For many exercisers who discovered at-home and outdoor workouts while gyms were shuttered for months, the habit has stuck. Maybe this includes you, and it’s easy to see the logic. The commute is certainly minimal. And you never have to wait for a treadmill or rower to free up. Plus, there’s no pressure to sport the latest athletic gear. Or even to comb your hair. What you do need, though, is equipment that helps you achieve the results you want without taking over your entire place.

Adjustable-weight dumbbells check both boxes. At a commercial gym, you’ll likely see entire racks of dumbbells of different weights, but with adjustables, one piece of equipment can replace a good portion of that rack. Adjustables can serve as a pair of 5-pound dumbbells and be increased to various interim weights up to 50 pounds or even more, simply with the turn of a dial or flip of a lever. We sorted through dozens of sets to find the adjustable-weight dumbbells that will best upgrade your home gym, no matter what your strength-training status—seasoned or just getting started.

If you’d like to read how we vetted and tested these adjustable dumbbells and which experts we consulted, scroll down for more detail.

The Bowflex Select Tech 552 dumbbells let you choose weights between 5 and 52.5 pounds, which is a range that will work for most strength trainers, giving you the ability to target small and large muscle groups. But where they shine is in how simple they are to adjust—by far, the easiest of those we tested. Lay the dumbbells in their included tray and turn the outside dial to your preferred weight. The correct amount of weight will remain on your dumbbell; extra weight plates will be left behind in the tray. To add more, just put your dumbbell back into the tray and crank the dial to your next desired weight. Weight changes with the Bowflex dumbbells took 5 seconds or less—ideal when you’re in the middle of something fast-paced like a HIIT workout. 

One note: Many—but not all—adjustable sets come with a tray to house your weights and line them up for easy weight changes. It’s a nice added feature, but we didn’t consider the lack of a tray a deal breaker. 

NordicTrack’s Select-a-Weight Adjustable Dumbbells offer a range from 10 to 55 pounds. That makes them a good option for most at-home lifters, but because they don’t offer a 5-pound setting, these may not work for those who are new to strength training (or younger kids if your home workouts are a family affair). That said, if you’re satisfied that 10 pounds is the lowest you’ll need to go, these got high marks for ease of use and versatility for a variety of workouts. They have a sliding adjustment mechanism to allow you to move seamlessly from one weight to the next. A slight drawback: Unlike many other dumbbells, these don’t clearly state the amount of pounds on the weights themselves. Instead, you’ll need to consult the included trays to figure out the poundage you’ve put on them. 

Though the NordicTracks took up the most space of all our tested models, it was by a margin of only 2 to 4 inches (they’re 19.4 inches long by 11.4 inches wide)—not enough for us to downgrade them in our rankings. They were notably comfortable to use. “Some adjustable-weight dumbbells are super long and this one is more compact. The length of the dumbbells is not too much and the locking mechanism is pretty easy to use,” Matheny says. Keep in mind that the weights feature a classic metal grip that may not work for everyone.

Nuobell’s adjustable weight dumbbells go from 5 pounds up to 80, the largest range we tested. But you’ll pay for that versatility—they also have the highest price among our test set, at $745. 

To add or subtract weight, you simply put the dumbbells in the included tray, turn the dial to your preferred pounds, and slide the weight plates on or off. The weights left on the bar lock into place fairly easily with the help of magnets, something not all adjustable weight dumbbells have. One note: We found that adjusting the weights required precisely lining up the magnets, which worked best on a hard, slick surface like wood flooring. If you have mats or carpeting in your home-gym area, you may find them tricky. Watch your fingers while you add or subtract weights—they can get pinched in the process.

The weight plates themselves are made from hefty machined steel. That, combined with a straight steel grip gives these weights a more classic feel. That likely-indestructible construction along with their extra-large weight range make them a good investment if you’re a dedicated lifter. Keep in mind that if you’re on the small side, these may not be for you. Their large weight range corresponds to a larger size overall, which can get in the way. Nothing’s less motivating than banging your hip bones every time you bring the weights up. 

The Powerblock USA Elite Series ranges in weight from five to 50 pounds in the box, though you do have the option of purchasing add-on weights up to 90 pounds per hand. These weights have a unique look thanks to their rectangular shape, which also conveniently eliminates the need for a tray, since they won’t roll around on the floor. (It also lets them fit neatly in a corner, at 12 inches long by 6 inches wide each.) Color bands and a weight chart on the top of the box let you see at which weights you need to add or subtract to get to your desired weight. A magnetic selector pin helps you change weights easily, while a sturdy dial lock secures everything into place. The comfortable padded grip, which is located inside the weights, is a nice perk. 

