Table of Contents
What to look for
How heavy should my dumbbells be?
It depends on your goals. If you’re looking to build strength, do fewer reps (around 6) with heavier dumbbells. But, if you want to build muscle (gym nerds will refer to this as hypertrophy) for increased tone and calorie burn then you want a weight you handle for 8–10 reps.
Now, you’ve probably sussed that this won’t be the same weight for everyone, and you’re right. Depending on your strength abilities and weight training experience, it’s probably better to plump for something slightly lighter – up to 5kg range. But if you want to try something slightly heavier, you can always hold both in one hand and perform single arm movements.
For those who are regular gym lifters and are looking for a weight that can ‘do it all’, around 6kg should see you through. Anything above that and you could struggle with certain dumbbell exercises.
What material should my dumbbells be made out of?
The best dumbbells have a solid cast-iron or steel core, with different outer coatings added to improve grip, protect floors and reduce wear and tear. As such, when choosing dumbbells, the coating material plays a big role in feel, durability and how they perform. Here’s what to consider when shopping:
- Neoprene-coated dumbbells have a soft, non-slip grip that’s comfortable to hold and gentle on floors, making them ideal for lighter weights and high-rep workouts, though they aren’t as rugged for heavy lifting and can be pricier per kilo than basic options.
- Rubber coatings offer excellent impact absorption and noise reduction, protect floors and extend lifespan by shielding the metal core, but they can give off an initial smell and take up more space for the same weight.
- Bare metal dumbbells are tough, compact and often cheaper, with a classic feel, but they’re louder, more prone to rust and might damage floors if you’re not using a yoga mat.
- Plastic or vinyl-coated dumbbells are usually the most budget-friendly and colourful choice for beginners or casual use, though they’re generally limited in weight range and less durable than rubber or neoprene.
Each material has trade-offs, so when shopping, think about your training style, environment and how much wear and tear your home gym equipment will see.
17 best dumbbells to shop in 2026
Below, find our tried-and-tested selection of the best dumbbells for all fitness levels and budgets. Happy shopping (and eventual lifting!)…
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Pros
- Anti-roll design
- Non-slip neoprene coating
Cons
- If you want a wide range of weights that cost will add up
These dumbbells are the ideal weight for all levels — not too easy or hard for beginners, while regular strength trainers will also be able to progress by adding in more reps or time under tension.
While they’re circular, look closely and you’ll see they actually have a flat section on two sides to stop them rolling away mid-workout.
What’s more, they’re some of the most popular on Amazon, rated 4.6 stars out of 5, from a whopping 25k ratings. We rest our case.
Key specs
| Weight | 3kg (other weights available) |
|---|---|
| Material | Neoprene |
| Dumbells included | 2 |
Pros
- Won’t damage floors
- Great stability
Cons
- Sold singularly
This single dumbbell was designed to meet all your cross-training needs — think weight training or functional movements.
Its rubber base is there to protect your precious floors and the hexagonal shape offers better stability on the mat. Something you’ll appreciate when taking on renegade rows.
Key specs
| Weight | 2.5kg |
|---|---|
| Material | Rubber |
| Dumbells included | 1 |
Pros
- Durable and long-lasting
- Hex design for stability/anti-roll
You may be familiar with these if you’re a reg at the gym – they’re the brand of choice for most gym chains, and there’s a good reason.
From the hexagonal shape that means they won’t roll away when you chuck them down after a set, to the heavy duty rubber fabric and contoured handles for a tight grip, they tick every box.
Key specs
| Weight | 4kg (other weights available) |
|---|---|
| Material | Rubber with steel handles |
| Dumbells included | 2 |
Pros
- Incredible value: unlock a huge range of weights
- Case included
Cons
- Changing weights takes a while
With 12 weight plates ranging a load of 2-16kg and the bars themselves weighing 2kg each, this spinlock set offers amazing versatility to suit all sorts of training. Put simply, your minimum load on a single dumbbell is 2kg, and your maximum is 18kg.
The steel handles have an anti-slip grip pattern, while the plates themselves have little edges to help you grip them as you adjust your weight. Plus the whole set comes in a neat carry case!
