If you’re looking for the best adjustable dumbbells, then read on. Although the many benefits of having adjustable weights justify the price, not all types are worth the money and let’s be real here, these things can be quite costly so it’d be in your best interest to find the best one for your needs. The two brands we’ll be reviewing in this article is Bowflex and PowerBlock. Each of these brands have several different models. There are a couple of differences between the models but for the most part, you’re really just looking at weight range. What we’re going to do is review the top rated models from each of these 2 brands. We’ll take a look at both the pros and cons to help you decide which one is best for you.
Bowflex SelectTech 552
Pros:
This adjustable dumbbell is highly rated and has a lot of good reviews and for good reason too.
- The Bowflex dumbbells are aesthetically more pleasing than the PowerBlocks. The design looks modern and sleek and actually looks like a dumbbell.
- The biggest benefit of the Bowflex brand is it’s unique weight changer dial system. Changing the weight of your dumbbells is as easy as turning a dial. If you want 25 lbs, just turn the dial to 25 lbs on both sides and lift. Done deal.
- The material of these dumbbells are durable and will definitely last for a while. You may hear some sounds if you shake them and may think it’s cheap but it’s not. The sounds you hear and just part of the weight switch mechanism.
Cons:
- The length of the Bowflex dumbbells can take some getting used to. It’s longer than a typical dumbbell regardless of what weight you use. This can be annoying for certain exercises such as standing bicep curls where the sides can hit your leg depending on your form. When doing bench presses, if you typically hit the dumbbells together at the top, these will hit earlier than normal due to their length.
- The weight only goes up to about 52 lbs. This is fine for the average person but for guys who want to bulk up a lot more, this may not be enough weight. They do have a model (1090) that goes up to 90lbs but it’s super expensive just for one of them so not worth reviewing.
Powerblock Elite 90
PowerBlock adjustable dumbbells are seen as a better value for people who typically lift heavier weights. However, they also have a model that only goes up to 50lbs but can be upgraded.
Pros:
- For heavy lifters, this model is a lot better simply because it ranges from 5 lbs to 90 lbs.
- The length of these dumbbells is a lot shorter, nearly half the size of the Bowflex ones so you could use them just as you would with normal dumbbells.
- The material used with these dumbbells are quite sturdy so no need to worry about these breaking anytime soon.
- The biggest downside to the PowerBlock is the way weights are changed. Unlike Bowflex’s easy dial system, PowerBlock uses a pin system. You basically have a U-shaped metal that you take out and insert into the correct holes. This makes changing weight less efficient. Sometimes, you might miss the holes and have to adjust. This can get annoying.
- The handles are surrounded by these 2 support bars which can be a problem if you’re going exercises that involve rotating your wrists.
Cons:
Price
Obviously, since the PowerBlock model that we reviewed is the upgraded model and goes up to 90lbs, it will cost more than the Bowflex. As mentioned earlier, you can get a 50lb max PowerBlock as well which makes the prices a lot more similar but if you’re going to go heavy, you might as well jump straight for the 90lb one. Again, Bowflex as a 90 pounder as well but a single dumbbell cost almost as much as a pair of the PowerBlocks. We scoured the net for dumbbells for sale and found the best prices for these models.
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Best Price
PowerBlock Elite 90 Best Price
Conclusion
So there you have it. Which of these adjustable dumbbells is best for you just depends on your needs. They both cost several hundred dollars but if you’re tired of waiting for dumbbells to free up at the gym, these are a better alternative. If you don’t want to end up with a bunch of different pairs of dumbbells at home, again, these would be a great investment.
Let us know your thoughts. We hope this review was useful.







