The Best Adjustable Dumbbell Sets for At-Home Workouts, Tested and Reviewed

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adjustable dumbbell

adjustable dumbbell

Health / Nick Kova


Adjustable dumbbells can be a secret fitness weapon if you travel frequently or need a space-saving workout tool. They offer the benefits of regular dumbbells while also providing an all-in-one system that allows you to save space and money. If you’re in the market for a new set of adjustable dumbbells, you’ll want to consider quality, durability, fit, adjustability, and ease of use before selecting a product. 

To find the best adjustable dumbbells, our team of editors tested 14 of the top products based on these criteria, as well as ease of set-up, portability, and storage of the products. Adjustability, comfort, and grip were evaluated with both wet and dry hands, and we also tested durability by dropping the weight sets onto gym mats and concrete slabs from waist height. Lastly, a physical therapist on our Medical Expert Board reviewed this article for medical and scientific accuracy.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:
FitRX SmartBells Set at Walmart

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Best for Beginners:
NiceC Adjustable Dumbbell Pair at Amazon

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Best for Travel:
Deiris Travel Weights at Amazon

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Best Grip:
PinRoyal 4-in-1 Adjustable Dumbbell Set at Amazon

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Best Overall

FitRX SmartBells Set Quick Select Adjustable Dumbbells

4.8

FitRX SmartBell Quick Select Adjustable Dumbbell

FitRX SmartBell Quick Select Adjustable Dumbbell

Walmart


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Why We Like It

  • They're easy to set up, easy to adjust, have great grip, and come at an affordable price point.

It’s Worth Noting

  • They're a little large.

We love these adjustable dumbbells because they're high quality, durable, and incredibly easy to use. They took us less than 20 seconds to set up out of the box, and changing the weight mid-workout was a breeze. We were also impressed by how excellent the grip felt. While we did feel like we had to be a bit more cautious when our hands were wet with sweat as the dumbbells became slightly slippery, we still felt like we had total control.

They offer a solid weight range from 5 to 52.5 lbs, which will accommodate most beginner and intermediate lifters. The only downside to these dumbbells is we found them to be a little big, meaning they were a bit harder to store than we would've liked. Also, certain exercises felt a little clunky and awkward (like bicep curls). However, our editor who tested these dumbbells had pretty tiny hands and felt like they were very accommodating to her hand size. So the size of these dumbbells should only be a deterrent to those with very limited space in their home and are worried about storage.

Price at time of publication: $99 for one, $198 for two

Product Details: 

  • Weight Capacity per Dumbbell: 5 to 52.5 pounds
  • Sold as Single/Pair: Single or Pair
  • Total Weight: 105 pounds
  • Dimension (single dumbbell): 16.5 x 8.25 x 9 inches

Core Home Fitness adjustable dumbbells

Core Home Fitness adjustable dumbbells

Health / Nick Kova


Best for Beginners

NiceC Adjustable Dumbbell Pair

4.6

NiceC Adjustable Dumbbell Pair

NiceC Adjustable Dumbbell Pair

 Amazon


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Why We Like It

  • This set is a good fit if you’re just getting started on your weight training journey.

It’s Worth Noting

  • The dumbbell set’s maximum weight is pretty low. 

If you are completely new to strength training or have a specific need such as performing rehab exercises for physical therapy, this adjustable dumbbell pair may be right for you. With a maximum total weight of 9 pounds, you might even enjoy taking these hand weights out with you while you walk for extra exertion.

Because of their size and capacity, these dumbbells are so easy to store that they could be kept in the corner of your room at home. The grip is comfortable and doesn’t cause any pain or rough spots on your hand. One downside to this set is there’s not much ability to advance or progress your weight, which may present a challenge if you outgrow the total weight capacity. 

Price at time of publication: $33

Product Details: 

  • Weight Capacity per Dumbbell: 2.3 to 4.5 pounds
  • Single/Pair: Pair
  • Total Weight: 9 pounds
  • Dimensions (single dumbbell): 5 x 2 x 2 inches

NiceC adjustable dumbbells

NiceC adjustable dumbbells

Health / Nick Kova


Best for Travel

Deiris Travel Weights

Dumbbells Water Fitness for Men & Women Travel Weights

Dumbbells Water Fitness for Men & Women Travel Weights

Amazon


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Why We Like It

  • These weights are perfect for people who don’t have a lot of space to train.

