11 Best Dumbbells For Home Gyms of 2023 (Dec Update)

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Written by Tim HillUpdated by Bojana Galic on December 5th, 2023 Barbell Factory

11 Best Dumbbells For Home Gyms of 2023 (Dec Update)

They may not be the most flashy piece of equipment in the gym, but dumbbells are among the most versatile for all athletes. Dumbbells allow you to train unilateral movements with wide ranges of motion, which you just can’t get with a barbell. Plus, dumbbells are relatively space-friendly and come in weights both heavy and light, making them accessible for beginners and elite athletes alike.

But choosing a pair of dumbbells to buy for your home gym isn’t the easiest task. After personally testing nearly a dozen dumbbells, our team of Barbend experts has narrowed down the 12 best dumbbells for different goals, budgets, and fitness levels.

Dumbbells may seem remarkably similar, but they can be as different as any other piece of gym equipment. They vary greatly in design, which affects important factors like durability and pricing. Here’s a look at how we tested and chose the best dumbbells.

Some types of dumbbells are known for their durability, including urethane-coated and solid steel weights. While testing and choosing our products, we prioritized high-quality, durable weight materials. Although you don’t want to be dropping your weights all around, they should still be able to withstand typical exercise use without starting to wear and break after a year or two.

We kept all of these factors in mind as we personally tested our top picks, taking them through standard workouts and motions.

Dumbbells have just about as wide of a price range as squat racks, spanning from a couple of hundred dollars for a cost-effective, adjustable pair to upwards of five or even ten thousand dollars for a custom high-end set. The absolute price isn’t what we consider, it’s the value you get for the price paid.

If a company charges top-tier pricing but cuts corners in quality, then we think their product isn’t worth the buy. Conversely, other companies that make high-quality products for reasonable and competitive prices are worth sharing and showcasing.

Different lifters have different needs, depending on their fitness level and existing home gym equipment. One athlete may need an entire set, whereas another may just require a single set of dumbbells. We tried to include weights and brands that offer both sets and single pairs for purchase.

We also kept fitness level in mind. While a 50-pound dumbbell may be plenty for one person, it may be too light for a more experienced athlete. So, we tried our best to prioritize brands who offer a wide range of weights.

DMoose Hex Dumbbells are coated in rubber to protect your floors (and toes) in case your weight drops. The hexagonal shape can also help prevent the weights from rolling away between sets.

Most athletes have probably used a pair of rubber hex dumbbells at some point. Our top pick overall, these DMoose Hex Dumbbells are made with high-quality materials and designed with the at-home workout in mind. “These dumbbells are an amazing option for anyone looking to start working out or advance into their next workout journey,” writes one five-star reviewer, among many.

DMoose’s hex dumbbells come in a weight range from two and a half pounds all the way up to 50 pounds in five-pound increments, so they’ve definitely got the weight you’re looking for to pack on some solid muscle mass or tone up.

The hex shape of these bells can help keep them stable and prevent rolling around on the floor, ideal for at-home training. The rubber coated caps that encase the durable cast iron material also help to protect your floor and increase the lifespan of the weights. Plus, the coating helps minimize noise in case you drop your weights after a particularly long set.

DMoose also has a textured, ergonomically-designed handle, so you can get a good grip on your weights when you pick them up, ideal for any dumbbell exercise. And at about $5.40 per pound, these are slightly pricey but we think the quality is worth the cost.

This Swedish-designed “smart” dumbbell adjusts from 5 pounds up to 80 pounds — all you have to do is twist the handlebar. Its sleek, modern design will make a great addition to any home gym.

Adjustable dumbbells are a trade-off in many ways — greater upfront expense and less durability, but far lower space requirements. Though long term, you do save money, as you don’t need to keep buying heavier dumbbells as you grow stronger.

While many other brands of adjustable dumbbells use slide or quick-lock systems to switch between weights, the NÜOBELL uses a twisting handle system. With this system, you can simply twist the handle to the number you want and start lifting, saving precious seconds during a drop set. “It’s super easy to adjust the weight,” says our Barbend tester Jake Herod. “I just fly through the adjustments.” Herod has experienced zero issues switching from one weight to another.

