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If you are buying one or two fixed kettlebells, Strength Shop's single-pour cast iron bells are the safe choice, and its steel Competition bells suit sport-style lifts. If you want one bell that grows with you, the Bells of Steel Adjustable Competition Kettlebell runs from 12 to 32 kg in 0.5 kg steps and is sold from its UK store.
- 1Best adjustable
Bells of Steel Adjustable Competition Kettlebell (12-32 KG)
Keeps the same 35 mm handle and competition size from 12 to 32 kg, in 0.5 kg steps. It comes from a Canadian maker with stores in all four countries.
- 2Best budget (UK)
Strength Shop Black Powder Coated Kettlebell
Single-pour cast iron with no fillers or plastic caps, from 4 to 64 kg, at a low price per bell.
from£51.99See details - 3Best competition bell (UK)
Strength Shop Competition Kettlebell
Steel, the same size at every weight from 8 to 40 kg, with a tighter +/-2% tolerance.
from£73.99See details
| Model | Bells of SteelBells of Steel Adjustable Competition Kettlebell (12-32 KG) | Strength ShopStrength Shop Black Powder Coated Kettlebell | Strength ShopStrength Shop Competition Kettlebell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best price | — | £51.99 | £73.99 |
| Min weight | 12 kg | 4 kg | 8 kg |
| Max weight | 32 kg | 64 kg | 40 kg |
| Material | Steel shell, iron plates, powder coat | Cast iron, single pour, powder coat | Steel, competition colours |
| Handle | 35 mm | — | — |
For fixed kettlebells, the weight range is the span of sizes the maker sells; you buy each bell separately. Prices on product cards are for the 16 kg size, except the adjustable Bells of Steel bell.
How to choose a kettlebell
- Cast iron or competition: cast iron bells get bigger as they get heavier, and the handle gets thicker, from about 30 mm on a 4 kg bell to over 40 mm on the heaviest sizes. Competition bells keep one size, so your grip and rack position stay the same as you move up.
- Handle diameter: a thinner handle is easier for one-hand swings and snatches with smaller hands. At 16 kg, published handle sizes run from 33 to 38.1 mm, but not every maker lists them.
- Finish: a textured powder coat holds chalk and is less slippery than gloss paint. Bare or brushed steel competition bells feel smoother.
- Fixed or adjustable: two or three fixed bells usually cost less than one adjustable bell. An adjustable bell makes sense if you want small 0.5 to 1 kg steps or have little floor space.
- Units: some US and Canadian stores label sizes in pounds, though each usually matches a kg size (35 lb is the 16 kg bell).
Bells of Steel Adjustable Competition Kettlebell: best adjustable
Bells of Steel, a Canadian company, makes a steel shell that takes iron plates inside, from 12 kg empty to 32 kg full, in 0.5 kg steps. Because the shell is competition-sized, the 35 mm handle and window stay the same at every weight. That is the main difference from dial adjustable kettlebells, which change shape as you add weight. It carries a limited lifetime warranty and is sold from Bells of Steel's Canadian, US, UK and Australian stores.
Pros
- Same 35 mm handle and bell size at every weight, as on competition kettlebells
- 0.5 kg steps between 12 and 32 kg
- All-metal with a steel-on-steel lock and no plastic parts
- Sold from Bells of Steel's own Canadian, US, UK and Australian stores
Cons
- Changing weight means opening the bell and swapping plates, so it is slower than a dial
- Starts at 12 kg, heavy for some beginners' presses
- Costs as much as several fixed bells
Strength Shop kettlebells: best for UK buyers
Strength Shop is a UK supplier with two ranges. The Black Powder Coated bells are cast in a single pour, run from 4 to 64 kg and are made to +/-3%. The Competition bells are steel, the same size at every weight from 8 to 40 kg, made to +/-2% and coloured by the standard competition scheme. Choose the cast iron range for general training on a budget, and the competition range if you do high-rep sport-style lifts.
Pros
- Cast in one pour with no welds, fillers or plastic caps
- Sizes run up to 64 kg, heavier than most UK ranges
- Low price per bell from a UK supplier
Cons
- Weight tolerance is +/-3%, looser than the competition bells
- Handle diameter is not listed
- Bell size changes with weight
Kettlebell vs dumbbell: which is better?
Neither is better overall. A kettlebell's weight sits below and in front of the handle, which suits swings, cleans, snatches and Turkish get-ups. A dumbbell is balanced around your hand, which suits presses, rows, curls and raises, and adjustable dumbbells cover more weights in less space. Many home gyms start with one or two kettlebells and a pair of adjustable dumbbells.
What weight kettlebell should I buy first?
Buy for your main lift: a bell you can press overhead with good form, and a heavier one for swings. Two-handed swings are driven by the hips, so most people swing a bell they could not press. If you are unsure, an adjustable bell such as the Bells of Steel (12 to 32 kg) avoids guessing.
Are adjustable kettlebells any good?
Yes, if you need several weights and have little space. Plate-loaded competition designs such as the Bells of Steel keep the same shape at every weight. Dial designs are quicker to change but change shape, and should not be dropped.
What is the difference between a competition and a cast iron kettlebell?
A competition kettlebell is the same size at every weight, with a fixed handle, usually around 35 mm, so technique carries over as you go heavier. A cast iron kettlebell gets bigger and its handle thicker as the weight rises.
Why are some kettlebells sold in pounds?
US and Canadian stores often label them in pounds, but the sizes usually match kg bells. A 35 lb bell, for example, is usually the 16 kg size.
How we chose
We have not tested these kettlebells. We compared each maker's published sizes, materials, handle diameters, tolerances and warranty. We did not rely on owner reviews for any claim. We only included kettlebells 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.
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