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Best Adjustable Dumbbells are a good way to add strength training to your at-home workout practice. Adjustable dumbbells let you change up your workouts and get better at weight training without taking up a lot of space with a bunch of separate dumbbells. Prince Brathwaite, who is a certified personal trainer and the founder of Trooper Fitness, says that these dumbbells can be used with a wide range of weights and take up very little room.
Most of the flexible dumbbells on the market can go from 5 to 50 pounds, but some can go up to 80 or 90 pounds. This lets you do a wide range of tasks and get a good workout for your whole body. We’ve put together this list of carefully chosen pairs of flexible dumbbells that can replace anywhere from three to fifteen or more individual dumbbells. These options are great for people who prefer to work out at home because they take up less room.
In The Verywell Testing Lab, we did a lot of testing to find the best flexible dumbbells. Our editors, who included two qualified personal trainers, used an intermediate full-body weightlifting circuit to test 30 of the best pairs. With each set of dumbbells, you had to do 5–10 reps of bent-over rows, arm curls, forward lunges, front squats, and bench presses. Through this process of thorough testing, we found the best movable dumbbells that are both useful and high-quality.
Best Adjustable Dumbbells Comparison Table
| Product Name | Weight Range | Number of Dumbbells | Adjustable Settings | Material |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells | 5 to 52.5 pounds | 2 | Dial system | Metal and plastic |
| Core Home Fitness Adjustable Dumbbell Set | 5 to 50 pounds | 2 | Twist-lock mechanism | Steel and chrome |
| Snode AD80 Adjustable Dumbbells | 5 to 80 pounds | 2 | Selector pin system | Cast iron and steel |
| NÜOBELL Adjustable Dumbbells | 5 to 80 pounds | 2 | Twist-lock mechanism | Steel and plastic |
| NordicTrack iSelect Voice-Controlled Dumbbells | 10 to 55 pounds | 2 | Voice-controlled adjustment | Metal and plastic |
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Weight Range | 5 to 52.5 pounds per dumbbell |
| Weight Increments | 2.5-pound increments up to the first 25 pounds |
| 5-pound increments after 25 pounds | |
| Number of Dumbbells | 2 |
| Adjustable Settings | Dial system for quick weight changes |
| Material | Metal and plastic |
| Grip Material | Rubber |
After doing a strength training circuit with three upper body and two lower body workouts, the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells were the clear overall winner of our test. Their impressive weight range and ease of adjustment were the standout features. These flexible dumbbells come fully put together, but you have to use the Allen wrench that comes with them to get them out of the strap that holds them in place when they are shipped.
We could quickly change the weight between each workout by turning a dial. This took less than 20 seconds. Also, the dumbbells can be changed from 5 to 25 pounds in 2.5-pound increments and from 25 to 52.5 pounds in 5-pound increments. This gives users of all skill levels plenty of weight options for a wide range of full-body workouts. They also let people use more weight as they get stronger, so they can keep improving their workouts and get better results.
The Good
- Wide weight range suitable for various fitness levels
- Easy weight adjustment with the dial system
- Compact design saves space
- Durable construction with a mix of metal and plastic
The Bad
- Relatively higher price compared to traditional dumbbells
- Dial system may require occasional maintenance and adjustment
Core Home Fitness Adjustable Dumbbell Set
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Weight Range | 5 to 50 pounds per dumbbell |
| Weight Increments | 5-pound increments |
| Number of Dumbbells | 2 |
| Adjustable Settings | Twist-lock mechanism |
| Material | Steel and chrome |
| Grip Material | Rubber |
Even though these dumbbells don’t come put together, it took us less than five minutes and no tools to put them together. The Core Home Fitness Adjustable Dumbbells are easy to use, just like the Bowflex weights. With a simple twist of the handles, we could change the weights from one exercise to the next. But we still think the Bowflex pair is better because it can be adjusted in 2.5-pound steps up to 25 pounds and has 15 weights in one, while this pair can only be adjusted in 5-pound steps and has only 10 weights.
When our hands were dry, we loved how well the shoes held on. However, when we did activities with our hands wet, we did notice some slipping. The dumbbells did not get any scratches when they were dropped on the gym floor. And when I dropped them on concrete, all I did was make a few small scratches, but nothing broke or chipped. We think this pair is stable and durable, which makes them worth the money.
