Right then, fellow garden warriors! If you’ve been following my pruning adventures, you’ll know I’m not one to shy away from a good ladder review. But when I first clapped eyes on these Henchman tripod ladders, I must confess I was rather sceptical. Regular Garden Ninja visitors will know I’m a keen pruner, and with a sloping, exposed garden to contend with, these ladders would undoubtedly be put through their paces!
Henchman tripod ladders have been designed typically for pruning trees, topiary and hedges at height. They allow you to work at heights without wobbling about like other ladders seem to do. They are specifically designed for when you need to be at height for an extended period without needing to hold on for dear life. I find that standard ladders tend to shake and move suddenly, so I was intrigued to try out the new stable ladders! I’m ready to spill the beans on whether these beauties are worth your hard-earned cash.
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Let’s start with the elephant in the room – or should I say, the platform in the ladder! Henchman tripod ladders aren’t your bog-standard wobbly contraptions that have most of us clinging on for dear life. These clever devils have been designed specifically for gardeners who need to spend proper time at height without feeling like they’re about to take an unscheduled flight.
The standout feature has to be that unique standing platform, positioned three rungs from the top – something I’ve genuinely never encountered on standard ladders. It’s like having a little crow’s nest where you can brace your legs against the top of the ladder for completely hands-free working.
The platform allows you to lean into the ladder and brace yourself using your thighs. Think of it as doing a mini squat whilst ten feet up in the air! Initially, it feels rather unnatural, but once you’re in ‘the position’, the desperate need to cling to the ladder rungs virtually disappears. Having that extra brace against the front of your knees genuinely adds to the stability in ways traditional ladders simply cannot match.
Henchman’s fully adjustable tripod range now provides up to 80% more adjustability than their original models, with each leg independently manoeuvrable for use on virtually any terrain. These aren’t just marketing claims – I’ve tested them on everything from my sloping lawn to the uneven ground around my greenhouse, and they’ve accommodated every challenge I’ve thrown at them.
I’m now going to start at the top, as it were, with the biggest selling point of the Henchman ladders, the standing platform. The Henchman ladders feature a unique standing platform with three rungs from the top, which I’ve not seen in standard ladders. By using this platform, sometimes called the crow’s nest, you can brace your legs against the top of the ladder for hands-free working. Getting to the top of ladders for me is always the worst part, but I found that this platform gives a much more stable feeling when at the top.
The platform allows you to lean into the ladder and brace yourself using your thighs. A bit like a mini squat. Whilst at first I thought this feels rather unnatural, once in ‘the position’, the need to cling to the top of the ladder almost disappears! At first, it felt a bit unintuitive but once braced I did feel really secure. Having another brace against the front of your knees adds to the stability.
The Henchman comes with 3 adjustable feet, allowing you to not only raise the height of the ladder but also accommodate sudden height changes between the ground you need it to stand on. Say, for example, a step up on a terrace or a sudden decline in a lawn. The back ‘tripod’ leg is attached to the two front legs by a chain, which then braces the whole set. These legs are super easy to adjust with locking pins that ‘click’ into place when adjusted. Something else that’s really reassuring.
The feet also feature a claw-like cup at the bottom, which helps increase traction on turf or soil. However, they don’t tear up the ground as I feared they might, and are relatively low-impact, which would make them ideal if needing to straddle flower beds or cultivated ground. Given that you can micro-adjust each leg, it means even the most uneven surfaces can be accommodated.
The set I received also came with a set of 3 rubber cups that you can put over the feet if you want to use it on more delicate paved surfaces. The cups help reduce potential scratches and are a great addition!
Something that I find often overlooked is the weight of gardening products, especially ladders. In the past, I’ve used extendable ladders that are great for adjusting the height, but weigh an absolute ton! Not with the Henchman set. They are so light, given their size 10 feet. I could even lift them with one hand, though two hands are obviously more sensible!
The ladders are sold as ideal for hedge trimming and pruning, so what better way than to test them out on soft uneven ground to finally prune a wayward pear tree! I decided to test three pruning tools whilst on the Henchman. The wood saw (the most wobbly of all tools when working at height), tree loppers (requiring you to reach and pivot your arms) and lastly secateurs for removing smaller branches.
The wood saw is usually my least favourite pruning tool when up a ladder. The back and forth motion usually has me in near hysterics as ladders wobble and move. Not so with the Henchman. Using the platform and bracing with my legs there was zero wobble. I almost forgot how high up I was.
The tree loppers require a different movement altogether of having both hands off the ladder and in a wide stance. Usually, this feels a bit like a swan dive pose and again is something I usually try and avoid. This position also went without a hitch and I removed some thicker branches that involved both hands. On normal ladders, the weight shift when closing the loppers can cause one foot to lurch forward on the ladders. There was no movement what so ever on these ladders though. Brilliant!
