Best platform steps overall: Werner MasterTrade — the standard on countless vans. Best value trade steps: TB Davies EN131 Professional Platform Steps. Best podium: a genuine BS8620-compliant industrial podium (Lyte and TB Davies’ own Sherpascopic aren’t sold on Amazon UK). Best for electricians: a fibreglass EN131 platform step. Best British-made: TB Davies swingback steps. Best budget: a genuine EN131-rated platform step.
At a Glance — Comparison
Model | Type | Material | Approx price |
Werner MasterTrade 4 Tread | Platform steps | Aluminium | £120 |
TB Davies 1202-024, 4 Tread | Platform steps | Aluminium | £150 |
Toptower Podium Steps (BS8620) | Podium / platform | Aluminium | £706 |
The Workplace Depot 6 Tread Fibreglass | Platform steps | Fibreglass | £138 |
TB Davies 1200-024 Swingback, 4 Tread | Swingback steps | Aluminium | £90 |
The Workplace Depot 4-Step & Handrail | Platform steps | Aluminium | £66 |
Werner and TB Davies lead the platform steps and swingback picks. For an electrician’s fibreglass step or a fully enclosed podium, The Workplace Depot and Toptower both make genuine EN131 and BS8620-certified kit worth buying.
1. Werner MasterTrade 4 Tread — Best platform steps overall
A genuine current Werner MasterTrade listing, in stock with a strong rating and a sensible price for the 4-tread model. High-grade aluminium box-section stiles and a large slip-resistant platform.
- EN131 Professional, 150kg load
- Large slip-resistant platform
- Heavy internal spreaders
- The standard on countless UK trade vans
2. TB Davies 1202-024, 4 Tread — Best value trade steps
Ribbed aluminium stiles, a deep comfortable tread, non-slip platform, tool tray and hook — proper trade spec without the premium-brand markup.
- EN131 Professional, 150kg load
- Fitted tool tray and hook
- 85mm deep tread
- Genuine 5.0★ current listing
3. Toptower Podium Steps (BS8620) — Best podium / work platform
This Toptower podium meets the BS8620 industrial standard for a fully enclosed working platform with a guardrail — the safer option for prolonged work at low to medium height, though it’s a bigger spend than a simple platform step.
- BS8620 industrial podium standard
- 5m platform height
- Enclosed platform with guardrail
- Enclosed platform with guardrail
4. The Workplace Depot 6 Tread Fibreglass — Best for electricians
A genuine, well-reviewed EN131-certified fibreglass platform step with the non-conductive stiles electricians need for work near live parts.
- EN131 certified, fibreglass stiles
- Non-conductive for work near live parts
- Well-reviewed current listing
- Well-reviewed current listing
5. TB Davies 1200-024 Swingback, 4 Tread — Best British-made
TB Davies is a genuine UK ladder manufacturer — this is their 4-tread EN131 Professional swingback, light and quick for jobs measured in minutes rather than hours.
- EN131 Professional, 150kg load
- Light swingback for quick access work
- Genuine UK ladder manufacturer
- Light swingback for quick access work
6. The Workplace Depot 4-Step & Handrail — Best budget
A well-reviewed, sensibly priced Workplace Depot 4-step aluminium ladder with handrail — proper trade-adjacent steps without premium-brand pricing.
- 150kg rated, 4 tread
- Handrail included
- Handrail included
Platform steps, podiums and swingbacks — the difference that matters
Swingback steps are the classic A-frame stepladder — the lightest and cheapest, ideal for quick, short-duration jobs where you’re up and down constantly.
Platform steps add a large, flat standing platform near the top. For most tradespeople doing sustained work at a fixed height, platform steps are the right default.
Podium steps take it further with a fully enclosed working platform, a self-closing gate and a guardrail. They’re the safest option for prolonged work at low to medium height.
Buyer’s guide: what to look for
Buy EN131 Professional, not domestic. For any trade or workplace use you want EN131 Professional, tested to a 150kg maximum static load.
Fibreglass for sparks, aluminium for everyone else. Only electricians and those working near live parts truly need fibreglass.
Check the feet and the spreaders. Slip-resistant rubber feet and solid locking spreaders are what stop a set from splaying or sliding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between EN131 Professional and Non-Professional?
Non-Professional is for occasional domestic use, while EN131 Professional is tested to a 150kg load and to stricter durability and stability requirements for trade and workplace use.
Do platform steps or a podium count as safe for working at height?
Both are legitimate work-at-height equipment. For short, low-risk tasks a good platform stepladder is fine. For prolonged work, a podium with a guardrail and gate is the safer choice.
Do electricians have to use fibreglass steps?
There’s no blanket legal rule, but fibreglass stiles are non-conductive and strongly recommended for anyone working on or near live electrical parts.
How much should I spend on trade step ladders?
A solid EN131 Professional platform step starts around £55-100 for budget brands and £100-255 for premium sets depending on height. A height-adjustable podium runs considerably more.
The Verdict
Werner and TB Davies remain the sensible defaults for platform steps, both genuine and fairly priced. For electrical work or prolonged time at height, the fibreglass step and the Toptower podium cover those specific needs properly.