The Good
- Broad weight range suitable for a variety of exercises
- Secure and quick weight adjustments with the twist-lock mechanism
- Sturdy steel and chrome construction for durability
- Comfortable rubber grip for enhanced handling
The Bad
- Limited weight increments compared to some other adjustable dumbbells
- May require more storage space due to the fixed length of the dumbbells
Snode AD80 Adjustable Dumbbells
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Weight Range | 5 to 80 pounds per dumbbell |
| Weight Increments | 5-pound increments |
| Number of Dumbbells | 2 |
| Adjustable Settings | Selector pin system |
| Material | Cast iron and steel |
| Grip Material | Contoured textured grip |
Simply put, the Snode AD80 Best Adjustable Dumbbells are the best adjustable dumbbells on the market right now because they are made almost entirely of metal, can be changed quickly, and have a good handle. They are also the only adjustable dumbbells that can survive drops of up to 32 inches. All other adjustable dumbbells say you shouldn’t drop them at all.
Even though we don’t want you to drop any fitness tools (do what we say, not what we do), it’s nice to know that these won’t break if you do. We dropped them from a 30-inch plyo box at its lightest and largest settings, and they still worked fine afterward, which isn’t true of many of its competitors.
The Good
- Wide weight range suitable for progressive strength training
- Easy and quick weight adjustment with the selector pin system
- Durable construction using cast iron and steel
- Ergonomic contoured grip for comfortable handling
The Bad
- Relatively larger size and weight compared to some other adjustable dumbbells
- Higher price range
NÜOBELL Adjustable Dumbbells
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Weight Range | 5 to 80 pounds per dumbbell |
| Weight Increments | 5-pound increments |
| Number of Dumbbells | 2 |
| Adjustable Settings | Twist-lock mechanism |
| Material | Steel and plastic |
| Grip Material | Textured rubber grip |
The NÜOBELL Best Adjustable Dumbbells are the best of a new type of dumbbells that take up less room. They always had the fastest times on record for switching weights. You can go from 5 pounds to 80 pounds in just a few seconds. I used, learned with, and wrote a detailed review of the NUOBELL.
Because of all the plastic, I wasn’t sure if I should order these. Plastic opens the door to problems with how long it lasts. But as someone who has used these for a while, I can say that they are well-made and look good. The flat pancake shape of these plates makes them stand out from similar goods on the market because it makes them feel more natural than some of its competitors.
The Good
- Broad weight range suitable for various exercises and fitness levels
- Quick and secure weight adjustments with the twist-lock mechanism
- Durable construction with steel and plastic components
- Textured rubber grip for comfortable and slip-resistant handling
The Bad
- May have a bulkier design compared to some other adjustable dumbbells
- Twist-lock mechanism may require occasional maintenance
NordicTrack iSelect Voice-Controlled Dumbbells
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Weight Range | 10 to 55 pounds per dumbbell |
| Weight Increments | 2.5-pound increments up to the first 25 pounds |
| 5-pound increments after 25 pounds | |
| Number of Dumbbells | 2 |
| Adjustable Settings | Voice-controlled adjustment |
| Material | Metal and plastic |
| Grip Material | Textured rubber grip |
Voice-controlled dumbbells sound like something from a futuristic gym, but NordicTrack Best Adjustable Dumbbells has made them a reality, and we love them. When the dumbbells are plugged in and linked to Alexa, you can change the weight by saying things like, “Alexa, make the weight 10 pounds heavier” or “Alexa, set my dumbbells for deadlifts.” Even though it might seem like a gimmick, we tested it and found it to be very useful. It let us rest between sets instead of dealing with weight plates.
You get a free 30-day iFit account with the weights, which gives you access to live and on-demand classes to help you get started. You can also use them for your own workouts at home and change their weights from 5 to 50 pounds with the click of a button (or an order).
The Good
- Unique voice-controlled adjustment for seamless weight changes
- Wide weight range suitable for various exercises and strength levels
- Durable construction combining metal and plastic elements
- Textured rubber grip for enhanced comfort and grip stability
The Bad
- Higher price point compared to traditional dumbbells and some other adjustable options
- Requires voice control setup and compatible devices to utilize the voice-controlled feature
FAQs
A: Most adjustable dumbbells have a handle or bar in the middle where weight plates can be added or taken away. The weight plates are held in place with a crank, a pin, or a clamp system, so they don’t move while you work out. By choosing the weight you want and putting the plates in place, you can make a dumbbell with the right weight for your workout.
A: The range of weights that can be used with adjustable dumbbells depends on the type and brand. Most movable dumbbells, on the other hand, can go from a few pounds to 50 pounds or more per dumbbell. Some high-end dumbbells may be able to hold more than 100 pounds each.
A: Yes, adjustable dumbbells are good for beginners. They give you the freedom to start with smaller weights and slowly add more weight as you get stronger. Adjustable dumbbells are great for beginners because they are easy to use and don’t take up much space. They can be used for a range of exercises, like strength training and building muscle.