The Best Dumbbells to Level Up Your Lifting Routine

August 19, 2024

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25 min reading time

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Even on your busiest days, having a set of dumbbells on hand can help you squeeze in a solid workout right at home. “Dumbbells are extremely versatile,” Lauren Leavell, a NASM-certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor tells SELF. “You can use them to do squats, curls, lunges, presses, deadlifts, core work, and more.”

The best dumbbells can help you improve your health beyond just bigger muscles, though: DeAnne Brooks, EdD, CSCS, certified exercise physiologist and director of graduate studies in the department of kinesiology at University of North Carolina Greensboro, told SELF earlier this year that strength training can boost bone density, and research also shows that resistance training (like the exercises done with handheld weights) can also help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. While you don’t absolutely need dumbbells in order to get stronger, having them at home can make accessing the benefits of building muscle easier.

Whether you’re a beginner who’s tight on space or you’re jonesing to level up your routine and want to build out your home gym, we have expert-vetted intel that you can use to help you select the best dumbbells for your needs.

Top picks for the best dumbbells

Best Dumbbells Overall: Bells of Steel Rubber Hex Dumbbells
Best Hex Dumbbells: Titan Fitness Rubber Coated Hex Dumbbells
Best Dumbbell Set: REP Fitness Rubber Hex Dumbbells
Best Adjustable Dumbbells: NordicTrack Select-A-Weight Dumbbells
Best Dumbbells on Amazon: Core Home Fitness Adjustable Dumbbells
Best Dumbbells for Beginners: Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells
Best Dumbbells for Grip: Iron Bull Rubber Hex Dumbbells
Best Value Dumbbells: Ativafit Adjustable Weight Dumbbell Set
Best Round Dumbbells: REP Fitness Urethane Coated Round Dumbbell
Best Rubber Dumbbells: Major Fitness Rubber Hex Dumbbells
Best Dumbbells for Small Space: Snode AD80 Adjustable Dumbbells

Best Dumbbells Overall: Bells of Steel Rubber Hex Dumbbells

Bells of Steel Rubber Hex Dumbbells

Pros

Hexagonal shape prevents rolling and supports exercises like push-up variations
Lower starting price point
Come in 2.5-pound increments up to 20 pounds (and 5-pound increments from there)

Cons

One-year warranty is voided if dumbbells are dropped
Stronger initial odor because of the recycled rubber
Handles are not fully knurled (or textured with a ridge), which can make them less grippable

Both testers and experts love the Bells of Steel Rubber Hex Dumbbells, which strike a great balance of quality and price—Leavell tells SELF it’s one of her favorite sets. Standout features include the handles’ ergonomic design— they’re thickest in the middle and taper toward the heads, making them easier to hold—and hexagon heads. This shape is sturdier to balance on during bodyweight movements like renegade rows and certain push-up variations and also means the dumbbells won’t roll away between sets (as can happen with rounded dumbbells).

Bells of Steel Rubber Hex Dumbbells cost less than many competitors. It uses 50% recycled rubber for the heads, which unfortunately lets off an “old rubber” smell when they first arrive, one of our testers says. But as long as you have time and space to air them out, we don’t see this as a deal-breaker.

We also like that these hex bells feature 2.5-pound weight increments between 5 and 20 pounds, whereas other, comparably designed options on this list offer only 5-pound jumps. Research shows that the ability to level up in smaller shifts allows a more gradual progression in your strength training and helps you delay plateau.

If you have any issues with your new set, Bells of Steel is available to troubleshoot—a rep has responded to every customer review shown on the website in the last two years and offered additional contact information when necessary.

Product specs

Best Hex Dumbbells: Titan Fitness Rubber Coated Hex Dumbbells

Titan Fitness Rubber Coated Hex Dumbbells

Pros

Comfortable ergonomic handles
Durable, high-quality design
Good customer service
Lowest starting price on the list

Cons

Handles are only partially knurled
Storage is sold separately

The Titan Fitness Rubber Coated Hex dumbbells tick a lot of boxes many people look for in the best dumbbells for home use, including a hexagonal head shape and rubber coating that helps protect the weights and your floors. Starting at $32 for a 5-pound set, these also come in as the most affordable on this list (the next cheapest are the Bells of Steel picks at $35).

