To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories 10kg Steel Dumbbells

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

By Michael Sawh, Aaron Toumazou and Esat Dedezade

GQ presents the best dumbbells you can get to bulk up those biceps and step up your cardio to boot

Whether you're on the quest for huge triceps à la Dave Bautista or long and lean muscles like Harry Styles, the best dumbbells can help you get there: all that's required from you is good form and dedication. It's not just bigger, bulging biceps you'll be cultivating by lifting heavy either: all parts of the arm, as well as back, chest and neck muscles can be transformed and strengthened with a series of tried and tested dumbbell workouts. And that's not to mention the ab, leg and glute benefits that can be seen from incorporating weights into squat, lunge and sit-up exercises.

Heavier isn't always better when it comes to dumbbells, either. Great form is the most important thing when it comes to lifting weights, with the best results arising from slow, controlled completion of reps. If you can't lift a weight with steady precision, it's likely too heavy.

The correct set of dumbbells at challenging but doable weights are, like kettlebells and resistance bands, an essential element of a great commercial or home gym. There are several things we look at when choosing the best dumbbells. First is composition: whether you're opting for stainless steel and iron or rubber and urethane, we've considered the durability of each of these sets. Longevity is at the forefront of our minds when selecting the best dumbbells, with adjustability and grip not far behind. Of course, we've also taken look into account, though stylish examples have only made the list if they also tick all of the other boxes.

This is a superb set for anyone starting out on their weightlifting journey. Cast iron plates ensure a lifetime of use, letting you split 20kg across each dumbbell or lift more with a single arm, while an included adaptor that converts them into a single barbell is genius too.

That's right, smart dumbbells are absolutely a thing, and here's the proof. Jaxjox's entry will automatically track your weight, reps, volume and more, so you can keep an eye on your progress via a connected app. This is an adjustable set too, which means you can dial in weights up to 22.7kg on each dumbbell for extra convenience.

Adjustable dumbbells are a great way to save space and reduce the time spent faffing around with removing or adding weight plates. This model from MuscleSquad offers an impressive 32.5kg total weight, which can be adjusted all the way up from 5kg.

Fixed dumbbells are the kind you find in gyms and are well-suited to drop sets when you’re lifting progressively lighter weights. The best adjustable dumbbells will let you change weights to increase or decrease the load you can lift and offer more variety in terms of the exercises they can be put to use. These are a good option if you have more limited space and would like the option of lifting a variety of weights from one easy setup. They're also a good starting point for beginners who want to gradually increase the weights they lift as they go.

Dumbbells are traditionally made from stainless steel or cast iron, but you’ll find plenty of options that come in more durable and protective materials, such as rubber and urethane, that can be a better fit for home use. These softer options are less destructive when dropped on fragile surfaces such as tile and hardwood, though they're still going to give any unfortunately placed toes a rough time. Another benefit to dumbbells with a softer finish is the fact that they'll make less noise when plonked down — something to consider if you live with or above others.

Most dumbbells have traditional circular weight plates, but you can also snap up different shapes such as hexagonal and triangular weights. Aside from standing out, these will also prevent them from rolling around the floor like miniature toe-crushing road rollers, and can be more convenient for exercises like renegade rows. The downside is that these shapes are limited to certain manufacturers and can be more expensive and harder to find.

Being able to get a good hold of your dumbbells will ensure you get the right form during reps to maximise benefits of the exercise and not put yourself at risk of an injury. Knurling (the crossed lines pattern on the handle) on the grip usually indicates an ergonomic dumbbell that will be easier to hold. A metal finish on the handle, particularly common on fixed dumbbells, is often a more favourable option, particularly when things get a bit sweaty, though you could buy a pair of neoprene or mesh gloves for extra grip if you prefer.

For more fitness, fashion and technology releases delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our GQ Recommends newsletter.

Pros: Cast iron | Comfortable grip Cons: Might need extra plates after a while

This pair of dumbbells comes from a company that has been making weights for more than 80 years, so you know you’re in good hands. They’re made from cast iron and partnered up with plastic spinlocks to make sure the rattling of weight plates are kept to a minimum. The knurled grip is designed to cater for all dumbbell-based moves, while an accompanying workout guide will help you know how to work on your upper and lower body the right way. £53.99 for 20kg set. At amazon.co.uk

Pros: Sturdy build | Barbell option Cons: 20kg might not be enough after a while

This 20kg cast iron weight set offers incredible value for beginners looking to start off with both dumbbell and barbell exercises, thanks to their ability to extend the bars. While it might not be long before 10kg per arm strength training exercises become too easy, you can always buy more weight plates to add to it in future, making this a solid high-quality starter set that should serve home fitness newcomers looking to build muscle and nail their fitness goals. £129.99 £89.99. At amazon.co.uk

