Cheap Dumbbells that are Actually Affordable - The Top 5 Options
If you are looking for cheap dumbbells for your home gym or your walking exercises, you need to make sure that the product you’re going after is of good quality and will outlast the typical warranty period.
In this article, I’ll be reviewing the top 5 affordable dumbbell options. Any of these cheap free weights will work well for your workout routine, albeit with some drawbacks.
One last note: like pretty much everything else, you can get these dumbbell sets on Amazon.
At A Glance: Our Top 5 Picks For Cheap Dumbbells
Dumbbells come in all varieties, shapes, sizes, and weights. Some of the affordable options are adjustable, while some come with racks for easy storage.
All in all, we are sure that the dumbbells that we are reviewing will be suitable for you, and will not only be easy on your pocket but will also last for a long time.
Read on as we review our pick for the top 5 options for inexpensive and cost-effective dumbbells.
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1. Yes4All Adjustable Dumbbells
These cheap dumbbell sets feature cast iron plates that are rust proof, and ergonomic chrome handles that give a good grip on the dumbbell.
It has spin-lock collars to secure the cast iron plates in place when iron plates for more weights are added.
The Yes4All weight sets have a 6 weight adjustable range from 40 to 200 pounds and are easy to change weights and store away.
The warranty given is for 30 days if you are dissatisfied with the product, and 1 year on workmanship.
- You will find that the available options for weight ranges are good for every body workout regime, and with a 200 pounds’ option, you can go hard on your exercises.
- The cast iron is also very durable, and will probably outlive you.
- The textured chrome handles can be a little too rough and you may require some gym gloves to get the best out of these dumbbells.
- You will require rubber mats for your gym, as the heavy cast iron plates will ruin your gym floor with extensive use.
2. CAP Barbell Hex Rubber Dumbbells
The CAP Barbell Hex Rubber Dumbbell sets are hexagon-shaped dumbbells designed to rest naturally on your gym floor without rolling over, and also for easier storage.
The heads are rubber coated for more safety and reduced noise in the chance that they fall off.
The weight is composed of superior grade grey iron, with handles made from chrome with contours and knurling for an easy grip.
- The hexagonal-shaped weights with rubber coating prevent the dumbbell from rolling and is also good for enhanced safety.
- These dumbbells are good for your gym floor and will prevent damage even without the use of rubber mats.
- This dumbbell is not as flexible as the other options, and you can easily outgrow these.
- Also as you may require all the different weight ranges, storage will be cumbersome and untidy, and you might find your gym looking cluttered.
3. TELK Adjustable Dumbbells, 45, 65, 105 to 200 lbs
The Telk adjustable dumbbells are a set of four cast-iron weights on a chrome barbell rod.
Features:
It features a Chrome finished barbell rod, with screw grooves at the end for adjusting weights.
The 1.15” diameter weight plates are made from cast iron, with an enamel coating to prevent rusting.
You will also find that this dumbbell is compact, and can be stored easily. It comes with a 5-year warranty from the manufacturer.
- If you are looking for durability, then this set of dumbbells has a rustproof finish that will be sure to last for ages.
- They are adjustable and are therefore suitable for every work-out level.
- As they are made from100% cast iron they are durable, and you will never have to replace them.
- They are hard on the gym floor and can cause damage after a while. You will, therefore, need to use floor mats.
4. AmazonBasics Hex Dumbbells
This dumbbell is a hexagonally shaped non-adjustable dumbbell.
Features:
The handles are made from comfortably contoured chrome and are easy to grip.
- The rubber ends of the weights are shock resistant and will, therefore, bounce off the floor, reducing noise and harmful damage.
- The hexagonal shape also helps to ensure they do not roll, enhancing the safety of your gym and also providing ease of storage.
- It’s easily adjustable to your preferred weight levels.
- This dumbbell set is non-adjustable, and you will have to buy a different set every time you wish to step up your weights level.
- With multiple dumbbells, it will result in a cluttered gym area, necessitating the need for a rack, at an additional cost.
5. Bayou Fitness Adjustable Dumbbell
Features:
It is made from chrome-plated weight plates, with adjustments for between 5 to 25 pounds.
It includes a tray for the dumbbells, for ease of storage. This dumbbell comes with a one-year warranty from the manufacturer.
- This dumbbell is adjustable, making it best for usage by different people, with different exercise needs.
- The storage tray makes it easy to store the dumbbells and ensures the gym remains nice and tidy.
- The design is stylish and elegant when compared to other dumbbells in the same category.
- The dumbbell has a chrome handle that may strain some users, especially at higher weight levels.
- The maximum range for this dumbbell is 50 pounds, which may not be sufficient for heavy lifters.
Buyer’s Guide
Weight
The weight you need for your dumbbells will depend on your strength and your body weight. A beginner should be using a dumbbell weight that is 10-15% of their body weight whereas a more experienced fitness person should go with dumbbells that are 20-25% of their body weight.
The weight you need will also depend on what kind of workouts and movements you plan on doing with the dumbbell. If you’re just going to be doing isolated exercises like bicep curls, then you won’t need a dumbbell that is overly heavy, however, if you intend on doing a full-body workout that incorporates squats and lunges, then you should go for something heavier as you’ll need something that can test your full body strength.
A beginner who has never used dumbbells before should consider getting 5,10 or 15lb dumbbells to use for upper body workouts. As you increase the weight of your dumbbells, the cost of them will also increase. Unfortunately, for those heavy lifters out there this means that you’ll be spending more than everyone else.
Fixed or Adjustable Dumbbells
Now there isn’t just one type of dumbbell out there, so you’ll need to decide whether you’d want fixed or adjustable dumbbells.
