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Olympic bumper plates are an essential piece of home gym equipment due to their low bounce, safety features, and lower noise produced compared to iron-weight plates. However, choosing a set of bumper plates can be difficult due to the amount of variety that’s available on the market.
The Garage Gym Reviews team has researched more than 70 bumper plate sets and used more than 40 of them. We score each one from 1 to 5 on a set of important factors, such as:
- Weight tolerance: How close are they to the advertised weight?
- Bounce: Do they provide a true dead bounce?
- Smell: Is there a rubbery smell?
- Value: Are they worth the price?
In this guide, we strive to give our best bumper plate recommendations based upon years of use with a large variety of brands and makes.
The Best Bumper Plates
- Best Bumper Plates Overall: REP Fitness Sport Bumper Plates
- Best Home Gym Bumper Plates: Fringe Sport Milspec Bumper Plates
- Best Bumper Plates for CrossFit: Rogue Echo Bumper Plates
- Best Budget Bumper Plates: Titan Fitness Economy Plates
- Best Olympic Bumper Plates: Giant Lifting Base Bumper Plates
- Best Color-Coded Bumper Plates: Living.Fit Bumper Plates
- Best Crumb Rubber Bumper Plates: PRx Crumb Rubber Bumper Plates
- Best Bumper Plates for Deadlifts: Bells of Steel Dead Bounce Bumper Plates
- Best Value Bumper Plates: Major Fitness Low Bounce Bumper Plates
- Best Rubber Bumper Plates: Nike Grind Bumper Plates
- Best 10-Pound Bumper Plates: Fringe Sport Black Bumper Plates
- Best Competition Bumper Plates: Rogue KG Competition Bumper Plates
- Best Standard Bumper Plates: Vulcan Alpha Bumper Plates
Best Weight Plates Video Review
In A Rush?
We’ve determined that the best bumper plates for most people are the REP Fitness Sport Bumper Plates and the Fringe Sport MilSpec Bumper Plates. The best competition bumper plates for most people are the Rogue KG Competition Bumper Plates. Taking into consideration rubber used, durability, noise, appearance, price, warranty, and availability, these bumper plates will work well for any home gym, commercial gym, or CrossFit Affiliate.
Best Bumper Plates Overall: REP Fitness Sport Bumper Plates
Best Overall
REP Sport Bumper Plates
Product Highlights
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Durable and versatile
- Have a low(ish) bounce
- Noise level is minimal
- Easy to pick up and carry
Cons
- 3-year warranty
- Expensive compared to similar plates
- No collar reinforcement
Bottom Line
The REP Sport Bumper Plates are designed to be durable and can be used both outdoors and indoors. They come in the standard range of weight increments from 10lb to 55lb and the color coordination makes life easy when it comes to identifying the weight you want to throw on the barbell.
REP Fitness is a brand that really knows what they’re doing when it comes to creating excellent garage gym equipment.
When tested over several months by GGR founder Coop Mitchell, the REP Sport Bumper Plates scored at least a 4 out of 5 in all categories we test for, such as aesthetics, bounce, and durability. This is a big reason we’re confident in having the REP Sports at the top of our list of bumper plates.
The REP Sport Plates received their highest scores—4.5 out of 5—for aesthetics and features. Each plate is color-coded for weight, making it easier to know which plate to reach for when switching them out. Similarly, the textured rubber outer edges and side cutouts provide a faux knurling that helps you get a better grip when moving them.
As for durability, Coop scored them a 4.25 out of 5 after using—and dropping—them both indoors and outdoors on concrete. Other than a few scuffs, he was pleasantly surprised to see how well they performed.
On their website, REP notes that these plates have a low bounce and are much quieter, with a 10% lower decibel rating. Coop tested both of these claims and found them to be fairly accurate.
For more, read Coop’s full REP Fitness Sport Bumper Plates review.
| Material | Steel inserts and high-quality rubber |
| Full diameter | 17.6″-17.7″ |
| Weight options | 10, 15, 25, 35, 45, 55 (lbs) |
Best Home Gym Bumper Plates: Fringe Sport MilSpec Bumper Plates
Best For Home Gyms
Fringe Sport MilSpec Bumper Plates
Product Highlights
- Designed to tolerances and durability requirements of the U.S. Army
- Free shipping
- Made with virgin rubber
- Stainless steel center hub
- 1-year warranty
Pros & Cons
Pros
- One-three year warranty (depending on the weight) with a stellar 365 day return policy
- Made with virgin rubber
- Excellent durometer rating
- High-quality stainless steel center hub
- Military-grade and meets the requirements of the US Army
Cons
- Have to pay return shipping if you send the plates back
- Slightly slick
- May have a rubber smell
Bottom Line
The Fringe Sport MilSpec Bumper Plates are a good option for most home gym owners thanks to their durability and low bounce.
The Fringe Sport MilSpec Bumper Plates are our top pick for home gyms for a number of reasons.
First, Fringe Sport offers free shipping, which is an immediate win in our book. Other manufacturers will charge you a pretty penny to ship weights, and the more you buy, the more expensive that shipping cost is. Free shipping can save you quite a bit of money when ordering your bumper plates.