Pros: Solid build | Generous weight Cons: Pricey

This is a single dumbbell pack with various weight plates that add up to 32.5kg at max load. Easily adjustable with a handy dial, you can set your desired weight in increments from 5kg all the way up to the max weight. As with other adjustable dumbbells, the benefits are massive, saving you from messing around with torturously tedious spin-lock bars and swapping plates back and forth. A chunky, comfortable grip makes it easy to hold, while the flexibility offered by the adjustment system makes this a solid choice for beginners and pros alike. £250. At amazon.co.uk

Pros: Flat bottom design to prevent rolling | Can convert to barbell Cons: Vinyl | Max weight only suitable for beginners

While a max weight of 15kg won't do much to challenge seasoned lifters, this is a superb set for beginners looking to learn the ropes. Not only is it affordable, but you can convert the dumbbells into a barbell for more flexibility. The flat-bottom plates are a nice touch too, as they'll stop things from rolling around haphazardly. £49.99. At amazon.co.uk

Pros: Heavy max weight | Adjustable Cons: Expensive | Overkill for some users

One of the heavier adjustable all-in-one dumbbell sets around, a single one of these has a max weight of 40kg, which should be more than enough for even body-building veterans. Users can easily dial in their perfect weight with clearly marked numbers, and the included stand and plate shape both prevent any renegade roll-aways. Considering how much money you'd need to spend on an entire rack or gym membership, this is a great value option in the long run if you're serious about long-term goals. £449. At amazon.co.uk

Pros: Can be converted to barbell | Decent max weight Cons: Might outgrow it fairly quickly

A great set for beginners, this Amonax collection has a generous overall max weight of 30kg, which should last most people quite a while. Thanks to a connecting accessory, you can convert both dumbells into a single barbell for extra exercises too, letting you try out all manner of routines before eventually upgrading to heavier weights or a more robust kit. £99. At amazon.co.uk

Pros: Easily adjustable | Stand included Cons: Expensive

The Bowflex SelectTech is one of the more recognisable sets of adjustable dumbbells around, thanks to the reputation of the company's other fitness equipment. This set lets users dial in different weight increments from 2-24kg per hand, which should be enough for most weight training enthusiasts. Download the JRNY app, and you can workout to pre-selected routines too. £219 £179.90. At amazon.co.uk

Pros: Premium build | Rapid-release collars Cons: Very expensive

This impressive set features 40kg of total weight per dumbbell, making it one of the heavier options on our list. It's big and bulky, but if you've got the space you'll be rewarded with high-end rubber-coated metal plates, complete with comfortable carry handles for easy adjustments (and other exercises, if you're so inclined). Rapid-release collars make for quick changes, while knurled hand grip means you should be safe from accidental drops. £429 for 40kg pair. At hygym.co.uk

Pros: Unique design | Easily adjustable Cons: Bang-for-buck isn't great

It might not quite have the flexibility of other all-in-one adjustable dumbbells — it has noticeably fewer incremental adjustments — but Northdeer's entry makes up for this with a stunning mirror-finish design that looks far sleeker than most of the competition. Plates are precision-machined to easily screw on and off without the need for a collar, and the set is available in different weight options, depending on how heavy you want to go. From £49.90 for 2.5kg pair, up to £159.90 for 10kg pair. At amazon.co.uk

Pros: Eye-catching design | Comfortable Cons: Expensive for the weight on offer

Domyos' quirkily shaped hex dumbbell is specially designed stay in place instead of rolling around when laid down. Beyond saving your coffee table/cat from taking an unexpected bump, the stable shape is also ideal for cross-training exercises with an added range of motion during push-ups. Its rubber coating won't scratch your floors either, though given the knurled handle for extra grip, dropping yours shouldn't be much of an issue. £37.99 for 10kg. At decathlon.co.uk

Pros: Premium design | Smartphone-connected functionality Cons: Expensive

Quite possibly the most futuristic dumbbell ever made, this multi-weight adjustable set has a maximum weight of 45kg, along with built-in tech that's clever enough to automatically track and record your progress with a connected app. From measuring how much weight you're lifting to how many reps you're nailing, it'll help you ditch the notepad and spreadsheets for good, giving you one less thing to think about as you're straining away. £390 £350. At argos.co.uk

