9 Best Weight Plates in 2023

photo by d.siriu

Eleiko was the first to innovate rubber weight plates. They wrapped empty cycle tires on their metal wheels. And the rest is history. Many manufacturers have followed suit, but none has mastered the art better than the original Swedish brand.

These training plates are identical to competition-approved counterparts. The only difference is they allow up to 200g of weight deviation. It’s still a remarkable precision.

They use zinc-plated steel discs instead of hard-chromed ones. So, the hub doesn’t catch fingerprints. You’ll notice two pieces clipped strongly with five screws. The hub’s interior is machined to hug the barbell snugly. It’s not the case with lighter gym weight plates due to a weak impact.

Not to say that minimized wiggle room complicates unloading the plates. Less rattle during the drop translates into a long life. Moreover, you can quickly get to the next reps without having to adjust the plates after every lift.

To say the least, durability is unmatched! Steel inserts and SBR rubber are patented for exclusive use. Eleiko has drop-tested these plates 100,000 times. A 10-year warranty comes at a cost. However, you must utilize a 30 mm-thick rubber platform to file a claim.

These plates boast a redesigned, slim profile. The 45 lb weights are 58 mm thick, outrunning Rogue Echo. High and beveled flanges are almost similar. Officially, there is no durometer rating. But we expect it to be around 90, given the low rebound experienced.

The coloration is in line with IWF recommendations. Kg and Lb variants are sold separately. Furthermore, Eleiko doesn’t bundle these best weight plates as a set. You’ll be spending about $2000 for a great workout collection.

REP FITNESS cast iron plates feature a matte finish and silver lettering. They resemble Rogue Deep Dishes. One side of such old-school plates is completely plain. The other end displays weight IDs and a deeper lip. You can even do halos or farmer’s carry due to the extra room.

They’re slightly more expensive than Balance Form. But you can buy individual pairs. Furthermore, REP’s free shipping will save you big time! In addition, mammoth weight plate sets are also available. Customize them for 175#, 245#, 265#, 335#, 365#, or 425#.

This categorization is helpful for newcomers as well as accomplished lifters.

You’ll also receive a one-year brand warranty.

Regular iron plates aren’t calibrated for an accurate weight rating. This can cause problems when going heavy. Imagine fitting multiple 41s on one side and 48s on the other. The bar will be out of balance as soon as it is removed from the rack.

Thanks to the stated 3% weight tolerance, 45lb old-school plates should remain between 44-46lb. REP doesn't manufacture these items, but rather sources them from abroad. There can be serious discrepancies. Noted, all their products have received four/five-star reviews thus far. Too good to be true?

What is more, the finishing needs to get better. You’ll see sharp edges around the lip and center hole. In some situations, they can lead to injuries. Also, there needs to be a version with handles. Perhaps, these improvements are purposefully saved for the higher-end, urethane-coated Equalizer.

Balance Form is an ideal budget choice. However, these cheap weight plates will also do if you want to buy individual pairs, not necessarily a set.

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The best thing about Olympic-grip plates is that they get the job done. Based on the expectations, you can rate the same product five-star or your worst ever. They're heavy, drilled in the center, and ready to pump up your muscles. All this at a reasonable price!

More or less, this has always been the philosophy of CAP Barbell.

The deep enamel coating withstands elements. Its semi-gloss finish enhances the aesthetics of your home gym, too. If you take good care of this weight plate set, it'll last a long time before yielding to rust.

CAP’s offering stands out thanks to the three-hand grip. It almost appears and moves like a steering wheel. You can transport them with zero difficulties. If you nail your plates on a power cage, these openings will hasten the loading process.

On the other hand, large gaps hurt weight distribution and durability aspects. Promise not to toss them around, and they'll stay with you as long as the next brand.

There is a major drawback you must know beforehand. The plates won't be precisely machined to stay true to specs. The height and weight can take a significantly bad detour.

For example, the plate wobbles when the center spacing is extra large. The bar only sits straight when there is a minimal size difference among weights. It is an inherent problem with these plates. The top edges aren't flat. They have a radius. So, make sure to tighten the collars on both ends.

Iron discs don't usually come with an encouraging warranty. However, CAP enables a 30-day return and replacement window. Another crucial detail: these Olympic weight plates leave soft, tiny metal shards. Avoid leaning up against the sleeves of the bar.

