Shape's Reviewed List of Top 12 Dumbbells for Your Home Gym in 2023

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Home workout enthusiasts know the importance of a quality set of dumbbells. But the benefits of using dumbbells go beyond just strength training. They can be part of a variety of workout types, whether you're a beginner or well into an at-home workout regimen. You can use them to increase the difficulty of standard workout moves like lunges, push-ups, and sit-ups, and they're commonly found in popular disciplines like HIIT, yoga, and Pilates, working out your entire body. 

“Having a pair of dumbbells at home is great for building strength,” says Maggi Gao, a NASM-certified personal trainer and Russian Kettlebell Challenge-certified coach in New York City. “Weights put a consistent stimulus on all parts of the motion, so every part of the movement has the effect of the weight on it. This is great if you're familiar and confident with performing the movement and want to add a level of difficulty if bodyweight has become easy.”

To help you find the best dumbbells for your home gym, we tested 24 sets of dumbbells in our lab with the help of an on-site personal trainer. Here, learn more about which dumbbells we deemed to be the best; plus, an expert’s advice on how to choose the best dumbbells for your home gym.

These dumbbells have a solid cast iron core and are designed to last; in fact, we were impressed by their durability and sturdiness (these dumbbells even withstood a drop onto the lab’s concrete floor — sans scratching). The weight plates are encased in a rubber shell that keeps them safe from corrosion and dents. The shell also acts as a buffer between the dumbbells and the floor, so you don't have to worry about scratches and scuff marks. The hexagonal shape of the “heads” prevents rolling around on the floor.

We especially loved the grip on these basic dumbbells, which didn’t get slippery even as our hands got sweaty. The contoured and diamond-knurled handles also kept these dumbbells securely in hand. While you may want something a little more aesthetically pleasing for at-home workouts, there’s no denying these dumbbells will last as long as you need them. 

The Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells replace up to 15 individual weights, which won them high marks in our “storage” scoring category. They also come with their own rack, making storage even easier. The dumbbells adjust with the simple turn of the resistance dial in 5-pound increments up to 52.5 pounds, which meant we could use them for every workout move we tested, from front squats to biceps curls. Each weight features a durable molding on the exterior for smooth lift-offs; this also minimizes noisy clanging in between reps. 

We did notice that even as you adjust the weights, the dumbbells stay the same length, which felt long for our more petite editors. The grip was also more slippery than others we tested.

Adjustable dumbbells usually cost a pretty penny, but a pair of Powerblocks is relatively budget-friendly at about $200 a pair. Each dumbbell goes up to 24 pounds in increments of 3 pounds, and it's quickly adjustable thanks to the handy selector pin. They're also compact — each Powerblock replaces eight pairs of free weights, so you can easily use these in your living room or bedroom without the need for much space. Plus, they come in fun colors, including gray, lavender, and light blue, to add some flair to your workout space.

These are especially great for warm-ups, high reps, and burnout sets because the weights don't go up too high. But if you're looking for a dumbbell set you can lift heavy with or grow into, you're better off going with a heavier set, like the Bowflex SelectTech.

Priced under $10 for a 10-lb weight and available in nine weights between 10 and 50 pounds, this Amazon Basics dumbbell can enhance your favorite resistance workouts. Its contoured handle features the diamond knurling that makes it comfortable to hold, and its hexagonal shape prevents rolling, which comes in handy for storage. Each dumbbell is made with a cast iron core that's extremely durable.

The Amazon Basics dumbbell looks almost identical to the Cap Barbell dumbbell, so if you’re lifting on a budget, this set will do just fine. The only difference we noticed was that the Amazon Basics dumbbells felt ever-so-slightly slippier to grip.

These adjustable dumbbells from Iron Master feature an old-school steel construction that seasoned weightlifters will appreciate. They're super durable, so you can drop them between sets without worrying about dinging them up. Each dumbbell adjusts from 5 to 45 pounds and features a block design with square edges that make for easy storage and prevent the dumbbells from rolling on the floor in between sets.

The dumbbells are adjustable with the quick-lock handle that lets you add or subtract weight by removing the locking screw, adding or removing plates, and then screwing them back on. Just note that this process takes a bit longer than adjustable dumbbells that use resistance dials, such as Bowflex SelectTech 552 and the SmrtFt Nuobell. Iron Master also offers two upgrade kits — the 75 pound and 120 pound kits — so you can add more weight to these dumbbells as you progress.

