Look no further if you're looking for the best kettlebells to take your strength training to the next level at home. This weight type is a great workout accessory, whether you're taking on a muscle-building workout or adding resistance to bodyweight exercises.
Many kettlebells look the same — round, stone-like weights with a handle — there are differences between them. For starters, the price can vary quite a lot, so we've made sure to include a kettlebell to suit all budgets in this guide.
To help narrow down the choices so you can find the best kettlebell for your home workouts, we've only chosen weights with high-quality, durable materials and a flat base to prevent it from rolling around between sets.
You'll also need to decide between fixed-load or adjustable kettlebells. If you prefer using a selection of weights, then an adjustable option might be best for you. But if you're choosing one or several fixed-load weights, then it's worth considering what size kettlebell you should get.
Best kettlebells for building strength
We were impressed at how easy it was to change the load of the Bowflex SelectTech 840 Kettlebell adjustable kettlebell. A top-mounted dial to adjust the weight offers a solid, definite click as you switch loads. Plus, it feels secure, so you won't need to worry about weight plates flying off during a swing!
Since it combines six kettlebells into one — ranging between 8lbs/3.6kg and 40lbs/18.15kg — it also helps save a lot of space if you're training at home. It's a convenient and practical solution if you want to work your core and use the progressive overload technique to gradually increase the weight as you get stronger, especially since you won't have to buy new kettlebells all the time.
Despite its upsides, the Bowflex SelectTech 840 is more expensive than buying a set of fixed-weight kettlebells. And we found that adjusting the weight changes the kettlebell's center of gravity, which makes clean lifts and snatches harder to do than if you used a standardized competition-style weight, like the Kettlebell Kings adjustable option.
But it is an ideal choice for beginners, as we found it great for adding some resistance to bodyweight exercises like squats and lunges. Plus, you can use the SelectTech 840 as a cheaper alternative to a pair of adjustable dumbbells for moves like presses, rows, and deadlifts.
Sometimes the most simple, no-frills, does-the-job kind of equipment is all you need and this Amazon Basics Cast Iron Kettlebell falls under this category. Although its a very basic and traditional kettlebell to look at it does feature a shiny top coat of paint, which is there to protect the weight from any corrosion leaving it with a sleek look.
You can buy this kettlebell in various different sizes starting at 10lbs/4kg and ending at 45lbs/20kg, so there is an option for pretty much everyone when it comes to buying one or more. Plus, they are affordable enough that you won’t break the bank too much if you do fancy yourself a set of these cast-iron weights.
You might like to buy a rack if so though as they don’t have a fully flat bottom, making storage a little awkward and this isn’t ideal when resting your kettlebell between sets of a workout.
Overall though the design of this kettlebell allows you to incorporate the weight into various different exercises without it being too bulky or the handle being too narrow for you to fit both hands-on during a strength session.
The kettlebell has a textured finish to enhance your grip but the glossy top coat that we mentioned above kind of counteracts hammered texture and does mean your hands may find things a little slippy the sweatier they get. This being said, it's not uncommon for people to work out with a pair of training gloves or use some powder during a kettlebell-based workout.
TRX is well known for selling suspension trainers and making staying in shape easier without a gym. The TRX training kettlebell is no exception to this. If you want a very simple kettlebell that offers premium quality and has a sleek aesthetic, we think you’ll like one or a few of these.
This kettlebell is made from cast iron, offering you durability no matter how hard you train. Its flat bottom means there will be no rolling when you set the weight down and the finish of this bell is made from a ‘gravity cast molding’ leaving a smooth finish and sturdy grip to rely on.
There are multiple weight options available so you needn’t worry about having to opt for a lighter or heavier option than you’d like. Despite the TRX kettlebell being made from top-quality materials, the weight is quite expensive, especially for the heavier kettlebell options the brand sells. If you want to buy more than one weight you may find yourself going above budget.
The Kettlebell Kings Adjustable Competition Style Kettlebell spans from 26.5lbs (12kg) all the way up to a hefty 70.5lbs (32kg) with seven cast iron plates inside—two 8.8lb (4kg), two 6.6lb (3kg), and three 4.4lb (2kg). The extensive range is ideal for beginners or advanced lifters and can accommodate various training styles.
Although we didn't feel that changing the weight was that simple — it involves opening the kettlebell's steel shell and adjusting the weight plates using the provided Allen key — this is a sturdy, durable kettlebell that'll make it through even the most challenging workouts.
Because changing the weight can take time, you wouldn't want to be switching loads during a time-bound HIIT session, for example. If you prefer strength training focusing on repetitions and extended rests between sets, this shouldn't be too much of an issue.
