Best adjustable dumbbells
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells
- Pros: space-saving design, convenient storage tray, easy to switch weights
- Cons: bulky, might be too light for some
No home gym is complete without dumbbells.
Useful for a variety of exercises such as biceps curls, triceps kickbacks, weighted lunges, and Russian twists, dumbbells are a versatile piece of exercise equipment designed to strengthen and tone your body.
However, buying a set of weights can get expensive and requires space for a dumbbell rack. Instead, we recommend the SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells from Bowflex.
Offering 15 weights in one, these adjustable dumbbells are both compact and effective.
With a simple turn of a dial, the dumbbells are adjustable from 5–52.5 pounds (2.3–24 kg) in 2.5-pound (1.1-kg) increments.
However, because they only go up to 52.5 pounds (24 kg), these dumbbells may be too light for more advanced lifters.
Best versatile dumbbells
CAP Barbell 52.5-Pound Adjustable Dumbbell
- Pros: available as a single or a set, easy-grip solid steel handles, compact design
- Cons: size issues; complaints of missing hardware, handles, and weights
Available as a single weight or a set, the 52.5-pound (23.8-kg) CAP Barbell Adjustable Dumbbell includes a dumbbell handle, 12 weight plates, and 2 star-lock collars.
The diamond-knurled handle is easy to grip, and the compact design is ideal for small spaces.
Emily Jacques, a NASM-certified CycleBar and Rumble instructor for Xponential+, recommends these weights, explaining, “These cast-iron plates have solid steel handles and are most similar to the dumbbells you’re going to find in a gym. You can always buy more weights at a later date as you gain strength.”
