7 Best Step Stools (for Safety and Portability)

Unlike the traditional step ladder, the step stool is designed for giving you just enough of a height boost for reaching areas in your kitchen, shop, or garage you otherwise couldn’t get to.

It has the added benefit of providing you with a portable seat for working at multiple locations.

While many of the best step stools will likely have some minor variations from one company to the other, a top step height of around 2 feet is typical (for a 3-step stool), giving the user the ability to paint the tops of walls or ceiling, accessing an overhead storage area in the garage, or simply the ability to wash the roof of today’s trucks and SUVs.

Unlike most other tools found in the garage, a good step stool is perfect for the home as well, storing in a small space like a pantry or closet but giving ready access to high shelves, cupboards or even the attic pull cord any time you need it.

Related: 27 Types of Ladders (w/ Pictures)

Our 7 Favorites

	Product	Steps	Top Step	Capacity	Item Weight
	Little Giant Safety Step	3	27"	300 lbs	24 lbs
	Rubbermaid RM-3W	3	27"	200 lbs	13.0 lbs
	HBTower KQ0003-BK	3	28"	500 lbs	12 lbs
	Rubbermaid RMS-2	2	18"	225 lbs	11 lbs
	Louisville Ladder FS1502	2	16"	300 lbs	8 lbs
	Rubbermaid RM-P2	2	16"	300 lbs	6 lbs
	COSCO 11308PBL1	2	20"	200 lbs	8 lbs

#2 – Rubbermaid RM-3W

With roots in the Northeastern United States, 80% of Rubbermaid’s products are still manufactured inside the USA, including the company’s top rated step stool.

Rated as a Type III Household Stepladder, it has a steel frame with 3 wide steps and a bit over 27-inch standing height when in use. The wide steps are made of sturdy, hard plastic that can support up to 200 pounds per step.

For convenient access, the Rubbermaid RM-3W will fit conveniently in spaces slightly more than 3 inches wide, and at only about 13 pounds, moving it to where you need it will not be a chore.

For projects such as indoor painting, this is one of the best stepladders to reach the ceiling without fear of tipping or the hassle of moving around a larger ladder.

In the kitchen, it will provide enough reach to get to the shelves of every cabinet, even above the refrigerator.

For your safety, the rungs will automatically lock in place and the patented foot design will not mar flooring. While it’s an excellent step stool for many projects, it’s important to keep in mind that this tool is not designed for use on uneven surfaces.

It will work great for changing a bulb on the porch, but is not the safest approach to trimming a limb in tree.

There isn’t a lot to complain about with the Rubbermaid RM-3W, but there has been mention of problems with the non-marring feet being too loose. But an overwhelming majority of users say this was not a problem, so it doesn’t appear to be a common problem.

Also, while the 200 lb capacity is probably conservative, you may want to consider the heavier duty Little Giant above for greater stability and safety.

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#3 – HBTower KQ0003-BK

HBTower makes some great step ladders and take pride in their products. This 3-step model’s top step lifts you 27.6 inches and is also available in 2, 4, and 5 step versions to ensure you have the perfect height.

With a claimed 500-pound weight capacity yet weighing just under 12lbs itself, this step ladder is both sturdy and lightweight. It arrives fully assembled so you can make use of it right away. It folds to a mere 1.6 inches thick, making it easy to store almost anywhere.

The frame is made of high-grade steel and has non-slip rubber on both the wide pedals and handgrips for extra safety. Rubber feet add even more stability and prevent wobble. Additional safety features include a back cross brace and a metal safe buckle which automatically locks in place when you use the ladder.

The handrails, compact folding and safety buckle help it to stand out among the competition in terms of safety and convenience.  While it does have a tiny bit of wobble when you set it up, this vanishes the moment you put your weight on it and it becomes extremely stable.

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#4 – Rubbermaid RMS-2

Our second Rubbermaid stool isn’t made in the USA, but it’s still great quality. The stool is rated for up to 225lbs and comes with an ANSI Type 2 Duty Rating and one year warranty. When folded it’s only 2.4 inches deep, allowing you to slide it into small spaces for storage.

The top step has a height of 18 inches. Not only are these nice and wide at 13 inches, but their 10.38″ depth means most feet will fit without overhang for improved comfort and support.

A one-piece rigid frame made of alloy steel helps to ensure a stable, rigid stool. Each step is traction molded to prevent slipping and the grip handle is perfect for those with poorer balance. Each foot has a protective rubber foot which prevents marring and helps keep the stool firmly in place during use.

One of the primary complaints you’ll inevitably hear about steel step stools is their weight. While aluminum frames are quite sturdy and weigh less, steel is more durable and can take more abuse. Likewise, plastic is a tradeoff of durability in favor of reduced weight. This is certainly one of the lighter steel stools, but that little extra weight is a deal breaker for some people.

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#5 – Louisville Ladder FS1502

While technically a stepladder, something Louisville Ladder is known for, their short two-foot tall “ladder” easily substitutes as a heavy duty step stool.

Made of superior quality fiberglass, the FS1502 is capable of holding up to 300 pounds. Internal spreader bars and steel rivets provide added durability, while the recessed tray means tools won’t roll off.

A polyester veil protects the stool from the elements while the back braces both add support and encourage safer use. Keep in mind that while the stepladder is 24 inches tall, you should not put your weight on the top step. This means it has a usable height of 16 inches (second step).

