10 Best Fire Escape Ladders in 2024: Review & Top Picks

Fire escape ladders are not something you should cut corners on. After all, having a working and usable fire escape ladder can be the difference between easy escape and serious injuries. Therefore, it is vital that you research these ladders and only purchase the best option for your needs.

With that said, fire escape ladders are hard to review because they don’t get used a lot, so many reviewers don’t know if they work or not in an emergency.

Luckily, we scoured the internet for the best fire escapes. Some of these work best in certain situations, so there isn’t necessarily an option that is best for everyone. Take a look at our reviews below.

A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024

The 10 Best Fire Escape Ladders

1. Kiddie Fire Escape 2-Story Ladder – Best Overall

The Kiddie Fire Escape 2-Story Ladder is designed to be quickly placed over a window to allow for escape in the case of a fire. It is 13 feet long, making it long enough for most two-story windows. The same company also makes other options for different lengths. It works with practically all common windows. We do recommend practicing using it before the actual emergency happens, however.

Because it is metal, the ladder is very durable. It is also fire-resistant since metal can’t catch on fire. This makes it very suitable for use in house fires and similar situations. The ladder folds up very small for easy storage. It’s made to be stored near the window, where it can be utilized to make a quick escape.

We love that this ladder is made specifically not to tangle. A tangled ladder in a serious situation is never a good thing. The rungs are also anti-slip and it’s usable by children with adult help.

No tools are required for assembly. Furthermore, it also comes with a 5-year warranty. All of these features add together to make this the best overall fire escape ladder.

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2. QWORK Emergency Fire Escape Rope Ladder – Best Value

If you’re on a budget, the QWORK Emergency Fire Escape Rope Ladder provides a cheaper alternative to most other ladders. It has all the features you need in an emergency like a house fire. For instance, it can hold up to 2,000 pounds, so many people can use it at once. The hooks are pretty straightforward to use and fit on most window frames.

This ladder is advertised as being suitable for a two-story window. However, it is shorter than other ladders designed for this same height. Therefore, we highly recommend checking your window height before purchasing this ladder.

We love that this ladder can be used in a very narrow space. This isn’t necessarily true for ladders that are made of metal, as they have much less versatility.

With that said, this ladder is made of rope. Therefore, it isn’t as sturdy as other options out there. However, it is still the best fire escape ladder for the money.

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3. ISOP Store Fire Escape Ladder – Premium Choice

While it is more expensive than other options, the ISOP Store Fire Escape Ladder is top-notch. It features polyester straps around the outside to make it easier on your hands and more flexible. Therefore, this ladder can be used in smaller spaces and stored up to a very small size. The rungs are anti-slip and made out of steel. Furthermore, it also comes with steel stabilizers. These prevent the ladder from moving around quite as much.

This ladder has a weight capacity of 1,200 pounds. In this way, it can hold many people at a time. The stabilizers help multiple people use it at a time, too. It can be used up to a third-floor window, which is around 25 feet tall. This is the maximum height of most fire escape ladders on the market.

We also love that this ladder is reusable. Not all ladders on the market are, meaning your money is wasted after the first use (and you can’t test the ladder). This ladder is useable many times. Therefore, you can practice installing it and climbing it.

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4. Kiddie Fire Escape 3-Story Ladder

The Kiddie Fire Escape 3-Story Ladder is very similar to our number one choice. However, it is longer, as it is made for a three-story window. Therefore, it is a bit heavier and weighs more. Furthermore, it also costs more as it includes more materials. Still, if you have a three-story window, then you’ll need this longer ladder.

This ladder is made to store compactly. It fits underneath a bed easily, allowing you to keep one in every room of the house. However, this ladder is designed for one-time use so you can’t practice using it or use it multiple times.

This ladder can support up to 750 pounds on a single rung. The whole ladder can support up to 1,000 pounds. Therefore, multiple people can use it at a time.

We like that this ladder is flame-resistant. It has increased protection thanks to the nylon straps, which prevent the fire from potentially burning the ladder. The steel rungs are zinc-plated, as well.