Our testers say the handles on these are comfortable to hold thanks to the curved, ergonomic shape and partial knurling, meaning the center of the handle is ridged or milled in a way that helps with grip. (For a fully knurled option, consider the Iron Bull or REP Fitness rubber hex dumbbells—but know that those both feature straight handles.) According to testers, the dumbbells were also able to stand up to heavy use: The chrome-plated texturing was easy to grip and the dumbbell’s heads stayed fixed firmly in place for rep after rep.

Product specs

Best Dumbbell Set: REP Fitness Rubber Hex Dumbbells

REP Fitness Rubber Hex Dumbbells

Pros

Sturdy hexagonal heads that stay in place
Lifetime warranty for home use
Fully knurled handles
Option to add heavier individual pairs up to 125 pounds

Cons

You need to buy the storage rack for an additional $210
Some say the handles are a little long

REP Fitness dumbbell sets are available in five weight ranges that increase in 5-pound increments. You can buy them in pairs or as a full set, giving you plenty of options to customize your haul based on your space and fitness needs. While the sets go up to 50-pound pairs, you can purchase individual dumbbells that weigh up to 125 pounds, which is the heaviest of any options on this list.

And because these are made with a low-odor rubber, our testers say you can start counting your reps as soon as you unbox the weights (rather than wait for them to air out).

Our testers appreciate how sturdy and durable the REP Fitness dumbbells are, calling out the friction welding technique used to securely connect the heads to the handle (essentially, they’re fused together, rather than screwed on). This means you’re unlikely to feel any jiggling from the heads, and you can trust they won’t loosen as you use them over time. Testers also like how the chrome-plated straight handle feels, saying it reminds them of the more expensive, urethane dumbbells that you find in commercial gyms. (While these ones are made of a weather-resistant rubber, REP Fitness also offers urethane dumbbells.) Other perks include fully knurled handles to prevent slippage and a lifetime warranty for use in home gyms.

The only downside: Though the knurling provides good grip and control, some testers say they wished the 5.2-inch-long handles were slightly shorter so the weights would be easier to balance and maneuver. If you know you’ll want a shorter handle, consider NordicTrack’s adjustable dumbbells, which come in at 4.5 inches.

Product specs

Weight: 5-100 lbs in 5 sets of 5-lb increments (5-50lbs, 5-75lbs, 5-100 lbs, 55-75 lbs, and 80-100lbs) | Shape: Hexagonal | Handle material: Knurled chrome-plated | Storage: Not included | Warranty: Lifetime for home use, one year for commercial use | Shipping: Free standard delivery

Best Adjustable Dumbbells: NordicTrack Select-A-Weight Dumbbells

NordicTrack Select-A-Weight Dumbbells

Pros

Space-saving compared to fixed dumbbell sets
Metal knurled handles are good for grip
Nice price point for the design
Has flat plates you can set down or rest on your leg between sets

Cons

Starts at 10 pounds, while other options start at of 5 pounds
Transitioning between weight increments is a little clunky
Round shape means weights may roll when set down

NordicTrack may be best known for its cardio equipment, like treadmills, but the brand’s adjustable dumbbells are up there with the best you’ll find. Our testers say the Select-A-Weight set feels similar to the traditional, fixed-weight dumbbells you’re likely to find at commercial gyms.

Adjustable dumbbells work by offering several weight-resistance levels in one piece of equipment; fixed-weight dumbbells, alternatively, stay at one weight level, as their name implies. (You can read more on the difference between these options below.) The Select-A-Weight dumbbells offer more weight options than some similarly priced adjustable-weight competitors. For instance, it has 2.5-pound changes between some of the weight jumps, while Core Home Fitness’s model goes up in only 5-pound increments. As far as max weight, the NordicTrack goes up to 55 pounds per bell, which is heavier than similarly priced competitors (BowFlex’s SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells go up to 52.5 pounds and Core Home Fitness’s stop at 50 pounds). Our tester says that while changing weights is overall quick and intuitive, the process could be smoother because it requires moving four pins.

