Looking for one dumbbell to rule them all? These are the best adjustable dumbbells for strength training and home workouts in 2023…
A pair of the best adjustable dumbbells can help you in more ways than one. If you’re looking to set up a small gym at home, you’ll need a selection of dumbbells that cover a useful range and enable you to do a large number of exercises.
Looking for fixed dumbbells? Check out our roundup of the best dumbbell sets for home workouts
However, trying to cover this range with individual weights will not only take up a significant amount of floorspace, but it’ll burn a hole in your wallet too.
So investing in a set of adjustable dumbbells makes a lot of sense if you want a relatively inexpensive set-up. The initial outlay may seem expensive, but as long as you choose the right set, it should cover all your lifting needs.
For comprehensive strength sessions check out this full-body dumbbell workout
To help you make the best decision, we’ve pulled together the following buyer’s guide, featuring the very best adjustable dumbbells for 2023.
Adjustable dumbbells vs fixed dumbbells
Once you’ve chosen your adjustable dumbbells, just select your weight and you’re good to go. To begin with, you can use them as you would a standard set of dumbbells. But by using their entire range you can quickly tap into a wealth of exercises in one workout.
Learn more about the differences between adjustable dumbbells and fixed dumbbells
It goes without saying that adjustable dumbbells offer more flexibility and versatility than their fixed-weight counterparts. There are various types of adjustable dumbbells available, including the classic plate dumbbells that use a removable collar to add and take off weights.
These can be time consuming to adjust, though, which can interrupt your workout. So we’ve concentrated on the best proper adjustable dumbbells – ones that allow you to change weights on the fly.
New to adjustable dumbbells? Check out our guide on how to use them
This lets you get on with the serious business of nailing your reps and getting the right amount of rest between sets and exercises. It also allows you to decrease or increase the resistance in manageable increments to finesse your workout.
What makes a good adjustable dumbbell?
Before choosing adjustable dumbbells, consider the kind of exercises you intend to use them for. Are you going for heavy-weight strength gains, or looking to get leaner with some high-rep conditioning?
If you’re just starting out, you’ll probably be tempted to go lighter. Bear in mind that you will get stronger and be able to lift heavier weights as you progress, though. So before long a maximum weight of 20kg, say, may not be enough to continue seeing improvements.
Put your new kit to the test with the best dumbbell exercises for every body part
Look for adjustable dumbbells with a simple, intuitive selection mechanism, and a wide weight range to give room for progression. Ideally you want a large number of adjustments between the highest and lowest weights, giving you a wide range of options and smaller jumps between weights.
Handle design plays a big part in comfort so look for adjustable dumbbells with wide handles with soft, knurled or patterned grips. The dumbbell’s footprint is worth considering if storage is an issue, and waist-level stands can make changing weights more comfortable too.
When it’s leg day try this dumbbell-only leg workout
BEST ADJUSTABLE DUMBBELLS 2023
(Keep scrolling for full reviews…)
- Nuobell 2kg – 32kg ($745 / £699 / fitness-superstore.co.uk)
- Primal Strength Personal Series 34kg (£75 each / musclesquad.com / not available in the US)
- Bowflex SelectTech 552i Dumbbells (£399 / fitness-superstore.co.uk / international shipping available)
- MuscleSquad 5kg – 32.5kg (£275 each / amazon.co.uk / not available in the US)
- JaxJox 22.6kg DumbbellConnect ($499 / £390 / jaxjox.co.uk)
- BodyMax V2.0 25kg Selectabell 15-in-1 Single Dumbbell (£199 each / powerhouse-fitness.co.uk / not available in the US)
BEST ADJUSTABLE DUMBBELL SET:
Nuobell 2-32kg
BUY IT NOW:
$745 / £699 / fitness-superstore.co.uk
Grip: 4.5/5
Weight range: 5/5
Ease of adjustment: 5/5
OVERALL: 5/5
Weight range: 2kg – 32kg | Increments: 16 | Dimensions: 485 x 185 x 180mm
Simply the best adjustable dumbbell system we had the pleasure of testing.
A seamless twist of the handles allow you to cycle between the different weights in an instant, and there’s no rattling around of weight plates when you’re lifting. The handles have a decent amount of grip (though if there’s one small gripe it’s that it could be slightly better during high-intensity exercises).
All in all, this is a stylish and elegant set of weights that manages to marry good looks with chart-topping practicality.