The weight range here is wider than most other adjustable dumbbells, too, ranging from five pounds up to 80 pounds — the NordicTrack adjustable dumbbell only goes to 55 pounds, for instance. Aside from functionality, this piece of equipment looks simple and sleek, making it a great addition to any home gym space. According to our tester, each dumbbell takes up as much as a shoe box, so they’re certainly space-friendly.

For a modern, “smart” adjustable dumbbell with a wide weight range and twisting handle for fast adjustments, the NÜOBELL is one of the best options on the market.

Read our full SMRTFT NÜOBELL Adjustable Dumbbells Review.

These hex dumbbells from Living Fit come with an etched, knurled, grip, and durable rubber cap to help you hold them and protect your floors. Available in weights from 5lb up to 100lb, they’ve got what you need to progress along your fitness journey.

Having a full set of dumbbells for your at-home workouts can open up a whole range of exercises. You can progress the weight you lift over time and easily jump from one exercise to another. Not all dumbbell sets are the same though, and the Living.Fit Hex Dumbbells stand out, especially for a home gym.

These have a classic, reliable design, made with solid cast iron and cased in rubber coating to better protect your floors. The hex design is a plus, too, helping to prevent your weights from rolling around the room. “I love hexagon-shaped dumbbells,” says Herod. “I really like doing push-ups with dumbbells and that’s made a lot easier when they do feature this hexagon shape.”

Living.Fit produces these dumbbells in five-pound increments from five pounds to 50 pounds. But you can completely personalize your purchase with expansion packs or smaller sets (they offer five to 25 pounds, for example). You can even buy sets with an included storage rack, which isn’t included in every dumbbell purchase. Plus, the company also offers single pairs for sale in case you need a heavier pair or two.

For at-home use, Living.Fit offers a lifetime warranty on their dumbbells. But if you buy them for commercial use in a gym, the warranty is limited to two years. If you’re in the market for a dumbbell set, this collection from Living.Fit is a solid option. Not only are they durable thanks to the rubber coating and solid iron, but they’re also functional because of the knurling and wide grip area.

Read our full Living.Fit Dumbbells Review.

DMoose Hex Dumbbells are coated in rubber to protect your floors (and toes) in case your weight drops. The hexagonal shape can also help prevent the weights from rolling away between sets.

Everyone has a dream equipment list, but it likely remains a dream as price and space constraints can bring you back to reality. If you want to workout but don’t want to drain your bank account for your home gym, DMoose’s Hex Dumbbells are the perfect pick.

These cost $41 for a five-pound set of dumbbells, which is about $4 per pound. This price point is typical, if not a little higher than some of our other picks. Compared to our adjustable dumbbell, which is about $9.56 per pound, it’s a fraction of the cost. But we think the quality of product for the price justifies the total.

These dumbbells come with a knurled and etched steel handle, and a rubber cap on the heads, ensuring a good grip and even better durability. They’re available in weights ranging from two and a half pounds all the way up to 50 pounds (in five-pound increments). The range of sizes and affordable price allow you to get a great home dumbbell workout, and maybe even pick up a few different sizes for the price of one pair of comparable bells.

While these dumbbells from DMoose are priced reasonably, they’re also reliable and made from solid cast iron. If you’re on a budget and want a pair of basic hex dumbbells to help you get the job done, you’ve found them. If you’re looking for something fancier or even adjustable, you may have to look in a higher budget category though.

The Rogue Loadable Dumbbells are for people who want to get serious about dumbbell training. Beautifully designed, these dumbbells have the same knurling and rotational function of a barbell, and the weight can be loaded and unloaded as needed.

If you love training with barbells, then you’ll likely enjoy these loadable dumbbells. They feature the same knurling, bar diameter, and rotational capacity that you’ll find in a Rogue bar, but in dumbbell form. Rogue Fitness manufactures these dumbbells to the same specifications as the Ohio bars, so durability isn’t likely to be an issue.

Compatible with the standard plates you’ll encounter in any gym, you have the option of getting a smaller 10lb dumbbell or a 15lb dumbbell with a longer 6.75-inch loadable sleeve. These feature a 28.5mm diameter knurled handle with the same high-quality craftsmanship we expect from all Rogue products, making them essentially a mini barbell. The collars even have bronze bushings for smooth rotation and improved stability.

