Home workout enthusiasts know the importance of a quality set of dumbbells. They can be part of a variety of workout types, whether you’re a strength training beginner or well into an at-home workout regimen.
“Having a pair of dumbbells at home is great for building strength,” says Maggi Gao, a NASM-certified personal trainer and Russian Kettlebell Challenge-certified coach in New York City. “Weights put a consistent stimulus on all parts of the motion, so every part of the movement has the effect of the weight on it. This is great if you’re familiar and confident with performing the movement and want to add a level of difficulty if bodyweight has become easy.” To help you find the best dumbbells, Shape tested 24 sets of dumbbells under the watchful eye of a personal trainer; these weights met our criteria for quality, durability, and ease of use.
Credit: Amazon
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 only issue we noticed was that the Amazon Basics dumbbells felt ever-so-slightly slippier to grip. But for the price, we think it’s a great deal.
The Amazon Basics Rubber Encased Hex Dumbbell is comfortable to hold and available in nine sets.
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Credit: Amazon
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.
Credit: Amazon
Why We Like It
Good grip for both dry and sweaty hands
Smaller weights feel approachable for beginners
Weights are clearly labeled
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.
The Amazon Basics Neoprene Workout Dumbbell has 2-, 3-, and 5-pound weights.
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Credit: Amazon
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.
The CAP Barbell 150 LB Dumbbell Set with Rack has an A-frame tower for compact storage..
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Credit: SMRTFT
Why We Like It
Reach a maximum weight of 50 or 80 pounds
Can easily switch between weights by twisting the handle
Knurled handle offers comfortable grip
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 make a great addition to your home gym.
Credit: Amazon
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.
Credit: Walmart
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.
Credit: Iron Master
Why We Like It
Block design prevents them from rolling around on the floor
Available in 5-45 pounds, plus upgrade kits
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). 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.
Credit: TRX Training
Why We Like It
Can be used as dumbbells, kettlebells, and push-up stands
Sold in singles
Neoprene coating prevents slippage
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.
Credit: Amazon
Why We Like It
Durable enough to withstand a drop on a concrete floor
Weight options from 3 to 110 pounds
Grip doesn’t get slippery even when sweaty
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 a 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.
The CAP Barbell Set of 2 Hex Rubber Dumbbell is durable and sturdy with a solid cast iron core.
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Testers dropped a variety of dumbbells onto a concrete floor to see how each one held up.
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What to Know About Dumbbells for Home Gyms
- Material: The most durable dumbbells are typically made from sturdy metals like cast iron. They’re then coated in a rubber-like material to protect the metal from corroding or breaking. (This will also keep your floors safe from damage.)
- Grip: For a comfortable grip, opt for dumbbells that have contoured handles and medium-depth knurl (that textured pattern in the middle) so that you know you’ll have a secure grasp on the bar. “Neoprene-covered dumbbells are more nonslip but can feel bulky in the hand and tax the grip more,” says Gao. “Metal is generally the more common grip on a dumbbell. It allows for a comfortable grip with slight give (not sticky on the hand), is easily cleaned, and can have a crosshatch pattern etched into the surface to improve the ability to grip the dumbbell.”
- Storage: If storage space is a top concern, choose a dumbbell set that comes with a rack or stand. Or you can choose an adjustable dumbbell set, which offers multiple weights in one and will minimize clutter in your home gym. Generally, weights with hexagon metal plates will be easier to store since their geometric shape prevents them from rolling.
Why Trust Shape
Kristen Geil is a senior editor who specializes in fitness gear; she’s also a NASM-certified personal trainer who taught group fitness classes at a HIIT and strength training studio for several years. She recently led Shape’s Best in Fitness Awards, which included testing and reviewing several pieces of fitness equipment (including dumbbells). For this article, she reviewed all testing methodologies and insights herself to select the superlatives for each dumbbell, and she’s personally used many of the dumbbells deemed winners in our testing process.
April Benshosan is a writer, editor, and content strategist with a Master’s degree in Publishing. She’s dedicated to responsible health journalism and has been covering nutrition, fitness, wellness, and beauty since the beginning of her career. Her byline appears on Women’s Health, VeryWell Fit, Health.com, LIVESTRONG.com, Business Insider, and more. In her free time, you can catch April lifting weights, spending time with her pup, or planning her next escape out of NYC.
