Best dumbbells 2024 for home workouts, strength training and more

The best dumbbells are, quite simply, the best piece of home gym equipment you can invest in. With them you can do a wide variety of strength training exercises to help you gain muscle, build strength, and even lose weight. Plus, they're easy to store and relatively inexpensive, making them an ideal piece of kit for working out with at home. 

Dumbbells come in all different shapes, sizes and are made out of various materials, which are all key things to consider before buying a pair. Beginners may want to opt for an adjustable dumbbell, as they allow for a wider weight selection and also take up less space than buying multiple dumbbell sets. Those more experienced in weight training, or are looking to build on their current dumbbell collection, will probably benefit more from a fixed-weight dumbbell. 

In comparison to barbells and workout machines, dumbbells also allow you to train unilaterally. They're therefore great for ironing out muscular imbalances and help you build a more balanced physique.

Ready to start making some gains? Below are our top picks of the best dumbbells that we think are actually worth your time and attention.

T3's Top 3 Dumbbells

Best dumbbells to buy right now

Best overall

We wish we have enough space (and money) to buy a complete set of Eleiko Plate Dumbbells. These premium home weights are a delight to look at and use, although they will be most appreciated by bodybuilders and weightlifters. The sloped, oversized plate design might seem odd initially, but using the weights for the first time will change the minds of even the harshest critics.

Considering the hefty price and the premium nature of the Eleiko Plate Dumbbell, it's hard to recommend them to anyone apart from gym owners, hardcore lifters and premium home gym equipment aficionados. If you're either of those, you should start saving now, so you can have a complete collection of Eleiko's finest rotating dumbbells sooner. We love them, and you will, too, should you decide to invest in them.

Read our full Eleiko Plate Dumbbell review.

Best premium

These beasts from Bowflex pack 2-24 or 4-41kg in each dumbbell, depending on the model you go for, with weight selection as easy as spinning a dial. When paired with a simple weights bench, they offer an effective alternative to a gym floor yet don't require an entire rack to the house.

The spinning dial is easy to navigate, and the included plastic stand makes it simpler to guide the weights back into place when you're finished, although, with certain configurations, you do have to be quite careful.

Overall, a great solution for those who like to push on with intensive 'drop set' workouts or those who are tight on space. In fact, our only real reservation is the price, which will make you sweat before you even try to lift them.

Read our full Bowflex SelectTech 1090i dumbbell review

Best affordable

Corength is Decathlon's own brand – you can buy its products at Decathlon in the UK and Walmart in the US – but unlike other own-brand products, Corength dumbbells are high quality and priced affordably. 

These durable iron-cast adjustable dumbbells are one of the best sets you can get your hands on. There's enough weight plates to load 10kg onto each dumbbell or, if you want to go heavier, you can add all the plates onto one. We appreciate they're not the heaviest dumbbells on the planet and that the spinlock system takes a little longer to adjust the weight (so not ideal if you're doing drop sets), but you can't really complain at this price. Plus, these dumbbells can hold up to 32kg, so you can always buy this additional weight plate set if you need to move more mass.

Best adjustable

The BLK BOX Adjustable Dumbbell boasts one of the most impressive weight-changing mechanisms we’ve ever used on an adjustable dumbbell, purely because it’s just so darn easy to use. All you have to do is twist the handle forwards or backward to cycle through the increments and select your weight. It’s very satisfying to use and great for timed workouts where you need to change weights quickly.

Featuring steel weight plates and a chrome-plated knurled handle, this adjustable dumbbell is very well made but, at the same time - dispute its hefty price tag - doesn’t quite have the polished finish as other dumbbells we’ve used, such as the JaxJox DumbbellConnect.

Read our full BLK BOX Adjustable Dumbbell review

Best all-rounder

The Core Fitness Adjustable Dumbbell and Stand set is an unbelievably convenient piece of home gym equipment, according to our review, linked below. It's easy to use, has a great weight range and looks pretty much like a traditional dumbbell but takes up less space than the 10 dumbbells it replaces.

The asking price looks steeper than if you just bought a hex dumbbell on its own, but investing in the Core dumbbells, is waaaaaaay cheaper than getting multiple pairs of dumbbells, not to mention they are also more convenient to use than their non-adjustable counterparts. We recommend the Core Fitness Dumbbell and Stand to people who take muscle building at home seriously and would like to have home gym equipment that enables them to progress steadily in the coming months/years. 

