The Very Best Adjustable Dumbbells

Whatwe’relookingfor

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

The PowerBlock Pro Series dumbbells are my top recommendation because they have a durable, stable design and allow you to switch between weights quickly and easily. They have a unique, rectangular shape that might be off-putting to some new users, but after dozens of workouts with them over the past three years, I find them just as secure as traditional dumbbells.

Multiple experts we spoke to agreed and pointed to PowerBlock as the most reliable brand of adjustable dumbbells and the weights they’ve personally used and would recommend to most new training clients. Within the PowerBlock stable, thePro Serieswas 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. I found the Pro Series weight increments surprisingly easy to use and adjust — and much faster than the screw-on system on the Yes4All dumbbells below. “Adjusting weights is pretty quick. It’s like the selector pin on weight machines you’d use at the gym,” saysChris Chung, a running-and-fitness-content creator who uses the PowerBlocks as his main dumbbell set in his home gym.

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. One downside of its unique shape and recessed grip is that two-handed workouts can be a bit awkward. For example, when your wrist is surrounded by the plates, Rellosa found it hard to grip one dumbbell with two hands at a time, as when doing overhead tricep extensions.

But what makes the PowerBlock Pro Series our top recommendation is how well they stand up to use over time. They have a 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 — this makes them a solid long-term investment. “Their quality makes them stand out from the rest of the competition,” says Dean Pohlman, yoga instructor and founder ofMan Flow Yoga, who uses PowerBlocks forweight trainingin addition to his yoga routine. Phillip Doblosky, a sales representative atJohnson 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.

Adjustment mechanism:Screw-on|Range and increment of weights:Up to 40 pounds, 5-pound incrementsHandle type:Knurled metal handle|Storage:Round plates

Rellosa has used these simple cast-iron dumbbells for quick at-home workouts over the past five years, and they’ve shown no signs of wear. They’re about as bare bones as you can get. There are no fancy sliding pins, like you’d find in the PowerBlocks above — just screw-on collars that tighten around the plates on each end. Given how simple the weight adjustment is, the onus is on the user to tighten the collars as snug as possible to prevent the plates from moving around or sliding off the dumbbell, which is one downside Rellosa found in this style of adjustable dumbbell. “If I were in a hurry to change out the weights in between sets, the plates would sometimes clink and move around a little, but tightening the collars would fix the issue,” he says. Some users might prefer a more streamlined, less manual process (which does take longer, compared to, say, the PowerBlocks), but Rellosa compares the process to reracking a barbell in between sets. With a price point hundreds of dollars below every other item on this list, this pair is hard to beat when it comes to value.

Adjustment mechanism:Screw-on |Range and increment of weights:12 to 20 kilograms (0.5 and 1 kilogram increment plates) |Handle type:Round, textured handle |Storage:Kettlebell stores weight options inside shell

Our senior editor, Winnie Yang, received the Bells of Steel adjustable kettlebells as a gift from her husband in May. He discovered them after doing a fair amount of research (mostly on Reddit) and after using the Bells of Steel regularly for the past several months, Yang says they remind her of the traditional, non-adjustable kettlebells she’s used in physical therapy. “As someone who is petite, I don’t find it hard to do all the usual kettlebell exercises,” she says, adding that it’s not clunky or unwieldy. She also appreciates the textured, easy-to-grip handle: “I’ve used them with slightly damp hands and took note of how it did not feel like it was slipping, even when I was doing swings,” she notes.

Though hers is on the lowest weight setting most of the time, Yang says that adjusting is more involved than a dial-selector system: “You have to take it apart with a wrench, put the plates in, and put it back together.” But that’s pretty standard with screw-on adjustable weights. Yang also told me she was pleased to discover the brand offers aplastic bottomto make the kettlebell even lighter for more exercise options.

Adjustment mechanism:Dial |Range and increment of weights:8 to 40 pounds (8, 12, 20, 25, 35, and 40) |Handle type:Round, smooth handle |Storage:Kettlebell nests into its own stand

For about $70 less than you’d pay for the Bells of Steel, this adjustable kettlebell from Bowflex is another option we recommend. It’s under $150 and much like the SelectTech dumbbells above, the 840 kettlebell uses a dial selector system: You turn the dial to pick the weight, and then you lift the kettlebell with the handle off its base.

Rellosa has used the 840 for at-home workouts and loved how easy the selection system is. “It’s efficient during HIIT workouts, when I only have limited time in between sets to switch weight increments. Since you can only switch weights when it’s nested in its base, I had to keep the base nearby during my workout,” he says. The handle is smooth, unlike powder-coated models, so swinging and catching the 840 might feel a bit different if you’re used to the textured feel of traditional kettlebells. It also comes recommended by Carpenter, who uses it for rock climbing strength workouts.

Ourexperts