There’s no denying the integral role that dumbbells play in a strength and muscle-building fitness routine, with their versatility allowing for a world of exercises that target different areas of the body. They’re quite user-friendly, too – no matter your skill level or fitness goals, you can easily get the hang of them and tailor your fitness routine accordingly.
But there’s more to it than just using any old pair that you come across. It’s about finding something that corresponds to your abilities and goals – both from an exercise perspective, as well as budget-wise. And helping you find the best dumbbell set for your needs is exactly what we’re here to do.
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In A Hurry? Here’s Our Best Picks
Why You Should Trust Us
Behind the BoxLife Magazine banner, we have a team of experienced fitness professionals whose extensive knowledge and years of practice in the industry make them well-equipped to provide an informed and comprehensive review of workout equipment. We’ve tried and tested numerous products in various settings, both in professional environments and on our own time.
We’ve all been at the start of our fitness journeys at one point, so we understand the difficulty – as well as the importance – of being mindful of your choices and selecting the right gear. We try to focus on the user experience as much as possible, with a special emphasis on safety, comfort, and value for money.
Who Is This Guide For?
If you want to get your weight training game to a more advanced level without splurging on a whole bunch of separate items, then a dumbbell set is a fantastic middle ground. They’re ideal for home gym enthusiasts of all levels, who want to save some space while making the most out of their investment.
How We Picked the Best Products
Our investigative efforts were initially based on our own assessments of the products, coupled with the vast pool of user feedback that’s available online. We made it our mission to dig into discussion threads on Reddit and Quora, which are full of no-nonsense opinions and first-hand experiences shared by real people.
We also kept an eye out for the general public’s opinion on each item, as we researched consumer reviews across major retailers like Amazon, Titan, and Rogue Fitness. They all had something interesting to say, be it in the form of criticism or praise. We weighed all this information against our own findings to come up with an unbiased list of the best dumbbell sets on the market.
How We Graded Each Product
To make a universal and fair grading system, we put each product to the test through our list of criteria that are specifically tailored to dumbbells. Oftentimes, manufacturers make bold claims about their products that don’t match up with the reality of the user experience. Keeping this in mind, we looked into:
- Materials – To the inexperienced eye, all dumbbells look more or less the same. But each one is made from different materials that can affect their performance in terms of grip and durability. Rubber, urethane, steel, cast iron, and plastic are all valid options, with each having its own set of benefits and drawbacks. It mainly depends on the kind of exercise that you want to do.
- Weight Options – It doesn’t matter if you’re working with a personal trainer or not – having a range of weight plates at your disposal is always a sensible move. We tend to start off with lighter options to get a better feel of the exercise, before gradually adding more weight as we get stronger. Of course, the more weight options available, the greater the diversity of workouts you can do.
- Dumbbell Shape – This refers to the shape of the head and handle, which can sometimes greatly affect the effectiveness of certain exercises. For instance, a hexagonal shape is great for floor-based exercises because they won’t roll away, while round dumbbells are ideal for exercises that involve swinging motions across the body.
- Knurling – The exact depth of the knurling will vary depending on the manufacturer, but it’s always a good idea to buy something with enough grip. This is especially important for heavier weights because it helps you keep a firm grip while you’re lifting. Many models feature textured handles that provide an extra layer of comfort and safety.
- Price Range – Most of us don’t have a whole lot going on in the budget department, which is why we’re forced to be selective when it comes to our purchases. With that in mind, we made sure to include products with a range of price points, so that everyone can find something within their means. We also looked into the value each item brought to the table to see whether it corresponds with the price tag.
The Products
After carefully sorting through the available options, we’ve narrowed down our selection of the best dumbbell set for various uses. We broke everything down into a few categories for easier identification and better clarity.
The REP Fitness Rubber Hex Dumbbell fits the bill for anyone who wants to get serious with their strength training.
REP Fitness is one of those names in the workout and strength training industry that you seemingly can’t go wrong with. The brand’s commitment to quality and the sheer amount of positive feedback earned over the years are more than enough reasons to trust them. Among the trusted items is their Rubber Hex Dumbbell set, which stands out among the competition for its outstanding performance and user-friendly features.
