Best Two Man Ladder Stand In 2024 Tested And Reviewed

Are you looking to take a kid, or maybe your wife or a hunting partner with you? We have our top picks for the best two man ladder stand rated and reviewed below.

Sharing your hunting experience with another person can lead to some of the most memorable moments in a deer hunter's life.

We are real hunters that actually use these two man ladder stands so that we can review them honestly and help you to find the best one for you.

These are the two man ladder stands that came out on top after extensive testing and rating.

How We Tested And Rated The Two Man Ladder Stands

Our team of deer hunters tested over 20 two man ladder stands on a variety of criteria and came up with this list of six that we are confident to recommend and we tell you why in detail below.

Here are the criteria on which we rated these ladder stands. Every member of our staff rated each two man stand on a scale of one to five for each of the criteria below, with five being the highest.

By using this method of testing and rating, it quickly became clear which ladder stands were better than others.

• Comfort: Comfort is a huge factor when choosing a stand. The more comfortable you are, the more time you will spend in the stand and the better your chances of a successful hunt. This is especially true if you are taking children hunting with you. The more comfortable the child is, the less fidgety they will be.
• Platform Size: Platform size varies dramatically between different double ladder stands. You need a platform that is large enough for 2 persons and gear.
• Sturdiness: Some cheap ladder stands are so flimsy that they bend when you are climbing and they creak and squeak when you shift your weight. We tested and rated each stand on how strong and sturdy it is.
• Noise: We rated each stand on how quiet it is. Some are definitely better than others and quiet is key when hunting deer. Things like teflon washers and lubricated washers made a huge difference.
• Value: We rated each stand on how much value you get for your dollar. Our top pick hit that sweet spot of excellent ratings at a reasonable price point.

Best Two Man Ladder Stands: Reviews And Recommendations

Most Comfortable: Muddy Stronghold 2.5 XLT 

During our testing and rating of two person ladder stands, we asked each of our staff; What is the most comfortable two man stand that you have tested?

The Muddy Stronghold was the overwhelming response from our staff of hunters.

When we asked them why, the answers were all the same.

The Muddy Flex-tek seat is the most comfortable of all the stands tested. It is slightly curved in the front which is more comfortable on the legs, and the footrest is the perfect height for sitting back and relaxing in the stand.

We should note that there are 2 separate seats with an armrest in between, so you cannot use this stand like a bench seat, but it is ideal for you and your hunting partner.

Each seat is 24 inches wide by 17 inches deep with a 27 inch seat height and a very comfortable backrest.

The foot platform size on the Muddy Stronghold measures 50 inches wide by 17 inches deep, so there is plenty of width to feel safe and secure with two people.

It is a good height for bowhunting at 18 feet to the padded rail, which is adjustable and can be flipped up out of the way.

The stand is pretty heavy, although that is what makes it so sturdy. It weighs in at 106 pounds and has a weight capacity of 500 pounds.

Let's take a look at some of the features of the Muddy Stronghold 2.5 XLT.

Features:

• Hercules Cross Grip Safety System - This system is designed to secure the stand to the tree before you climb it to attach the ratchet straps. While it is better than no system at all, it is not as good as the Jaw system above.
• Oval tubing on the ladder that adds strength and stability while being easy to grip as you climb.
• Powder coated steel construction.
• Comfort-tek seat with backrest is one of the most comfortable in the industry
• Fully adjustable padded shooting rail with peach skin fabric for complete silence.
• Footrest that is at an ideal height for extra comfort,
• Nylon washers, spacers and caps for effective noise reduction
• Includes 2 drink holders and 2 accessory hooks.
• Two safety harnesses.

All 3 of the stands above could qualify as the most comfortable stand available, but when our team of hunters was asked to choose, the winner was the Muddy Stronghold 2.5 XLT.

Best Under $300: Rivers Edge Twoplex 

The Rivers Edge TwoPlex is our top pick under $300.

It is also a great stand for big guys and here's why:

Many of the big guys on our staff like to use a two person ladder stand because of the extra room and the 500 lbs weight limit.

The problem is that many of the two person ladder stands on the market today have 2 separate padded seats, but the Rivers Edge TwoPlex has one wide bench seat that is perfect for the big guys looking to use it as a one man stand.

The seat also has a very comfortable mesh backrest.

The seat is 37 inches wide by 14 inches deep, which is wide enough for a big guy and all his gear.

The seat does flip up out of the way if you prefer to shoot standing up with more room.

The stand is a good height for bowhunting at 17 feet to the padded shooting rail, which can be flipped up out of the way.