Key specs
| Weight | 8 x 1kg, 4 x 2kg and 2 x 2kg bars |
|---|---|
| Material | Cast iron |
| Dumbells included | 2 |
Pros
- Anti-slip and anti-roll
- Water-resistant and easy to clean
Cons
- Purchasing the full weight set will cost you
Decent quality? Tick. Anti-slip coating? Tick. This set of 5kg dumbbells is ideal for anyone looking to challenge themselves by increasing the load on certain strength exercises. It also has a convenient anti-roll design.
Key specs
| Weight | 5kg (other weights available) |
|---|---|
| Material | Neoprene |
| Dumbells included | 2 |
Pros
- Excellent value
- Storage included
Cons
- May be too light for some
For just over £11 per pair of dumbbells, this set is a no-brainer. Plus, if you’re unsure which weight suits you, you’ll be able to test all three out.
Likewise, having different weights is key for different moves — maybe 3kg is good for goblet squats, but a pair of 1kgs is your max for bicep curls. Sorted.
Key specs
| Weight | 1kg, 2kg, and 3kg (1kg, 3kg, and 5kg also available) |
|---|---|
| Material | Neoprene |
| Dumbells included | 6 |
Pros
- They look so good you can leave them lying around
- Comfortable to hold
Cons
- An investment
Up the ante on your next at-home HIIT sessions by including the Bala Bars. Made with soft silicone, the bars are comfortable to use and are the perfect weight for adding a little more intensity than bodyweight to a high-intensity workout.
We also love the bars for weighted pilates workouts and other low-impact exercises. Even better? They come with a mesh storage case so you won’t lose them.
Key specs
| Weight | 1.4kg |
|---|---|
| Material | Silicone |
| Dumbells included | 2 |
Pros
- Easy way to add resistance while leaving your hands free
- Adjustable weight
Cons
- Not as versatile as traditional dumbbells
For those who find holding weights whilst doing arm exercises a hand-sore, these soft modular dumbbells will provide you with a hands-free option that is super versatile.
But, don’t let them fool you into thinking they won’t bring the heat. Strap them on during your next pilates session to see just what a muscle burner they can be.
Key specs
| Weight | 2kg |
|---|---|
| Material | Polyester |
| Dumbells included | 2 |
Pros
- Comfortable grip
- Anti-slip
Cons
- Vinyl coating feels cheaper
An anti-slip vinyl coating and comfortable grip makes this 1.4kg pair of dumbbells ideal for anyone who doesn’t need or want all the nuts and bolts just yet. They also have a 4.6 star rating on Amazon. Go figure.
Key specs
| Weight | 1.4kg (other weights available) |
|---|---|
| Material | Vinyl |
| Dumbells included | 2 |
Pros
- Anti-roll and great stability
- Grip holds up under sweat
Cons
- A pricier option — but you’re paying for quality
This tough-looking pair isn’t going anywhere. Rubber ‘anti roll’ ends see to it you have a stable base from which to tackle your dumbbell plank rows, while the ridged handles provide the firm grip you need to get through your strength sessions safe and sound.
Key specs
| Weight | 7.5kg |
|---|---|
| Material | Rubber with steel handles |
| Dumbells included | 2 |
Pros
- Great for active recovery and toning
- Ideal for smaller hands
Cons
- Only available in lower weights
Whether you’re a beginner with strength training, or just want something lighter on the days when you’re looking for more of an active recovery workout, these 0.5kg babies are ideal — and affordable to boot.
Key specs
| Weight | 0.5kg (other weights available) |
|---|---|
| Material | Neoprene |
| Dumbells included | 2 |
Pros
- Available in a wide weight range
- Long-lasting and high-quality
Cons
- Steel grip not as comfortable as neoprene
Because three is the magic number… Whether you’re perfecting your jabs and crosses or nailing a Barre move that causes every muscle to shake, you can rest assured that these 3kg dumbbells are up to the challenge.
Key specs
| Weight | 3kg (other weights available) |
|---|---|
| Material | Rubber with steel handle |
| Dumbells included | 2 |
Pros
- Soft, comfortable hand straps
- Small and easy to store
Cons
- Just the one weight option
Like to get a particular number of steps in each day? Then why not ramp it up a notch with these soft walking dumbbells that have been designed to keep you company on your lunch break stroll?
Not only do you burn more calories when you get your arms involved but your biceps will thank you for it too. Weighing just 0.45kg, they won’t strain your joints either. Phew!
