Best adjustable dumbbells for weightlifting at home
You can add heavy weight lifting to your home workouts, you just need a pair of the best adjustable dumbbells. Dumbbells are one of the best home gym equipment additions you can buy, allowing you to ramp up your cardio intensity (did someone say dumbbell burpees?) and strength training or perfect your technique lifts like snatches, cleans and more.
Not only do they give you access to the same weight as a dumbbell rack at the click (or twist) of a button, but they also save you money and space, which means you won’t have to find inventive ways to stash them in your home (yep, I’m still using one of mine as a doorstop).
According to studies like this one published in Current Sports Medicine Reports (opens in new tab), weight training also packs several benefits — it can build muscle mass, improve bone density, boost metabolism and heart health, increase stamina and lower your risk of injury.
Regardless of where you are in your fitness journey in 2023, the best adjustable dumbbells allow you to adjust your weights on the go. To help you find the best dumbbells for you, we’ve put some of the most popular pairs on the market to the test, looking for how easy they were to use and adjust, how bulky they were to store, and any extras that make them a great deal.
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The best adjustable dumbbells to buy right now
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1. NordicTrack iSelect Voice-Controlled Dumbbells
Best adjustable dumbbells overall
Our expert review:
Specifications
Price:
$599
Weight Range :
5 to 50 pounds
Dumbbell Size:
16.5 x 7.3 x 7.3 inches
Dumbbell Weight:
50 pounds each
Number of Weights/Settings:
10 (5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50) per weight
View at Amazon
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View at NordicTrack US
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View at NordicTrack US
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Reasons to buy
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Alexa-compatible for hands-free adjustments
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Great for strength training at every level
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Includes tablet/smartphone holder and storage tray
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Comes with 30-day iFit trial membership
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Contoured steel knurl feels great in the hand
Reasons to avoid
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Premium price point
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Relatively bulky build
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Requires power outlet to change weight plates
Voice-controlled dumbbells sounds like something from a gym of the future, but thanks to NordicTrack, they’re here, and we really rate them. When plugged in and connected to Alexa, you can switch the weights of the dumbbells by saying things like, “Alexa, increase the weight by 10 pounds”, or “Alexa, set my dumbbells for deadlifts”. While it might seem gimmicky, during testing we found it extremely helpful, and it allowed us to actually rest between sets, rather than fiddling with weight plates.
The weights come with a free 30-day iFit membership, which gives you access to live and on-demand classes to get you into the swing of things. Alternatively, you can use them for your own home workouts, and adjust them from five, to fifty pounds each at the click of a button (or command).
Of course, like all good tech, it doesn’t come cheap, and these are some of the most expensive dumbbells on the market. That said, this is a premium product with a premium price point, and if you can afford them, you won’t regret the time you save between sets.
Read our full NordicTrack iSelect Voice-Controlled Dumbbells Review here.
(Image credit: TJ Fink/Future)
2. Flybird Adjustable Dumbbell
Best value adjustable dumbbells
Our expert review:
Specifications
Price:
$100 or $185
Dumbbell Size:
14.6 x 7.9 x 6.7 inches or 19.5 x 11.5 x 11.3 inches
Dumbbell Weight:
25 or 55 pounds each
Weight Range:
5 to 25 pounds or 5 to 55 pounds
Number of Weights/Settings:
5 (5, 10, 15, 20, 25) or 11 (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55)
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View at Flybird Fitness
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Reasons to buy
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Streamlined design
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Smooth handle adjustments
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Better-than-average knurl
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Two different weight options to choose from
Reasons to avoid
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Flimsy-feeling dumbbell tray
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Have to purchase separately
If you’re not ready to spend a fortune upgrading your home gym, the Flybird Adjustable Dumbbells represent excellent value in the ever-saturated world of strength-training gear.
Performance-wise, these dumbbells are very similar in feel and function to the more expensive BowFlex, NordicTrack, and Core Home Fitness brands. The mini-weight plates fit snugly together and don’t rattle around too much. The knurl is also top-notch; the contoured design lets you get a firm grip on everything before you pick it up. Not everyone needs a full 55 pounds of dumbbell for their home gym, and Flybird hits the mark with their 25-pound adjustable dumbbells. While you won’t get the same extras as more expensive competitors (ex, fitness apps, a dumbbell stand), you won’t be disappointed in these functional fitness tools.
