The Best 4Aggregated review·13 sources·updated October 23, 2026·checked October 23, 2026

Best Step Ladders

Top 4 step ladders reviewed and ranked.

This guide aggregates 13 published reviews across 4 products; the thinnest-sourced pick rests on 3. No publisher printed a score for the top pick — its rating is derived from what reviewers wrote. How we rank.

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Quick answer

Gorilla Ladders GLX-5B 5.5 ft. Aluminum Dual Platform Ladder with Removable Project Bucket is our top pick for step ladders — an averaged 4.5/5 across 3 published reviews. Runner-up: Little Giant King Kombo 2.0 Professional 6-ft Fiberglass 3-in-1 Combination Ladder (13906-002 / 13906-001) (~$202).

Read the Gorilla Ladders GLX-5B 5.5 ft. Aluminum Dual Platform Ladder with Removable Project Bucket review →Buy at homedepot.com

At a glance

Tap any product for the full review

#	Product	Rating	Price	Best for
1	Gorilla Ladders GLX-5B 5.5 ft. Aluminum Dual Platform Ladder with Removable Project BucketTop Pick	4.5 3 sourcesall derived	—	Homeowners doing indoor and lower-reach outdoor jobs, like painting, window cleaning or light-fixture installs, who want a stable, comfortable standing platform and a place for tools, and who don't need a nonconductive ladder for electrical work.	Buy at homedepot.com
2	Little Giant King Kombo 2.0 Professional 6-ft Fiberglass 3-in-1 Combination Ladder (13906-002 / 13906-001)	4.5 3 sourcesall derived	$202	Tradespeople and serious DIYers, especially electricians and service techs, who want one Type IAA fiberglass ladder that works as a 6-ft stepladder, a leaning ladder against corners and studs, and a roughly 10-ft extension ladder, and who don't mind paying about $200 for it.	$202 · Buy at webstaurantstore.com
3	Little Giant Flip-N-Lite 6 ft Aluminum Platform Stepladder (15270-001)	4.3 3 sourcesall derived	$169.94	Homeowners and tradespeople who move a 6-foot ladder around a lot, from room to room, up stairs, or in and out of a truck, and want a 300 lb Type IA rating and a real standing platform at about 14 lb.	$169.94 · Check Price on Amazon
4	Rubbermaid RMA-3XST 3-Step Lightweight Aluminum Step Stool with Oversized Project Tray (250 lb, Type I)	3.7 1 source	$179.91	DIYers and homeowners who paint, hang curtains, or install fixtures at 8-9 ft ceiling height and want a stable platform with a large tray for paint, tools, and screws	$179.91 · Check Price on Amazon

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

At a glance4 products ▾

1Gorilla Ladders GLX-5B 5.5 ft. Aluminum Dual Platform Ladder with Removable Project BucketTop Pick

4.5

3 sourcesall derived

Best for: Homeowners doing indoor and lower-reach outdoor jobs, like painting, window cleaning or light-fixture installs, who want a stable, comfortable standing platform and a place for tools, and who don't need a nonconductive ladder for electrical work.

Buy at homedepot.com

2Little Giant King Kombo 2.0 Professional 6-ft Fiberglass 3-in-1 Combination Ladder (13906-002 / 13906-001)

4.5

3 sourcesall derived

$202Best for: Tradespeople and serious DIYers, especially electricians and service techs, who want one Type IAA fiberglass ladder that works as a 6-ft stepladder, a leaning ladder against corners and studs, and a roughly 10-ft extension ladder, and who don't mind paying about $200 for it.

$202 · Buy at webstaurantstore.com

3Little Giant Flip-N-Lite 6 ft Aluminum Platform Stepladder (15270-001)

4.3

3 sourcesall derived

$169.94Best for: Homeowners and tradespeople who move a 6-foot ladder around a lot, from room to room, up stairs, or in and out of a truck, and want a 300 lb Type IA rating and a real standing platform at about 14 lb.

