Home exercise enthusiasts know the importance of a quality set of dumbbells. They can be part of a variety of workouts, whether you’re a strength training beginner or a home workout regimen.
“Having a pair of dumbbells at home is great for building strength,” says Maggie Gao, a NASM-certified personal trainer in New York City and a Russian Kettlebell Challenge-certified coach. “The weight puts a constant stimulus on all parts of the movement, so the weight has an effect on every part of the movement. It’s great if you’re familiar and confident with the movement and want to add a level of difficulty if bodyweight has gotten easier.” To help you find the best dumbbells, shape performed 24 sets of dumbbells under the supervision of a personal trainer; These weights meet our criteria for quality, durability and ease of use.
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Weight options: 10 to 50 lbs
Available in nine dumbbell sets between 10 and 50 pounds, this Amazon Basics dumbbell can enhance your favorite strength workout. Its contoured handle features diamond knurling that makes it comfortable to hold, and its hexagonal shape prevents rolling, which is handy for storage. Each dumbbell is made with a cast iron core that is extremely durable. The only issue we noticed was that the Amazon Basics dumbbells felt a little slippery in the grip. But for the price, we think it’s a pretty good deal.
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Weight options: 3 to 24 lbs
Adjustable dumbbells usually cost a pretty penny, but a pair of power blocks is relatively budget-friendly. Each dumbbell goes up to 24 pounds in 3-pound increments, and it adjusts quickly thanks to the handy selector pin. Each Power Block replaces eight pairs of free weights, so you can easily use them in your living room or bedroom without needing much space. Plus, they come in fun colors, including gray, lavender, and light blue, to add some flavor to your workout space. These dumbbells are especially great for warm-ups, high reps and burnout sets because the weight doesn’t increase much.
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Why we love it.
Good grip for both dry and sweaty hands
Smaller weights feel accessible to beginners.
The weight is clearly labeled
Weight options: 2, 3, and 5 lbs
This 20-pound neoprene dumbbell set from Amazon Basic includes 2-, 3-, and 5-pound weights, and it also comes with a stand for storage. We liked that the neoprene coating was easy to grip no matter how sweaty we got, and the smaller weights felt more accessible to beginners for strength training. We also noticed that the weight of each dumbbell was clearly marked on its head, so it was easy to tell if we were holding a 2-pound weight or a 3-pound one. Unfortunately, the stand didn’t impress us. Although the rack was small enough to fit almost anywhere, it was thin and not as sturdy as we were expecting.
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Weight options: Includes 5 to 25 lbs.
Yes, these are the same dumbbells as our best overall dumbbells, the Cap Barbell Dumbbells, with storage included—so everything we loved about the individual dumbbell set still holds true for this option. If you’re ready to invest in your strength training and buy several sets of dumbbells at once, this is the option for you. A-frame storage takes up a lot of space, so you can’t get away with keeping those dumbbells completely out of sight.
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Why we love it.
Reach a maximum weight of 50 or 80 pounds.
Easily switch between weights by turning the handle.
The knurled handle offers a comfortable grip.
Weight options: 5 to 50 or 80 lbs
These loadable dumbbells from SmrtFit feature a smart design that allows you to easily switch between weights with a twist of the handle. They come in two different weight ranges, either 5 to 50 pounds or 5 to 80 pounds, and they adjust in 5-pound increments. When testing them, we found that the drop handle was easy to grip and offered a comfortable grip without feeling too clumsy. Also, the adjustment mechanism is really intuitive. And unlike many other dumbbell sets, these are far from an eyesore. They boast a sleek design that comes in four different neutral colors – black, matte black, white, and dark green – that make a great addition to your home gym.
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Weight options: 5 to 25 lbs
Adjustable dumbbells replace the need for an entire set of free weights, and Flybird’s dumbbell adjusts from 5 to 25 pounds with a simple turn of the handle. Unlike other adjustable dumbbells that are usually sold in pairs, Flybird sells its dumbbells in singles, which is a great advantage if you don’t have much space in your home to exercise. When you’re done using it, put it under your bed or in a closet.