A bargain for only $40, this 20-pound neoprene dumbbell set from Amazon Basics features 2-, 3-, and 5-pound weights, and it even comes with a stand for storage. We loved that the neoprene coating was easy to hold onto no matter how sweaty we got, and the smaller weights felt more approachable for beginners to strength training. We also noticed that the weight of each dumbbell was clearly printed on its head, so it was easy to tell whether we were grabbing the 2 lb or 3 lb weight.

The weights have durable neoprene material that minimizes slippage, even when things get sweaty, and the weight range is ideal for those looking to incorporate dumbbells into their yoga or barre routines. Need something a bit heavier? The set is also available in a 60-pound option, which includes 5-, 10-, and 15-pound weights.

Unfortunately, the stand didn’t impress us. While the rack was small enough to fit almost anywhere, it was thin and not as sturdy as we were expecting.

Experienced lifters will appreciate the small details of the Decathlon Domyos dumbbell. Unlike the other options we tested, which have evenly sided hexagonal heads, these dumbbell heads are longer on certain sides. We found this made them easier to stack and store, and they were also more comfortable for fitness moves such as renegade rows. They’ll also rest more comfortably on your shoulders during front squats, lunges, or overhead presses. The grip was especially impressive, and the dumbbell felt like it was superglued to our hands.

Unfortunately, all that quality comes at a higher cost, which is why we’d recommend these dumbbells for advanced lifters who appreciate the small details. They’re definitely more premium than the Amazon Basics or Cap Barbell dumbbells.

These loadable dumbbells from SmrtFit feature a smart design that allows you to easily switch between weights with a twist of the handle. They come in two different weight ranges, either 5 to 50 pounds or 5 to 80 pounds (the latter upgrade costs an extra $150), and they adjust in 5-pound increments. When testing these, we found that the knurled handle was easy to hold and offered a comfortable grip without feeling too rugged. Plus, the adjustment mechanism truly is intuitive.

And unlike many other dumbbell sets, these are far from being an eyesore. They boast a sleek design that comes in four different neutral colors — black, matte black, white, and dark green — that work well with most home interiors. It's worth noting that some parts of these dumbbells are made of plastic, so you'll want to avoid dropping these in between sets in order to maintain their longevity.

If storage is your top concern, opt for a dumbbell set like this CAP one that comes with a compact A-frame rack. Included are two 5-pound, 10-pound, 15-pound, 20-pound, and 25-pound rubber hex dumbbells, which can be used for a variety of workouts. Each dumbbell has a medium-depth knurl that ensures you have a secure and comfortable hold on the handle.

Since these are the same dumbbells as our best overall winner, the Cap Barbell dumbbells, we were just as impressed with this set as we were with the individual dumbbells. The storage does take up a decent amount of space, so you won’t get away with hiding these dumbbells completely out of sight. We also think it might be annoying (and possibly painful) for people with low back or knee pain to bend over to get the heavier dumbbells off the bottom racks.

Adjustable dumbbells replace the need for a whole set of free weights, and Flybird's dumbbell adjusts from 5 to 25 pounds with a simple twist of the handle. Unlike other adjustable dumbbells that are usually sold in pairs, Flybird sells its dumbbells in singles, which is a great perk if you don't have much space to work out in your home. Simply tuck the dumbbell under your bed or in a closet when you're done using it.

Using one dumbbell at a time during your workouts is also a great way to focus on unilateral moves, which can help you correct strength imbalances. You can use these dumbbells on everything from single-leg deadlifts and lunges to dumbbell rows and bench presses. Because these are made of plastic, though, you'll want to avoid dropping them on the floor to prevent them from chipping or breaking

The unique triangular shape of the YBell Neo combines dumbbells, kettlebells, and push-up stands into one space-saving piece of equipment. That means you can use them for anything from power cleans to split jerks to rows with just a switch of your grip. These dumbbells also feature a neoprene coating, which helps prevent slippage even through the sweatiest CrossFit WODs. They come in eight different weights, from 2.4 pounds up to 27 pounds. So while they're great for a variety of different workouts, they may not be ideal if you're looking to lift heavy.

