Your Home Gym Needs These 3 Trainer-Approved Dumbbells

Let’s cut to the chase: If you want a complete home gym setup, you need a proper set of dumbbells, period. Of course, a barbell, weight plates and pull-up bar are great places to start. Bench presses, pull-ups and pull-ups with an entire bar are great for building muscle and strength in your back. But these are not the “ultimate” exercises they led you to believe, especially if you are a beginner. That’s partly because they’re very difficult. It’s also easy to overdo them or, worse, to injure yourself because of poor form.

“The solution?” asks Bonar Simorangkir., director of fitness at DeliverItX, “Get a pair of dumbbells (or even a single barbell). With a pair of dumbbells, you can build the back strength you need to do pull-ups and chin-ups, while training the essential muscle groups that protect your shoulder blades and improve your posture.”

If you’re a beginner lifter, “adding dumbbell back exercises into your routines...helps you build the back muscles and strength you need, building thickness between your shoulder blades and in your upper back,” Samuel explains. He says that this is “especially true once you’ve adopted heavier dumbbell back exercises, such as the farms carry and power rows with dumbbells and incline rows.”

In short, dumbbells dramatically improve the setup of any home gym. They’re great for rows, help establish better posture, and allow for a more gradual and predictable weight progression. But the best part? They’re more accessible and affordable than almost any other gym tool. Whether you invest in rubber or iron, adjustable or standard, round or hexagonal, they’re guaranteed to improve your indoor game.

If you’re in the market for new dumbbells, it’s easy to think that they’re all the same. That’s somewhat true, but there’s more to it than that. If you’re looking to invest in a suitable set of dumbbells, it’s worth taking a few extra minutes to figure out which set is really the best for you. We researched and tested dozens of the most popular and best-selling models. Here are our brutally honest picks for the best dumbbells to buy in 2022.

1. SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells (pair)

These aren’t the cheapest or the most expensive - these adjustable dumbbells from Bowflex are perfect in almost every way. First, despite their overall weight of 105 pounds, they are incredibly compact. At 16.9" x 8.3" x 9", the set is small enough to fit in any space, whether it’s a closet or a basement turned gym. The plastic-coated steel construction is extremely durable, designed to last for years, even decades, with proper maintenance. The material is also quieter, without the typical noises of old-school metal dumbbells, a pleasant feature if you live with children or loved ones who are sensitive to such things.

The unique design of the selectable dumbbells allows lifters of all fitness levels to easily choose their exact weight. Each dumbbell is adjustable from 5 to 52.5 pounds, making it possible to accommodate any training goal. This is the perfect dumbbell set for everyone, from beginner lifters to amateur bodybuilders. The premium handles ensure a rock-solid lift with virtually no slippage.

We also love that these dumbbells coordinate with Bowflex’s full line of home gym products, including kettlebells, dumbbells and more. Plus, the included JRNY membership is a delightful bonus that gives you access to on-demand training and strength training classes for an entire year.

For all these reasons, it’s no wonder these dumbbells have been a top seller for nearly a decade. That’s also why they’re our pick for the best dumbbells in 2022.

What do buyers say about them? Out of over 19,000 Amazon reviews, 97% recommend Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells with a rating of at least 4 stars.

Buy: SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells (pair)

2. EXP Adjustable Dumbbells (pair)

It’s no secret that we’re big fans of adjustable dumbbell sets. PowerBlock’s EXP line is perhaps the smartest design we’ve seen. The pair stores easily, with no storage tray or rack. Using the built-in polypropylene rod, simply set the desired weight between 2.5 and 50 pounds per dumbbell (in variable increments). This unique design replaces a standard, bulky and incredibly heavy full set of dumbbells with a minimal footprint (only 12 “L x 6.5 “W per dumbbell). It’s ideal for apartment dwellers and anyone who doesn’t have the space to set up a lavish 1,000 square foot home gym. The powder coated welded steel construction is also extremely durable and designed to protect against rust and corrosion.

We especially like the fact that PowerBlock offers extension kits for weightlifters that exceed the 100-pound limit of this “entry-level” kit. Successive kits allow for limits of 70 and 90 pounds per dumbbell, respectively. This is a great option for beginners and middleweight lifters who want to start small and build strength.

The downside? The price is our biggest problem. At over $400, they may be a bit too expensive for those just starting out, especially for those who have already spent a lot of money on other fitness equipment. This set of dumbbells is an incredible value for the money. The only other thing that may take some getting used to is the square form factor. It’s not as natural to lift dumbbells as traditional free weights, so it’s not for everyone.

What do buyers say? Out of over 1,100 Amazon reviews, 94% recommend the PowerBlock EXP adjustable dumbbells with a rating of at least 4 stars.

Buy: EXP Adjustable Dumbbells (pair)

3. Coated hex dumbbells (10-pound pair)

Sometimes simpler is better, especially for beginners and novices just lifting weights at home. This pair of simple dumbbells from CAP Barbell is as simple as it gets. We made the heads of rock-solid Class 20 gray iron and covered with odorless rubber. We connect the whole thing to a cold-rolled chrome steel handle. They may not be adjustable, but it’s a proven design built to last. We like the medium-depth knurling on the handles that increases safety with a more secure grip when lifting.