Overall, this is a great step stool, but it’s also a victim of bad sellers. When buying online, purchase from a reputable merchant, check to make sure you’re not getting a refurbished model, and examine it thoroughly for signs of prior use upon arrival.

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#6 – Rubbermaid RM-P2 Molded Step Stool

Perfect for those higher shelves in the kitchen or pantry or for children who might need a little boost at the bathroom sink, the RM-P2 is a lightweight (under 6 lbs) two-step molded plastic stool with cutout handles and non-slip treads.

Non-marring feet and a 300-pound weight capacity mean this little helper can also be of use to adults. While its top step is only 16 inches high, it definitely has its uses. You can even use it in place of a creeper seat in the garage for auto detailing or maintenance.

One would think a plastic stool would be fragile, but this one is built to handle abuse. Some owners have reported a bit of wobble when mounting the first step, and it won’t fold for storage.

However, it’s light enough for even your toddler to move it to the sink and won’t slip out from under them, making it a great addition for family homes.

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#7 – COSCO 11308PBL1

Made of powder coated steel, this step stool weighs in at 8.36lbs, making it a decent alternative to less durable aluminum models. While rated for up to 200lbs, people have noted it can support up to 250lbs with no issue. The top step comes in at an impressive 20.47 inches high. When folded, the stool’s depth is only 2.75 inches, making it easy to store in narrow spaces.

Each step is made of heavy-duty injection molded polypropylene resin and features ribbed, slip-resistance treads. A silicone hand grip provides extra stability for the user, while anti-slip leg caps ensure the stool stays in place. A friction lock on the top step rounds out the safety features on this simple but reliable step stool.

This model opens a little differently than many similar ones. It’s best to pull the bottom step to open, then push down on the top step to engage the lock. Of course, it will auto-engage when you step on it, but the loud click can be a little scary in this latter instance since these are plastic steps. Also, the foot caps are plastic instead of rubber, so there may be a bit of slide on smooth surfaces.

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Steps to a Perfect Stool: A Buying Guide

There are a lot of things to consider for such a simplistic product concept. As with many other items, we can’t tell you any one thing is better than another because each person’s needs are slightly different. The choices available in step stools illustrate this perfectly.

Here are some things you will want to consider before investing in a step stool to find the best match for your needs.

Step Stool vs Step Ladder

This is one of the most common points of confusion for even experienced buyers. It’s easy to confuse the two, resulting in getting the wrong product, but there are a few simple ways to ensure you won’t get a step ladder when you want a step stool and vice-versa.

Step stools have one to four steps and a maximum platform height of four feet. They may have a support rail above this top step which doesn’t count as part of the stool’s height.

Most step stools are made of lightweight materials and will hold between 200 and 300 pounds. Additionally, they’re very compact once folded but are often used around the home as extra seating or shelves for books or plants when not needed.

Step ladders are a bit different. They’re made of sturdier materials and have more steps. Some of these steps extend further back to double as working platforms to hold tools and supplies.

Due to their taller height, a step ladder can be a bit more difficult to store, but have the same folding capabilities as their smaller kin.

You’re far more likely to use a step ladder for painting or outdoor work, while step stools are used for quick tasks such as changing light bulbs or reaching cabinets, with an occasional complex task on the roster.

In all, choose a step stool if you need a short height boost (washing your car’s roof, for example) and a step ladder if you need a ladder’s height or storage for a prolonged job (such as installing a ceiling fan on a tall ceiling).

Frame Material

There are several possible materials out there, including wood and steel, but there are two specific choices for frame material that are all-around the best:

• Aluminum – Lighter than steel and almost as sturdy, aluminum is an affordable and reliable material. It’s conductive, however, so is best used for tasks that won’t involve electrical work.
• Fiberglass – Heavier and more expensive than aluminum, fiberglass is a bit more heavy-duty (less flex) and won’t conduct electricity, making it the better choice for contractors and DIYers who do electrical work.

Height and Number of Steps

Steps stools, by definition, are free-standing ladders no more than four feet tall from base to top platform. They may contain anywhere from one to four steps.

The trick to figuring out the best height is to consider some basic averages. Using a step stool, the average person will only be able to reach four feet higher than the stool’s top step safely. Thus, a four-foot stool will allow you to reach a lightbulb on an eight-foot ceiling.

The number of steps is more a matter of personal preference once you have the height down. A four foot step stool can contain four steps, making each step rise approximately one foot. In the event you have problems lifting your legs that high due to arthritis or another condition, it might be better to go with a four-step three-foot step stool or choosing a step ladder instead.

Molded vs Folding (Storage Considerations)

This particular feature is almost entirely up to personal preferences. A good folding stool can easily be stored in the gap beside the fridge or shoved in a closet. However, as mentioned before, the design of a step stool means it’s often used for far more than standing on.

If you need to take it with you on the go and want it out of the way, choose a folding model. Otherwise, a molded model has less parts to worry about and is every bit as useful.

Safety Features

The amount of safety an item has often depends on the person using it. Older DIYers with health issues may need a lot of features the average person can pass on. However, getting a good balance of features is always a good idea, since you never know when they might be needed. Some features to look for include:

• Locking mechanism on folding models
• Non-slip or treaded surfaces
• Handrails, preferably with a non-slip surface for better stability at heights
• Non-slip and/or non-marring feet
• Weight classification (i.e. the maximum weight the stool can safely hold)
• Bracing and other support structures