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5. Hausse Retractable 3-Story Fire Escape Ladder

The Hausse Retractable 3-Story Fire Escape Ladder also works for three-story windows. Therefore, it is a bit more expensive than other options on the market. It is also heavier and requires a bit more room to store properly. However, if you need a longer ladder, you’ll need to purchase a larger ladder, anyway. Therefore, these negatives often come with the territory.

This ladder has strong, slip-resistant rungs. It has a weight capacity of at least 1,000 pounds. Furthermore, it extends a full 25 feet, which should be enough for most three-story windows. We also like that this ladder comes with a red canvas bag, which can be stored easily under a bed or in a closet.

There are no tools required to put this ladder together. It deploys easily and quickly, which is exactly what you want in a ladder of this sort.

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6. First Alert Three-Story Fire Escape Ladder

For others that need a tall escape ladder, the First Alert Three-Story Fire Escape Ladder works well in many cases. It is made of durable steel and comes with nylon and fire-resistant straps. However, its maximum weight capacity is only 375 pounds. Therefore, you cannot safely have more than one or two people utilize it.

The rungs are slip-resistant, and the steel stabilizers help prevent them from swinging while in use. The extra-wide hooks work well on most windowsills. However, we do recommend measuring to ensure it will fit your window before ordering it.

Of course, this ladder also meets ASTM standards.

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7. Piwerod Fire Escape Ladder

The Piwerod Fire Escape Ladder is in a bit of a weird place. It is longer than your average second-story ladder but not quite long enough to be used for a third-story window. Therefore, it works well if you have a taller second-story window or want some extra room at the end.

This ladder does deploy in only a few seconds. It doesn’t require any tools to assemble it—all you need to do is attach it to the window. It can hold a maximum of 2000 pounds, which is plenty for most individuals. It’s very lightweight, making it easy to store and deploy.

The box includes a ladder and two carabiners. Therefore, you won’t have to make any other purchases.

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8. ISOP Emergency Fire Escape Rope Ladder

The ISOP Emergency Fire Escape Rope Ladder is designed for a three or four-story window. It is much longer than many other options out there, which is why we have recommended it. If you have a taller house, this ladder may be your only option. It fits most windows, including residential and commercial windows. It has heavy-duty carabiners, so you can rest assured that it won’t come undone while in use.

This ladder is a bit bigger than other options but surprisingly lightweight because it is mostly made of polyester. Therefore, you can easily deploy it in an emergency situation.

It also comes with a harness. While this isn’t absolutely necessary for those looking to buy one of these ladders, we recommend it for those who are unsure of climbing out of their window. The harness can be helpful for the higher windows, as it helps ensure that you don’t lose your balance and fall.

This ladder is compact and portable, as you’d imagine from a ladder of this kind. It also has a weight capacity of 2,000 pounds—more than much of the competition. However, this ladder has no stabilizers and may move a bit more than others.

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9. Aoneky Fire Escape Rope Ladder

As the name suggests, the Aoneky Fire Escape Rope Ladder is a simple rope ladder that’s made to be used during a house fire. It is 32 feet long, making it long enough for second and third-story windows most of the time. Of course, measure your window before continuing to ensure it will reach (you don’t want to keep a ladder that is too short in your home).

This escape ladder is lightweight and a bit flimsy as a simple rope ladder. However, it is easy to deploy. You use the carabiners to attach it to the window and then release the rest down the side of the house. It will swing and sway like a rope ladder, making it less solid than other options out there.

This ladder is made to fit most windows and is surprisingly cheap for its length. However, it is made with inexpensive materials and has no extra features.

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10. Sharewin Fire Ladder

The Sharewin Fire Ladder looks similar to other fire ladders we’ve discussed on this list. It is made from metal rungs that unfold when it needs to be deployed. It stores up small in the meantime, allowing you to put it underneath your bed or in a closet.

This ladder is lightweight and designed to be very convenient. It can attach easily to a window frame and is compatible with most windows. It also doesn’t slip off, thanks to the design. However, you don’t need to use carabiners like most designs.

