Why Adjustable Dumbbells Are the Best Home Gym Investment
A full rack of dumbbells (5-50 lbs) costs $1,000+ and takes up an entire wall. A set of adjustable dumbbells costs $200-500, fits in a corner, and covers the same weight range. For our complete home gym philosophy, see our home gym under $500 guide. For the previous deep-dive comparison, see our Bowflex vs PowerBlock vs Ironmaster comparison.
Quick Picks
| Pick | Model | Price | Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 Overall | PowerBlock Elite 50 | $300 | 5-50 lbs | Most home gyms |
| 💰 Value | Bowflex SelectTech 552 | $350 | 5-52.5 lbs | Easy adjustment |
| 🔨 Durability | Ironmaster Quick-Lock 75 | $500 | 5-75 lbs | Serious lifters |
| 🔥 Budget | NordicTrack Select-A-Weight 55 | $200 | 10-55 lbs | Budget home gym |
| ⚡ Fastest | NÜOBELL 50 | $400 | 5-50 lbs | Traditional feel |
| 🏋️ Heavy | PowerBlock Elite 90 | $600 | 5-90 lbs | Advanced lifters |
| 📐 Compact | BowFlex SelectTech 1090 | $400 | 10-90 lbs | Max range, min space |
| 🌟 Premium | Peloton Dumbbells | $350 | 5-25 lbs | Light workouts, aesthetics |
Detailed Reviews
#1. PowerBlock Elite 50 — Best Overall
PowerBlock Elite 50 Adjustable DumbbellsEDITOR'S CHOICE
The Elite 50 has been our top pick for 3 years running. Selector pin system changes weight in 3 seconds. Steel construction with urethane coating. 5-50 lbs in 2.5/5 lb increments (16 weight settings per hand). Compact 12x7 inch footprint. Expandable to 70 and 90 lbs with add-on kits. These will outlast you.
- 16 weight settings (5-50 lbs)
- 3-second weight changes
- Steel + urethane = indestructible
- Expandable to 70 or 90 lbs
- Most compact footprint
- Square shape feels different
- Can't do hammer curls naturally
- Pin can stick if dirty
- No traditional dumbbell aesthetic
#2. Bowflex SelectTech 552 — Easiest to Use
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable DumbbellsBEST VALUE
The most popular adjustable dumbbells in America. Turn-dial system selects weight from 5-52.5 lbs in 2.5 lb increments (30 weight settings). The most intuitive adjustment mechanism — twist and lift. Round shape feels like traditional dumbbells. Downside: the plastic dial mechanism isn't as durable as PowerBlock's metal selector.
- Most intuitive dial adjustment
- 30 weight settings — finest increments
- Round shape feels like real dumbbells
- 5-52.5 lb range covers most needs
- Most popular = easiest to find
- Plastic dial mechanism can break
- Longer than PowerBlock (17 inches)
- Can't drop them — ever
- Not expandable
#3. Ironmaster Quick-Lock 75 — Most Durable
Ironmaster Quick-Lock 75 Adjustable Dumbbells
Built like a tank. All-steel construction with a screw-lock system that creates a solid, rattle-free dumbbell that feels identical to commercial gym dumbbells. 5-75 lbs with expansion to 120 lbs. The trade-off: weight changes take 15-20 seconds (vs 3 seconds for PowerBlock). For serious lifters who prioritize feel and durability, nothing else compares.
- Feels exactly like commercial dumbbells
- All-steel — the most durable option
- 5-75 lbs standard, expandable to 120
- Can be dropped (within reason)
- Lifetime warranty
- 15-20 second weight changes
- $500 base price
- Heavy — 75 lb handle alone is thick
- Not practical for supersets
#4. NordicTrack Select-A-Weight 55 — Best Budget
NordicTrack Select-A-Weight 55 lb Dumbbells
At $200 for the pair, these are the cheapest quality adjustable dumbbells available. 15 weight settings from 10-55 lbs. The adjustment mechanism is similar to Bowflex but simpler. Build quality is adequate but not premium — expect some rattle at heavier weights. For budget home gyms, the price is right.
- $200 for the pair — unbeatable price
- 10-55 lb range is useful
- Simple dial adjustment
- Compact design
- Starts at 10 lbs (not 5)
- Build quality is just adequate
- Some rattle at heavy weights
- Not as smooth as Bowflex
#5. NÜOBELL 50 — Most Traditional Feel
NUOBELL 50 Adjustable Dumbbells
The NÜOBELL is the only adjustable dumbbell that truly looks and feels like a traditional dumbbell. Twist-lock handle mechanism. Round weight plates. No awkward shapes or plastic housings. 5-50 lbs in 5 lb increments. Swedish design with premium build quality. The downside: $400 and no half-pound increments.
- Looks/feels like real dumbbells
- Smooth twist-lock mechanism
- Round plates — natural movement
- Premium Swedish design
- Compact cradle
- $400 for 5-50 lb range
- Only 5 lb increments
- Not expandable
- Available through limited retailers
Comparison Table
| Set | Price | Range | Increments | Speed | Durability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PowerBlock Elite 50 | $300 | 5-50 lbs | 2.5/5 lb | 3 sec | ★★★★★ |
| Bowflex 552 | $350 | 5-52.5 lbs | 2.5 lb | 2 sec | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ironmaster QL 75 | $500 | 5-75 lbs | 2.5 lb | 15-20 sec | ★★★★★ |
| NordicTrack 55 | $200 | 10-55 lbs | 5 lb | 3 sec | ★★★☆☆ |
| NÜOBELL 50 | $400 | 5-50 lbs | 5 lb | 2 sec | ★★★★☆ |
| PowerBlock Elite 90 | $600 | 5-90 lbs | 2.5/5 lb | 3 sec | ★★★★★ |
| Bowflex 1090 | $400 | 10-90 lbs | 5 lb | 2 sec | ★★★☆☆ |
Buying Guide
Adjustment Speed Matters More Than You Think
If you do supersets, drop sets, or circuit training, slow weight changes kill your workout flow. PowerBlock (3 sec) and Bowflex (2 sec) are fast enough for supersets. Ironmaster (15-20 sec) is not — it's for straight-set training only.
How Much Weight Do You Need?
Beginners: 5-50 lbs covers everything. Intermediate: 5-70 lbs (PowerBlock expandable). Advanced: 5-90+ lbs (Ironmaster or PowerBlock Elite 90). When in doubt, buy expandable — your strength will increase faster than you expect. See our full comparison for detailed analysis.
Durability: The Drop Test
Ironmaster and PowerBlock can handle accidental drops. Bowflex CANNOT — dropping Bowflex dumbbells voids the warranty and likely breaks the mechanism. If you train heavy or train to failure (where drops happen), choose metal construction.
Decision Matrix
Sources & Further Reading
- Garage Gym Reviews. "Best Adjustable Dumbbells 2025." garagegymreviews.com
- r/homegym. "Adjustable Dumbbell Mega-Thread." reddit.com/r/homegym
- Wirecutter (NYT). "Best Adjustable Dumbbells." nytimes.com/wirecutter
- Consumer Reports. "Adjustable Dumbbell Ratings." consumerreports.org