Rogue has really pulled out all the stops on these. The only issue we can find is that they aren’t cheap. If you have the cash on hand though, these are some beautiful dumbbell handles. One of the best parts is that you don’t have to purchase any Rogue plates (unless you want to), as these will work with any normal-sized Olympic two-inch plates.

The ultimate in adjustable dumbbells, these loadable bells are not cheap — but they look awesome and perform great. If you have deep pockets and are training often, we highly recommend these loadable dumbbells from Rogue.

[Related: Rogue Dumbbells vs. REP Dumbbells]

REP Fitness made their urethane dumbbells to go the distance and cover a wide range of weights. With a urethane coating over solid steel, these are sure to last a lifetime with proper care. Pick from a variety of full or partial sets to suit your needs.

Dumbbells with urethane coatings have many advantages over rubber or non-coated weights. They’re more durable with resistance to abrasion, impact, and even sunlight if you like lifting outdoors. Generally, urethane coatings are more expensive than rubber or uncoated bells but if price isn’t a concern, then the REP Fitness Urethane Dumbbells are a great choice.

REP designed these dumbbells to endure high-intensity and high-volume training — they’re here for the long haul. Constructed from solid steel with a CPU urethane coating and fully knurled handles, these are meant to feel like a premium piece of equipment and perform like one too. The ends are rounded with a bright white REP logo and weight markings, so they’re easy to see, giving a high-end look. To round out their quality, REP keeps the weight tolerance tight at one percent.

You can pick up these top-tier dumbbells in a variety of full or partial sets starting with a basic five-to-50-pound set, as well as five to 75 pounds, five to 100 pounds, 55 to 75 pounds, or 80 to 100 pounds. For stronger athletes, REP has sets from 105 to 125 pounds and 130 to 150 pounds — though that last set may just be for Rob Kearney. These dumbbells come with a lifetime warranty for home use and a one-year commercial warranty.

The classic but elevated-looking design of the crisp white lettering makes these stand out in your gym. But they don’t just look premium — the ingredients speak for themselves. Solid steel coated with urethane and a knurled handle for extra grip mean these can stand up to even your toughest total-body dumbbell workouts. They may be pricey, but they’re likely the only dumbbells you’ll need to buy and should last a lifetime with proper care.

One of the pioneers in the adjustable dumbbell space, the PowerBlock dumbbells are solid and reliable if you're tight on space and need lots of weight in a dumbbell. The EXP has options up to 90lbs per hand.

PowerBlock pioneered the adjustable dumbbell in the early 90s, and though there are many more challengers in the market now than before, their block dumbbells still sell well for good reason. These dumbbells have the option of going from five to 100 pounds and are very well built.

Other small details like the fact that the dumbbell weights are marked in both pounds and kilograms show these are truly designed for lifters by lifters. They are relatively expensive, but work out cheap in the long run — especially if you get a heavier set. The main issue we find is that they are pretty large and can occasionally get caught on clothing or interfere with certain movements.

Though these lack some of the elegance of other, more expensive options these are a great purchase for someone who simply wants to put the work in and doesn’t have a ton of cash to drop on a full dumbbell set or the room to house it. “These replace 20 individual dumbbells, which is a really nice thing,” Herod says. “It’s also really easy to adjust the weight.”

PowerBlocks’ marketplace longevity is well warranted. These are solid adjustable dumbbells that can help expand your training repertoire.

Read our full Powerblock Adjustable Dumbbells Review.

As a material, rubber comes with a host of benefits. It’s cheap, durable, and good at absorbing shock, which means it’s a great choice for those who may drop their weights every so often. If you want to minimize damage to your floors and to the dumbbells themselves, rubber-coated dumbbells are a solid option.

Ranging in weight from 5lbs all the way up to 100lbs (in 5lb increments), Living.Fit has a wide range in their dumbbell selection. Just like you lay down rubber mats to protect your gym floors, Living.Fit wrapped each head of the cast iron dumbbell in rubber to absorb some impact when dropped and prevent damage to your floor. Not only does this protect your floor, but it may also improve the longevity of the dumbbells too, helping protect your weights from rust.

