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If you ask any hardcore exercise and weight lifting enthusiast they will tell you that there is no better way to build muscle than by pumping some good old iron. Some people like barbells, some like this, and some like that, but when you ask people the number one thing on the list is a good set of dumbbells. That’s because with dumbbells you can work out literally every muscle in your body from top to bottom, use them for resistance training, bodyweight training, and even incorporate them into some of your cardio routines too.
In our personal opinion, dumbbells are perhaps some of the best pieces of exercise equipment that you can get. However, you don’t want to buy just any old pair of dumbbells, plus you probably want to get a whole set because you end up saving money that way. Well today, we’re here to make things a little easier for you and give you some of the top choices in terms of the best dumbbell set that money can buy!
Summary: The Best Dumbbell Sets
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What To Look For When Buying A Dumbbell Set
Dumbbell sets can be pretty expensive so you really want to be careful before you go out and buy a set. There are a few things that you want to keep in mind before you make your final purchase.
Material
Usually when it comes to dumbbells you want to be sure that the interior is made out of solid metal. There are some other decent materials out there, but generally when it comes to these things you want solid metal. There is nothing better because it’s solid, durable, and is not going to break on a whim.
As for the exterior, some dumbbells use rubber and that is just fine, but you want to be sure that it is durable rubber so you may want to read some reviews first. Moreover, some of the less advanced dumbbell sets will usually come with a neoprene coating, a tough substance that provides for increased durability and grip, something which is definitely a bonus.
Shape
Another thing that you should definitely keep in mind before you buy any one set of dumbbells is the shape of them. You don’t want to get round dumbbells because they tend to roll everywhere when you put them down. Your best bet is to get hexagonal shaped dumbbells so they will stay in one place when you put them on the ground.
Various Weights
Something else that you should look for before you buy a dumbbell set is what the various weights are and what the increments between them are. If you are a beginner you may not want to spend too much money and buy a set that has 3 or 4 pairs of lighter dumbbells because you can always buy more after.
However, if you know that you want to accomplish some big workout goals and get big muscles, or already have some pretty decent biceps, you can always go for a more comprehensive set that has many pairs included right from the get go. A good thing to keep in mind is that the weights should have a spacing of 5 pounds so you can evenly progress up the ranks until you get to the heaviest pair.
Weight Rack
Of course, when you have a set of dumbbells you don’t want them to just be sitting on the ground and for that you need a good rack. The rack is not that important if you only have a small set of light dumbbells, but if you have a large set that really has some weight to it you will want a sturdy rack. You don’t want them on the ground and you want a solid rack so it doesn’t crumble under the weight of several hundred pounds worth of dumbbells. The rack should also be fairly easy to assemble because no one has time to assemble a rack when all you want to do is pump some iron!
Dumbbell Set Reviews
Our Rating
This is definitely one of the very best dumbbell sets that you could go for at this point in time. It includes a large variety of weights, they are solid items, it comes with a great rack, and you will definitely be challenged by the heaviest of the dumbbells.
Design
The design of these dumbbells is amazing because they feature a solid metal core that is sure not to crack or break under stress. Moreover, the metal core with ergonomically designed grips ensures that you have an easy time lifting these weights and won’t drop them on your feet, something which nobody wants to have happened.
We also really like the fact that the weighted parts are coated with durable rubber, a material that is very sturdy and isn’t going to chip or break away over time. There is also the fact that these dumbbells are hexagonal in shape so they don’t move all over the place if you put them down in between reps. The rubber also ensures that these weights are water and sweat proof too.
This particular dumbbell set also comes with a great weight rack for easy storage, a rack that is easy to put together and quite sturdy. Plus so you don’t damage your floor there is also a durable PVC mat included to put the rack on.
This is perhaps one of the most comprehensive weight sets out there because it has a 5-pound, 10-pound, 15-pound, 20-pound, 25-pound, 30-pound, 35-pound, 40-pound, 45-pound, and 50-pound pair of dumbbells. This makes this set ideal for beginners looking to progress high up the ranks and it’s great for people who already have quite a bit of weight lifting experience too.
