Also think about how the step stool is to be used, as this guides you as to the size and style you need. For instance, smaller stools like the IKEA Bolmen Step Stool are ideal for kids who aren't tall enough to reach sinks and counters. Step ladders like the Rubbermaid 3-Step Aluminum Step Stool With Oversized Project Tray go a bit higher and can come in handy for various home improvement tasks such as painting and hanging art. Mid-size, all-purpose step stools like the Costco Two-Step Signature Step Stool are great to have on hand for everything from reaching the top shelf of your pantry to changing light bulbs to hanging large pictures. The Rubbermaid 3-Step Aluminum Step Stool With Oversized Project Tray is the perfect helper for DIY projects. While testing this ladder both at the lab and over the course of six months, we were continuously impressed with its usability and features. Planning a painting project? You'll love the large oversized, magnetized tray that is the right size to hold a paint can, with holes for paint brushes and other tools so you don't have to get off the ladder to access them. It even features a spot to hold screws and a paper towel holder.

Depending on the layout of your home, you might store a step stool in a utility closet, garage, kitchen pantry, or folded up and wedged between freestanding appliances. If possible, store it where you intend to use it, but most options are light enough to carry around the house.While testing at the lab, we found this ladder to be very easy to open and close, lightweight, and easy to carry around. It was also very sturdy and never wobbled, even on the highest step. Overall, we found it to be a great value, considering all of the features it has. Although it's worth noting that we did find the paper towel holder to be a little flimsy, and the paper towel roll kept falling off. Lexi Dwyer has been writing about home-related topics like cleaning, organization, and storage for The Spruce since 2019. Thanks to her average height and the high ceilings in her New York City apartment, she currently owns five different step stools, a few of which are on this list. She spent several hours researching dozens of step stool models, evaluating them for stability, portability, value, and additional features like trays, anti-slip tread, and support railings. She also spoke to a professor of occupational therapy for additional insight on safety. Some downsides of the Kik-Step are obvious—there are no railings or other supports, and your reach is fairly limited. Measuring 16 x 16 x 19 inches, this is stool bulky and difficult to store in a closet or another place. But it's good-looking enough to display anywhere in your home and an ideal everyday step stool for high-traffic spots such as living rooms and home offices.

This lightweight plastic option from Handy Laundry folds and stores easily and weighs just over 2 pounds. At 9 inches high, this type of stool is sometimes called a "step up," meaning it's just high enough to give you a bit of a boost. It folds completely flat and can be easily hidden when you aren't using it. We love the one-handed folding mechanism as well—you simply pull up on the incorporated carrying handle in the center, and it snaps into the flat position. Available in different colors, this stool can go well in a kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room. And since it’s so portable, it also travels well. At 5.5 pounds, the stool is one of the lightest on our list, and it can be easily moved from room to room. If you need to go higher, it's also available in a three-step version. One downside: The weight limit caps out at 225 pounds, so some buyers may need something with a higher capacity. This plastic single-step stool from Ikea is an affordable option ideal for anyone who needs a little extra reach. We think it's great for kids who have trouble reaching the sink to wash their hands or reach for something on the counter. We also like it for bathrooms because it can be easily wiped down and sanitized. Measuring 17 x 14 x 10 inches, it seems small and simple, but don’t let it fool you. It can hold 220 pounds, so many adults will be able to use it as well. If you love our Best Overall option, the HB Tower 3-Step Ladder with Handrails but don't need the handrails or too bag, you'll love this similar model (not tested in our lab). It is slightly more lightweight (11 pounds versus the pound version with the handrail) and slightly more affordable as well. Although there are no handrails, there's a simple handgrip at the top, covered with padding. Solidly constructed from iron, this ladder is ideal for simple tasks where you need some extra height. (Think: changing a light bulb or dusting high shelves.)We tested the HBTower 3-Step Ladder with Handrail in our lab and for six months at home and found it to be comfortable to use, offering the right height and features for a wide range of tasks around the house. While testing this step stool in the lab, we noted that it was very lightweight and easy to set up (although closing it does require a little more effort). While we climbed up the three steps, the step stool felt sturdy and we liked how the handrails and the handle on the top had comfortable foam grips and gave us even more stability. We have step stools in two sizes. The small one is 22 cm (9 inches) high, and the large one is 39 cm (15 inches) high. They are made of strong, durable plastic that won’t let you down, whether you’re using yours for standing or sitting. They’re a really handy thing to have around the home, and so inexpensive, it’s no wonder they’re such a popular product. When shopping, keep an eye out for the weight capacity (the maximum amount of weight the ladder can hold). This usually ranges from 220 to 350 pounds and indicates the total weight of the user plus anything they carry onto the stool. Make sure the step stool is sturdy enough to safely support anyone who uses it along with their tools and supplies. Our Best Overall option, the HB Tower 3-Step Ladder with Handrails fits the bill in all of these areas, as it has a 500-pound weight capacity, has handrails, and is very sturdy.