Pros: Sturdy build | Hexagonal design Cons: Non-adjustable

These hexagon-shaped dumbbells are made from cast iron and come with a rubber coating. They’re well suited to floor-based exercises, with a chrome steel handle equipped with a knurled grip to help you get a good hold of them. Grab them in singles or pairs all the way up to a weighty max of 40kg. From £16.99 for 1kg pair to £169.99 for 40kg pair. At amazon.co.uk

Pros: Very well made | Rubber hex weights Cons: Very expensive for the weight on offer

JTX Fitness' dumbbell selection is plentiful and available at excellent value. This 14kg set should stand you in good stead for overhead moves, rows and floor presses, should you not have invested in a gym bench yet. £88 £65 for 14kg pair. At jtxfitness.com

Pros: Premium build Cons: Pricey for the weight

Jordan’s dumbbells can be found inside boutique gyms and are also fit to live comfortably inside your own humble domain. The rubber coating makes them a durable addition to any set-up and means less concern over whether they’ll scuff floors or do even worse damage. They come in 50kg at their heaviest if you want to go big for ‘Operation Bulk-Up’. From £11.04 for 1kg pair to £747.60 for 70kg pair. At bestgymequipment.co.uk

Pros: Premium build | Comfortable grip Cons: Very expensive for the weight offered

You know you’re getting premium-quality when you opt for gym equipment by Technogym, the Italian label at the vanguard of fitness. And the brand’s authority is not exclusive to high-tech treadmills and rowing machines, either. With their hexagonal shape, these dumbbells boast utmost durability and stability and are especially well-suited to fast-paced cross-training. From £50 for single 5kg to £120 for single 22.5kg. At technogym.com

Pros: Premium design | Solid build Cons: Expensive | Can roll away

Made to match your shiny household appliances, Jordan’s chrome dumbbells come in weights from 1kg to 20kg, as well as comprehensive sets of ten pairs in various increments. The finish is chip-proof and pristine, with weight identification engraved for easy selection, should you be opting for several – these will see you through home workouts for years to come. From £11.52 for 1kg to £1,110.00 for 2-20kg pair set. At bestgymequipment.co.uk

Pros: Incredible statement design | Multiple weight options Cons: Huge cost for design alone | Very low weights

Here we have the Mercedes-Benz of dumbbell sets. Made in Germany from a mix of non-reactive stainless steel and oiled walnut, they're as much functional workout tools as a beautifully crafted home ornament, stowed in a storage tower made from the same sustainably sourced wood as the handles. Comprised of weights from 2kg to 6kg, fittingly, they're more about muscle refinement than any extreme gains. £5,995 for set of 10. At hockdesign.com

Pros: Unique design | Can be used for other exercises like push-ups Cons: Pricey for the weight

BoxBell’s unique approach combines the versatility of a dumbbell, kettlebell and parallette in one compact product. Adjustable weight plates let you lift up to 20kg per arm, with movable handles enabling a variety of both dumbbell and kettlebell exercises. If you have a pair, their square, stable design lets you use them as parallel floor bars for callisthenic exercises too. From £150 for 20kg to £300 for 40kg pair. At boxbell.co.uk

Pros: Very heavy max weight | Easily adjustable Cons: Expensive | Overkill for some

Featuring a whopping 80kg of weight split across two dumbbells, BrainGain's set should be more than enough for even the most experienced iron-pumpers, while perfectly catering to beginners too. With 17 increments per dumbbell letting you dial in anything from 5-40kg, you'll be set for the foreseeable future, while the included stands offer a solid stable base for when they're not in use. £479.99 £399.99 for 40kg pair. At braingain.fit

Pros: Unique design | Easily adjustable Cons: Pricier than rivals | Not much weight for the money

This adjustable set is a cheaper set than most, as its total 32kg weight is split across both dumbbells, with a max of 14.5kg available per hand. Adjustable in increments from 1.8kg to 14.5kg, they'll save a bunch of space, with urethane-coated plates avoiding annoying clanking sounds when in use. They might not provide enough weight for seasoned bodybuilders, but this is still a decent piece of equipment for greenhorns looking to save some precious space compared to a pile of traditional fixed weight dumbbells. £379.99. At sweatband.com

Pros: Value for money | Decent max weight Cons: Can sometimes find cheaper options

This handy set contains a pair of dumbbells and a single barbell, letting you carry out a wide variety of single- and double-armed exercises to add variety to your routine. The total combined weight of all weight and bars is 48.8kg, which should be more than enough to challenge beginners and intermediate lifters alike. £135 £100 for 48.8kg set. At argos.co.uk

Protein powder: do you even need it?

Best whey protein powders to fuel muscle growth

85lb Hex Rubber Dumbbell Best protein shakers to fuel your workouts on the go