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Best Affordable Dumbbells in 2021 for your Home Workout
Table of Content
Introduction
Dumbbells are perhaps the most popular name in the fitness world. Whether a commercial gym or a home gym, the use of dumbbells is never neglected.
Especially with the high choice of home gyms nowadays, dumbbells are a fine addition to your home gym setup.
Here we guide you on how to find the best dumbbell available online that you can afford.
Why Dumbbells? Are they worth it?
Dumbbells are a unique workout gear. A dumbbell may seem very small and ineffective compared to a barbell, but those tiny devil heads could gain anyone some serious muscles.
Dumbbells are easily found in any commercial public gym and are perfect for your home gym setup. But if you still are skeptical about buying a dumbbell, here are some convincing points that might change your mind:
â— Dumbbells can train your whole body.
â— Dumbbells are compact and portable, thus making it ideal for home gyms.
â— Dumbbells come in various materials and weights matching your goals and strength.
â— Dumbbells are good for your core strength.
â— Dumbbells don’t take much space and can be kept anywhere
â— Dumbbells are very easy to use. They are also very safe for both beginners and advanced lifters.
Once you are convinced that dumbbells are worth spending some buck, let’s look at some of the recommended dumbbells.
Types of Dumbbells
There are many types of dumbbells available. Ideally, any dumbbell has two equally weighted heads separated by a metal, rubber, or plastic handle. This is the basic construction of a dumbbell. Further changes from here depend on the manufacturer.
Dumbbells are available in different shapes and sizes. The most commonly seen shapes are the ones with hexagonal heads and circular heads. Hexagonal heads in a dumbbell have an advantage over round heads. When laid on the ground, the hexagonal dumbbells don't roll over and stay where they are kept. Also, unlike round dumbbells, hexagonal dumbbells can aid you in a variety of push and pull bodyweight exercises.
Another difference among many dumbbells is the material they are made of. Metal, rubber, neoprene, and wood are the different types of dumbbells that can be commonly seen. Rubber dumbbells are smooth on the hand while performing exercises and make them less sore. Similarly, neoprene dumbbells come in a variety of colors. Lifters use either metal or rubber dumbbells over neoprene dumbbells which are mainly used in addition to cardio as they are relatively light-weight.
There also exist adjustable dumbbells. These come in as one single piece, but their weights can be adjusted to a limit using locks and dials. They are a bit expensive than normal traditional dumbbells but they are very effective and worth the cost.
Which is the best dumbbell for you?
There is no single universal dumbbell that everyone can use. The dumbbell has to be chosen considering some factors.
Each type of dumbbell serves its purpose, either it is the increase in mass or aid in other body exercises. Nevertheless, it is important to know which pair of dumbbells might be the best for you.
The key factors to keep in mind are:
â— Goal – Your choice might depend on whether you are an athlete or a lifter.
â— Budget – You don’t have to buy the most expensive dumbbell when a good quality dumbbell already exists in your budget.
â— Strength – Your current strength is also a factor to be considered. If you have never lifted dumbbells in your life, you should probably start with low weights and correct your form.
8 Best Affordable Dumbbells & Where to Buy Them
Just as promised, we list out the best 8 affordable dumbbells there are available online that you can buy right now as soon as you are done reading this article.
1. Yes4All Adjustable Dumbbells
Weight: 40lbs to 200lbs
“Yes4All Adjustable Dumbbells” is a popular name when it comes to adjustable dumbbells in the budget. They have been around for a while and have earned a good reputation among its customers. It has star-locked screws for easy weight change. Made out of iron, the black paint will prevent it from rust and corrosion making it more durable.
One of the best features of Yes4All dumbbells is that it can be optionally converted to a barbell using the handles of two dumbbells. The handle has an optional converter that makes it into an instant barbell. A self-constructed barbell at the price of two dumbbells makes this particular brand a great deal and a considerable option.
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Pros |
Cons |
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â— A lot of weight options (40lbs to 200lbs) â— Multiple weight options let more beginner to advanced lifters. â— Can transform into a barbell by connecting the handles of two dumbbells. |
â— Because this is a very low price for an adjustable dumbbell, it is best to expect the quality to not match the very expensive ones. Nevertheless, customers have rated this dumbbell as durable and overall a good choice. â— The end of the weight plates might chip off if not taken care of properly. |
2. CAP Barbell Coated Hex Dumbbell
Weight: 5lbs to 50lbs
If you are not serious about home gyms, and just need an affordable weight to add some resistance to your routine, then Barbell Coated Hex Dumbbell by CAP is a very good choice. Unlike other dumbbell sets, this comes in a single piece with various weight options. These are not adjustable dumbbells and are of a fixed weight.
