6 Best Heavy Adjustable Dumbbells in 2024

Adjustable dumbbells over 50 lbs come in ‌different weight ranges, weight selection methods, designs, and material quality. Certain companies also provide better warranty deals and additional specs. So, in order to find the right heavy adjustable dumbbell, you need to take into consideration ‌these factors.

Our team of certified experts and elite athletes has gone through 13 heavy adjustable dumbbells, with only 6 of them making the cut for this list. They’ve been judged on 4 essential aspects, with our team dedicating over 30 hours to testing.

Plus, we’ve analyzed hundreds of online reviews. We constantly refresh this list, so your experiences and comments are very welcome!

Top 6 Best Heavy Adjustable Dumbbells Reviewed

1. Bowflex SelectTech 1090 Adjustable Dumbbell – Top pick
2. PowerBlock EXP Adjustable Dumbbells  – Runner up
3. Yes4All Core Selectorized Adjustable Dumbbell – Budget pick
4. ATIVAFIT Adjustable Dumbbell Weights
5. Merax Deluxe Adjustable Dumbbells 
6. The NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbells

Product	Total	Weight Selection	Ease of Use	Design	Materials and Quality
Bowflex	38.5	10	10	9	9.5
PowerBlock	37.5	10	10	8.5	9
Yes4All	36.5	9	10	8.5	9
ATIVAFIT	35.5	8.5	9.5	9	8.5
Merax Deluxe	35	8.5	9.5	8.5	8.5
NordicTrack	34.5	8	9	8.5	9

Bowflex is a health and fitness company, which has been around since the 80s. They specialize in home exercise equipment such as bikes, treadmills, specialized cable machines and dumbbells as well.

Each equipment is highly regarded, and they are known for this material and quality, making them a premium product in the home fitness world.

• Weight Selection 

The Bowflex SelectTech 1090 are 90lb adjustable dumbbells. They cover 17 different weight options. As the pair ranges from just 10 all the way to 90 pounds. The weight is added or subtracted in 5 pound increments, so you get all the valuable in between weights that are necessary to make consistent progress.

This single pair of dumbbells can cover all your beginner needs and works well for intermediate and advanced lifters as well. 

• Ease of Use

There is no complication with using the weight either. The Bowflex product uses a simple selection dial for their adjustment needs. All you have to do is use the knob at the end of the dumbbell and select the weight you’d like.

When you pick up the dumbbell, the weight that you don’t need will be left behind on the storage tray and you’ll be able to have a challenging and mess free workout. 

• Design

The Bowflex dumbbells are spherical, so you’re likely to get a familiar traditional dumbbell feeling with them. But the size of the dumbbells can feel ‌awkward at first. Also, depending on your body, the size may interfere with certain exercises. 

Plus, the dumbbells come with a storage tray, which neatly keeps the dumbbell racked and acts as a holding tray for the unwanted plates while you exercise. 

• Materials & Quality

The dumbbells are made ‌of a mix of steel, nylon, ABS, and thermoplastic rubber. This does several things, including giving you a combination of a sturdy and durable product whose rubber encasing will protect your floors from getting damaged or scratched.

Also, the material allows for a firm grip on the handle, reducing the amount of slippage, so you can perform your exercises properly. But because the grip is meant to be firm, some might find it uncomfortable to use without a glove.

PowerBlock specializes mainly in dumbbells as their aim is to provide their customers with an efficient, mess free product that allows the user to exercise effectively. The dumbbells are meant to have their own special adjustment system, which allows for easy workouts. Along with providing a variety of lifting options through their weight range. 

• Weight Selection

There are three versions of the PowerBlock adjustable dumbbells. The baseline version comes in 15 different weight settings as their weight range varies from 5 pounds to 50 pounds.

The weight increment jump is 2.5 pounds, which allows for several options when lifting. Then, you can add a stage 2 expansion on the dumbbell, which takes the total amount of weight from 50 to 70. After which, a stage 3 expansion is available that takes the weights from 70 to 90. 

