Werner 223-6 StepRight 225-Pound Duty Rating Type II Step Stool Steel, 3-Foot

I want to compare the Werner step stool with the lighter weight Cosco step stool. The Werner lives in our home and the Cosco model lives in my wife's school classroom. First, you can't go wrong with either purchase. The Werner is more solid, and you can stand on all three steps. They are all equally wide. It's more of a step ladder than a step stool. It's heavier, made of steel, and weighs in at 13 lbs. Use it to get up to and paint your ceiling. It's fine for little step stool uses as well. The Cosco weighs about 7 pounds and appears to be made of aluminum. It's lower steps are pretty narrow, with the top step being much wider. Use it for changing light bulbs, or to get something from a high cabinet. It's more of a step stool. Get the Cosco if you live in an apartment or only need it for little step stool uses. Get the Werner if you are a home owner, or have to use it a lot. The Werner has a weight capacity of 225 lbs, and the Cosco, 200. They are both well made and well designed, both fold up for storage.

This step ladder is sturdy and easy to carry (length way- holding the top side bar). It weighs about the size of a med cat, and is not really heavy at all. My only problem was with the lock feature on the top step, I thought it was a malfunction, so I returned it and got the green one. The cost was higher by a few dollars, but it's much nicer to look at (very soothing to the eye). Well, since it came without instructions on how to set up and fold, I found a way to do it in minutes...1. open and put one foot on top step while one is on the middle step 2.Carefully put pressure on the top step by stomping your foot on it lightly , or putting your weight down with your foot (wear shoes), it should click into place, then turn the lock feature.~~~~ Do this against a sturdy wall so that you don't lose your balance.~~~ Now, to fold it back up 1.turn the ladder on it's side, then turn it over 2.with the right heel of your shoe, kick the top step lightly near the top bar that holds it into place, it should release easily. This worked very well for me, and I hope within time it will loosen up and become easier. I'm very happy with this purchase, and I'm getting a lot of my household chores done, pronto! Found a lotta dust in high places that I didn't know was there. I hope this solution will work for anyone having trouble (with) folding it up. It was worth the investment and I know I'll have it for many years to come- it's very good quality.

*Updated May 2013* It's been 4 years and this step stool is still going strong. We moved into a house a couple of years ago and I still use this a few times a week. It's the perfect height for me to hang curtains, paint walls, and change light bulbs. I'm only 5'4" and our ceiling is fairly high. (I hang 96" curtains) I use it for cleaning and reaching the tops of my cabinets too. It's still sturdy. Like I said before it's hard to lock in and out of place, but that just means I feel safe when it's locked. It's not going to fold up easily like a folding chair. I've fallen off of a folding chair and wouldn't want this step stool to do the same. (original review) I just moved into a place where the kitchen has really tall shelves. This step stool is perfect for reaching all the top shelves. It's a little hard to click in and out of position, but once you get the hang of it, it works fine. I'm very pregnant at the moment and it's not too heavy. It's sturdy and I feel safe going all the way to the top step. I also like that it's slim enough to fit in between the fridge and the wall.

I'll make this review short and sweet. This product came within 2 days (using amazon prime) and was well-packaged. The product arrived as described and works as advertised. Folds up pretty small so I can store it in my closet. Easy to use, seems safe and sturdy (I weigh 200 lbs for reference). My only issue is the price. Since buying this, I've seen cheaper step stools at Lowe's that seem to be about the same quality. But this is a good, solid product nonetheless. I took off 1 star because the value is not great ('QUALITY' is great! But that's not the same as 'value').

After reading the reviews of more than a dozen step ladders, we selected this one because the third step makes a huge difference in reaching the top of our cabinets. The steps are slip-resistant, and wide enough that my 4 year old can sit on the top step and "cook" at the kitchen counter. I also like the locking feature - you can easily tell if you have properly set the stool up before you step on it. And it folds down (not quite as easily as I had thought it would) to take up minimal space when not in use. It is a very sturdy little ladder that I expect will last a very long time (we have had ours now for about 2 months).

AKA "Step Right," the Werner is a nicely made product and quite sturdy. It folds flat and easy to store. So why only three stars? Old Werner products were USA made, not anymore. The two and three step stools are made in China. That being mentioned, attention to details are lacking (saving $$$). I would suggest "prepping" the stools before use. Each of the plastic steps have sharp bottom edges. Call them burrs, flashing or whatever, they can cut you if you run your fingers across them. Really inexcusable if you think about it. My two stepper exhibits the same issues. Simply take some sandpaper (I used 120C) and bevel the edges. Additionally, the flat metal strips on the sides have a detente. The detente/cut-outs also have some burrs. I used a file to smooth and then applied a dab of silver paint on the bare metal, preventing rust. Otherwise........a decent and handy household helper. I'd rate 5 stars if the above issues had been addressed before leaving the factory.

We just moved into a home with high ceilings, shelves and cabinets. Those high shelves & cabinets are perfect places to put those things that you seldom use; but hate to get rid of. The only problem is reaching them when you want to put something away or get something out. Now I don't want to pull a ladder from my garage every time this need arises. But I did need something more useful than the small stool we had been using previously. This provides a stable, safe way to easily reach those high places. It's easy to open and close, once you get the hang of it. And we both like the wide steps and hand bar. Yes, there are less expensive step stools that are similarly configured; but there are reasons why this one is the better deal - quality, stability & safety.

This is a very solid step-stool, very well made, hence the weight, which is not really that bad. It can still be easily carried in one hand. Others have mentioned difficulty in closing it. I find you can close it with one hand by going around on the back side of it (or spinning it around so that it is facing away from you), put one heel in the center-bottom cross-support, and giving it a sharp tug on the back edge of the top step. It can then be folded up the rest of the way, still with just one hand and one foot. I am 6-3, weigh 182 pounds, and it feels very solid even when standing on the top step. No wiggling. As with any ladder, observe the duty rating (225 pounds for this one) and I think you will find this one to be a very fine tool for many years to come.