Read our full Core Home Fitness Adjustable Dumbbells and Stand review

Best for heavy lifters

Taking everything into consideration, including the price, the versatility, the weight spread, the construction – all of it – we recommend the Primal 34kg Adjustable Dumbbell for home use, especially for those who like to go heavy (or go home) in their workouts. One minor issue is that you will probably need two of them to perform exercises effectively, and admittedly, it’ll cost you.

However, the quality of these dumbbells are top-notch. Made from cast iron with a polypropylene cover and grippy knurling on the handles, these dumbbells have been designed to last. They use a built-in sliding mechanism so the weight can be switched quickly and effortlessly between sets too. Rest assured, these dumbbells will allow you to pack on muscle at home without taking over your living room floor.

Read our full Primal Personal Series 34kg Adjustable Dumbbell review

Best for hard floors

The Mirafit rubber dumbbells are sexy, and they know it. The solid cast weight is connected with a 32mm knurled solid steel grip, and the rubber coating protects the flooring and reduces noise. The weights are clearly marked on the ends for easier identification. There really isn't much to say about these dumbbells: you get what you pay for, in a good way. The only possible downside is that they might roll around a bit on hard floors, but that's it, really. Get these if they are in stock; they will serve you well.

Best for beginners

Although not as enjoyable to use or as versatile as traditional dumbbells, there’s no escaping just how useful a set of adjustable dumbbells is for most folk looking to get fitter, build muscle or burn fat from home. With its unique stacking system, the units feel well-balanced even when fully loaded. The recessed grips allow plenty of range of motion for various exercises. 

We liked the fact that these dumbbells take up very little room, making them really easy to store, and offer a very affordable way of achieving a decent weight spread without needing an entire rack or tower full of individual dumbbells. They are around half the price of purchasing a set of 1-10kg pairs with a stand or rack and require a fraction of the space.

Read our full Powerblock Sport 2.4 review

Best Bowflex alternative

Not everyone has the space at home (or the spare cash) for a full dumbbell set, and you may have already noticed that your local gym probably uses a dedicated rack to hold theirs. That’s because all that weight adds up quickly. 

NordicTrack’s Select-A-Weight Dumbbell Set clocks in at 110 pounds in total and is undeniably bulky. However, if you were to purchase pairs of dedicated dumbbells for each weight increment that these dumbbells offer, that would easily add up to 700+ pounds and 30 individual dumbbells. Suddenly, the NordicTrack Select-A-Weight Dumbbell Set doesn't seem so bulky.

Pound for pound, the NordicTrack Select-A-Weight 55 Lb. Dumbbell Set is a sound investment for anyone looking to augment their home gym setup. Thanks to that one year of iFit classes, they’re also a great choice for anyone who could use some pointers on how to incorporate dumbbell exercises into their fitness journey. By the time your membership expires, you’ll practically be a pro yourself.

Read our full NordicTrack Select-A-Weight Dumbbell Set

How we test the best dumbbells

The best dumbbells are not only good for advanced gun sculpting. 💪 They can also provide a full-body workout, get you fit, boost metabolism and build muscle. Therefore, the dumbbells in this guide are thoroughly examined by our experts using a variety of workouts. We only recommend weights that are safe to use at home and can effectively help you achieve your home fitness goals.

In fact, dumbbells are tested in a home environment to ensure they perform well in the surroundings they are supposed to be used. We look at performance details as well as how convenient it is to use and store the dumbbells. 

How to buy the best dumbbells for you

As with many things in life, the humble dumbbell comes in a confusing array of shapes, sizes, weights and mechanisms, so choosing the right one for you is important. Here's what to think about before you buy:

• Shape: Typically, a dumbbell will either be rounded or hexagonal. The latter won't roll away when you put it down and are also good for press-up variations. Whereas rounded dumbbells are often easier to store and are available in a wider weight range.
• Weight: This often comes down to whether you want a fixed weight dumbbell or an adjustable dumbbell. The latter is a great option for beginners, because they take up less space and allow you to tailor the weight to your ability at the time. Whereas fixed weight dumbbells are best for more experienced lifters who are in need of a specific weight, or looking to add to their current dumbbell range. If you decide on the latter, you should also consider what exercises you want to do with your dumbbells. As the weight you'd need for lateral raises will be much lighter than what you'd use to squat with, so make sure you think about this.
• Material: You can get cast iron, stainless steel, rubber or urethane dumbbells. One isn't necessarily better than the other, it's personal preference what you go for. However, the latter are good for home gyms as they'll have more of a 'bounce' and are less likely to damage your floor if dropped. Whereas the former are often more attractive and more long-lasting.

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