Also, they can replace several dumbbells, so the one time purchase can be seen as cost efficient. 

• Ease of Use 

PowerBlock uses a magnet pin technology, which is simple to work as all you have to do is remove the pin, add or subtract your desired weight, and reinsert the pin in the proper place. It’s unlikely that the pin will fall out while performing any exercise.

The quick adjustment can allow you to perform different workout techniques, such as drop sets. 

• Design  

The design of the PowerBlocks is good for saving space as it’s only a foot long and six inches high and wide. However, the box shape of the weights can be awkward to use at first and might take some time to get used to it. Not to mention that it may interfere with some lifts. So, that’s a major drawback.

• Materials & Quality

PowerBlock are typically made of steel, so you don’t have to worry too much about damaging the dumbbell’s themselves. However, there is a concern that the dumbbell could damage your floors if dropped from considerable height. You do have a 5 year warranty, but drop coverage is most of the time not covered.

Yes4All is a fitness company that wished to redesign the traditional bulky look of strength and exercise equipment to something more compact and practical. They specialize in home equipment, offering customers a wide range of options from battle ropes, to pull up bars, plyometric boxes and, of course, adjustable dumbbell sets. 

• Weight Selection

The Yes4All Core Adjustable Dumbbells are high weight adjustable dumbbells as they come in a wide range of weight selection that varies from just 5 pounds all the way to 200. This makes them on the higher end of the heavy dumbbells spectrum.

Also, the dumbbells jump up in weight either in 2.5 pounds or 5 pounds increments. This way, you can get a complete workout and several setting options. Plus, the variation in weights allows everyone from beginners to advanced lifters to get a complete workout.

• Ease of Use

These adjustable dumbbells are similar to a barbell. So, if you’ve ever used collars on the end of a barbell to keep the weight steady, then you’ve already used the Yes4All adjustment system. With each pair of dumbbells, you get 2 star-lock collars.

All you have to do then is to load the weight up on either side of the dumbbell and then use the collars to clamp the weight on either side.

This adjustment method has some benefits over the other, fancier adjustment methods because in case you drop the dumbbells, there is a possibility that you might damage a slider pin or a dial system, but collars, they will stay intact and won’t be damaged at all. 

Also, there are less chances of malfunction with collars. With dials and sliders, if the equipment malfunctions, there is a high risk of injury, but the classic collars should stay clamped tightly, which is why you see them being used regularly in every gym. 

• Design 

The Yes4All dumbbells follow not only a classical barbell design, but they also stay true to the design of a normal dumbbell. As many of you know, a dumbbell is typically rounded‌, which is the design of these dumbbells, as well.

This design can look bland, but it does the job because it won’t interfere with any of your workouts. Unlike some other dumbbells who pay too much time to new, sleek designs rather than the practical element. 

The dumbbells don’t come with their own storage tray, which can be a problem, but the dumbbells ‌come apart in an orderly manner so you can find places to store them when not using them.  

• Materials & Quality

Yes4All Adjustable dumbbell sticks with the theme of old school with material and quality of the product as well. The dumbbells are made of cast iron. This has both positive and negative elements to it, though.

The positive element being that the dumbbells and the plates will be sturdy because iron is less likely to break. However, a negative can be that iron rusts, so you’ll need to make sure you’re applying epoxy to prevent rust.

Also, this dumbbell won’t protect your floors, so be careful about dropping them. 

The handles of the dumbbell have the proper knurling to them to give you a secure grip when using the product. Also, the rubber collars have a dual effect, as they can be used for the dumbbells or a barbell if you have one of those at home.

Been in business for over 30 years, Ativafit is a fitness company that aims to make fitness equipment for the home gym consumer.

Not only do they pride themselves on their functional and nimble equipment, but they put extra emphasis on the design and features of their product, so you can be proud of the equipment you buy. This includes their adjustable dumbbell sets, too. 

