Extension vs Telescopic Ladders: Which One Do I Need?

September 3, 2025 | Nate Cord

Sometimes you need a ladder for hard-to-reach areas, whether you’re painting your home or carrying out professional installations or repairs high up. Luckily, extension ladders and telescopic ladders offer you great options for how to get there.

In this guide, we’ll break down the difference between extension vs telescopic ladders to help you decide which one you need.

What’s the Difference Between Extension and Telescopic Ladders?

While extension and telescopic ladders both help you to reach high places, they achieve this differently. An extension ladder will come in two to three sliding sections that can be extended. By contrast, a telescopic (or telescoping) ladder retracts and extends similarly to a telescope.

Let’s break down some of the key differences between extension and telescopic ladders:

1. Height

Extension ladders are able to reach much higher heights than telescopic ladders. For example, the Lyte Trade Triple Extension Ladder can reach up to 9.63 metres, compared to the highest Super ProSeries S2.0 Telescopic Ladder, which reaches 4.4 metres.

If you’re working at moderate heights and need a fully adjustable ladder to fit the space, a telescopic ladder may still be a great fit for you. However, to reach extended heights, you will need an extension ladder.

The Lyte Trade Triple Extension Ladder is the tallest of our extension ladders, able to access heights up to 9.63 metres.

2. Stability

Extension ladders are known for being robust and stable, especially when used for long periods. That’s why they’re a common choice for trade professionals.

Telescopic ladders, on the other hand, are slightly less stable, and you’ll need to keep your weight evenly distributed. If you opt for a telescopic ladder, choose your supplier carefully, as a Ladders Association study found that around 80% of imported telescopic ladders fail to meet EN131-6: 2019 safety standards.

At Ladders4Sale, all our ladders are compliant with the latest EN131-6: 2019 standards. Shop our range of extension ladders and telescopic ladders here.

3. Weight Bearing

If you work with heavy tools or materials, extension ladders will be able to take on more weight. By contrast, telescopic ladders have a much lower weight-bearing capacity – they’re perfect for painting and light tasks, but you won’t be able to use them for carrying heavy objects.

4. Carrying and Storage

One of the reasons why telescopic ladders are so popular, however, is that they’re easy to carry and store. Their retractable design makes these ladders compact, so they won’t take up much space, and can easily fit into a cupboard, a car boot or a van.

Extension ladders can also be stored compactly, but not quite so much as telescopic ladders. They also tend to be heavier, although they’re commonly made of aluminium or fibreglass, which still keeps them relatively lightweight.

A significant advantage of telescopic ladders is that they are compact when retracted, making them easy to transport in a car boot.

5. Longevity

Many of us want to invest in a ladder we can keep using for years to come. Both extension and telescopic ladders will serve you for a long time, whichever you choose. Here’s our guide on how often to inspect your ladder.

However, it’s worth keeping in mind that telescopic ladders are less prone to damage simply because of their collapsible design. With the rungs and stiles protected, you’re less likely to scuff and scrape a telescopic ladder during transport than you might with an extension ladder over time.

When to Use an Extension Ladder vs a Telescopic Ladder

While there’s a lot of overlap in situations where you can use an extension ladder or telescopic ladder, let’s look at the tasks where each ladder performs best.

For homeowners, interior decorators, or anyone who needs to perform small repair tasks indoors or outdoors, a telescopic ladder is best. The lightweight nature of telescopic ladders also makes them more suitable for jobs that involve moving the ladder frequently, reducing fatigue and helping to prevent musculoskeletal injuries.

If you need a reliable ladder to help you reach high places regularly, with maximum stability for prolonged periods of time, an extension ladder is your best choice. These ladders excel at supporting you through heavy-duty tasks, including accessing roofs, painting, cleaning gutters and construction.

A telescopic ladder can be the best option for DIY lovers or professionals needing to accomplish small installation or repair tasks.

How to Choose Between an Extension and Telescopic Ladder

You’ll probably now have a good idea of what ladder is right for you. To help give you extra peace of mind when choosing your ladder, we’ve broken down the decision into key questions you can ask:

How Long Will I Be Standing on It?

If your task requires using a step ladder for more than 30 minutes, the HSE recommends that you use alternative equipment.

More than 15 minutes → Extension ladder.

Less than 15 minutes → Telescopic ladder.

What Height Do I Safely Need to Reach?

4.4 metres or less → Telescopic ladder.

More than 4.4 metres → Extension ladder.

Will I Be Handling Heavy Tools or Materials at Height?

Yes → Extension ladder.

No → Telescopic ladder.

Will I Be Moving My Ladder Constantly?

Yes → Telescopic ladder.

No → Extension ladder.

Do I Need Extra Stability on an Uneven Surface?

Yes → Extension ladder.

No → Telescopic ladder.

Do I Have Limited Storage Options?

Yes → Telescopic ladder.

No → Extension ladder.

In summary, you’ll need an extension ladder for heavy-duty jobs and for working at greater heights. If you need a ladder for moderate heights, and easy storage and portability are a bonus, go for a telescopic ladder. Whichever ladder you choose, remember to follow EN131 & HSE guidelines for safe ladder use.

If you need extra advice or have any questions for our team around extension ladders, telescopic ladders, or any other access solutions, feel free to contact us using this form or via phone at 01639 849847.

Looking for a reliable ladder or other premium access equipment? At Ladders4Sale, we offer a range of ladders, platforms, steps, towers and accessories for all trade and do-it-yourself jobs at unbeatable low prices. Better yet, all of our products come with lifetime support – after your initial purchase, we continue to provide ongoing support and assistance for free. In addition to this, all orders come with free shipping to mainland UK.