Best Adjustable Dumbbells for 2025: Fitness Expert Tested

Giselle Castro-Sloboda Fitness and Nutrition Writer

Pros

• Less bulky than other round adjustable dumbbells
• Easy to change weight by twist of a dial
• Soft grip handle that doesn't slip out of your hand, even when sweaty

Cons

• The heavier the weight, the easier the dumbbell gets stuck when pulling it out of the rack
• Only goes up to 50 pounds, which may be an issue if you lift more than that
• The dumbbells scuff easily

The Core adjustable dumbbells are my top pick because of their design and shape. I also liked that the weight plates are magnetic and can be easily separated before the dumbbell is placed on the rack. These were also the only ones that came with a loose handle that latched onto the base and then the weight plates. 

Core's dumbbells range from 5 to 50 pounds and you can change the weight in 5-pound increments. They're easy to use because you can change the weight with just a twist of the handle and they have the fastest weight transition for an adjustable dumbbell with a manual design.

Although these dumbbells are round, I liked the sleek design and found them to be the least bulky of all the adjustable dumbbells I tried. I liked the contoured and soft grip handle that made the dumbbell comfortable to hold and molded perfectly into my hand. I also noticed they didn't roll around when I placed them on the floor, which made them feel extra secure and was a bonus as I live on the top floor and didn't want to disturb my downstairs neighbors.

One thing I didn't like about these dumbbells was that I would have to hold the rack down when I changed it to a heavier weight. This was because the weights felt stiff and would get stuck as you pulled them out of the rack. Core also offers an optional stand for purchase. Based on customer reviews, the stand is sturdy and eliminates the issues I experienced compared to just having the rack alone. Another solution I figured out was to place the rack on a rubber mat; it provided a better grip and made it easier to slide out the dumbbell. 

Pros

• Heaviest set of dumbbells, ideal for experienced lifters
• Easy to adjust weight with twist of dial

Cons

• Increments increase by 11 pounds, which is high compared to usual five pound increments
• Plastic handle design makes it appear cheaply made

The Flybird 55 LB adjustable dumbbells are made up of cast iron weight plates and a black plastic-coated handle. They range from 11 to 55 pounds and go up or down in 11-pound increments. I prefer my weights to have 5-pound increments and found that doubling the weight each time was a bit much. 

The dial on these dumbbells was easy to use and just required a single twist to lock in the weight. Unlike the other adjustable dumbbells I tested, you don't have the option to choose an in-between weight. I also found 11 pounds as the lightest weight option to be on the heavy side, especially for newer lifters. 

I'd recommend these if you're an experienced lifter and know you can handle double the weight each time. The round design is similar to other adjustable dumbbells and passed the roll test when I placed it on the ground. In other words, it stayed put and didn't seem at risk of rolling around. The dumbbells were the right challenge for me when I was doing heavier lifts such as squats and deadlifts. The handle design was my least favorite because I found the plastic to be tough on the hands and think it would have benefited more from a protective rubber covering. 

Pros

• Its unique shape lends itself to overhead and lower body exercises
• You can do offset exercises using the guide on the rack
• It goes up to 55 pounds, compared to others that only go up to 50

Cons

• The dumbbells can feel awkward if there is more weight placed on one side

The MX55 adjustable dumbbells didn't take long to put together, but the hexagon shape of the plates took me a moment to figure out how to set it up in the rack. This is because they each have indented slots that they slide into to keep them aligned. Also, the MX55 racks come assembled but users have to attach protective rubber feet (that come in the packaging) to the bottom of the cradles first.

These dumbbells replace 10 sets of dumbbells, ranging from 10 to 55 pounds. They have a small dial on top of each side of the handle, as well as a button beneath them. To change the weight, you have to press the button underneath first, which prompts the dial to pop up. From there you can turn the dial, select the weight and press the dial back down to lock the weight into place.

These adjustable dumbbells are ideal for doing offset exercises because each of the weight plates weighs only 2.5 pounds. The weight legend on the rack gives a guide on the proper offset settings based on how much weight you want to lift. For example, if you are doing an offset squat that's 17.5 pounds, all you have to do is adjust one side of the dials to 15 pounds (setting 2) and the other to 20 pounds (setting 3). Keep in mind the purpose of offset exercises is to intentionally load one side more than the other, which will make the dumbbells feel unbalanced. 

I liked that even while holding a dumbbell that was uneven in weight, it was still comfortable to grip and didn't dig into my palm. If you're into experimenting with offset exercises or want to focus on strengthening your muscle imbalances, the MX55 adjustable dumbbells are the right match for you. 

Pros

• Goes up to 71.5 pounds, making it one of the heaviest dumbbells on the list
• Weight changing dial is user-friendly and changes quickly
• Sleek black design blends into any room

Cons

• The design looks like the dumbbells could scuff easily
• If the plastic button that assists with the dial were to break it would impact the way the dumbbell functions

The Ativafit 71.5 adjustable dumbbells were my runner-up for a couple of other categories but ultimately I found them to be the most foolproof to use. The dumbbells range from 5 to 71.5 pounds and replace 12 sets of dumbbells. The plastic rack has grooves that latch onto the dumbbells, keeping them secure when not in use. By looking at these, you can tell these are high-quality dumbbells because of the sturdy iron plates that make up the weights. It also has a nonslip handle with rubber, which helped with my grip when upping the weight. 

My favorite part about these dumbbells is how easy it is to change the weights with just a press of the red button on top of the dumbbell and a twist of the dial. This is also the heaviest adjustable dumbbell on the list, making it a good option for heavy lifters and those who have never owned an adjustable dumbbell before. 

Editors's Note: Since this review, the Ativafit 71.5 Adjustable Dumbbell set is no longer available. Instead, Ativafit released an updated version, 66lb Adjustable Dumbbell set. Although we have yet to test these ourselves, according to Ativa, it has a smoother adjustment mechanism and is being sold for the same price as its predecessor on its site.