If you’ve been trying to get your lift on at home, then you’ve discovered the best dumbbells are either sold out everywhere or being sold at ridiculous mark-ups.
It’s not just you: The dumbbell supply chain is completely broken, courtesy of the pandemic shutting down gyms across the United States and home exercise enthusiasts snatching up the remaining supply, leaving the rest of us to buy what we can when it’s available. Not to mention, most dumbbells are made in China, so when China shut down its factories, there was no way to get more supply.
That’s why we’ve scoured the internet to try to find as many of the best dumbbells that are in supply and ready to ship from whichever retailer has the stock. We think we’ve scraped together about as many of the best options we could that you can actually buy when you visit the website.
While we would typically narrow our round-up down to maybe five or 10 excellent options, we included 20 options here because all of these dumbbells will absolutely help you with whatever exercises you need. At the end of the day, a dumbbell isn’t that complicated and will work as long as you’ve got the right weight and use it properly.
Of course, we still recognize you’ve got some preferences. Maybe you’re looking for an adjustable set of dumbbells from the likes of Bowflex or PowerBlock. Perhaps you prefer dumbbells with a handle and a mix of plates you can mix up for the variety of weight without the high price tag of the all-in-one adjustable dumbbells. Or maybe you just need a few fixed dumbbells or some smaller speed weight dumbbells to stay in shape until gyms safely reopen in your area.
Whatever your preference for dumbbells, we’ve found some great options for you, though some (pretty much all) are unfortunately sold for ridiculous mark-ups because demand is higher than ever. In any case, you might be surprised to find that even though there’s a bona fide dumbbell shortage, you can still get your hands on some of the best dumbbells.
So dive into our dumbbell round-up below and see what you can get your hands on. For the sake of simplicity, we’ve organized our list by the kind of dumbbell: You’ve got all-in-one adjustable dumbbells at the top that are major space-savers and easy to adjust without having to handle the weights, traditional handlebar and weight adjustable dumbbell options in the middle and then the fixed weight dumbbells at the bottom.
If you only make one purchase, make it these Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells. We have a lot of options below and this one is first for a reason.
Each dumbbell in the pair adjusts from 5 to 52.5 pounds, with 2.5 increments up to the first 25 pounds. The dial adjustment system is super easy to use. You just turn the dial that’s conveniently marked with the total weight and lift the dumbbell out. Whichever plates the dumbbell needs to make that weight will lift with you, leaving the rest of the plates conveniently in the dumbbell rack.
Like pretty much all adjustable dumbbells, these will save you a ton of space because you’re basically getting 15 pairs of weights in one pair of dumbbells.
We’re not sure if these were the first dial-adjustable dumbbells, but they’re undoubtedly the best. We’ve used them before and love them, and reviewers on Amazon rave about them too.
Though they’re available online, it’ll likely be at least a couple of weeks until they arrive. If you’ve waited this long to buy dumbbells, we think you should wait just a bit longer because the Bowflex SelectTech 552s are just the best dumbbells for most people. You’ll be glad you waited.
Buy: Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells
If you’re into the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells, meet their heavier cousin, the Bowflex SelectTech 1090 Adjustable Dumbbell.
The two SelectTech dumbbells are more or less identical with the same features, like dial-adjustable weight and a solid knurled handle. The key difference between the 552s and the 1090s is the amount of weight. This dumbbell can turn from 10 pounds all the way up to 90 pounds, with 5-pound increments.
If you can live with fewer increments of weight or need heavier weights, we’d highly recommend the 1090s over the 552s.
The only real downers with the 1090s are that it’s only for sale as a single dumbbell and it’ll be a couple of weeks until it arrives.
But like the 552s, if you can wait, this is one of the best dumbbells for lifters with heavier needs.
Buy: Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells
PowerBlock is another great brand for adjustable weights. These PowerBlock Elite Exp Adjustable Dumbbells range from 5 to 50 pounds, and this particular model can be expanded up to 70 pounds and even 90 pounds per hand if you purchase extra weights for it.
They also come with two chrome adder weights so you can add 2.5-pound weight increments, which really helps when you just can’t go up 5 or 10 pounds in a particular lift.
Yeah, we know they look a little funny and aren’t what you would call a traditional dumbbell, but you can use them for any exercise you would use a dumbbell for. This funky design uses magnetic pins to adjust the weight, very much like a traditional weight-lifting machine. The design can also actually help you control your lift a bit better. Because the handle is in the center, these weights are really well-balanced meaning you can have cleaner pushes more easily.
