If you’ve been thinking about getting into better shape or toning your arms a bit, it’s time to get some home training done. Before you start, you should get some gear, and in this article, we’re going to look at some of the best dumbbells the market has to offer.
We’ve also included a comprehensive guide to help you better assess what to look for when choosing dumbbells. Let’s get started, shall we?
Best Dumbbell Sets Ranked
We may earn a commission when you buy certain products through the links on this page. Note that this does not influence the content created by our team. Read our full Affiliate Disclosure. Bowflex SelectTech 1090i Dumbbells Review
Best overall dumbbells
- All-in-one solution
- Good weight spread
- Innovative design
Yes4All Cast Iron Adjustable Dumbbells 40-200lbs Pairs Review
Best adjustable weights for those who want to go really heavy
- Wide variety of weights
- Simple heavy-duty locking system
- Firm and secure grip thanks to textured handle
Spri Deluxe Rubber Dumbbells 3-25lbs Pairs Review
Best classic 25 lb weights
- Sturdy design
- Individual pairs are reasonably priced
- Rubber can absorb impact
ProForm Rapid Strike Adjustable Dumbbell Set Review
Best weights for home
- Saves up space
- Available training programs
- Durable steel design
Weider Select-A-Weight Adjustable 50lbs Dumbbell Weights Review
Best brand name weight set
- Easily adjustable
- Five assortments per dumbbell
- Molded material enables you to make less noise
Best Dumbbell On The Market Reviewed
Bowflex SelectTech 1090i Dumbbells Review
Best overall dumbbells
- Type: Adjustable coated iron dumbbells
- Warranty: Contact seller
- Shipping: Contact seller
If you are looking for a space-saving adjustable set that has rock-solid build quality and enables you to adjust weights on the fly, then the Bowflex SelectTech 1090i are probably the best dumbbells for home you could find.
In terms of variety, this set allows you to go from 10lbs all the way to 90lbs. This means that you will be able to use the gear even later when you’ve made some serious progress in the weight room.
The molding on the plates enables you to work out with less noise, which is also a huge plus, especially if you’re living in an apartment. Oh, and they take up a lot less space than a classic rack — another essential feature when room is an issue.
To be honest, these aren’t cheap dumbbells. For one, they are fairly popular in home gyms and recreational fitness buffs, and they are made of top-quality materials (like Bowflex products tend to be). That being said, if you’re more old-school, these weights might not be for you. Even though the build quality is solid, the molding might be prone to crack, especially if you drop the weights from a height, as some hardcore gym buffs like to do.
Still, this is a great and practical adjustable dumbbell set that would be a fantastic addition to any home gym, saving you a whole lot of space with its clever design.
If you are not attached to the old-school concept of metal weights and know how to take good care of your dumbbells, these are probably the best option you can find on the market.
Pros
- + All-in-one solution
- + Good weight spread
- + Innovative design
Cons
- − Won’t withstand drops that well
DialTech 71.5 lbs Adjustable Dumbbell (Single) Review
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- Type: Adjustable iron dumbbell
- Warranty: 1-year warranty
- Shipping: Free
If you’re into weightlifting gear that also has a stylish edge to it, then the design of the DialTech will surely be right up your alley.
Apart from that, these are just well-built weights that are fairly affordable for what they provide. The quick-change adjuster runs smoothly and enables you to spend more time working out and less messing around with the weights.
In our book, the best adjustable dumbbells should all react fast to weight changes, and in this respect, the DialTech was among the best we’ve seen.
The weights go from a minimum of 11lbs and to a maximum of 71.5lbs. This means that you have a wide range of weights to support your muscle-growing journey if you decide to get more serious about your workouts.
The tray also saves a lot of space, which was well-documented in all the adjustable dumbbells reviews we’ve found about this set.
The one issue we had with this set was that the default price and purchase option is a single dumbbell. Chances are you’ll want to get a pair, so we found it odd that Dialtech didn’t include that as the default option. You simply need another dumbbell if you want to perform a balanced full-body workout. That said, they do occasionally offer special deals on getting a pair, and you can always just order the same dumbbell twice.