The knurling on the ergonomically-designed handle allows for an easy and secure grip. The reliability of the Living.Fit hex dumbbells is top-tier, as well, as this design is found in gyms all over the world. Cleaning these weights is easy, and requires just a simple wipe-down — no moving parts to worry about here. If you’re looking for something colorful, or don’t have room to build out your home gym with multiple pairs of dumbbells though, you may be better off with a different pick on this list.

Easy to store and a great value, the rubber hex dumbbells from Living.Fit are an ideal option if you’re looking to do more dynamic moves that may involve dropping the weights. If you’re on the hunt for rubber dumbbells, these are an easy choice to protect your floor — and your wallet.

The REP Fitness Hex Dumbbells range in weight from 2.5 pounds to 125 pounds. You can buy them in pairs or a full set, and they feature a fully-knurled steel handle for grip.

Hexagonal-shaped dumbbell heads have gained popularity, compared to round dumbbells, are easier to store and generally more affordable. They may also be safer, since they’re less likely to roll away or over your toes if dropped. These hex dumbbells from REP Fitness are an excellent choice if you’re in the market for a set.

One of the first things you’ll notice about these dumbbells compared to other rubber-coated bells is that they’re virtually free of the nasty rubber smell that you may find in more budget or low-quality dumbbells, according to our testers. These feature a straight, chrome handle that’s fully knurled to help maximize your grip during difficult sweaty sessions. “The fully-knurled handles allow you to get maximum grip for your lifts without fear of them slipping out of your hands,” Herod says.

Want to see these weights in action? Watch our tester try them out.

REP offers their hex dumbbells in three different starter weight sets from five to 50 pounds, five to 75 pounds, and five to 100 pounds. To expand those sets, REP also has two heavier sets from 55 to 75 pounds and 80 to 100 pounds for freaky strong people out there. If you want additional individual pairs, you can order them in two-and-a-half-pound jumps below 30 pounds, and five-pound jumps from 35 to 125 pounds. These dumbbells have a three percent weight tolerance and a lifetime home use warranty.

Whether you need a clean space to store a set of dumbbells or have miscellaneous gym equipment you need to organize, this storage system from Rogue can handle it with 11 gauge steel and heavy duty wheels.

Storing any form of strength equipment can be tough due to the enormous strain it puts on shelving. However, if you’re going to purchase a set of dumbbells, you’ll want to store them properly. It’s going to increase the longevity of your weights, make them easier to keep clean, and allow you to stay organized rather than searching around to find the right weight.

Built with 11-gauge laser-cut steel, you need not worry about this shelf crumbling under pressure. The heavy-duty wheels make it easy to move, and it’s got enough surface area to store sixteen 70lb kettlebells stacked two deep on each shelf.

Rogue has options that allow you to customize each shelf for storing dumbbells, kettlebells, or medicine balls. Finally, Rogue’s universal rack system is made from 3×3-inch and 2×3-inch steel, which means you can bolt on other accessories, like a barbell holder, if you want.

When standard shelving just won’t do, get yourself a heavy-duty storage solution like this one from Rogue that can deal with really heavy weights.

When you’re shopping for gym equipment, especially heavy pieces like dumbbells, the weights and shipping costs can get pretty high. Amazon is a great option that allows you to take advantage of their shipping network to help reduce the cost of shipping in many cases. Sifting through reviews and pages of equipment can be tedious though, and you never know what to believe. We’ve done the hard work there for you — let us present our top pick for best dumbbells on Amazon.

If you like to buy everything from one place and shop on Amazon often, then these are the dumbbells for you. You may even save some extra money on shipping with Prime, allowing you to spend some more elsewhere — new squat shoes anyone? With weights ranging from five pounds all the way to 100 pounds, you won’t be short on weights to choose from — especially since the increments are in five pounds, instead of 10.