There are two important things about this CAP manufactured dumbbell.
•The heads are hexagonal in shape, thus, avoiding them from rolling over the ground. The flat surface of the hexagonal shape also aids in performing some push and pull variations of bodyweight exercises.
•The rubber coat is very durable and safe. When kept on any surface, it is not damaged because of the thick rubber coat on the head of the dumbbell.
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Pros |
Cons |
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â— The knurled iron handle allows a safer and secure grip â— Hexagonal head dumbbells are preferred over circular head dumbbells by most body weight trainers â— It is very affordable and is durable. |
â— Doesn't come in pairs and has to be bought separately if wanted pairs of dumbbells. â— If not properly taken care of, the rubber head starts to disintegrate. |
3. AmazonBasics Neoprene Dumbbell Hand Weights
Weight: 1lbs to 12lbs
Neoprene Dumbbell Hand Weights by AmazonBasics is one of the best options for complete beginners. But the good news is, it is not only limited to beginners. Even advanced lifters can use this as a warmup before lifting heavy dumbbells on their own.
The AmazonBasics Neoprene Dumbbell comes in various colors. Though these colors do please the eyes and are attractive, they also are the code to their respective weights. Each color in a dumbbell corresponds to a particular weight.
These dumbbells are comparatively lightweight and soft. It is safe for beginners and those who prefer less tension on the arms while using dumbbells.
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Pros |
Cons |
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â— They are cheap and affordable dumbbells â— They are perfect for beginners. â— They mostly come in pairs. Since it is color-coded, it is easy to identify pairs.
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â— They are not the ideal dumbbells for building massive strength. â— They don’t have much larger weight options. |
4. Cap Barbell Neoprene Dumbbell with Rack
Weight: 3lbs, 5lbs, and 8lbs (Total 16lbs)
If you are still thinking about buying the previously mentioned Neoprene dumbbells, but are hesitant because you don't like light and breezy colors, we got you covered there too. The Cap Barbell Neoprene Dumbbells are just as effective as any neoprene dumbbells available but in darker shades. Here the dumbbells are not color-coded, but rather they have the weight written on them for convenience.
The best part about this Neoprene Dumbbell manufactured by CAP is that they come along with a rack. The dumbbells are sold in pairs with various weight distributions and there is a dumbbell rack to keep them after the workout session. This makes it more convenient for home gyms.
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Pros |
Cons |
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â— They are light-weight and good for beginners as well as advanced lifters for warm-ups. â— They have their weights printed on the dumbbells for convenience. â— The set comes with a rack to safely keep the dumbbells when not in use. â— They are safe and secure for beginners and it is not very harsh on the hands. |
â— Not many weight variations. â— You have to assemble the parts of the dumbbell rack yourself. |
5. AmazonBasics Rubber Encased Hex Hand Dumbbell
Weight: 20lbs to 40lbs
AmazonBasics have a lot of products that are good in quality yet very much affordable. The Rubber Encased Hex Hand Dumbbell by AmazonBasics is a very good example of that.
We have already mentioned the advantages of hex head dumbbells over circular dumbbells in terms of both rolling over and bodyweight exercises.
These dumbbells are durable and have a knurled iron handle for a comfortable grip while holding the dumbbell.
These dumbbells have their weight printed on them and are available in various weights.
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Pros |
Cons |
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â— The hexagonal shape of the dumbbell makes it easy to avoid rolling over â— The knurled handle makes it easy and safe to hold the dumbbell. â— It is durable â— It is very cheap and good for the price |
â— It doesn’t come in pairs â— It should be handled with care since it is made out of rubber and has a chance of getting pierced by sharp objects. |
6. AtivaFit Adjustable Dumbbells
Weight: 11lbs to 71lbs
AtivaFit Adjustable Dumbbells are yet another adjustable dumbbell that we consider adding to the list. This is relatively expensive, yet it is a very good product for its price.
The dumbbell comes with a lock that allows you to change the weight as per your requirement. These are particularly good looking dumbbells with a high range of available weights.
