Save Space and Build Strength With the Best Adjustable Dumbbells

Finding ways to stay fit at home has become increasingly popular in recent years. For some of us, it makes sense to build out a home gym rather than driving to one every day. The biggest issue for many at-home workout aficionados is finding enough space to store equipment, which can be especially tricky if you’re in a small house or an apartment. We’ve got good news though: Adjustable dumbbells offer the same benefits of multiple dumbbell sets while only taking up a fraction of the space, so even those living in a New York studio apartment can find the room to store them. We’ve found and reviewed the best adjustable dumbbells available to fit a variety of budgets, weight ranges and types of workouts, so you can boost your strength training routine without sacrificing a ton of money or space.

The products featured in this article have been independently reviewed by the team. When you buy something through the retail links on this page, we may earn commission at no cost to you, the reader.

• Best Overall – Bowflex SelectTech 552
• Best Value – NordicTrack Select-a-Weight
• Best Set – PowerBlock Pro Adjustable Dumbbells
• Best for Beginners – FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbells
• Best Under $100 – Amazon Basics Adjustable Dumbbells
• Best Grip – Core Home Fitness Adjustable Dumbbell Set

When you consider cost, versatility, ease of use and the amount of weight you get, the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells are the best out there. Users can select their weight using a dial system located at the ends of both dumbbells. Rather than changing plates or pressing buttons, users just need to turn the dial to the desired weight and the dumbbells are ready for use. The weights adjust in increments of 2.5 pounds from 5 to 25 pounds, which is great for those just getting into weight lifting who need smaller changes between weights as they increase their strength. From 25 to 50 pounds the weights increase by 5 pounds, until the final increment of 2.5 pounds from 50 to 52.5. Customers can download the Bowflex SelectTech app, which includes a six-week long training program, guided exercises, a digital notebook and specific routines to make weight training easier, especially for those who are new to strength training or working out in their home gym. These dumbbells do have a plastic casing that can crack when dropped, so be sure to set these down when you’re finished with your set. You can replace up to 15 sets of dumbbells with this single set.

Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or well-seasoned lifter looking to add some dumbbells to your home gym, one of the better adjustable dumbbell pairs in terms of bang for your buck is the NordicTrack Select-a-Weight Adjustable Dumbbells. With a maximum weight per dumbbell of 55 pounds, these weights are suitable for nearly any skill level. Steel handles with a decent amount of knurling allows for easy gripping, and weight increments from 2.5 to 5 pounds give users plenty of flexibility in their training. These dumbbells use a selector to adjust the weights, with an additional toggle to add on either 2.5 or 5 pounds per dumbbell. The selector and casings on the weight plates are plastic, which means you should avoid dropping them or being too rough on the selector as you risk breaking them (cracks in the casing due to drops are not covered by the warranty). These dumbbells come with a 30-day iFit trial, which gives you a month of access to interactive, personal trainer-led workouts.

Not all adjustable dumbbells are created equally: Some rise above in terms of build, features, ease of use and general value. The PowerBlock Pro Adjustable Dumbbells are a great option for anyone looking to get a complete dumbbell set for their home gym without requiring any extra weights, this is our runner-up pick. With weight increments of 2.5 pounds from 5 to 50 pounds, these dumbbells make progression simple and offer the ability to add drop sets and gradual increases to your strength training. Customers can opt for add-on kits to increase the weight to 70 or 90 pounds per dumbbell if they prefer heavier weights or want to completely outfit their home gym setup. To change weights, users simply move the Selector Pin (made of super durable polypropylene) to whichever slot they wish. The pin uses magnets to stay in place once inserted, and customer reviews say they rarely (if ever) have issues with the pin coming out.

If you don’t require a ton of weight options in your home gym, the FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbells replace up to five sets of dumbbells for a more simple and straightforward setup. These weights increase in increments of 11 pounds, which might be a little too much for some upper body workouts but should be just fine for the occasional home workout, or for people who are willing to get a little creative with their lifts. Some reviewers don’t love the plastic handle, and it does add a bit of concern for those who are especially tough on their workout equipment, but if you avoid dropping them they should last for a long while. These dumbbells use a dial system to change the weight amount, it’s very easy to use and allows for quick weight changes during workouts.