Value for money
When it comes to dumbbell sets, this one in particular is not cheap. It costs around $600, but when you consider the total weight you get and the large variety of pairs, it’s not actually that expensive and surely isn’t more than you would pay at any professional store. Plus this set comes with a great weight rack and a safety mat as well, not to mention that the weights themselves are very high quality.
Build quality
Like we just said, these weights are very high quality and thanks to their durable metal core you will be using these weights for the rest of your life. The ergonomic design, the great grip, and the durable rubber all serve to add to the quality even more.
Pros
- Ideal for progression
- Great for weightlifting gurus
- Comes with 5-50 pound weights in 5-pound increments
- Weight rack included
- PVC mat included
- Metal core weights with durable rubber coating
- Ergonomic handles
Cons
- Quite pricey
- Rack takes some time to assemble
Our Rating
This is a great dumbbell set that is fantastic for beginner and intermediate workouts. These things are professional quality dumbbells that any gym would be happy to sport.
Design
Something that we really like about the design of these dumbbells is that they have a metal cast iron core with textured handles. This means that they are very durable and aren’t going to break, plus the texture means that they have a great grip so you don’t drop them on your toes, not to mention that the handles are ergonomically designed too.
The exterior of the weighted parts is made out of solid rubber, something which is great for durability, plus they are weather and sweat resistant too, not to mention that they look pretty cool. Something else about the design that we like is that they have a hexagonal shape which means that they will not roll all over the place when you put them down between reps.
It’s also really great that this is a set of 5 pairs of dumbbells, a 5-pound pair, a 10-pound pair, a 15-pound pair, a 20-pound pair, and a 25-pound pair. This makes these weights ideal for beginners because they can progress to higher weights, plus they are awesome for intermediate exercisers too. There is also the fact that these dumbbells come with an easy to assemble rack as well too.
Value for money
Dumbbells never are very cheap, but for a set of 5 pairs that total 150 pounds you really can’t complain that they cost slightly over 200 dollars. That is a very fair price for these durable, ergonomically friendly, and professional grade dumbbells. You also can’t argue with the great and easy to assemble stand that this set comes with.
Build quality
The build quality of these dumbbells is quite superior, mainly thanks to the solid cast iron core that brings these dumbbells to the next level. The rubber part is also very durable and weather resistant too. We also can’t complain about the build quality of the holding rack either, not to mention the convenience factor of them not rolling around either.
Pros
- 5 pair set; 150 pound total
- Ideal for steady progression and intermediate workouts
- Hexagonal shape to prevent rolling
- Solid cast iron core
- Ergonomic handles
- Weatherproof
- Comes with an easy to assemble rack
Cons
- Fairly expensive
- The rubber smells strongly
Our Rating
This is a great set of dumbbells that comes in at a pretty decent price, plus they are strong, convenient to use, and can be used by beginners, women, and people of all ages.
Design
Perhaps one of the best things about the design of the Tone Fitness Dumbbell set is that they have a hexagonal shape which means that they won’t roll across the floor when they aren’t in use. Something else that is quite convenient about this set of dumbbells is that it comes with 3 pairs.
There is a 3-pound pair, a 5-pound pair, and an 8-pound pair. This makes them ideal for beginners, seniors, and pretty much anybody else looking to get a light to moderate workout.
Another thing that is quite convenient about this set is that they come with a nice rack to hold them all with, plus the whole set, rack included, is very compact and easy to store in small places.
Something else that we really like about these dumbbells is that they are made out of solid metal which of course makes them quite durable. They are also coated with a neoprene layer which is very durable. This layer helps to add a certain amount of grip to the dumbbells, plus it makes them water resistant and ideal for both indoor and outdoor workouts too.
Value for money
These dumbbells cost a little under 50 dollars, which is a pretty good price when you consider that there are 3 pairs of dumbbells, they have a hex shape, and they have a solid neoprene coating too. Considering the price these dumbbells are ideal for beginners and light workout routines. The fact that they come with a nice little storage rack is definitely a bonus too.
