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Best Ladder Bookcases

Updated October 2018
Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
Bottom Line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Simpli Home
Acadian Solid Wood Ladder Shelf Bookcase
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Bottom Line

A solidly built and attractive bookcase that is part of a collection, in case you're looking to pick up matching pieces.

Pros

A great-looking option that comes in dark tobacco brown or black. Both feature a protective finish. Real wood. Durable construction. Five total shelves. Assembles in under an hour. Other pieces of the collection available for purchase.

Cons

Some buyers experienced assembly issues with the pre-drilled holes (that were not pre-drilled, or drilled too small) and screws (screw them in too tight and you risk splitting the wood).

Best Bang for the Buck
ClosetMaid
4-Tier Wood Ladder Shelf Bookcase
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Bottom Line

A solid, modern-looking piece at a very decent price, although the assembly can be a little irritating.

Pros

Your choice of natural or gray finish. Constructed of a laminate wood with powder-coated steel base. Assembles in an hour or less. Mid-century modern furniture look at a low price. Sturdy and stable.

Cons

Both the minimal directions and the fact that it can arrive missing key parts can make assembly a bit challenging.

Casual Home
5-Shelf Ladder Bookcase
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Bottom Line

A sturdy and stylish bookcase that assembles in under a half-hour.

Pros

Available in espresso, warm brown, or white finishes. Stylish look and a sturdy 6' tall. Solid wood construction. Good quality. Assembles in 30 minutes or less.

Cons

Some reports of this bookcase arriving missing hardware or with misaligned pre-drilled holes. Some issues with the legs not all being even, resulting in a wobbly bookcase.

Sauder
5-Shelf Bookcase
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Bottom Line

Offers a modern look and a sturdy, heavy construction, but be sure to check it upon arrival to make sure that all the wood arrived in one piece.

Pros

Finish is a jamocha wood color. Simple assembly that takes about an hour. Constructed of particleboard. After assembly, unit is heavy and strong. Nice modern look.

Cons

Plastic screw covers are hard to snap into place after construction. Assembly instructions could be clearer. Some buyers report that this bookcase arrived with broken or damaged wood.

Coaster Home Furnishings
Home Furnishings Ladder Bookcase
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Bottom Line

A nice, contemporary look, and the drawers are a great feature. Some buyers warn that the installation can be a bit of a slog, however.

Pros

Contemporary, elegant look with a cappuccino finish. Unique design combines a bookshelf with storage drawers. Shelves are wider than other models. Installation takes about two hours.

Cons

The instructions aren't great, and installation can be a bit tedious. You can overcome this a bit by inventorying all the parts before you start to make sure you received everything, and then talking a friend or mate into helping you build it.

Ladder bookcases give you an interesting accent piece in your home. This type of shelving is perfect for showcasing knick-knacks or small books. But the ladder bookcases also provide portability, because you can move them easily. Ladder bookcases live up to their name, because they look like a ladder with shelves. Some ladder bookcases have two feet on both the front and back, like a step ladder. This configuration allows them to be free standing. Other times, they will look more like an extension ladder with no back section. With this type of ladder bookcase, you’ll lean it against a wall to provide stability. Most ladder bookcases will have four or five shelves. Shelves at the bottom will be deeper than the upper shelves because of the angle of the frame.

How we decided

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

  • 33 Models Considered
  • 7 Hours Researched
  • 1 Experts Interviewed
  • 165 Consumers Consulted
    • Zero products received from manufacturers.

    We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

    Why trust BestReviews?
    BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
    BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
    BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
    The team that worked on this review
    • Eliza
      Eliza
      Production Manager
    • Linsay
      Linsay
      Editor
    • Melinda
      Melinda
      Web Producer
    • Rich
      Rich
      Writer
    • William
      William
      Director of Product Management
    ×

    Simpli Home

    Acadian Solid Wood Ladder Shelf Bookcase

    Simpli Home

    Acadian Solid Wood Ladder Shelf Bookcase

    A solidly built and attractive bookcase that is part of a collection, in case you're looking to pick up matching pieces.
    $136
    ×

    ClosetMaid

    4-Tier Wood Ladder Shelf Bookcase

    ClosetMaid

    4-Tier Wood Ladder Shelf Bookcase

    A solid, modern-looking piece at a very decent price, although the assembly can be a little irritating.
    $73
    ×

    Casual Home

    5-Shelf Ladder Bookcase

    Casual Home

    5-Shelf Ladder Bookcase

    A sturdy and stylish bookcase that assembles in under a half-hour.
    $93
    ×

    Sauder

    5-Shelf Bookcase

    Sauder

    5-Shelf Bookcase

    Offers a modern look and a sturdy, heavy construction, but be sure to check it upon arrival to make sure that all the wood arrived in one piece.
    $111
    ×

    Coaster Home Furnishings

    Home Furnishings Ladder Bookcase

    Coaster Home Furnishings

    Home Furnishings Ladder Bookcase

    A nice, contemporary look, and the drawers are a great feature. Some buyers warn that the installation can be a bit of a slog, however.
    $124

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