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Weight options: 5.5 to 50 lbs
Experienced lifters will appreciate the small details of the Decathlon Domyos dumbbell set. Unlike other options we tested, which have uniformly hexagonal heads, these dumbbell heads are elongated on some sides. We found that this made them easier to stack and store, and they were better suited for fitness moves like regrow rows. They will rest more comfortably on your shoulders during front squats, lunges or overhead presses. The grip was particularly impressive, and the dumbbell felt like it stuck to our hands.
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Why we love it.
The block design prevents them from rolling around on the floor.
Available in 5-45 pounds plus upgrade kits.
Weight options: 5 to 45 lbs., plus upgrade kits
These adjustable dumbbells from Ironmaster feature old-school steel construction that experienced weightlifters will appreciate. They’re super durable, so you can leave them on between sets without worrying about dinging them. Each dumbbell has a block design that makes for easy storage and prevents the dumbbell from rolling onto the floor between sets. The dumbbells are adjustable with a quick-lock handle that lets you increase or decrease the weight by removing the locking screw. adding or removing plates; and then screwing them back in (this process takes a little longer than with adjustable dumbbells using a resistance dial). Ironmaster also offers two upgrade kits — the 75-pound and 120-pound kits — so you can add more weight to those dumbbells as you progress.
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Why we love it.
Can be used as dumbbells, kettlebells and push-up stands.
Sold in singles.
Neoprene coating prevents slippage.
Weight options: 2.4 to 27 lbs
YBell Neo’s unique triangular shape combines dumbbells, kettlebells, and push-up stands into one space-saving piece of equipment. This means you can use them from power cleans to split shocks in rows with just a switch of your grip. These dumbbells also have a neoprene coating, which helps prevent slippage even through the most sweaty CrossFit WODs. Ybells are sold in singles, so if you’re planning to buy in pairs they may cost more than other options on our list. Still, their comfortable grip and versatility may make them worth the extra bucks.
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Why we love it.
Durable enough to withstand a drop on a concrete floor
Weight options from 3 to 110 pounds
The grip does not slip even when sweating.
Weight options: 3 to 110 lbs
We won our hearts (and biceps) as the best dumbbells thanks to the solid cast iron core and durability. For example: these dumbbells were able to withstand a drop on a concrete floor – without scratching. The weight plates are encased in a rubber shell that protects them from corrosion and dents (and also protects your floor from scratches). The hexagonal shape of the “heads” prevents rolling on the floor. We especially loved the grip on the basic dumbbells, which didn’t slip even when our hands were sweaty.
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What to know about dumbbells for home gyms
- Content: The most durable dumbbells are usually made from stronger metals such as cast iron. They are then coated in a rubber-like material to prevent the metal from corroding or breaking. (It will also protect your floor from damage.)
- Grip: For a comfortable grip, choose dumbbells that have contoured handles and a medium-depth corrugation (that’s a textured pattern in the middle) so you know you’ll have a secure grip on the bar. “Neoprene-covered dumbbells are more non-slip but can feel heavy in the hand and tax the grip more,” says Gao. “Metal is usually the more common grip on dumbbells. It allows for a comfortable grip with a light grip (not sticky to the hand), cleans easily, and can have a crosshatch pattern applied to the surface to improve dumbbell grip.”
- storage: If storage space is a major issue, choose a dumbbell set that comes with a rack or stand. Or you can opt for an adjustable dumbbell set, which offers multiple weights in one and will reduce clutter in your home gym. In general, it will be easier to store weights with hexagonal metal plates because their geometric shape prevents them from rolling.
Why form trust?
Kristen Gale is a senior editor specializing in fitness gear. He is also a NASM-certified personal trainer who has taught group fitness classes for many years at a HIIT and strength training studio. He recently spearheaded the Shape’s Best in Fitness Awards, which involved testing and evaluating several pieces of fitness equipment (including dumbbells). For this article, he personally reviewed all the testing methods and insights to select the top tier for each dumbbell, and he personally used many of the dumbbells deemed winners in our testing process.
April Benshousen is a writer, editor, and content strategist with a master’s degree in publishing. She is dedicated to responsible health journalism and has covered nutrition, fitness, wellness and beauty since the beginning of her career. Her byline appears on Women’s Health, Very Well Fit, Health.com, LIVESTRONG.com, Business Insider and more. In her free time, you can catch April lifting weights, spending time with her baby, or planning her next escape from NYC.
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