Pros
- + Easily adjustable
- + Stylish
- + Heavy
Cons
- − Should come in pairs by default
Yes4All Cast Iron Adjustable Dumbbells 40-200lbs Pairs Review
Best adjustable weights for those who want to go really heavy
- Type: Cast iron adjustable set
- Warranty: 30 days satisfaction warranty & 1-year workmanship warranty
- Shipping: Standard Amazon shipping
No pain, no gain, you say? Weight loss figures show how difficult it can be shedding excess padding, but truly buffing up can be just as tough. Still, if you’re serious about weights, this cast iron set will have you covered for some heavy-duty lifting that’s bound to get you the results you want.
With the smallest adjustable dumbbell starting at 40 lbs and weights going way up to 200 lbs, you can tell this is a set for serious weight lifters.
If you’re serious about fitness, this might just be the best weight set for a pro home gym, providing you have the space to accommodate all the weights you’ll need.
What we liked about this set is that weights can easily be modified as there are only two different hole types across the entire weight spectrum. You can choose to get one pair of 40 lbs, 50 lbs, or 60 lbs weights and another weighing either 52.5 lbs, 105 lbs, or 200 lbs. The weights come with different holes for bars (40lbs, 50lbs, 60lbs have a 1” diameter, while 52.5lbs, 105lbs, and 200lbs have 1.15” diameter bars).
On the other hand, this clearly isn’t the best weight set for home if you don’t have a dedicated weight room with protective layers (like rubber) on the floor. Round discs tend to roll around, and a 200 lbs monster of a dumbbell can cause serious damage in any living room.
Apart from that, this set isn’t really for beginners. It’s a great set for seasoned trainees, but for those who are just starting out, these weights might be a bit much.
Pros
- + Wide variety of weights
- + Simple heavy-duty locking system
- + Firm and secure grip thanks to textured handle
Cons
- − Not for beginners
Spri Deluxe Rubber Dumbbells 3-25lbs Pairs Review
Best classic 25 lb weights
- Type: Fixed rubber hexagon set
- Warranty: The seller no longer accepts returns or exchanges on open-shipped products, yoga mats, or weights
- Shipping: Free Shipping on orders above $299
Need a touch of old school for your home gym, or have a small commercial weight room to equip with a durable set of weights?
No matter which problem you want to address, the Spri deluxe rubber set will do the job with aplomb. With everything from 3 lb to 25 pound dumbbells, this heavy-duty set can satisfy a wide range of demands.
No matter which option you go with, you will receive a rubber-coated hexagon set with textured chrome handles, which give you more control over the weights, enabling you to perform the exercises with better precision.
What we generally liked about these weights is the fact the hexagon design won’t let them roll away, which can be a real bummer when you’re in the middle of an exercise. With 20 pound dumbbells, rolling weights can be a legitimate danger.
Simply put, getting an assortment of these dumbbells can be a fine addition to any home or smaller commercial gym. Buying them all together can be a bit steep money-wise (a bundle offer from the seller would be nice) and might need you to free up some space in your home and get a weight stand as well.
Apart from these logistic and monetary issues, grabbing several of these pairs would make a good lifelong investment for anyone serious about body-building.
Pros
- + Sturdy design
- + Individual pairs are reasonably priced
- + Rubber can absorb impact
Cons
- − Bundle deals and a weight tray would make a huge difference
ProForm Rapid Strike Adjustable Dumbbell Set Review
Best weights for home
- Type: Adjustable steel set
- Warranty: 30-day money-back guarantee
- Shipping: Free Shipping
If you want to work out but don’t really like the idea of assembling your own fitness plan, then ProForm’s offer set can give you more than just a simple pair of weights.
Thanks to the brand’s available iFit app feature, you can also take advantage of the various live or on-demand workouts that you can easily follow on your phone or tablet.
This makes the ProForm kits probably the best adjustable dumbbells on the market for those just starting their fitness journey and who want to start off the right way.
Let’s talk about the weights, though. They come in variants ranging from 10 to 50 pounds, in 10 lbs increments. They also feature a storage tray and are built from durable steel, so longevity won’t be a problem.
