• It’s truly amazing what you can do for your body with a good pair of dumbbells.
  • The space-saving, intuitively-designed Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells are our top pick because the weights can be adjusted to weigh as little as 5 pounds or as much as 52.5 pounds per dumbbell.

While undertaking the truly harrowing process of packing up an entire house prior to a cross-country move last year, a select few items in particular required special attention. These included delicate china and irreplaceable artwork, to be sure, but one group of decidedly less refined objects also presented a complication: my dumbbells. I had to figure out the best way to move more than 300 pounds of weight, distributed across dumbbells weighing as much as 50 pounds and as little as 5, from LA to NY without adding too much extra cost to the process.

The solution was a to stash some of the weights in a car we were shipping, to bring a few dumbbells with me in the car I drove, and to distribute the remainder of the weights in boxes filled with bulky but lightweight items like comforters, pillows, and stuffed animals. An even better solution, though, would have been to opt for adjustable weight dumbbells in the first place, concentrating all of the pounds needed into just one pair of hand weights. Live and learn, folks.

Whichever pair or set you choose, dumbbells offer a superlative strength training workout because they engage so many muscles at once during use. A weight machine stabilizes the load for you, concentrating only on a few specific muscle groups at a time. Even a barbell limits the muscles used by distributing the effort across both arms (and/or shoulders, quads, pecs, and so forth).

When you have a dumbbell in your hand, you make use of myriad muscles both large and small as you work to safely and steadily complete those reps. The result is everything from enhanced grip strength to conditioning, as well as building up the targeted muscles, of course.

So while the next time I buy dumbbells I might opt for a modular system with adjustable weights, I’ll never turn my back on this classic approach to strength training. Fitness machines are all fine and good, but a good old dumbbell workout is great.

Here are the best dumbbells you can buy:

Updated on 10/24/2019 by Mara Leighton: Updated prices, links, and formatting. We are currently testing new products, so we'll update this guide soon.

The best dumbbells overall

The Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells allow you to adjust the weight of each dumbbell anywhere from 5 to 52.5 pounds.

The first time I saw a pair of Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells, I have to admit that I was skeptical at best. The weights just looked odd, what with a dial controlling how much weight was loaded onto each bar and the dumbbells looking almost dainty when not loaded up to their full 52.5-pound capacity. And what a waste of time fiddling around with dials when you could just have a larger set of multiple solid weights to grab as needed.

Then I did a few reps of chest exercises and curls. Guess what? The skepticism was gone. These dumbbells feel sturdy whether laden with just a few pounds for a lateral raise or with more than 50 pounds for bench presses or lunges. They adjust so quickly - you just set the dumbbell into its base among the weight discs, turn the dial to the desired load, and pick the bar up again. And given the fact that this one pair of dumbbells can replace 15 separate sets, there is simply no comparison when it comes to price.

Yes, the $250 price tag is high, but think of it like this: Assuming each of the 15 pairs of dumbbells you would have to buy to match this set cost $25 each, which is in fact about half the price of most pairs of hand weights, you would still pay $375. The actual price to match the variety of weights offered by this pair would probably be closer to $600 or more, in reality.

Also, while many people might not need every single weight configuration offered by the Adjustable Dumbbells, their broad range of adjustments makes them suitable for multiple users. There is only one drawback here, and it's the fact that 52.5 pounds is not enough weight for some exercises for some people. But hey, you can just buy the heavier weights you need, you big strong someone.

The Wirecutter calls these dumbbells "user-friendly" and felt they represented a great value. Fit Rated says the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells had a "sturdy feel and solid rubber grip" and were ideal for home gyms.

With nearly 4,000 reviews logged at the time of this writing, these dumbbells have a stellar 4.7-star average rating on Amazon. One satisfied exercise enthusiast loves the convenience of these dumbbells, saying: "With very little time to get to the gym ... these to maximize the time I do have to work out." Another owner notes their "amazing flexibility" and says "the weight changes are fast and seamless."

Pros: One pair of dumbbells replaces 15, quick and easy weight changes, comfortable grips

Cons: Maximum weight of 52.2 pounds too light for some users

The best basic dumbbells

Foto: sourceCAP

The CAP Barbell Cast Iron Hex Dumbbells are made from solid iron and are perfectly sized and balanced for countless workouts.

Sometimes simple really is better. I know I just sang the praises of a set of fancy adjustable dumbbells, but in a perfect world, I would have a home gym large enough to accommodate multiple sets of these classic CAP Barbell Cast Iron Hex Dumbbells instead of one adjustable pair.

With a solid iron dumbbell in each hand, you can work out for hours every week, drop the weights a thousand times (assuming you have pads on the floors!), and never run the risk of damaging your gear. Frankly, I'm not really sure how you could even damage these weights without a furnace that could reach the 2,800-degree melting point of iron.

The dumbbells come in a pair with individual unit weight spanning everything from 5 to well over 100 pounds (they're also sold individually on Amazon). Each weight has a textured grip that helps you maintain a safe, proper grasp on the weights even when your hands are damp with sweat. The hexagonal shape of the weights prevents them from rolling around on the ground - which protects people from injury and walls or other equipment from damage - and also helps the dumbbells rest more stable on a rack.

I personally own dumbbell pairs weighing 50, 40, 25, and 15 pounds (OK, I only have one of the 15 pound weights, having dumped the other while way off the path during a training hike that turned into a trailblazing and route-finding ordeal) and have been using the weights for more than seven years so far. Yes, adjustable dumbbells are convenient, but solid iron is forever.

