Guides

Kidde and First Alert smoke alarms compared: lineup depth, photoelectric versus ionization sensing, 10-year sealed batteries, hardwired interconnect and Z-Wave smart integration. Kidde wins on cost of whole-home coverage; First Alert wins on smart combination units. Includes which brand suits a rental, a rewire or a smart home.

Convertible ladders ranked on duty rating, reach and configuration. The Little Giant King Kombo Pro takes it at 375 lb with a designed leaning mode; the Dark Horse M17 is the pick for reach and stairwells, and every rating here was read off the manufacturer listing.

Fiberglass step ladders ranked by ANSI duty rating, height and format. Our overall pick is the Louisville FS1506 6-foot Type IA at 300 lb, with the Type IAA FS1410HD when loaded weight runs high and a platform ladder for all-day standing work.

Baker-style scaffolds ranked for capacity, deck height and outrigger fitment. Our overall pick is the Metaltech 6 ft at 1,000-lb capacity, with WEN and CBM towers covering taller reach and compact vans. Includes the OSHA mobile-scaffold rules that apply to rolling towers: the 4:1 tipping ratio, the 2:1 movement limit, caster locks and guardrails.

Best appliance dollies in 2026: 6 appliance hand trucks ranked by rating, strap systems, and stair hardware - US Cargo Control, Harper 6781, Magliner GMK81UA4 and more.

Best tool belts for electricians in 2026: Gatorback B240, Klein 55298H and 5 more trade rigs ranked by layout, carry comfort, and dropped-object control - from $34 service setups to full combos.

Best generators with CO shutoff in 2026: 7 CO-sensing portable generators ranked, 2,500 to 14,500 peak watts - every unit with manufacturer-documented carbon monoxide shutdown.

Best hand trucks for stairs in 2026: 7 stair climbing dollies ranked by published capacity, tri-wheel hardware, and rating track record - from a 220 lb compact to a 1,200 lb appliance climber.

The six wall-mount gas monitors and controllers we recommend for battery rooms, chlorine rooms, engine spaces and mixed mechanical rooms — every pick reviewed, spec-honest.

Ten foam-gasketed and sealed safety glasses ranked — the eyewear class that closes the dust gap ordinary Z87.1 glasses leave around the frame. From the standardize-on-it MCR Swagger RP1 to over-the-glasses seals for pres…

Nine wound-care picks ranked in the three layers a workplace cabinet actually needs: severe-bleeding control (tourniquet kits, Israeli bandages, hemostatic gauze), everyday adhesive bandages, and the gauze that goes unde…

Eight CPR barrier devices ranked — pocket masks, keychain shields, and bulk packs — plus the training gear that belongs in class and never at an emergency. A barrier device is the difference between a trained rescuer sta…