Looking for the best dumbbells available for your next workout? To help outfit your home gym and help you reach your fitness goals, we vetted over 60 of the most popular, interesting, and best contenders before buying and testing the top 16 models side-by-side for several weeks of workouts. Through garage gym sessions, living room workouts, and many sore muscles, our team of fitness experts thoroughly assessed exercise versatility, ease of use, weight options, construction quality, and storage considerations of each set of weights. Whether you're starting out and looking for some easy-to-use dumbbells for at-home fitness, or you want a compact set of adjustable hand weights to build strength and stamina, or you're ready to expand to an entire set of dumbbells, we have something for you.
Setting up your home gym doesn't have to be complicated. From the top-rated hangboards for climbers to the best bike trainers for cyclists and favorite weight vests for functional fitness athletes to simple staples like great exercise balls, the best yoga mats, and top-rated foam rollers for recovery, our fitness experts have tested the best exercise equipment to help you reach all of your training goals. China Hex Rubber Dumbbell
There are not many drawbacks to the Rogue Rubber Hex option other than a slightly higher price per pound than other standard dumbbell models. For one or two pairs of weights, this is a minor difference, but if you're looking to acquire an entire set of free weights, this is something to consider. The Rogue Rubber Hex weights are a fantastic addition to your home gym, especially if your workouts require a bombproof design and a large available weight range. If you're interested in a standard dumbbell, the REP Rubber Coated Hex has a complete rubberized coating and is a game changer for garage workouts in the cold winter months. Any of the standard dumbbells in our lineup can make a great addition to your home gym, though, like the Signature Fitness Sporzon Rubber Encased Hex, a budget-friendly option.
There aren't many downsides to this dumbbell. They are among some of the more expensive options in our lineup, but we think they're well worth that price. Some people may find that the rubberized knurling is not as aggressive as metal, so if you prefer an aggressive texture, you might prefer some of the other standard dumbbells we tested. The Rogue Rubber Hex, CAP Hex Set, and Signature Fitness Sporzon are all options to consider in that scenario. If you've ever walked out into your gym and had to grip cold dumbbells, we think you'll really appreciate the benefit of the REP Rubber Coated Hex set.
One downside to the CAP Hex Set with Rack is the rack itself. Although it is quite sturdy and compactly stores the weights, its arms are narrow and have a tendency to pinch fingers as the weights are replaced. The narrow design means it's a tight squeeze for your whole hand to remove or replace the dumbbells. Pinching or stubbing fingers is common, especially when fatigued. Despite that, we wholeheartedly recommend this set for any size home gym, and the option to expand weight sizes is a huge positive. Other budget options include the Amazon Basics Hex and Signature Fitness Rubber Hex, both of which have single dumbbell purchase options available.
Although we loved the quality and price of the Amazon Basics Hex option, we are disappointed by the overall available weight range, which caps at 50 pounds. The handles are the shortest of any standard dumbbell we tested but still fit most hands comfortably. The knurling is quite aggressive, so depending on your preferences, this could be a draw, or it could be a drawback. Overall, we were quite pleased with the construction and quality of these and would recommend them to anyone looking for a bargain or single free-weight option. A different option to consider is the Signature Fitness Sporzon, which is available in single dumbbells, pairs, and sets. Another similar option to consider is the BalanceFrom Rubber Encased Hex.
We were very happy with this adjustable set, but there are a few drawbacks to consider. First, the Core Adjustable Set dumbbells have a very high upfront cost. Unlike individual pairs of weights, where you can build out your set over time and distribute the costs, the adjustable set is a one-time purchase with some serious sticker shock. Second, the adjustable style takes some getting used to and is not ideal for all styles of workouts; you'll want to avoid dropping these on the ground, and they're not ideal for dynamic movements like the clean and jerk. If you want smaller increments to your adjustable dumbbells, the Bowflex SelectTech 552 allows you to adjust in 2.5-pound steps, though we like the adjustment process much less than that of the Core Adjustable Set. Although we were concerned about some of the plastic components on the Core Adjustable Set, we feel as though the overall design and construction are quite durable and had no issues during testing. Overall, our testing team enjoyed using this adjustable set and would recommend it to anyone who wants to minimize the footprint of their gym and acquire a large amount of weight at a great price per pound. If you're looking for adjustable weights but want something more durable, plate-style loadable dumbbells are an option to consider. Especially for those who already have a home gym, the Titan Fitness Loadable Olympic Handles are a great option. These burly dumbbells are like mini barbells, fit all Olympic weight plates, and can each be loaded up to 400 pounds. The price can add up if you don't already have the weight plates, but if you do, they're a budget-friendly way to add dumbbells to your gym equipment.