When we tried loading the kettlebell up to the top weight, the handle's grip was quite uncomfortable to hold, but a bit of chalk made things easier. Despite this, the 35mm handle size is perfect, and there's plenty of space to fit your hands inside.
If you fancy adding kettlebells to your home strength training but are put off by the price of various options available, you might like to consider the Yes4All kettlebell. This option will leave a much smaller dent in your wallet while still delivering on durability and practicality.
You could say that the most appealing feature of this weight is that it’s made from durable cast iron and finished with a vinyl coating. This final finish to the bell not only looks good but it means you needn’t worry about disturbing your neighbors with noise during your workout or about damaging your flooring. Plus the solid cast iron makes it built to last long and it’s perfectly suitable for training outdoors.
The handle is nice and wide so it’s not awkward to train with and most people should be able to fit both hands inside it to perform two-handed exercises. But some may find the thickness of the handle a little too big. Although, some alternative kettlebells may have a smoother finish this Yes4All option offers a good grip with its textured handle.
It also has a flat base so it will sit securely as you rest it down during your workouts and makes storing it away easier.
The JAXJOX kettlebell comes at a premium price, but the adjustable weight comes packed with features. It combines six kettlebells into one and has an electric adjustment mechanism to take the hassle out of quick changes.
When you need to change the weight, which ranges from 12-42lbs/5-19kg (going up in 6lbs increments), you only need to press a button and it's equipped with six-axis motion sensors, allowing you to track your weight, reps, and accuracy as you train.
This is synced up to your phone via Bluetooth where you can review your workout and performance. There are JAXJOX classes available in the app, but the downside is that you have to pay a $39/£32 monthly subscription fee to access the workouts.
Nonetheless, considering there is an abundance of free kettlebell workouts posted to platforms like YouTube every day you can still get your money's worth from this premium kettlebell.
Despite the higher initial cost, it may still work out cheaper than buying several fixed-weight kettlebells and a storage rack. It’s a real winner for anyone looking to be space-savvy and avoid cluttering their home with workout equipment.
However, because the electric adjustment mechanism needs power to work, if it runs out, you'll be stuck on the current weight. Fortunately, it's quick to top up with a short charge via USB-C. Still, you'll need to find a large space near your charger.
How to choose the best kettlebell for you
When it comes to deciding on the best kettlebell for your home exercise, there are a few things to consider that will help shape your choice. Our roundup above took into account various factors, but everyone will have different workout spaces at home and different levels and frequencies of exercise that are helpful to run over before buying a kettlebell.
Size
The size of your weight plays a key role in how easily you can incorporate it into typical kettlebell exercises such as swings, overhead presses, and rows. The bigger the size of the kettlebell the more awkward and bulky it can feel and risks making your workout feel harder than it needs to be.
Although adjustable kettlebells are extra convenient in many ways, they do tend to be bulkier in size. So if you like a smaller weight, a cheaper, less flashy kettlebell may suit your workouts better.
Weight
This will sound like an obvious point to consider but an easy one to misjudge especially when different fitness retailers list their weights in different weight measurements. For reference, we always list weights in pounds first followed by a conversion to kilograms so you know exactly what you’re looking at depending on your region.
If you’re experienced with resistance training and regularly train with weight then you should have a good idea of what kind of weight your body can comfortably train with. You also might like to further your strength gains at home by buying a couple more weight options to graduate up into heavier loads and implement progressive overload into your training.
Whereas those who are newer to weight training and just dipping their toes into kettlebell workouts for beginners should try and avoid buying yourself a kettlebell that's too heavy for you to lift safely for the duration of a whole workout. Instead, start light, anything around 11-18lbs (5-8kg) is ideal for beginners and will help you familiarise yourself with kettlebell exercises as you gradually develop your strength.
Fixed or adjustable
The traditional kettlebell is all you need when it comes to the actual strength-building and exercise part. You may be wondering why you would splash out considerably more on the sequel to traditional kettlebells, this being an adjustable one.
An adjustable kettlebell can be a real money and space saver. When you get multiple weights in one weight that can be changed via a dial or button it seems stupid to take up more space with a long rack filled with multiple kettlebells. Buying multiple individual weights gets expensive too.
However, they are an expensive purchase (albeit you won’t find yourself buying multiple weights), they can be clunky to maneuver and you might have to buy two if you want to perform dual exercises to be more time-efficient and optimize strength goals.
Grip
Everyone sweats and kettlebell workouts are intense and demanding, making them a perfect recipe for slippy hands. This is why the grip is so crucial when buying a kettlebell. The finish of the kettlebell is one factor that feeds into the reliability of the grip.