Also, since you get five pairs of weights in one set that you can quickly adjust, the set is a genuine space and money saver.
As great as this adjustable dumbbell set is for total beginners, more advanced trainees may find the 50 lbs maximum lacking, in which case you should look for something like the Bowflex or Yes4All as alternatives.
Ultimately, the ProForm set brings a lot of awesome features to the table, but it is clearly aimed more at beginners than fitness experts and bodybuilding buffs. If that sounds like you, it’s a fantastic set to consider.
Pros
- + Saves up space
- + Available training programs
- + Durable steel design
Cons
- − Could be a bit heavier
Weider Select-A-Weight Adjustable 50lbs Dumbbell Weights Review
Best brand name weight set
- Type: Adjustable coated iron dumbbells
- Warranty: 90-day warranty from maker
- Shipping: Standard Amazon shipping
If you’ve been into lifting weights and bodybuilding, chances are, you’ve heard of the father of bodybuilding, Joe Weider.
Apart from establishing the most famous bodybuilding contest of all time (the Mr. Olympia), he also popularized the sport through publications, fitness supplements, and accessories.
Coming from the Weider company, this adjustable 50 lbs dumbbell set is a great deal if you want to get started doing exercises with hand weights with the intention of getting more serious about lifting along the way.
Adjusting in 10lbs increments, you can test your power from 10lbs to 50lbs in any dumbbell exercise. The 10lbs jump may seem steep, but you know what the bodybuilding community says: no pain, no gain.
On a more serious note, some reviews out there do mention that these Weider dumbbells have a few drawbacks. For instance, a reviewer mentioned that you need to ensure that everything is tight because otherwise, the weights can fall off. That being said, some also stated that the molded material around the metal plates has the tendency to crack.
Some users mentioned that they couldn’t get a full refund on their weights when returning them.
Apart from that, if you take good care of these weights, they could be the best dumbbell set you’ve ever owned. And if you want something more heavy-duty, you can always opt for steel weights.
Pros
- + Easily adjustable
- + Five assortments per dumbbell
- + Molded material enables you to make less noise
Cons
- − Molded pieces can crack
How to Buy the Best Dumbbells on The Market
Buying weights to work out might seem like a straightforward process, but there are more things to consider than you may realize at first.
In the following sections, we’ll break down some of the most important facts you should know about weights, such as the differences between the different materials, grips, shapes, and more.
Dumbbell Types
To get started helping you choose the best weight set, it only makes sense to start with the different types available on the market.
Fixed Dumbbells
You will see these the most both in commercial gyms and as a part of home equipment. More often than not, they are packed in a rack and are usually available in pairs. There’s a wide variety of different sets you can get, with weights anywhere from a few pounds up to hefty 90-pound dumbbells.
As you can tell by their name, these weights have fixed parts, and you don’t need to assemble them, nor can you add or remove weights from them.
They are often made from plastic or metal and are pretty robust and durable, which is great for people who don’t really take care of their weights.
These are among the best weight sets money can buy if you’re looking for a simple old-school solution that gets the job done and you don’t mind the fact that you can’t modify them in any way.
Adjustable Dumbbells
These are even more common in home gyms since you can attach a wide variety of different weights on a single pair of handles. They allow you to adjust the preferred weight on both sides, either by adding or removing a few discs. There are several mechanisms that enable you to do this, but it’s often done with large screw bolts that let you attach more weights to the dumbbell.
Buying the best adjustable dumbbells will make a lot of sense for those who are space-conscious, and bulk deals often mean you will be able to get several weights for a lower price, saving on money compared to traditional fixed dumbbells.
On the downside, if you’re training for progressive overload and want to perform several sets with different weights, having to adjust your gear constantly can be a headache, especially if you don’t have the time to spend long hours in the gym.
Adjustable dumbbell weights often make the best beginner set, as they enable newbies to progress without any problems and without spending a lot of money right off the bat. In most cases, the smallest weight on each side isn’t more than around 3 lbs, meaning that even complete beginners can get in on the action without feeling overwhelmed.
