Best Dumbbells For Home Gyms

Dumbbells are an essential part of any home gym. From curls, presses and rows, to deadlifts and squats, dumbbells are amazingly versatile. 

With that being said, it’s important to find the right dumbbell set for your needs. Nothing can kill a workout faster than not having the right weight options, or using uncomfortable equipment. 

In this article, I’ll list the best dumbbells for home gyms, taking into consideration quality, price, value, and more!

• Best Overall: Cap Barbell Rubber Coated Dumbbell 5-50lb Set With Rack
• Runner Up: Papababe Rubber Coated Hex Dumbbells
• Best Value: Amazon Basics Rubber Encased Hex Dumbbell
• Best Adjustable: Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells 

Best Overall

I chose to highlight the 5-50lb set here because I think it’s a great range for most users. You can, however, get this set with lighter dumbbells (5 to 25 lbs), or even heavier (all the way to 100lbs). Whatever weight range you choose, you’ll get a professional set of dumbbells that will last a lifetime.

The three-tier rack is another strong suit of this set.The space-saving design is perfect for home-gyms.

You can’t beat the ease and simplicity of having all of your dumbbells in one easy to access rack. No need to fiddle with adjustable weight. No need to squat all the way down to the floor. Just grab the dumbbell you want and start pumping out reps.

Runner-Up

Papababe dumbbells are top-notch. Users particularly love the handles. Coming with perfect shape and grip, they feel great in the hand.

You can get these dumbbells in a variety of sets, or you can buy them individually. One thing to note is that Papababe dumbbells come in smaller sets than the Cap sets. This can be slightly annoying if you’re looking to build a complete set at once. But for people who want just a few dumbbells, it can be a great thing. 

These narrower sets allow you to buy just what you need for your gym, instead of wasting space and money on dumbbells that you might not end up using. 

The one downside to Papababe is the customer service. Reviewers report long wait times. So on the off chance that something goes wrong with your order, you might be in for a headache. 

Best Value

Amazon Basics goal is to make high quality products simple and affordable. With their Hex dumbbells, I think they’ve done just that. 

These dumbbells have the same design as much more expensive dumbbells. But the lack of a big brand-name means they’ll be a lot lighter on the wallet. 

One thing that should be noted, however, is that the rubber coating might be a bit more fragile than other dumbbells. I’m still fully confident that they’ll last a lifetime; but they might accumulate some scratches and dings along the way if you’re not careful. 

Best Adjustable

The Bowflex SelectTech 552 is the most highly acclaimed adjustable dumbbell on the market today. And for good reason. 

A simple dial design lets you adjust the amount of weight quickly and easily. These dumbbells adjust from 5 to 52.5 pounds, meaning one pair can take the place of an entire rack of fixed dumbbells. This is invaluable for home gyms that lack space.

 The main downside with these, and with any adjustable dumbbell, is durability. There are so many moving parts to these types of dumbbells. Unlike conventional dumbbells, no matter how well you care for them, you can’t be sure they’ll last forever.

What To Look For When Buying Dumbbells For Home Gyms

One of the most important features to consider when buying a dumbbell is the handle. Look for handles with some type of texture added. The handles of some cheaper dumbbells are completely smooth. This can cause it to move in the hand while you’re exercising, creating discomfort and blisters. 

There’s nothing more annoying than wanting to workout, but not being able to because your equipment is too uncomfortable

Weight

The next thing you’ll want to consider when buying dumbbells for your home gym is the weight range of the dumbbells. This obviously depends on your size, strength, age, and what exercises you want to do. 

If you’re not sure what the right weight for you is, then it’s best to start out low and work your way up. 

For women, I recommend starting with a few sets of dumbbells ranging between 5 and 20 lbs. And for men, I recommend starting with a few sets ranging from 10 to 30 lbs. Remember, smaller dumbbells will always have their uses. Buying dumbbells that are too heavy, however, can stunt your ability and desire to train. So again, if you’re not sure, it’s best to start low and work your way higher. 

Material

Weights are expensive. Nobody wants to spend a lot of money on a nice new dumbbell, just to have it break after a few years. This is why it’s important to think about the material of your dumbbell. 

With this in mind, I recommend buying dumbbells made out of steel. Cast-iron is also okay as long as it’s covered by rubber. These materials are by far the most durable, and practically guarantees that your dumbbells will last a lifetime. 

Dumbbells covered in neoprene can be good for beginners who want to start on the lower end of the weight spectrum. They are, however, not as durable as dumbbells made out of other materials. As such, I wouldn’t suggest spending a lot of money on them.

