The 6 Best Ladders of 2025

Top pick

This model can get someone on the roof of a two-story house, it’s safe to use near power lines, and it’s strong enough to hold just about anyone.

After closely comparing almost 20 extension ladders of varying lengths, we’ve concluded that the one to get is the Werner D6228-2 28ft Type IA Fiberglass D-Rung Extension Ladder. Its 28-foot length is enough to safely get someone up to the roof of a typical two-story home, and its Type IA weight rating (300 pounds) is strong enough to support a person completely loaded up with tools and gear. Because of its fiberglass side rails, this ladder is safe near power lines (as long as it’s clean and dry), and it has antislip safety feet, which can flip up and dig into the ground when on grass or gravel. All of these features are available on some other ladders, but the D6228-2 has wider availability at major retailers, where it typically sells for less. The D6228-2 isn’t a cheap item, but for something that you’re literally trusting with your life, paying for quality is worth it.

This fiberglass ladder does not conduct electricity. Since its side rails are fiberglass, the D6228-2 is a safer option for working near power lines. We didn’t require that our stepladder pick be fiberglass, but that feature is much more important with long, difficult-to-maneuver extension ladders. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends fiberglass ladders in a safety alert (PDF), noting that it’s crucial they “be kept clean to maintain their non-conductive safety properties.”

It’s a very stable extension ladder. Because a ladder rated as Type IA is designed to handle so much weight, it has less flex in its side rails, a factor that becomes increasingly important as you extend the ladder sections. At the D6228-2’s maximum reach, only 3 feet of the ladder sections overlap. Relative to other extension ladders, it’s less bouncy. We’ve been on plenty of undersize, bouncy ladders, and it’s really not an enjoyable experience.

The feet are compatible with either hard or soft surfaces. On pavement or other flat surfaces, the D6228-2 stands on nonslip textured rubber grips. But when you set the ladder up on a lawn or other soft surface, the feet pivot so that the claw end faces downward, ready to dig into the ground for a better grip. Both setups work well and are very stable.

Werner is a well-respected name in ladders. We’ve seen a lot of stellar owner feedback for Werner ladders. This reception is not surprising, since the majority of the ladders I used in construction were Werner models. In fact, I’ve spent many, many days working on this exact ladder.

It costs a serious chunk of change, but a quality ladder, even one that you use only a few times a year, is worth the investment. The areas where you could go cheaper simply aren’t worth the reduction in capability. The Werner D6228-2 has the length, build, and weight rating to assist in any household task and perform in an emergency.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Getting it home can be a problem. This ladder and other Werner models are readily available at Home Depot, Lowe’s, and many local hardware stores and home centers, but getting it to your home may prove tricky depending on your vehicle. The ladder weighs 60 pounds, so most roof racks should be able to handle the weight. We recommend using a strong tie-down system, such as ratchet straps, to prohibit any movement of the ladder during transportation. Many stores deliver for an additional fee.

Like any 28-foot extension ladder, it is heavy. If you’re not used to maneuvering a 60-pound extension ladder, setting up the D6228-2 is likely to be an awkward and difficult process; just getting it vertical can be a struggle. Our recommendation is to educate yourself on the proper techniques for carrying and setting up an extension ladder. Also, it’s a good idea to have someone help: On construction sites, for example, it’s not uncommon for one person to “foot” the ladder (stand on the feet) while the second person lifts the other end and walks it to the vertical position.

Even downgrading a few of the features doesn’t significantly reduce the weight. Stepping down to a ladder with the Type I, 250-pound rating saves you just 5 pounds, and buying the same ladder yet with an aluminum body saves you only about 3.5 pounds. Extension ladders are simply heavy, and sacrificing safety features to shave off a pound or 3 doesn’t make sense.

Storing a 14-foot ladder can pose difficulties, as well. We’ve always had luck with wall hooks (similar to these hooks) set up either behind the garage or inside it. For such a heavy ladder, it’s critical that the hooks are screwed into studs, not just drywall.