Being able to use both hands is almost mandatory with secateurs and smaller branches. If not you just end up badly severing the branches or only doing half a job. The alternative on regular ladders is to loop your hands through the rung, which is mighty uncomfortable and awkward. The Henchman was stable and allowed me to make far neater pruning cuts with secateurs and move other branches out of the way, as you can use both hands. So another score! I actually spent over 20 minutes up the Henchman without any drama or meltdowns.
| Model | Height | Weight | Max Load | Adjustability | Price Range* | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rear Adjustable | 6ft-12ft | From 6kg | 150kg | Back leg only | £300-550 | Flat/gentle slopes |
| Fully Adjustable | 5ft-12ft | From 8kg | 150kg | All 3 legs | £450-750 | Uneven terrain |
| PRO Adjustable | 6ft-16ft | From 10kg | 150kg | All 3 legs + extra platform | £600-1200 | Professional/daily use |
*Prices approximate, check current retailers
Having tested both brands over the years extensively, here’s the honest truth about how they compare:
Niwaki offers two main models: the Original Tripod Ladder (4-12ft) with adjustable back leg rated to 100kg, and the EN Pro-Adjustable (7-11ft) with three adjustable legs rated to 150kg and EN-131 certified.
I’ll be honest, they both look very similar and are at a similar price point, but there is one major difference, Ninjas, there is no built-in standing platform on the Niwaki.
| Feature | Henchman | Niwaki |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Built-in standing platform | No dedicated platform |
| Certification | EN131 certified (only tripod with this) | EN131 on Pro models only |
| Weight Capacity | 150kg across all models | 100kg (Original), 150kg (Pro) |
| Height Range | 5ft-16ft | 4ft-12ft |
| Price Point | Premium (£300-1200) | Mid-range (£200-800) |
| Adjustability | Up to 80% more than competitors | Standard adjustability |
The Verdict: Henchman wins on safety features and adjustability, whilst Niwaki offers better value for money if you don’t need the advanced features.
Hasegawa Ladders (Japanese Manufacturing)
These ANSI 1A certified ladders offer 300lbs load capacity with GSU platform types that are “very much loved by users” for their extra stability. Available in 8-12ft sizes, they’re worth considering if you can source them in the UK. These are similar to the Trademaster Tripod ladders available here.
Budget Alternatives on Amazon
While researching, I found several cheaper tripod ladder options on Amazon ranging from £150-400. However, none matched the build quality, certification standards, or innovative platform design of the premium brands. For occasional use, they might suffice, but for regular gardening work, I’d strongly recommend investing in a proper kit. After all, it’s your safety we’re talking about!
Henchman are the ONLY EN131 certified tripod ladder on the UK market. This isn’t just marketing fluff – EN131 certification means rigorous third-party testing of stability, grip, dimensions, labelling, and that crucial 150kg working load. When you see other ladders claiming they “conform” or are “built to” EN131 standards, they might have the right dimensions but haven’t necessarily been safety tested for working load.
These ladders are professionally hand-welded (not riveted like many competitors) and constructed from lightweight yet incredibly strong aluminium. The claw-like feet provide excellent grip on soft ground without tearing up your lawn, and they include rubber cups for use on hard surfaces.
The golden rule with Henchman ladders is to work between shoulder and waist height. The platform sits 3ft from the top, so when standing on it, the ladder top aligns with your waist.
Quick Sizing Examples:
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After months of testing, I can honestly say these Henchman tripod ladders have revolutionised how I approach height work in the garden. Yes, they’re expensive, but they’re also the first ladders that have made me genuinely comfortable working at height for extended periods.
If you’re someone who regularly prunes, maintains hedges, or works on trees, and you value safety and comfort, then these are absolutely worth the investment. The confidence they inspire alone makes them worthwhile – no more speed-pruning because you’re desperate to get down!
For occasional users or those on tight budgets, they might be overkill. But if gardening at height is a regular part of your routine, I can’t recommend them highly enough.
My Rating: 9/10
The only thing stopping them from a perfect 10 is that price point – though arguably, you can’t put a price on safety and peace of mind.
Are you a fan of ladders or dread using them? Why not Tweet, Facebook or Instagram me with your comments? You can also follow me on Youtube where I’ve got plenty of garden guide vlogs.
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Its very informative piece of article.Thank you for sharing. keep posting. Information is really useful
tree ladders.
I want to buy one but unsure of the size I want 2.4 or 3m. Is it better to shorter or higher. I’m gardener and want prune climbers safely but they vary in size. 😅 Mostly Gutter height or just above. Plus I’m not tall.
Hi Lianne, It really depends on how tall the buildings are, what I’d say is you don’t need to stand on the very top to use the ladders either. so factor that in, along with where you will store them. I have them on their side at the back of the garage. Hope that helps! Lee