Lastly, if you’re convinced that you’ve outgrown your home set, you can always buy heavier weights.
Materials
It’s not just about fixed or adjustable weights: there’s a wide variety of different materials you can choose from when picking a dumbbells set, too. In this section, we will guide you through these options.
Vinyl-Coated Dumbbells
These sets are often a combination of a cast-iron shape with a vinyl coating. If you’re into having different-looking weights, these might be your ideal set because they come in a wide variety of different colors. This can come in handy when it comes to quickly identifying your weights, even without picking them up.
You will often see these vinyl-coated sets labeled as the best at home weight set because the coating tends to make them a bit safer, doing less damage whatever they hit if you accidentally drop them.
On the other hand, the same coating that helps absorb the damage when dropped can actually make it harder to maintain a stable, firm grip on the weights when your hands get sweaty.
Lastly, even though these sets can be rather aesthetic for a home gym setting, make sure to avoid the cheap sets, as they are prone to chipping and will get damaged more easily than sturdy steel sets.
Steel Dumbbells
These are often made out of solid metal and are among the most common dumbbell types. These hand weights are pretty much standard in most gyms worldwide, mostly coming with metallic silver handles and black discs on each side. There’s no color coding, but the weight is usually shown on the discs.
With these dumbbells, slipping isn’t a problem, but some will argue that textured handles (that improve grip) might be able to do a number on your hands if they are wet.
Lastly, these might not be the best dumbbells for home use. If the heavier metal weights fall, there’s no protective cover (like in the case of vinyl) to absorb the power of the impact.
Urethane-Coated Dumbbells
PU or polyurethane sets are also pretty popular. They resemble rubber dumbbells but have several benefits over them, justifying the higher price tag.
These gym weights tend to be stronger than classic rubber. They have a more robust outer layer that offers more protection from cosmetic damage, scratches, chips, and marks often associated with rubber weights.
Lastly, there are no odor or marking issues with PU weights, either. The latter refers to the problem of the rubber weight falling on wooden floors and leaving a rubber mark.
Rubber Dumbbells
Last but not least, we also have rubber, a material commonly used for coating dumbbell weights.
The rubber coating makes the discs last longer, preventing rust, scratching, and other sources of damage. They are also much more floor-friendly than steel weights, though you still don’t want to drop them if you can avoid it.
One of the problems most people have with rubber weights is the distinctive, pungent smell of the material, especially when they are new.
Fortunately, your new rubber dumbbell weight set won’t smell terrible forever, as the odor tends to fade with time.
Grips and Shapes
Next up, let’s talk about the different shapes and handle grip variations that you can encounter.
- Rounded ends: Most sets will have rounded ends. The only disadvantage they can have is the tendency to roll around in the room. If that’s an issue for you, consider the alternative below.
- Hexagonal and Square ends: Some dumbbells for sale come with hexagonal ends. These weights stay put wherever you leave them. There’s no real disadvantage compared to weights with rounded ends, but hexagons are often more expensive.
About the grip
You might think that the grip of the handle isn’t an issue, however, they can play a pretty vital role in controlling the weights.
- Simple grip: No textures, no different materials – just a simple handle. On more robust options like steel, these aren’t problematic, but on more delicate options like vinyl, the weights can slip out of your hands if they are sweaty.
- Textured grip: Mostly seen in a cast iron dumbbell set, the texture aims to give you a better overall grip on the handle’s surface. It works well, but there’s a catch. If your hands are sweaty and the skin in your palms hasn’t hardened yet, you might get a bit of irritation once your hands get sweaty.
When it comes to grip, it’s best to experiment with a few different sets before making a purchase. It’s not just the material or the grip type; other factors like circumference can also influence the weight distribution.
If the handle is simply too wide, there’s a larger chance of you injuring your wrists or dropping the weights.
Other Tips and Tricks
Now, if you’re already thinking about rushing off and grabbing a Walmart dumbbells set, we urge you to stay with us just a little longer and read on. We’ve covered most of the basics, but there are a few more things to consider.