Key specs
| Weight | 0.45kg |
|---|---|
| Material | Neoprene |
| Dumbells included | 2 |
Pros
- Great colour options
- Comfortable neoprene
Cons
- Only 3 weight options
Think it’s wrong to buy a pair of dumbbells just because you like the colour of them? Seeing as how lavender is a welcome change from the conventional colours dumbbells often come in, we wouldn’t blame you if you did.
Weighing in at 4kg, they’re sure to come in handy regardless. Say hello to your new bulgarian split squat buddies.
Key specs
| Weight | 4kg (other weights available) |
|---|---|
| Material | Neoprene |
| Dumbells included | 2 |
Pros
- Non-slip neoprene
- Good weight range available
Cons
- On the pricier end of the spectrum
Sweaty palms don’t just make an appearance on awkward first dates, they can also show up when you could use a firm grip to help get you through those final reps.
Coated in neoprene, these dumbbells offer a non-slip surface for you to smash out your shoulder presses even when the sweat starts to flow. They also come in loads of fun colours.
Key specs
| Weight | 6kg (other weights available) |
|---|---|
| Material | Neoprene |
| Dumbells included | 2 |
FAQs
What’s the difference between adjustable dumbbells and regular dumbbells?
Not to point out the obvious, but one you can adjust the weight on and one you cannot. Jokes aside, adjustable dumbbells are a great way to kit out your fitness routine without having to buy lots of different bits. They differ in mechanisms but stay the same in premise – one dumbbell, many, many different weights. Genius, if you ask us.
These can be the best dumbbells for women who are short on space (and we’ve got a whole round up of the best ones for you to choose from, here).
How to use dumbbells
Our favourite thing about our at-home dumbbells is how versatile they are. You’re into a heavy weights session? There’s dumbbells for that. You’re looking to add a bit of intensity to your pilates? There’s dumbbells for that too.
You can use dumbbells for upper body workouts (think bicep curls, bent over rows, chest press), lower body (think squats, deadlifts, and lunges) and even abs (think woodchop, reverse crunch, side bend).
Dumbbells are great for keeping at home for squeezing in a workout whenever you have the time, and will save you the time and money it takes to get to and from the gym.
Morgan Fargo is a freelance beauty and wellness editor. Her CV includes Women’s Health Magazine UK (and sister publication Women’s Health Australia), Stylist Magazine and more.
As Women’s Health UK’s fitness director and a qualified Pilates and yoga instructor, Bridie Wilkins has been passionately reporting on exercise, health and nutrition since the start of her decade-long career in journalism. She secured her first role at Look Magazine, where her obsession with fitness began and she launched the magazine’s health and fitness column, Look Fit, before going on to become Health and Fitness writer at HELLO!. Since, she has written for Stylist, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Elle, The Metro, Runner’s World and Red.Now, she oversees all fitness content across womenshealthmag.com.uk and the print magazine, spearheading leading cross-platform franchises, such as ‘Fit At Any Age’, where we showcase the women proving that age is no barrier to exercise. She has also represented the brand on BBC Radio London, plus various podcasts and Substacks – all with the aim to encourage more women to exercise and show them how.Outside of work, find her trying the latest Pilates studio, testing her VO2 max for fun (TY, Oura), or posting workouts on Instagram.
Hattie Parish is the Senior Health and Wellness Ecommerce Editor for Women’s Health, Men’s Health and Runner’s World, covering the best gym wear, latest fitness tech and wellness launches worth investing in, plus the best deals during Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day.
As well as clocking up the miles in myriad running socks, pummelling her muscles with massage guns, testing out fitness mirrors and donning dry robes every other weekend, Hattie consults leading experts in the health and fitness industry to help readers make informed decisions when shopping online.
Brought up by two medics, Hattie worked in health clinics before completing a BA in English at King’s College London. She qualified as a journalist in 2015 and has since written for titles such as Healthy magazine, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar and Red, as well as worked commercially with health and wellness clients such as Holland & Barrett, Lloyds Pharmacy and Superdrug.
Hattie is passionate about arming readers with honest, unbiased product reviews and has a particular interest in the role of technology in our wellbeing, as well as gender-based inequalities in healthcare. When she’s not putting gym wear through its paces on the Pilates reformer or kitting out her home gym (garage) with the latest equipment, she’s attempting to make progress on her teetering pile of bedside books, cycling round South East London or sampling wellness retreats for the Women’s Health travel pages.
View the original article here.