Read our full Flybird Adjustable Dumbbell review.
(Image credit: Bowflex)
3. Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells
Runner-up best adjustable dumbbells
Our expert review:
Average Amazon review:
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Specifications
Price:
$400
Weight Range :
5 to 52.5 pounds
Dumbbell Size:
15.8 x 9 x 8 inches
Dumbbell Weight:
105 pounds (52.5 pounds each)
Number of Weights/Settings:
15 (5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, 20, 22.5, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 52.5 pounds)
View at Walmart
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Check Amazon
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Reasons to buy
+
Includes free fitness app
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Comfortable rubberized grip/knurl
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Heavy-duty, ergonomic design
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Storage trays include a safety strap
Reasons to avoid
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Premium price tag
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Somewhat bulky
If you’re lucky enough to find the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells in stock, be quick! These were the best adjustable dumbbells on our list until NordicTrack released their newest voice-controlled weights a few months back. If you’re not into Alexa, these best-in-class dumbbells are ready to help you take your weight-training to the next level. The dumbbells’ 15.8 x 9 x 8-inch footprint (when maxed out to full weight capacity) is somewhat bulkier than old-school steel dumbbells, but each one is fully adjustable between 5 and 52.5 pounds in 5-pound increments. Swapping out those mini-weight plates is as simple as twisting the knobs on either end of the dumbbell to the desired weight, and you’re good to go.
The dumbbells’ rubber-and-steel grip feels substantially more ergonomic than comparably priced competitors, but they do get a little slippery if your hands are sweaty. The grip style isn’t really meant for two hands, but you can load weights on just one side of the dumbbell for skull-crushers and sumo squats. Just remember that these dumbbells are simply not designed for powerlifters, especially since dropping them on the floor is a big no-no.
The compatible BowFlex SelectTech app includes dozens of dynamic exercises you can perform with your new dumbbells, along with six targeted workouts, a six-week weight-training program, and a digital journal. It’s a genuinely useful app, and you just can’t argue with the price — free.
Read our full Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbell review.
(Image credit: TJ Fink/Future)
4. Core Home Fitness Adjustable Dumbbell Set
Best user-friendly adjustable dumbbells
Our expert review:
Specifications
Price:
$400
Weight Range:
5 to 50 pounds each
Dumbbell Size:
14.5 x 7.9 x 7.5 inches
Dumbell Weight:
100 pounds (50 pounds each)
Number of Weights/Settings:
10 (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 pounds)
View at Amazon
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Reasons to buy
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Premium build quality
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Dead-simple handle adjustments
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Grippy knurl feels great in the hand
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Optional dumbbell stand is well balanced
Reasons to avoid
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Plates rattle a bit during use
The next evolution of muscle-building is surprisingly simple, and the Core Home Fitness Adjustable Dumbbell Set is poised for popularity amongst those looking to expand their home gym setup, without the faff.
The contoured, rubberized grip on the dumbbell handles are the best I’ve tested so far, and feel secure in the hand when exercising. The dumbbells’ 14.5 x 7.9 x 7.5-inch footprint (when maxed out to full weight capacity) is adjustable up to 50 pounds in 5-pound increments. Swapping out those weight plates is as simple as twisting the handle on either dumbbell to the desired weight. (This only works when the dumbbells are resting securely in their cradles; as a safety measure, the plates can’t be removed from the handle once you pick the dumbbells up.)
Overall, the structural design is very similar to what BowFlex has to offer, and equally easy to use. Whereas the BowFlex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells have adjustment knobs on either end of each dumbbell, the Core Home Fitness Adjustable Dumbbell Set gets the job done even quicker with their handle mechanism. Thanks to sleek ergonomics, intuitive adjustment mechanisms, and an uber-grippy knurl, you won’t be disappointed in this premium gym gear, especially if you spring for the additional stand.
Read our full Core Home Fitness Adjustable Dumbbell Set review.