The NordicTrack adjustable weights also come with a free trial of iFit, a fitness streaming service that features tons of trainer-led workouts so you can make the most of your new dumbbells. (Just know it costs $39 per month when the trial ends.)

Product specs

Best Dumbbells on Amazon: Core Home Fitness Adjustable Dumbbells

Core Home Fitness Adjustable Dumbbells

Pros

Simple twist mechanism makes changing weight levels quick
Dumbbell cradles are included
Cheapest adjustables on this list
Compact with a max dumbbell length of 14.5 inches

Cons

Materials aren’t the most durable
No knurling on handle
Max weight of 50 pounds is slightly lower than comparable options

The Core Home Fitness Adjustable Dumbbells feature a max weight of 50 pounds and let users add weight in 5-pound increments with a simple twist-and-lock handle mechanism. “What sets these apart for me is how easy they are to adjust and how normal they look and feel,”a SELF reviewer previously shared, adding that many adjustable sets feel big and bulky even at lower weights.

The weight plate faces are mostly flat, so you can rest them on your legs or hips between sets of certain exercises, like bench presses, without discomfort. Uniquely, all the heads also have one flat edge of their circumference, which prevents rolling.

The maximum weight is 50 pounds. If you’re looking for more weight, you’ll need to shell out more money for the Ativafit or Snode adjustable dumbbells, which go up to 88 and 80 pounds, respectively, and retail for around $800. Those, however, start at 11 and 10 pounds, so you’ll have to weigh (pun intended) whether a lower minimum or higher maximum is more important to you.

Product specs

Weight: 5-50 lbs in 5lb-increments | Shape: Round with a flat edge | Handle material: Rubberized plastic | Storage: 2 trays included | Warranty: 2-year parts | Shipping: Free 2-4 day shipping on corehomefitness.com and free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime

Best Dumbbells for Beginners: Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells

Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells

Pros

Goes up in 2.5-pound increments
Personal choice of certified trainers
Easy-to-use dial system for quick weight changes

Cons

Slightly bigger, at 17-inches long for all weights
Adjustment knob on the end of the head means you can’t rest the bells comfortably on your legs or flat on the ground between sets
Largely made of plastic instead of more durable materials like steel

NASM– and AFAA-certified fitness instructor Mandi Stachour tells SELF that the Home Fitness Award-winning Bowflex 552s are her personal favorites because changing the weight plates is so speedy: “I drop it into the case, select the weight I want, and pick it right back up.” Leavell stans this set, too, noting that her pair is a “space-saver” and “very convenient to store.”

The weight range starts at a beginner-friendly 5 pounds and has 2.5-pound adjustment options, unlike most dumbbells at the gym that jump up 5 pounds between each subsequent weight. This allows you to more precisely dial into the resistance you’re looking for and enables you to gradually level up your workouts as you get stronger without risking injury by increasing weights too aggressively. If you love BowFlex but are looking to lift heavier, the brand’s SelectTech 1090 dumbbells give you a 10 to 90 pound range (these top out at 52.5 pounds).

Product specs

Best Dumbbells for Grip: Iron Bull Rubber Hex Dumbbells

Iron Bull Rubber Hex Dumbbells

Pros

Fully knurled handle
Straight handle provides similar in-hand feel to a barbell
Rubber hexagonal heads are durable and sturdy

Cons

Higher price point than others on this list
Free shipping only kicks in at $150

Leavell says that one of the most important things to consider when choosing dumbbells is how comfortably you can grip them. You want to be able to think about your form, not whether the weights are going to slip out of your hands! Many experts say fully knurled handles—like the ones on Iron Bull’s Rubber Hex Dumbbells—offer the best grip because the crosshatch texture creates friction between your hands and the equipment. Our testers praised the Iron Bull’s moderate knurl for providing ample grip without being too sharp on their skin, and the complete coverage helped them get a strong grasp no matter where their hands were on the handle.

Like the REP Fitness Rubber Hex Dumbbells, these heads are attached with friction welding, which helps ensure they stay put through heavy use—or even if you drop them. In that case, know that the durable rubber material also reduces noise if the weights hit the floor, making them a good choice if you don’t want to subject the people you live with to repetitive loud bangs (in addition to any power grunts you make while pumping iron).