It’s Worth Noting

  • The water-inflated weights could leak or burst.

This set is easy to transport and perfect for traveling, as well as people who spend a lot of time outdoors. You can easily increase the weight of the dumbbells by adding more water. It only takes about 10 minutes to fill up four of the inflatable weights and adjust the screws. 

If you are looking for heavy weights for a rigorous workout, these weights may not be for you. The water weights are not super precise, so they may be slightly uneven unless you are able to measure the total weight after filling them up. They’re also not as durable as other options, so you’ll need to handle them with more care than typical dumbbells. 

Price at time of publication: $43

Product Details: 

  • Weight Capacity: 5.5 to 22.5 pounds
  • Single/Pair: Pair
  • Total Weight: 45 pounds
  • Dimensions (single dumbbell): 13.5  X 8  x 7 inches

Best Grip

PinRoyal 4-in-1 Adjustable Dumbbell Set

PinRoyal 4-in-1 Adjustable Dumbbell Set

PinRoyal 4-in-1 Adjustable Dumbbell Set

 Amazon


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Why We Like It

  • This product acts as a dumbbell, barbell, push-up bar, and kettlebell hybrid.

It’s Worth Noting

  • It was hard to adjust the weights so that both sides were even. 

This all-in-one product serves multiple functions and acts as a kettlebell, barbell, push-up bar, or a dumbbell. If you prefer a hybrid workout that includes different types of strength training tools but have limited space, this set could be a great fit for your needs.  

We were impressed with the durability of this set, but there are a couple drawbacks. The weights are more difficult to store than other sets, since there are more plates and pieces than usual. We also found some exercises, such as Russian twists, were difficult to perform without the weights hitting each other. 

We spent about 15 minutes unboxing this set, and assembly took about six minutes for a kettlebell workout. That’s not too bad, but color-coded plates would have made assembly easier for initial use. 

Price at time of publication: $350

Product Details: 

  • Weight Capacity: 0.8 to 44 pounds
  • Single/Pair: Pair
  • Total Weight: 88 pounds
  • Dimensions: 20 x 7.5 x 7.5 inches

PinRoyal adjustable dumbbells

PinRoyal adjustable dumbbells

Health / Nick Kova


Our Testing Process

To find the best adjustable dumbbells, we evaluated 14 of the most popular products based on several criteria: ease of setup, adjustability, ease of use, durability, grip, portability, and storage of the products. Our testing process began with the unboxing process. We rated each product on a scale of one to five, based on how easy the initial assembly was. 

Once the dumbbells were assembled, we ran each set through a circuit of exercises that included bicep curls, bent-over rows, squats, bench presses, and lunges. We timed the workouts to determine how long it took to add or decrease the weight to the dumbbells between sets. We tested adjustability and grip with wet hands to mimic sweat and dropped the weights onto both gym mats and concrete slabs to evaluate durability. Finally, we took note of how easy the weights were to store once our workouts were complete. 

We also interviewed personal trainers to learn which features to look for in adjustable dumbbells. Experts we interviewed include:

  • Kristin Draayer, MS, RDN, CPT, a certified personal trainer, registered dietician nutritionist, and founder of Kristin Draayer Nutrition and Fitness
  • Gianna Beasley, MS, RD, CPT, a certified personal trainer, dietician, and lifestyle coach 
  • Jamie Song, NASM CPT, FRCms, RYT-200, an NYC-based personal trainer specializing in glute growth and strength
  • Alexis Dreiss, NASM CPT, CFSC Level 1, a personal trainer and fitness class teacher

What to Know About Adjustable Dumbbells

Benefits of Adjustable Dumbbells

Kristin Draayer, MS, RDN, CPT, says the major benefits of using adjustable dumbbells are that they are space-saving, versatile, and cost-effective. Unlike a traditional fixed-weight set of dumbbells, you only need one set of adjustable dumbbells instead of multiple sets. This can be especially useful for those with limited workout space, such as in a small apartment or home gym, Draayer says. 

The versatility of adjustable dumbbells is key if you enjoy a variety of exercises. Since you can easily change the weight of the dumbbells to meet your needs, they’re a great option for people with limited budgets or those who are just starting out with strength training.