Getting the Dumbbell Size Right
You need to consider your training goals and thus the size and weight of the dumbbells you will buy. Chances are, if you want to improve muscle tone in your arms or just bulk up a bit, you won’t be needing 70-pound dumbbells right off the bat.
On the other hand, if you are a bit more serious and looking forward to performing full-body workout sessions with dumbbells, you will probably need heavier pairs for lower back work, goblet squats, rows, and similar exercises.
You will also have to determine the weight you can actually lift properly to use these exercises as they were intended. Knowing your maximum weight is a great way to avoid buying weights that are too light or too heavy.
Let’s say you can perform five sets of 10 with 15 pound dumbbells. In that case, you might be ready to invest in some heavier dumbbells, including ones you may want to build up towards.
Before purchasing any weights, it might be a good idea to visit your local gym to get a better idea of what you’re able to handle and center your focus around those weights.
Set a Budget
You probably already know that buying a pair of cheap dumbbells and calling it a day probably won’t work for any serious training regimen. However, good dumbbells aren’t cheap, so chances are, you will have to spend quite a lot of money on even a basic set. That being said, be realistic about your fitness goals and the amount of money you’re willing to spend without regretting it later.
Sure, you can always find great deals on weights, but before jumping on the bandwagon, it might be worth joining a gym for a month or so to see whether lifting is something you really enjoy or not.
And if you’re serious, you probably know that you will have further expenses as well: best squat racks, barbells, best massage guns, etc. – the list goes on.
Is Space an Issue?
Before ordering the best dumbbell sets money can buy, it’s also wise to assess the amount of room you have in your home to accommodate the weights.
If you are buying fixed weights, be prepared to need more space and possibly even a stand to keep them all in one place.
On the other hand, if you already know that you have very little space, you’ll have to splash out on a good adjustable dumbbell set, as these can easily fit even the smallest spaces.
The Good Part
Buying dumbbells can do a number on your wallet and might require you to rearrange a room or two in your home, but if you’re dedicated and love your training regime, they’re well worth the effort.
An assortment of quality weights will serve you for years and give you a good variety of exercises in your training sessions.
Want to perform high-intensity intervals? Grab a pair of lighter weights. Want to go heavy on a full-body workout? Grab your 35 pound dumbbells (or even heavier ones) and train!
What we’re trying to say here is simple: buying a good set of weights won’t be a cheap investment, but if you’re serious about training, it will be a very worthwhile one.
Conclusion
By now, we hope that you’ve managed to learn everything there’s to know about dumbbell sets. Not only did we aim to present you with the best options the market currently has to offer but also to offer some insight into the process of buying a set of weights.
Now, it’s time to lift some weights and do some home exercises!
FAQ
What are the best quality dumbbells?
It might sound a bit silly, but defining what “best” is when it comes to dumbbells is rather complicated. Based on your fitness level, goals, and preferences, the best for you might be totally different than it is for someone else. If you just want something light to accompany your fitness workout, a set of lightweight dumbbells will likely do the trick.
On the other hand, if you’re really into lifting, chances are, you’ll want a set of heavy-duty steel dumbbells that go up to 100 lbs or higher each.
What are the best adjustable dumbbells on the market?
Again, the definition of “the best” will be highly dependent on your needs and goals. However, in our experience, ProForm and Ativafit adjustable dumbbells are great choices if you want reliability and quality and can handle everything from a lighter workout session to the challenges of any hardcore weight room.
What is the best home weight set?
Since these sets can take up a lot of space, before actually jumping onto the market, you might want to ask yourself whether you can store an entire set in your home or not.
Which dumbbells are best rubber or steel?
.Rubber-coated metal dumbbells can be great if you want a heavy-duty set either for home or your gym because they can handle abuse pretty well and absorb impacts better when dropped.
On the other hand, if you’re allergic to latex or other coating materials, it will be a waste of money.
Steel, on the other hand, looks more stylish but is more prone to wear and tear. Steel products also tend to be cheaper than their rubber-coated counterparts but are more dangerous when not properly handled (i.e., if you drop them on the floor).
Finding the best dumbbells mostly boils down to personal preference, budget, and the amount of storage space for your gear.
