for both commercial and home projects, includes a carrying bag, good price for value.

Cons: Pending and flimsy when reaching the top, so it should be used with a spotter and on an even surface.

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Ohuhu Aluminum Telescopic Extension Ladder

Ohuhu Aluminum Telescopic Extension Ladder

Features

  • Height: 41.7 inches (closed), 12.5 feet (fully extended)
  • Width and depth: 19.3×3.9 inches
  • Level of height adjustment: rung by rung, 13 steps
  • Load capacity: 330 pounds, ANSI Type IA
  • Other safety certificates: EN131, SGS
  • Weight: 24.2 pounds
  • Material: aluminum
  • Warranty: 6 months on materials and repairs

The rungs spring loaded and self-locked into place, giving a “click” sound when each rung is fully extended.

The ladder is slowly retracted with a one-button release to close the ladder from its full length and 11-level retraction button put under the step that is one level down from the descent level. This mechanism can avoid pinched fingers.

Pros: Low price considering its value, portable, lightweight.

Cons: Hand position when retracting the ladder may still get your finger pinched. The grip holding the strap is not strong. The size, when closed, is still larger than most other telescoping ladders. Unsteady towards its maximum height.

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Why are Telescoping Ladders the Best for Home Use?

There are many types of ladders out there to accomplish different kinds of DIY projects, like furnishing, repairing boats, painting, etc. Here are a few to name:

  • Single-section: probably the cheapest on the market, easy to operate, quite useful for any quick jobs
  • Stepladder: shorter but sturdier than the single-section, can be used to reach high shelves in storage sheds or libraries and for indoors painting
  • Extension ladder: include two sections or more (each section has a fixed number of steps) that overlap when not in use and can be stretched out and locked into place when extra height is needed
  • Telescoping ladder: the height extension is operated much like a telescoping where rungs collapse into each other
  • Multi-position ladder: can be transformed to step or straight ladder, or used to build a temporary bridge

Each will have their pros and cons, but telescoping ladders has designs that can ensure both convenience and safety requirements for DIY projects.

Single-section, step, extension, multi-position ladders have fixed and restricted heights and bulky design that make it difficult to operate, store, carry and bring to places with small space.

On another hand, the height of telescoping ladders is adjustable, which allows compact size for storage but enough height to work above the ground. It is also made of lightweight materials so you can carry it around with one hand.

No matter kinds of projects, indoor or outdoor, painting, changing light bulbs, or fixing roof, you can lean it against a vertical surface and climb up with your tool belt safely and easily.

Why are Telescoping Ladders the Best for Home Use?

Qualities to Look For in the Top Telescoping Ladders

Safety

Rubber grips on the feet and top make the ladder stand steadily and not slipping or sliding on any surface, as well as protect floors and walls from being scratched by the ladder.

Ladders complied with OSHA/ANSI safety standard rate must be used by types of work and load capacity. This specification is usually included in the product description. We will give an explanation for this rating system in a section below.

Other safety features that a good telescoping ladder should have are an automatic extend/retract operation as well as retraction mechanism that ensures no fingers jammed.

Stability

The rung or step should also be wide enough to fit your grip position, molded at a certain angle and finished with a non-slip surface. It should also have an indicator that tells if it is locked into places and ready to use.

Thick aluminum tubes for the sides can ensure more stability when using the ladder at its full height. The material and design should be enough to carry your weight and make you feel stable when climbing up and down.

Usability

Flexible size is the most highlighted features of telescoping ladders in-home use, so the ladder’s height should be able to extend rung by rung to any height you desire, which may be only a few feet, instead of its full height.

See also: Best Paint Sprayer For Home Use – Review and Comparison.

Transportability

The telescoping ladders’ height usually ranges about 30-40 inches in compact its mode, so it is easily fit in the trunk of a car. They sometimes come with carry-straps, or even cases, of their own for the easy transport.

Safety Purchase and Usage Notes

Before purchasing the telescopic extension ladder, you should look carefully into their specifications for safety. Most of the above-recommended brands have warranties against manufacturer defects so you should also check inspect the products to make sure it is in good condition when you buy it.

  • Check its weight capacity, OHSA/ANSI rated type
  • Check both reachable height and standing/safe working height (most top rungs of telescoping ladders is not safe enough to step on)
  • Inspect for signs of damage like crack, corrosion, and stress
  • Intact anti-slipping rubber grips on the feet

When using the telescopic ladder, it is easier to fall because of the height its reach and its placement position, unlike the A-ladder or multi-position ladder.

  • Put the ladder on a stable and even surface
  • Secure the top of the ladder before climbing up
  • Place the ladder at an angle about 75 degrees with the ground
  • Never place the ladder near doors or in a traffic path because the ladder may be tilted
  • Test each rung before climbing and applying your full weight on the ladder
  • Use a fiberglass ladder if you are going to work near or with electricity
  • Always climbing up the ladder one step at a time
  • Always climbing using one foot and two hands, or two feet and one hand
  • Don’t make sudden moves
  • Always extend the ladder about three rungs above your exit point (when getting on a ladder from a roof or stage, for instance)
  • Don’t carry bulky items
  • Put your finger away from the rung when carrying and retracting
  • Store in dry places to avoid moisture

Understand the Safety Codes

The ladders are rated according to the maximum weight they can carry, intended use, and material, so make sure you understand the abbreviation of the safety codes.

  • Type IAA can carry 375 pounds, assigned for Special Duty
  • Type IA can carry 300 pounds, assigned for Extra Heavy Duty/Industrial Use
  • Type I can carry 250 pounds, assigned for Heavy Duty/Industrial Use
  • Type II can carry 225 pounds, assigned for Medium Heavy Duty/Commercial Use
  • Type III can carry 200 pounds, assigned for Light Duty/Household Use

ANSI A14.1, ANSI A14.2, ANSI A14.5, ANSI A14.7 which stand for wood, portable metal, fiberglass (portable reinforced plastic), steel are probably the most common materials for ladders used in DIY projects.

Other abbreviations are assigned according to their use like ANSI A14.3, ANSI A14.4, ANSI A14.7, ANSI A14.8, and ANSI A14.9, stating rules for fixed, job-made wooden, mobile-platform, accessories, and disappearing-attic ladders.

To Wrap It Up

Depending on your need (indoor or outdoor, at home, on boats, in RVs, etc.), you will have different ladders to do the job. Therefore, the height and load capacity should be the most important numbers to look at.

With a reasonable cost, many usages, and safe designs, Xtend and Climb 785P deserves the title of the best telescoping ladder for DIY projects, while the others can be used in heavier duty.