Not everyone requires a super heavy set of weights in their home gym kit, which renders a lot of the options out there somewhat obsolete (and way, way too expensive). If you’re looking for a lighter range of weights (perfect for those who prefer lower weight and higher reps) and don’t want to spend more than $75 on this piece of equipment, the Amazon Basics Adjustable Dumbbells are our top pick. Each dumbbell has a maximum weight of 19 pounds, or users can place all the weight plates on a single barbell to reach 35 pounds if necessary. The plates fit on the steel dumbbell bar and stay in place using the screw-on collar, which keeps the plates very snug and seems to fit really well. The dumbbell set includes two 3-pound barbells, four 2.5-pound and four 5-pound plates, all made of black painted steel, as well as four 0.5-pound threaded collars of steel to keep the plates in place. They also come with a storage rack that doubles as a carrying case to make transporting or moving them around the house easier. To change the weight, users will have to take off the collar, then add or remove a plate before rethreading the collar, which can take a little more time than the mechanisms on other adjustable dumbbell sets.

If you’re picky about how your dumbbells feel or look, especially if you’re looking for a pair of adjustable dumbbells that closely resemble the look and feel of the traditional dumbbells you’d find on the free weight racks at the gym, we recommend the Core Home Fitness Adjustable Dumbbells. While they use more rubber and plastic than the typical dumbbell, the contoured and rubber handle is a fixed length and similar in looks and feel to normal weights. Changing the weight is as easy as twisting the handle (while the dumbbell is in its cradle) to the weight you want; the dumbbell will automatically add or remove weights based on where you twist it. This is a super easy and intuitive way to set different weights, which we love. These dumbbells range from 5 to 50 pounds each, which is plenty of weight for most beginner or intermediate lifters or those who enjoy HIIT style cardio and strength workouts. The plates do tend to rattle a bit as you increase the weight, which might be annoying for some users.

How to Find the Best Adjustable Dumbbells

For the most part, adjustable dumbbell sets are pretty similar: They offer a small and compact design that brings adjustable weights into your home gym. Rather than investing in multiple weight dumbbell sets, users can invest in a single piece of high-quality home gym equipment that brings the same functionality without taking up nearly as much space. There are, however, some differences between the adjustable weights, which we’ve outlined below.

Starting Weight

The best home gym equipment is different for everyone depending on their fitness level, preferred style of workout and how much weight they can safely lift. Each of these dumbbells in this adjustable dumbbells review has a different starting weight, ranging from 2.5 pounds to 11 pounds. Keep in mind what is most realistic and useful for you when looking into which weights to get, you won’t use the dumbbells if they’re too heavy!

Weight Range/Increment

The range and increment of weights varies on each set of adjustable dumbbells. Some boast ranges of 5 to up to 90 pounds, which should be suitable for most styles of strength or resistance training, while others barely scratch 20 pounds of maximum weight. Similarly, some increase in increments of 11 pounds, while others have 2.5-pound increments. When shopping, keep in mind what’s most useful for the types of workouts you do. If you do a lot of squats, lunges or other leg work that requires heavier weights, you may not need smaller increments but might prefer a higher range of weight. Conversely, if you do higher reps with lower weights for upper body training, smaller increments and a decreased range might be the best fit for you.

Other Adjustable Dumbbell Factors to Consider 

Adjustment Mechanism

Some adjustment mechanisms are easier and more intuitive than others. If you are new to using adjustable weights or aren’t confident in your ability to change them easily, we suggest opting for a set with an easy, user-friendly mechanism.

Cost

The price range of the dumbbells listed in this review spans from under $100 to over $500 based on the brand, build and weight of the dumbbells. If you have a specific budget in mind, make sure to double-check the cost of the dumbbells to ensure you don’t overspend.

Material

Sadly, none of these adjustable dumbbells offer the tough construction you mind find in, say, a cast-iron kettlebell. Rather, these pieces of equipment use a combination of metal and plastic to create the most user-friendly and ergonomic design possible. Keep in mind that many of these dumbbells use plastic casing over the weight plates, increasing the risk of breaks or cracks if you drop them or handle them roughly.