How to choose the right telescopic ladder for your working height
The ReachMaster Team
Start with your working height, not the ladder height
The most common mistake when buying a telescopic ladder is choosing it by its own length rather than the height you need to reach. A safe working height is roughly one metre below the top of the ladder, because you should never stand on the top two rungs.
- Indoor jobs — ceilings, lighting, decorating: a 2.6 m to 3.2 m ladder covers most rooms.
- Gutters and single-storey roofs: look at 3.8 m to 4.4 m.
- Two-storey access and facades: 5 m to 6.2 m models give the reach without overstretching.
Check the folded size and weight
A telescopic ladder is only convenient if it fits where you need to store and carry it. Check the folded height — most of our models close down to between 65 cm and 109 cm — and the weight, which ranges from around 5 kg for a compact ladder to 16 kg for a 6.2 m one. If you move between jobs every day, a lighter model is worth the trade-off.
Look for the EN 131 mark
EN 131 is the European standard for portable ladders. Every ReachMaster ladder is EN 131 certified and rated for a 150 kg maximum load, so it is suitable for professional and trade use, not just light DIY.
Single section, or do you need a step ladder too?
If you switch between leaning work and free-standing work, a multi-purpose (combination) model that folds into an A-frame step ladder will save you carrying two ladders. For pure reach at the lowest weight, a straight telescopic ladder is the better buy.
Still not sure?
Answer a few quick questions with our ladder selector and we will recommend the right model for your job and budget.