Fixed Dumbbells
Fixed dumbbells are the most common and are typically found in generic gyms. Like the name says, these dumbbells come in one fixed part and are not adjustable so they’ll always stay the same weight.
These sorts of dumbbells are extremely durable as they’ve got no parts that can fall off and break. If you like to have an efficient workout with no hanging around for machines or equipment, then you’ll love using fixed dumbbells as you won’t have to spend time changing the weight plates over like you would with adjustable dumbbells.
However, you will be stuck with just one weight and you’ll have to invest in another set of dumbbells if you do want to change the weight.
Adjustable Dumbbells
Adjustable dumbbells are ideal for people who have home gyms or enjoy working out in or around their home. They allow you to have multiple weight plates on either side of the dumbbell to increase or decrease the weight.
These are typically better value for money as they’ll come with numerous weights with them that can be adjusted to your preference. If you’re new to the world of working out, then adjustable dumbbells are recommended as they’ll give you a good handful of starting weights to try out until you’ve found what you’re comfortable lifting.
These dumbbells are slightly more fiddling and can be frustrating if you’re in a hurry as they require you to spin the side nuts off when increasing or decreasing the weight. If you’re after some heavier weights, then adjustable dumbbells may not work for you.
Materials, Shape & Grip
You’ll now need to decide what sort of materials you want for your dumbbells.
Rubber Dumbbells
Rubber dumbbells have a coating over the disk or plate that protects them and makes them last longer.
They’re often used in busy gyms as they’re able to withstand constant use and they also protect your floor from getting unsightly scratches due to the protective coating.
Cheap rubber coatings do smell a bit unpleasant, so be on the lookout for that when you’re buying new dumbbells.
Hex Dumbbells
Hex dumbbells are named after they’re shaped and they’re great because they prevent your dumbbells from rolling away when you’ve placed them on the floor.
They’re used in gyms for circuit classes as they offer good stability for doing exercises like pushups.
Urethane Dumbbells
These dumbbells are a more premium alternative to rubber dumbbells but they do not offer the unpleasant smell that rubber ones do.
They’re also very durable and do not mark your floor when you drop them.
Vinyl-coated Dumbbells
This dumbbell is made from cast iron and coated with vinyl which often comes in different colors.
These colors will signify the weight of each dumbbell and after time you’ll find it easier to identify which one you’ll need next in your workout.
Solid Metal Dumbbells
You’ll commonly find solid metal dumbbells in old school gyms and you’ll often find the weight of each dumbbell stamped on the end.
They’re a lot easier to hold and grip than rubber-coated ones when your hands get sweaty as the handle is textured to give better grip.
Racks & Storage
Remember, the heavier your weights are the bigger they will also be, so they will prove more difficult to store.
If you have an at-home gym then you could invest in a dumbbell rack to keep all your weights organized and out of the way when they’re not being used.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should dumbbells cost?
On average, you could look at paying around $1.50 per pound for dumbbells. A small pair of 5lb dumbbells could cost you between $15-20 depending on where you buy them from and what materials they’re made of. The best way to buy weights is in a set and it will often reduce the price of them, a set of beginner weights (2.5-8lbs) could cost you between $40-50.
If you’re looking to buy a full collection for your at-home gym, then you could look at spending at least a few hundred dollars. Adjustable dumbbells (the ones with removable plates) are the most cost-effective and if you don’t mind spending the extra time adjusting the weight plates on them between your workouts then they’ll be a great solution for you.
Why are dumbbells so expensive?
Dumbbells are expensive because they’re heavy and made from strong materials that are made to last.
They’re also expensive because it costs the company that makes some a large amount of money to transport them due to their weight. They add extra weight to the transportation trucks which require more fuel to drive to distribute them.
Some dumbbells are crazy expensive because most people opt for buying cheap dumbbells so then there is no demand for the higher-quality more expensive ones so they have to keep their prices higher.
Do I need 2 dumbbells?
Some exercises will need to be done with 2 dumbbells, so if you have one then you’ll need to spend even more time doing the workout on each arm.
If you’re doing exercises with heavy weights then this could unbalance you, using 2 would even out the weight so you are stabilized. Dumbbells come in pairs so you won’t need to worry about investing in two individual ones.
Are 4.5lb dumbbells good for beginners?
Anything between 2.5lb to 20lb is good for beginners, however, what you should use will depend on your body weight and your strength.
Start small and then work your way up the weights if you feel you’re not being tested enough.
Is it better to use light or heavy dumbbells to tone arms?
If you’re looking to tone your arms, then you should use lighter weights than you normally would but focus on doing more repetitions of exercises.
So where you normally would do 3 sets of 8 repetitions with a 20lb dumbbell in each hand, you will do 3 sets of 15 repetitions with 10lb dumbbells.
If you are not a heavy lifter and are looking for something elegant to accessorize your home gym then you should get the Bayou Fitness Adjustable Dumbbells.
On the other hand, TELK Adjustable Dumbbells can give you up to 200 pounds in weights, if you are a more ardent fitness person. The best recommended set to get is the Yes4all Adjustable Dumbbells.
While you may find that they have a more traditional look and feel, it is packed with adjustments of up to 200 pounds, making it suitable for a wide variety of uses. If you like the products in this article, do check out our other workout bench or dumbbell reviews.
Article by:
Daniel DeMoss
I’m a personal trainer based in Denver (Matrix Gym) and a true fitness nerd. If I’m not training clients or working out at my home gym, I’m probably skiing, cycling or hiking with my dog Rufus.
Get in touch: daniel@dumbbellsreview.com