We Tested The Best Adjustable Dumbbells For Space-Saving Strength Workouts

Best Overall

Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells

4.5

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Adjustability
  5/5
• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Grip
  4.8/5
• Durability
  3.9/5

After completing a strength training circuit of three upper body and two lower body strength training exercises, the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells were the clear overall winner of our test with their impressive weight range and ease of adjustment as the standout features. These adjustable dumbbells ship fully assembled, although you need to use the included Allen wrench to free them from the strap that holds them in place upon delivery.

We were able to quickly adjust weight between each exercise in less than 20 seconds with the turn of a dial. Plus, since the dumbbells adjust from 5 to 25 pounds in 2.5-pound increments, and from 25 to 52.5 pounds in 5-pound increments, they offer plenty of weights for a variety of total-body exercises for both beginner and advanced users. And they allow users to increase the weight they use over time, ensuring they can keep progressing their workouts to achieve better results. We found the maximum weight of the dumbbells to be slightly heavier than what was listed by the manufacturer—we measured 53.6 pounds, whereas the manufacturer lists 52.5 pounds. 

We also noticed that, although the adjustable dumbbells are slightly bulkier than regular dumbbells, they still maintain the traditional dumbbell shape (unlike many other adjustable dumbbells). This allows you to perform any traditional strength training exercise without having to alter your form. We love how easy these adjustable dumbbells are to adjust between exercises. We were also able to maintain a good grip on the dumbbells, even with wet hands, thanks to the grippy rubber handles.

The only downside, we found them to be slightly less durable than other dumbbells on our list. The dumbbells stayed intact when dropped on gym flooring, but a small piece of one of the dumbbells chipped off when they were dropped on concrete flooring. But rest easy knowing these dumbbells come with a two-year warranty.

While they don't ship with a rack, Bowflex does offer the SelectTech Dumbbell Stand which is made especially for these dumbbells and sold separately.

Price at time of publication: $549

^{Key specs:
Weight Per Dumbbell: 5-52.5 pounds | Total Set Weight: 105 pounds | Replaces: 15 sets of weights | Sold As: Pair | Storage Bases Included: Yes | Warranty: Two years}

Best Overall Runner-Up

Core Home Fitness Adjustable Dumbbell Set

4.7

View On Amazon View On Corehomefitness.com

Our Ratings

• Setup
  4.5/5
• Adjustability
  5/5
• Ease of Use
  4.5/5
• Grip
  4.5/5
• Durability
  5/5

Although these dumbbells don't ship assembled, it took us less than five minutes to fully assemble them, without needing any tools. Like the Bowflex weights, Core Home Fitness' Adjustable Dumbbells are simple to use. We were able to easily adjust the weights from exercise to exercise with a simple twist of the handles. However, we still think the Bowflex pair is superior for adjustability because it adjusts in 2.5-pound increments up to 25 pounds and offers 15 weights in one, while this pair adjusts in 5-pound increments and only offers users 10 weights in one.

We loved how grippy the pair was with dry hands, but did notice some slipping when performing exercises with wet hands. When dropped on gym flooring, the dumbbells remained completely intact with no scratches. And dropping them on concrete resulted in only minor scratches with no broken or chipped parts. We think that this pair offers reliable durability, making them well worth the investment.

Price at time of publication: $360

^{Key specs:
Weight Per Dumbbell: 5-50 pounds | Total Set Weight: 100 pounds | Replaces: 10 sets of weights | Sold As: Pair | Storage Bases Included: Yes | Warranty: Two years}

Best Budget

Amazon Basics Adjustable Barbell Lifting Dumbbells Weight Set

4.2

View On Amazon

Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Adjustability
  4.2/5
• Ease of Use
  4.5/5
• Grip
  4.5/5
• Durability
  3.5/5

The cheapest set that we tested, Amazon Basics' Adjustable Barbell Lifting Dumbbells offer four 2.5-pound and four 5-pound loadable plates, as well as four 0.5-pound collars to secure the plates onto the two 2.7-pound barbells. With the included plate options, beginners get a lighter-weight workout. But we do not recommend this pick for intermediate and advanced weightlifters, as the maximum weight per dumbbell is about 19 pounds.

