Best adjustable dumbbells 2019
Welcome to our breakdown of the Best adjustable dumbbells currently available on the market.
Finding time for strength and conditioning can be tricky. If you are like me you probably like to spend your precious free evenings training Jiu-Jitsu or whatever other hobby you have. However there is always time for a quick workout at home. A good workout can be done in 30 minutes and will leave you feeling great after.
When working out like this you do not need a lot of fancy equipment. Even just a couple of dumbbells can get you a decent full body workout.
The best thing about adjustable dumbbells is that they do not take up much space and the best ones are as good as any equipment you will find in the gym.
-
Bowflex SelectTech 552
The Bowflex SelectTech 552 are one of the most popular adjustable dumbbell sets on the market. With an easy turn of a dial the resistance can be adjusted from from 5 lb. all the way up to 52.5 lb.
My favorite thing about this product is the speed at which you can adjust these dumbbells. I like to do circuit training in my workouts so the speedy adjustment ensures no time is lost. The ease of adjustment makes my workout flow seamlessly as my rhythm is never interrupted by having to prepare the weights. There are 15 different levels of resistance which covers 95% of the exercises in my program.
The Bowflex SelectTech 552 comes with a rack for the dumbbells which is handy for storage. As is the case with most adjustable dumbbells the Bowflex are neat and space efficient which is important if you have limited space for your workout.
This product is also very good value for money when compared to other similar offerings. The ease of use and durability make this product solid investment.
The main negative point I have in relation to these dumbbells is that I found myself using the max weight of 52.5lbs a lot. This will not be a problem for most but if you are a bit bigger you may find that you will need other weights for those exercises where you require a heavier load.
Reading reviews online I saw some other people complain about the limited lifespan of the plastic part that holds the weights in place. However my Bowflex SelectTech 552 seem to have a metal clip that holds the weight in place so it seems as if this original design flaw has been fixed.
Overall I have to say that I really love these dumbbells and I am sure that they will continue to feature heavily in my workouts.
Pros
- Ease of adjustment is perfect
- Space efficient
- Well designed
- Great value
- Comes with easy to use app
Cons
- Max 52.5 lbs may not be enough for advanced level
-
CAP Barbell 40-pound adjustable dumbbell
The CAP 40 dumbbell set is designed for use by the weight lifting beginner. They have a simple design and are easy to make up. They are perfect for people looking to do bicep curls, tricep extensions, shoulder presses, or some light chest presses.
When you pick them up you can straight away feel the quality. The plates are made from cast iron and seem very durable. The handles are as comfortable as you would expect from iron bars.
It is simple enough to add and remove plates and the spin lock collars lock them in place. Very importantly the spin locks on these dumbbells do not loosen during the exercise which is usually my main issue with adjustable sets.
The plastic storage case allows me to keep the dumbbells neat and organised. The case itself is durable and looks well in my workout room
The main negative point I have is that these dumbbells are not quite 40lbs as advertised. When I weighed them they are 37lbs. This is not a major problem as 37lbs is adequate for the exercises I am doing but it is annoying that it is advertised correctly.
Pros
- Rust free plates
- Durable cast iron finish
- Easy to store
- Budget friendly
Cons
- Total weight is actually 37lbs
-
Unipack Adjustable Dumbbells -200lbs
The Unipack adjustable dumbbells are a pretty straight forward offering. 200lbs of steel for you to lift up and down! They are a no frills product that do not boast lots of fancy features.
Each 100 lb dumbbell consists of two collars (5lbs), eight 10 lbs plates, two 5lbs plates, two 2.5Lbs plates.200lbs is a lot of weight and should be sufficient for the needs 90% of people who want to lift weights at home. I personally prefer to do chest presses with dumbbells as opposed to a barbell so these weights are perfect for me as there is no danger of reaching the max weight anytime soon. The alternative option to buying a product like this is to order lots of different dumbells which will clog up any room.
The locking screw generally works well but it can take some time to fix if you are doing different exercises. So far after a couple months of use I have had no issue of the weights coming loose.
In terms of price these dumbbells are very reasonable. They compare well when compared to other similar options and are highlight as a preferred option on Amazon for this reason.
Pros
- Heavy dumbbells suit any exercise
- Build solid
- Good value
cons
- Paint tends to flake
- Lock mechanism can be a bit time consuming
-
Power Block Elite Dumbbells
No products found.
The first thing you will notice about the power blocks is the unusual design. The rectangular shape make them look more like a builders toolbox than a set of dumbbells. However as soon as you start using you will quickly appreciate the genius of the design.
Overall they are compact, balanced and feel great to use. Adjusting the weight by 10lbs is instantaneous. Smaller adjustments are a little bit trickier but still easily done. To adjust you just simply pull the pin out and slap it in.
Overhead, incline, and flat bench presses are very stable. The shorter length allows the weights to come closer together at the top of movements. The plate sections never wobble or rattle. Presses, curls and extensions all feed smooth and balanced.
As soon as you pick up the Powerblock you will notice the quality. They are built with solid materials which ensures a long lifespan. Unlike other dumbbells they are not composed of iron which makes rusting impossible.
For many people looking in this price range it comes down to whether to go for the Powerblock or Bowflex. My own personal preference is PowerBlock Elite as the adjustment time is quicker. I also prefer the feel and overall look of the Powerblock. In saying that the Bowflex is a an excellent product that you will not go wrong with.
The PowerBlock set the standard for adjustable dumbbells. If you buy these dumbbells you will not be disappointed!
Pros
- Very clever design
- Easy to adjust
- Look great
- Stores very easy
- Extremely durable and stable
- Great value
Cons
- More expensive than other options
-
Omnie 200 lbs adjustable dumbbells
The Omnie adjustable dumbbells come in 3 different weights.The weights are 65lb ,105lb, or 200lbs.
The polish chrome finish of the Omnie will look great in any home gym. The finish is corrosion proof so ensures that the dumbbells are less likely to rust.
In terms of feel, the handles are textured which makes for a comfortable and solid grip. When using you never feel like the dumbbells will slip.
Like the other screw fix dumbbells on this list the process of changing can be a bit annoying. This is especially the case if you are doing a circuit. The screw itself works well and the rubber ring ensures that the screw fixes tight and does not rattle when lifting.
Overall these are well made dumbbells that will last forever.
Pros
- Durable and sturdy
- Corrosion free
- Different weight options
Cons
- Annoying to adjust
Conclusion
So there you have it. There are many options out there but the ones listed above tend to be the most popular for a reason. When comparing the best adjustable dumbbells you should be looking at each product based on the following 5 categories.
- Adjustment mechanism
- Price
- Durability
- Storage
- Look and Feel
For me the adjustment mechanism is the most important as there is nothing worse than adjustable weight that is awkward to change. The Powerflex product has really nailed this problem and for me it makes it the best adjustable dumbbell available on the market today.
