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Best Step Ladder Reviews

Can you imagine a house without a stepladder? Even in this modern age of gadgets, some chores need to be done physically. Like reaching for a jar of cookies in your kitchen cabinet, fixing the bulb on your 9’ tall ceiling. Kids and people who are not blessed with longer heights can make great use of a stepladder. Stepladders can be used for a myriad of purposes, and they are a must-have tool in your basement.

But do not buy a random stepladder just because it is so common to have. Instead, try investing your precious money into a stepladder that will serve you a long time of multiple services. Surprisingly there are some amazing stepladders with more than enough functionalities for you to choose from.

We have reviewed the best step ladders catering for your different needs and different circumstances. Some need it tall, some heavy and some light. To save you from the trouble of selection, we have listed down some of our best picks for your ideal stepladder.

If you are looking for larger ladders for outdoors, you may want to take a look at our Best Telescoping Ladder Reviews or Best Extension Ladder Reviews.

10 Best Step Ladders of 2018

Rubbermaid RM-3W Folding 3 Step Steel Frame Stool

This is another topnotch product from the Rubbermaid company. It is almost identical to the Rubbermaid 2 step ladder but has an extended height capacity of 21.25” when fully extended. Another addition to it is its’ smooth silver finish steel frame.

It comes with a Type 3 duty rating which means it can take a load of maximum 200lbs.

Like other Rubbermaid ladders, this 3 stepped ladder has large and steady plastic steps. But don’t worry, these steps are slip-proof. These excellent quality plastic steps ensure your safety and the soft comfort grip handles make that task a lot easier. You get a standing platform at the top. It is super lightweight.

You can store or travel anywhere with this 13lbs stepladder which folds down to only 3 inches thin! This feature makes the Rubbermaid RM-3W ladder a household favorite.

However, some may find its 200lbs weight capacity disappointing compared to other ladders. Nevertheless, its non-marring, wide feet and the fact that it is a lot easier to use is worth considering.

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VonHaus Steel Folding Portable 4 Step Ladder

If you want a steel ladder but lighter than the Rubbermaid RM 2W model, then this might do the job for you. Like its name, it has a compact size of only 2” when folded and is very stylish with a white powder coated steel body.

This amazing product is from the VonHaus family of ladders. The gorgeous ladder comes in white powder coated steel material and is capable of carrying 330lbs of weight. VonHaus ladders are renowned for their sturdy yet compact design. Its steps are also very wide and have tread grips so you can have a lot better grip while on the ladder. It has non-marring and skid-proof feet at the bottom which will fit nicely on any type of floor. It folds down to 2 inches thin that means it is super easy to store and lug around.

If you are DIY type of person who works on tools a lot, this ladder will get you covered. Like previously mentioned, its compact yet heavy-duty service will provide you with an array of benefits at a reasonable pricing. Plus, it is has nonslippery steps and foot to ensure the safety of you and your family members.

The only negative side of this ladder is that it might not hold to the 330lbs promise as many have complained about it not being stable enough. So, before buying, we recommend you to personally check the steps and make sure you’re purchasing the actual product.

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Flip-N-Lite 300-Pound Duty Rating 6-foot Stepladder

It is impossible to make a list of best ladders and not include one from the Little Giant family. The flip-n-lite 6-foot stepladder is the lightest (only 14lbs) stepladder from Little Giant ladders.

It is a great tool for heavy construction works but who says you cannot use it for your indoor tasks as well? The ladder complies with both OSHA and ANSI standards for ladder safety. It is engineered to be lightweight but is amazingly sturdy. You can open it with just one hand and it stores super easy for having a slim profile.

The ladder is made of aluminum which is the reason for its stability and longevity. It is shielded with Type IA heavy duty rating of 300lbs. It is surprising that how something so lightweight can carry such a heavy load.

Since you’ll be doing heavy chores standing on this ladder, the standing platform is designed to support your entire feet. Its’ every step is in fact, a wide platform! Your safety is also ensured with the availability of deep rungs and handrail at the front for the ultimate buckled up feeling.

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COSCO Three Step Max Steel Work Platform

When you read the name COSCO ladders, you know it would be the sturdiest ladder ever. The COSCO Three Step Max ladder is a steel frame ladder. But is lightweight, total weight can be 17 pounds.

The most amazing part of this ladder is that it comes with a wide work platform at the top and also a ‘delux modeled’ tool tray for all your tools and stuff. That means work just got a lot easier.

It complies with ANSI Type 2 duty rating which is 225lbs. The extended hand grips on the side make your ladder climbing a breeze and the steps are wide and non-slippery to ensure maximum comfort.

It is super easy to store and fold after use. It has a one-hand-fold and lock release system which is totally safe. Speaking of safety, it has non-marring, skid-resistant feet at the bottom. It comes with a loop handle to hold onto while climbing. COSCO is a trusted brand in the realm of ladders and other step stools and furniture. Although a little expensive, these step ladders are worth your every penny.

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Best Choice Products Shade 3 Step Ladder

The Best Choice 3 Step ladder should be your best choice if you are looking for a ladder that works both indoors and outdoors.

Its’ weight capacity is 330lbs minimum, meaning the load limit can exceed sometimes. It’s made of high-quality high-grade steel which is also super lightweight. The total weight of this ladder is 15.5lbs. That is not on the lighter side, but it is still best known for its longevity and steadiness. It also includes an attached tray tool so you don’t have to arrange or rearrange the tool from time to time.