Read our full Nuobell 2-32kg review
Primal Strength Personal Series 34kg
BUY IT NOW:
£499 / primalstrength.com (not available in the US)
Grip: 4.5/5
Weight range: 5/5
Ease of adjustment: 4.5/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
Weight range: 5kg – 34kg | Increments: 21 | Dimensions: 542 x 216 x 183mm
You get what you pay for with these Primal Strength 34kg adjustable dumbbells – they’re a high-quality, versatile investment for any home gym user.
Over nearly a 30kg range, you get a whopping 21 different weights to work with. That should satisfy even the most experienced weight trainer.
They’re longer than most adjustable dumbbells, but the slider selection system is a breeze to use and the handles stay comfortable throughout long workouts.
Read our full Primal Strength Personal Series 34kg review
Also check out the Primal Strength Personal Series 25kg With Stand
BUY IT NOW:
£449 / primalstrength.com (not available in the US)
Bowflex SelectTech 552i Dumbbells
BUY IT NOW:
£399 / fitness-superstore.co.uk (international shipping available)
Grip: 5/5
Weight range: 3.5
Ease of adjustment: 5/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
Weight range: 2kg – 24kg | Increments: 15 | Dimensions: 40 x 20 x 23cm | Warranty: 2 years
Bowflex’s rubber and steel grip is well designed for more explosive exercises and fast-paced HIIT-style workouts.
You can move from 2kg up to 24kg with the simple twist of a dial, and there’s a tray to store the weights and drop them back when you need to add or lose some plates.
Bowflex also offers on-demand strength classes via its JRNY app, so you can put the dumbbells to work with prescribed exercises.
MuscleSquad 5kg – 32.5kg
BUY IT NOW:
£275 each / amazon.co.uk (not available in the US)
Grip: 4.5/5
Weight range: 5/5
Ease of adjustment: 4/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
Weight range: 5kg – 32.5kg | Increments: 12 | Dimensions: 420 x 210 x 200mm | Warranty: 1 year
With 12 adjustment settings over a 27.5kg range, this MuscleSquad adjustable dumbbell set gives you plenty of options to fine-tune your workouts.
Like its smaller sibling, you simply place the dumbbell on the included dock, turn the dial to your desired weight and start lifting.
Its handle is soft and textured for a comfortable grip and the gripping mechanism works smoothly and securely, too. If you can see past the price, these dumbbells can offer you a one-stop shop for all your strength-training needs.
Read our full MuscleSquad 5kg – 32.5kg review
Also check out the MuscleSquad 2.5kg – 12.5kg Adjustable Dumbbell
BUY IT NOW:
£75 each / musclesquad.com (not available in the US)
Read our full MuscleSquad 2.5kg – 12.5kg review
JaxJox 22.6kg DumbbellConnect
BUY IT NOW:
$499 / £390 / jaxjox.co.uk
Grip: 4/5
Weight range: 4.5/5
Ease of adjustment: 5/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
Weight range: 3.6kg – 22.6kg | Increments: 8 | Dimensions: 495 x 191 x 178mm | Warranty: 1 year | Features: JaxJox app, free 30-day trial subscription, fast-charging USB-C connector
With a digital docking station and performance tracking app, these JaxJox adjustable dumbbells are an impressive piece of kit.
They use a USB-powered digital dock for weight selection and a companion app to suggest exercises and track progress. Just sync the app for real-time data such as reps, weight, sets, time, average power and total volume.
They do the basics well, too – including a robust design, comfortable grooved handles and secure locking plates.
Just remember to charge via USB, or you won’t be able to change weights.
Read our full JaxJox 22.6kg DumbbellConnect review
BodyMax V2.0 25kg Selectabell 15-in-1
BUY IT NOW:
£199 each / powerhouse-fitness.co.uk (not available in the US)
Grip: 4/5
Weight range: 4/5
Ease of adjustment: 4.5/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Weight range: 4.5kg – 25kg | Increments: 15 | Warranty: 2 years
This BodyMax 25kg adjustable dumbbell has one of the slickest designs on the market and is simple to get to grips with.
Its selector pin is one of the simplest weight selection systems we’ve used, and the plates are sturdy and don’t rattle around.
Its knurled grip isn’t as comfortable as some we’ve tested, but the weight markers on the base and its compatibility with the Selectabell Stand V2.0 make weight changing simple and intuitive.
Read our full BodyMax V2.0 25kg Selectabell 15-in-1 review
Also check out the BodyMax 36kg Selectabell 18-in-1
BUY IT NOW:
£269 each / powerhouse-fitness.co.uk (not available in the US)
