We Tested the 7 Best Resistance Bands of 2023 for Every Budget and Workout

Best Overall Loop Bands

Renoj Resistance Bands Set

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Quality
  5/5
• Versatility
  4/5
• Grip
  5/5
• Portability
  5/5
• Value
  4.5/5

Our expert, Gabby Drucker, personal trainer and owner of Drucker Fitness in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, says loop bands are her favorite type of resistance band for getting the most out of lower body exercises. After completing a series of squats, clamshells, lateral walks, and light arm exercises, Renoj's Exercise Workout Bands won the top spot in our loop band category.

We loved their non-slip grip and latex-polyester knit fabric, which made for a comfortable fit and feel. The woven style and double-stitched seam felt durable and didn't snap, tear, or unravel. However, we noted that the heaviest band of the three wasn't as strong as we would have liked, making this set a better buy for beginners.

We especially liked that these bands didn't roll over while we exercised, like thinner, rubber bands tend to do. And while they're easy to throw into a gym bag alone, it's nice that these bands come with a mesh bag to keep them in one place. The included instructions were also helpful, with illustrated, easy-to-follow exercises.

Price at time of publication: $26

^{Key Specs:
Tension Range: 20-35, 30-50, and 45-70 pounds | Material: Latex, polyester-blend | Style: Loop bands | Included Accessories: Carrying bag}

Best Budget Loop Bands

Insonder Resistance Bands Set

4.5

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Our Ratings

• Quality
  4.5/5
• Versatility
  4/5
• Grip
  4.5/5
• Portability
  5/5
• Value
  4.5/5

With five bands ranging in tension from 10 to 40 pounds, Insonder's Mini Bands are our pick for a budget-friendly set of loop bands that can be used for a variety of exercises and stretches. The set is especially helpful for beginners who want to gradually increase the resistance of their bands over time as their strength improves. 

We found that all of the bands felt thick and durable, despite the difference in resistance levels. We also noticed that, while using this set, we felt confident that even the lightest band wouldn't tear or snap. Another thing we liked was that the bands were easy to differentiate, thanks to clearly labeled dots that correspond with their resistance levels.

Latex-based loop bands can attract hair and dust due to static, but we found that the chalk-like residue coating these bands prevented them from collecting debris. The smooth surface also didn't pinch our skin during our test. When we mimicked sweat by spraying water on our skin during exercises, we found that the bands did slip slightly. But despite having to readjust them slightly during some moves, they still felt comfortable and easy to use.

Insonder's bands are very lightweight, but we still liked that they came with a mesh carrying bag for easy transport. After all, with five bands to keep track of, it's easy to lose one going to and from the gym. Just note that they don't come with any instructions, unlike our top overall pick, Renoj's Resistance Bands.

Price at time of publication: $8

^{Key Specs:
Tension Range: 10, 15, 20, 30, and 40 pounds | Material: Latex | Style: Loop bands | Included Accessories: Carrying bag}

Best Investment Loop Bands

BC Strength Glute Loop Package

4.2

View On Bcstrength.com

Our Ratings

• Quality
  4.5/5
• Versatility
  3/5
• Grip
  5/5
• Portability
  3.5/5
• Value
  3.5/5

BC Strength's Glute Loops were some of the most durable bands we tried over our two-day testing period. This set will set you back a bit more cost-wise, but thanks to the high-quality knit fabric, we noted that they're likely to hold up to continuous wear over time.

These bands can be used for stretching and arm workouts, but we found them ideal for leg exercises like squats, hip thrusts, and clamshells. We completed these exercises in addition to some moderate stretching and found that the bands felt comfortable. We also noticed that these bands didn't budge or slip while we used them, thanks to the non-slip strip that's woven into the fabric.

Although there are six bands included in the set, we found that even the lightweight bands were pretty heavy—making them better for advanced users. However, we appreciated that the set included two diameters (S/M and L/XL), for different body sizes.

During testing, we noted that the set of six bands weighs 1.8 pounds, which means they're lightweight and fairly easy to take with you on the go. An included carrying bag would have been a nice addition, though, especially for the higher price.

Price at time of publication: $120

^{Key Specs:
Tension Range: Small- and large-diameter sets in regular, strong, and extra-strong (specific pounds are not listed in manufacturer’s product description) | Material: Latex, polyester-blend | Style: Loop bands | Included Accessories: None}

Best Overall Tube Bands

GoFit Extreme Pro Gym Set

4.7

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Our Ratings

• Quality
  5/5
• Versatility
  5/5
• Grip
  4.5/5
• Portability
  4.5/5
• Value
  4.5/5

Loop bands may be the most popular style of resistance bands, but we were still able to get a good workout with this collection of tube bands. Tube bands are more versatile (ideal when paired with a balance board) and easy to incorporate into a wide variety of exercises, especially upper body exercises. Many of the bands we tested—like GoFit's Extreme Pro Gym Set—also include multiple accessories to add a challenging element to our exercises.