Best Choice Shade 3 step ladders ensure your safety by adding rubber feet at the bottom. They are skid-proof and are suitable for any type of flooring. Its’ body is coated with HD (Hot-dip galvanization) steel that means forget about it wearing out in sun, rain or being wobbly all the time. You also get to choose between it’s two elegant and gorgeous color of black and grey. Its dimension when FOLDED is 20.5 x 2.8 x 11.5 inches.

So, it may be tough to store it underneath your bed or basement shelf, but this is a price you have to pay for this amazing, versatile ladder which will save you a lot of money as you won’t have to buy separate step ladders for household and construction purpose. These ladders provide an All in One service for you.

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Louisville Ladder FS1506

Lousiville ladders do not need any introduction. This FS1506 model of the stepladder is, of course, one of the finest ladders on the market. The most important part is it fiberglass material. It is the only fiberglass ladder included in our list.

This 6 foot tall Type 1A duty rating ladder holds maximum 300lbs of weight. It is a lovely A-frame ladder whose steps are not that wide, but they are double riveted. The rails are nonconductive and covered with a polyester veil. And has 6 large headed, semi-tubular steel rivets that make up for its steps being a bit small. With this beautiful ladder, you can reach from small to medium heights and also do some small routine construction work.

Louisville offers you with an exclusive ‘Pro Top’ with this ladder that includes hardware and magnet tray. It has handyman tool slots on its ‘carved ergonomic front’ which is even handier than hand trays. If you want to paint your home, office or any high-rise surface then this ladder got the necessary 2by4 bucket holder and a pipe. Sounds fancy? Then take a load of this- it has DA boots, which are shock and slip resistant, thick, rubber shoe. The bottom of the ladder is also secured with U shaped, vertically aligned spaced braces. This gives you a ton of sturdiness and it prevents the joints from cracking in case of opening or closing the ladder frequently.

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Things You have to Know: Buyer’s Guide

Nothing makes buying a ladder easier than doing some research on them beforehand. The market is flooded with various types of ladders and stools. But not every ladder is perfect or even convenient for you. There are some basic ideas that you have to get before looking for a ladder online:

What does it mean by Duty Ratings of a Ladder?

Simply put, duty ratings are the total amount of load a ladder can carry. By load, it means three factors: the load of the person climbing it, the load of the outfit that the person is wearing and the load of the tools that he or she is carrying. Based on these criteria, there are certain ratings among the ladders. Such as:

Type 1: Type 1 ladders can be broken down into three more types:

Type 1: take up to 250lbs of load

Type 1A: take up to 300lbs and

Type 1AA: take up to 375lbs.

Type 2: Type 2 ladders are perfect for construction, house painting, and other heavy duty works. It is also called an industrial rating. They take a load of about 225lbs. Both Type 1 and 2 ladders can climb up to a height of 3 to 20 feet.

Type 3: Type 3 ladders are ideal household ladders with the load capacity of only 200lbs. They can climb up to 3 to 6 feet on average.

Why Do You Need a Stepladder?

All these knowledge is useless if you don’t have an exact purpose of using a stepladder. The idea that stepladders are only used to climb hard to reach places is now obsolete. You can use a stepladder in many creative fashions such as:

• 2 and 3 stepped ladders can be a great sitting stool when there is a shortage of chairs
• They can be used as a plant, fishbowl stand or even your lamp stand beside the bed

Things to look for In a Ladder

Design and Height

As previously mentioned, there are lots of ladder types that come with different style and functionality. So before buying anything consider what is good for your home. Also, keep in mind the size of your house or the place you are gonna store it in. Always use a ladder that reaches your desired height when you are still two steps down from the top. This will prevent any slippage if there is no handle.

Material

We have covered mostly steel ladders but if your job requires it, you can also go for an aluminum or fiberglass ladder. Aluminum and fiberglass are lighter than the steel ones, but the aluminum is electrically conductive. So consider your possibility of using it for electrical purposes. Wooden stepladders are also a great catch as they are long-lasting and safer.

Duty Rating and Testing

You already know about the duty rating system. Choose according to your preference. Also know that two types of test are conducted on ladders to set their duty or safety ratings: weight rating and side twisting rating. In weight rating, the ladder is given the load of 4 times more than its actual duty rating weight to check if it bends. The twisting side is done the same way, to look for the bending point. Ask your seller if your ladder complies with these testings. The ideal rating should be 1A which is 300lbs.

Ladder Safety Tips

• Check and look for any defects in your product before buying. Such as loose rivets, dents or bends in your aluminum and fiberglass ladder.
• We told to you to be creative but don’t use it to do something its’ not suppose to do. Like, do not use a wooden or aluminum stepladder as a scaffold or the top steps as a standing platform if it is NOT designed for it.
• Before climbing on the ladder, read the Manual instructions carefully. Only after being completely sure that every joint is secured and in place, you should climb your ladder.
• Do not rest the ladder on an uneven, slippery surface. Do not put bricks, rocks or tool right underneath your ladder feet.
• Avoid using the ladder outdoors in times of storms or strong wind, rain or any other natural calamity.
• If you have height phobia or feel dizzy when on the top shelf, close your eyes and take few deep breaths and calmly get down.
• Use your both hands while climbing up and down of the ladder.
• Maintain the ladder by wiping any dirt or oil and cover it in case of long-term storage.

Conclusion

We don’t recognize the importance of having a ladder until we face difficulty. Ladders are easy to find but very hard to choose. So before spending your money on a ladder that might end up in your garage for a long time, try investing in a multipurpose ladder that will make your everyday life a lot easier. Stepladders are great but they are less likely to be rearranged into different heights. Therefore, be careful before choosing because in some stepladders you won’t be able to adjust the height frequently. Anyways, a stepladder is a simple yet essential tool. It is also affordable and low maintenance. Always select them based on your preference.