13 best dumbbells for home use to tone, strengthen your muscles and improve your cardio fitness
First thing's first: dumbbells aren't just for hardcore fitness fanatics and weightlifting buffs. With thanks to their ability to tone muscles, aid in fat loss and improve your posture, dumbbells are a crucial part of any at-home fitness equipment collection.
There are, however, endless styles of dumbbell to choose from from numerous different brands, so we're here to streamline your shopping experience. We've found the best dumbbells for beginners and at-home workouts of that are still in stock, so whether it's your Barre classes, bodybuilding or strength training you're hoping to optimise, there should be a set of dumbbells with your name on it.
What are the benefits of lifting dumbbells?
Lifting dumbbells keeps your bones strong and healthy, aids in fat loss, boosts metabolism and lowers inflammation. Free weight-lifting also improves your posture, your muscle tone, your strengthen and your endurance. So yeah, the benefits spread far and wide.
Dumbbells are most often used for exercises like bicep curls, shoulder raises and weighted reverse lunges, so they aid in joint flexibility and strength. In fact, dumbbells can be more joint-friendly than barbells, since you can turn and rotate your arms as you press (they're not set in a fixed position), and they also allow for unilateral training ensuring both limbs do the same amount of work.
What's more, some exercises, like reverse lunges, are actually safer when performed with dumbbells, since the addition of weight can help you balance. They're also nice and compact, making them the perfect piece of workout equipment if you're limited on space right now.
How do beginners use dumbbells?
Besides incorporating your newly acquired dumbbells into a barre, full-body or HIIT class, there are a huge range of exercises to use your dumbbells for, even including use on exercise bikes, that'll help you achieve your fitness goals. The others are:
- Goblet squats
- Bent-over row
- Dumbbell clean
- Deadlift
- One-arm swings
- Reverse lunges
- Bench press
- Hammer curl
- Step-ups
- Shoulder raise
- Bicep curl
- Renegade rows
- Cradles
Should I use dumbbells everyday?
If you’re feeling extra motivated, it may be tempting to use your weights every day - but unless you're targeting different muscle groups, you should avoid doing so. Typically, your muscles should have up to 48 hours to recover between workouts, so although you should use your dumbbells to target the same muscle groups on consecutive days, you could target your arms one day; legs the next.
How heavy should your dumbbells be and what dumbbells should you start with?
We'd recommend beginners start out with a dumbbell of 4-5kg, and more experienced gym-goers to opt for something between 6-8kg but it of course depends on you're working towards. To build strength then use heavier dumbbells for less reps, whereas to burn calories and tone your muscles, then you'll want to use lighter dumbbells for more reps. If you’re planning on doing online classes with your weights, it’s worth taking into account what the trainer recommends.
Can I build muscle with just dumbbells?
Definitely. If you want to gain muscle mass, you can do so with dumbbells alone. Simply starting with the exercises we've listed above is enough. And they don't have to be really heavy dumbbells, either - repetitions is key.
What should your dumbbells be made of?
Although traditionally made of stainless steel, more and more dumbbells are also getting made from materials such as rubber. The type of material used won't make a difference to your workout, but going for a more durable finish, like rubber and urethane is recommended for home workouts as they're less likely to damage your floor (and make a noise, much to your downstairs neighbours delight.)
What's the difference between adjustable dumbbells and regular dumbbells?
Adjustable dumbbells are great if you want choice and lots of variation for less money, as they allow you to adjust the weight and mix-up your workout. You can also increase the weight over time without having to buy new dumbbells at regular intervals. Regular dumbbells are set in weight.
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After more fitness content? Head this way for the best resistance bands, over here for the best ankle weights and kettlebells, and in this direction for the best foam rollers to aid in recovery. We've also found spinning bikes, treadmills, cross-trainers and rowing machines to level-up your at-home gym set-up.
What is the best brand of dumbbells? What are the best quality dumbbells? What about inexpensive dumbbells?! Keep scrolling for our full pick of the best dumbbells on the market.
Best dumbbells for muscle tone: Arteesol
arteesol Neoprene Dumbbells, £26.99, Amazon
Why we love them: Available in varying weights and of excellent quality, this pair of dumbbells add an extra bit of resistance to your workouts to increase strength and muscle tone.
Best dumbbells for beginners: METIS
METIS Neoprene Hex Dumbbells, from £8.99, Amazon
Why we love them: With non-slip neoprene to aid with grip during training, these colourful dumbbells by METIS are sold in pairs in varying weights. They're a staple piece of equipment for at-home fitness, ideal for improving strength in any location.