Another highlight about this dumbbell is the fact that it has a rubber handle which makes it so much easier to hold it while the weight increases. The rubber handle protects the palm from injuries.
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Pros |
Cons |
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â— The adjustable feature allows us to choose from multiple ranges of weights. â— By just turning the dial, the weight can be changed from 11lbs – 71lbs â— It looks much better than its competitors â— The rubber handle makes it easier to handle.
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â— It is a bit costlier than other cheap dumbbells, given that it has rubber handles and a wide range of adjustable weights. â— Doesn’t come in pairs, so it has to be performed for one arm at a time. â— The warranty of this product is not recognized if not purchased from the authorized store. |
7. CAP Barbell RSWB-CS040T
Weight: 4x6lbs and 4x2.5lbs
Another good quality yet affordable dumbbell manufactured by CAP Barbell is the RSWB-CS040T Dumbbell set. This old-school look might steal the attention of many lifters.
The set comes with several weight plates that allow creating different weight combinations. It is made of solid iron which makes it very durable and strong.
It is coated with black paint to avoid any kind of rust or corrosion to the iron, thus making the dumbbell more durable.
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Pros |
Cons |
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â— It is very affordable â— The old school look of this dumbbell makes it very stylish in appearance â— Multiple weight plates of different sizes are available to form different combinations of weight. |
â— Circular dumbbells are more likely to roll over and not stay stable. â— Since the weights aren't mechanically fixed to the handle, if the screw gets loose, there is a chance of the weights being unstable. |
8. Sporzon! Rubber Encased Hex Dumbbell
Weight: 10lbs to 25lbs(Pair) & 30lbs to 50lbs(Single)
Sporzon Rubber Encased Hex Dumbbell is the final affordable dumbbell on the list. It resembles other rubber-encased hex dumbbells in many ways. The knurled handle and the rubber heads make workouts much easier than traditional dumbbells.
One advantage of Sporzon Dumbbells is that they can either be bought in pairs or as a single dumbbell. This choice allows you to match your budget more.
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Pros |
Cons |
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â— Hex Dumbbells do not rollover â— Knurled handles allow safer and painless exercise. â— Can either be bought in pairs or as single dumbbell â— One of the most affordable yet effective dumbbells. |
â— The dumbbells have to be taken care of properly to avoid rust in the handle. â— The dumbbells have to be kept away from sharp objects as it may pierce through the rubber encasing, ultimately damaging the heads. |
How to choose the ideal dumbbell for you?
After considering the list, it must be overwhelming to see all the different types of dumbbells. If anything, you must be confused about which of these affordable dumbbells you should buy. Lucky for you here we also guide you on choosing the best dumbbells for you.
If you are a total beginner, start low and slow. Bigger weights indeed give you bigger muscles, but it will also be equally useless and harmful if you don’t correct your form. Be familiar with the weights initially before picking up the largest dumbbell.
Neoprene dumbbells are a great choice for total beginners. These are lightweight and also manufactured using safe and relatively soft material to make the beginning stages of lifting the dumbbells easier for you. Neoprene Dumbbells can also be used by advanced lifters to warm up before the actual workout. Neoprene Dumbbells are a good option to use while walking, running, or jumping.
When it comes to the different shapes of the dumbbells, you have to consider your space and surrounding. If you have a rack to place your dumbbells after your workout, you can choose either circular dumbbells or hex dumbbells. But if you don't have a rack, it is recommended to buy a hex dumbbell as it doesn't roll over when placed anywhere.
When it comes to the material of the dumbbells, if you have a safe surrounding (without any breakable object around), then you have the option to go for metal or wood dumbbells. But, to avoid the breakage of any objects around your home gym, both neoprene dumbbells and rubber dumbbells are the recommended choices.
After going through the list again, now you can have a clear idea of which dumbbell should you buy for yourself.
Key Points
Here are some key points on purchasing an affordable dumbbell.
â— Before buying dumbbells, be sure of your goals, strength, and budget.
â— Dumbbells are highly effective and durable equipment; thus it is a good investment.
â— Dumbbells are ideal for home gyms.
â— Anyone can train their whole body using just a pair of dumbbells.
â— There are many dumbbells available that differ based on their manufacturing material, size, shape, etc. Make sure to check out everything so you can purchase your ideal dumbbell.
â— If you are a total beginner, sacrifice the weights initially and focus on the form by choosing lightweight dumbbells.