$169.94 · Check Price on Amazon

4Rubbermaid RMA-3XST 3-Step Lightweight Aluminum Step Stool with Oversized Project Tray (250 lb, Type I)

3.7

1 source

$179.91Best for: DIYers and homeowners who paint, hang curtains, or install fixtures at 8-9 ft ceiling height and want a stable platform with a large tray for paint, tools, and screws

$179.91 · Check Price on Amazon

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

Reviews aggregated from

BobvilaThe New York TimesBusinessinsiderThe SpruceKompletetechcrewCampbellbuiltReviewsunscriptedRealsimple

The full ranking

How we rank →

#1 · Top Pick

Gorilla Ladders GLX-5B 5.5 ft. Aluminum Dual Platform Ladder with Removable Project Bucket

4.5

3 sourcesall derived

Wirecutter names the Gorilla GLX-5B its top stepladder pick, Business Insider calls it the best overall ladder, and The Spruce ranks it as the runner-up for best overall. All three credit the two deep platform steps and the included project bucket. Wirecutter and The Spruce report noticeably less foot fatigue than on standard rungs, and the ladder folds to about 4 inches thick. The main caveat is the aluminum frame, which reviewers say isn't suitable for electrical work.

Strengths

— Top platform is 10 in deep and the step below is 8 in, versus about 3 in on a traditional stepladder, so the whole foot is supported (Wirecutter's measurements)
— Wirecutter and The Spruce both reported noticeably less foot and leg fatigue; Wirecutter testers rarely needed to brace a knee against the ladder

Watch-outs

— Aluminum rails conduct electricity, so it isn't for electrical work (flagged by Business Insider and The Spruce)
— The top cap and tool tray sit 6 in lower than on a comparable 6-ft ladder, so you bend further to reach tools (Wirecutter)

▾Why it's ranked here

Strengths

— Top platform is 10 in deep and the step below is 8 in, versus about 3 in on a traditional stepladder, so the whole foot is supported (Wirecutter's measurements)
— Wirecutter and The Spruce both reported noticeably less foot and leg fatigue; Wirecutter testers rarely needed to brace a knee against the ladder

Watch-outs

— Aluminum rails conduct electricity, so it isn't for electrical work (flagged by Business Insider and The Spruce)
— The top cap and tool tray sit 6 in lower than on a comparable 6-ft ladder, so you bend further to reach tools (Wirecutter)

Buy at homedepot.com Full review →vs. Little Giant King Kombo 2.0 Professional 6-ft Fiberglass 3-in-1 Combination Ladder (13906-002 / 13906-001) →

Best for: Tradespeople and serious DIYers, especially electricians and service techs, who want one Type IAA fiberglass ladder that works as a 6-ft stepladder, a leaning ladder against corners and studs, and a roughly 10-ft extension ladder, and who don't mind paying about $200 for it.

Little Giant King Kombo 2.0 Professional 6-ft Fiberglass 3-in-1 Combination Ladder (13906-002 / 13906-001)

4.5

3 sourcesall derived$202as of Oct 24

Bob Vila named the 6-ft King Kombo 2.0 Professional its "Best Extendable" step ladder after hands-on testing. The tester found it incredibly stable in all three modes and praised the flared front legs, the between-the-studs rear section, and the grippy feet. A self-purchasing technician on YouTube (Komplete Tech Crew) also praised its rigidity and build quality, though he flagged the roughly $200 price and a plastic release lever. Contractor channel Campbell Built, after about 18 months with its 6-footer, reported no deflection. Pro Tool Reviews' 9.4/10 review covered the first-generation Industrial version, so we did not count it here.

