12 best adjustable dumbbells UK 2023, tried & tested

Not only can investing in one of our best adjustable dumbbells help you get the most out of your home workouts, but it can also keep your lifting zone clutter-free (win-win, right?).

Predictably, these space-saving sets are slightly pricier than your standard dumbbell or hand weight, but by providing up to 24 different weights options in one practical package, they’re a great option for anyone looking to get a sweat on and make serious resistance training gains. In some cases, these smart ‘bells even allow you to up the weight and push for new PBs with just the touch of a button (looking at you, ).

Sound good? Well, before you ‘add to basket’, there’s a few things you should know. Luckily, our team of fitness kit experts is on hand to explain what you’ll need to look out for when picking your perfect home workout partner. We’ve even put some top models to the test in the Women’s Health Lab to bring you our best adjustable dumbbell recommendations for all experience levels and budgets.

Is an adjustable dumbbell set worth it?

In short, yes. If you’re looking to advance your at-home gym without advancing it width-wise, and progress your training simply by purchasing a single piece of equipment, then an adjustable dumbbell is one of the best ways to do so. Think of it as your own version of a weight machine and dumbbell rack-heavy gym without the cost, space and time needed to get you to and from it. Sounds worth it to us…

First up, there are three types of adjustable dumbbell: spinlock, dial and digital.

• Spinlock: Tends to involve a bar with weight plates that need to be manually added or removed from the bar. Usually held in place by metal or plastic collars (otherwise known as spinlocks).
• Dial: Usually sits in a case or tray and allows you to add or remove plates with the use of (you guessed it) a dial. Once you’ve selected your weight and lifted the dumbbell out of the rack, the remaining unused weight plates will stay put.
• Digital: Might just be the snazziest of the lot, loading into a holding dock where you can change the weight (as the name suggests) digitally. You select your weight of choice using buttons on the holding dock, with data displayed on a small screen, and any unused plates are left in place when you remove the weight.

They’re all great for providing a variety of weight options in a single dumbbell, but each has its own advantages.

Traditional spinlock dumbbells are generally cheaper, more readily available and sturdier, while dial dumbbells are quicker when it comes to loading and unloading weight plates. They also tend to have heavier weight options and a wider variety of weight increments to choose from (with the able to go all the way up to 40kg).

Digital dumbbells tend to be the priciest of the bunch, but by allowing you to change the weight with the touch of a couple of buttons they really take the faff out of workouts that require multiple different loads, as well as cutting down the time it takes to change weight.

Are adjustable dumbbells better than traditional ones?

There’s no denying that both traditional fixed dumbbells and adjustable dumbbells have their strengths, but it all depends on where you are working out, the type of movements you plan to use them for and what you are wanting to achieve.

Adjustable dumbbell pros

Cheaper overall

Adjustable dumbbells can seem quite expensive compared to a single set of fixed dumbbells, but they tend to be cheaper in the long run. Once bought, you’ll have a piece of equipment that is versatile and allows you to progress without needing to buy more equipment (think of it as the world’s smallest dumbbell rack). On the other hand, fixed dumbbell sets can cost upwards of £300, and when you’re ready to lift heavier you’ll have to splurge on a new pair.

Allow you to progress

Many dumbbell users will end up sticking with the same fixed dumbbell weight for way longer than is beneficial to their training, just to avoid having to buy another set of dumbbells. This isn’t an issue with an adjustable dumbbell that can be switched easily between weights as you progress.

Versatile

An adjustable dumbbell will allow you to cater your workout based on the strength of the muscle you are targeting or the type of exercise you are performing. Looking to add weight to your HIIT plan? Easy. Needing a lighter weight for your arms that aren’t quite as strong as your legs? Done. All possible with a single weight.

Space-saving

Space is an obvious benefit to having an adjustable dumbbell. They literally only require you to have storage space for one or two dumbbells and yet can be transformed into numerous by the use of a simple mechanism or by the changing of plates.

Portable

If you enjoy working out in different locations that don’t include the gym (park-workout lovers unite!), it’ll be a lot easier transporting one dumbbell, with the power to be many, than a whole lot of separate dumbbells.

At the end of the day, it depends on what you’ll be using your dumbbells for and where. If you’re looking for a specific weight to enhance a specific area of training, then fixed dumbbells will do the trick. But if you’re wanting to commit to an at-home resistance programme with the aim of progressing in strength or you use weights for different types of training, then buying an adjustable dumbbell will be a great investment.

How we test adjustable dumbbells

Our Women’s Health Lab in-house fitness experts tested the mettle (and metal) of a range of top adjustable dumbbells.

The team timed how long it took to load each dumbbell up to its maximum weight and how quickly and easily they could change the load mid-workout. The dumbbells were also tested to see how sturdy they felt, with top points awarded to those that felt stable and didn’t rattle or shake while being used.

Finally, testers donned their leggings for a workout, using each dumbbell for the same 20 bodybuilding movements ranging from deadlifts to goblet squats to bench press. Top-scoring models moved smoothly and were a practical shape that didn’t obstruct any movement patterns.

The best adjustable dumbbells earned both bragging rights and an esteemed WH Lab Approved badge, which you can see displayed below. Our editors have also picked a bonus four adjustable dumbbells that they trust to help them hit hardcore workouts at home.