The only thing to be wary of is dropping the PowerBlocks. While they’ll probably be OK after a few drops, they’re not designed to drop on the floor in the same way as a rubber, cast iron dumbbell. To be fair, that’s the case with most all-in-one adjustable dumbbells, including the top pick too.
Buy: PowerBlock Elite Exp Adjustable Dumbbells $628.72
For another set of adjustable dumbbells from PowerBlock, check out the PowerBlock Personal Trainer Set.
They’re really not all that different from the previous set. Selector pins help you change weight from 5 to 50 pounds, just like gym machines, and these dumbbells also feature the same chrome adders so you can hit the 2.5-pound increments.
The major difference between this model and the previous is the lack of expandability. These max out at 50 pounds and that’s the most you can have.
But if you’re cool with 50-pound dumbbells, these PowerBlocks are a great pick for your home workout space.
Buy: PowerBlock Personal Trainer Set
We’ve covered some heavy PowerBlocks, but PowerBlock makes a lighter model too. If you are looking for something lighter for a different range of exercises, you can always go for the PowerBlock Sport 24 Adjustable Dumbbells.
Each dumbbell can range from 3 to 24 pounds in 3-pound increments. The same selector pins make changing the weight as simple as possible, and you’ll never lose your grip with the contoured comfort handles.
NordicTrack is one of the better-known exercise equipment manufacturers and the brand’s adjustable dumbbells are right up there with those of Bowflex and PowerBlock. In fact, NordicTrack’s 55-pound adjustable dumbbells really resemble Bowflex’s SelectTech dumbbells, so you know NordicTrack is on to something.
The NordicTrack Select-A-Weight Adjustable Dumbbells combine a pin system with a handle rotation system
to help you get weight in 2.5- and 5-pound increments from 10 to 55 pounds. All you have to do is adjust the pins on each side of the dumbbell to change the weights. If you want an extra 2.5 or 5 pounds, just turn the handles on the dumbbells and then you’re ready to lift.
Like the Bowflex dumbbells, these are basically hard plastic over metal, so just be more careful about dropping them.
Buy: NordicTrack Select-A-Weight Adjustable Dumbbells $660.99
NordicTrack also sells a great SpeedWeight Adjustable Dumbbell set that ranges from 2.5 to 12.5 pounds in 2.5 increments. These are a bit more basic than the Select-A-Weight Dumbbells, but they still use a quick-and-easy pin system to adjust the weight.
Buy this set and the previous set and you’ll have enough weight to work with for all but the most weight-intensive lifts.
The Fitness Superstore sells every kind of workout equipment under the sun. The business model is to repair and re-sell broken down exercise equipment, so you know the store knows the ins and outs of great workout equipment.
In addition to being one of the few places still selling complete sets of dumbbells (though at a price so high we won’t even recommend them), the store also sells the excellent MX-Select 55 Adjustable Dumbbells.
This pair of dumbbells ranges from 10 to 55 pounds in 5-pound increments, and the patented rack-and-pinion design securely locks the plates.
In terms of changing the weights, the system is super easy to use: You just lift the yellow selector dials on the dumbbell collars, turn them to the right numbers and lift away. The handles are knurled so you get a great grip every time.
You also get an accompanying stand with a weight legend that tells you the amount of weight the numbers on the dial correspond to. While it seems like a silly design choice to not put the weight totals themselves on the selector dials, it’s hardly a dealbreaker we think.
Flybird isn’t as well-known as Bowflex or PowerBlock for adjustable dumbbells, but that doesn’t mean the Flybird Adjustable Dumbbell won’t get the job done.
This single dumbbell can adjust from 5 pounds to 25 pounds with just one turn of the anti-slip grip. The weights have a helpful arrow and numbers to let you know exactly how much weight you’re getting without having to lift and double-check, and an eight-lock structure guarantees the plates won’t be falling off in the middle of your lift.
Buy: Flybird Adjustable Dumbbell $199.99
The Ativafit Adjustable Dumbbell is one great adjustable dumbbell you may not have seen before. The weights easily adjust with numbered dials on the side — if you’re looking for a Bowflex clone, you’ve found it — so changing weights is as easy as turning the dial until it clicks and then lifting.
One big differentiator from the Bowflex dumbbells is the grip. Ativafit’s dumbbell has a soft-grip handle that gives you some comfort while still allowing for a strong grip.
Another big difference is the weight range. This model ranges from 11 to 71.5 pounds, so you’re getting almost 20 extra pounds to work out with.