Strengths

— Bob Vila found it "incredibly stable and sturdy in all positions," crediting the wide, flared front legs
— Narrow rear legs fit between wall studs and ceiling trusses (Bob Vila; Komplete Tech Crew uses it in tight data-center spaces)

Watch-outs

— Expensive at about $200; Bob Vila gave it 3.5/5 for value and Komplete Tech Crew called the cost "a little excessive"
— The rear section folds out and then up rather than telescoping, so switching to extension mode needs a lot of room (Bob Vila)

▾Why it's ranked here

Strengths

— Bob Vila found it "incredibly stable and sturdy in all positions," crediting the wide, flared front legs
— Narrow rear legs fit between wall studs and ceiling trusses (Bob Vila; Komplete Tech Crew uses it in tight data-center spaces)

Watch-outs

— Expensive at about $200; Bob Vila gave it 3.5/5 for value and Komplete Tech Crew called the cost "a little excessive"
— The rear section folds out and then up rather than telescoping, so switching to extension mode needs a lot of room (Bob Vila)

$202 · Buy at webstaurantstore.com Full review →vs. Gorilla Ladders GLX-5B 5.5 ft. Aluminum Dual Platform Ladder with Removable Project Bucket →

Best for: Homeowners and tradespeople who move a 6-foot ladder around a lot, from room to room, up stairs, or in and out of a truck, and want a 300 lb Type IA rating and a real standing platform at about 14 lb.

Little Giant Flip-N-Lite 6 ft Aluminum Platform Stepladder (15270-001)

4.3

3 sourcesall derived$169.94as of Oct 24

Bob Vila named the 6-foot Flip-N-Lite its Best Lightweight step ladder after hands-on tests, and its tester called it "stable, portable, and super simple to use", though its feet slid a little on laminate. Business Insider's carpenter-tester also named it best lightweight, praising the 13-inch platform and the release handle, but noted the bare-bones top tray and plastic parts. A YouTube owner review (Reviews Unscripted) backs up the light weight and the locking handle. Wirecutter left it out without testing, citing the price and a single platform step.

Strengths

— Weighs about 14 lb, which Bob Vila called extremely portable and Business Insider called its lightest full-size ladder
— Type IA duty rating supports 300 lb; Bob Vila's tester bounced on it and found it perfectly stable

Watch-outs

— Bob Vila found its nonslip feet slid slightly when the ladder was pushed on laminate flooring
— Top cap is a basic tray with no drill or screwdriver holes (Business Insider)

▾Why it's ranked here

Strengths

— Weighs about 14 lb, which Bob Vila called extremely portable and Business Insider called its lightest full-size ladder
— Type IA duty rating supports 300 lb; Bob Vila's tester bounced on it and found it perfectly stable

Watch-outs

— Bob Vila found its nonslip feet slid slightly when the ladder was pushed on laminate flooring
— Top cap is a basic tray with no drill or screwdriver holes (Business Insider)

$169.94 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →vs. Gorilla Ladders GLX-5B 5.5 ft. Aluminum Dual Platform Ladder with Removable Project Bucket →

Best for: DIYers and homeowners who paint, hang curtains, or install fixtures at 8-9 ft ceiling height and want a stable platform with a large tray for paint, tools, and screws

Rubbermaid RMA-3XST 3-Step Lightweight Aluminum Step Stool with Oversized Project Tray (250 lb, Type I)

3.7

1 source$179.91as of Oct 24

Rubbermaid's RMA-3XST is a 250-pound Type I three-step aluminum stool built around an oversized magnetized project tray. Real Simple named it Best Lightweight Ladder and The Spruce featured it in its step-stool roundup; both are Dotdash Meredith titles and appear to describe the same six-month home test. Both say it never felt wobbly and both found the paper-towel bar flimsy. Bob Vila's hands-on step-stool test gave it 4/5 overall, praising the stable top step but noting it can tip if you lean sideways. The independent evidence is fairly thin, and the current price of about $180 is steep.

