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Build Your Muscles With the 8 Best Adjustable Dumbbells

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Lea Kuscer Avatar
Lea Kuscer
4 March, 2024 • Updated 15 days ago
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The 8 Best Adjustable Dumbbells
Dumbbells are an excellent tool to help you build muscles in your arms. They can also be a tremendous waste of money.

The problem with most dumbbells is that they’re only as good as their weight. After a while, as you get used to the weight of the bells and your strength grows, the effectiveness of the dumbbells diminishes.

After a while, they’re not doing anything except getting in the way.

That’s why adjustable dumbbells are the way to go. Although they’re somewhat more expensive than regular dumbbells, they don’t outgrow their usefulness nearly as quickly. In the end, you’ll end up saving money, because instead of going out and buying a new set of dumbbells, you’ll just put more weight on your existing set.

IN A HURRY? CHECK OUT OUR EDITOR’S CHOICE
Yaheetech Dumbbell Set

Don’t you wish everything in life was that easy?

Things to Consider

Buying adjustable dumbbells makes sense, but it doesn’t make sense to go out and buy them without thinking things through first. If you want to be a smart shopper, here are a few tips to keep in mind before you swipe your credit card.

1. Weight

Weight is, obviously, the most important thing in a dumbbell, but it factors into the picture in several different ways. You want to consider the minimum weight of the dumbbell, the maximum weight of the dumbbell and the weight of the incremental increases to the dumbbell.

2. Stability

One advantage of standard dumbbells is security. Since they’re often one solid piece, there’s no chance of the dumbbell breaking or getting imbalanced. This is not necessarily true of adjustable dumbbells. The last thing you want is for the weights to slide off and land on your toes.

3. Size

Just how much space does that dumbbell take up, anyway? One of the big reasons to choose adjustable dumbbells over standard dumbbells is the fact that they’re more compact. But if you buy a clunky adjustable dumbbell, you may not be doing yourself any more favours.

4. Ease of use

Some dumbbells are a real hassle to modify. You want a dumbbell that you can adjust quickly and easily. That way, if you decide to increase the weight mid-workout, you can do it without losing your stride.

5. Price

As I said, adjustable dumbbells are quite a bit more expensive than regular models. Many of them cost $100 or more. Buy what you need, but don’t buy a fancy dumbbell that you can’t afford.

QUICK OVERVIEW

The Best Adjustable Dumbbells


Products Features
EDITOR’S PICK
4
350+
350+
Yaheetech Dumbbell Set
Yaheetech Dumbbell SetYaheetech Dumbbell Set
  • Up to 66 lbs
  • Antirust chrome finish and PE collars
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $100
  • Up to 66 lbs
  • Antirust chrome finish and PE collars
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $100
Check price
at Amazon
MOST REVIEWED
4.7
7,655+
7655+
Bowflex SelectTech 552
Bowflex SelectTech 552Bowflex SelectTech 552
  • 5-52.5 lb. per dumbbell
  • Combines 15 sets of weights into one
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $350
  • 5-52.5 lb. per dumbbell
  • Combines 15 sets of weights into one
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $350
Check price
at Amazon
TOP PICK
4.5
1,020+
1020+
PowerBlock Sport 24
PowerBlock Sport 24PowerBlock Sport 24
  • Up to 24 lbs
  • 8 weight increments
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $350
  • Up to 24 lbs
  • 8 weight increments
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $350
Check price
at Amazon
BUDGET PICK
4.3
2,495+
2495+
CAP Barbell Dumbbells
CAP Barbell DumbbellsCAP Barbell Dumbbells
  • Weighs 40 pounds
  • Spin locks
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $100
  • Weighs 40 pounds
  • Spin locks
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $100
Check price
at Amazon
BUDGET PICK
4.5
665+
665+
ATIVAFIT Dumbbell
ATIVAFIT DumbbellATIVAFIT Dumbbell
  • Up to 27.5 lbs
  • 5 weight increments
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $150
  • Up to 27.5 lbs
  • 5 weight increments
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $150
Check price
at Amazon
EDITOR’S PICK
Yaheetech Dumbbell Set
Functional and Affordable

If there is one type of dumbbells to pick from this list, it’s definitely the Yaheetech 66 LB Weight Dumbbell Set. This set is an affordable and safe option for those on a budget.