What's more, these are sold in singles, so they may cost you more than other options on our list if you're planning to buy in pairs. Still, their comfortable grip and versatility might make these worth shelling out a few extra bucks for.

While the diamond knurling on the other dumbbells we tested may sound fancy, it doesn’t necessarily feel that way on your hands (a big reason many people turn to weight-lifting gloves while strength training). The Alta Soft-Touch dumbbells are on the opposite end of the spectrum. Instead of causing calluses, the gentle silicone feels better on the hands than textured metal. The dumbbells are anti-bacterial (hey, even though you’re using them in your home gym, you never know what germs are floating around), and we love that they come in a chic variety of colors. And a small thing, but an important one: It’s super easy to tell on the Alta website whether you’re buying a single dumbbell or a pair, which gets surprisingly confusing on Amazon product pages.

If you’ve graduated to heavier lifts, these weights will likely be too light for you (they top out at 10 pounds). However, we’d definitely recommend these for barre, Pilates, or yoga conditioning classes on Peloton.

We judged the best dumbbells for home gyms in our on-site testing lab, under the supervision of Noelle McKenzie, a personal trainer. To test each dumbbell, we performed a prescribed set of exercises: bent-over rows, biceps curls, forward lunges, front squats, and bench presses. We did 8 to 12 reps of each exercise, noting throughout how easy the dumbbell was to use, how sticky the grip was, how comfortable the dumbbell was to use, and how easy the dumbbells were to store. We also tested durability by dropping each dumbbell onto foam gym flooring indoors as well as on concrete slabs in the lab. We also interviewed trainer Maggi Gao while writing this article.

To find the best dumbbells for your home gym, you’ll want to consider material, comfort, and storage.

After you've established the weight that best suits your skill set and workout preferences, you'll want to pay close attention to the material. The most durable dumbbells are typically made from sturdy metals like cast iron. They're then coated in a rubber-like material to protect the metal from corroding or breaking. (This will also keep your floors safe from damage.) For a comfortable grip, opt for dumbbells that have contoured handles and medium-depth knurl (that textured pattern in the middle) so that you know you'll have a secure grasp on the bar. “Neoprene-covered dumbbells are more nonslip but can feel bulky in the hand and tax the grip more,” says Gao. “Metal is generally the more common grip on a dumbbell. It allows for a comfortable grip with slight give (not sticky on the hand), is easily cleaned, and can have a crosshatch pattern etched into the surface to improve the ability to grip the dumbbell.”

If you’re committing to regular strength training at home, you need the weights to be comfortable in your hand. Silicone and neoprene coatings tend to feel the best and cause fewer calluses than knurled steel; they’re also slightly more sweat-proof and less likely to slip. Metal dumbbells often have knurling or crosshatching, aka textured designs meant to enhance grip. “Sometimes though, the crosshatching can feel sharp and irritating on the hands,” notes Gao. If comfort and grip are major concerns for you, consider investing in a pair of weight-lifting gloves. 

If storage space is a top concern, choose a dumbbell set that comes with a rack or stand. Or you can choose an adjustable dumbbell set, which offers multiple weights in one and will minimize clutter in your home gym. “If you have an adjustable dumbbell that is great to save floor space and be more efficient for storage, but it can feel more awkwardly balanced than a weight that is non-adjustable,” points out Gao. Generally, weights with hexagon metal plates will be easier to store since their geometric shape prevents them from rolling.

Kristen Geil is a senior commerce editor who specializes in fitness gear; she’s also a NASM-certified personal trainer who taught group fitness classes at a HIIT and strength training studio for several years. She recently led Shape’s Best in Fitness Awards, which included testing and reviewing several pieces of fitness equipment (including dumbbells). For this article, she reviewed all testing methodologies and insights herself to select the superlatives for each dumbbell, and she’s personally used many of the dumbbells deemed winners in our testing process.

April Benshosan s a writer, editor, and content strategist with a Master’s degree in Publishing. She's dedicated to responsible health journalism and has been covering nutrition, fitness, wellness, and beauty since the beginning of her career. Her byline appears on Women's Health, VeryWell Fit, Health.com, LIVESTRONG.com, Business Insider, and more. In her free time, you can catch April lifting weights, spending time with her pup, or planning her next escape out of NYC.