Best tripod ladders [UK]: 8ft and adjustable leg Hendon, Henchman, and Nawaki tripos ladders reviewed and tested

I know I said the Hendon standard tripod ladder was my favourite, but I didn’t say it was the best. To be honest, this one, the Henrys tripod ladder from Henchman, has the best overall features and is easily what you should be measuring standards by 🙂

So, why isn’t it my favourite? Well, it all comes down to price. This model is cheaper than the Hendon 3 leg adjustable model and I personally wouldn’t see the point in paying that much unless I needed three adjustable legs. However if I had deeper pockets, I would be very, very tempted by Henchman tripod ladder.

For the money, you do get 2.4 metres of beautifully made, high grade, aluminium frame that has some design features I think we should mention.

First of all, this model has not one, but three adjustable legs, meaning it is so easy to find the right set up on uneven ground, slopes and soft surfaces. Even some particularly steep slopes can become a workable base if you play with the adjustments.

In addition to this, the wide stance of this ladder when fully adjusted to the maximum gives you a feeling of sturdiness that is hard to beat.

The feet are also wide and act like claws as they dig into the ground for extra support much like our other reviews, and like the Hendon this model can be used on harder surfaces like tarmac as long has you fit the rubber caps on the feet first which are included.

The steps on the ladder are wide and deep and give you good support for your feet. There is a large working platform to stand on that has been designed so that you don’t hit your shins on the rung above while working, so you can lean into the ladder more.

There is another flat platform on the top rung of the ladder, and a bar/rail at the very top to hold onto or lean on. This comes in handy when you ned to use both hands to operate a power tool like a hedge trimmer or chainsaw and gives your back a much needed break from time to time.

All in all, this is a top class tripod ladder, and if you don’t mind savings a few quid, it is definitely the one to go for.

I really like the Henchman tripod ladder. Not all tripod ladders are equal as we’ve already compared and established. Some tripod ladders have a rear adjustable leg height but the Henchman here adjusts entirely which easily makes this right up there as far as solid picks for best tripod ladder go. And despite being so large the aluminium construction makes them modestly weighty at just 16kg. To be honest, that’s easily manageable, I have a harder time with my DIY scaffold tower than moving these about.

These are absolutely superb if you need to get up and over a tallish bush to one of your walls, or you simply want to get up close to your property without leaning against it. I’ve used these to clean my gutters too:

It’s hard to appreciate just how tall these are but this angle shows you nicely how you’ll tower over smaller outbuildings:

The only real quantifiable difference between this and the next pick is the overall height and reach. Both have excellent stability and are made from a high grade aluminium, perfect if you’re looking for a last product, or one to use professionally. You really need a wide base for maximum sturdiness – the Henchman gives that and will give you the confidence to reach that little bit further – something that is always well received with regards to tripod ladders.

Weight may be a consideration with height. You’ll be able to go up these in confidence up to about 20 stone. Beyond that you would be out of their guarantee.

* currently out of stock but you just can’t remove this from the review as it’s a cracking tripod ladder.

Out of all of the tripod ladders tested and compared, this one from Hendon was my favourite and my pick for the best tripod ladder when in stock. Mind you, it wasn’t like it was a clearly superior product, and in many ways is very similar to our other reviews here on this page, but overall it just struck me as being the best value for money out of a very good bunch.

The main difference between this tripod ladder and the estate to garden model is that with the Hendon, you actually stand on the rung a few steps down from the top. Now, this has its pros and cons. For example, it means that before you purchase this kind of ladder you need to work out the height that you will need if you are not standing directly at the top of the ladder. On the other hand, having more frame higher up is good for keeping balance in an emergency and just gives you a more secure feeling while working up at heights.

There is a flat top platform/step but I think the designers meant this to be for sitting your tools down on or a basket if you were picking fruit and not to be climbed on while working.

I also like the double rung treads on this model. It left me feeling sure footed and even if there was a bit of rain while working, I think I’d still feel like the grip was more than enough to keep me from slipping.

The welded aluminium structure of this tripod ladder is very high quality work and the whole ladder has a solid feel to it. However, it is still very easy to carry around due to the lightweight of the main material.

Don’t let its lack of weight fool you into thinking this ladder can’t bear loads, it has been designed to be able to handle up to 100kg with no trouble.

Like the estate to garden tripod ladder, this one has an adjustable leg so you can find your balance ‘sweet spot’ on slopes and bumpy lawns. It also helps to get you closer to the spot you need to be to work.

The Hendon’s broad feet do an excellent job of gripping soft ground and you really feel dug in and stable. On top of that, there are rubber caps for the feet that will allow you to use this ladder on harder surfaces without slipping or being off balance.
This tripod ladder is available in 5 different sizes, but like we mentioned, please take into account that the last working step is a few rungs down from the top so you might need to go up one size.

In conclusion, the Hendon standard tripod ladder is as good a product as you are going to get for the price. It is strong, sturdy, and has some nice design features that are all functional.

New to the list is the Orchard Garden Tripod Ladder. This is in much ways similar to the Estate Green tripod in the next review but much much better. It’s got a huge sturdy platform to work from and a much wider body.

