If you’re planning to strength train at home, then a set of adjustable dumbbells should be at the top of your shopping list.
Dumbbells are the most versatile free weights you can buy. There's not a major muscle group you can't train with dumbbells and you'll have the most exercise options of any type of home workout kit.
Really, though, you need a range of dumbbells at different weights so you can appropriately challenge each muscle—light for shoulder exercises, heavy for leg exercises, for instance.
And more importantly, you need to be able to gradually increase the weight you use for each exercise as you get stronger (a fundamental muscle-building concept called progressive overload).
You could buy a set of fixed-weight dumbbells and a rack if you have the budget and the space, or you could buy adjustable dumbbells. These space-savvy gadgets offer a range of weight options that you can switch between in seconds, or, if you’re on the hunt for a bargain, spinlock sets are a more affordable alternative.
The team at Fit&Well has tested plenty of pairs over the years, so we've pooled our experience to help you find the right pair for your training needs, with recommendations for beginners, experienced exercisers and thrifty lifters.—Jonathan Shannon, editor
The quick list
With an impressive 15 weight options from 5lb to 52.5lb per dumbbell, this is the gold standard for adjustable dumbbells. They are not the prettiest, but the sturdy, durable design and smooth weight-changing mechanism have never let me down.
Spinlock sets are the original adjustable dumbbells. It takes longer to switch the weight than pricier modern rivals, but they’re more affordable and the changeable metal plates mean you still have plenty of weight options.
A clever two-part weight-swapping mechanism means it’s possible to change the weight by 2.5lb/1kg at a time, making these a great fit for progressive overload strength-training at home. The result is that adjusting the load takes a little longer, but the 15 regular weight options and slimline design make up for this.
If you’re looking to build seriously strong legs, this is the dumbbell for you. With weights from 10lb to 90lb, increasing in 10lb increments, even long-time lifters can test themselves with heavy squats and deadlifts.
The weight-changing mechanism in these dumbbells is smart—simply twist the central handle in either direction to add or subtract 5lb. I found they can stick in the docking tray during transitions, but the sturdy, compact design made up for this.
These dumbbells cost two to three times more than other dumbbells on this list, but they can count reps and assess whether you're completing the rep with the correct range of motion.
The best adjustable dumbbells you can buy right now
Best overall
In 2022, I was sent five sets of adjustable dumbbells. Two years later, the Bowflex SelectTech 552 are the only ones I haven’t resigned to the garden shed. Why? Because they’re reliable, easy to use and come with enough weight options (15 per dumbbell, from 5lb to 52.5lb) to suit a range of exercises. During two years of consistent use, I’ve had zero problems.
Whether I want a super-light weight for shoulder rotator cuff exercises like external rotations or something heavier for a few muscle-building staples, like floor presses and bent-over rows, the Bowflex ‘bells have got my back. Changing the weight takes seconds. Dials on either end of the dumbbell have clearly displayed weight options; simply twist both sides to your desired load and you’re ready to lift.
Admittedly, it’s not as efficient as the Core Home Fitness’s one-twist weight-changing mechanism. However because the dials move so seamlessly, I found the overall difference in the time it takes to alter the load was negligible. There are only two reasons why these adjustable dumbbells didn’t receive a blemish-free five-star rating. The plastic finish. They are not the prettiest of products, and the plastic plates twinned with the rubber handle give them a slightly cheap look. However, there have been no durability issues with my set.
My other gripe is the dumbbells’ bulk. They function fine for most movements, but during exercises like biceps curls where the elbows are meant to be pinned to your sides, I found the cumbersome design could catch on my thighs, forcing me to alter my form.
Overall, this is an excellent product. It does the job of 15 dumbbells while taking up a fraction of the space, and the weight options jump up in small (2.5lb) increments allowing you to gradually increase the weight as your strength grows. That’s why, if you told me I could train with just one set of adjustable dumbbells for the next year, these are what I’d choose.—Harry Bullmore
Read our full Bowflex SelectTech 552 review
Best budget
The Amazon Basics Adjustable Dumbbells are a more budget-friendly way to work out at home. These weights don't come with smartphone apps, quick-release toggles, or fancy designs, but they offer a decent weight range at a lower price. The US retailer's dumbbells come packed into a carry case, so you can store them between workouts or take them away while traveling.
There's no cradle, though, and the weight plates are round, so they are liable to roll around while on the ground. There are two handlebars with a textured grip, but we found that it was quite rough and uncomfortable to hold, so we'd definitely recommend using a set of workout gloves with these weights.