Since the overall size of these weights is smaller than others, they also have a smaller handle size — both in diameter and in length. While it isn't uncomfortable to use, it may not be ideal for those with wider hands or during two-handed exercises. As with all of the neoprene-coated models, there is a seam that runs the length of the Amazon Neoprene handle. It doesn't impact the usability, but we wish it wasn't there. Ultimately, we recommend these to anyone who wants a larger variety of low-weight options or prefers the smaller size and grippy feel of neoprene. If you prefer a thicker handle, the J/Fit Set may be what you're after.
The handle diameter of the J/Fit Set increases dramatically with the weights. While the five-pound pair has an average handle diameter, the 10-pound is abnormally large. While this didn't prevent us from performing any exercises, it may be a downside for someone with smaller hands. We also noted that the head of the dumbbell on the five-pound variant doesn't provide enough clearance if you want to use them as push-up bars. Again, while this isn't a deal breaker, it can make an impact. Lastly, although we appreciated that this set came with a stand, it seemed to take up a lot of space for storing only three small pairs of weights. Nevertheless, we feel the J/Fit Set is a great option to acquire a variety of beginner-friendly hand weights, and we're confident they'll help take your workout to the next level.
The largest drawback to the Titan Fitness Loadable handles is that you need to buy weight plates separately. To keep weights balanced, you'll need to have four of each plate and four locking collars or spring clips to secure the weights. If you don't already have these, those prices can add up quickly. The other downside is that these dumbbells are larger than every other model in our lineup. This is necessary if you want to load up the weight for heavy lunges or deadlifts, but can be overkill if you're doing 25-pound bicep curls or get in your way if you're doing bench press or overhead press. Unlike other dumbbells, which are grab and go, or at most twist, grab and go, these also require you to load weights onto them. Still, there is a lot to like about these specialized dumbbells that make them well-suited to a very specific audience. We think that these dumbbells make a compelling option for the right person. For a more straight-forward option in an adjustable, you might consider the Core Home Fitness Adjustable Set, though the upfront cost is quite substantially more.
We start our review and testing process with comprehensive research into the market of products that we plan to test. We researched and digitally compared dozens of products and testing methodologies before purchasing the 16 dumbbells in this review for side-by-side testing. Each of our tests examines different aspects and usage for each dumbbell in order to determine which are best suited to meet your needs. We spent hours doing curls, presses, rows, and clean and jerks to test their versatility. We evaluated handle size, comfort, and grip for different-sized hands and a diversity of movements. We dropped them on the floor and checked for moving parts and breakable components. We considered what weight options are available in each to better scale to your ideal workout.
GearLab Review Editor and Tester, Hale Milano, is a seasoned fitness expert. As a former US Army Ranger, veteran, and intense recreational athlete, Hale is no stranger to the gym and various fitness equipment. He and his wife are avid at-home exercise enthusiasts, making Hale well up to the task of evaluating and testing a variety of dumbbells. He also leads our weight vest review.
To thoroughly test each set of hand weights, we devised five metrics that covered all aspects of dumbbell design and usage and tested each model side by side.
Below is an in-depth explanation of each rating metric we evaluated each product on and the results for each test.
Rating the value of our dumbbells is not straightforward, as we purchased different types (standard, adjustable, and sets) as well as different weights. The best value for you will depend on the type of hand weight you want, as well as the weight range you'd like to have available.
Standard: These rubber and steel versions are most similar to what you might see in a commercial gym. They are broadly available in large weight ranges and increments from 2.5 to five pounds. Standard dumbbells are quite durable and, generally speaking, can survive drops and falls on the gym floor.
Beginner: These compact free weights focus on the lower end of the weight range, often with one-pound increments and capping out at around 20 pounds. They are often color-coded to their weight and feature grippy rubber or neoprene coatings. Although they're called beginners, they'll give you just as good of a workout as any other hand-weight style.
Adjustable: These space-saving weights feature moving pieces and parts that give you the benefit of multiple dumbbells in a single-unit design. By selecting a different weight, the amount of plates that each grip picks up is increased or decreased to give you an adjustable weight.
