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Pros
Pro Intuitive design makes it easier to use than its competitors
The X-It features one of the most intuitive hook designs of fire escape ladders within this price range. With no hinges, pivot points, nor folding parts, you simply attach its grappling-hook to your windowsill and allow the bundle of rungs to fall into their natural position. The hooks of other ladders are much more complicated: they’re larger and have folding parts that make it possible to incorrectly position the straps connected to the rungs. With the X-It, however, it's obvious how the ladder should be positioned, thus it requires less thinking and saves time in stressful, emergency situations.
Pro Easier to climb down than other ladders
When it's hooked onto a windowsill, the X-It's rungs hang against the house, adding stability to the ladder and making it easier to climb down. Often-times the hook designs of other fire escape ladders leave the rungs hanging only a few inches away from the house. So, once someone stands on them, the ladder is much more likely to move to the side or even further away from the house, making the descent not only more difficult but more stressful too.
Pro Extremely compact and easy to store
Many fire escape ladders are bulky and don’t come with storage bags. The X-It, on the other hand, is smaller than its competitors. Its aluminum rungs nest within one another and fit neatly into a bright yellow Velcro-sealed bag that's about the size and shape of a shoebox. A Velcro strap ensures that the bundle remains sturdy, even if it's dropped or banged against a wall. The ladder is therefore very easy to store away, be that in a closet or under a bed. Its bright color also makes it stand out among clutter in dim light. Essentially, its compact size and clever packaging render the X-It a quick one-handed grab for most people, which is an asset in an emergency situation where you could be carrying a child in your other arm.
Pro Extremely lightweight
At only 6 lbs, the X-It weighs almost 2 lbs less than the next lightest model on the market and weighs 2 to 5 times lighter than the industry average weight. Needless to say, this is a huge advantage in a high-stress situation, particularly where kids are involved and are required to carry and use the ladder by themselves.
Pro Suited to varying wall thicknesses and even balconies
The X-It hook doesn’t wrap around the entire wall like other ladders, so it isn't limited to a certain wall thickness, which could be useful in terms of brick or stone buildings that traditionally have thicker exterior walls. The X-It is also very narrow, so width won’t be a problem for smaller windows. It's also the only brand of fire escape ladder that states it can be hung safely from a balcony railing.
Pro Can be reused
This fire escape ladder can be used for practice and then quickly re-packaged for emergency use. This is an important feature, considering many brands of home fire ladders are for one time use only.
Pro Strong
Despite it’s compact size and minimal weight, each step of the ladder can support up to 1,000 lbs in weight.
Pro Available in different lengths
Few fire escape ladders are available in lengths greater than 3 stories but the X-It is an exception. It comes in 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6-story lengths so there is an option to suit whatever your situation may be. Buyers should be aware that the longer the ladder, the more it will cost.
Pro Award-winning
The X-It has received multiple awards for its excellent design. It has undergone several independent tests and has always scored high marks, especially with regard to its ease of use.
Pro Comfortable rungs
The rungs of the X-It are relatively comfortable to stand on. This is so even if you’re only wearing socks, which is quite possible given that in an emergency you may not have time to put footwear on.
Cons
Con Expensive
The X-It is much more expensive than other emergency escape ladders in this price range.
Con Requires a window sill in order to function
This ladder can only work properly if hung from a window sill. However, if you don't have one on your house, there are wall mounts that can be installed in advance so that the ladder has something to hook on to.