You’ll notice some kettlebells have a glossy finish to them. This might look good in your home gym, but this shiny surface may affect how well your hands can keep a hold of the kettlebell.
Others may feature a textured sort of hammered finish which helps with grip level. The cheaper you go the more likely you are to find rougher patches on your kettlebell handle and unless you want to file this down yourself, it might be worth spending a little more on a kettlebell.
Material
We don’t all have floors made of pure steel or neighbors who don’t mind the repetitive crash of a kettlebell hitting the floor during a HIIT workout. So if you worry about protecting your floors or about making minimal noise when you train with your kettlebell you should take a look at the ones made from cast iron.
This creates a durable kettlebell but also minimizes noise and helps avoid corrosion of floor surfaces. Another way to ensure your kettlebell avoids rusting or obvious visual faults is to pick one with a powder or vinyl coating as this provides extra protection and will endure outdoor training.
FAQs
What size kettlebell should you get?
If you're wondering what size kettlebell you should get, there’s no straight answer to this — it’ll depend on your level of fitness, strength, and what you want to use the kettlebell for.
It’s been recommended that men start out with a kettlebell around 17-45lbs (7.7-20.5kg), and women opt for between 13-25lbs (5.9-11.3kg). But this is just guidance and you will need to work out what weight is best for you and your fitness levels.
Another factor to consider when choosing how heavy your kettlebell should be is whether you plan to do pushing or pulling exercises, or both. A push exercise is when you push the weight away from you, like a bodyweight push up, and a pull move involves contracting muscles in a way that forces weight to be pulled towards the body.
For a pull exercise like a kettlebell pull or swing, you can go a bit heavier with the weight. Same goes if you want to add extra resistance to your weighted squats or lunges.
If you plan to use your kettlebell to do push exercises — including a bench press or overhead press — then you might need a lighter weight. That’s where having a set of the best kettlebells or an adjustable bell can be a good investment.
How to do a kettlebell swing
Personal trainer RossFit says: “The kettlebell swing strips fat, builds muscle and helps you get a perky posterior.
“Swings are worth doing because they use a ton of muscles at the same time, plus the dynamic nature of the exercise requires an explosive movement from the hips, which is very demanding on the cardiovascular system without putting a strain on the joints.”
Step 1: Put the kettlebell about half a foot in front of your body’s midline on the floor.
Step 2: Hinging at the hips, bend forward to take hold of the bell with one hand. With feet firmly planted into the floor, feel the loaded tension in the glutes, hamstrings and erector muscles (the deep back muscles).
Step 3: Pull the kettlebell back between your legs to create momentum, then explosively drive your hips forward and straighten your back to send the kettlebell up to shoulder height, while holding onto it.
Step 4: The kettlebell will fall due to gravity back into the start position. Repeat this swing move for between 10-30 total reps and then swap sides and do the same on the opposite arm.
Which type of kettlebell is best?
We spoke to Wendy Batts, a regional master instructor for the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), to establish whether one is better than the other in the ongoing adjustable vs fixed weight kettlebells debate.
"One of the unique aspects of kettlebells is that unlike dumbbells, where the load is balanced on either side of the handle, the weight is offset from the handle, which changes the demand when lifting it," she explains.
"Fundamentally, fixed-weight kettlebells and their adjustable counterparts share this attribute." However, that doesn't mean there aren't differences between them. Batts summarized the pros and cons of each below.
Adjustable kettlebells
Pros:
Great if tight on space
Versatile
Potentially lower cost than fixed-weight kettlebells
Could be a good way to get introduced to kettlebells before investing in individual fixed-weight versions
Cons:
No standardized shape/design could limit its utility to perform certain exercises.
Anything adjustable has components or parts that can potentially fail at some point.
Durability could be an issue depending on design, volume, and/or the intensity of use.
Many adjustable kettlebells incorporate plastic components in their design that potentially can wear out or break
Not ideal if looking to participate in kettlebell competitions where shape and size are standardized
Fixed weight kettlebells
Pros:
Fixed-weight kettlebells are typically made from cast iron or steel, making them extremely durable and a long-term investment.
Available in various styles, weight increments, grip widths, and coatings.
Cons:
If budget is a concern, it can be costly depending on the amount and the variety of weights you're looking for.
Storing multiple kettlebells can be an issue if space is limited.
Wendy Batts is a regional master instructor for the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and an assistant professor for the exercise science programs at Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest). Wendy holds a Master's degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion and is a licensed massage therapist specializing in neuromuscular therapy.
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