Loadable Dumbbell Handles: Unlike other dumbbells that offer a fixed weight or fixed adjustable increments, loadable dumbbells offer almost complete customization for weight options. That flexibility comes at a cost, as the weight plates often need to be purchased separately. Some loadable dumbbells fit common Olympic size weights, which offers flexibility, while others use a smaller “standard” size, and the two aren't cross-compatible. These dumbbells are great for higher weight ranges or for those who already have a home gym with weight plates on hand.
Set: Some weights are available for individual purchase, and others save you some money by bundling them in sets. Important factors to consider are whether a stand is included with the set and if additional weight options are available should you decide to increase your collection.
Generally speaking, adjustable sets, like the Core Home Fitness Adjustable Set and Bowflex SelectTech 552, although expensive, provide a great value for the amount of weight options you get for your purchase; with one adjustable dumbbell purchase being equivalent to buying ten or more standard pairs. Our loadable dumbbells, like the Titan Loadable Handles, can offer good value, but only if you already have the weight plates; otherwise, the price will add up quickly.
Smaller coated hand weights, like the Amazon Basics Neoprene, offer great value but lack the total available weight range and durability of other dumbbells. Comparing the price per pound is a common industry benchmark when examining the value of weights. Our testers calculated the price per pound for each weight set we purchased (at the time of purchase) and used that information as input to inform our value ratings. Though specific prices can fluctuate over time and with seasonal sales, examining the price per pound for dumbbell selections is a straightforward way to compare the relative value of different weight sizes.
Our two adjustable dumbbells, the Core Adjustable and SelectTech 552 sets, rang in at under a dollar per pound. This score is based on the assumption that each individual available weight selection is considered its own weight. Sets, like the J/Fit Set and CAP Coated Hex Set, were calculated based on the total number of pounds included in the set. Even though the CAP Hex Set set includes a stand, it is still one of the least expensive price-per-pound options.
Our exercise versatility metric examined each set's ability to be used across a variety of exercises. We evaluated whether the design prohibited its use or made its use impractical in any scenario.
We used the dumbbells in exercises like bicep curls, bench presses, shoulder presses, overhead triceps extensions, goblet squats, push-ups, clean and jerks, and more. We annotated if the weight was impossible to use, impacted our range of motion, or was impractical for each exercise.
The classic and bombproof design of the Rogue Rubber Hex earned it bragging rights in our versatility category. This pair of weights was outstanding to use during all our exercise tests, including some of the ones that bring on the most abuse, like clean and jerks, where weights often get dropped on the ground. We were able to lift, push, pull, and drop these dumbbells without any impediments. Equally versatile is the REP Rubber Coated; we had no issues using it across any exercises either. A smaller overall weight range and larger weight increments do impact the REP Rubber Coated's suitability across a wider range of exercises.
Also scoring highly was the CAP Hex Set. With a very similar design to the Rogue Rubber Hex, only the fact that our knuckles brushed the ground when we used the weights to do supported push-ups (with the five-pound model only) cost it points.
Although we liked the Rogue Rubber Hex and CAP Hex Set the best in our versatility tests, users who are looking for a standard gym-style dumbbell have many options to choose from, including the Amazon Basics Rubber Hex or the REP Rubber Hex for a straight handled option. The Signature Fitness Sporzon and REP Rubber Coated are equally versatile. All of these options have similar appearances but differ in some of their details, like knurling, handle shape and size, and available weight ranges.
Considering it is an adjustable dumbbell with moving parts and plastic pieces, we were very impressed with the exercise versatility of the Core Home Fitness Adjustable Set. We had plenty of room to use them for supported push-ups, though they aren't the most stable in this position. We also wouldn't use them for any dynamic exercises, like a clean and jerk, or drop them. However, the Core Adjustable weights are great for all kinds of other exercises, even including ones where we held the dumbbell vertically, like goblet squats.
The Titan Loadable Handles are relatively versatile, especially for an adjustable dumbbell, but do have downsides given their large size. These dumbbells are 20 inches long, and, depending on the weight that you've loaded, can be much wider than standard or other adjustable dumbbells. This impacts exercises like bench press overhead press, where you're bringing your hands close together. That said, they are built like mini barbells and are drop-proof with the right bumper plates and collars on them.
Whereas our exercise versatility metric looked at the ability to perform a variety of exercises, our next metric, ease of use, examines how pleasant or well-designed each was to use in a variety of scenarios. Ease of use covered features such as weight identification and marking, the grip and knurling — that's the texture on the handle — and weight selection for adjustable models. We also noted if the overall size or shape of the dumbbell had any impact on its usage (for large and small hands) or whether it rolled on the ground. While generally, most of the hand weights we tested were easy to use, there are minor features that helped some stand out.