Being a wider and robust body it’s unsurprising these weigh in at 11kg. They are fairly hefty but not so much that they can’t be moved easily enough by one person. To get to the 3m rating they are suggesting your safe position is just a tad under 7 foot which is the seventh step. Your body then extends you three foot further and so there you get to the 3m rating on these tripod ladders. Here’s what working at 3m looks like on these tripod ladders:

As you can see there’s nothing too shocking to look at here. It goes without saying with your weight leaning forward like this the front leg needs to be really secure and not on soft ground. This is essential though as it almost curves you comfortably into your hedge meaning you reach less than thus you’re safer overall!

They are certainly nice and sturdy – you won’t feel like you’ve bought a cheap set if you opt for these and overall in the 10ft tripod ladder range these are well worth considering. Many have said these are the most sturdy they’ve ever used – personally that is probably down to not using a wide array but they certainly are really good and again if you need 3 ajdustable legs then these are all the more worthwhile.

I think the 8ft range is too crowded with Henry/Henchman and Hendon. They have 12ft options too when you follow the link to learn more about these.

Estate Green’s tripod ladder comes in five different sizes ranging from 3m to 4m, all following the same, customer pleasing design and when compared in terms of price and build quality it’s up to the mark. Well up there with Henchman and Hendon.

This tripod ladder ticks all the boxes we are looking for in one these products. It is lightweight, steady and stable, well made, and durable when comparing to the Hendon and Henrys tripod ladders

Let’s start with how light this ladder is. We tested the 3m version and I was able to carry it about easily in one hand while holding my hedge trimmer in the other. The manufacturers say that the weight of the 3m tripod tower is only 10kg and I for one certainly believe them. In fact, it felt lighter than that to me but that’s probably because this was the first of this product group we reviewed and I’ve been using a steel ladder to paint the inside of the house recently. Still, it is very easy to manoeuvre around your garden and certainly a quality alternative to a long reach hedge trimmer.

The reason this tripod ladder, and most other top tripod ladder models, are so lightweight is the same reason why they are so durable- they are made of aluminium. Aluminium isn’t just a very lightweight metal, it is also rust and corrosion proof so you can be sure of getting your money’s worth over the years to come.

Strength is also an attribute of good quality aluminium, especially aluminium alloy, and that is why it is used to build so many different products these days, from ladders like these to bicycle frames and golf clubs. This material, combined with the superb build quality of this particular tripod ladder, have made it a best seller and also a five star rated product on Amazon.

Now, the main reason to invest in a tripod ladder for your garden is for increased stability, and thus decreasing the chance of having an accident. The three legs of the estate to garden tripod ladder have a nice wide spread to them and each leg has feet shaped like upside down crescents. These feet dig deeper into soft ground like grass and dirt and really help to keep the ladder stable, even on slopes

Of course this also has a downside as you won’t be able to use this ladder on any hard surface because the curved feet would actually cause you to be off balanced and in danger. However, if used the way that it was intended, on soft ground, this tripod ladder works incredibly well.

While some tripod ladders have the ability to have all 3 legs adjusted, this model only has one leg that can be changed to alter the overall spread of the weight, but to be honest, I never felt that I needed to have any more than that. The weight seemed perfectly balanced between the legs at all times and I felt very secure up there, even at the top:

I have to say, that this is an excellent tripod ladder that I would be very happy handing over my hard earned cash for, and the build quality inspires confidence in a long working life.

Just like the Henchman 16ft tripod ladders these are right up there. You have to say if not for Henry’s then these would be the pick of the 8ft tripod ladders and some may argue still they are. For a start they’ve got three legs as opposed to the Henrys which are fully adjustable and there’s never ever been any question with regards to the strength of the frame on the Henchman’s either.

With a 15 stone rating and 3 year warranty they are good for most, you’ll feel confident on the top platform, mainly due to the fact you’ve been able to adjust all three legs to give yourself maximum balance.

But that’s not my main reason for liking these. What sets them apart from most is the deep platform step. If you’ve got big feet like me then you really appreciate having a much more stable base. It definitely results in less pressure on your foot.

Overall you just have to make a decision with regards to if you want to spend the extra on having one or three feet adjustable – for me I still prefer the Henrys 8ft on price!

* currently out of stock but hopefully back soon!

Hailing all the way from Japan, the Niwaki tripod ladder from Hasegawa is yet another very good product that is worthy of some serious consideration.

While it doesn’t bring anything particularly new to the table, it is certainly not lacking in any department either and has a reasonable price.

Being a top tripod ladder choice, it is of course constructed of high quality aluminium that has been welded to a very high standard, ensuring that it will last for an extremely long time.

The double rung steps offer a lot of grip all the way to the 10th and top step which is a flat working platform for you to rest things on, whether it be a basket, tool, or just your elbows.

The double curved bars that run up the sides of this tripod ladder, not only look stylish but also act as hand rails while you climb up and down.

The rear leg of the Niwaki is adjustable for getting stable on bumpy and sloped surfaces and the curved feet work in the same way as our other reviewed products. You can even insert the back leg into a hedge so that you can really get up close and personal with those overgrown branches.

The Niwaki however, is like Estate and garden’s model and doesn’t have rubber caps for use on solid surfaces and is only to be used on softer ground.

In summary, this Japanese tripod ladder is an excellent product that does nothing wrong or special. It has excellent build quality and a nice, aesthetically pleasing design, I just think that the Hendon or Henrys models are just that little bit better.