We recommend the Kidde KL-2S Fire Escape Ladder for escaping your multi-level home or apartment through a window safely. It’s easy to use, well constructed, and affordable.
You have an average of two minutes to escape before smoke and flames engulf the entire house. Having a window-escape ladder in place is one way to ensure that you and your loved ones can escape quickly and safely from a home fire. Many ladders that are offered online are not safe because they use ropes or chains that can tangle or burn or pinch hands. Others are by sketchy brands. We’ve researched the best emergency escape ladders to bring you the best.
Best fire escape ladders
- : Best all-around
- : Lightest pick
- : Trusted pick
- : Reusable pick
Fire escape ladders comparison
Take a peek at our top picks for the best fire escape ladders.
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Best for
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Product
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Price
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Weight
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Weight limit
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Warranty
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Learn more
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Read review
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| Best all-around |
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$67.16 | 7.75 lbs. | 1,000 lbs. | 5 years | View on Amazon | Read review |
| Lightest pick |
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$99.95 | 5.95 lbs. | 1,000 lbs. | 15 years | View on Amazon | Read review |
| Trusted pick |
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$89.99 | 12.8 lbs. | 1,125 lbs. | 5 years | View on Amazon | Read review |
| Reusable pick |
 |
$90.88 | 10.93 lbs. | 2,000 lbs. | 1 year | View on Amazon | Read review |
*Amazon.com list price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
1. Kidde KL-2S Fire Escape Ladder: Best all-around
Kidde’s KL-2S Fire Escape Ladder has everything going for it: strength, durability, and ease of use. Like others on this list, it can hold up to 1,000 pounds. The thick straps and wide steps keep the ladder stable as you descend. Best of all, there are no chains or ropes to pinch or burn your fingers as you climb.
Reliable up to 1,000 pounds Quick to deploy Affordable
Doesn’t offer longer warrantyIn addition to an anti-slip, zinc-plated rung design that provides stability for children or older family members, it also attaches to windows easily, making it perfect for a fast exit. We also love the Kidde escape ladder’s tangle-free design.
This affordable safety ladder comes with a five-year limited warranty, which is pretty standard. We would have liked to see a warranty more like the ladder that places second on our list (15 years).
2. X-IT 2 Story fire ladder: Lightest pick
Rated as one of the safest and best in the market, the X-IT Emergency Fire Escape Ladder is light and has an outstanding warranty. Because the X-IT ladder weighs just under six pounds, most members of the family can move it. This is a huge plus for households with little ones.
Weighs just 5.95 pounds Reliable up to 1,000 pounds Offers long warranty
PriceyWe also love that X-IT offers a better warranty than its competitors. You get a 60-day full refund, 15-year limited warranty for material and workmanship, and they will replace your ladder if you use it in an emergency situation.
This portable ladder is around $30 more than its competitors. This could make it harder to afford for homes with multiple upper-level windows.
3. First Alert EL52-2 fire ladder: Trusted pick
First Alert is known as one of the most trusted safety companies on the market, so it’s no surprise the First Alert EL52-2 fire escape ladder is a sturdy choice. This steel ladder has been tested to hold up to 1,125 pounds.
Reliable up to 1,125 pounds Easy to use
Narrow stepsIt’s also easy to deploy. It hooks onto the window seal and unfolds itself so you can get out quickly.
The one thing we didn’t really like is the steps. The steps are narrow and slippery. This makes the emergency ladder less stable as you climb down it. Thicker straps and wider steps, like the ones on the Kidde escape ladder, would have been better.
4. ISOP Fire Escape Ladder: Best reusable pick
Unlike other fire escape ladders on this list, the ISOP Fire Escape Ladder is reusable. This is ideal if you want to practice using the ladder. Other ladders can be harder to store, which is probably why they are marked for only one use. The ISOP is easy to fold up and even comes with a storage bag.
Reliable over 2,000 lbs. Reusable
1 year warrantyISOP also comes with slip-resistant resin rungs and thick ropes that won’t tangle or hurt your hands. It can also support over 2,000 pounds, so it’s the heavy-duty ladder on our list.
We didn’t like the warranty, though. Other ladders on this list have their warranty information readily available online, and five years or more is the standard. ISOP has a warranty of only one year.
Other fire escape ladders we considered
This ladder came close to making our top-pick list.
Hausse Retractable Fire Escape Ladder
The Hausse Retractable Fire Escape Ladder has a similar construction to our top pick, but we just couldn’t recommend it for one big reason. It’s retractable, which means you need to fiddle around with the ladder’s hooks to get it to extend fully before you attach it to a window sill. These few seconds can mean the difference between getting out safely and not getting out at all.
What to look for in fire escape ladders
An emergency window escape ladder only works if you can access it easily and all your family members can use it safely. Here are some factors to consider while comparing your options:
- Height: Match your home’s height. Choose 13 to 15 feet for two-story homes and 20 to 25 feet for three-story homes.
- Ladder weight: Find a ladder that’s lightweight and compact so you can move and store it with ease.
- Weight supported: Look for a ladder rated to carry at least 1,000 pounds so multiple family members can use it at the same time.
- Anti-slip: Make sure the ladder has anti-slip features for children or older household members with mobility restrictions.
Using and storing window escape ladders
An emergency escape ladder may be awkward to use, so test it out before an emergency. Once you’re done shopping for safety ladders, test it in its intended window. Have each family member place the ladder out the window and climb out. Think of it as a mini fire drill.
Many ladders are labeled as “one use only.” Be sure to check the label or call the manufacturer to see if testing the ladder will void the warranty.
When storing a portable window escape ladder, keep it folded up in a box. Always place the ladder or the box near the window where you intend to use it.
Final word
We found that the Kidde KL-2S Fire Escape Ladder checked all of our boxes for the best fire escape ladder. It’s fast, strong, and affordable. While no fire safety product is guaranteed to save your life during a fire, we think this ladder will be your safest emergency exit option from a multi-level home or apartment through an escape window.
To learn more about fire safety and prevention, visit our Fire Safety Resource Guide.
FAQ
Preventing house fires requires routine maintenance, careful planning, and common sense.
- Start by being careful with activities like cooking and heating your home.
- Make sure your fire and smoke alarms are up to date, and check your oven, grill, and other big appliances too.
Models like the Nest Protect smoke alarm can let you know if there’s danger, even when you aren’t home.
You’ll want to install your fire and smoke alarms on each level of your home and at least outside each bedroom. See our full guide to learn more about installing fire and smoke alarms.
Depending on the situation, try to put the fire out first if it is a small fire. In addition to fire escape ladders, having a fire extinguisher and fire safety kit handy is a smart idea.
If you can’t get the fire out, get out of the building through a planned escape route. Be sure to practice your routine with your family so you know what to do should a fire strike your home.
Video: What does fire safety sound like?
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How we reviewed the best fire emergency ladders
For this fire escape ladder review, we scoured hundreds of reviews from users and ratings on various websites. We also used our decades of experience as safety experts, and experience as a volunteer firefighter, to evaluate how well each product would work in a real-life fire emergency.
Here are some features we prioritized when reviewing fire ladders:
- Slip-resistant rungs
- Wide ladder rungs
- Chain- and rope-free design
- Simple ladder hooks
- Weight capacity
For more on how we review products, take a look at our SafeWise methodology page.
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Disclaimers
*Amazon.com list price as of post date. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. SafeWise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
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