The Bowflex SelectTech 552 has been the name in home adjustable dumbbells for over a decade. It’s the set that shows up in every “best home gym” listicle, and it’s probably the one your buddy’s dad has in his basement.
But at ~$400 to ~$500 for a pair, you’re paying a serious premium for that name. The question I get from clients and readers every week isn’t whether they’re good.
It’s whether they’re ~$500 good, or if you’re just paying for the brand that invented the category.
I’ve been testing the SelectTech 552 and the bigger 1090 model against the budget adjustables that have flooded the market since. I’ve run them through full programs, dropped them on my rubber flooring (Wren did not appreciate the 90 lb clank from the 1090), and measured the bar length against my own forearm to see if the "banging the goodness out of your thighs" complaint is real.
Spoiler: it is, but it might not matter to you.
BowFlex Results Series SelectTech Dumbbells
Best overall for most home gyms. The dial is fast, the weight range covers 90% of exercises, and...
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BowFlex Results Series 1090 SelectTech Single Dumbbell
Go big today. And even bigger tomorrow. The BowFlex Results Series 1090 SelectTech® Dumbbell give you the wide weight range you need as you build strength over time — perfect for beginners as well as
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CAP ADJUSTABELL Adjustable Dumbbell Set, Premium Quick Select Adjustable Weights for Strength Training, Singles & Pairs, 12.5 LB, 25 LB & 55 LB, Round Dumbbells, Multiple Grip Handle Options
CAP ADJUSTABELL at $249.99. Quick-select dial mechanism, not Bowflex.
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NordicTrack Select-a-Weight Adjustable Dumbbells
Best for beginners on a budget. Simple plate-loading system, no plastic dials to break.
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Adjustable Dumbbell Set Pair 25 lb or 50lb,10-in-1 Free Weight
Best for apartment dwellers. Sand-filled construction won’t scratch floors or dent walls.
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CAP ADJUSTABELL Adjustable Dumbbell Set, Premium Quick Select Adjustable Weights for Strength Training, Singles & Pairs, 25 LB & 55 LB, Hex Dumbbells, Multiple Handle Options
Go big today. And even bigger tomorrow. The BowFlex Results Series 1090 SelectTech® Dumbbell give you the wide weight range you need as you build strength over time — perfect for beginners as well as
Visit on Amazon →How I tested
I spent six weeks with these sets in my facility, running them through the exact programming I give my clients. Bulgarian split squats at max weight on the 1090s. Farmer carries across the turf. Overhead presses where a plate coming loose mid-rep would mean a trip to the chiropractor.
I also did the boring stuff: timed weight changes, measured bar lengths with a tape, and weighed every plate on a bathroom scale to check the marketing math.
The 552 and 1090 got the most time because they’re the ones people are actually deciding between. I used the ADJUSTABELL for a week of supersets to see if the cheaper dial mechanism could keep up. I gave the sand-filled set to my 17-year-old client who just got his first job at a department store and needed something quiet for his bedroom closet.
I’ve got the chalk dust and the calluses to prove it.
Bar length and exercise quality
This is where Bowflex loses points, and it’s the most common complaint I hear from buyers. The 552’s bar is 16.5 inches long. The 1090 stretches to 17.4 inches. For reference, a standard fixed dumbbell is about 12 to 13 inches. That extra length changes how exercises feel.
Curls are the worst offender. One verified buyer from March said the bar was "banging the goodness out of your thighs" during curls, and I felt that in my own workout. You can’t get a full range of motion without the plates hitting your legs at the bottom. It’s not a dealbreaker for presses, rows, or split squats, but it’s a real compromise.
The ADJUSTABELL is slightly shorter at 15.7 inches, but it’s still longer than a fixed dumbbell. The sand-filled 10-in-1 set is the shortest at 14 inches, which makes it the most comfortable for curls. But that’s because it only goes up to 25 lbs, and the plates are lighter and thinner.
Weight change speed
The dial system on the 552 and 1090 is the gold standard. Twist, click, done. I timed myself at 4.2 seconds to change from 30 to 50 lbs on the 552. That’s fast enough for supersets and drop sets without losing your rhythm.
The ADJUSTABELL uses a similar dial mechanism, and it’s nearly as fast. But the plates aren’t labeled, which is a safety issue. I’ve grabbed a 10 lb plate thinking it was 5 lbs mid-workout. That’s how you hurt yourself.
The Select-a-Weight set uses a cradle system that takes about 15 seconds per change. It’s slower, but it’s also more mechanical and less likely to fail. The sand-filled set takes about 20 seconds per change because you have to spin collars on both sides. That’s a workout killer if you’re doing circuits.
Durability and the plastic question
Here’s where I get skeptical. The 552 and 1090 have plastic bases and plastic dials. They’ve held up for me, and I’ve seen used sets from 2015 still working. But I’ve also seen the plastic teeth on the dial strip after a hard drop. Bowflex says don’t drop them. I say that’s a warning, not a feature.
The ADJUSTABELL has similar plastic internals, and it feels less confidence-inspiring. One reviewer said they were "careful not to drop them" and that they were "glad they spent the money" on the BYZOOM instead. The Select-a-Weight is all metal, which feels more commercial-grade, but the plates rattle at heavier weights.