You'll need to do manual adjustments to the dumbbells by unscrewing the collars and switching or removing weights. It's a bit more time consuming, but these traditional-looking weights cost significantly less than other models, so it might be worth the trade-off. Especially since we used them across a range of exercises and thought they were a reliable, sturdy set of adjustable dumbbells.—Harry Bullmore
Read our full Amazon Basics Adjustable Dumbbells review
Best for strength training at home
NordicTrack’s updated Select-A-Weight are a notable step up from its first foray into the world of adjustable dumbbells. They are sleeker and sturdier, with lighter knurling on the handles that offer a better balance of grip and comfort: the predecessors left another of our writers with blisters on their hands after the first use. But it keeps the feature that set NordicTrack’s adjustable dumbbell apart in the first place: a two-step weight-changing mechanism.
There are four retractable pins on each dumbbell—the bright orange parts that you pull out and slide to choose your load. The two outer ones decide the base weight of 10lb, 20lb, 30lb, 40lb or 50lb, and the inner pins can keep this weight the same, remove 2.5lb or take away 5lb. I found this process took a little longer to get to grips with than adjustable dumbbells from rival brands like Bowflex, and each weight change required a few extra seconds. However, I loved the ability to choose from 15 weight options on each dumbbell, especially since they were separated by 2.5lb increments—perfect for using the strength-boosting progressive overload training principle at home.
The build is a bit plastic-heavy for my liking, although having owned the similarly plastic-y Bowflex SelectTech 552s for two years and had no problems I’m willing to accept their resilience credentials. I like the shape of these NordicTrack dumbbells too. Unlike the brand’s first edition, and the Bowflex ‘bells for that matter, they are chunky to the point of unwieldiness during exercises like biceps curls. Instead, there’s a compact design that didn’t get in the way during any of the many exercises I tried.—Harry Bullmore
Read our full NordicTrack Select-A-Weight Dumbbell Set review
Best heavy
Most adjustable dumbbells max out at about 50lb, which is fine for the majority of people working out at home. However, if you’ve been strength training for some time you might need something slightly heavier to challenge yourself during larger compound exercises like squats and deadlifts.
If this is the case, the Bowflex SelectTech 1090 adjustable dumbbells are the best option for you. These weights boast 17 weight settings per dumbbell, allowing you to adjust them from 10lb to 90lb in 5lb increments—enough to challenge even seasoned lifters on most exercises. You can flick between them quickly using Bowflex’s smooth dial-based weight-changing mechanism too.
This impressive selection of weight settings does come at a cost though. The Bowflex SelectTech 1090s are big, very big. The extra length of the dumbbells can be cumbersome during exercises like biceps curls, catching on the hips, and they have quite a bulky aesthetic too.
They also feature Bowflex’s signature plastic-heavy finish, which is why they don't score top points. Whether you like how this looks is down to personal preference, but for me I found it cheapened the product compared to the sleek metal plates of the JAXJOX DumbbellConnects.—Harry Bullmore
Best for fast changes
The Core Home Fitness Adjustable Dumbbells will change the way you workout. Not only are they incredibly stylish looking (the aluminium cradle lets them down a bit) but they have a versatile weight spectrum.
Each dumbbell ranges from 5lbs (2.25kg) to 50lbs (22.5kg) and goes up in increments of 5lbs which gives you a ten-piece dumbbell set in a single dumbbell. The contoured hand-hold feels incredibly comfortable and the TwistLock technology means it’s a simple rotation right or left with the hand-hold — a click will tell you when it’s complete — to change weights.
It takes just seconds to change weight during a workout and this made our sessions seamless when switching between upper and lower body exercises. We also loved that the weight plates are a little larger than other models and that they sit at the ends of the barbell. This meant that we could easily grab hold of them when we wanted to execute moves like a sumo squat or single leg RDL.
They’re relatively well priced, costing $250 less than the popular BowFlex models. This makes them seem like a no-brainer to us, as they offer all the benefits of this big-name brand at a smaller price. You’ll also get a two-year warranty when you buy this product.
The model did occasionally need a little extra coaxing out of its cradle (we occasionally had to lever it out using our foot) but we think this minor inconvenience doesn’t detract from the model.—Harry Bullmore
Read our full Core Home Fitness adjustable dumbbell review
Best digital
Editor's note: This is an early assessment while we conduct further testing.
The Technogym Connected Dumbbells might be the most luxurious tech-forward addition to your home workout setup. These sleek-looking dumbbells adjust from 2 to 24kg in 2kg increments and connect to an app for real-time rep counting and feature innovative built-in technology sensing whether you’ve completed a move with a full range of motion—complete with haptic feedback (they buzz) to confirm you’ve nailed it.
The standout feature is the user-friendly design. To adjust the weight, simply twist the handle clockwise or anticlockwise to go up or down in weight, with a clearly visible window indicating your weight choice. The accompanying docking station for each dumbbell keeps unused weight plates secure and neat.