The downside, when compared to Bowflex, is you only get one dumbbell here.
But given the state of the dumbbell market, you might just find buying two Ativafit Adjustable Dumbbells makes more sense for your wallet, especially if you factor in the higher amounts of weight.
Buy: Ativafit Adjustable Dumbbell $329.99
Like many adjustable dumbbell producers, Ativafit also makes a lightweight adjustable dumbbell. These lightweight dumbbells go up to 12.5 pounds each and rely on a pin system instead of dials to adjust the weights. They also feature the same textured soft grip as their heavier cousin above.
In contrast to some other low-weight adjustable dumbbells, these ones actually look like they could be used for speed training. Because the weight only goes up to 12.5 pounds, they’re really compact, so you might actually end up using them even when you can do most exercises with more weight.
Pick up this set with the heavier Ativafit dumbbell and you’ll be totally covered for whatever exercises you need to do.
This Hhusali Adjustable Dumbbell may be among the cheapest options you’re going to find in the Great Dumbbell Shortage of 2020.
It’s kind of like an upgraded version of the Ativafit 12.5-pound adjustable dumbbells. It can adjust from 5 pounds up to 25 pounds through a pin system, so you can use easily use it for curls or overhead extensions, but it’s still small enough and can be light enough to be used as a speed weight.
Like most dumbbells, it also has a traditional knurled metal bar, if you aren’t into soft grips like the kind Ativafit makes.
Unfortunately, you only get one dumbbell here, so keep that in mind when shopping around.
Buy: Hhusali Adjustable Dumbbell $169.99
CAP Barbell is a classic weightlifting brand best known for its fixed weights. But CAP also makes an adjustable 50-pound dumbbell, which you can buy in a set of two.
Similar to the Flybird Adjustable Dumbbell, you just turn the texturized rubber-grip handle to change the weight from 5 to 50 pounds in 5-pound increments and lift away. These weights are also helpfully octagonal because let’s face it, you’ve definitely had your circular weights roll away from you before.
Buy: CAP Barbell Adjustable Dumbbell $449.99
If you’re not trying to spend bigger money, old-fashioned traditional adjustable dumbbells like those from Yes4All are the way to go.
You can’t go wrong with the Yes4All Adjustable Dumbbell with 52.5 pounds of plates. You get a single knurled handle, eight 5-pound plates, two 2.5-plates, two 1.25-pound plates, all made of cast iron, and of course two collars to lock the weights in place.
If these seem up your alley, you can also buy a set of two of these dumbbells where you just get double of everything above for a grand total of 105 pounds of weight.
Buy: Yes4All Adjustable Dumbbell, 52.5 pounds $82.23
Yup, CAP Barbell does it all, including traditional adjustable dumbbells.
This single CAP Barbell dumbbell comes with one 4-pound diamond-knurled handle, two 3-pound plates, two 7.5-pound plates and two star-lock collars, so you can mix and match as you like up to 25 pounds.
You can also pick up a set of the dumbbells with 40 pounds in total, so you can put 16 pounds on each 4-pound handle or load up one handle with 36 pounds.
Buy: CAP Barbell Adjustable Dumbbell, 25 pounds $54.99
TELK makes nearly identical adjustable dumbbells to Yes4All and CAP Barbell. For this set of two dumbbells, you can expect cast iron plates, knurled chrome handles and star-lock collars. Adding up to a total of 65 pounds, you get eight 5-pound plates, four 2.5-pound plates and four 1.25-pound plates. Similar to the previous two options, you can always load up one dumbbell with all the weight for heavy-duty lifting.
This set also includes a chrome barbell rod, so if you want to do some light powerlifting, you can connect the pieces together and get your squat on.
Buy: TELK Adjustable Dumbbells $399.99
Nice C dumbbells look significantly different than every other option on this list, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t great weights. At the end of the day, as long as you have a mix of plates, a decent handle and locking mechanisms, you’ll be able to get a good lift going.
Depending on how much weight you need, you can pick up a Nice C Adjustable Dumbbell set with either 22, 33 or 44 pounds of total weight.
Each set comes with slip-resistant neoprene handles, a barbell rod to connect with the dumbbell handles for powerlifting and four collars to secure the weights. Unfortunately, the dumbbell handles aren’t long enough to overload them with the plates, so you’ll only be able to put about half of the total weight on each dumbbell.
But that’s not the end of the world for an affordable weight set that’ll allow you to exercise today and down the road when you can’t get to a gym.