(Image credit: Tespon)
5. Tespon Adjustable Dumbbells and Barbell
Best adjustable dumbbells with barbell
Our expert review:
Specifications
Price:
$80
Weight Range:
5.6 to 33 pounds (per dumbbell), 66 pounds total (barbell)
Dumbbell Size:
15.6 x 8.4 x 8.4 inches (dumbbells), 47.2 x 8.4 x 8.4 inches (barbell)
Dumbbell Weight:
Up to 33 pounds each
Number of Weights/Settings:
N/a
Check Amazon
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Reasons to buy
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Non-metal plates are easier on floors
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Converts from two dumbbells into one barbell
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Padded bar is good for light squats
Reasons to avoid
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Plastic construction
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Annoying to add/remove weights
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Plates are marked in kilograms only
Some of the best adjustable dumbbells we’ve reviewed lately cost upwards of $300, and one of the big draws for such premium brands has to do with how quickly you can adjust the weight plates — often in just a few seconds. Tepson is not only much cheaper than such competitors, but their unique dumbbell set doubles as one modest barbell with all the pieces connected. The design is far from perfect, but for anyone looking to start a home gym, it’s not a bad value overall. Reracking the weights is tedious, sure, but it’s not a deal-breaker at this price.
These adjustable dumbbells aren’t exactly top-of-the-heap when it comes to build quality, but for the average gym-goer, there’s plenty to like about the Tepson Adjustable Dumbbells Barbell 2-in-1 with Connector.
Read our full Tepson Adjustable Dumbbells Barbell 2-in-1 with Connector review.
(Image credit: Amazon)
6. Amazon Basics Adjustable Barbell Dumbbells
Best adjustable dumbbells for less than $50
Our expert review:
Specifications
Price:
$44
Weight Range:
2.5 to 38 pounds
Dumbbell Size:
13.7 x 5.7 x 5.7 inches
Dumbbell Weight:
38 pounds (19 pounds each)
Number of Weights/Settings:
N/a
View at Amazon
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Reasons to buy
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Affordable
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All-metal design
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Carrying case included
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Great for gym-goers of any skill level
Reasons to avoid
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Takes longer to swap out weights than competing models
AmazonBasics isn’t pulling any punches with this dumbbell set; it’s a solid example of getting exactly what you pay for — but in a good way. The weight plates fit snugly together, and the textured knurl is top-notch, though not nearly as comfortable as the contoured grip on the BowFlex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells, which can hold up to 52.5 pounds each. (At $400, though, the price of entry is much steeper for this premium option.)
If you’re looking for an affordable option, that you can get Amazon Primed to your house for tomorrow’s workout, these tick the right boxes, but dedicated gym-goers might not find them the most comfortable.
Read our full AmazonBasics Adjustable Weight Set review.
How to choose the best adjustable dumbbells for you
When selecting the best adjustable dumbbells, you’ll want to consider several factors. The first is weight range. If you’re more of a hardcore body builder, you’ll want individual dumbbells to go up to 50 pounds at the least. For exercisers who want to do minimal resistance training, a maximum of 20 pounds should suffice. But you will want a good range, since that’s essentially the point of adjustable dumbbells.
Then, consider how the adjustable dumbbells work — whether you prefer manually adding and removing plates, or if you want to use a simple dial system. Some sets are designed for easier adjustment, but may feel less secure and safe to you.
Depending on those two factors, the price will vary. Heavier weights cost more and dial system dumbbells also tend to be more expensive.
Other factors you may want to think about are storage (does it come with a rack or case?) and portability.
How we tested the best adjustable dumbbells?
In order to help you find the best adjustable dumbbells for your home workout needs we spent time lifting them! For each of the sets of dumbbells, we looked at the following:
How easy they were to adjust: The joy of adjustable dumbbells is that you don’t have to spend lots of money on multiple sets of weights. We looked at how easy it was to adjust the weights between sets and how the different types of adjustments – from manually adding weights, to sets of dumbbells with a dial, or handle-twist mechanism.
Ergonomics: A good set of adjustable dumbbells will be comfortable to hold during various exercises. This is one of the things we looked for during our tests.
Overall construction: As well as looking at how easy the weights were to hold and use, we looked at the overall construction of the set – from any weight holders to the amount of plastic used in the weights that might make them less durable.