• Weight Selection

The Ativafit Adjustable Dumbbells cover a wide range of options. You can start with just 5 pounds and work ‌up to 70. However, the weight does increase in 5.5 pound increments, which can cause you to miss a few in between weights as you move up.

This can interfere with your workout progress as well, because the jump between weights might be too much to make with some exercises. 

• Ease of Use

These dumbbells are very easy to use. Ativafit promises just a 3 second weight adjustment period through their dial technology.

The dial is ‌at the ends of the dumbbells, so all you have to do is turn it to the corresponding weight number on the dial and that’s it. When you lift ‌the dumbbells, the weight that you don’t need will be left on the storage tray.

The quick and easy design allows you to perform exercise techniques like drop sets. 

• Design

The Ativafit dumbbells come with 10 lock grooves in the dumbbells, which ‌keep the plates locked in securely. So, the product offers an extra layer of security and safety. 

They are also space saving, as a storage tray accompanies the product to keep the mess at a minimum. 

While the shape of the dumbbells is rounded, there shouldn’t be any reason ‌you can’t use them for all your exercising needs. 

• Materials & Quality

The dumbbells are entirely made of rubber, which has both benefits and some negatives as well. The rubber will protect your floors and keep them from getting damaged incase you do have to drop the weight from a considerable height.

However, rubber does have some allergic issues, so make sure you’re safe from rubber allergies. Plus, there is an odor that accompanies rubber after using it for a long time, which can be unpleasant.

Merax aims to enhance and simplify products for their consumers. A part of their company policy is to provide practical solutions for their customers' needs.

This is where they took a liking to building health and fitness products, as many people are building their own gyms at home now. Merax provides different exercise equipment to fit every need, including adjustable dumbbells that cover a wide range of weight options.

• Weight Selection

Another dumbbell that can help a novice lifter and even an advanced lifter as the weight ranges from just 5 pounds to 80 pounds.

The increase in weight increments isn’t too much either, so you can get several of those in between weights like 15, 25, 35 pounds that are needed to make progress, especially for a beginner. 

The 18 weight options also make this dumbbell cost efficient, as a single option can replace so many traditional pairs of dumbbells. 

• Ease of Use

Merax is another company that incorporates the dial system. All you have to do is select the weight you’d like on the end of the dumbbell and then lift the dumbbell off the storage rack, leaving behind the unwanted and extra weight.

This quick and easy process allows you to do different weight lifting techniques. 

• Design

The grip of the Merax product is a big selling point as it is textured, which gives it an anti-slip quality. Typically, when exercising, you’re going to get sweat everywhere and this can cause your grip to slip, but Merax has avoided this situation.

Also, the product comes with its own storage tray, so you can put the dumbbells away neatly once you’re finished exercising. 

It also comes with safety slots, which keep the weight in place when lifting. So, there is an added layer of safety.

• Materials & Quality

The stainless steel material will keep the dumbbells sturdy and durable for a long time to come. But you want to be careful with dropping the weight as it can damage the weight itself and your floors. 

Also, steel can rust, so you might need to add some kind of anti-rust spray or lotion to the weights just to be careful.

NordicTrack is a health and fitness brand, which specializes in treadmills, strength training equipment, ellipticals, exercise bikes, and accessories. NordicTrack adjustable dumbbells are typically considered the best affordable adjustable dumbbells as NordicTrack produces high-quality products. 

• Weight Selection 

The NordicTrack dumbbells come in three different weight selections, which can cover your beginner and intermediate needs. 25 lb select-a-weight dumbbell pair. 25 lb select-a-weight dumbbell single. 55 lb. Select-a-Weight Dumbbell Pair.

Perhaps the most popular of the NordicTrack options. The weight increments increase from 10 to 55 Lb in 2.5 or 5 pound increments.

