The 5 Best Adjustable Dumbbell Sets, Tested by Certified Trainers

“The Nüobell is the best blend of reliability and authentic dumbbell feel I’ve used,” says Samuel, who has been using these for over three years. “The shape and design of these ‘bells make them ideal for accessory motions, like skullcrushers and biceps curls, and they’re easy to hold for goblet squats too.” Aside from a few scratches, they’ve held up great to three years of heavy use.

With up to 80 pounds of weight per dumbbell and a feel that’s nearly indistinguishable from traditional ‘bells, users can utilize the same set of weights for a complete full-body workout. Users can quickly drop down to lower weights for exercises like bent-over flies or pile on the plates for more intense squats. “It features a ‘turn-and-click’ design rather than just a built-in selector,” notes Williams. Users simply turn the handle until they reach their desired weight.

During testing, Howell noted that the Nüobell arrived assembled and was easy to plug and play once unboxed. Of all the adjustable dumbbells he tried, these felt the most like actual dumbbells. “These feel like the next evolution of the traditional dumbbells we have become used to in gyms,” Howell said.

The major defining features include: Metal plates and handles, top-tier construction that’s built to handle more volume than we can, the easy click-and-go weight adjustment ability, and the way the weight selected is displayed on the dumbbell itself.

However, Howell expressed some concerns about the rack it came with, feeling it might have been an afterthought. He questioned whether the tempered plastic rack would hold up to constant re-racking of the metal plates over time. Nevertheless, he emphasized that the actual dumbbells are well-crafted and feel solid as hell.

Read more: SMRTFT Nuobell Review

These Bowflex adjustable dumbbells have weights that adjust from 5 to 52.5 pounds in 2.5-pound increments, which replaces up to 17 pairs of dumbbells (that’s a lot of potential saved time and money). We love that the weight distribution is close to that of traditional dumbbells, and the weight range makes them on the heavier-end options on this list. Ordered off of Amazon or directly from Bowflex, they show up at your door in two seperate well-packed boxes.

The weight is adjusted through selection dials located on either side of each dumbbell. The dial system is easy to use and has jammed only once in two years of using them at home weekly. But keep in mind that changing the weight requires docking and adjusting both sides of each dumbbell–that’s four dial adjustments for each change in weight. This process takes a bit more time than, for example, the PowerBlocks, which require just one tweak to each dumbbell. During workouts where transition times are particularly tight, this can be annoying, but it’s hardly a dealbreaker.

These dumbbells feature a plastic casing around the plates to protect them from damage and dampen noise during use. We find the plastic casing makes these feel quite bulky and slightly less premium compared to the NÜOBELL Classics. We find the design a bit wide and cumbersome for exercises like curls and even side-loaded squats and lunges. “In my experience, these work best for chest-supported rows and overhead presses,” says Samuel.

It’s worth mentioning that in over two years of consistent use, we haven’t encountered any durability issues with them. That said, it’s essential to handle them with care and consider your exercise preferences when incorporating them into your home gym setup. For example, is the plastic casing sturdy enough to support exercises like renegade rows? “I’m not sure I’d want to put the weights on the ground and my weight on top of them,” says Williams.

The plastic casing doesn’t make these the best choice for those who are prone to dropping weights during workouts, but all-in-all, we’ve found these extremely reliable for most movements.

Read more: Best Power Racks

These new REP Fitness Quickdraw adjustable dumbbells are solid and well-made, and coming in at less than $3.00 per pound, their value is hard to beat. Not only do they come at an entry level price point, but they’re also incredibly durable. Steel weight plates and a tough alloy steel handle hold up well to wear and tear from regular use (think rust and scratches).

“One of my favorite equipment makers, I was surprised how long it took REP Fitness to come out with a viable adjustable dumbbell option,” says Thorp. “But it seems like they were waiting to create something special, and that’s what they’ve done with the Quickdraws.”

