Whether you’re blasting your biceps, toning your tris with skullcrushers, pounding your pecks with presses, getting into your goblet squats, or hammering out any of the other many workouts that require them, dumbbells are an essential part of your home gym. To that end, we’ve decided that no reader should go with subpar home workout equipment, so here’s a roundup of the best dumbbells money can buy.
You can go after (and get) your gains with confidence knowing that these dumbbells have been personally tested by a seasoned, somewhat swole fitness fanatic. Forget about dumbbells that don’t deliver something special to your home gym. The dumbbells recommended below truly are the best of the best.
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Sleek adjustable dumbbells
Smrtft Nüobell 80 LB Dumbbells
- Adjustable
- Sleek look
- Can be tricky to adjust
For a dedicated lifter, one of the biggest challenges of building a home gym involves all the space required from having a more expansive set of dumbbells. Smrtft solves that with the Nüobell 80s. Not only do these dumbells offer an impressive range spanning 5 to 80 pounds per fist, but they have a sleek vibe that looks great in a home setup.
Gym standard hex dumbbells for a reason
Cap Barbell Rubber Coated Hex Dumbbell Set
- Ultra durable
- Won't roll away
There’s a reason you’ll find Cap Barbell’s Hex Dumbbells in gyms all over the world. When it comes to durability, they’re as solid as they come. Stackable hex dumbbells also won’t roll away, and can be held against one another for certain movements without rolling.
A full-range, affordable weight set
RitFit Adjustable Dumbbells 40-100 Pounds
- Budget-friendly
- Versatile
- Weights tend to be a bit rattly
If you’re looking for a dumbbell set that spans a wide range of weight sizes, this set from RitFit delivers that and a barbell. What’s more, it delivers a lot of equipment on a relatively small budget. In the end, you bring home a high versatility, low-cost weight set that allows you to move through a full variety of dumbbell workouts.
When you just need a single dumbbell
Weider Rubber Hex Dumbbells
- Sturdy
- Won't roll
If you’re working out in a more limited space, a single dumbbell might be the best way to go. You can still perform an extremely wide range of exercises with one dumbbell, and depending on your goals, one-sided or “unilateral” movements might actually be more desirable. Whatever the case, these rock-solid hex dumbbells from Weider will do the trick. And thanks to its rubber coating, it won’t bang around too much and annoy the neighbors.
A more ergonomic dumbbell option
Rogue Thompson Fatbells
- Ergonomic
- Cool look
If you’re looking for something a little different — and a little more ergonomic — check out the Thompson Fatbells from Rogue. Specifically designed to place your fist at the center of gravity, they deliver a more balanced lifting experience. And since they’re made by the renowned fitness brand Rogue, you can count on their build quality.
User-friendly adjustable dumbbells
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells
- Adjusts easily
- Great weight range
Spanning 5 to 52 pounds each, this set of adjustable dumbbells from Bowflex offer a solid weight range for most home gyms, and the reduced number of weight plates results in something that’s a little more living space-friendly. What’s more, these are some of the most user-friendly adjustable dumbbells on the market, allowing you to switch between different settings with ease.
For when you're stacking your own load
Annzoe Olympic Dumbbell Handles
- Super durable
If you prefer to go a more traditional adjustable route and stack your own weights, these Olympic-standard dumbbell handles from Annzoe are an outstanding choice. Capable of holding an arm-aching 300 pounds each — that’s 600 pounds in total — they’re as tough as they come. They’re designed to accommodate standard 2-inch plates, and are knurled to boost your grip.
Wildly adjustable dumbbells
Pinroyal 4-In-1 Adjustable Dumbbell Set
- Extremely adjustable
If you’re leaning far into versatility — by which we mean you’re seeking the utmost range of exercise options — check these guys out. Just about as adjustable as they come, the Pinroyal 4-In-1 Adjustable Dumbbell Set can switch between standard dumbbells, a standard barbell, a quad-loaded barbell, a kettlebell, single and double-handled dumbbells, and even handles for pushups. Suffice it to say that they add a supremely high level of diversity to your home workout routine.