Unlike many adjustable dumbbells with bulky or boxy designs, these feel more ergonomic, making them ideal for dynamic exercises. In fact, each dumbbell at its maximum weight of 24kg has only slightly larger dimensions than a standard hex dumbbell.
In testing at the Technogym studios in Mayfair, London, I was impressed during thrusters, where their streamlined shape didn’t obstruct movement as I transitioned from squat to press. They also performed well in the devil's press. With a discreet flat base they remained stable on the floor for push-ups and didn’t bash me awkwardly during the row.—Yanar Alkayat
Other tried-and-tested dumbbells
If you’re in the market for some fuss-free weights to boost home workouts, then the Flybird Adjustable Dumbbell set is a good option. The dumbbells offer a sleek, easy-to-use design that only requires a simple twist of the handle to shift between weights, making workout transitions remarkably painless.
The handle is quite long and makes the dumbbells feel balanced, with an anti-slip coating for a sturdier grip. The set also has a lock design for weight changes, with the added bonus of a satisfying click when the plates have locked into place — we never found ourselves worrying about our toes or hardwood floors.
We like that you can use the weights separately; we used them for things like plate lunges and squat presses. We didn’t like that they have a round shape, which makes them susceptible to rolling away during a workout. This could have been avoided if they’d been designed with at least one flat side, like the Core Home Fitness models.
These dumbbells definitely sit at the top-end of the price scale, alongside brands like Bowflex and NordicTrack, but you can usually find them cheaper or buy them as singles to save a bit of cash. All in all, a solid option for most home-based strength training and speedy drop sets.
Read our full Flybird adjustable dumbbells review
The Ativafit 55lbs Adjustable Dumbbell Set would suit most households as they offer a weight range of 5.5lbs (2.5kg) to 55lbs (25kg). These are a mid-range set that mimic the premium models and yet are about $100/ £100 cheaper.
While they don’t have as much versatility in the weight range, they are a ten dumbbell set in one, they do offer the heaviest weight plate we tested at 55lbs (25kg). They are also pretty compact and would be best for serious trainers who have limited space.
They certainly look the part despite the grey plastic-looking barbell, which lowers the tone slightly and they have a hand-hold that feels like it is moulding into your hand as you perform an exercise.
For a weight adjustment you simply press a little red safety button on the top of the barbell and turn the single weight dial at the end of the dumbbell at the same time – a click tells you when it’s complete.
The weight cannot be changed without both of these actions. The weights are evenly distributed along the barbell but sadly they do rattle a bit when removing/inserting them into the cradle and also when performing exercises.
Read our full Ativafit 55lb adjustable dumbbells review
Disclaimer
JAXJOX appears to have ceased trading. We are leaving our review here for the time being because stock is still being sold. Be aware that there will be no app support or customer support available if you purchase these dumbbells.
The JAXJOX DumbbellConnect isn’t like other adjustable dumbbells. Rather than using a dial or even a twist of the central handle (as with the Core Home Fitness pair) to change the weight, you instead slot it into its docking tray and use buttons on the base to select the load.
Wait a couple of seconds and, one whirring noise later, the dumbbell will have altered itself to the correct weight, leaving any excess plates unattached in the docking tray. This does mean the base has to be charged up to work, which has delayed my training on occasion. However, with a battery life of about five days, a more organized person than me should be able to stay on top of this.
It wasn’t just this innovative feature that impressed either. I liked the sleek, stylish look and matte gray metal finish of the plates, which gave a more high-end feel than its chunky plastic counterparts, such as the Bowflex SelectTech 552.
This slimline design made them more maneuverable too. The grooved plates slip securely together so there’s no unwanted movement or rattling when using the weights, and the thinner shape never caught on my hips during exercises like biceps curls.
Read our full JAXJOX DumbbellConnect Adjustable Dumbbells review
How to choose the best adjustable dumbbells
Although they're good value in the long-run, adjustable dumbbells are a sizeable investment, so it's worth spending some time considering what you want to use them for.
To make things a bit easier, we asked Elizabeth Butler-Clack, a physical performance coach at the digital coaching platform P3RFORM with an MSc in strength and conditioning, what you should look out for.
Elizabeth Butler-Clack is a Strength and Conditioning coach and a physical performance coach for P3RFORM. She holds an MSc in Strength and Conditioning.
Weight-changing design
“Many adjustable dumbbells allow you to change the weight by turning the grip when the dumbbell is placed in the base. Other designs require the user to turn a dial on each side of the dumbbell,” says Butler-Clack.
These designs are called selectorized adjustable dumbbells. She explains they’re great for allowing users to change the weight quickly between sets and exercises, making them a top option for circuit workouts and at-home training.
