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12 of the best adjustable dumbbells for strength training at home, from under £50
Up to 24 different weight options in one practical package? Sold
Not only can investing in one of our best adjustable dumbbells help you get the most out of your home workouts, but it can also keep your lifting zone clutter-free (win-win, right?).
Granted, these space-saving sets are slightly pricier than your standard dumbbell or hand weight, but by providing up to 24 different weight options in one practical package, they're a great solution for anyone looking to get a sweat on and make serious strength gains. In some cases, these smart ‘bells even allow you to up the weight and push for new PBs with just the touch of a button (looking at you, JAXJOX).
Sound good? Well, before you *add to basket*, there are a few things you should know. There's plenty of choice on the market right now, but our team of writers and editors put some top models to the test to find the weights which are worth forking out on. Here they are in one quick list, with our full reviews below:
The best adjustable dumbbells to buy now
Is an adjustable dumbbell set worth it?
That's a big fat yes! If you’re looking to level-up your at-home gym without having to make more room, and progress your training simply by purchasing a single piece of equipment, then an adjustable dumbbell is one of the best ways to do so. Think of it as your own version of a weight machine and dumbbell rack-heavy gym without the cost, space and time. Sounds worth it to us...
First up, there are three types of adjustable dumbbell: spinlock, dial and digital. Here's a breakdown of each.
- Spinlock: Tends to involve a bar with weight plates that need to be manually added or removed. Usually held in place by metal or plastic collars (otherwise known as spinlocks).
- Dial: Usually sits in a case or tray and allows you to add or remove plates with the use of (you guessed it) a dial. Once you’ve selected your weight and lifted the dumbbell out of the rack, the remaining unused weight plates will stay put.
- Digital: May just be the snazziest of the lot, loading into a holding dock where you can change the weight (as the name suggests) digitally. You select your weight of choice using buttons on the holding dock, with data displayed on a small screen, and any unused plates are left in place when you remove the weight.
They're all great for providing a variety of weight options in a single dumbbell, but each has its own advantages.
Traditional spinlock dumbbells are generally cheaper, sturdier and more readily available, while dial dumbbells are quicker when it comes to loading and unloading weight plates. They also tend to have heavier weight options and a wider variety of weight increments to choose from (with the MuscleSquad Adjustable Dumbbell able to go all the way up to 40kg).
Digital dumbbells tend to be the priciest of the bunch, but by allowing you to change the weight with the touch of a couple of buttons, they really take the faff out of workouts that require multiple different loads, as well as cutting down the time it takes to change weight.
Are adjustable dumbbells better than traditional ones?
There’s no denying that both traditional fixed dumbbells and adjustable dumbbells have their strengths, but it all depends on where you are working out, the type of movements you plan to use them for and what you are wanting to achieve.
Adjustable dumbbell pros
Cheaper long-term
Adjustable dumbbells can seem quite expensive compared to a single set of fixed dumbbells, but they tend to be cheaper in the long run. Once bought, you’ll have a versatile piece of kit that allows you to progress without needing to spend more (think of it as the world’s smallest dumbbell rack). In contrast, fixed dumbbell sets can cost upwards of £300, and when you’re ready to lift heavier you’ll have to splurge on a new pair.
Allow you to progress
Many dumbbell users will end up sticking with the same fixed dumbbell weight for way longer than is beneficial to their training, just to avoid having to buy another set. This isn’t an issue with an adjustable dumbbell, which can be switched easily between weights as you progress.
Versatile
An adjustable dumbbell will allow you to customise your workout based on the strength of the muscle you are targeting or the type of exercise you are performing. Looking to add weight to your HIIT plan? Easy. Need a lighter weight for your arms, which aren’t quite as strong as your legs? Done. All possible with a single weight.
Space-saving
You only need storage space for one or two dumbbells, but they can be transformed into multiple weights with the help of a simple mechanism or by changing the plates.
Portable
If you enjoy working out in different locations that don’t include the gym (park-workout lovers unite!), it will be a lot easier transporting one multitasking dumbbell than a whole lot of separate ones.
At the end of the day, it depends on what you’ll be using your dumbbells for and where. If you’re looking for a specific weight to enhance a targeted area of training, then fixed dumbbells will do the trick. But if you’re wanting to commit to an at-home resistance programme with the aim of progressing in strength, or you use weights for different types of training, then buying an adjustable dumbbell will be a great investment.
More of a kettlebell gal? Check out our round-up of the best adjustable kettlebells, from under £30.
How we test adjustable dumbbells
Our team of writers and editors tested the mettle (and metal) of a range of top adjustable dumbbells.
The team timed how long it took to load each dumbbell up to its maximum weight and how quickly and easily they could change the load mid-workout. The dumbbells were also assessed on sturdiness, with top points awarded to those that felt stable and didn’t rattle or shake while being used.
Finally, testers donned their fave leggings for a workout, using each dumbbell for the same 20 bodybuilding movements, ranging from deadlifts to goblet squats to bench press. Top-scoring models moved smoothly and were a practical shape that didn’t obstruct any movement patterns.
The best adjustable dumbbells earned both bragging rights and a place in our round up, which you can see below.
Courtney Smith is Fashion Assistant at Cosmopolitan UK and Women's Health UK, where she works across both print and digital. She has been in the fashion industry for over nine years, initially as a model and later as a fashion assistant and writer in media. When she is not assisting on shoots with the likes of Tom Daley and Raye or bringing about a surge in online hula hoop sales, she can be found at the ponds getting in some quality time with her one true love: swimwear.
![Headshot of Yanar Alkayat Headshot of Yanar Alkayat](https://cdn.statically.io/img/hips.hearstapps.com/rover/profile_photos/49316362-f5ee-4955-a879-38f812c27298_1677098715.png?fill=1:1&resize=120:*)
Yanar has spent 15 years as a health and wellness editor and writer for national titles such as Women’s Health, Men’s Health and Runner’s World. Yanar is a 580-hour yoga therapist, 200-hour yoga teacher and level 3 personal trainer at Yanar Mind & Movement. After years of running races and marathons, she discovered CrossFit and Olympic lifting in her mid-30s and fell in love with training and competing. She now advocates strength training for women to build a stronger body for life and the benefits of nervous system regulation for better physical and mental health. When not training, teaching or writing, she can be found experimenting in the kitchen.
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