Build quality
The build quality of the Tone Fitness Dumbbell set is nothing short of great. No, they aren’t meant for use in the gym, but for beginners and quick at home workouts, they will definitely do. They have a solid metal build and the neoprene coating only serves to add to their quality.
Pros
- Small and space saving
- 3 pairs of dumbbells
- Comes with a storage rack
- Durable neoprene coating
- Hexagonal shape for convenience
- Have a good grip
- Ideal for beginners and light workouts
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy lifting
- Will need more dumbbells to progress
- Weight rack is plastic and wobbly
Our Rating
This is a fantastic dumbbell set for beginners who are looking to start out small, not spend too much money, and get into some weight lifting and resistance training.
Design
Something that we really like about this dumbbell set is that it is ideal for beginners because it comes with 3 sets, those being 2 pounds, 3 pounds, and 5 pounds, thus making them ideal if you are just getting into weight lifting. These dumbbells are ideal for a wide variety of exercises, not to mention that they come with an easy to assemble stand as well.
Another thing that is very convenient about these dumbbells is that they come color coated so they are easy to identify which makes transitioning from one pair to another very easy and quick. Something else that is great about these dumbbells is that they have a hexagon shape, meaning that they won’t roll away when you put them down.
Another thing which we really like about this particular set of dumbbells is that they are made of solid metal and have a neoprene coating. This makes them both very strong and durable, it means they are water resistant and can be used outdoors, and it makes them really easy to grip as well.
Value for money
The value for the price of these dumbbells is simply great. It is a pretty small and basic set ideal for beginners, but it only costs around 25 dollars, not to mention that they are very durable and comfortable to use too. There is also the fact that it comes with a stand too.
Build quality
When it comes to the build quality of this 3-pair dumbbell set there is really nothing to complain about. The metal interior makes them durable and lasts for a long time, plus the neoprene coating makes them great for indoor and outdoor use, plus easy to grip as well.
Pros
- Ideal for beginners
- Neoprene coating
- Durable
- Can be used indoors and outdoors
- Comes with a stand included
- Hexagon shape prevents rolling
Cons
- Only 3 pairs of dumbbells
- Max weight of the dumbbells is 5 pounds
Our Rating
This is a very basic dumbbell set that is ideal for beginners, women, and seniors looking to get a light workout in. They are also great for some cross training or circuit training too.
Design
Something that we really like about these particular dumbbells is that they have a very solid core which makes them durable and sturdy. They also have a double neoprene coating which only serves to add to their durability. The coating also helps to protect against weather and sweat, makes them ideal for outdoor use, and provides you with a really great gripping surface too.
We also really like these dumbbells because they have a hexagonal shape which means they won’t roll all over the place the second you put them down. Of course being a set means that there is more than 1 pair of weights. This set includes a 3-pound pair, a 5-pound pair, and an 8-pound pair of dumbbells for versatility. The set also comes with a nifty triangle shaped storage rack for easy storage and compactness too.
Value for money
These dumbbells cost somewhere around 50 dollars which is a pretty decent price for all of the things you get with the set. A solid steel core, a double neoprene coating, and a storage rack all make this set worthwhile in terms of the price.
Build quality
You really cannot argue with the build quality of this dumbbell set. They have a solid core with a great coating, all of which go a long way in ensuring sturdiness, durability, great grip, longevity, and they are waterproof too.
Pros
- Solid steel core
- Double neoprene coating
- Great grip
- Weather and waterproof
- Hexagonal shape to prevent rolling
- Ergonomically friendly
- Comes with a storage rack
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy routines or expert lifters
- Rack is somewhat flimsy
- Weights are not that heavy
Conclusion
Dumbbells are a truly awesome workout tool to have in your home because with them you can get fit, get healthy, and shred your muscles in the process. You don’t have to spend a ton of money as long as you know what you are looking for. We would obviously recommend any of the above options because in terms of price, durability, and functionality, they are the best dumbbell sets that money can buy.
If you have any questions about dumbbells or dumbbell sets we would be happy to answer them!