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Best Ladder Bookcases

Updated September 2021
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Read more  
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.Read more 
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Simpli Home Acadian Solid Wood Ladder Shelf Bookcase
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 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
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
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 feet 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
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
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.

HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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30
Models
Considered
80
Consumers
Consulted
26
Hours
Researched
Category cover

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.

Our Top Picks
Simpli Home
Best of the Best
Simpli Home
Acadian Solid Wood Ladder Shelf Bookcase
Bottom Line
A solidly built and attractive bookcase that is part of a collection, in case you're looking to pick up matching pieces.
Shop Now
ClosetMaid
Best Bang for the Buck
ClosetMaid
4-Tier Wood Ladder Shelf Bookcase
Bottom Line
A solid, modern-looking piece at a very decent price, although the assembly can be a little irritating.
Shop Now
Casual Home
Top Pick
Casual Home
5-Shelf Ladder Bookcase
Bottom Line
A sturdy and stylish bookcase that assembles in under a half-hour.
Shop Now
Sauder
Top Pick
Sauder
5-Shelf Bookcase
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.
Shop Now
Coaster Home Furnishings
Top Pick
Coaster Home Furnishings
Home Furnishings Ladder Bookcase
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.
Shop Now