Looking to add dumbbells to your home gym? Then see our breakdown of the top 8 best adjustable dumbbells along with their pros and cons to help you pick the right set for you.
Adjustable dumbbells offer the ideal solution for home workouts by combining multiple dumbbells into a single pair, thus optimising your space and saving you money.
We've handpicked a vairety of adjustable dumbbells that will help you find a set that meets your needs and will help you towards your goals.
Top Picks By Category
- Best Adjustable Dumbbells - BrainGain 9 in 1 32kg Adjustable Dumbbells
- Best 25kg Adjustable Dumbbells - NordicTrack 25kg Select-a-weight dumbbells
- Best 40kg Adjustable Dumbbells - BrainGain 40kg Octagon Adjustable Dumbbells (Pair)
- Best Heavy Adjustable Dumbbells - PowerBlock Elite Exp Adjustable Dumbbells
- Best Cheap Adjustable Dumbbells - York Fitness 20kg Spinlock Dumbbell Set
The Best Adjustable Dumbbells of 2024
1. BrainGain 9 in 1 32kg Adjustable Dumbbells - Best Adjustable Dumbbells Overall
| Adjustment Type |
Handle Twist |
| Weight Range |
2kg to 32kg |
| Weight Increments |
2kg, 4kg, 8kg, 12kg, 16kg, 20kg, 24kg, 28kg and 32kg |
| Sold as a Pair? | Yes |
Starting off with our overall pick for best adjustable dumbbell is the BRAINGAIN 9-in-1 32kg Adjustable Dumbbell which comes from a company that emerged during the pandemic, and impressively, they've already put forth a commendable product lineup.
This particular dumbbell set is a standout, offering weight adjustments from 2kg to 32kg in 9 convenient steps, essentially giving you 9 pairs of dumbbells in one sleek unit.
What's really neat is the twist handle adjustment, which results in flat dumbbell ends, ensuring comfort when resting on your legs pre-exercise.
See them in action:
The pricing is also competitive which is currently at around £350, making it a value-for-money option without sacrificing quality or customer service.
Although BRAINGAIN is quite new to the market, we have been impressed with their adjustable dumbbells which are functional, and fairly priced making them a good choice.
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2. PowerBlock Elite Exp Adjustable Dumbbells - Best Heavy Adjustable Dumbbells
| Adjustment Type |
Slide Pin |
| Weight Range |
1kg to 23kg |
| Weight Increments |
2.5lbs (adder weight), 5lbs, 7.5lbs, 10lbs, 15lbs, 17.5lbs, 20lbs, 25lbs, 27.5lbs, 30lbs, 35lbs, 37.5lbs, 40lbs, 45lbs, 47.5lbs, 50 lbs |
| Sold as a Pair? | Yes |
Next up, we have the PowerBlock Elite EXP Adjustable Dumbbells, brought to us by a brand with a strong legacy, known for their adjustable dumbbells since 1991.
With their trademark block design, they offer a comfortable setup for exercises like chest press and shoulder press as you can rest the dumbbells on your legs without discomfort.
Among various options, the Elite EXP stands out, ranging from 1 to 23kg with an upgrade potential of up to 41kg per dumbbell.
Another bonus is the shortening length of the dumbbells as less weight is selected.
While not the cheapest on the market, they offer added value with a reassuring 5-year warranty.
Related: Adjustable dumbbells maintenance guide
The only minor downside is the two increment weights that need to be inserted into the handle to adjust weight jumps.
While it's a quick process, it's an extra step to consider.
Overall, these are durable and versatile dumbbells that offer comfort and a solid warranty, making them a worthy investment.
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3. BrainGain 40kg Octagon Adjustable Dumbbells (Pair) - Best 40kg Adjustable Dumbbells
| Adjustment Type |
Handle Twist |
| Weight Range |
2.5kg to 40kg |
| Weight Increments |
2.5kg, 5kg, 7.5kg, 10kg, 12.5kg, 15kg, 17.5kg, 20kg, 22.5kg, 25kg, 27.5kg, 30kg, 32.5kg, 35kg, 37.5kg and 40kg |
| Sold as a Pair? | Yes |
If you are looking for a pair of slightly higher weight capacity adjustable dumbbells than the first pair we saw from BrainGain then their 40kg pair of Octagon dumbbells are worth considering.
