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For most home lifters, the PowerBlock Pro 100 EXP is the pair to buy: the base set goes to 18.1 kg per hand, and add-on kits take it to 45.4 kg. If you want one kit that also builds a barbell and a kettlebell, the Cortex Revolock V2 runs from 3 to 24 kg per hand.
- 1Best expandable
PowerBlock Pro 100 EXP
Buy the 18.1 kg base pair now and add kits up to 45.4 kg per hand later, in 1.1 to 2.3 kg steps. It carries a 5-year residential warranty.
- 2Best all-in-one (Australia)
Cortex Revolock V2 48kg Adjustable Dumbbell Set (24kg Pair)
Twist-handle dumbbells from 3 to 24 kg that also convert to a barbell and a kettlebell, sold by Australian retailer Lifespan Fitness.
- 3Best light set
PowerBlock Sport 24
1.4 to 10.9 kg in 1.4 kg steps in a block only 25.4 cm long. It suits accessory work or a partner who lifts lighter.
| Model | PowerBlockPowerBlock Pro 100 EXP | PowerBlockPowerBlock Sport 24 | CortexCortex Revolock V2 48kg Adjustable Dumbbell Set (24kg Pair) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max weight | 45.4 kg | 10.9 kg | 24 kg |
| Min weight | 2.3 kg | 1.4 kg | 3 kg |
| Increments | 1.1 to 2.3 kg | 1.4 kg (3 lb) | — |
| Adjustment | Magnetic selector pin | Magnetic selector pin | Twist handle |
| Warranty | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | 1 yrs |
How to choose adjustable dumbbells
Start with the heaviest weight you will need per hand in the next year or two, not today. Rows, goblet squats and Romanian deadlifts need more load than curls and lateral raises, so a set that tops out at 23 kg can feel small within months for an experienced lifter.
- Maximum weight: about 23 to 24 kg per hand suits most beginners, 27 to 30 kg suits intermediates, and 40 kg or more suits strong lifters. Some sets start lighter and expand later with add-on kits.
- Step size: small steps of 1.1 to 1.4 kg matter most on light moves such as raises and curls. Check the steps across the whole range, as some sets move in 2.27 or 2.5 kg steps only.
- Mechanism: dial and twist-handle sets change weight while the dumbbell sits in its tray. A selector-pin set changes weight by moving one magnetic pin. Plate-loaded steel is the most durable but slowest to change.
- Units: US-made sets are usually built in pounds, so the steps land on odd kg figures such as 2.27 or 11.34 kg. If you follow a kg programme, choose a set that quotes kg.
- Warranty: terms run from 12 months to lifetime, and some sets list none. Read what it excludes; some lifetime warranties exclude scratches and rust.
PowerBlock Pro 100 EXP: best expandable
The Pro 100 EXP is sold as a base pair to 18.1 kg (40 lb), and add-on kits take it to 45.4 kg (100 lb) per hand. A magnetic pin selects the load, and built-in micro weights give 1.1 to 2.3 kg steps. The grip is 38 mm thick. PowerBlock sells it direct in the US, UK and Australia, with free domestic shipping in the UK and Australia, and a 5-year residential warranty.
Pros
- Expands to 45.4 kg per hand with add-on kits, so you can buy the base now and grow into it
- 1.1 to 2.3 kg steps using the built-in micro weights
- 5-year limited residential warranty
- Sold direct in the US, UK and Australia, with UK and Australian orders shipping domestically
Cons
- The base pair stops at 18.1 kg, and each expansion kit costs extra
- Warranty does not apply to commercial use
Cortex Revolock V2: best all-in-one (Australia)
Cortex is sold by Australian retailer Lifespan Fitness. The Revolock V2 24 kg pair adjusts from 3 to 24 kg per hand by twisting the handle, and the kit also builds a 4 to 24 kg barbell and a 2 to 12 kg kettlebell. Lifespan lists a 12-month parts warranty and says the set is not recommended for overhead use, which rules out presses above the head.
Pros
- Dumbbell, barbell and kettlebell configurations from one kit
- Twist-handle adjustment with readings in kg
- Sold by Australian retailer Lifespan Fitness, which publishes delivery and warranty terms
Cons
- Warranty is 12 months on parts
- Lifespan says it is not recommended for overhead use
- Lifespan does not list the step size between settings
PowerBlock Sport 24: best light set
The Sport 24 covers 1.4 to 10.9 kg (3 to 24 lb) over eight settings 1.4 kg apart, in a block 25.4 cm long. It is not a main set for most adults, but it fills the light end that heavier sets starting at 4 kg or more miss. It carries the same 5-year residential warranty as the larger PowerBlocks.
Pros
- 1.4 kg steps suit shoulder raises and other light accessory moves
- Small 25.4 cm long block takes little shelf space
- 5-year limited residential warranty
- Sold direct in the US, UK and Australia
Cons
- 10.9 kg per hand is too light for most rows, presses and squats
- Not expandable
- Thin 32 mm grip may feel small to large hands
Are adjustable dumbbells worth it?
For most home gyms, yes. One adjustable pair replaces a rack of fixed dumbbells and stores in two trays. Fixed dumbbells make more sense if several people train at once or you drop weights.
What are the best dumbbells for home?
For a single pair, the BowFlex Results Series 552 in the US and Canada, and the PowerBlock Pro 100 EXP in the UK and Australia. Both adjust in seconds and offer small steps at the light end.
What weight adjustable dumbbells should I buy?
Buy for where you will be in a year or two. Around 24 kg per hand suits most beginners. Experienced lifters doing rows and goblet squats often need 30 to 40 kg, so choose a set that reaches that or expands to it with add-on kits.
Can you drop adjustable dumbbells?
No. Dial, pin and twist mechanisms are not designed for drops, and some all-steel plate-loaded sets are not drop-rated either. Lower them under control.
Why are some adjustable dumbbells in pounds?
Many US makers build their sets in pounds, so the kg settings land on figures like 2.27 or 11.34 kg. If you follow a kg programme, choose a set that quotes kg. The comparison table shows each set's steps.
How we chose
We have not tested these dumbbells. We compared each maker's published weight range, step size, adjustment method and warranty. We did not rely on owner reviews for any claim. We only included sets sold new in each country by the maker's own local store or a retailer that ships from inside that country. Prices are the maker's list prices on 9 November 2026 and change often.
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