4
350+
350+
  • Up to 66 lbs
  • Sturdy
  • Antirust chrome finish and PE collars
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $100

Best Adjustable Dumbbells Under $100

Yaheetech 66 LB Weight Dumbbell Set

Yaheetech 66 LB Weight Dumbbell Set

Features

  • Up to 66 lbs
  • Antirust chrome finish and PE collars
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $100

The Yaheetech 66 LB Weight Dumbbell Set is a great option for those on a budget. If you’re looking for affordable dumbbells around 100 pounds, this is your best bet since it’s a whole set and not just one piece. 

The set includes four 5.5-pound plates, four 4.4-pound plates, four 3.3-pound plates, and four 2.8-pound plates. Each dumbbell bar weighs 1.32 pounds, and there are also two screw-on PE collars to secure the dumbbells. 

The main problem I have with the dumbbells is that they’re a little bulky and the bar measures 18.5 inches. It is already somewhat larger than your standard bar, and balancing the larger size takes a bit of getting used to. There’s no getting around the fact that these dumbbells are a great value, however.

Pros
  • Extremely affordable
  • Sturdy bars
Cons
  • The plates come greasy

Best Adjustable Dumbbells Under $150

CAP Barbell Adjustable Dumbbell

CAP Barbell Adjustable Dumbbell

Features

  • Up to 40 lbs
  • Cast iron plates and chrome finish
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $150

Although it’s definitely on the low end of the weight spectrum, the CAP Barbell Adjustable Dumbbell Set is a good adjustable dumbbell set, especially if you’re just getting started or you want more control over how you add weight to your exercises.

The total combined weight of the CAP Barbell weights is 40 pounds. This includes four 6-pound plates and four smaller 2.5-pound plates. Each dumbbell weighs three pounds, adding up to your total of 40 pounds. Two spin-lock collars are included, so the weighted plates don’t go sliding off the handles.

This is a basic, no-fuss, easy-to-use dumbbell system especially helpful for beginners. There’s a good chance you might outgrow these somewhere down the line, but if you’re on a budget, this might be a good place to start.

Pros
  • Four 6-pound plates
  • Four 2.5-pound plates
  • Spin locks secure weighted plates to the handle
Cons
  • 40 pounds total maximum weight

Ativafit Adjustable Dumbbell

Ativafit Adjustable Dumbbell

Features

  • Up to 27.5 lbs
  • 5 weight increments
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $150

Ativafit Adjustable Dumbbell is the perfect example of value for money if you take your exercise seriously. However, note that only one dumbbell is included in this listing.

The handle is 3.4 inches long and comes with eight 5.5-pound plates so that you can lift up to 27.5 pounds on one dumbbell. The dumbbell is made of chrome-plated steel and is designed to be ultra-compact. 

It even comes with a base tray that keeps your home gym neat and organized and enables you to adjust the weights with a counterweight lock. Still, there’s no getting around the fact that you’d need to drop over $250 to work out with two of these dumbbells at once. If you’re a seasoned muscle hunter, this is an excellent deal.

Pros
  • Comes with a base tray
  • Easily adjustable
  • Sturdy
Cons
  • Difficult to rerack

Best Adjustable Dumbbells Under $175

Evetebol Adjustable Dumbbell

Evetebol Adjustable Dumbbell

Features

  • Up to 25 lbs
  • 5 weight increments
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $175

The Evetebol Adjustable Dumbbell is similar to the previous model. It has the same mechanism as the previous one; There are 5 weight increments you can change with a simple counterweight lock. The only difference is that these here are 5-pound increments.

It comes with the base that keeps your floors safe from wear and tear. Moreover, this dumbbell is made from plated steel and it’s made to last for a long time, even with continuous use. Yet again, this one comes as a single piece but definitely pays off if you lift often.

Pros
  • Comes with a base tray
  • Easily adjustable
  • Sturdy
Cons
  • Difficult to rerack
  • Pricey

Best Adjustable Dumbbells Under $200

Bayou Fitness Adjustable Dumbbells

Bayou Fitness Adjustable Dumbbells

Features

  • Up to 25 lbs
  • 5 weight increments
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $200

The Bayou Fitness Adjustable Dumbbells are almost identical to the previous model. One of the few differences is that these come as a pair, so they’re more affordable than the two previous models.

The dumbbells have the same 5 weight increments and give you the weight of 25 pounds or 50 combined in total. The heavy-duty chrome-plated steel construction makes them extremely sturdy and durable.