Others, like the Amazon Basics Adjustable Dumbbells in our list, are less tech-heavy, using changeable plates and spinning collars to secure them into place. These tend to be cheaper than selectorized sets, but it will take you longer to change their weight.
Weight range and increments
“The weight range and increments [the weights increase by] do vary between dumbbells,” Butler-Clack says. “It’s important you choose a dumbbell with a weight range and increment size that best fits your needs to avoid having to purchase multiple sets.”
If you’re newer to strength training, a pair that max out at 25lb per dumbbell (like the more affordable Flybird Adjustable Dumbbell Set) will likely be heavy enough. However, if you’re an experienced lifter, the 55lb Bowflex SelectTech 552i might be more your speed.
The increments are also important to consider. One of the reasons we loved the Bowflex dumbbells was their ample offering of weight options (15, to be exact) with small jumps of 2.5lb between them in most cases. This way, you can gradually increase the weight you lift as you grow stronger.
In contrast, the Core Home Fitness Adjustable Dumbbell increases in larger increments of 5lb, making it better suited to those used to heavier loads.
Material
it is handy to know that different adjustable dumbbell sets are made of different materials. Some are more steel based and could cause damage to wood or tiled surface. If this is a concern for you, a set with less hardy materials i.e. more rubbery in form, will be ideal.
FAQs
Are adjustable dumbbells any good?
Gone are the days when a dumbbell was just a dumbbell. Now, with fixed weight, spinlock, selectorized and even digital dumbbells to choose from, there’s a lot more to think about than just picking the right weight.
So, why should you plump for a pricier adjustable set over a classic fixed-weight design? “The benefits of adjustable dumbbells in comparison to fixed dumbbells are vast,” says Butler-Clack. “Firstly, they’re cost-efficient.”
This might surprise you, with the upfront cost of fixed-weight dumbbells coming in well below their changeable successors. But their versatility quickly makes up the difference.
“Although one set of adjustable dumbbells might be more expensive than one set of fixed dumbbells, adjustable dumbbells are a lot more cost-efficient in the long run,” says Butler-Clack.
Not only do they offer the equivalent of up to 15 different sets of dumbbells in one compact package, but they also “allow you to increase and decrease the weight according to the exercise you’re doing, so you only need one set to complete a workout.”
Adjustable dumbbells are space-saving too. “As you only require one set, adjustable dumbbells are a lot more convenient to store in comparison to multiple sets of fixed dumbbells,” Butler-Clack explains.
Finally, Butler-Clack highlights how adjustable dumbbells can be a useful tool for supporting training progression. “Adjustable dumbbells have smaller weight increments in comparison to most fixed dumbbells.
“This will allow users to gradually increase the weight they are using and better apply the principle of progressive overload to their training, allowing for greater progression to be made.”
Are Bowflex dumbbells worth it?
During testing, we found that the Bowflex SelectTech 552i are some of the best adjustable dumbbells you can buy right now. However, they're also some of the most expensive, so it's right to question whether Bowflex dumbbells are worth it.
The weights look and feel like a premium set of dumbbells, with an all-black design for the cradle and weights plates, a chrome handle, and a black grip with a soft rubber coating.
The SelectTech 552i have a weight range of 5lb/2.3kg to 52.5lb/24kg, which is about in line with other models like the slightly more basic Core Fitness Adjustable Dumbbell, although that weight retails for about $200/£150 less.
But you can get similar features and weight range with the NordicTrack Select-A-Weight Adjustable Dumbbells for $100/£75 less. Both brands also offer access to a companion smartphone app for virtual workouts and session tracking (iFit and Bowflex, respectively).
However, Bowflex dumbbells are Bluetooth-enabled and connect to the smartphone app to record your workout, including repetitions, load, and duration. If you're keen on tracking your progress, then the Bowflex SelectTech 552i are a great value set of durable weights.
Can you build muscle with dumbbells only?
"In short, yes," Omar Mansour, coach for audio-led fitness app WithU tells explains. "In order to build/gain muscle with just dumbbells, you need to be increasing the weight over time. This process is known as progressive overload.
"Over time, you will notice that the same workouts become easier. I'd suggest every four-six weeks to switch up your program and create a new stimulus for your body to respond to and to expose your muscles to different rep ranges.
"Overall, dumbbells can help you gain muscle mass, and even correct muscle imbalances and help you gain strength."
And it's not just in your biceps or triceps where dumbbells can help you add muscle. Thanks to the best dumbbell ab exercises, you can also build a stronger core by adding extra resistance to exercises like crunches, cycles, and even planks. But first, if you're wondering what dumbbell weights should I use, be sure to follow our handy guide.