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Yes4All is geared toward beginners. Its equipment strikes a balance between cost-efficiency and quality. Similarly, these gym weight plates can go with standard dumbbell handles and straight/curl barbells. Such bars would follow a constant 25-28 mm thickness. In contrast, Oly bars possess rotating 50 mm sleeves to assist your heavy cleans and snatches.

These plates won’t prepare you for a weightlifting or powerlifting competition. They’re perfect if you don't want to break anyone’s records but yours.

The 7.5lb weight is a great option to stock. Most sets give you 2.5s and a bunch of 5s. But a single plate occupies less space, especially when it's less than an inch thick. You can gradually progress with your strength training routine – lifting 12.5, 17.5, or 22.5 lbs before rounding up to the final goal.

In the same design, you can have a 15lb plate. Only part of the suppliers pack it. It’s a huge space-saver compared to a couple of 10/5lbs. The entire range is full of such rare finds.

If you get a loadable dumbbell, you will be able to fit in these weights. They’re slim and short. You can easily perform rows, curls, and extensions.

The same outlet sells cast iron adjustable dumbbells. They’re much cheaper than Bowflex SelectTech and PowerBlock models. Maximum weights are 10 pounds. You can jack them up with these plates. A connector can also transform those dumbbells into a barbell.

The semi-gloss black paint is a responsible protector. It has a hammered texture. It doesn’t leave any odor or residue, but chips away over time. These are fairly small. And the compressed center won’t make you feel the need for handles.

Check out all the edges, lettering, and center spacing. You may have to sand them down.

This weight plate set is crafted with a rigid enamel gray paint. It protects the metal core from corrosion and oxidation to a large extent. It also reduces loud noises. However, slight drags end up scuffing the floor.

Thankfully, three large cut-outs let you handle these plates with relative ease. They’re further lined for a firm grip. The weight is largely concentrated in the central blades. Thus, the outer ring is susceptible to cracks. The bottom line is to avoid dropping them down.

Bigger weights don’t have that problem. But 10lbs and smaller ones have a high ratio of vacant spaces. It beefs up the overall size. You wouldn’t like to use them with dumbbells.

What still makes them versatile?

The inner ring is available in 1" and 2" hole diameters. There are no sets or pairs. You're free to match and mix according to your specific needs and current equipment. Keep adding plates piece by piece. A full weight range makes it possible.

More often than not, you'll have weights falling under the typical 3% tolerance. Both kilogram and pound values are given.

Jagged edges shouldn’t surprise you. 1” plates sit too tight on the bar. File down the center spacing. And you’ll be good to go!

Sporzon Olympic weight plates are a decent choice for anyone seeking cast iron plates to be used at home. You’ll find a vast range of weights for both standard and Oly bars. Although shipping is free, deliveries sometimes take a month. They constantly run discounts on Amazon.

Pinroyal bumpers are made of recycled rubber. It's dense and shock-absorbing, not as vulcanized as virgin rubber, but reasonably functional and cheaper. Moreover, it's good for the environment. Many gym owners care about that.

The seller doesn’t state any durometer rating or weight tolerance. These specs must linger below the market average. It’s a crumb bumper. A slightly rough appearance, uneven surfaces, and a high bounce are expected! You won’t be entering competitive events with training plates anyway.

Furthermore, 2” stainless-steel discs sit under the coating. A co-molded hub peeps out. They won’t crack or break, no matter how hard you push on your bear complexes. One benefit of extra bounce is that less impact is eventually transferred to the plates. Also it tends to make less noise when dropped.

The repurposed rubber is treated to avoid splits while in inventory. You may find it greasy right out of the box. Clean it with a damp cloth if it bothers you.

Although these bumpers are low-grade, craftsmanship has not faded into the background. There is a satisfaction guarantee. You can claim a refund in the first two months. Also you won't have to wait for weeks due to the fast Prime shipping.

This steel weight set gives you all major increments between 10-55 lbs. A small deviation in weight rating is allowed. They're not thin. 45lb plates of Titan Urethane are 51 mm wide. For Rogue Echo, the measuring tape extends to 61 mm apiece. However, the good ol' Pinroyals are 84 mm. The cumulative thickness of all six plates is over 16.25", the standard sleeve length.

Also Read:

• Best Deadlift Bar
• Best Curl Bar
• Best Safety Squat Bar
• Best Bench Press Barbell
• Best Multi Grip Barbell
• Types Of Squat Bars
• Best Olympic Barbell
• Best Barbell Collars