Almost all of the tube bands we tested include a set of handles (either secured or detachable). These proved helpful because they allowed us to grasp the bands without fear of slipping when completing high-intensity moves, like rows or squats. But what really stood out about GoFit's Extreme Pro Gym Set is the addition of high-quality door anchors and ankle straps, allowing for even more workout versatility.

The hardware of the accessories seemed high-quality, and we appreciated the foam on both the handles and the ankle straps. Scratching or discomfort can occur without comfortable, padded material—especially when performing exercises like resistance band kickbacks or door anchor rows—so we liked the extra cushioning. Our tester also noticed that even when her hands were wet, they didn't slip.

Since there are so many ways to use these bands, we found the instruction manual that came with them to be super helpful, especially with the easy-to-follow illustrations. We referred to the book a few times in The Verywell Testing Lab, and it helped us use the tube bands to their full potential. This, and the convenient carrying bag, were a couple of reasons this set rose above the other tube bands we tried out over the two-day testing period.

Price at time of publication: $70

^{Key Specs:
Tension Range: 20, 30, 40, and 50 pounds | Material: Latex | Style: Tube bands | Included Accessories: Two handles, two door anchors, two ankle straps, carrying bag}

Best Budget Tube Bands

Whatafit Resistance Bands Set

4.2

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Our Ratings

• Quality
  4/5
• Versatility
  4/5
• Grip
  4/5
• Portability
  5/5
• Value
  4.5/5

Whatafit's Resistance Bands Set is a budget-friendly tube bands set that doesn't skimp on quality. We found that the bands were very comfortable to use, and we noticed that even during the sweat test, our hands didn't slip on the handles. While the ankle straps didn't include the same quality of foam padding as the handles, discomfort didn't stop us from completing our lower-body exercises.

The box includes tubes with tensions of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 pounds, plus ankle straps, handles, and a door anchor. Our in-Lab measurements for size didn't match the product description, but the resistance levels of the bands still ascended as expected from light to heavy.

While the latex tubes seemed durable, we did note that the accessories didn't seem as durable as other, pricier options on our list (like GoFit's Extreme Pro Gym Set). We still felt safe using the bands and accessories, even during heavier exercises. The carabiner clips were an added bonus that offered an additional layer of safety.

Similar to some of the other resistance bands on our list, a small instruction booklet was included with the set. The exercises appeared fairly basic, but the thorough descriptions and illustrations made our testers without much experience feel more comfortable when using the bands. A carrying bag was also included, and we liked that it offered a way to keep all of the tube bands and accessories in one place during travel.

Price at time of publication: $40

^{Key Specs:
Tension Range: 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 pounds | Material: Latex | Style: Tube bands | Included Accessories: Two handles, one door hanger, two ankle straps, carrying bag}

Best Power/Assist Bands

Serious Steel Assisted Pull-up Band

4.2

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Our Ratings

• Quality
  5/5
• Versatility
  3/5
• Grip
  4/5
• Portability
  4/5
• Value
  4.5/5

Loop bands and tube bands are optimal for total-body workouts, but if your main goal is to improve your pull-up game, Serious Steel's Assisted Pull-Up Bands are our top pick. Power bands are designed for use with your own body weight, and they're different from other styles of resistance bands because they're longer, thicker, and made for heavier weight use. We found them to be great for pull-ups, although they weren't ideal for exercises like bicep curls or squats because of their tougher composition.

Since Serious Steel's set included four bands with multiple resistance options, testers of all experience levels were able to use the bands safely. One of our testers noted that she liked having the option to start with an easier band that offered more resistance during her pull-ups, and work her way up to using a band that offered less resistance (almost mimicking a bodyweight pull-up).

We noticed that the bands felt sturdy on both wet and dry skin, and they didn't feel like they would snap back at any point throughout the test. We think an included instruction guide would have been helpful for workout guidance, but we did appreciate that the bands were color-coded based on their resistance levels—making it easy to select the ideal one for a particular exercise.

Price at time of publication: $83

^{Key Specs:
Tension Range: 5-35, 10-50, 25-80, and 50-120 pounds | Material: Latex | Style: Power/assist bands | Included Accessories: None}