Your Home Gym Isn't Complete Without Dumbbells — These Are the Ones Fitness Experts Recommend (2024)

Our Top Picks

Weight options: 3 to 110 lbs

These won our hearts (and biceps) as the best dumbbells we tested thanks to the solid cast iron core and durability. Case in point: These dumbbells withstood a drop onto the lab’s concrete floor — sans scratching. The weight plates are encased in a rubber shell that keeps them safe from corrosion and dents (and protecting your floors from scratches, too). The hexagonal shape of the “heads” prevents rolling around on the floor. We especially loved the grip on these basic dumbbells, which didn’t get slippery even as our hands got sweaty.

Weight options: 5 to 52.5 lbs

The Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells replace up to 15 dumbbell sets and also come with their own rack, making storage even easier. The dumbbells adjust with the simple turn of the resistance dial in 5-pound increments up to 52.5 pounds, which meant we could use them for every workout move from front squats to biceps curls. Each adjustable weight features a durable molding on the exterior for smooth lift-offs; this also minimizes noisy clanging in between reps.Even as you adjust the weights, the dumbbells stay the same length, which felt long for our more petite editors. The grip was also more slippery than others we tested.

Weight options: 3 to 24 lbs

Adjustable dumbbells usually cost a pretty penny, but a pair of Powerblocks is relatively budget-friendly. Each dumbbell goes up to 24 pounds in increments of 3 pounds, and it's quickly adjustable thanks to the handy selector pin. Each Powerblock replaces eight pairs of free weights, so you can easily use these in your living room or bedroom without the need for much space. Plus, they come in fun colors, including gray, lavender, and light blue, to add some flair to your workout space. These dumbbells are especially great for warm-ups, high reps, and burnout sets because the weights don't go up too high. But if you're looking for a dumbbell set you can grow into, you're better off going with a heavier set, like the Bowflex SelectTech.

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 workouts. Its contoured handle features the diamond knurling that makes it comfortable to hold, and its hexagonal shape prevents rolling, which comes in handy for storage. Each dumbbell is made with a cast iron core that's extremely durable. The Amazon Basics dumbbell looks almost identical to the Cap Barbell dumbbell; the only difference we noticed was that the Amazon Basics dumbbells felt ever-so-slightly slippier to grip.

Weight options: 5 to 45 lbs, plus upgrade kits

These adjustable dumbbells from Iron Master feature an old-school steel construction that seasoned weightlifters will appreciate. They're super durable, so you can drop them between sets without worrying about dinging them up. Each dumbbell features a block design that makes for easy storage and prevents the dumbbells from rolling on the floor in between sets.The dumbbells are adjustable with the quick-lock handle that lets you add or subtract weight by removing the locking screw; adding or removing plates; and then screwing them back on (tthis process takes a bit longer than adjustable dumbbells that use resistance dials, such as Bowflex SelectTech 552). Iron Master also offers two upgrade kits — the 75 pound and 120 pound kits — so you can add more weight to these dumbbells as you progress.

Weight options: 2, 3, and 5 lbs

This 20-pound neoprene dumbbell set from Amazon Basics features 2-, 3-, and 5-pound weights, and it even comes with a stand for storage. We loved that the neoprene coating was easy to hold onto no matter how sweaty we got, and the smaller weights felt more approachable for beginners to strength training. We also noticed that the weight of each dumbbell was clearly printed on its head, so it was easy to tell whether we were grabbing the 2 lb or 3 lb weight. Unfortunately, the stand didn’t impress us. While the rack was small enough to fit almost anywhere, it was thin and not as sturdy as we were expecting.

Weight options: 5.5 to 50 lbs

Experienced lifters will appreciate the small details of the Decathlon Domyos dumbbell set. Unlike the other options we tested, which have evenly sided hexagonal heads, these dumbbell heads are longer on certain sides. We found this made them easier to stack and store, and they were better suited for fitness moves such as renegade rows. They’ll also rest more comfortably on your shoulders during front squats, lunges, or overhead presses. The grip was especially impressive, and the dumbbell felt like it was superglued to our hands.

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 these, we found that the knurled handle was easy to hold and offered a comfortable grip without feeling too rugged. Plus, the adjustment mechanism truly is intuitive. And unlike many other dumbbell sets, these are far from being an eyesore. They boast a sleek design that comes in four different neutral colors — black, matte black, white, and dark green — that work well with most home gyms.

Weight options: 5 to 25 lb weights included

Yes, these are the same dumbbells as our best dumbbells overall, the Cap Barbell dumbbells, just with storage included — so everything we loved about the individual dumbbell sets still holds true for this option. If you're ready to invest in your strength training and buy several dumbbell sets at once, this is the option for you. The A-frame storage does take up a decent amount of space, so you won’t get away with hiding these dumbbells completely out of sight.

Weight options: 5 to 25 lbs

Adjustable dumbbells replace the need for a whole set of free weights, and Flybird's dumbbell adjusts from 5 to 25 pounds with a simple twist of the handle. Unlike other adjustable dumbbells that are usually sold in pairs, Flybird sells its dumbbells in singles, which is a great perk if you don't have much space to work out in your home. Simply tuck the dumbbell under your bed or in a closet when you're done using it.

Weight options: 2.4 to 27 lbs

The unique triangular shape of the YBell Neo blends dumbbells, kettlebells, and push-up stands into one space-saving piece of equipment. That means you can use them for anything from power cleans to split jerks to rows with just a switch of your grip. These dumbbells also feature a neoprene coating, which helps prevent slippage even through the sweatiest CrossFit WODs. Ybells are sold in singles, so they may cost you more than other options on our list if you're planning to buy in pairs. Still, their comfortable grip and versatility might make these worth the extra bucks.

Weight options: 3 to 10 lbs

While the diamond knurling on the other dumbbells we tested may sound fancy, it doesn’t necessarily feel that way on your hands (a big reason many people turn to weight-lifting gloves while strength training). The Alta Soft-Touch dumbbells are on the opposite end of the spectrum. Instead of causing calluses, the gentle silicone feels better on the hands than textured metal. The dumbbells are anti-bacterial (hey, even though you’re using them in your home gym, you never know what germs are floating around), and we love that they come in a chic variety of colors.