The Best Adjustable Dumbbells

For most folks trying to get in shape, dumbells are an essential piece of the exercise puzzle. The only downside is that a dumbbell set can take up a lot of space in your home. Luckily, adjustable dumbbells offer the same potential for at-home workouts without the clutter of a traditional set. Check out our list of the best adjustable dumbbells on the market to find the right set for you.

What To Look For

Now that you’ve decided you want an adjustable dumbbell set, there are a few important points you need to mull over. Firstly, consider your experience level and make sure you find a set that can accommodate it. For example, you might not need to buy a set that goes up to 80 pounds if you’re just starting out with weightlifting. But regardless of your experience level, it’s a good idea to look for a set that is easy to adjust, space-efficient, and worth its cost. In our opinion, the set that best encompasses each of those criteria is LifePro’s adjustable dumbbell set. Ideal for newcomers and veteran lifters alike, this set is a breeze to adjust and takes up considerably less space than a traditional dumbbell set. Alternatively, if you’re in the market for something a bit more advanced, it would be hard to go wrong with Merax’s Deluxe adjustable dumbbell set. This gargantuan set goes all the way up to 80 pounds, making it a must-have for veteran weightlifters looking to challenge themselves with heavier weight settings. Read on to find out what works about the rest of our top picks.

LifePro Adjustable Dumbbell Set

Clutter-free and convenient

This easy-to-use set features various weight options and a convenient slider to adjust the weight in a jiffy.
Best Overall

Find on Amazon

The best thing about adjustable dumbbell sets is their ability to save space in your home gym. Thanks to the five weight settings on LifePro’s set, you can replace your bulky traditional dumbbell set without losing your wide array of choices. Thanks to the dumbbells’ easy-to-use slider, you can quickly alternate between different weight settings. We also appreciate how tightly the weight plates lock into place once you’ve selected your weight setting.

Pros:

  • Compact adjustable set
  • Easy to adjust
  • 5-in-1 weight settings

Cons:

  • Since it tops out at 25 pounds, experienced weightlifters might need more than this set has to offer

ProForm Select-A-Weight Dumbbells

Pump it up

With its high weight capacity, this durable dumbbell set will allow you to work your way up to heavier settings over time.
Runner Up

Find on Amazon

Some weightlifters snub adjustable dumbbell sets because they believe they don’t have high enough weight settings. If you were one of those non-believers before, this pick from ProFrom might be enough to change your mind. This impressive set has five weight settings, beginning at 10 pounds and ending at 50. With that high of a weight range, you can ditch your bulky traditional dumbbell set altogether.

Pros:

  • The Rapid Strike Weight Selection system makes it incredibly easy to toggle between weight settings
  • ProForm has an app you can use to track your progress
  • Compact despite its high weight range

Cons:

  • Beginners might want to look for a less advanced set

PowerBlock Elite EXP

Lift like a legend

Don't let its unorthodox design fool you — this boxy set is supremely easy to use and adjust.
Most User-Friendly

Find on Amazon

At a glance, PowerBlock’s Elite EXP adjustable dumbbell set might look odd, but there’s a lot to love about this unorthodox design. Thanks to its boxy construction, it’s much easier to adjust weight settings on this set compared to traditional models. All you have to do is pull out the magnetic pin and place it on your desired weight setting, pick up the dumbells, and get started on your reps. We also appreciate that PowerBlock offers expansion kits that can increase the weight range of this set to up to 90 pounds.

Pros:

  • You can adjust the weight settings at smaller intervals than many comparable sets
  • An impressive 5- to 50-pound weight range
  • Expansion kits available

Cons:

  • Due to their unique shape, these may take a little bit of getting used to at first

LifePro 15-Pound Adjustable Dumbbell Set

Save space, save money

This affordable, low-weight option is ideal for beginner lifters as well as those looking to keep costs down.
Best On A Budget

Find on Amazon

If you’re a beginner looking for a convenient adjustable set with a manageable weight range, this pick from LifePro should undoubtedly pique your interest. With a weight range of 2.5 to 15 pounds, this is an ideal choice for people who are just starting out and attempting to build their strength. And thanks to its economical price, it’s also great for those on a budget. As far as features are concerned, we particularly appreciate the anti-slip wooden handles that provide a stable grip for your exercises.

Pros:

  • Anti-slip wooden handles
  • Easily adjustable
  • Ideal for beginners

Cons:

  • You might progress beyond this set over time due to its low weight range

Merax Deluxe Adjustable Dumbbell Set

Feel the burn

With a massive weight range and simple adjustment system, this dumbbell set is an excellent choice for experienced lifters.
Best Weight Range

Find on Amazon

There are few adjustable dumbbell sets on the market with this high of a weight range. If you’re a veteran weightlifter with a large collection of traditional dumbbells, Merax’s Deluxe set might be the best choice to replace it entirely. With an impressively high weight range of five to 80 pounds, this comprehensive set enables you to perform every type of free weight training there is. We also love the easy-to-use pin box system for shifting weight settings.

Pros:

  • Impressive weight range goes all the way to 80 pounds per dumbbell
  • The safety lock keeps the weight plates in place
  • Sturdy base trays for storage

Cons:

  • Considerably more expensive than most of its competitors, but we think it’s well worth it

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some exercises I can do with an adjustable dumbbell set?

People use dumbbells to engage in a wide variety of exercises. Some of the most common dumbbell exercises include curls, rows, bench presses, and tricep kickbacks. The handful of exercises we just mentioned don’t even scratch the surface of the complete list of dumbbell exercises.

What muscle groups can I work out with an adjustable dumbbell set?

Dumbbells are often used to exercise the upper body. You can work out your chest, arms, back, and even your core with dumbbells. That being said, people also do dumbbell lunges and other lower-body workouts to exercise their legs.

About the Author

There's no better feeling than walking out the door in well-made clothes that make you look and feel great. Nick’s goal is to help readers feel that way every day. A true New Yorker, Nick is always up to date on the latest trends fresh off the runway. When he’s not writing about fashion, you can find him writing and producing music.

Why Trust Us

Since 2001, our experts at TheFashionSpot have been providing millions of people with our take on the latest trends. TheFashionSpot is constantly looking for the hottest styles in clothing and accessories for people of all body types. Our team knows that beauty starts well before the closet, so we are also dedicated to finding the best products for your skin and hair.