The plates can be adjusted in 2.5-pound increments, spanning from 5 to 30 pounds. For those heavy lifters, 30 pounds might not be enough, but for the average user looking for a quick pump in the arms or lighter weights for perfect accessory movements, this is a great pick. For anyone who wants to up the weight, REP Fitness does have heavier options available with the same streamlined design.

They’ve patented their Lock-N-Load adjustment system, which is straightforward and allows you to changethe weights simply by fliping a switch on each side of the dumbbell. The ease of this process is no doubt how REP came up with their name. This system allows you to swap the weight quickly, so you need to change the load between dumbbell exercises you aren’t stalled at all.

These dumbbells arrive in two boxes and require minimal assembly upon arrival, which makes them an ultra-accessible choice for delivery and use at home.

Read more: Best Weight Benches

PowerBlock adjustable dumbbells are an ultra-sturdy set designed for lasting performance, perfect for executing heavy-duty moves like dead stop rows, Romanian deadlifts, and heavy presses. With a length of just 12 inches (including a storage stand), these dumbbells offer decent compactness and versatility.

Read more: Best Percussion Massage Guns

The NordicTrack Select-A-Weight Dumbbells are sturdy and easy to use, featuring metal plates and a robust plastic casing designed to withstand the occasional drop (though we don’t recommend it). With a weight range of 10 to 55 pounds per dumbbell, adjustable in 2.5-pound increments, they cater especially well to home workouts. However, they’re not our top pick for accessory movements because of the relatively broad plates.

Read more: Best Workout Shirts

What Are the Benefits of Adjustable Dumbbells?

Adjustable dumbbells pack a ton of perks compared to regular dumbbells, with the most obvious being their space-saving design: No matter which adjustable dumbbells you choose, you can guarantee they’ll take up less space than the sets of traditional dumbbells they replace.

Another attractive benefit of adjustable dumbbells is that they’re more cost-effective compared to multiple sets of their traditional predecessors. A lot of the options on this list aren’t exactly budget buys, we know. But building out a weight rack with 5-15 sets of high-quality traditional dumbbells can add up in cost even quicker.

Should You Get Standard or Adjustable Dumbbells?

This comes down to three things: space, personal preference, and how you plan to use your dumbbells.

If you have unlimited space, you can definitely consider standard dumbbells.

“If you’re building out a home gym and especially if you like to train accessory motions and work through a full range of motion, you still can’t beat standard dumbbells,” explains Samuel.

“They’re going to be more durable, have better weight distribution for most moves, and, as cool as some adjustment dial might be, there’s nothing more efficient than literally putting a 35-pound dumbbell down and picking a 40-pounder up.”

But if you’re in tight confines or like to workout on-the-go, opt for a good adjustable option. “You can load a pair of Powerblocks in your trunk much more easily than you can load 10 pairs of dumbbells for a road trip.”

You’ll also want to consider how frequently you’ll be dropping your dumbbells. Even the best, most durable adjustable dumbbells on this list still have weight-switching mechanisms and won’t hold up to being routinely dropped from a few feet in the air after a set of shoulder presses as well as standard dumbbells.

How Heavy Should Adjustable Dumbbells Be?

The weight of adjustable dumbbells boils down to your fitness level and goals. Typically, they come in two main categories: those that max out at around 50 pounds per dumbbell and those that start at 50 pounds and get way heavier.

Are Adjustable Dumbbells Safe?

Just like standard dumbbells, adjustable dumbbells are safe when used correctly and with proper form. But, as with any type of fitness equipment, there are some safety considerations to keep in mind.

It’s important to choose adjustable dumbbells that are well-made and constructed from durable materials. If you’re using an old-school model which features removable plates, you should also make sure that they’re securely attached to the handle before you start your lift.

The shape, feel, and weight distribution of adjustable dumbbells can take some getting used to, depending on the model you’re working with. Because they may feel different compared to standard dumbbells in movements you do regularly, it’s important to focus on slow, controlled movements and proper form throughout your workout (especially as you acclimate to them).