• Ease of Use

In order to change the weight of the dumbbell, all you have to do is to place the dumbbell back in its tray, and simply move the dial on the inside of the dumbbell, either forward or backward, to your desired weight. 

Once you pick the weight you’d like, simply pick the dumbbell up from its tray and it will leave the unwanted plates on the tray, so as not to create a mess.

• Design

NordicTrack’s come in an octagonal shape with flat edges. The benefit of this unique shape is that it prevents the dumbbells from rolling, so you can additionally use them as equipment for stability exercises as well. 

The metal handle comes with good knurling, and each dumbbell fits inside its own tray, which takes up minimal space, and can be tucked away in the corner of your home gym or room. 

• Materials & Quality

NordicTrack uses neoprene material for their adjustable dumbbells. This will allow you to keep a firm grip on the dumbbell even while you’re sweating. 

Neoprene is softer than steel, and with an additional plastic layer on the top of the neoprene, the dumbbells are unlikely to damage or scratch your floors if you ‌drop them.

What Are Adjustable Dumbbells?

There are two types of dumbbells. A fixed weight dumbbell and an adjustable dumbbell. A fixed weight is, as the name suggests, fixed at a single weight point. So, you would either be purchasing a 10 pound pair or a 20, 30, and so on. These types of dumbbells take up a lot more space and don’t give you a variety of options.

While an adjustable dumbbell can be a singular piece of equipment that can switch between multiple different weight ranges. So, a single purchase can give a product that ranges from 10 pounds to 50.

The switching of weight depends on the company. Some go with dial or switcher technologies, while others keep it simple and provide a clamp, similar to the one’s you’re used to using for barbells. 

Adjustable dumbbells also come with their own storage tray. So, after you’re done using the equipment or even while using it, you can be in a mess free environment. Unlike fixed dumbbells, where you either have to buy a dumbbell rack or leave them scattered around. 

3 Differences Within Adjustable Dumbbells

1. The design and the material used. The material used for an adjustable dumbbell can vary from simple steel and metal to rubber and plastic and everything in between. Each material provides its own benefits and concerns. Certain adjustable dumbbells also have an octagonal shape on their plates, while others have a longer handle, and some even have a box like weights attached to the dumbbell. These shapes can interfere with your lift, so you want to make sure you’re picking a dumbbell that allows you to perform all the exercises you need. 

2. Not all adjustable dumbbells cover the same weight range or weight distribution. Some are more top heavy, so the weight of the dumbbell is closer to the ends of the handle. Others may have an equal distribution throughout the dumbbell. This is important to consider, especially if you plan on doing any explosive or athletic movements with the weight. As a shift in weight can cause you to lose your balance or make it harder to be stable.  

3. Lastly, the way you adjust the weight can vary ‌from one dumbbell to the next. Some are faster than others, some are more durable, and some are more complicated. The way you add or subtract weight can be a simple twisting method, where you physically twist the plate on or off the dumbbell. While others prefer a sliding pin method, which is typically smoother. So, if you’re into techniques like drop sets, pick a dumbbell that allows for quicker and efficient weight adjustment.  

Adjustable Dumbbell Benefits 

✅ Adjustable Dumbbells Are Cost-Effective

Typically, a new dumbbell can cost anywhere from $1.50 to $4 per pound. So, just for a single 50 pound dumbbell, you could find yourself spending nearly $200. That also doesn’t include any storage space either. So, it’s just a matter of simple math. 

If you want to have the capacity to workout using 10 pound dumbbells all the way to 90 pounds, you’re looking at a fortune. However, there are several adjustable dumbbell companies out there that can provide you with the weight range that you desire, while saving you a ton of money. 

✅ Adjustable Dumbbells Are More Convenient

If you buy a traditional dumbbell set for your home, that’s exactly where it’ll stay forever, your home. The most you can really do is take a couple of pairs with you if you wish to workout somewhere other than your home.