Pros
- Durable rubber coating on the head for added protection and better grip
- Knurled handle for improved comfort during use
- Their hexagonal shape that prevents rolling
- Resilient and reinforced steel insert keeps a steady weight
Cons
- Has a distinct smell for a rubber-coated dumbbell set
- Doesn’t come with a rack for storage
Key Specs
| Materials | steel with rubber-coated plates |
| Weight Range | 2.5 – 125 lbs |
| Shape | Hex |
Why It’s Great
The rubber coat hex dumbbell set from REP Fitness brings home the bacon in terms of performance and user experience. The ergonomic shape and knurled handle combine to provide a secure grip even after extended sessions, with a textured and slightly grippy rubber coating on the head guaranteeing an extra layer of security.
The handle and the heads use specialized friction welding to stay together for the long run. And since we’re talking about resilience, it’s worth pointing out that the steel insert is also reinforced to keep a steady weight throughout its entire lifespan. The central knurling is not too aggressive, which makes it suitable to use with a variety of exercises.
As far as exercise variety goes, you can choose between 2.5 and 5-pound weight increments, all the way up to 125 pounds. The subtle hexagonal shape prevents the dumbbells from rolling away, with secure threading that prevents the heads from coming off. And even if you happen to drop them onto a hard surface, you can expect minimal bounce and breakage thanks to the rubber coat hex and engineered design.
Who It’s Best For
The REP Fitness Rubber Hex Dumbbell fits the bill for anyone who wants to get serious with their strength training. The weight increments are well-balanced and allow you to be as creative as you want with your workouts. While it’s not the cheapest option on the market, you can trust that this set will go a long way before wearing out.
The beginner-friendly design and solid weight range of the Living.Fit Dumbbell Set are quite suitable for those who are just getting started with strength training.
If the REP Fitness option doesn’t quite hit the sweet spot in terms of your needs, then you could always give the Living.Fit Dumbbell Set a try. This set has an incredibly diverse range of weight options and a whole slew of features that are just as user-friendly as they are effective. Each increment feels comfortable and secure, thanks to the ergonomic design and well-balanced weight distribution.
Pros
- Textured rubber coating for improved grip and comfort
- Secure threading prevents the head from coming off
- Comes with a lifetime warranty when used at a home gym
- Great for beginners and experienced lifters alike
Cons
- Some sets of weights may be damaged during transport
- Quite expensive given its range of features
Key Specs
| Materials | cast iron with rubber casings |
| Weight Range | 5 – 100 lbs |
| Shape | Hex |
Why It’s Great
The sheer stability and user-friendly features of the Living.Fit Dumbbell Set bring an unprecedented level of performance and convenience to the table. The textured rubber coating on each dumbbell head provides an extra layer of security and comfort when performing all sorts of exercises. Regardless of your preferred weight increments, you can rest assured that the weight will be evenly distributed throughout.
The wider handle inherently encourages a better grip, while the secure threading prevents the head from coming off, even after heavy lifting. The uniform handle size also allows for a more diverse range of exercises, from standard curls and press-ups to more complex movements. Even if it lacks edge-to-edge knurling on the base, it feels surprisingly secure and non-slippery. The texture of the rubber coating is also easy on the hands, no matter how often you use it.
What’s more, this set comes with a lifetime warranty when used in home gyms. This is directly indicative of the confidence the manufacturer has in their product, and it’s something that you don’t get with every dumbbell set. While it does come with a slightly higher price tag than other models of the same caliber, you can rest assured that your investment won’t go to waste in the long run.
Who It’s Best For
The beginner-friendly design and solid weight range of the Living.Fit Dumbbell Set are quite suitable for those who are just getting started with strength training. They have everything you need to get started and offer enough versatility to keep you entertained for quite some time. Even more experienced users could benefit from the wider handle and secure build, which helps to expand exercise range and keep you safe during each session.
If you're one of those heavy lifters on the hunt for a premium gym setup, then the Rogue Urethane Dumbbells could give you the exact performance you're looking for.