The Best Dumbbells for Every Kind of Home Gym

Do you use multiple weights in every workout or have different family members who need dumbbells of varying sizes? Your best bet is to go with this rack of 5-, 10-, 15-, 20-, and 25-pound pairs. Having multiple weight options also gives you the possibility to increase over time or scale back if you’re injured or are just looking for a lighter weight, higher rep kind of day.

The rack keeps the hexagonal weights all together in one place, and its tall, narrow profile doesn’t take up much room in a home gym or smaller spaces like apartments.

We’re big fans of Spri Ignite’s dumbbells, having tested multiple pairs in a variety of weights from 5 to 30 pounds. The chrome grips have knurled (or knobby) centers for a bit of traction, so the weight is easy to hold, but won’t cut into your palms or leave intense blisters (though we can’t promise anything if you’re lifting heavy weights or wearing rings).

The ends of the bells are coated in rubber, which protects your floor— important if you ever have to drop them. They’re easy to grip by the head, too, for exercises like goblet squats.

If your palms get sweaty when you lift, these color-coded hand weights have a neoprene coating that will keep them from slipping. The color-coded set spans 1-15lbs, so they aren’t for heavy training, but it’s a great option for full-body routines at home. The dumbbell heads are hexagonal, so they don’t move on the floor and are great for a push-up grip.

We’ve used them in HIIT workouts, with no fear of them flying out of our hands or slipping, which is especially important as you try heavier weights. They’re durable, easy to wipe clean, and the neoprene won’t dent wood floors—if you somehow manage to drop them.

A classic set of adjustable dumbbells for anyone who wants to recreate the gym experience at home. With the bars alone, you can do quick reps at three pounds each. When you need more, simply unscrew the retention collars on either end and load on more weight.

The set comes with multiple plates in two different weights, which will allow you to create different variations in weight, up to 19 pounds if divided equally among the two bars. If you want to go higher, you can add more weight to a single bar. Plus, it’s a standard one-inch dumbbell, so you can purchase larger weights to build out your set.

As a bonus, the set comes with a plastic case, which makes it easy to store everything in a compact, stowable package.

These bright-colored neoprene-coated dumbbells are eye-catching and easy to grab off the rack, even in the middle of a tough HIIT or pilates workout. This 20-pound set, with weights from 2 to 5 lbs and a storage rack, is perfect if you only need very light dumbbells, but Amazon also sells individual pairs up to 20 lbs, and heavier sets as well.

PowerBlock’s Elite EXP adjustable set sports a unique shape and unique capabilities. The handles alone weigh 5 pounds each, and the set, as sold, allows users to increase weight in 2.5 pound increments up to 50 pounds per dumbbell by adding weights to the handle or with a locking pin.

You would need 16 pairs of fixed-weight dumbbells to replace the range of this single pair. If 50 pounds isn’t enough you can add expansion kits which bring the weight up to 90 pounds in each hand.

This is one of the most revered and popular adjustable dumbbell sets. It offers tremendous range, adjusting in 2.5-pound increments from 5 lbs up to 25 lbs, then 5-pound increments up to 50 lbs, with a little extra on top to bring the max weight to 52.5 lbs. A similar fixed set would feature 15 pairs of dumbbells.

Adjusting weights mid-circuit is incredibly easy and intuitive. Simply place the dumbbells in their storage cradles, then twist the knobs at each end and voila, weight changed! They also come with a year of Bowflex’s JRNY app full of exercises and routines, which even includes rep tracking and real-time feedback. It’s a very expensive piece of equipment, but trainers and athletes will tell you they’re worth the investment.

If you’re looking to do a wide range of weightlifting to get stronger and build bigger muscles, there’s no replacement for a large, gym-quality set of fixed-weight dumbbells. This 10-pair set from XMark comes with a three-tiered rack, with weights ranging from 5-50 pounds in 5-pound increments. On the low end, that’s enough for exercises that require lower weights. On the higher end, it’s enough to challenge those who are looking to boost their biceps and challenge their chest and back.

The dumbbells feature textured chrome handles and rubber-coated heads to minimize scuffing. They look and feel just like what you’d find at the gym.

With weights, the sturdiest, most durable option will always be the most simple. That means plain, uncoated cast iron. This fixed-weight set from WF Athletic Supply should last for generations. They aren’t wrapped in rubber or any sort of plastic–just a baked-enamel coating to protect against rust and chipping. You can also find larger sets, including a 50-pound option with six pairs of dumbbells and a 590-pound collection with 12 pairs.

If you’re looking for weights and guided training to help to use them, NordicTrack’s iSelect Adjustable Dumbbells are designed specifically to pair with its iFit home training platform. You can adjust their weight from 5-50 pounds very easily–just holster them in their storage cradle and turn a knob to the weight you need. You can even adjust the weights using Alexa voice commands.

Beyond voice controls, the main differentiator here is the iFit platform, which offers a wide variety of guided workouts. Of course, like Peloton or Apple Fitness+, the service costs a monthly fee. You get a 30-day free trial when you purchase the dumbbells, but it costs $39 per month after that.

The big sibling of the Bowflex SelectTech 552, the SelectTech 1090 is just as easy to use, but offers nearly double the number of weights in a single dumbbell. Instead of maxing out at 52.5 pounds, this arm-buster goes up to 90 pounds in 5 and 10-pound increments.

Just like the 552s, change its weight simply by placing it the cradles and twisting the knobs at each end.It also comes with a year of BowFlex’s JRNY app full of exercises and routines.

Obviously, only having a single dumbbell limits the range of exercises you can do, but this is far more versatile and useful than a pair of fixed-weight 90-pound dumbbells for most people.