Weight Capacity

The weight capacities of the sets we tested range from 0.4 pounds to 80 pounds. It’s important to think about what which weight range you will use the most, and if you will need a greater capacity as you get stronger, says Gianna Beasley, MS, RD, CPT. 

Beasley also notes that when you consider the range of weights adjustable dumbbells provide, the investment is pretty incredible. If you prefer to workout at home but also want a large range of weights to work with, an adjustable set of dumbbells can be a staple piece of equipment. 

Ease of Use 

The easier it is to use your adjustable dumbbells, the more likely it is that you’ll meet your workout goals. Since adjustable dumbbells require that you add or remove plates to change the weight, they’ll take a bit longer to adjust than a traditional set, so look for products that are easy to put together and that are made from quality materials. 

Once assembled, it’s important to make sure you can maintain a solid grip on the dumbbell without any discomfort. The weight distribution should be even when you are using both dumbbells during exercises, such as curls or dumbbell deadlifts. 

Durability and Quality Materials

Dumbbell workouts can be intense and fast-paced, and dropping a weight is pretty much inevitable. To test durability, we dropped each set of dumbbells onto both gym flooring mats and concrete slabs. Products that did not scratch or damage the mats during the durability test were rated highest. 

Grip

It’s important to consider how your grip may change with both dry and sweaty hands. Dumbbells need to be easy to grip throughout your workout, so if you have smaller hands you’ll want to look for a slimmer handle. If your hands sweat a lot, look for dumbbells with non-slip handles.  

How Much You Can Expect to Pay for Adjustable Dumbbells

A quality set of adjustable dumbbells is generally more cost-effective than a traditional fixed-weight set, says Draayer. The range of products we tested cost anywhere from $33 to $745. 

When setting your budget, consider the cost of the product compared to the long-term value. For example, an adjustable dumbbell set that only has a handful of settings and low total weight may be more affordable, but it won’t provide as much value if you want to increase your weight over time. 

More to Consider

While these adjustable dumbbells didn't meet our expectations, they may still be of interest to you:

  • Rogue Loadable Dumbbells: While we liked that these dumbbells were easy to grasp and move, we didn’t like the fact that the weight range is limited, making them a poor choice for beginners or for exercises that require lightweight (like lateral raises). To top it off, we felt like loading and unloading the bar was time-consuming and took unnecessary effort.
  • XTerra ADB12.5PR Adjustable Dumbbells: These dumbbells were easy to use and felt sturdy, but we were unimpressed with the grip. As soon as we used them with wet hands it felt like we were going to drop them, which could be a disaster for your home’s flooring.
  • Stroops Bellitron: While these dumbbells looked sleek and compact and were easy to transport, they ultimately didn’t make our list because they felt flimsy and poorly made. Overall, we worried they would fall apart after too much use as the plates felt shaky and wobbly.

Your Questions, Answered

Are adjustable dumbbells worth it? 

Beasley says adjustable dumbbells are a great investment for people who want to progress in their training outside of a traditional gym environment. They’re also ideal for people who travel or have limited space to store weight training equipment.

How do adjustable dumbbells work?  

Most adjustable dumbbells have removable plates that attach to a handle with levers, dials, or pins, Beasley says. They range in weight from 2 pounds to over 50 pounds per dumbbell. 

What are the disadvantages of adjustable dumbbells?


Draayer cautions that there are some things to consider when looking for the right set of adjustable dumbbells. Some systems are harder to adjust than others, making them less effective for people who are new to weightlifting. If you need to lift precise numbers for a strength training program, adjustable weights can also be less precise than a fixed weight set. 

Are they safe to use?

Adjustable dumbbells are safe to use, as long as you use proper lifting form and make sure all the components are set up correctly, says Beasley. For adjustable weights in particular, it’s important to make sure all locking mechanisms are set before you do any lifting. 

Are there important features to look for when shopping for adjustable dumbbells?

Draayer says it’s important to consider whether you are at a beginner, intermediate, or advanced level when shopping around for adjustable dumbbells. Your level of experience will determine what increments you should look for, as well as the range of weight you need.  

Who We Are

Caroline Thomason is a Registered Dietitian and nutrition expert. She has a complex understanding of adjustable dumbbells and what consumers are looking for from speaking to personal trainers and gym equipment experts.