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Step stools are handy for almost any task that requires extra height, from grabbing items from the back of a tall kitchen cabinet to installing a new shelf on a wall. Not only are these everyday tools worthwhile buys from the get-go—most also provide years of safe, dependable use.
To find the best options among the thousands available, we decided to test several ourselves. Based on stability, portability, build quality, and value, the HBTower 2-Step Folding Steel Ladder earned our top award.
But that isn’t the only model worth considering. While step stools are simple items, choosing the right one requires considering safety as well as convenience. Evaluating where you’ll store your new stool and the specific tasks you’ll use it to tackle will help you find the ideal material, height, and weight capacity. Keep reading to learn more about each of the best step stools on our list.
To make our list of the best step stools, each model had to balance stability with durability and portability. Whether you’re after a step stool for adults to use at a jobsite or a children’s stepping stool for a kid’s bathroom, one of these options should be the perfect fit.
The HBTower step stool combines strength, safety, and convenience in a compact design. With an impressively high weight limit of 500 pounds, this sturdy step stool can support most users—plus their tools. Its strength comes from its alloy-steel frame, which is paired with large rubber-padded feet that keep it safely in place.
The HBTower step stool with two steps was easy to carry and tall enough for most household tasks. The padded top rail provided a soft and comfortable grip, even when we pulled it straight from a bitterly cold garage for testing. Though the step treads are textured for slip resistance, we do wish they were rubber instead of molded plastic for extra traction in wet conditions. When not in use, it folds nearly flat to only 1.6 inches deep, making it simple to store in tight spaces.
What our tester says: “The HBTower is rock solid. It didn’t budge when I leaned to the sides or even when I jumped.”—Glenda Taylor, Product Reviews tester and writer