Home Gym · Guide · 4 min ·
Your first dumbbells will feel heavy for a few weeks, then light. The real question when buying is not the brand but how long the weights will last you, and whether you have the space for a whole rack.
Move the slider through a year of training, pick a set size and a pace, and see which of four lifts outgrows it first. Then compare the three kinds of set (spin-lock, quick-change and fixed) and what to look for at each budget.
Affiliate links, marked sponsored. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Examples that match this guide, not tested reviews. Prices checked 5 Oct; every shop is on each product page.
A low-cost way to start with adjustable weight. Listed as 20 kg in total, so check the listing for how it splits between the handles; you may outgrow it on squats and rows first.
20 kg set · Plastic plates · Adjustable
Cast iron plates are slimmer and last longer than plastic. A pair that goes up to 14 kg each leaves room to grow on most beginner lifts.
2 x 14 kg · Cast iron · Adjustable
A pair that goes up to 24 kg each, so it should stay useful far longer than the smaller sets. You pay for the bigger range, not for better results; check the listing for how the weight is changed.
2 x 24 kg · Adjustable · Sold as a pair