They have an impressive weight range from 2.5kg to 40kg in 2.5kg weight increments which gives you 16 different weight dumbbells in one pair. So there are plenty of weight adjustments to choose from allowing you to easily find a weight that works for your strength.
BrainGain has gone with an octagon shape for this pair which prevents them from rolling away if you leave them sat on the floor, unlike the round version. But some people like it when they can roll the weights on the floor. However, they do have a round version that is 40kg as well, so you can choose which style you prefer.
Related: Browse our range of dumbbells
They use the same twist handle design as their 32kg pair which makes it very quick and easy to change the weight.
Plus, thanks to this twist handle design, the ends of the dumbbells are flat making them comfortable to rest on your legs. But it also changes the length of the dumbbells depending on how much weight you have selected.
So if you only have 10kg of weight selected, the dumbbells are much shorter than when the full 40kg is selected.
Our final verdict, the BrainGain 40kg Octagon dumbbells are very comfortable to use and the compact nature of these dumbbells makes them easier to use. Combined with the higher weight capacity and great price at just under £500, there isn't much to not like.
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4. NordicTrack 25kg Select-a-weight dumbbells
| Adjustment Type |
Slide Pin |
| Weight Range |
5kg to 25kg |
| Weight Increments |
5kg, 6kg, 7kg, 9kg, 10kg, 11kg, 13kg, 14kg, 15kg, 18kg, 19kg, 20kg, 23kg, 24kg and 25kg |
| Sold as a Pair? | Yes |
Next up we have a 25kg set from NordicTrack who are well known for their cardio equipment but not so much for their strength. But as we would expect from NordicTrack their Select-a-weight set is good quality and caters to their target audience.
It offers 15 different weight increments from 5kg to 25kg using a select-a-weight mechanism. But NordicTrack has adjusted the mechanism so that the length of the weight varies depending on the amount of weight selected.
This helps to keep the dumbbells compact, unlike the models from BowFlex which are always the same length. An added bonus of their design is that the ends of the dumbbells are flat making them comfortable to rest on your legs while getting ready to do an exercise.
Related: Adjustable Dumbbells vs Fixed Dumbbells
One feature we love on this set that we don’t often see at this price point is a knurled metal handle. Competitors often have a plastic/ rubber handle which isn’t as durable as this handle design.
While we would have liked to see the starting weight a little lighter. The NordicTrack dumbbells are of great quality and excellent value for money, especially in comparison to the BowFlex SelectTech 552.
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5. BowFlex SeletTech 552
| Adjustment Type |
Turn Dial |
| Weight Range |
2kg to 24kg |
| Weight Increments |
2kg, 3kg, 4kg, 5kg, 7kg, 8kg, 9kg, 10kg, 11kg, 14kg, 16kg, 18kg, 20kg, 23kg and 24kg |
| Sold as a Pair? | No |
The Bowflex SelectTech 552 is possibly the most well known pair of dumbbells in this list and is one of the original turn dial systems.
Read Next: How do adjustable dumbbells work?
There are only a few minor differences to the pair of BrainGain dumbbells we looked at they also provide a weight range from 2 to 24kg in 15 increments.
The sleek design is eye-catching, and the quick weight change mechanism makes it convenient for varied workouts.
However, there are some notable downsides. The price tag is on the higher side, particularly when compared to the model we looked at earlier. They also can't be upgraded to add more weight as you get stronger.
Additionally, the bulky 40cm length remains constant, regardless of whether 2kg or 24kg is selected. This can make them feel bulky when trying to perform certain exercises.
The Bowflex SelectTech 552 is a good quality product but may not be suitable for those seeking a higher weight range or a more compact design.
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6. IronMaster Quick-Lock 34kg Adjustable Dumbbell Set
| Adjustment Type |
Quick-Lock Turn System |
| Weight Range |
2kg to 34kg |
| Weight Increments |
1.1kg steps from 2kg to 34kg |
| Sold as a Pair? | Yes |
The IronMaster Quick-lock Adjustable Dumbbells are a powerhouse for dedicated weightlifters.
Offering an monstrous weight capacity of 74kg with add-on kits, it will test your limits.
Priced at approximately £700 for the 34kg base pair, they are an investment.