Unlike most of the adjustable dumbbells on our list, you have to physically screw on and off the weight increments, which a bit more time consuming, but overall easy and intuitive to do. The set comes with a carry case, which is great if you want to take them on the go. But to store the dumbbells in the carry case, you do need to remove all plates and collars off the barbells—which means you have to reassemble your weights with each use.

Made of steel, we found Amazon's adjustable dumbbells extremely durable. And we liked the textured grip that felt super secure in our hands, even when they were wet and sweaty. Overall, this pair is great for beginners or those looking to take their strength training on the go—and you can't beat this budget-friendly price.

Price at time of publication: $56

^{Key specs:
Weight Per Dumbbell: 2.7-22 pounds | Total Set Weight: 38 pounds | Replaces: Five sets of weights | Sold As: Pair | Storage Bases Included: Yes | Warranty: One year}

Best Heavy Weight

Nüobell Adjustable Dumbbell

4.5

View On Amazon View On Roguefitness.com View On Smrtft.com

Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Adjustability
  5/5
• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Grip
  4.5/5
• Durability
  5/5

For the advanced weightlifter looking to keep up their strength gains at home or in limited space, NÜOBELL's 80LB Classic Adjustable Dumbbells are a great pick. We love how the dumbbells can easily be adjusted between exercises with the simple twist of a handle, and they adjust from 5 pounds all the way to 80 pounds in 5-pound increments.

Although these dumbbells don't come fully assembled, set up and unboxing is relatively easy (it took us less than nine minutes), and the dumbbells ship with a manual with directions and pictures for a six-step setup. An intermediate or advanced lifter shouldn't have a problem setting these up, but a beginner may require some assistance.

When measuring the weight of the dumbbells in the Lab, we found that the minimum weight was actually 6.4 pounds, slightly higher than what was listed by the manufacturer. This, and the fact that the dumbbells require you to increase weight over time by 5-pound increments, make these adjustable dumbbells a difficult pick for beginners.

We appreciate that the weights are shaped like regular dumbbells and can be used for all exercises you would do with traditional dumbbells, without requiring you to alter your form or the way you hold them. And our grip was solid with both wet and dry hands. When testing, we adjusted between 15-20 pounds in a circuit of five exercises. Changing the weight between exercises took less than 10 seconds from finishing one exercise, adjusting the weight, and then getting ready for the next exercise.

Another plus, the dumbbells come with their own cradles for easy storage, although you may want to purchase a NÜOBELL stand for a better setup in your at-home gym. There's no doubt that this pair is expensive, but if you want a quality set with a higher weight range, they're worth the investment.

Price at time of publication: $685

^{Key specs:
Weight Per Dumbbell: 5-80 pounds | Total Set Weight: 160 pounds | Replaces: 16 sets of weights | Sold As: Pair | Storage Bases Included: Yes | Warranty: Not included (sold separately)}

Best Compact

PowerBlock Elite Dumbbells

4.4

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  4/5
• Adjustability
  4.5/5
• Ease of Use
  4/5
• Grip
  4/5
• Durability
  5/5

These compact adjustable dumbbells may not look like traditional dumbbells, but they still allow you to get 16 weights in one. And thanks to their square shape, they can easily be stored and stacked in a corner of your apartment or garage without taking up too much space. They're a great space-saving solution for home gyms already occupied by larger fitness equipment like treadmills and elliptical machines.

The 5.5 x 11.75 x 6.25-inch dumbbells are super durable. After dropping them on both foam flooring and concrete, there was zero damage to the dumbbells—not even minor scratches. But there was damage to the concrete, so you should be careful not to drop them on your floor (they come with a warning from the manufacturer that says "do not drop").

