We’ve picked the best kettlebells to row, twist, swing and squat your way to full-body, functional fitness at home…
If you’re looking to get fit and build full-body strength at home, the versatile, space-saving kettlebell should be high on your kit list. It’s a relatively cheap piece of gear that’s good for everything from smashing leg day and building upper-body strength, to heart-pumping HIIT sessions and even recovery and mobility work.
But not all kettlebells are created equal. That’s why we’ve swung into action, to bring you our tried and tested picks of the best kettlebells to buy in 2023.
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Benefits of using a kettlebell
When it comes to home workouts, kettlebells bring big benefits. They’re versatile, space-efficient and great for full-body fitness.
They’re ideal for swings, cleans and snatches – where they’re more comfortable to use than dumbbells and less technical than barbells – making kettlebells excellent for building power.
Looking for a range of weights? These are the best adjustable dumbbells
Because you’ll often use them unilaterally, in ways that involve holding them at odd angles to your body, they’re also great for teaching your body to ‘resist’ force, building the anti-rotational strength that experts agree is key to long-term health. Finally, because they’re suited to very high reps, kettlebells are great for torching through calories and ultimately burning body fat.
If that sounds like something you want to invest in, there are a few things to consider when you’re looking for the best kettlebells to buy.
What to look for in the best kettlebells
The handle is critical: it should be wide enough to comfortably grip with two hands, with a smooth, comfortable texture that won’t irritate your hands after dozens of reps.
Ideally, you’ll also want a kettlebell that sits comfortably against your forearm during swings or snatches – big and round is the key, but also look for a flat bottom so it stands easily.
Kettlebells can be made of cast iron, steel or even plastic. Cast iron kettlebells are the most durable and provide the best grip. Steel kettlebells are often coated in vinyl or rubber, which can help protect floors and reduce noise. Plastic kettlebells tend to be cheaper, but can also be the least durable. There are also softer water or sand-filled options, like the Reax Fluikettle.
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Competition-style kettlebells are popular. They’re all the same size, regardless of the weight. That makes it easier to maintain consistency as you progress up the weights. They also tend to have smaller handles to avoid sliding, and they’re a joy to swing.
When it comes to choosing weights, it’s important to consider your fitness level and goals. If you’re a beginner, start with a lighter weight, around 8-12kg. If you’re more advanced, you may want to go heavier – up to 32kg (mainly for lower-body movements) or more.
As an all-round option, 16kg is probably the best bet. You might find it a bit light when you get used to swings and squats, but it’ll also let you do a load of pressing variations and high-rep snatches.
If you’re getting a second bell, consider going slightly heavier – say 20kg or 24kg. The latter is heavy enough for almost any move you’ll want to do. Finally, you might want to invest in one smaller weight for mobility drills.
The other option is a selectable kettlebell – like the JaxJox KettlebellConnect 2.0 or the Bowflex Selecttech 840 – which offers multiple weights in a convenient, compact format.
These are the best kettlebells for home workouts
- Best overall – Wolverson Competition Kettlebell (from £74.99, not available in the US)
- Best for grip – TRX Rubber Coated Kettlebell (from $69.95 / £49.95)
- Best for tight budgets – Mirafit Soft-Touch Cast-Iron Kettlebell (from £19.95, not available in the US)
- Best for outdoor workouts – Reax Fluikettle (from $57.95 / £50)
- Best for adjustability – JaxJox KettlebellConnect 2.0 ($249.99 / £250 plus subscription)
BEST OVERALL
Wolverson Competition Kettlebell
BUY IT NOW:
From £74.99 (not currently available in the US), wolverson-fitness.co.uk
Grip: 4/5
Comfort: 5/5
Weight range: 5/5
OVERALL: 5/5
Weight range: 4kg to 32kg | Number of weights: 11 | Features: Consistent size across the range / calibrated for competition / lifetime casting warranty
Competition kettlebells are ideal if you want a consistent size and feel across a range of weights and Wolverson’s high-end offerings swing and handle beautifully. Their retro boxing-gym styling is instantly appealing, too.