The REP Rubber Coated dumbbells are among the easiest and most pleasant to use. While their design is the same as most standard dumbbells in our lineup, we appreciated the full rubber coating over the handle. When temperatures drop, those with garage gyms will appreciate the insulation over cold steel, protecting your fingers from that icy metal. The knurling on the rubber coating is not overly aggressive, but the rubber helped secure our grip as well. The rubber coating is just as good in the heat, too, and provides a comfortable grip when sweaty.
The Rogue Rubber Hex dumbbells are another high performer in this metric, mainly thanks to the excellent grip and knurling on our handles. Out of all the models we tested, the Rogue Rubber Hex had the best knurling — rough enough to provide grip but not overly aggressive. It also had the longest handle of any ten-pound dumbbell we tested, ideal for large hands and two-handed exercises.
Another standout for ease of use is the Core Home Fitness Adjustable. These fully adjustable dumbbells took under two seconds — and only one hand — to adjust the weight in increments of five pounds from their lowest setting of five pounds to their highest of 50 pounds. Knowing what weight you selected is a breeze with the clear window on either side of the handle, and we felt the handle was an appropriate size. Although there are some pieces of plastic on the handle, the main portion is a grippy rubber texture, and our hands felt secure.
If you're looking for lighter options and beginner-friendly hand weights, all of the smaller rubber and neoprene-coated dumbbells were incredibly easy to use. Options like the Amazon Basics Neoprene, CAP Barbell Neoprene Hex, and the J/Fit Set with Rack are very similar in terms of core design features. The SPRI Deluxe Vinyl-Coated dumbbells were nearly as easy to use, although we didn't like the slick vinyl coating as much as the grippy matte neoprene of the other weights. In addition to the weight labeled on the head of the weight, each of these weights is color-coded so that different weights stand out, which makes grabbing the correct weight easy, even when fatigued.
Our next metric, weight options, is an important metric if you want some variety in the available weight ranges that you have in your free weight set. We considered the total available weight range for each model and the increments that each set increases by. Or, for adjustable dumbbells, that increments you are able to select. We also assess how many pairs of weights are required to have in order to achieve that total weight range.
Top marks in this metric were awarded to our adjustable dumbbells, the Bowflex SelectTech 552 and the Core Home Fitness Adjustable Set. The former barely edged out a victory thanks to better weight increment options. With the SelectTech 552, you're able to increase the weight in 2.5-pound increments up to 25 pounds and then five-pound increments up to 50 pounds. There is a final 52.5-pound selection available as well. Counting each weight option as its own pair, this is equivalent to 16 pairs of weights in one compact package.
The Core Adjustable set is adjustable only in five-pound increments, up to its maximum of 50 pounds. While that may not seem like a large difference, counting all the available adjustment options means that you have the equivalent of 10 pairs of weights in one.
While standard dumbbells can't compete with the adjustable style for the multiple-pairs-in-one factor, they do have a much higher total weight range, which can be desirable for many people. The REP Rubber Hex, Rogue Rubber Hex, and CAP Coated Hex Set models have impressive ranges available. The REP Rubber Hex and Rogue Rubber Hex have 2.5-pound increments for sale, starting at 2.5 pounds up to 30 pounds, and then can be purchased in five-pound increments up to 125 pounds. The CAP Hex Set weights increase at two to three-pound increments up to the 15-pound pair and then increase at five-pound increments.
The Titan Loadable Handles again scored highly in our weight options metric, but there's a bit of a caveat to their score. Each dumbbell is rated for up to 400 pounds. Given the 6.5-inch sleeve length on each side, it would be pretty challenging to fit 400 pounds on a single dumbbell. When stripped empty, each handle weighs 13 pounds, so there is quite a wide range of weight configurations you could assemble. That said, reaching that range requires you to have Olympic weight plates to make those configurations. And if you want to keep both dumbbells on each side equal, that will require four plates of every weight, plus collars to lock the weights in place.
The smaller hand-weights like the Amazon Basics Neoprene, CAP Neoprene, and SPRI Vinyl ranged from one to 20-pound options, with single-pound increments up to 10 pounds available. While the total weight range isn't as great as others, for those looking at one-pound increments in the lighter weights, all of these offer that option. The J/Fit Set not only comes with three different weight options in whatever set you choose but is also available in multiple weight configurations ranging from 18 to 74 total pounds.