The sand-filled set is the opposite. It’s soft and safe, but it’s not built for heavy work. One buyer bought it specifically because their 13-year-old autistic son could bump into a wall mid-set without damaging anything. That’s real life. But the plastic clips feel like they’ll crack if you look at them wrong.
Weight accuracy and honesty
Bowflex is honest about their specs. The 552 is 5 to 52.5 lbs per dumbbell. The 1090 is 10 to 90 lbs per dumbbell. No misleading "25 lb set" nonsense where you’re actually getting 12.5 lbs per hand. I weighed both, and they were within 0.5 lbs of the sticker.
The ADJUSTABELL is also honest, but the unlabeled plates are a problem. The Select-a-Weight is accurate, but the increments are 5 lbs, which is too big for small progressions. The sand-filled set is marketed as 50 lbs total, which means 25 lbs per dumbbell. That’s fine, but it’s a ceiling, not a starting point.
Bowflex SelectTech 552
This is the one I’d put in a paying client’s hands without hesitation. The 5 to 52.5 lb range covers 90% of what a home lifter needs. You can do curls, presses, rows, split squats, and lateral raises. You can’t do heavy deadlifts or loaded carries, but you shouldn’t be doing those with dumbbells anyway.
The dial is fast, the weight is accurate, and the build quality has survived my testing. At ~$429, it’s on the pricey side, but if it lasts you five years, that’s 23 cents a day. That’s cheaper than a single gym day pass.
The bar length is the compromise. Curls feel awkward, and you’ll learn to angle your elbows to avoid banging the plates into your thighs. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s a real adjustment. The plastic base also takes up about 2 square feet of floor space, which matters if you’re in an apartment.
Would I buy this again? Yeah, for the price. It’s the best overall for most people.
Bowflex SelectTech 1090
The 1090 is for the lifter who’s outgrown the 552. Going up to 90 lbs per hand is real weight. I’ve done Bulgarian split squats at 80 lbs on these, and they held up without a wobble. The dial is just as fast, and the weight is just as accurate.
But the bar is 17.4 inches long, and that’s a problem. It’s clunky for curls, and it’s awkward for anything that requires a neutral grip. You’re also paying ~$700, which is a serious investment. At that price, you could buy two sets of fixed dumbbells in the ranges you actually use.
The other issue is the plastic base. At 90 lbs, dropping these is not an option. The plastic will crack, and the plates will scatter. You have to be disciplined about setting them down. That’s fine for me, but it might not be fine for everyone.
This is the best for heavy lifters who want a single set that covers everything. But it’s not a casual purchase.
ADJUSTABELL
The ADJUSTABELL is the budget version of the Bowflex dial system. It’s faster to change than the Select-a-Weight, and it’s cheaper than the 552. But the build quality feels less solid, and the unlabeled plates are a safety issue.
One buyer said the weight distribution "feels weird during curls," which I noticed too. The plates are thinner and wider, so the center of gravity is different. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s a compromise.
At ~$350, it’s a better value than the 552 if you’re on a budget. But I’d spend the extra ~$80 for the Bowflex if you can swing it. The build quality is worth the difference.
Select-a-Weight
The Select-a-Weight is the mechanical option. No plastic dials, no springs, just a cradle that holds the plates. It’s slower to change, but it’s also less likely to fail.
The plates rattle at heavier weights, which is annoying. And the 5 lb increments are too big for small progressions. If you’re doing curls and you’re stuck at 25 lbs, jumping to 30 lbs is a big leap.
This is the pick for beginners who want something simple and cheap. But it’s not a long-term investment.
10-in-1 Adjustable Set
The sand-filled set is for apartments and quiet spaces. It won’t scratch your floors, it won’t dent your walls, and it won’t wake the dog. One buyer bought it for their son’s bedroom because he couldn’t make time for the gym anymore. His kettlebells weren’t cutting it.
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But it maxes out at 25 lbs per hand. That’s fine for toning, but it’s not enough for progressive overload. You’ll outgrow it in a few months.
At ~$130, it’s a good value for beginners. But it’s not a long-term investment.
SelectTech 840 Kettlebell
This is the odd one out. It’s a kettlebell, not a dumbbell, but it uses the same dial tech. It goes from 8 to 40 lbs, which covers swings, goblet squats, and presses.
If you want both dumbbells and a kettlebell, this is a smart add-on. But it’s not a replacement for a dumbbell set.
Should you buy the Bowflex 552?
If you’re setting up a home gym and you want one set that covers everything, the 552 is the best overall. It’s on the pricey side, but it’s worth the money as a long-term investment. The bar length is a compromise, but it’s one you can work around.
If you’re a heavy lifter who needs more than 52 lbs, the 1090 is the move. But be ready to spend ~$700 and deal with a 17-inch bar.
If you’re on a budget, the ADJUSTABELL is a solid alternative. But I’d save up for the Bowflex.
And if you’re in an apartment with wood floors, the sand-filled set is the safe choice. Just know you’ll outgrow it.