The standard (non-adjustable) design means a full set takes up more floor space. But if your home gym is feeling a little cramped, consider buying a few pairs of different weight dumbbells to add to your existing setup without sacrificing too much space. They are available in 5, 8, 10, 12 and 15-50 pound weights (in 5 pound increments). With a small variety of weights, even a single pair, you can get an effective full-body workout, including chest, arms, core, legs and back.

What do buyers say? Out of over 5,600 reviews on Amazon, 94% recommend CAP Barbell coated hex dumbbells with a rating of at least 4 stars.

Buy: Coated hex dumbbells (10-pound pair)

Why invest in the best dumbbells?

So, why invest in a set of dumbbells? Simply put, dumbbells are arguably the most versatile and cost-effective addition to any home gym setup. He’s already shared at least 15 ways to smoke your back using dumbbells, including dumbbell pull-ups, high plank positions and a wide variety of rows.

Our friends across the pond at DeliverItX shared the best ways to blow your entire body away with just two dumbbells:

If you don’t have access to a selection of dumbbells, but are still looking for a balanced way to work your entire body, our “descending ladder” is for you. You’ll start with an introductory bodyweight exercise, which will work the pecs and stimulate blood flow, before picking up your dumbbells and working your leg, back and shoulder muscles. The reps of each movement tactically descend throughout the circuit, which means you’ll work each muscle group to its limits."

They also talked about their favorite and most underrated dumbbell exercises, including the Men's Health’s Press, Renegade Row, Goblet Cyclist Squat and Dumbbell Deadlift. Because, they say, “in fitness, it doesn’t take much to do a lot. This is especially true for your workouts: sometimes the shortest, fastest dose you can muster is the most optimal for your lifestyle. Life is too short for two-hour workouts...”. We couldn’t agree more, and that’s where the best dumbbells can help.

The best materials for dumbbells

As we like to say, there is no “best dumbbell material”, but what works best for you. Dumbbells come in a handful of construction types, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.

Steel: it does not cover Traditional steel dumbbells with a protective coating. This means that while they are incredibly strong, they are also susceptible to rust and corrosion.

Cast iron: These are the classic dumbbells you’re probably used to seeing on TV and in traditional gyms around the world.

Rubber: This is the material we recommend to almost everyone. Rubber is extremely durable and designed to last for many years. However, some models still have the familiar rubber smell, which can be off-putting and difficult to get rid of completely.

Urethane: Urethane is a special type of rubber that is even more durable than traditional rubber. The downside? That means it usually costs more.

Plastic: We can’t think of a type of fitness that would benefit from plastic dumbbells over any other material. They give the impression of being cheap (usually because they are) and don’t hold up and rubber or metal.

How to choose the best dumbbells (for you)?

Fitness and training goals: As with any new home fitness equipment, you should always consider your own training goals. If you’re looking to supplement your powerlifting or bodybuilding training with accessories, an adjustable dumbbell set is the best choice. If you’re looking to perform Olympic lifts, rubber hex dumbbells are the way to go.

Space: How much space do you have? If you’re a city dweller, live in a cramped apartment or fit your gym into the corner of a garage, consider an adjustable dumbbell set. They take up a lot less space than a full (and massive) set that includes a rack and a bunch of fixed dumbbells that individually weigh between 10 and 45 kg.

Standard or adjustable: This depends on the space you have available and your personal preferences. In most cases, adjustable dumbbells are the best option. They take up much less space and are often a little less expensive than standard fixed weight dumbbells.

Ease of Use: Basically, does the dumbbell feel “right” or natural to you? Again, this is a matter of preference, which may require a visit to your local sporting goods store or gym equipment supplier to compare a few models in person.

Construction: Here we are talking about the composition of your dumbbells and their durability. We recommend rubber hex dumbbells for the vast majority of fitness types. They are extremely durable and designed to withstand impact, including falls, shifting and more. Buy a decent set of rubber hex dumbbells and chances are you won’t have to buy another set for a very long time, if ever.

Budget: Price is important for almost all home gym manufacturers. For many people, it can be the deciding factor. We recommend adjustable dumbbells for most types of fitness, and they are usually the most affordable, so we suggest starting there. If you have the space and money to spend, a set of rubber or iron hex dumbbells may be the best option.

How we chose

We consulted with DeliverItX’s fitness editors and writers to find the best dumbbells and barbell sets. Experts including Bonar Simorangkir, fitness director, Kukuh Agung, fitness editor, and Dana Fahriza, fitness instructor, tested dozens of dumbbell models to evaluate their design, durability, functionality, and effectiveness. We also considered the highest rated dumbbells, with at least 100 five-star customer reviews on reputable e-commerce sites we trust. The above list represents our honest and thoughtful choice of the best dumbbells to improve your home gym in 2022.