Dumbbells with components made from chrome or exposed iron are vulnerable to rusting, and should either be avoided or cared for meticulously. 

Shape

Another thing to consider when buying dumbbells for home gyms is the shape. If you plan to store them on the floor, then you probably want to buy hexagon shaped dumbbells so they won’t roll around.

For very heavy weights, round dumbbells can be nice. The circular shape adds a bit of extra durability. Very heavy hexagon shaped dumbbells, on the other hand, have a higher potential to

crack if they’re repeatedly dropped on hard surfaces. This doesn’t really become an issue unless you’re getting into power-lifting territory though. 

Available Space

When buying dumbbells for your home gym, you’ll want to consider how much space you have available. If your home gym is going to be in a small area, you might want to consider buying an adjustable dumbbell.

Just one adjustable dumbbell can take the place of an entire set of fixed dumbbells, saving you lots of space and money. There are two main types of adjustable dumbbells. 

• Traditional spinlock style: These dumbbells use a traditional fixed rod with threads on the end, allowing you to manually adjust the weight by adding or removing plates. These are usually cheaper than their alternatives, and their simple design is appealing to many users. 
• Adjustable dial style: As the name suggests, these dumbbells let you adjust the weight by spinning a dial. The dumbbell sits within a tray or a case, and as you adjust the dial, plates are added or left behind automatically. This can be super convenient and a lot quicker than the traditional spinlock style. It also saves even more space compared to its traditional counterpart. With that being said, some users find these dumbbells to be awkward. If you’re used to working out with traditional equipment, this design can certainly feel strange. Of course these dial style dumbbells ultimately function the same way as any other dumbbell. But the look and feel can take some getting used to. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Dumbbells Good For Home Gyms?

Dumbbells are great for home gyms! Dumbbells are compact and easy to store. They can be used for countless exercises, and can comfortably take the place of bigger, bulkier equipment such as barbells or resistance machines. 

Are Dumbbells Good For Home Workouts?

Dumbbells are great for home workouts. You can target pretty much every muscle group in the body using dumbbells. Most dumbbell workouts can be done in a very small space, making them perfect for home gyms. 

What Are the Best Dumbbell Exercises For Home Gyms?

There are countless dumbbell exercises that are perfect for home gyms. Here I’ll list a few of my favorites/ the ones I think are most important:

• Bench Press
• Shoulder Press
• Bicep Curl
• Shrugs 
• Rows
• Deadlift
• Squats 
• Lunges 
• Calf Raises 
• Farmer Walks

Dumbbells are amazing for building muscle and stability. They are actually more effective than barbells and resistance machines, since dumbbells offer a better range of motion, and require more balance and core stability. 

How Heavy Should Dumbbells Be For Home Gyms?

The perfect dumbbell weight varies from individual to individual. Obviously, a 6ft tall person who has been training for several years is going to want heavier dumbbells than a 5ft tall person just beginning their training journey. 

With that being said, if you’re not sure what weight is right for you, it’s best to start out small and build your way up. 

For women, I recommend starting with a few sets of dumbbells ranging between 5 and 20 lbs. And for men, I recommend starting with a few sets ranging from 10 to 30 lbs. Remember, smaller dumbbells will always have their uses even for the strongest amongst us. Buying dumbbells that are too heavy for you, however, can stunt your ability and desire to train. So again, if you’re not sure, it’s best to start low and work your way higher. 

Are Adjustable Dumbbells Good For a Home Gym?

Adjustable dumbbells are perfect for home gyms! For those of us who don’t have much space, an adjustable dumbbell is invaluable. One of these dumbbells can take the place of an entire set of conventional dumbbells. 

If you do opt for an adjustable dumbbell, I recommend taking very good care of it. There are many moving parts to an adjustable dumbbell, meaning it has much higher potential to malfunction than a fixed dumbbell. Still, if you’re careful, the right adjustable dumbbell can be the staple of an awesome home gym. 

Conclusion 

Overall, the Cap Barbell Rubber Coated Dumbbells are the best dumbbells for home gyms. If you’re on a budget, however, then you can do no better than the Amazon Basics Rubber Encased dumbbell. 

Dumbbells are insanely useful for anybody looking to build muscle, strength, mobility, and overall physical fitness. And they’re even more useful for those of us trying to do so at home. 

I hope this article has answered any and all questions you have about the best dumbbells for home gyms. Now what are you waiting for? Get out there and start training!