The dumbbells adjust from 5 to 50 pounds in 2.5-pound increments (although when we measured the minimum weight of the empty handles in the lab, they were actually 5.4 pounds, instead of 5 pounds as reported by the manufacturer). Customers who want to lift even heavier can purchase add-on weights that go up to 70 pounds or 90 pounds—both sold separately—thanks to the dumbbells' expandable stands.

While the adjustment mechanism is fairly easy once you get the hang of it—simply place the auto-lock handle on the color-coded bar that corresponds with the weight you're trying to use—it can be difficult to understand for beginners. We recommend watching a how-to YouTube video that guides you through how to adjust these dumbbells if you've never used them before, as they don't ship with clear instructions.

Although these adjustable dumbbells are shaped quite unconventionally, they're very storable given their square shape, which we think makes them worth it for those with smaller spaces.

Price at time of publication: $411

^{Key specs:
Weight Per Dumbbell: 5-50 pounds | Total Set Weight: 100 pounds | Replaces: 16 sets of weights | Sold As: Pair | Storage Bases Included: No | Warranty: Five years, limited}

Best Single Dumbbell

FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbells

4.5

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Adjustability
  5/5
• Ease of Use
  4.5/5
• Grip
  4/5
• Durability
  4.5/5

If you're looking for a single dumbbell—whether it's to save space or because you're on a budget—FLYBIRD's Adjustable Dumbbell is a great, reliable choice. You can adjust the weight of the dumbbell from 5 to 25 pounds in 5-pound increments, with a quick and easy turn of the handle. We found it super easy to adjust between exercise sets.

Because the dumbbell is also super easy to set up (it took us 13 seconds from start to finish) as well as to use, it would have been our "best for beginners" pick if only it adjusted in smaller increments. For beginners looking to increase the weights they use over time, it may be hard to jump from 5 to 10 pounds for certain exercises. But we still think this is a great pick for more advanced beginners who already feel comfortable working with 5 to 25 pounds.

Thanks to the textured handle, we found the dumbbell fairly easy to grip with dry hands. But when testing with wet hands, the metal handle of the dumbbell started sliding a bit in our hands. If you're someone who tends to get sweaty when exercising, you may want to opt to use these with weightlifting gloves to maintain a good grip throughout your workout.

If you prefer to purchase this dumbbell as a pair to allow for more exercise versatility, we think the price is good enough to buy two dumbbells and it would still be cheaper than most on the market. The adjustable dumbbell comes with a storage base and is fairly lightweight, so it should be easy to move and store.

Price at time of publication: $110

^{Key specs:
Weight Per Dumbbell: 5-25 pounds | Total Set Weight: 50 pounds | Replaces: Five sets of weights | Sold As: Single | Storage Bases Included: Yes | Warranty: One year, limited}

Best Grip

Merax Deluxe Adjustable Dumbbell

4.5

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Adjustability
  4/5
• Ease of Use
  4.5/5
• Grip
  5/5
• Durability
  4.5/5

We love the textured grip on this adjustable dumbbell, which is perfect for weightlifters in need of a particularly anti-slip handle. When performing lifts with wet hands during the wet test, our hands never slipped from the handle, even with a heavier weight.

Perfect for intermediate-to-advanced weightlifters, these dumbbells adjust from 15 to 55 pounds in 10-pound increments, making a single dumbbell the equivalent of five sets of weights. This weight range may not be the best for beginners, as starting off with 15-pound weights and progressing the load at a pace of 10 pounds can be difficult for those just starting out. 

We found that the weight of these dumbbells can be easily adjusted with the twist of their handle. And we like that the the safety locking mechanism secures the dumbbells on your chosen weight for added security.

We were also impressed that the dumbbells came fully assembled and were super easy to set up. Easier to store than other options on our list, this pair came with its own storage bases. Overall, recommend this set to someone who doesn't require weights below 15 pounds and feels comfortable progressing weights in 10-pound increments.

