For every DIY project, we all need essential tools and equipment to get the best results. For most jobs around the house, step ladders are a welcome and necessary addition to your kit, but they can take up a lot of space when not in use. That's where telescopic ladders come in handy.
Known for being portable and space-saving, a telescopic ladder is a vital tool not just for anyone who is trying to maintain a home - but for all of us who don't have massive storage space to keep a full size ladder, the telescopic ladder is truly a game changer.
The best telescopic ladders at a glance:
Easy to carry: WolfWise Telescoping Ladder - View on Amazon UK
Lightweight and stable: Nestling Telescopic Ladder - View on Amazon UK
Durable and reliable: Nineaccy Telescopic Ladder - View on OnBuy
Quick and easy to use: vlio Folding Telescopic Ladder - View on Amazon UK
If you're still not totally sold on why you need to invest in a telescopic ladder, then there is only one thing that you can really do. It's time for you to climb down our list of the best telescopic ladders down below...
The best telescopic ladders
Easy To Carry
Available in multiple height options, this WolfWise ladder will make your next project easy peasy. This telescopic ladder is an essential for your DIY arsenal. This ladder has been made with safety in mind, each section has been crafted so that it opens and closes without injuring fingers. This telescopic ladder has non-slip end caps and these hold the ladder firmly in place while you work.
Our thoughts: This sturdy ladder will be the perfect DIY companion, whether you're quickly changing a lightbulb or painting your living room. It's built to stand tall and hold a lot of weight, plus it comes with a heavy-duty strap too.
Pros
- Non-slip end caps for safety
- Corrosion-resistant
Cons
- A considerable investment compared to competitors
Lightweight And Stable
This portable telescopic ladder from Nestling has you covered when it comes to convenience. Lightweight and stable, this telescopic ladder is made from high strength aluminium alloy. What does this mean? Well, this ensures stable load-bearing along with maximum load-bearing capacity of 150kg. Don't let this fool you - this telescopic ladder is easy to move and carry.
Our thoughts: With a flexible but strong design and a range of sizes available, this ladder is definitely a winner. It's effortless to operate and can be used all over the house and garden. We're big fans of this one.
Pros
- Lightweight frame
- Easy adjustment for versatile use
Cons
- Watch out for jamming
Durable And Reliable
www.onbuy.com
Made from eco-friendly materials, this reliable ladder is long-lasting and kind to the planet. This telescopic ladder has been qualified with the EN131 certificate for safe materials - and with inward slide latches you can adjust it rung by rung for optimum usage. This ladder can be folded using two folding methods - these are known as the safe folding method and the quick folding method. When using this ladder, it is important that you use the folding method that suits your needs.
Our thoughts: Fully extendable and safe for most of the family, this telescopic ladder from Nineaccy is easy to fold and store away. Getting it up and down is fully automatic with one button, and you can adjust it rung by rung.
Pros
- Corrosion-resistant and rust-resistant
- Two folding methods for compact storage
Cons
- Need to take your time when adjusting rung by rung
Quick And Easy To Use
This clever A-frame telescopic ladder is high-quality with a design that's made to last for years. This telescopic ladder is adjustable from as little as 3ft to as large as 16.5ft. What's more is that the added two rolling casters can help you to carry and manoeuvre this ladder easily. This telescopic ladder is renowned for being easy to extend and retract and if done correctly will ensure that your DIY projects will go smoothly.
Our thoughts: We are very impressed with this premium design. Corrosion and rust-resistant rubber feet, a sturdy locking mechanism, a stabiliser bar, and rolling casters for easy moving make this ladder very safe and reliable.
Pros
- Easy to carry and store away
- Manufactured to a high standard
Cons
- Must be careful to not pinch hands on steps when adjusting
Tough And Sturdy
Extending and collapsing with ease, this Nassboards ladder will keep you safe and secure. This telescopic ladder has been built to be user friendly and this helps to make a painless experience. After all, the pain of jamming your fingers is pretty unbearable. Not only that, but this telescopic ladder has quick adjustments, this is the independent locking pins that come on rungs 2 to 11.
Our thoughts: Adjustable by increments of 27.5cm, this fully extendable ladder is sturdy while still lightweight and portable. This is a truly versatile option and comes at a price tag that won't break the bank either.
Pros
- Reinforced bottom step
- Includes independent locking pins
Cons
- Limited size options
Smart Locking Design
Featuring fantastic one-button retraction to get every single job done quickly and conveniently. This telescopic ladder has been made from premium aluminium alloy. What does this mean? The surface of aluminium is oxidised and this can actually prolong the life of the telescopic ladder. In addition to this, its plastic parts are reinforced with nylon fibre and this improves the load capacity, the stability of the telescopic ladder and also helps to extend the lifespan of the ladder.
Our thoughts: Reinforced with nylon fibre for a greater weight capacity, this ladder has an easy red button under the rung for simple adjustments and collapsing to take on the go, plus it uses air damper technology.
Pros
- Lightweight and space-saving
- Intelligent locking mechanism
- Stabiliser bar design to enhance balance and stability of the ladder
Cons
- Only comes in one height
What are the benefits of telescopic ladders?
There are several advantages of telescopic ladders:
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Convenient storage – due to their compact nature
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Less vulnerable to the elements – partially due to storage, partially due to their makeup
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Lightweight – which means easy carrying and transportation
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Highly versatile – suitable for a number of jobs
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Excellent safety standards – due to sturdy build
How does a telescopic ladder work?
Designs will vary, but the basic idea of a telescopic ladder is that you can extend it to different heights and then collapse it to either store it away or easily carry it around. Most designs will make this a simple process for even DIY novices, and if you have limited space, a telescopic design can make avoiding clutter in your home achievable. Even experienced tradespeople can benefit from using one as they're usually lightweight for portability.
What safety precautions should you take when using a telescopic ladder?
Whether you are opening, extending or closing your telescopic ladder - you must take care to not move too quickly because this can end up doing more damage than good. The mechanisms and the safety of the ladder can be put in jeopardy if you don't take proper care when using a telescopic ladder. Before you step onto the ladder, you need to make sure that it is at the correct angle and the feet need to be stable and secure by a solid surface.
Do you have to fully extend a telescopic ladder?
As a general rule, the better the quality of your telescopic ladder then the more flexible you can be with fully extending. You might find that you only need to partially extend your telescopic ladder to get the job done. It's all about trial and error though. You can also purchase telescopic ladders which can be used as A-frame ladders and people tend to be much more confident and comfortable with using these.
Caitlin Evans is a Content Optimisation Executive with a passion for finding the best products on the market. She specialises in identifying features that make a product stand out from the rest that will help people make informed buying decisions.