The Living.Fit hex dumbbells are made from solid cast iron with steel knurled handles to give an ergonomic and confident feel in the hands. Their rubber caps help to protect both the dumbbell and your floor from damage, and work as a shock absorber. The weight tolerance is a bit large at three percent of the stated weight, but for the price, that’s not a dealbreaker for us. We love the hexagon shape that helps prevent rolling — your toes will thank you. One thing to note is that the weight list is out of order, so be sure you’re choosing the right weight you want when adding to your cart.

Living.Fit made getting their hex dumbbells quick and easy with shipping from Amazon. These dumbbells are durable and made to last with rubber caps to protect them and your floor. The knurled, steel grips are a nice addition to put the value over the top.

There are good reasons that you will find dumbbells in nearly every commercial and home gym. They’re versatile, can work your muscles unilaterally, may offer better safety and range of motion than barbells, and they’re generally quick and easy to use. Read along as we expand on these benefits.

Dumbbells can be used to perform just about any exercise you can do with a barbell and sometimes the dumbbell variation is easier to grasp — like a goblet squat compared to a traditional front squat. You can also perform many exercises that you simply can’t (safely) with a barbell, like flyes, lateral raises, Kroc rows, and more. Dumbbells may arguably be the most versatile piece of equipment you can own.

Unilateral exercises refer to movements performed using only one leg or arm. These can be done to bring up a lagging body part; for example, if one biceps is larger than the other, a bodybuilder may perform curls with the smaller one to help it catch up to the other one. Unilateral exercises are also commonly used in rehabilitation from injury to target a specific limb. Dumbbells are excellent for this purpose since they can be used easily to place the load on only one limb.

Dumbbells may be safer to use (especially when you’re by yourself) than a barbell. If you are unable to lift a bar off of your chest in a bench press you may have to perform some uncomfortable shimmying or dump the weights to one side. Performing a dumbbell bench press and failing is still not ideal, but it may carry less risk since you can simply drop the weights to the side and nothing is pinning your chest down.

Dumbbells also have the capacity to allow for a greater range of motion for the same reason. The weight is not connected over a long barbell, which can restrict movement. Using a bench press again, dumbbells can be lowered as low as your shoulder mobility will allow for while a barbell stops at your chest. This is especially important for those with larger chest and torso areas. To sufficiently work through a full range of motion unrestricted, dumbbells can be a useful tool.

This really only applies to adjustable dumbbells, as fixed dumbbells are (we hope) foolproof. Changing the weights on adjustable dumbbells hasn’t historically been the easiest, quickest, or most reliable process. Thankfully, with the recent surge of interest in gyms and home gym equipment — generally — a lot more thought has gone into these mechanisms. It’s true that you can still find wacky, difficult-to-use models out there, but you should be able to spot them from reviews and by asking around.

Dumbbells may seem somewhat inexpensive at first glance with pairs starting around $30 or $40, but they can quickly move into the realm of several hundred dollars per pair for heavier dumbbells. Thankfully, most people won’t need ultra-heavy pairs, and you can save some money if you purchase a few select weights. Opting for a pair that works for a wide majority of exercises as well as warming up can be a good idea. If you’re especially strapped for room or cash, loadable or adjustable dumbbells might cost more upfront, but will usually save space and money in the long run.

As with any other piece of equipment, the price here can vary quite widely. The dumbbells on this list generally start around $40 per pair for a five-pound pair and work their way up incrementally to highs of over $400 per pair for 100-pound and heavier bells. The exceptions are loadable dumbbells which cost around $135 per handle and adjustable dumbbells, which start anywhere from about $360 to $595.

Dumbbells are pieces you’ll absolutely want to have in your training toolkit at some point. Here are the major factors you’ll want to think about before you buy a pair or a set of dumbbells.

The first major decision to make when buying dumbbells is whether to get adjustable or fixed-weight dumbbells. If you plan on dropping your dumbbells regularly during training, go for fixed dumbbells for their durability. Adjustable dumbbells will have a higher price tag for a pair, but you’ll end up paying the same or more for an equivalent set of fixed dumbbells that can cover the same weight range. Does the versatility of the adjustable dumbbells make up for the fact they’ll need more care? Or would you prefer the simplicity of fixed sets?

Consider space as well. If you’re looking to build strength and progress in your training, then you’ll need to continue upping the weight. With fixed dumbbells, this can start to take up a lot of space — fast. But one pair of adjustable dumbbells can help you progress without taking up a lot of space. Our advice: Assess your training goals and strength trajectory to make an informed decision.

