The 3 Best Adjustable Dumbbells of 2025

We did not test the All in Motion Adjustable Dumbbells because their maximum weight (25 pounds per dumbbell) is half the capacity of the other models we tested.

We didn’t test the Bowflex SelectTech 1090 Dumbbells, which range from 10 to 90 pounds each in 5-pound increments (and typically go for about $800). At a whopping 17.5 inches long—nearly 2 inches longer than the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells—they’d likely affect almost anyone’s range of motion.

The Centr Smart Stack 50 Adjustable Dumbbells are a good steel-plated option if the cradle of our pick is a major concern. Like the Core Home Fitness dumbbells, the Centr weights adjust with a simple twist of a handle. The numbers for weights are clearly displayed with each turn and are also listed in kilograms. Like our pick, these adjust in 5-pound increments, but have a better cradle with a magnetic base, which prevents the weights from getting stuck (you hear a click against the magnets when the weights are successfully placed back into the cradle). However, unlike our pick, the weights that remain in the base when selecting less than 50 pounds, sometimes wobble and make it a little more difficult to line up the dumbbell to return it into the base. The dumbbells are sold separately ($250 each). At 15 inches, they are a half-inch longer than our pick, but unlike the Core Home Fitness dumbbells, they are always at full-length, even at lighter weights. (The Core Home Fitness weights only use the inner plates on lower weights, before expanding to the fuller set as you go up in weight.) This can make exercises for beginners feel a bit cramped due to the length of the dumbbell. And although the Centr weight plates felt secure, we noticed some jostling when performing curls—not the case with our pick.

The Flybird Adjustable Dumbbells have a sleek, carbon steel-coated design. Like our top pick, the weights are adjusted with the twist of a handle, but we chose not to test this model because weights start at 15 pounds and only go up in 10-pound increments (25, 35, 45, 55 pounds).

We didn’t try the Hammer Strength Pro 100 Adjustable Dumbbells because they present the same ergonomic challenges of other boxy dumbbells, like PowerBlocks.

You can adjust the Merax Deluxe 55 Pounds Adjustable Dumbbells similarly to our top pick: by twisting their handles. But the set goes from 15 pounds to 55 pounds in significant 10-pound increments (our top pick progresses by 5-pound jumps), so we decided not to test it.

We chose not to test the Matrix DB50 Adjustable Dumbbells, which have a list price of $800—more than twice the typical price of our top pick. They have a similar handle twist system to adjust weights in five-pound increments, and have a knurled metal handle. The weights max out at 50 pounds, and are currently only available for in-store pickup at Johnson Fitness & Wellness locations.

The Mtn Gearsmith Adjustable Dumbbells, with their traditional collar-and-weight-plate design, are very similar to the Yes4All Adjustable Cast Iron Dumbbells we tested but typically cost more. We chose not to retest them.

The NordicTrack 55 lb. Select-A-Weight Dumbbells have a unique weight adjustment system, allowing you to change from 10 to 55 pounds, with some 2.5 pound increments. A lever on the innermost plate can be switched to three positions (left, middle, right), which adds 0, 2.5, or 5 pounds to a dumbbell. Then another lever can be pulled and dragged in between the remaining plates to select your overall weight in 10 pound increments. The dumbbells have a grippy, knurled handle and measure at just over 16 inches when fully loaded. The adjustment system takes some time getting used to, and in our testing, the lever to adjust weights occasionally became stuck such that it had to be wiggled loose to be placed in the correct alignment. The dumbbells come with a 30-day trial to iFit, where you can stream dumbbell-centric workouts via an app or browser.

PowerBlock adjustable dumbbells are a solid choice, but some people may be deterred by their boxy shape, which past testers described as like “reaching into a toaster.” We’ve tested three different sets of PowerBlock weights over the years, including, most recently, the PowerBlock Elite USA 5-50 Stage 1 Set, which goes from 5 to 50 pounds in increments of 5 pounds, with the ability to increase by 2.5 pounds with a pair of supplemental cylindrical adder weights. You can adjust this set with a two-pronged selector pin attached to an elastic cord. Loads are color coded; the corresponding weights are printed on the top of each dumbbell. The process isn’t difficult, but it can be finicky and is a touch more labor-intensive and time-consuming than a handle-twist or dial mechanism. These dumbbells are more compact than other models, and PowerBlocks are known for their durability. The Elite USA 5-50 Stage 1 Set has a five-year limited warranty—three years longer than those of Core Home Fitness and MX Select. (The company makes it clear that its warranty covers only PowerBlock sets purchased from PowerBlock or an authorized retailer.)

We tested the 60-pound version of the Rep Fitness Quickdraw Adjustable Dumbbell (which is also available in 30, 40, and 50 pound pairings). You adjust these weights by lifting levers on the plates to a locked or unlocked position, like turning on a light switch—when locked, the weight remains in the cradle. At full length, these dumbbells measure just under 16 inches. They have knurled handles that we found were best used with gloves. The numbers for weights are etched in black against a black background, which makes them hard to see (which should be less and less of an issue as you become used to the set). Although they felt secure, the Rep Fitness dumbbells’ plates clanged more than on other models we’ve tested.

The Sunny Strength Premium Adjustable Dumbbells go up to 55 pounds and have sturdy carbon steel plates, but they have two major flaws: The weights are adjustable only in 10-pound increments (5 to 15, 15 to 25, and so on), and the overall length is more than 19 inches, making it difficult to do even basic curls while holding these weights.

Tempo Core combines traditional adjustable dumbbells with connected workouts. Sets start at about $245 and include 50 pounds of adjustable weights (a variety of stainless steel plates and collars can be purchased separately). The dumbbells can be used for any activity but are intended for use with Tempo’s interactive exercises, which can be accessed for a monthly subscription of about $39. We did not test the Tempo dumbbells.

If you don’t mind taking a longer rest between exercises, consider the $150 Yes4All Adjustable Cast Iron Dumbbells: traditional adjustable dumbbells that use a bar, weight plates, and threaded collars to hold everything together. They do, however, take forever to adjust, since you must remove the collars, load or remove plates, and rescrew the collars, all while doing weight-plate math. The fastest we managed a weight change for one dumbbell was about 25 seconds; this means you’re looking at about a minute of rest between exercises, and you have to resist the very strong temptation to just do your next move using the same amount of weight, which could mean either not enough challenge or a serious struggle. Another quirk is that these bars and the corresponding holes on the weight plates measure 1.15 inches in diameter, making them incompatible with a more-standard 1-inch bar and plates, so you can’t increase the load by using plates from another set.

Smaller, lighter adjustable dumbbells

The All In Motion Adjustable Dumbbells are 25-pound dumbbells sold as singles, so you have to buy two for a full set. They have a slick handle that some members of our paid tester panel found too slippery. These dumbbells are 2 inches longer than the 25-pound Lifepro Powerup Plus dumbbells we recommend, and they produced a loud clanking sound when we knocked the weights against each other when doing flys.

The Lifepro PowerFlow Plus Adjustable Dumbbells differ from the Lifepro Powerup Plus ones we recommend in how you change the weight: You drag a lever in the middle of the dumbbell, which releases plates depending on how much weight you choose. Members of our paid tester panel liked the ease of this mechanism but found it difficult to put the dumbbell back into the cradle. The PowerFlow Plus dumbbells are a half-inch longer than the Powerup Plus dumbbells we prefer. They also have a fully knurled handle that gives off a bit of an unpleasant odor.

Amy Roberts and Ingrid Skjong contributed to reporting. This article was edited by Tracy Vence and Kalee Thompson.