Product specs

Best Value Dumbbells: Ativafit Adjustable Weight Dumbbell Set

Ativafit Adjustable Weight Dumbbell Set

Pros

Steel construction is super durable
Can shop as a pair or single
Highest weight range of all adjustable options
Compact design

Cons

Only adjusts in 7-pound increments
No knurling on handle
Safety button slows down weight changes

“Best value” isn’t the same as “least expensive”: Value speaks to the amount of bang you’re getting for your buck—and with Ativafit’s set of adjustable dumbbells, that’s a lot. A single pair can replace 12 sets of weights, spanning an impressive 11 to 88 pounds. Compare that to NordicTrack’s and Bowflex’s less expensive adjustable offerings, which tap out at much lower max weights of 52.5 and 55 pounds, respectively. Even with the wider weight capacity, the Ativafit dumbbells take up less space than the Bowflex 552 set, making it a great pick if you’re tight on space.

In addition to the extra weight capacity, you’re paying for a sturdier construction with the Ativafit set. Ativafit uses steel for the weights’ heads, dials, discs, handle, and plates, whereas Bowflex uses plastic for its plates and dials, which can crack over time. While the handle isn’t knurled, it has a rubber grip that our tester notes can be especially comfortable if you use gloves while you lift.

Ativafit has one unique aspect to its weight adjustment system: a red safety button you need to click on both ends before you can spin the selection dial. This comes with pluses and minuses, according to one of our testers, who points out that it’s a benefit to know the weight plates are securely locked in place but that it’s a slowdown for the weight-change process and requires two hands.

Product specs

Best Round Dumbbells: REP Fitness Urethane Coated Round Dumbbell

REP Fitness Urethane Coated Round Dumbbell

Pros

Urethane coating makes them extra durable
Fully knurled handle for convenient and sturdy grip
No strong rubber scent

Cons

Longer handle at 6 inches
More expensive than regular rubber dumbbells

REP Fitness’s Urethane Coated Round Dumbbells may roll a bit, but the flat plate faces mean you can rest them easily on your upper leg or upright on the floor between sets. Thanks to the urethane coating, a material known for its durability, these are also built to last. Urethane is a harder material than most rubbers, meaning it has an especially long lifespan and is resistant to damage and deterioration from drops and high-volume use. While these dumbbells have a higher starting price than other fixed weights on this list at $50 for 5 pounds (the next highest price is $40 for Rep Fitness’s and Iron Bull’s rubber hex dumbbells), the durability design makes the cost worth it to experts and testers.

The fully knurled handles also give you maximum grip to power through your toughest workouts. An Amazon reviewer called the grip pad “outstanding” and the “perfect size,” adding that there’s “no rubber smell, and great overall quality.” One of our testers similarly noted they noticed almost no smell with these.

Product specs

Best Rubber Dumbbells: Major Fitness Rubber Hex Dumbbells

Major Fitness Rubber Hex Dumbbells

Pros

Hexagonal heads prevent rolling
Made of durable rubber
35-day money back guarantee

Cons

More limited weight range than most others
Partial rather than full knurl
Pricier than similar pairs

These dumbbells from Major Fitness have an ergonomic handle and rubber, hexagonal heads, ticking off two main characteristics a lot of people look for in sets for home use: comfortable grip and materials that will hold up over time (but not damage your floors). According to experts, rubber and urethane can withstand a bit more aggressive wear and tear than other common dumbbell materials, like plastic. You can shop these as individual pairs in 5-pound increments or in two different sets: 10 to 45 pounds and 10 to 70 pounds.

It’s worth noting that you can buy traditional rubber hex dumbbells for less. Titan Fitness’s, for example, which also have partially knurled ergonomic handles, are $63 for 20 pounds while the Major Fitness set is $106 for the same size. With this set, however, you get a 35-day money-back guarantee, something we haven’t seen other brands on this list offer.