The weight capacity is around 900 pounds. While this is pretty large, it isn’t as large as other options. We wouldn’t recommend having many people use it at once for this reason. It is just about as expensive as other options, too. Therefore, you are getting a bit less for your money.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Fire Escape Ladders

You only want the best fire escape ladder for your home. Otherwise, you’ll end up regretting your decision in an emergency. Since these ladders are only used when you really need them to work, one of these ladders failing isn’t a laughing matter.

Luckily, we’ve reviewed some of the best options above, allowing you to choose the best option for your needs. Furthermore, we’ve also written this nifty buyer’s guide to help you decide which option is best. If you’re still stuck on what ladder you need, keep reading.

Size

You want a ladder that is long enough to reach the ground from your window safely. Therefore, you need to consider the height of your window from the ground. Luckily, most homes have standard heights. Therefore, a two-story window will work with most two-story ladders.

However, this isn’t always the case. In some cases, homes may have different measurements. If you live somewhere hilly, this is even more likely. The ground outside your home can vary in height, so the window-to-ground measurement will vary.

Therefore, measuring from your window to the ground may be helpful to ensure your ladder will reach. Many ladders are one-time-use only. Therefore, you may not even be able to check before an emergency happens.

Furthermore, you’ll probably want a few extra feet on the ladder, to be safe. Plus, the extra feet on the ground can help keep the ladder more stable as opposed to the end just swinging around.

Cost

Ladders can cost from $30 to $300. Therefore, you’ll need to consider your budget. Longer ladders are typically more expensive, as they are bigger overall. Therefore, you should plan on spending more if your home is taller. If you’re shopping for a two-story window, then you’ll probably end up spending less.

Other factors affect price, too. The material the ladder is made of varies. For instance, many metal ladders will cost more than cheaper polyester ladders.

More expensive ladders aren’t always better. However, there is a correlation between the price and quality of most fire escape ladders. More expensive options are often more expensive because they are made from better materials, like metal. Don’t skimp too much on the price, as you may regret it later.

Storage

You’re going to spend most of the ladder’s lifespan storing it (hopefully, all of its lifespan). Therefore, how well it stores matters. It needs to be kept in the same room as the window, preferably pretty close to the window. Many people store their ladders under beds, for instance. However, it’s vital that the ladder can fit nicely under the bed.

Otherwise, you may end up storing it further away from the window than you would otherwise. In the case of an emergency, you may find it difficult to get to. A ladder that can’t be stored near the window isn’t useful in the least.

Capacity

Most ladders have a capacity of around 1,000 pounds. As you’d guess, this is plenty for most uses. You can fit multiple people on a ladder with this weight capacity, allowing the escape to be as fast as possible. However, going one at a time is always best to prevent swinging. The adult should stand at the bottom of the ladder and hold it before smaller children attempt to use it.

With that said, emergencies rarely go to plan. Therefore, having a ladder that can hold more weight is always helpful. We highly recommend getting a higher weight capacity where possible, just in case.

Weight

You want the ladder to deploy easily. If you’re struggling with the weight of the ladder, then you won’t be able to deploy it easily. Therefore, we highly recommend getting a lightweight ladder to transport and move easily. Otherwise, you may not be fast enough in an emergency.

Luckily, most ladder companies keep this in mind when designing their ladders. Most are designed to be pretty lightweight to make deploying easier. However, there is an issue with longer ladders being inherently heavier. They are simply large, and they’re going to weigh more than others.

Therefore, many very long ladders are not made of metal. It would make them too heavy. Keep this in mind when shopping around. If you’re getting a ladder for a three- or four-story window, you’ll probably need to consider getting one that’s made of lightweight material.

Conclusion

There are many emergency escape ladders available. However, our favorite is the Kiddie Fire Escape 2-Story Ladder. It can be utilized for two-story windows. Plus, it’s tangle-proof, fire-resistant, and easy to deploy.

However, if you are on a budget, we recommend the QWORK Emergency Fire Escape Rope Ladder. This ladder is cheaper, as it has a much simpler design. Yet, it still works in emergencies and may make a good choice for those who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford an emergency ladder.

Hopefully, one of the ladders we reviewed was the perfect choice for your home. Remember to purchase a ladder for every window (or just about every window). You don’t know what windows will be accessible during a fire.

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Featured Image Credit: Vallehr, Shutterstock