The Bayou dumbbells come with the base tray to save space. Still, even though they’re more affordable when you want the pair, the mechanism tends to break after a while.

Pros
  • Comes with a base tray
  • Easily adjustable
  • Sturdy
Cons
  • Brittle metal on some parts of the handle
  • Poor adjusting mechanism

Best Adjustable Dumbbells Under $350

Ringstar Starring Adjustable Dumbbells

Ringstar Starring Adjustable Dumbbells

Features

  • Up to 52.5 lbs
  • 5 weight increments
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $350

There’s not a lot of difference between the Ringstar dumbbells and the Unipack dumbbells. Both offer 105 pounds of weight, and they even distribute the weight in the same way. The main difference is aesthetics. The Ringstar dumbbells are shinier and a little more attractive.

Like the Unipack, the set includes sixteen 5-pound plates, four 2.5-pound plates four two 1.25-pound plates. The handles weigh 5 pounds and are secured with screw-on collars. The dumbbells are made of cast iron and are treated with a shiny metallic chrome.

The only reason to choose these dumbbells over the Unipak is that you prefer the chrome look to the standard black iron. They’re the same weight, and at the time of this writing, these dumbbells cost $10 more. They work well though and are recommended.

Pros
  • Sixteen 5-pound plates
  • Four 2.5-pound plates
  • Four 1.25-pound plates
Cons
  • Larger handles take some getting used to

PowerBlock Sport 24 Adjustable Dumbbells

PowerBlock Sport 24 Adjustable Dumbbells

Features

  • Up to 24 lbs
  • 8 weight increments
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $350

I’ve never seen a set of dumbbells quite like Power Block. This innovative design makes it easy and quick to change the weight of your dumbbells even during your workout. Even better, the dumbbell set is compatible with additional weight packs to increase the maximum dumbbell weight further down the road.

The set includes sixteen 3-pound weights. Each dumbbell comes with eight weights, and you adjust the dumbbells in 3-pound increments. Each of the weights is color-coded, and a selector pin at the top makes switching out weights a cinch.

The balance of these weights is frankly incredible, and I love how compact they are and how much freedom is afforded. That said, these dumbbells are fairly expensive and don’t provide that much weight. You can add additional weights, but that’ll put your total cost around $200. With a ten-year warranty, however, it just might be worth it.

Pros
  • Sixteen 3-pound plates
  • Easy to swap weights during workout
  • Backed by ten-year warranty
Cons
  • Fairly expensive for the weight

Best Adjustable Dumbbells Under $700

Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Weights

Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Weights

Features

  • Up to 52.5 lbs
  • 15 weight settings
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $700

At some point, there must be a law of diminishing returns as far as dumbbells are concerned. The BowFlex Dumbbells, like several other sets of adjustable dumbbells on this list, combine to weigh 105 pounds, but they are sold at a premium price.

Unlike the other sets of 105-pound dumbbells, the Select Tech 552 uses a different incremental set of weights. There are seventeen 2.5-pound weights and ten 5-pound weights. Each bar weighs 5 pounds, and there are dials on the ends to secure the weights.

The weights can be used with the BowFlex mobile training app for iOS and Android, connecting you with tools to maximize your training and workout potential. For me, the performance isn’t worth the extra cost, but I’m not a professional athlete or bodybuilder either. If you can afford to pay a little bit more, then you’re sure to be pleased with these dumbbells.

Pros
  • Seventeen 2.5-pound plates
  • Ten 5-pound plates
  • Connects with BowFlex training app
Cons
  • Quite a bit more expensive than similar models

Conclusion

As you can see, if you’re looking to buy adjustable dumbbells, there are plenty of options for you to choose from, both in weight and in price. There are several options that didn’t make it on this list that is perfectly capable dumbbells, and there’s not a lot of wrong answers here.

If you want to combine value and comfort, the BalanceFrom Cast Iron adjustable dumbbells are a wonderful choice, but there isn’t a bad pick on this list.

*All prices mentioned above are at the time of publishing.

Lea Kuscer Avatar
Written by
Lea Kuscer
Lea Kuscer is a nature admirer, ecological cosmetics and jewelry maker, avid traveler, language professor by trade, but above all, a marketing maniac who's enthusiastic about testing new products. Her mission is to share her passion with gadget lovers and those who would like to make their life more comfortable with the best products on the market. Let's get on an exploring adventure together!