As we just noted, adjustable dumbbells won’t be as durable as fixed weights. Fixed weights have zero moving parts and are usually cast as one single, solid block. This doesn’t make them indestructible, but they can endure some serious punishment. You only need to watch CrossFit or strongman athletes dropping dumbbells at the end of the workout to see this in action.

If you plan on doing any kind of intense training, fixed dumbbells may be your only choice due to their durability. On the other hand, if you plan on doing mostly bodybuilding, powerlifting, or recreational lifting, your dumbbells are rarely going to be used in situations where you’re pushing to failure and dropping them immediately. They’re usually for accessory movements where you’ll be less likely to drop the dumbbells.

While our personal testing garage has ample space for weights, we recognize your personal gym may not be as spacious. Before you buy a huge set of dumbbells, consider how much space you can dedicate to your new weights. If you only have a small corner of the room available, a smaller set or adjustable dumbbell is probably ideal. Or, just a few individual pairs.

Jake Boly testing one of our picks for best dumbbells at BarBend HQ

You will save money by purchasing pairs of dumbbells for weights that you use regularly, but fixed-weight dumbbells will inevitably take up much more room if you end up buying a whole set. Those with a dedicated garage gym should have space to store them, but if you’re looking to discreetly plant some dumbbells in your bonus room behind the treadmill, be sure to consider what you need and how much space you have.

There are a variety of materials you’re going to see used to construct dumbbells, so we’ve highlighted the most common ones, and their pros and cons below.

This is generally the most common covering for dumbbells. Virgin rubber is cheap. Recycled rubber is even cheaper, but can smell odd. It is a decently durable material and will survive an average trainee’s workouts so long as they don’t chuck the dumbbells on the floor every time they finish a set (and even then they might still be fine). Relatively soft, rubber will help cushion a dumbbell’s fall and can prevent some of the excess damage to your floor if you drop them regularly.

This is the premium option for covering dumbbells. Hard-wearing and great for customization, it is very resistant to damage. The obvious downside is the price. Urethane dumbbells are going to be significantly more expensive than their rubber counterparts, but if you’re on the hunt for a good-looking premium dumbbell, then urethane is probably what you’re looking for.

Alongside iron, steel is a very common base material. It is more expensive than iron, but will not oxidize quite so easily, or almost at all depending on the type of steel used. It can, however, be more brittle due to the added carbon.

This means that if you weaken the dumbbell over time, it may snap. We make this sound like a simple task, but trust us, you’ll have to put in quite a bit of time and effort to have this happen.

Cheaper than steel, this will commonly be used in lower-cost dumbbells, with a lot of the hex models being prime examples. It’s great so long as it remains covered by rubber, urethane, or chrome plating. Once exposed it is easily oxidized and will rust, which isn’t the end of the world in the short run, but long term can result in structural weakness.

Plastic is rarely used with fixed dumbbells, it is almost always used to manufacture the adjustment mechanisms for adjustable dumbbells. It is almost impossible to create a lightweight mechanism out of anything else, but the trade-off is the fragility of the plastic. This is why you have to be careful not to drop or smash a pair of adjustable dumbbells. The weights themselves will survive, but the mechanisms can be easily damaged.

There are some high-end features that may be of interest if your budget isn’t a factor, and you’re looking for the best of the best. Beware, these features can add up and get expensive fast.

Several brands offer custom knurling on dumbbells. Knurling won’t be a big deal for most people as the weights they use aren’t heavy enough to be seriously impacted by this. If however, you’re going super heavyweight on dumbbell rows and need some aggressive knurling for a solid grip, know that there are options available.

If you look back at the Rogue Loadable Dumbbells, you’ll see an example of this feature. The theory is that, like a barbell, having bearings or bushings that allow rotation leads to better movement of the dumbbell, which can lead to more weight lifted.

This is a really cool option, but it is probably the most expensive of all of these premium features and the benefits may only help a few in the top tier of strength sports.

