The 10 Best Adjustable Dumbbell Sets in 2023, Tested by Certified Trainers

IF THERE’S one piece of home gym equipment you should have in your house, it should be dumbbells. “There’s a reason dumbbells are in every single big-box gym,” says MH fitness director Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S., who created an arm-focused muscle-building program, All Out Arms, based heavily around dumbbells. “If you want targeted muscle—and that’s what all guys want—then you want dumbbells.”

Even if you don’t have an official home gym or workout area, the great thing about dumbbells is that they require little to no space—just as long as you’re only working with one single pair of weights. That’s easy if you invest in an adjustable set, which can shift from light to heavy with a quick turn of a knob or shift of a setting.

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“When you’re working out at home, space becomes your biggest challenge. You probably don’t have enough room for an entire rack full of dumbbells (let alone the budget to buy an entire set of weights), so your best option is most likely going to be getting that whole rack in one set,” says Brett Williams, NASM-CPT certified trainer and fitness editor at Men’s Health. “Everything becomes simpler with these adjustable sets—from swapping in lighter and heavier weights mid-workout to storing your stuff when you’re done.”

A pair of adjustable dumbbells will allow you to take your training to the next level without stepping foot in a gym. The dumbbells will also minimize the amount of equipment you need. Think about it; just one adjustable dumbbell can replace up to 15 weights. Now that’s what we call efficiency. Speaking of efficiency, we rounded up 10 of the very best adjustable dumbbells on the market below. Whichever set you choose, they’re sure to help you stay fit and strong while training at home.

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Best Premium Dumbbells: SMRTFT Nuobell 80lb Adjustable Dumbbells

If you’re building the mother of all home gyms and money is no object, this comprehensive premium set of dumbbells from SMRTFT is your man. The Nuobell 80LB dumbbell set is crafted from near-bulletproof machined steel that’s built to outlast you. The included portable cradles make for easy storage, and the compact design means the entire set takes up far less space than typical fixed-weight dumbbell sets.

The adjustable design means that you can use the same set of weights for every muscle group for a complete full body workout. Drop down to a little weight for bent-over flys, for example, or pile on the plates for more intense squats. It all adjusts seamlessly and easily with the built-in selector. Knurled handles make for safer lifting at any weight.

Although there are thousands of fitness apps available, we also like the free app included with SMRTFTs dumbbells. It offers access to on-demand workouts with pro trainers, plus the ability to plan your own fitness journey, find nutrition tips, and get daily motivation.

Read more: SMRTFT Nuobell Review

Best Tested: Nordic Track iSelect Dumbbells

The most innovative dumbbells on the market, the iSelect’s rely on voice controls to change resistance. That means you can finish a set of bodyweight sit-ups and yell to Alexa to switch to 25-pound dumbbells, then instantly grab your bells and start a set of curls.

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Most Reliable: PowerBlock Pro Series

An ultra-sturdy set of dumbbells that’s built for durability, making them perfect for heavy-duty moves like dead stop rows, Romanian deadlifts, and heavy presses.

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Best High-End Set: Bowflex SelectTech 1090 Set

These Bowflex adjustable dumbbells have weights that adjust from 10 to 90 pounds in 5-pound increments, which replaces up to 17 pairs of dumbbells. They’re also super easy to adjust; they have easy-to-use selection dials for adjusting weights that are smooth and user-friendly.

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Amazon’s Choice: Yes4All Core Selectorized Dumbbell Set

Yes4All’s take on the adjustable dumbbell delivers up to 55 pounds of resistance and anti-rust plates that are built to last.

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Best Lightweight Set: Ativafit Adjustable Dial Dumbbells

If you’re in the market for some lighter weights, these Ativafit adjustable dumbbells top out at 27.5 pounds. With just a push and slide, you can easily change your weight setting in 2.5-pound increments.

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Most Versatile: Stroops Bellitron Adjustable Dumbbells

You don’t just get an adjustable dumbbell with up to 45-pounds of resistance; buy a pair of Bellitrons, and you can combine them to form a mini-barbell with up to 90 pounds of resistance. Even better, the Bellitron’s multi-position grips allow you to easily do dumbbell swings and other explosive exercises, too.

Core Home Fitness Adjustable Dumbbell Set

This adjustable dumbbell set from Core Home Fitness lets you change weights in 5-pound increments just by twisting a handle, and ranges from 5 to 50 pounds. They also come with a lightweight aluminum cradle for a compact design.

Read more: 13 Ways to Smoke Your Back Using Dumbbells

PowerBlock Elite EXP Adjustable Dumbbells

These dumbbells from PowerBlock are welded from solid steel and have a powder-coated finish. This one set replaces 16 pairs of dumbbells for a total of 825 pounds of weight, and each dumbbell is expandable to 70 or 90 pounds per hand.

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NordicTrack Select-A-Weight Dumbbell Set

Each plate is 2.5 pounds and can be easily adjusted with the brand’s quick adjustment system and convenient storage trays.

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How We Selected

For the past two years, Men’s Health‘s Fitness editors and writers have been testing the top adjustable dumbbell sets. Experts, including our fitness director Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S. and fitness editor Brett Williams, NASM, put countless adjustable dumbbell sets through the wringer to evaluate their weight capacity, performance, and durability. We also considered price point, as some adjustable dumbbell sets provide a better overall value than others.

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What to Look for in Adjustable Dumbbells

• Ease of Use: Basically, does the dumbbell feel “good” or natural to you? Again, this comes down to personal preference, and might involve a trip to your local sporting goods store or gym equipment provider to compare a few models in-person.
• Construction: We’re talking about what your dumbbells are made of and how durable they are. We recommend rubber hex dumbbells for the vast majority of fitness types. They’re extremely durable, designed to take a beating, including being dropped, dragged around, and lord knows what else. Buy one decent set of hex rubber dumbbells, and there’s a good chance you won’t have to buy another set for a very long time, if ever.
• Budget: Price is important for just about every home gym builder. For many people, this might be the deciding factor. We recommend adjustable dumbbells for most fitness types, and they’re typically the most affordable, so we suggest starting there. If, on the other hand, you have the space and extra money to burn, a dedicated set of rubber or iron hex dumbbells might be the better way to go.

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Should You Get Standard or Adjustable Dumbbells?

It comes down to your available space and a bit of personal preference. In most cases, adjustable dumbbells are the way to go. They take up far less space and are often a little bit cheaper than standard, fixed weight alternatives.