Product specs

Best Dumbbells for Small Space: Snode AD80 Adjustable Dumbbells

Snode AD80 Adjustable Dumbbells

Pros

Design and material allows for drops up to 32 inches
Compact
Max weight of 80 pounds is heavier than most other adjustables
Knurled metal handle is good for grip

Cons

Heavier minimum weight at 10 pounds
Only increases in 10-pound increments
Thicker handle diameter than others could be harder to grip

Snode AD80 Adjustable Dumbbells stand out from the competition for two main reasons: First, they’re super compact—shorter, and thinner than other models—making them great for small spaces. Second, you can drop them from up to 32 inches without risk of damaging them, which is unusual for adjustable dumbbells. (Yep, our testers loaded the bells up with their maximum weight and rolled them off a 30-inch plywood box; the weights worked just fine after.)

One of our testers also says he likes that a display window on the adjustment dial quickly and easily shows the weight you’re on. The main downside we noticed is that these increments jump 10 pounds, which could be too big of a step up for some people. Both the NordicTrack and Bowflex adjustable options offer 2.5- and 5-pound incremental steps.

Product specs

Why your home gym should have dumbbells

Abbi Lane, PhD, assistant professor of applied exercise science at the University of Michigan, tells SELF that, thanks to the number and range of exercises you can do with them, “pretty much everyone’s home gym should have dumbbells…resistance training can help you get stronger, improve muscular endurance, reduce fall risk, and improve mood and sleep.”

And, in contrast to weight machines, free weights like dumbbells allow you to perform more functional movements as you build strength, balance, coordination, range of motion, and core control. “Weight machines usually are in a fixed position, only allowing you to recruit specific muscle groups. Free weights, like dumbbells, force an individual to recruit and engage their whole body to perform a specific movement,” explains Massy Arias, an NASM-certified celebrity trainer and health coach.

What to look for when shopping for the best dumbbells

Which dumbbells are best for you? “It comes down to preference, space limitations, movement style of choice, goals in mind, and even the look and feel of them,” says Arias. When outfitting your home gym, keep these criteria in mind.

Adjustable or fixed weight

According to Lane, weight is the most important factor to consider when buying dumbbells for your home. Depending on your needs, you might be better off with fixed or adjustable dumbbells, which each offer pros and cons.

Adjustable weights

These allow you to change up how heavy you’d like your dumbbells to be. They’re also space-saving because they remove the need to own and store multiple pairs of fixed weights. Depending on the model you choose and how many fixed dumbbell sets you’d be replacing, an adjustable set can also be more affordable. “One set will allow you to progress your fitness without extra cost each time,” Stachour says.

But, there is a durability tradeoff; because they’re constructed with moving parts that let you change the weight, most adjustables should not be dropped the same way you can with fixed dumbbells.

Fixed weights

These are, as their name implies, not adjustable. This means if you’d like to lift at several different resistance levels, you’ll need several different sets. One set of adjustable dumbbells will likely save you money if you like to use many different weight levels (and would require a number of fixed-weight dumbbells for your workouts). But if all you want is a few weight options, fixed dumbbells will be much more affordable. And—pertinent to powerlifters—fixed weights also tend to offer higher max weights than adjustable options. The fixed sets on our list go up to 125 pounds (REP Fitness’ rubber hex dumbbells), while the adjustables top weights are between 50 and 88 pounds.

Durability

Rubber and urethane are considered the most durable materials for dumbbell heads, and metal construction throughout is preferred. With fixed dumbbells, this means a metal handle, and for adjustables, metal plates are stronger than those made of plastic. You might also think about how durable the weights will be in the context of your home gym. Lane suggests you consider “whether you’d prefer something with a softer coating to minimize the chances of damaging the floor if they’re dropped. Hex-shaped dumbbells are less likely to roll around on smooth floors.”

Fitness goals

Just because 100-pound weights are available doesn’t mean you need them today, especially if you’re mostly using lighter weights for barre class. And if you’re a powerlifter, you may not require a 2.5-pound free weight set. “It’s important to consider your goals and where you are currently,” Leavell says. “You should have some dumbbells that feel accessible to you now and some that are going to challenge you and meet your future goals, too.”

Some research also shows that sets that allow for smaller changes, like leveling up by 2.5- or 5-pound increments, will keep you on a linear progression for longer before hitting a plateau.