The foot platform size measures 40 inches wide by 26 inches deep, which ideal for the solo hunter.

The TwoPlex is not nearly as heavy as the best 2-man stands above, weighing in at only 86 pounds with a 500 lbs weight capacity.

Let's take a look at the features of the Rivers Edge TwoPlex.

Features:

• Comfortable, TearTuff™ mesh bench seat that flips up out of the way.
• Flip up, padded shooting rail that is 2 way adjustable for both height and depth.
• Uses dual tree blades to improve the stability of the platform.
• Includes two ratchet straps and stability straps.
• Includes an adjustable stabilizer bar.
• Includes 2 full body harnesses, but you should consider getting the best tree stand safety harness for big guys that you can afford.

Here is a video showing the complete assembly and set up in the tree of the Rivers Edge TwoPlex.

If you are looking for the best ladder stand for big guys, then you need one with a comfortable bench seat and a 500 lbs weight rating.

The River Edge TwoPlex fits that criteria and should be your number one choice.

Best For The Money: Rivers Edge 18ft 

Rivers Edge makes some of the best 2-man ladder stands on the market today, but some of them are quite expensive.

This one is kind of bare bones, but it gets the job done and our staff has taken plenty of deer out of this ladder stand.

The platform is quite wide at 36 inches, but it is not very deep, only measuring 12.5 inches front to back.

The cushioned seat measures 38 inches wide by 12 inches deep and is comfortable enough at this price point.

The stand is 18' high to the shooting rail and 15' high to the platform.

It is one of the easier two man stands to set up, because it only weighs 63 pounds. It is a little tight for two full grown men though.

Let's take a look at some of the features of this stand. 

Features:

• Sturdy steel construction
• Flip up padded shooting rail 
• Padded bench seat
• Slightly curved platform for more room
• Uses dual tree blades to improve the stability of the platform.
• Includes two ratchet straps and stability straps
• Includes an adjustable stabilizer bar
• Includes 2 full body harnesses

This is a great two man stand for the money, but it is a big step down from the more expensive models.

Best Under $200: Big Game Guardian XLT

We realize that there are some hunters out there that don't want to spend a lot of money on a ladder stand, so we have included the Big Game Guardian XLT as the best budget two man ladderstand.

We have to mention here that this stand is not even close to the other 2 person ladder stands that we have recommended in terms of quality and comfort, but it will get the job done at an affordable price.

The Flex-tek bench seat measures 36 inches wide by 12 inches deep and would work for big guys because you can sit in the middle.

This is the smallest double ladder stand that we have tested. The foot platform size measures only 36 inches wide by 12.5 inches deep.

It is also the lightest stand in our lineup at only 53 pound, despite its all steel construction and it still has a 500 pound weight capacity. It definitely lacks the sturdiness of the stands reviewed above.

Even though it is the lightest stand, you will still need at least 2 people to set it up against the tree.

It is a great height for bowhunting at 18 feet to the shooting rail.

Features:

• Ultra light Flex-tek seat.
• Flip up, padded shooting rail is ideal for bowhunting or as a gun rest for rifle and crossbow.
• Sturdy construction.
• 18 feet high.
• Adjustable support bar.
• Includes 1 ratchet strap and 2 stabilizer straps.
• Includes 2 full body harnesses.
  

We have only included this 2 person stand because we wanted to offer an affordable option to the hunters out there that are budget minded. There are better options out there.

This stand is one of the cheaper models and you get what you pay for.

If you are looking for the best budget two man stand under $200, then the Big Game Guardian XLT is for you, but it is a no frills, cheap stand that is not very comfortable and will not last more than a few years in the elements.

We would highly recommend that you spend a little more money and buy one of the best 2 person ladder stands above. Some of them are priced under $300 when on sale.

Two Man Ladder Stands Compared 

Things to Consider When Choosing Two Man Ladder Stands

Buying a 2 person stand is an expensive investment and you should take the time to make sure that you have covered all of the bases so that you can choose the  right model for your needs.

Here are the important things that you need to consider.

Comfort

Comfort comes down to a number of factors.

Let's take a look at each of them:

Comfortable Seat

The seat is the number one factor to consider when you are looking for the most comfortable stand.

The main types of seats today are the mesh style seats. Other types of seats are cushioned bench style seats.

The new mesh style seats in the ladder stands above are super comfortable.

Pay attention to seat size as well. If you are a bigger hunter, you are going to want to look for a seat size that will fit you. That may mean going to a bench style seat design.