These came up with nearly every pro we talked to. However, amateur lifters, even seasoned ones, may prefer weights that don’t take as much time to figure out. The procedure for adjusting the weight is not as immediately intuitive as other models, and unfortunately, the instructions can be confusing. Once you get the hang of them, though, they’re relatively easy to use, and they do have a certain amount of “street cred,” since they’re a favorite in gyms that cater to people who take their lifting seriously. 

The Ativafit weights have a soft grip that’s smaller than the others we tested and easy for people with smaller hands to hold. (Discard the protective cover they come packed with first—an easy mistake to make.) It’s also slightly contoured, which makes it feel more secure in your hand, especially if you’re a newbie.

These weights adjust fairly quickly, too—in about 7 to 10 seconds, once you get comfortable with the mechanism. Simply put your dumbbells in the included tray and move the toggle that sits on top of one side down to your desired weight. When you lift up, the weights you don’t need will be left behind. 

Ativafit’s weights are the least expensive of the group and, not coincidentally, they also have the narrowest weight range, from 5.5 to 27.5 pounds. That’s more than enough for strength training novices or anyone not looking to add bulk but won’t satisfy more devoted lifters for long.

There are a few adjustable-weight dumbbells that are well known but didn’t make the final cut. 

Lifepro 15 Lb Adjustable Dumbbell Set might appeal if you’re new to strength training and are looking to dip your toe in adjustable-dumbbell set use, since they cost only $150. Their weight range is a serious limitation, though, going from 2.5 pounds only up to 15.

The Yes4All adjustable dumbbells receive thousands of positive reviews on Amazon for their durability and low price tag, but proved to be cumbersome to change.

Ironmaster’s Quick-Lock Adjustable Dumbbell Set is another popular choice, but they’re not as quick to adjust as the name suggests and the company appears to have difficulty keeping them in stock.

Core Fitness’ Adjustable Dumbbell Set was the most comfortable to lift, especially for workouts where you have your weights in hand for long periods—for instance, an hour-long cardio session that incorporates light weights. The padded, contoured grips feel nice to the touch and prevent your palms from developing calluses. But because they come disassembled, they take some time and a little elbow grease at the beginning.

In my 19 years of reporting and reviewing health trends for publications including Forbes, Prevention and Women’s Health, I’ve found that ease of use is most important when it comes to fitness equipment. If a workout is a pain to set up, you’re more likely to skip it. I’ve spent years using weight training equipment for toning, strength and a performance edge (I was a competitive runner). I’ve also worked with several personal fitness trainers who used various models of adjustable-weight dumbbells. 

For expert advice on the best models for every category of exerciser, I consulted four personal trainers, as well as a doctor who specializes in sports medicine, an exercise physiologist and a physical therapist who primarily works with athletes. They offered their opinions on the best adjustable-weight dumbbells on the market and weighed in on what makes each one shine and which features might turn out to be drawbacks, depending on your workout goals. 

To track down the best adjustable weight dumbbells, we sifted through hundreds of available models by focusing on the top-reviewed and bestselling sets. We eliminated ones that were frequently out of stock, then filtered the remaining models through the criteria our experts laid out. 

We then got busy lifting. We put all the dumbbells that made the cut through multiple workouts, looking at three major factors for choosing a high-quality adjustable-weight dumbbell: 

Are they easy to adjust?

One of the great appeals of regular dumbbells is that working out with them couldn’t be more straightforward. We looked for adjustable-weight versions that require as few steps as possible to change the amount of weight. Related to that, the mechanism for change, whether it was a dial, a lever or something else, needed to be intuitive to use. If you have to read the instructions to start lifting, you’re likely to give up and just head for the treadmill. We timed how long it took to change each dumbbell from starting condition—the dumbbell at its highest weight—to the lowest weight and various weights in between. 

Do they offer the right weight range for your needs?

To figure out the right adjustable dumbbell set for you, it’s important to think about your specific needs. That includes how strong you currently are, along with your health and fitness goals, says Jake Depp, a sports physical therapist at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. In particular, pay attention to the range of weight the set can provide. If you already work out regularly with, say, 20-pounders and plan to continue to build strength, it doesn’t make sense to buy a set with an upper range of 27.5 pounds. Similarly, if you’re brand-new to dumbbells, you don’t want to start with a set whose lowest weight is 10 pounds. (What you do want to start with, if you’re new to strength training—or any other fitness activity—is a check-in with your doctor.)  

Are they comfortable to use?

Dumbbells need to be nicely balanced and not so bulky that they actually get in the way during exercises that require you to keep them close to your body, like biceps curls. If your frame is on the smaller side, be cautious about investing in dumbbells with larger weight ranges, as those may also be longer and bulkier. Your hand size matters, too. Ernie Sacco, the exercise physiologist on our expert panel, says that the circumference of the bar should be small enough that you can grip the bar tightly without straining. If your hands can’t get enough purchase for a firm grasp, don’t worry, we have a pick for you.

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