Best dumbbells for home UK: KG Physio
KG Physio Dumbbells Set Of 2 Weights, from £19.99, Amazon
Why we love them: These grippy yet soft-to-hold dumbbells from Amazon can be purchased in varying weights, depending on your level of experience.
Best hex dumbbells: JTX Fitness
Dumbbell Pair, from £19, JTX Fitness
Why we love them: JTX Fitness has an incredible at-home cross-trainer, spinning bike, treadmill and rowing machine offering - but they've also launched smaller at-home fitness aids like these knurled-handle dumbbells. They come in pairs in varying weights between 2 and 18kg, and you can even pick up a dumbbell rack while you're at it to build your very own set.
Best dumbbell set: Dumbbell weight set
Body Sculpture 19kg Smart Dumbbell Tower, £85.99, Decathlon
Why we love them: This dumbbell tower provides the closest thing you experience to being at the gym other than…well, being at the gym. It includes a range of weights going up in increments: two 1.5kg weight dumbbells, two 3kg and two 5kg, all of which are ergonomically designed and sit neatly in the stand when not in use.
Best dumbbells for protecting your floors: Body Revolution
Body Revolution Hex Dumbbells, from £21.99, Amazon
Why we love them: These anti-roll dumbbells are perfect for using with activities in the press-up position, because the hexagonal shape prevent the dumbbells from rolling during use. The rubber coating design on the dumbbell is instrumental in helping to protect home and gym floors from impact damage during use, as well as reducing noise. They're also ideal if you're looking for heavier weights.
Best dumbbells on Amazon: UMI. by Amon
UMI. by Amazon, £95.99 for 2, Amazon
Why we love them: UMI is Amazon's own fitness brand, stocking everything from at-home gym equipment to sports bras and gym leggings. Their dumbbells are available in five weights: 10kg, 3kg, 4kg, 5kg and 8kg - each represented by a different colour. They're sold in pairs and boast anti-roll technology and anti-slip neoprene. Sweating won't be a problem.
Best dumbbells for barre: Bala Bars
Bala Bars 1.4kg/3lb Hand Weights, £64.95, John Lewis
Why we love them: If you've ever sweated through a barre class, you'll know you don't need to lift heavy to have the small, isometric movements of the session burning. That's why these 1.4kg Bala bars are perfect for your next ballet-inspired workout. Plus they have an ergonomic design that evenly distributes the weight so you're guaranteed that they'll be comfortable enough to use daily.
Your complete guide to the best ankle weights to increase your strength and tone up fast.
Save when you shop for the best dumbbells with these John Lewis discount codes.
Best Argos dumbbells: Opti
Opti Vinyl Dumbbell Case Set, £19.99, Argos
Why we love them: If it's standard dumbbells you're after, but you like to mix things up (depending on how much wine you had the night before), this affordable dumbbell set from Argos is a total steal.
Save when you shop for the best dumbbells with these Argos discount codes.
Best fixed dumbbells for weighted push-ups
Hex Dumbbel 10kg, £34.99, Decathlon
Why we love them: If you're a fan of rubber hex dumbbells, this one is for you. The Decathlon design team developed this high-quality design specifically for cross training, ensuring its suitable for weight training movements and functional exercises (like press-ups). Its hexagonal shape offers better stability and the durable rubber protects from impacts.
Best adjustable dumbbells: Set of adjustable dumbbells
PANMAX Adjustable Dumbbells, £49.99, Amazon
Why we love them: Unlike traditional dumbbells, this adjustable dumbbell set can be adjusted from 2.3 to 11 pounds, so it can be used in place of an rack of dumbbells. The quick adjustment system also allows for less interruptions during your workout; simply attach one of the included heads to create the exact weight you want.
Best dumbbells for style: The Conran Shop
LOFT Dumbbell Set Walnut, £5,995, The Conran Shop
Why we love them: These dumbbells from The Conran Shop are as much a piece of home decor as they are a piece of workout equipment. Crafted in Germany from a mix of nonreactive stainless steel and oiled walnut, the wooden stand and handles are both made from recycled wood.
Best dumbbell adjustable weight
ATIVAFIT Adjustable Dumbbell, £149.99, Amazon
Why we love them: This single dumbbell is equal to ten different weights, simply turn the dial to pick which weight option you wish to use. We love versatility.