Dumbbells need to be able to take a beating even in your home gym, and so in addition to the use and abuse they took during testing, we made sure to assess the overall construction quality of each in our next metric.
While we didn't have anything break during testing, we did note where we had concerns about the quality or longevity of certain weights. We also measured each dumbbell with a precision scale and compared that to the stated weight. Most dumbbells were within 1% of their stated weight range, with a few outliers noted. Weight accuracy factored into our construction quality metric score.
Topping our construction quality tests for our standard dumbbells are the Rogue Rubber Hex, CAP Hex Set, REP Rubber Hex, and REP Rubber Coated Hex. These free weights all varied very little in their material, lack of moving pieces, and ability to be dropped on the ground. Only the differences in knurling consistency, handle shape, and the rubber coating on the two REP models separated each.
The other high scorer for construction quality is the Titan Loadable Handles set. These beefy dumbbell handles are made to the same specifications as Olympic barbells, sized down to dumbbell length. Each steel dumbbell has a chrome coating and bronze bushings that let the sleeves — where you slide the weight plates on — rotate freely. This increases the comfortability when lifting heavier weights. Interestingly, each Titan Loadable handle is supposed to weigh 12 pounds when empty, and we measured our test set at an even 13 pounds each, a full pound over. The weight plates that we used with the set, also from Titan, were barely over their 2.5-pound measurement, averaging 2.6 pounds each. We only tested one set from Titan and can't be sure if this was an outlier or the normal weight of the handles. Either way, we simply added an extra pound to our weight and continued to crank out reps. Despite this discrepancy, we still found the construction quality of these handles impressive.
Although plastic pieces are typically a death sentence for gym equipment, we were very impressed with the overall construction and durability of the Core Home Fitness Adjustable Set. Regardless of what weight we selected, this dumbbell felt secure, and there was limited rattling of plates during exercises. It even felt sturdy enough to survive some hard landings on a gym floor mat — though we wouldn't recommend making a habit of it.
The J/Fit Set, and similar hand weights like the SPRI Deluxe Vinyl-Coated, CAP Neoprene, and Amazon Basics Neoprene, are also solidly made. They each have a fairly prominent seam running the length of the handle, where their exterior coatings were started and finished. Although noticeable in our hands, the seam doesn't impact our overall use or experience.
The last metric that we tested was the storage and portability factor for each. Even if you have a home gym dedicated to your weights, organizing and storing heavy objects are important. We considered portability as well, in the instance that someone stores the weights in a different area from where they plan to use them.
Our top scores in our storage metric came from two sets of adjustable dumbbells, the Core Home Fitness and the Bowflex SelectTech 552. Each of these, thanks to their adjustable design, takes up a significantly smaller footprint than the comparable amount of individual weights. While both feature a rack to hold the weights, they vary slightly. We like the metal frame of the Core Adjustable Set and the fact that a taller stand can be purchased separately. On the SelectTech 552 rack, we liked the integrated carrying handles that made moving the 52-pound dumbbells a breeze.
Next up on storage scores were the sets that came with a stand, including the CAP Hex Set and J/Fit Set dumbbells. Both of these stands kept the weights stacked neatly and were fairly easy to assemble. These two racks have nearly the same sized footprints, but the CAP Set holds five pairs of weights, while the J/Fit Set only houses three. The stand hooks — where you actually rested the handle — of the CAP Hex Set rack are a bit narrow, causing us to frequently pinch our fingers when replacing the weights. Nevertheless, both of these racks readily fit in a closet or along a wall for convenient storage.
The Titan Loadable Handles and the Yes4All Adjustable with Weight Plates are much longer than normal dumbbells, clocking in at 20 inches and 14 inches, respectively. They fit on a regular dumbbell rack but protrude much further than regular dumbbells and rest on the handles rather than the heads of the weight. That said, since you can remove all the weight plates from these handles, they can be stored in a relatively compact area if you stand them up.
The rubber and neoprene-coated hand weights, like the Amazon Basics Neoprene, are ideal from a portability perspective; you could toss a few pairs into a sturdy bin or carry a pair in each hand to move them from storage to your workout area. They're also shorter than standard dumbbells, so can easily fit in small cubbies.
While our standard dumbbells, like the Amazon Basics Hex and REP Rubber Hex, aren't as small or portable as others that we tested, if you're looking to build out a set of free weights or have a weight stand already, the standard size of these dumbbells and flat hex heads means that you can easily store them on most racks or stack them on top of each other.
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