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6 best adjustable dumbbells to help you get fit at home
Want to spice up your home workouts? Give these expert-tested weights a whirl
Tested by Yanar Alkayat and Kim Hawley
Looking to get in an effective workout from the comfort of your own home? Whether you're too busy to maintain a consistent gym routine or you prefer to exercise in private, it’s time to add the adjustable dumbbell to your home gym kit.
According to Kate Bennett, studio manager and personal trainer at F45 Battersea Park, it's arguably the most versatile bit of kit you can invest in. "The best adjustable dumbbells allow you to keep challenging yourself and progress to heavier weights as you get more comfortable with exercises and grow stronger," she says.
You can also use them for full-body workouts, and choose the most appropriate load for every squat, lunge and press. Opt for lighter resistance during HIIT sessions, Pilates and upper body exercises and switch to heavier weights when you're working your lower body.
"Plus, you don't have to buy numerous sets of free weights, which can be a nightmare for storage," Bennett adds.
What is the best adjustable dumbbell?
The Good Housekeeping Institute tested a range of adjustable dumbbells to find the best for your home workouts. Here are their top picks at a glance, whether you're after a budget bell or you fancy splashing out on a top-spec model.
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Best adjustable dumbbells for beginners
York Cast Iron Dumbbell Spinlock Set (Set of two)
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To test, our expert put each model through a series of upper and lower body workouts to see how they perform. They score the design and consider ease of use. You’ll find a full breakdown of how we test below our full reviews, along with advice on what to consider before you buy.
Score: 94/100
Available on its own or as a pair, this user-friendly adjustable dumbbell impressed our tester with its polished performance, scoring top marks for comfort. The rounded shape made it easier to manoeuvre than bulkier options and the rubber grip felt kinder to our hands than most metal weights.
The plastic coating on the plates lacked the premium look of cast iron sets but meant they didn’t clang together during workouts. Changing the weight involved adjusting dials on either end of the dumbbell, with clear labelling making it easier to ensure even loading of the plates.
Key specifications
| Type | Dial |
|---|---|
| Maximum weight | 24kg |
| Minimum weight | 2kg |
| Sold as a pair? | Yes |
York Cast Iron Dumbbell Spinlock Set (Set of two)
Score: 92/100
York has been making weights since 1932, so the company really knows its stuff. This is clear from the brand’s versatile dumbbell set, which is suitable for everything from adding resistance to a HIIT workout to performing strength-building exercises like goblet squats.
The thorough instructions include detailed descriptions of exercises to try – a handy inclusion for first-time buyers – and our tester found the spinlock collars spun into place without any stiffness. They said the plates' smooth finish gave the dumbbells a premium feel, and thought the weight range of 1.3kg-10kg well-suited to beginner lifters.
Key specifications
| Type | Spinlock |
|---|---|
| Maximum weight | 20kg |
| Minimum weight | 1.3kg |
| Sold as a pair? | Yes |
Opti 20kg Cast Iron Dumbbell Set (Set of two)
Score: 88/100
Digital and dial adjustable dumbbells are fantastically flexible tools for giving your home workouts a boost, but they do tend to be pricey. This 18-piece Opti spinlock set, on the other hand, comes complete with two bars, four collars and a selection of smaller weight plates — all for £60.
Our tester found it straightforward to use, reliable (with no high-tech features to complicate things) and fully capable of helping you enjoy a thorough workout.
Key specifications
| Type | Spinlock |
|---|---|
| Maximum weight | 20kg |
| Minimum weight | 1.35kg |
| Sold as a pair? | Yes |
Northdeer Steel Adjustable Dumbbell (Set of two)
Score: 87/100
This Northdeer dumbbell is a little different to anything we’ve tried previously, as the central bar comes with weights permanently attached. These weights have grooved holes and additional plates with built-in screws can be secured to the central bar by twisting them into place (similar to a nut and bolt).
Our tester liked this unique set-up, with each additional plate screwing tightly into place to create a stylish, solid and sturdy dumbbell suitable for more dynamic movements. There are only four weight options, but there are lighter sets available online.
Key specifications
| Type | N/A |
|---|---|
| Maximum weight | 25kg |
| Minimum weight | 12.5kg |
| Sold as a pair? | No |
Score: 87/100
Versatility is the name of the game with this MuscleSquad pair. They're ideal for heavy leg days, when you want to build some muscles, but they can also be stripped down to 5kg. They offer 12 different weight settings, so they actually suit all experience levels.
Changing the weight proved quick and easy, and a security lock that fastened our selected plates into place was a welcome addition. The large, octagonal metal plates were a touch clunky to load into the holding dock and rattled a bit when being used, but the handle felt comfortable.
Overall, this is a smartly designed set that will tuck away neatly, be it in your living room or home gym.
Key specifiations
| Type | Dial |
|---|---|
| Maximum weight | 40kg |
| Minimum weight | 5kg |
| Sold as a pair? | Yes |
Score: 87/100
This dumbbell loads easily into its holding dock and only requires you to turn a dial on one end to change the weight, meaning you can switch from 2.5kg to 25kg in seconds. It’s also the cheapest dial dumbbell on test, providing great value for money at under £150.
The rubber and plastic finish felt a bit cheap compared to higher value models, and the long length made it slightly unwieldy during certain exercises, meaning they may be better-suited to larger people. That said, it offers everything you would expect from an adjustable dumbbell, including a security lock to make sure the interchangeable weights stay in place.