Strengths

— Felt sturdy and wobble-free in Real Simple's six-month test, helped by wide steps and non-slip, non-marring feet that stayed put
— Large magnetized project tray holds a paint can, with brush/tool holes, a removable screw box, and a paper-towel bar; Real Simple gave it a perfect features score

Watch-outs

— The paper-towel bar is flimsy (Real Simple and The Spruce both flag it)
— Tends to tip if you lean too far to either side (Bob Vila)

▾Why it's ranked here

Strengths

— Felt sturdy and wobble-free in Real Simple's six-month test, helped by wide steps and non-slip, non-marring feet that stayed put
— Large magnetized project tray holds a paint can, with brush/tool holes, a removable screw box, and a paper-towel bar; Real Simple gave it a perfect features score

Watch-outs

— The paper-towel bar is flimsy (Real Simple and The Spruce both flag it)
— Tends to tip if you lean too far to either side (Bob Vila)

$179.91 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →vs. Gorilla Ladders GLX-5B 5.5 ft. Aluminum Dual Platform Ladder with Removable Project Bucket →

Reviews aggregated from

BobvilaThe New York TimesBusinessinsiderThe SpruceKompletetechcrewCampbellbuiltReviewsunscriptedRealsimple

Spec comparison

4 products

Spec	Gorilla Ladders GLX-5B 5.5 ft. Aluminum Dual Platform Ladder with Removable Project Bucket	Little Giant King Kombo 2.0 Professional 6-ft Fiberglass 3-in-1 Combination Ladder (13906-002 / 13906-001)	Little Giant Flip-N-Lite 6 ft Aluminum Platform Stepladder (15270-001)	Rubbermaid RMA-3XST 3-Step Lightweight Aluminum Step Stool with Oversized Project Tray (250 lb, Type I)
Height	5.5 ft	6 ft stepladder / 9 ft 11 in extension	6 ft (storage height 6 ft 3 in)	—
Max Reach	10 ft	10 ft 3 in (step); 13 ft 1 in (extension)	10 ft 3 in	9 ft 3 in
Load Capacity	300 lb	375 lb	300 lb	250 lb
Duty Rating	ANSI Type IA	ANSI Type IAA	ANSI Type IA	ANSI Type I (A14.2)
Material	Aluminum	Fiberglass rails	Aluminum	Aluminum
Weight	17.6 lb	24 lb (mfr; Bob Vila says 22 lb)	14 lb	10.5-11.2 lb (sources vary)
Folded Dimensions	68.3 x 22.4 x 4.2 in	73 x 25 x 7 in	75 x 21 x 4 in	60 x 20.7 x 4.7 in
Warranty	Limited lifetime	1 year	1 year	1-year limited
Top Standing Height	—	3 ft 9 in (step); 6 ft 7 in (extension)	3 ft 9 in (platform)	—

Spec	Gorilla Ladders GLX-5B 5.5 ft. Aluminum Dual Platform Ladder with Removable Project Bucket	Little Giant King Kombo 2.0 Professional 6-ft Fiberglass 3-in-1 Combination Ladder (13906-002 / 13906-001)
Height	5.5 ft	6 ft stepladder / 9 ft 11 in extension
Max Reach	10 ft	10 ft 3 in (step); 13 ft 1 in (extension)
Load Capacity	300 lb	375 lb
Duty Rating	ANSI Type IA	ANSI Type IAA
Material	Aluminum	Fiberglass rails
Weight	17.6 lb	24 lb (mfr; Bob Vila says 22 lb)
Folded Dimensions	68.3 x 22.4 x 4.2 in	73 x 25 x 7 in
Warranty	Limited lifetime	1 year
Top Standing Height	—	3 ft 9 in (step); 6 ft 7 in (extension)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best step ladder?

Gorilla Ladders GLX-5B 5.5 ft. Aluminum Dual Platform Ladder with Removable Project Bucket is the top pick for step ladders — 4.5/5 averaged from 3 published reviews. Wirecutter names the Gorilla GLX-5B its top stepladder pick, Business Insider calls it the best overall ladder, and The Spruce ranks it as the runner-up for best overall. All three credit the two deep platform steps and the included project bucket. Wirecutter and The Spruce report noticeably less foot fatigue than on standard rungs, and the ladder folds to about 4 inches thick. The main caveat is the aluminum frame, which reviewers say isn't suitable for electrical work.

Is this step ladder guide up to date?

This guide was last re-checked in October 2026. Prices, links, and source ratings are re-verified on a rolling basis, and the ranking updates when the underlying scores change.