To max out, you need the 54.4kg and 74.8kg add-on kits, each costing around £400. So, the total is about £1500 and we would recommend the dumbbell stand to help you change the weights quicker.
The price might seem steep, but it's mirrored by the quality. These dumbbells are comfortable, resilient, and constructed to survive the toughest workouts.You can toss them about without fear of damage.
Related: Why are adjustable dumbbells so expensive?
So, if you're serious about lifting and seek equipment that can withstand the intensity, the IronMaster Adjustable Dumbbell is worth considering.
It's a premium product, delivering on both performance and durability. All in all, it's a solid investment for those serious about their weight training.
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7. York Fitness Olympic Dumbbell Handles
| Adjustment Type |
Olympic Collars |
| Weight Range |
Depends on your Olympic weight plate collection. |
| Sold as a Pair? | Yes |
If you are on a limited budget then the York Fitness Olympic Adjustable Dumbbells are a great choice if you already have a collection of Olympic weight plates at home.
These Olympic dumbbell handles may be a little cumbersome due to their size, and the spring collars may slow you down a tad, but their cost-effectiveness and versatility outweigh these minor hiccups.
The weight capacity of these dumbbells is considerable, we managed to load over 70kg on each handle, granted you need enough weight plates on hand.
However, keep in mind that loading them up with numerous 10kg plates can make them bulky.
All things considered, these dumbbells are a reliable, cost-effective solution for those seeking to build or enhance their home gym setup without breaking the bank.
Just ensure you're ready to deal with a bit of bulkiness and slower adjustments from time to time.
But here is a quick tip, to speed up the process of changing weights, consider investing in Olympic clamps. They usually slide on and off the handles more quickly than the standard spring clips.
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8. York Fitness 20kg Spinlock Dumbbell Set - Best Cheap Adjustable Dumbbells
| Adjustment Type |
Spin Lock |
| Weight Range |
1kg to 7.5kg or 1 x 20kg dumbbell |
| Weight Increments |
1kg increases |
| Sold as a Pair? | Yes |
Here we have another budget friendly option from York Fitness with their 20kg Cast Iron Adjustable Dumbbell Set.
It is no-frills option for those looking to workout at home. The set consists of a dumbbell handle that takes standard 1 inch weight plates and has a spinlock nut to keep the weights on the bar.
Although adjusting the weights may require a bit of patience, these dumbbells are durable and will last a long time.
The dumbbell handles being compatible with standard 1-inch weight plates makes it straightforward to add more weights as your strength progresses.
These York Fitness dumbbells are an ideal choice for beginners or those who value cost-effectiveness over speed of weight changes.
As such, they serve as a solid entry point to get you on your weightlifting journey without emptying the bank account.
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Why Trust Our Reviews?
At Home Gym Supply, our in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience with gym equipment fuel our recommendations for the best adjustable dumbbells available today.
We collaborate directly with manufacturers, many of whom seek our expert feedback to enhance their products.
Our team has not only tested these dumbbells but also engaged in constructive dialogues with suppliers to fully understand their unique features and quality.
Through our own research, we identify brands that stand out not only for their top-notch products but also for their exceptional after-sales care.
We are also lucky enough to attend industry events like the FIBO expo, where we stay up to date with the latest innovations in gym equipment.
No matter what you goals are, we can help guide you towards the best adjustable dumbbells for your home gym.
Are Adjustable Dumbbells Worth It? A Good Idea for Fitness Enthusiasts
If you're a fitness enthusiast seeking variety and convenience in your home workout setup, the answer is a resounding yes.
The main appeal of adjustable dumbbells lies in their versatility. One set can provide a range of weights, saving space and offering the ability to tailor your workout to your specific needs.
Also, they can adapt to your fitness level as it evolves over time, making them a long-term, cost-effective solution. While the initial outlay might seem steep, the benefits and the convenience they provide over time can indeed make them worth the expense.
Related: Benefits of adjustable dumbbells
Want to learn more? We have an in-depth post about the advantages of adjustable dumbbells on our site.
We hope this guide has shed light on the world of adjustable dumbbells and will assist you in making a well-informed choice.
Remember, the best dumbbell is the one that fits your goals and lifestyle.
Happy lifting and here's to your health and strength!