Budget

The average price of dumbbells ranges from $1 to $4 per pound, so you’ll have to decide how much you want to spend for different factors, like makeup and extra features. As mentioned above, adjustables can save you money if you were otherwise planning to buy a full range of fixed sets. Fixed dumbbells are likely a more budget-friendly option for people who don’t require many different weight settings.

Stachour also says it’s important to consider a dumbbell’s value when being budget-conscious: “Common pitfalls in dumbbell purchases are looking for the cheapest option and just buying one dumbbell instead of buying the pair,” she says. “Cheaply-made dumbbells will cost you twice—once to buy them, and once more to buy a higher quality product.”

What exercises can you do with dumbbells?

Similar to if you asked someone how many yoga poses you can do, Lane says there are “too many exercises with dumbbells to list. They work for multi-joint movements, like squats and bench presses, as well as single-joint movements, like bicep curls or tricep extensions,” she says. If you opt for hexagonal heads (which won’t roll), you can add in more balance-centric movements, like certain push-up, row, and plank variations.

How we test dumbbells

You may never have taken the time to evaluate (or really notice) the intricacies of dumbbells at your local gym—but luckily, we have. Our team of testers have tried bell after bell of many constructions, shapes, sizes, and prices to break down each one’s standout (and missable) elements. You can see our full fitness equipment testing methodology here, but below are three key factors we evaluated before naming the best dumbbells.

Durability

We test how well fixed dumbbells fare when we drop them on the floor (only models that are meant to withstand the input) and turn every knob and dial on adjustable options to make sure they can withstand ongoing use. We also consider the materials of each dumbbell. For instance, some adjustable pairs are made with more plastic than their fixed metal-and-rubber counterparts, meaning they may not hold up as well over time.

ACE Factor

This factor measures a product’s adjustability, customizability, and ergonomics. Unsurprisingly, adjustable models score better in those first two categories than fixed options. In terms of ergonomics, our testers score how balanced each dumbbell feels based on the sturdiness of the design and handle qualities.

Footprint

To score this category, we measure how much area a dumbbell set requires to store. Individual dumbbell sets can quickly add up and make your space feel cluttered, but you can reduce footprint by purchasing a storage rack. Opting for an adjustable pair will also help you save on space.

FAQs

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions folks have about buying the best dumbbells for their home.

Can you build muscles using only dumbbells?

“You can absolutely build muscles using dumbbells because muscles grow from resistance training. If you are consistently challenging your muscles through dumbbell exercises, you will likely see results,” Leavell says.

Are adjustable or fixed dumbbells better?

To help you decide between fixed or adjustable dumbbells, ask yourself how much money you want to spend at once and how many weight varieties you need.

Your space and personal preferences also factor in here, Leavell says. “I have a set of adjustable dumbbells that are really easy to store and take up less space than they would individually. However, if you are only looking to have a few sets of weights, you could get a tower rack.”

How should I store my dumbbells?

You should store your weights according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Some, like the adjustables on this list, come with tray cradles to house your dumbbells when you’re not lifting. Free weights can usually hang out wherever you’d like, in the corner of a room or tucked away in a closet. But if you have the room for it, you may want to buy a storage rack to keep everything neatly stacked and organized.

“If you get to the end of your workout set and you feel like you could do a few more reps, you could probably go heavier,” Leavell says. “If you’re doing curls and are able to maintain form, you can probably add some more weight.”

Should I get a dumbbell or a barbell?

There’s a time and a place for every piece of fitness equipment, but because of their versatility and ease of storage, Leavell picks dumbbells over a barbell if you can only have one. Lane agrees, adding that with dumbbells, “you can exercise each side of the body individually” because it’s two handheld pieces of equipment rather than a single large one.

Are expensive dumbbells worth it?

Personal preference alert! Ultimately your choice here will boil down to whether a certain product ticks most of your priority boxes. “For me, a 10-pound weight is a 10-pound weight,” Leavell says. “As long as I can comfortably grip the weight, I do not care how expensive it is or how it looks. For some people, aesthetically pleasing weights and workout gear can be motivating.”

Lane echoes a similar sentiment, saying she only thinks expensive dumbbells are worth the splurge if they get you to exercising more consistently.

With reporting from Amber Sayer

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The Best Dumbbells to Level Up Your Lifting Routine

Top picks for the best dumbbells

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