The CAP Barbell Cast Iron Hex Dumbbells have a 4.2 out of 5-star rating on Amazon. One customer called them a "solid buy" and was impressed with the accurate weight of each dumbbell after he tested them with a scale. Another called them "no frills dumbbells" that "get the job done."

USA Home Gym calls the CAP Barbell Cast Iron Hex Dumbbells well-made and appreciated how the hexagonal shape stops "the dumbbell from rolling" and can "provide easier storage."

Pros: Last for a lifetime, hexagonal shape prevents rolling, easy to read weight numbers

Cons: Price adds up with multiple pairs

The best adjustable dumbbells

Foto: sourceYes4All

The Yes4All Adjustable Dumbbells save you space by offering multiple weight configurations on each bar and save you cash by using a basic spin-lock collar and weight discs that slide on and off the grips.

There is one major drawback to using a Yes4All Adjustable Dumbbell: During the course of a set of reps, the star-shaped locking collars that keep the weight plates on the handle almost always loosen, letting the weights jostle and spin and potentially impacting your form or even your safety. Here's the thing: You can counter this loosening either with a rubber O-ring or simply with a rubber band twisted around the threaded posts.

I used these exact types of dumbbells for many years, switching to solid weights only after somehow losing a few of the plates over time, thus making it difficult to create a properly balanced weight. And while not ideal for the serious power-lifter, for most strength-training enthusiasts, these weights are a great option because they're easy to use and affordable.

To adjust the weight you have on each bar, you just twist off the holding ring, slip on the desired plates (making sure to evenly balance the weight) and then twist the collar back on. The inch-thick grips are a perfect size for most hands and the fact that you can adjust each dumbbell from as light as a pound or so when the handle is unladen to many dozens of pounds makes them quite versatile. Just remember that when a set says 60 pounds, that means total, i.e. a maximum of 30 pounds per hand, for example.

Dumbbells Reviews calls the Yes4All Adjustable Dumbbells yours for "a very friendly price" and appreciates their ease of adjustment. Fitness Rocks calls these weights "versatile" and "high quality," noting their solid cast-iron construction.

The Yes4All Adjustable Dumbbells have an average Amazon rating of 4.3 stars. One customer says these weights give you "more than your money's worth" when compared with other dumbbell options. A customer says they make it "very easy to set the amount of weight that you want."

Pros: Affordable option, easy to adjust weight, space saving design

Cons: Weight discs sometimes come loose, circular weights can roll on floor

The best low-weight dumbbells

Foto: sourceAmazon

Adding lower weight dumbbells can make your workout much more productive, and the AmazonBasics Neoprene Dumbbells are perfect for that.

If you think you can't get a meaningful workout using a pair of low-weight dumbbells, try holding them in an arm outstretched and parallel to the floor for a few minutes - you'll feel the burn. The AmazonBasics Neoprene Dumbbell set comes in pairs from 1 to 20 pounds, but the set we're recommending - a 20-pound set, which contains two 2-, 3-, and 5-pound weights, and a stand - are ideal for use during a walk or jog or during calisthenic exercises like knee bends, arm extensions, and so forth.

Low-weight dumbbells are great for people doing physical therapy, for older exercisers, or for people who are looking more for toning and leaner muscle than larger, more cut musculature. And a low-cost set like this is always welcome regardless of your fitness goals.

The dumbbells are color coded for quick and easy identification and are entirely coated with a thick layer of neoprene. This covering enhances grip security and comfort and also protects flooring and furniture from a dropped weight. You probably can't achieve a Schwarzenegger-like physique with these weights, but you can tone and tighten and also do wonders for your cardiovascular health.

The Lifevest calls the AmazonBasics Neoprene Dumbbell Set a great choice thanks to the "comfortable grip" and affordability, while TBPR notes that it's "easy to assemble."

The AmazonBasics Neoprene Dumbbells have a 4.6-star average rating online, with one user saying she "love[s] these weights" and calling them a "tremendous value for the money." Another owner loves the compact "size of the set" and the color-coding system.

Pros: Low price, comes with a stand, color-coded weights

Cons: Much too light for some people

The best aquatic dumbbells

Foto: sourceTrademark Innovations

For a safe, productive workout, use the natural property of buoyancy to your advantage with the Trademark Innovations Aquatic Exercise Dumbbells.

Usually, a dumbbell helps you build muscle by requiring resistance against the downward pull of gravity. When you bring the Trademark Innovations Aquatic Exercise Dumbbells into the pool, you will instead be challenged the keep these highly buoyant EVA foam dumbbells down under the surface of the water.

Floating weights are a great way to challenge your body without putting undue strain on your muscles or joints and while minimizing the risk of injury. Not only is it harder to hyper-extend yourself while using aquatic dumbbells, but should you let go of one, it will bob to the surface instead of smashing down on your foot!

Using aquatic barbells can provide a targeted workout for the muscles in your arms, shoulders, and even across much of your back, depending on how you hold the "weights" while in the water. Keeping them partially above the surface provides only a bit of added resistance and is great for the early stages of physical rehab. Holding the dumbbells all the way under the water can present more of a challenge than you might expect, actually helping tone and strengthen muscles.

The one major drawback (if you can call it that) here is that you will need a pool, lake, or ocean in which to use these things (stick to the pool, please).

Wiki.Ezvid took a look at the Trademark Innovations Aquatic Exercise Dumbbells and like what they saw, calling the foam durable and saying the dumbbells offered a "decent amount of resistance."

Pros: Great for low impact workout, low price point, durable closed-cell foam

Cons: Not enough resistance for many users