The Very Best Adjustable Dumbbells

Adjustment mechanism: Sliding selector pin | Range and increment of weights: 5 to 50 pounds (can expand up to 70 and 90 pounds), 2.5- and 5-pound increments | Handle type: Rubber grip | Storage: Rectangular plates

Multiple experts I spoke to mentioned PowerBlock as the most reliable brand of adjustable dumbbells, citing its durable, stable design and speedy weight adjustment. They’re the adjustable weights they’ve personally used and would recommend to most new customers. Within the PowerBlock stable, the Pro Series was the most recommended because of its ease of adjustment — it uses a sliding selector pin rated to 500 pounds and magnets to hold the pin once it’s in all the way — and its secure construction, which keeps all weights in place without jiggling or rattling. The PowerBlock’s rectangular build makes it easy to store, and there’s no need for a cradle or stand; the dumbbells rest flat and won’t roll away. Its unique shape and recessed grip make some two-handed workouts a bit awkward. Customers have noted that when your wrist is surrounded by the plates, it’s hard to grip one dumbbell with two hands at a time.

But what makes the PowerBlock Pro Series my top recommendation is how well they stand up to abuse over time. “Their quality makes them stand out from the rest of the competition,” says Dean Pohlman, yoga instructor and founder of Man Flow Yoga, who uses PowerBlocks for weight training in addition to his yoga routine. Credit the urethane-coated steel construction throughout the dumbbell, as opposed to the plastic knobs and adjustment systems generally found in cheaper models, which are more prone to cracking and chipping. Phillip Doblosky, a sales representative at Johnson Fitness & Wellness, has been helping customers shop for adjustable dumbbells for over a decade, and recommends PowerBlocks for peace of mind: “I can count on one hand the amount of service calls I’ve received regarding defects with PowerBlock products that my customers have bought,” he says. You can add one or two 20-pound kits (sold separately) to the EXP for a maximum weight of 70 or 90 pounds per dumbbell, if you want to expand the plate range beyond 50 pounds.