Another option that has recently garnered discussion is handle diameter. Theories abound that thicker grips lead to greater irradiation and thus muscle activation overall. If you find this to be true for you, larger-diameter handles are more and more available to consumers.

The sky really is the limit here, especially with urethane dumbbells. You can have a custom logo or name added to your dumbbells. You can change colors or have different finishes. Companies have realized that there isn’t much of a downside to offering these options, so if you want it, they’ll almost certainly do it and charge you extra for the privilege.

So onto the first of a few face-offs. Kettlebells are a great conditioning tool and have their own hardcore following. They are a fantastic tool for people who like HIIT training and a wide variety of workouts to perform. If you’re a huge fan of kettlebells, there are ways to perform almost everything you can do with a dumbbell, but movements tend to be geared more towards using multiple muscle groups or the entire body, whereas dumbbells can more easily target individual muscles. Let’s just say it’s a lot easier (and more comfortable) to do a bicep curl with a dumbbell than a kettlebell.

[Related: Dumbbells Vs. Kettlebells — Choose the Right Tool for Your Goals]

Both barbells and dumbbells can fulfill similar roles in training, but they both have strengths when compared to each other. Generally, barbells are better for super-heavyweight training and 1 rep max days as it is difficult to hold or even afford dumbbells that heavy. On the other hand, dumbbells allow for more movement variations, better unilateral training, and higher rep sets with less weight. What you get is really going to depend on what you want to prioritize in your training.

Fatbells are a new entrant into the equipment market and should technically be classified as “center mass bells”, but the inventor’s name has stuck. The way these dumbbells work is by placing the bar within a centered, round weight. The weight is generally closer to your hands and evenly distributed, as opposed to flaring out far beyond your wrists as traditional dumbbells do.

Center mass bells are as good as dumbbells in basically every respect other than price. They’re generally pretty expensive and that’s probably the biggest deal breaker for most consumers.

We can’t recommend dumbbells highly enough. The versatility available from a single pair of dumbbells is unequaled by virtually any other piece of equipment (don’t worry, we love the barbell immensely as well). Ask yourself how wide a weight range you need and how robust the dumbbells need to be. Adjustable dumbbells will bring that range, but can come at a cost. You may be paying for more weight than you need. In terms of durability, they can’t match fixed dumbbells.

Fixed dumbbells are great if you want to do movements like the dumbbell snatch, as they are much more durable, but you lose some versatility if you don’t buy a whole set. Have a think about your training and choose accordingly. You won’t regret adding a high quality pair (or set) of dumbbells to your training arsenal.

This all comes down to your goals. Adjustable dumbbells have great versatility, but are more fragile. Fixed dumbbells are durable but take up much more space with all the different pairs of weights. Think about your own training and choose accordingly.

Dumbbells may seem quite similar at first glance, but there are many differences in the handles, materials, and coatings. Our favorite dumbbells at the moment are DMoose Hex Dumbbells. They’re priced well, made from high quality materials, and feature rubber casing to help protect your floors.

Dumbbells can start out fairly inexpensive and become costly quite quickly once the weights start increasing. You can expect to spend around $40 for a basic set of five-pounders, and over $400 for a pair of 100-pound (or more) dumbbells. A good idea is to pick up a few different dumbbell pairs that you can use for a wide variety of exercises if you can’t front the money for a full set right away.

We think that you can get an incredible workout in with dumbbells up to 50lbs. If you’re good at manipulating tempo , adding pauses and changing leverage of lifts, you can eke out some incredible workouts even when you’re very strong and only have access to dumbbells up to 50lbs.

Unilateral training simply means training with one side. An example would be doing a single arm dumbbell row. This kind of movement is great for equalizing out strength, coordination and size differences between body parts, but there are plenty of other reasons to add this training in too.

Tim is the Co-Founder of CrossFit Slash in Beijing, he has worked in the fitness industry for nearly a decade and has dipped his toe into just about every training modality there is. He enjoys playing with his 2 year old daughter and is currently working towards completing the Beast Tamer Challenge https://www.strongfirst.com/achieve/beast-tamer/

BarBend is an independent website. The views expressed on this site may come from individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the view of BarBend or any other organization. BarBend is the Official Media Partner of USA Weightlifting.