The 10 Best In-Pool Ladders
This wiki has been updated 29 times since it was first published in April of 2017. Not everyone possesses the arm strength to lift themselves out of a swimming pool without any additional support. These ladders make it simple for nearly anyone — children and elderly adults included — to climb in or out of the water without having to worry about falling in or straining a muscle. There are plenty of sizes and styles to choose from for different types of installations. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Amarine Made Premium
2. Garelick/Eez-In Dock Raft 15730
3. Blue Wave NE1149
Editor's Notes
June 03, 2020:
It was a busy round of updates, with widespread availability issues leaving the Vinyl Works Taupe, Inter-Fab High Impact and the Confer Deluxe as the only remaining selections from our previous rankings. The options we chose to remove were the Confer A-Frame, Confer Heavy Duty, Confer Economy, Main Access Easy Incline and Main Access Pro Series, which were replaced by a series of new additions including the Amarine Made Premium — a smart-looking model with a collapsible flip-up design that was originally intended for use with pontoon boats, the Blue Wave NE1149 — which features a pivoting bottom step that makes it compatible with sloped pools, and the Intex Recreation Deluxe — a symmetrical model with removable steps that’s intended for use with above-ground pools.
A few things to think about for this category:
Weight Capacity: This can be looked at as one way to gauge a given unit’s strength and durability, and for large users – or users who sometimes like to entertain large friends – it can mean the difference between a ladder being functional or unusable. While heavy-duty models like the Amarine Made Premium – which boasts a 400-pound weight capacity – are built to accommodate the weight of most users, other options like the FibroPro Easy Mount and Inter-Fab High Impact – which have a 200- and 250-pound weight capacity, respectively – won’t be sturdy enough for some. With plenty of models – including the Intex Steel Frame 28067E, Vinyl Works Taupe and Goplus Heavy Duty SU-7309-AB – boasting weight capacities of 300 pounds or more, most users won’t have trouble finding an option that’s solid enough to satisfy their needs.
In-Ground vs. Above-Ground: Your new ladder’s impressive weight capacity won’t do you much if it isn’t compatible with your specific sort of swimming area, so make sure the model you pick is meant to be used with your kind of pool. While options like the Intex Recreation Deluxe and Intex Steel Frame 28067E are patently designed for use with above ground pools, others like the Blue Wave NE1149 and FibroPro Easy Mount are intended for use with in-ground installations, although they may still be suitable for above-ground pools that are equipped with flush decking.
Removal: While in-pool ladders provide a great convenience when it comes time to enter or exit your pool, they can also be a real pain when it comes time to put on your winter pool cover at the end of the season, or even when it comes time to reel out your solar pool cover after a swim session. With this in mind, many companies have worked provisions into their ladders’ designs that make removing them a cinch. While the Garelick/Eez-In Dock Raft 15730 and Amarine Made Premium both feature flip-up designs, the latter option gets bonus points for also being collapsible, which makes it extra unobtrusive when it’s out of the water. The Intex Recreation Deluxe has removable steps on one side, which can help prevent children from climbing into the pool unattended.
4. Confer Deluxe
5. Intex Recreation Deluxe
6. Inter-Fab High Impact
7. Vinyl Works Taupe
8. FibroPro Easy Mount
9. Goplus Heavy Duty SU-7309-AB
10. Intex Steel Frame 28067E
After deciding that the pen was mightier than the pliers, Canadian electrical contractor William Rhoda abandoned his career and headed back to college, where he majored in marketing and advertising and won a scholarship along the way to earning a diploma in creative communications. His past career landed him a depth of knowledge in tools and hardware, while his current career schooled him in audio, video and camera equipment. During his leisure time, he’s learned lots about outdoor gear, and years of tiresome backyard maintenance have taught him all about pools and hot tubs. His recreational pursuits include rest, relaxation and revolutionary action, and his roommate’s a hairless cat.