Weight distribution is even thanks to their solid one-piece casting and wide, grippy handles have a subtle texture that’s easy on the hands. There’s plenty of room here for two-handed drills, too, as well as a wide weight range with a useful top end of 32kg.
Read our full Wolverson Competition Kettlebell review
BEST FOR GRIP
TRX Rubber-Coated Kettlebell
BUY IT NOW:
From $69.95 / £49.95, trxtraining.com
Grip: 4.5/5
Comfort: 4/5
Weight range: 4.5/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
Weight range: 4kg to 28kg | Number of weights: 8 | Features: Rubber-coated bell / powder-coated handle / colour-coded weight rings
With rubber-coated bells and powder-coated handles, TRX’s kettlebells are as rugged as its popular suspension training systems. Featuring eight bells from 4kg up to 28kg, the range has enough options for all but the most powerful of lifters.
Each kettlebell is colour-coded, too, making weights easier to identify when you’re building up a collection. The size of the handles changes as you move up the weight range with bigger windows and larger diameters. And with a nicely balanced feel and reliable grip, they’re easy to use for the likes of swings, presses, squats, snatches and other drills.
Read our full TRX Rubber-Coated Kettlebell review
BEST FOR TIGHT BUDGETS
Mirafit Soft-Touch Cast-Iron Kettlebells
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From £19.95 (not currently available in the US), mirafit.com
Grip: 4.5/5
Comfort: 4/5
Weight range: 5/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
Weight range: 6kg to 32kg | Number of weights: 9 | Features: Weld-free cast-iron construction / full set available with storage rack
Mirafit’s powder-coated cast iron bells are well worth considering if you’re looking to build a collection on a budget. Starting at under £20, the range is one of the most expansive too, with nine kettlebells weighing between 6kg and a whopping 36kg. You can also buy them in a set for added savings.
Underneath that protective coating, there’s a durable single cast, weld-free cast-iron bell. The handle is powder-coated too, for a smooth and soft grip. Despite their modest price, the Mirafit kettlebells are well balanced, comfortable to hold and suitable for all major kettlebell drills.
Read our full Mirafit Soft-Touch Cast-Iron review
BEST FOR OUTDOOR WORKOUTS
Reax Fluikettle
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From $57.95 / £50, reaxxer.com
Grip: 3/5
Comfort: 4/5
Weight range: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Weight range: 2kg to 20kg | Number of weights: 9 | Features: Soft Shock elastic exterior / steel ball and fluid interior
Reax is shaking up the kettlebell world with its unique Fluikettle. With a malleable plastic exterior and moving steel-ball and fluid interior, it adds instability and unpredictability to your workouts. That might not sound ideal, but in practice this constantly shifting weight makes kettlebell sessions more challenging and therefore more productive.
The nine bell range tops out at 20kg, which might be limiting for some, but the Fluikettle’s ability to enhance strength workouts more than makes up for that. The soft, flexible outer rests comfortably against the skin and soaks up impacts against floors and limbs alike.
Read our full Reax Fluikettle review
BEST FOR ADJUSTABILITY
JaxJox KettlebellConnect 2.0
BUY IT NOW:
$249.99 / £250 (subscription $24.99 / £24.99 per month), jaxjox.co.uk
Grip: 4/5
Comfort: 4/5
Weight range: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Weight range: 5.5kg to 19kg | Number of weights: 6 | Features: JaxJox app integration / motion sensors track reps, sets, weight, power, average volume and time / fast-charging USB-C connection
If you like to track your drills or prefer more immersive workouts, you might want to check out the JaxJox KettlebellConnect 2.0. Likewise if you don’t have the floor space for a collection of kettlebells. That’s because the JaxJox is a smart adjustable kettlebell that can internally select six weights between 5.5kg and 19kg, and packs motion sensors that track reps, sets and power.
You can also follow complete drill-by-drill workouts on your smartphone, or join on-demand coach-led classes, tracking stats as you go. However, you’ll have to pay a Peloton-style premium to access these features. Although you need power for the selection and smart training features, you’ll get around 14 hours of training time on a single charge.