Price at time of publication: $300

^{Key specs:
Weight Per Dumbbell: 15-55-pound or 11-71.5-pound options | Total Set Weight: 110 pounds or 143 pounds (depending on which option you chose) | Replaces: Five or 12 sets of weights | Sold As: Single or pair | Storage Bases Included: Yes | Warranty: Not listed}

Best for Cardio

NiceC Adjustable Dumbbell Pair

4.6

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Adjustability
  4/5
• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Grip
  5/5
• Durability
  4/5

Although we wouldn't recommend these dumbbells for traditional weightlifting, they're a great pick if you're looking for a lightweight dumbbell to add to your cardio routine. Use them for arm exercises while you cycle (à la Peloton Bike), to power your punch in kickboxing, or to level up your core training on balance boards.

These dumbbells are listed as "adjustable," but they only adjust to three weights. When we weighed each dumbbell in the Lab, the minimum weight per dumbbell was 2.2 pounds (although the manufacturer lists it as 2.3 pounds), the medium weight was 3.4 pounds, and the maximum weight was 4.4 pounds (although the manufacturer lists it as 4.5 pounds). But we still found them super easy to adjust while you exercise—simply twist open the ends of the dumbbells to add or remove the small weight bars found inside to increase or decrease the weight.

The ease of use and adjustability of these dumbbells is honestly the single best thing about them. They're also great for beginners, and offer a solid way to add weights to exercises like kickboxing, Pilates, or barre. Thanks to the curved shape and neoprene coating of the handlebars, we found these dumbbells super easy to grip with both dry and wet hands (a feature that is particularly important if you're using them during a sweaty cardio routine).

Price at time of publication: $33

^{Key specs:
Weight Per Dumbbell: 2.3-4.5 pounds | Total Set Weight: 9 pounds | Replaces: Three sets of weights | Sold As: Pair | Storage Bases Included: No | Warranty: Not listed}

Best for Home Gyms

MXSelect Rapid Change Adjustable Dumbbells

4.6

View On Mxfitnesssupply.com

Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Adjustability
  5/5
• Ease of Use
  4.3/5
• Grip
  5/5
• Durability
  5/5

MXSelect's Rapid Change Adjustable Dumbbells are one of the largest that we tested, making them a solid purchase for your at-home gym. They come shipped in two separate boxes, with the corresponding rack included in each one. Setting up the dumbbells in their racks only took three minutes, but the stand (that shipped separately in three pieces) required tools and seven minutes to setup. While assembly was rather simple, we do recommend this pair for stationery use in an at-home gym.

Adjustable from 10 to 55 pounds, in 5-pound increments, this pair is a great option for intermediate users. The weight is not low enough for most beginners and not high enough for more advanced weightlifters. With that being said, we found the pair simple to adjust in between exercises: All you have to do is turn the dial to your preferred weight and push down to lock it in. Although these dumbbells look rather large and bulky on their stand, we did not find them to be cumbersome to use. In fact, they felt super secure and sturdy in our hands throughout each exercise.

Easy and comfortable to hold, this pair offers a soft cushioned grip that felt secure in both dry and wet hands during testing. We also appreciate the dumbbell's durability and think that they'll last years in your at-home gym—making them well worth the rather hefty investment.

Price at time of publication: $699

^{Key specs:
Weight Per Dumbbell: 10-55 pounds | Total Set Weight: 110 pounds | Replaces: Three sets of weights | Sold As: Pair | Storage Bases Included: Yes | Warranty: Not listed}

Easiest to Use

FitRX SmartBell Quick Select Adjustable Dumbbell

4.8

View On Walmart

Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Adjustability
  5/5
• Ease of Use
  4.8/5
• Grip
  4.6/5
• Durability
  5/5

Offering one of the greatest values out of all products we tested, the FixRx SmartBells are a great choice for most levels. Each dumbbell is adjustable from 5 to 52.5 pounds, in 2.5-pound increments, giving you 15 sets of weights in total. We think this pick is a great option for beginners and intermediates, as well as some advanced users who want a wide variety of weight options. But for a heavier set, we recommend NÜOBELL's 80LB Classic Adjustable Dumbbells.