However, adjustable dumbbells are easy to transport. So, you have more options as to where you’d like to exercise.

✅ Adjustable Dumbbells Allow For More Variety

Typically, if you’re looking to buy pairs of fixed weight dumbbells, you’re likely to skip out on the in-between weights, such as the 12.5 pound or 17.5 pound dumbbells. But, in order to make proper progress for certain muscle groups like arms and shoulders, you might need these weight options.

This is where adjustable dumbbells have a leg up on fixed weights, because they can go up in weight in 2.5 pound increments. Not only do you get more options, but you can then have more variety in your workout.

✅ Adjustable Dumbbells Are Space-Saving

Again, you can either have 10 or more pairs of dumbbells laying around your room or you can have just one pair of dumbbells, taking up a small space in the corner of the room. 

Adjustable dumbbells also come with their own storage tray, so you don’t have to worry about buying dumbbell racks or dealing with plates scattered around your room. 

What To Look For In An Adjustable Dumbbell

1. Weight Range

The weight range of adjustable dumbbells depends on the company. There are many adjustable dumbbells that cover weight ranges from 10 pounds to 50 pounds, but lack the additional weight to go heavier.

2. Budget

Just as the weight range, the price of an adjustable dumbbell varies as well. The price will depend on how heavy you’d like the dumbbells to be. The heavier it is, the more expensive the dumbbell will be. Which is why the Yes4All dumbbells are a good pick if you’re shopping on a budget.

Another determining factor is the design and technology used in the dumbbells. Fancier designs and adjustment technology will probably drive the price higher.

So, when shopping around for a pair of adjustable dumbbells, keep all of these factors in mind, so you’re able to pick out the one that not only meets your exercising needs but your price range as well.

3. Design

Design can make or break an adjustable dumbbell. Some companies focus so much on the design that they end up creating dumbbells that are impractical. Or, at the very least, interfere with certain exercises.

So, when looking for adjustable dumbbells, keep in mind the type of workouts you’re planning on doing, as they will help you narrow down the selection of which dumbbells to pick.

FAQ

How Much Weight Can Adjustable Dumbbells Hold?

There isn’t a simple answer to this question because it all depends on the dumbbell itself. Certain, like the powerblocks, are built to ‌add extra weight, so they can hold more weight than others, which might be capped off at 50 pounds.

There are also ones like the Yes4All adjustable dumbbells, which are made of steel and can carry more weight than others. While heavy weight adjustable dumbbells such as the Bowflex pair can go up to 90 pounds. 

Do Adjustable Dumbbells Break?

Yes, adjustable dumbbells can break. Typically, the material is strong enough to handle smaller drops, but if you ‌drop the dumbbells from a considerable height, there is a possibility that you might damage the shell of the dumbbells or mess up the adjustment technology built inside it.  

What Weight Adjustable Dumbbells Should I Buy?

This entirely depends on your goals and how many years you have been lifting. If you’re a beginner, you can probably stick to the lower weight ranges and be fine, while an advanced lifter might need dumbbells that go beyond the 50 pound barrier.

Conclusion

When it comes to the heaviest adjustable dumbbells, you have to factor in the weight range, adjustment system, and the design, as that will help you narrow down which dumbbell suits your exercising and budget needs. But no matter what your criteria is, you’ll be able to find a pair of adjustable dumbbells to workout with. 

Also read:

• How to Use Adjustable Dumbbells
• Nordictrack vs Bowflex Dumbbells
• Powerblock vs Bowflex Dumbbells
• Adjustable Dumbbells vs Fixed
• Core Fitness Adjustable Dumbbells Review
• Mx Select Adjustable Dumbbells Review
• Weider Adjustable Dumbbells Review
• Best Women’s Weightlifting Shoes

References:

1. 6 Benefits of Adjustable Dumbbells  // VeryWellFit:
   https://www.verywellfit.com/6-benefits-of-adjustable-dumbbells-5189687