Key specifications
| Type | Dial |
|---|---|
| Maximum weight | 25kg |
| Minimum weight | 2.5kg |
| Sold as a pair? | No |
How we test adjustable dumbbells
Every adjustable dumbbell on this list has been rigorously tested by our Good Housekeeping Institute fitness experts.
Our team checked that each one lived up to expectations when it came to functionality, allowing us to load weights quickly, smoothly and securely. They also tested the dumbbells in action, putting them through a session consisting of 11 different movements, including squats, lunges and overhead pressing.
The best adjustable dumbbells felt sturdy in use and had a compact shape that made them easy to manoeuvre. They offered a range of different weights to choose from and could be loaded from their lightest weight to their heaviest (and back again) in no time.
Why you should trust the Good Housekeeping Institute
We test thousands of products every year at the Good Housekeeping Institute, so we have lots of experience to draw on when it comes to analysing the latest health and wellness products.
Our senior sleep and wellness tester, Kim Hawley, makes sure we're judging every product rigorously and fairly, from treadmills and greens powders to gym leggings and adjustable dumbbells. Kim is a level 4 qualified personal trainer with over 30 years' experience in the fitness industry.
Our sleep and wellness editor Priyankaa Joshi, ensures the testing protocols are detailed, and that we're reviewing the leading brands across all categories. She then transforms Kim's findings into helpful reviews, so you can find the best option for you. Priyankaa is also in the process of completing her level 2 personal training qualification.
More Tried and Tested fitness buys
- Prefer fixed dumbbells for your home gym? Check out our round-up of the best dumbbells, including Pilates bars and weight plates.
- Our experts have found the best gym leggings for all needs, whether you enjoy running or HIIT classes.
- These are the best protein bars to help you up your protein intake and build some strength.
The benefits of strength training for women
It's no secret that strength training can be hugely beneficial for women. The NHS recommends adults over 35 do muscle-strengthening activities at least two times per week, and for good reason. Below, Bennett breaks down how lifting weights can do wonders for your physical and mental health.
- Increased muscle strength and mass: This is increasingly important as we progress into our forties and beyond and our lean muscle mass starts to decline. Regular weight training can help counteract the muscle loss associated with ageing.
- Increased bone density: In the same vein, as our oestrogen levels dip and bone density decreases, evidence shows that weight training can help increase bone density and structure. "This is especially important for women who are going through the menopause, as it could help reduce the risk of osteoporosis," says Bennett.
- Higher confidence: According to Bennett, boosted confidence is an added benefit that's often overlooked. "Many women report that they feel more confidence in their bodies when they start training and as they grow stronger," she says. "Plus, you’re likely to notice a visible difference in your body if you have never trained before, which can be encouraging."
- Stress relief: The mood-boosting, stress-relieving benefits of strength training are well documented. There's nothing like moving your body and getting your blood pumping to boost your endorphin levels.
- Fat loss: If you are on a fat loss jouney, lifting weights can help build lean muscle mass and also help increase your resting metabolism, As such, it can be more beneficial than cardio for weight loss.
- Heart health: While aerobic exercise (like walking, cycling and running) is important for heart health, you can also reap the rewards from regular strength training. One study found that 30-60 minutes of muscle strengthening activity a week can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 10-20%.
What to look for when buying adjustable dumbbells
Most adjustable dumbbells can be divided into one of three categories: digital, dial or spinlock.
Each type has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it’s about deciding which best fits your needs. Let’s help you choose.
Digital
It couldn’t be easier to change the weight of these clever adjustable dumbbells. Simply load them into their holding docks and press the buttons to select your desired weight (the settings are displayed on a small LCD screen). In seconds, the required plates will attach to the dumbbell. They need to be plugged in, but that’s the only downside.
Dial
These tend to be the most expensive type of adjustable dumbbell, but they provide plenty of weight options for all kinds of training. They load in a similar way to digital models but you adjust the weight using a rotating dial. Some have one dial for speed but others require the use of two – one on either end of the dumbbell.
Spinlock
Spinlock dumbbells are a popular choice for at-home training due to their versatility and affordability. They usually come as a set with two central bars, a selection of metal weight plates and four spinlock collars.
Evenly load your chosen weight plates onto the bars, then secure them by twisting the spinlock collars along the grooved ends of each bar, like a nut and bolt.
The verdict on adjustable dumbbells
Our winner from Bowflex makes the perfect addition to your home gym (or the corner of your living room). According to our expert, t's compact and a pleasure to use.
Don't want to spend over the odds on your at-home exercise equipment? Look to York's cast iron spinlock dumbbells, which come in at under £50.
If you're after a set of durable and aesthetically pleasing weights, then we'd recommend Northdeer's steel dumbbells.
Priyankaa is our sleep and wellness expert, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. From walking boots to running machines, Priyankaa has written about hundreds of products and is passionate about providing in-depth, unbiased reviews. Plus, as an avid runner and gymgoer, she knows exactly what to look for when finding the right gymwear, fitness tracker or earphones.
Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist’s Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges. She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more. Outside of work, Priyankaa can usually be found trying out a new gym class, seeking out London's best eats or watching a Spanish TV show in a bid to keep up her language skills.
Yanar was our former health and wellness tester.
Kim Hawley is our health and fitness product tester. Her career in fitness has spanned over 30 years. Prior to joining the Good Housekeeping Institute, she worked as a personal trainer, writer and fitness instructor for some of London’s most prestigious health clubs, including The Harbour Club, David Lloyd and The Chelsea Club. Passionate about women’s health and fitness, especially in pre/post menopause, she is also a Level 4 PT and holds a professional nutritional qualification. Kim is responsible for rigorously testing everything from cross trainers to smart watches.
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