During testing, we found this pair to be one of the easiest to use. To adjust the weight, you simply place each dumbbell in its rack, turn the handle until it clicks, and lift up by the handle to begin your workout—it took us under 10 seconds between exercises. While the handle felt super secure in dry hands, it lost some of that great grip when our hands got sweaty.

It's also important to note that the dumbbells did feel somewhat bulky during exercises, like bicep curls and bench presses, in which we had to pay special attention to make sure they did not hit into each other. What makes this pair stand out, besides it's super intuitive design, is how inexpensive it is compared to competitors that offer similar weight and durability. If you're looking for a high-quality set of adjustable dumbbells, at a relatively budget-friendly price, we like this pick from FitRx.

Price at time of publication: $199

^{Key specs:
Weight Per Dumbbell: 5-52.5 pounds | Total Set Weight: 105 pounds | Replaces: 15 sets of weights | Sold As: Pair | Storage Bases Included: Yes | Warranty: One year, limited}

Most Durable

ETHOS 50 lb. Selectable Dumbbell

4.7

View On Dick's View On Golfgalaxy.com

Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Adjustability
  4.5/5
• Ease of Use
  4.2/5
• Grip
  5/5
• Durability
  4.8/5

High-quality and clearly well-made, ETHOS' Adjustable Dumbbells are a reliable, durable pick that will last for years to come—making them well worth the high price tag. We were impressed with how solid and sturdy the pair felt, both in our hands and on the rack. The dumbbells and racks arrived fully assembled, which made for a super speedy and seamless setup.

During testing, we found the dumbbells easy to adjust from 5 to 50 pounds in 5-pound increments (same as our best overall runner-up). To adjust, you simply place each dumbbell in its rack, turn the handle to your preferred weight, and press the small red button to slide out the dumbbell—we did this within seconds between exercise sets. We love how grippy the handles felt, even when our hands were wet and sweaty.

The 5 to 50-pound weight options make this a great choice for most levels, but advanced weightlifters may want to opt for a heavier set, like NÜOBELL's 80LB Classic Adjustable Dumbbells. And beginners should note that the 5-pound increments offer less accessibility to a lower weight.

Price at time of publication: $350

^{Key specs:
Weight Per Dumbbell: 5-50 pounds | Total Set Weight: 100 pounds | Replaces: Nine sets of weights | Sold As: Pair | Storage Bases Included: Yes | Warranty: Not listed}

Best for Small Spaces

ProForm Select-a-Weight Adjustable Dumbbells

4.3

View On Amazon

Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Adjustability
  4.6/5
• Ease of Use
  3.8/5
• Grip
  3.8/5
• Durability
  3.8/5

Requiring zero assembly, ProForm's Select-a-Weight Adjustable Dumbbells arrived setup and ready to use. They offer a compact footprint compared to other options on our list, making them great for smaller living spaces. We love this pair for space-saving strength training, but if you're looking for a super versatile set, this isn't the one for you.

You can adjust each dumbbell from 10 to 50 pounds, in 10-pound increments, which is great if you're only looking to replace five sets of weights. But if you're a beginner who wants to progress at a slower pace, we recommend FitRx's Adjustable Dumbbells that adjust in 2.5-pound increments from 5 to 52.5 pounds. With that being said, we did find this ProForm pair to be super simple to adjust with just the turn of a handle.

During testing, we appreciated how grippy the dumbbells felt in our dry hands. But after the sweat test, we did notice some slipping and sliding, which made for an insecure grip during many overhead exercises. Overall, this durable pair is great for intermediate users looking for a space-saving set of high-quality adjustable dumbbells.

Price at time of publication: $299

^{Key specs:
Weight Per Dumbbell: 10-50 pounds | Total Set Weight: 100 pounds | Replaces: Five sets of weights | Sold As: Pair | Storage Bases Included: Yes | Warranty: Not listed}