The best seats consits of two parts, the seat and the backrest. Make sure that the seat has a backrest. Look for a stand with the contoured mesh backrest that is part of the seat for the most comfortable hunts.

Also consider the seat height. Taller hunters will be more comfortable with a higher seat height.

Also, a seat that flips up out of the way will allow you to stand comfortably to stretch or to make an accurate shot.

Padded Armrests

All of the most comfortable stands will have padded armrests. This may not sound very important, but when you are sitting for hours on end, padded armrests will help to keep you comfortable and in the stand longer.

Footrest

Footrests are another important thing that you may not think of when shopping for ladder stands, but once you hunt with one, you will find it hard to sit in a stand without one.

Some stands have stationary footrests, but other models have flip out footrests that can be flipped out of the way when you don't need them, which we prefer. 

A good footrest along with padded armrests and a comfortable seat can make sitting in your stand like sitting in your easy chair at home.

You should consider adding a tree stand umbrella for maximum comfort in all weather conditions.

Being comfortable in your stand means that you will stay longer and increase your chances at that deer you have had your eye on.

If you are looking for comfort and the ability to move your stand, check out our top picks for best climbing tree stand.

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Platform Size

One thing that you must consider when choosing a stand is the platform size.

As you have seen in the reviews above, foot platform size varies dramatically between different double ladder stands.

Make sure the stand that you are considering provides enough space for two people.

For instance, two hunters that are adults need more room than an adult hunter and a child.

One large hunter will also need more space for all of his or her gear and a large platform size will provide extra space.

Height

Most ladder stands will be between 15 and 21 feet high. We have found that around 20 feet is ideal for bowhunting, while also being good for rifle hunting.

All of the ladder stands that we have recommended above are between 17 and 21 feet high.

If you want to climb higher than 21 feet to get a better vantage point, you are going to need a climbing stand or a hang on stand and climbing sticks.

Weight Limit

The weight limits on all of the two man ladder stands on our list is 500 pounds. Keep in mind that 500 pounds is for hunters and all of their gear.

Gear includes your weapons, clothes that you are wearing, boots, hunting backpacks and anything else that you are bring up into the stand with you.

Two hunters that weigh 250 pounds each could not hunt out of these stands together because they would exceed the weight rating with their hunting gear.

You should never exceed the weight capacity of any tree stand.

For some of the big guys out there, 2 person stands may be there only option, because one person stands don't usually have a high enough weight rating for larger size hunters.

Weight

While the weight of the stand should be a consideration when you are deciding on a two man stand, keep in mind that the heavier stands weigh more because they are more heavy duty.

This means that they are a more sturdy stand and have more stability, which also means that they are better quality.

You should be leary of any super lightweight double ladder stand because they are going to be flimsy and may flex and move when you are climbing or even just when you stand up.

The point that we are trying to make is that a heavy 2 person stand is usually a higher quality construction than a light one.

You are going to need multiple people to set up a two man stand anyway, so you may as well choose the higher quality construction.

Setting It Up

Setting up a one person ladder stand can be a bit difficult and setting up a two man is even more so.

These stands are heavy and they are going to require at least two people to stand up against the tree.

You will assemble the stand on the ground, at the base of the tree that you have chosen.

Then, two people will lift the stand from the top and walk the stand up against the tree while walking their hands up the ladder.

The sturdier the construction of the stand, the easier this is, even though it is heavier, because the flex and flimsiness will make the stand difficult to control as you walk it up.

Be prepared, as the whole process of assembly and set up can take hours with some models.

One thing to keep in mind is that ladder stands should be set up well before the hunting season to allow the deer to become accustomed to them.

Be sure to follow our deer stand placement strategies to increase your chances of a successful hunt.

There are plenty of videos on YouTube showing how to set up two man ladder stands and be sure to follow the instruction manual that came with your stand.

RELATED: How To Maintain Your Tree Stand In The Off Season

Price

While price should be a consideration, keep in mind that you get what you pay for and most models are going to be quite expensive.

That being said, there are some top rated stands that we have recommended above that are under $400, with some around $300.

Any two man stand under $300 is not very high quality and will not last as long as the more expensive stands will.

Conclusion

Two man ladder stands are great for hunting with a companion, whether it is your child, your wife, a best friend or just a hunting buddy.

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Our team of hunters have spent countless hours in these tree stands testing and rating them so that we could share with you our top picks in multiple categories.

We are confident that you will be satisfied with any of our recommendations above on your next hunting trip.

We have also included some frequently asked questions below. If you have any other questions or would like to leave a comment, please do so below.

Happy Hunting!

Frequently Asked Questions