Price aside, these are quality plates at a very affordable price, so they get a 5 out of 5 when it comes to value. They’re affordable, but that does not mean they’re cheap or flimsy.
Take that word “MilSpec” in the title: What that means is that these plates are made to the exact specifications for the U.S. Army Combat Fitness Test. In other words, these plates are durable. The durometer rating clocks in at 90 for the 10s and 15s, which is a great score for plates that need some resiliency when dropped. There is also a stainless steel center hub to protect these bumpers and provide greater durability, so they get a 5 out of 5 on durability.
When we opened our Fringe Sport plates, we noticed they were slick—greasy, even. But a wipe of a cloth and that goes away. Also, while the brand does offer a pretty solid return policy, note that you might have to pay to ship the plates back if you don’t like them.
Read our full Fringe Sport MilSpec Bumper Plates review.
| Material: | High-density virgin rubber |
| Full Diameter: | 17.7″ |
| Weight options: | 10, 15, 25, 35, 45, 55 (lbs) |
Best Bumper Plates for CrossFit: Rogue Echo Bumper Plates
Best for CrossFit
Rogue Echo Bumper Plates
Product Highlights
- Great value for the quality
- Black-and-white contrast for easy weight identification
- 88/100 durometer rating
- 3-year warranty
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Tremendous value
- Shore A Durometer rating of 88
- Weight tolerance of these bumpers is +/- 1%
- Great for general training and CrossFit
- White lettering offers great contrast
- Stainless steel insert rings
- 25-45 lb plate variants are warrantied for 3 years
Cons
- Wide plates
- Maximum you can fit on the bar is less than 500 lbs
- May smell bad out of the box
Bottom Line
The Rogue Echo Bumper Plates are a great value plate based upon our review. Although they're cheaper than Rogue's flagship HG 2.0 Plates, they have extremely similar specs and warranty at a much lower price. If you need bumper plates for your garage gym, these are a great option. If you need them for your commercial facility or CrossFit Affiliate, we'd suggest going with something like Hi-Temps.
The Rogue Echo Bumper Plates are, based upon the number of reviews on Rogue’s site, the best-selling bumper plate they have. They’re also the cheapest on Rogue’s website, which is why they get a 5 out of 5 score for value.
These are a unique set of plates in that they have the exact same specs as the more expensive Rogue HG 2.0 Bumper Plates. Despite this, the Echo Bumpers have a more rounded edge making them easier to pick up, raised lettering that is painted white for contrast, and a thinner width allowing you to fit more weight on the bar than the HG 2.0’s at a significantly lower price.
Seriously, the similarities are uncanny. Here are a few:
- Imported (Country of origin is unknown. Assume China.)
- 100% Virgin Rubber
- StainlessSteel Inserts
- 450MM Diameter
- 50.4MM Collar Opening
- 88 Shore A Durometer Rating
- 10-15 LB Variant Plates have a 90 Day Warranty
- 25-45 LB Variant Plates have a 3 Year Warranty
- Standard BlackBumper Plates
With all of this said, I reached out to multiple people at Rogue and received various responses. Here’s one from their chat (I used a pseudonym so they would give me a normal answer):
I went up the chain to see if I could get further info on the differences and was told there are differences between the two outside of the profile and colored lettering, but that the difference was proprietary and could not be divulged.
So, with all this said, based on the price, reviews, and listed specs, the Rogue Echo Bumper Plates are a better value than the HG 2.0 Plates. I have a set of HG Plates and have had them for a few years. They still get quite a bit of use and despite some minor scars and scuffs (we use them outside on the driveway mostly) they look and perform as good as the day I got them.
For the price, honestly, the Rogue Echo Bumper Plates are some of the cheapest bumpers with a warranty available. Especially when you factor in Rogue’s excellent shipping rates. These are the cheapest bumper plates we recommend. Titan has some that may be a bit cheaper depending on the sale and time of year, but they have no warranty which is important for rubber-weight plates.
You can read more in our Rogue Echo Bumper Plates review.
| Material: | Virgin rubber |
| Full Diameter: | 17.7″ |
| Weight options: | 10, 15, 25, 35, 45 (lbs) |
Best Budget Bumper Plates: Titan Fitness Economy Plates
Best Budget
Titan Fitness Economy Black Bumper Plates
Product Highlights
- 2″ steel-lined center holes
- Fit Olympic size barbells
- Affordably priced
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Narrower than other bumpers, so you can fit more on a bar
- Steel-lined insert helps with durability
- An affordable bumper plate
Cons
- Only available in one color (black)
- Frequently out of stock
- Not made in USA
Bottom Line
If you simply want a cheap pair of bumper plates to either figure out if you're going to stay with working out at home or don't have the money, the Titan Bumper Plates are what we suggest.
Best Olympic Bumper Plates: Giant Lifting Base Bumper Plates
Best Olympic Plates
GIANT Lifting Base Bumper Plates
Product Highlights
- Available in 10lbs, 15lbs, 25lbs, 35lbs, and 45lbs
- Solid rubber construction
- Designed for a low bounce
- Free shipping and discounts with large orders
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Durable rubber
- Available in multiple weights
- Thinner than many competitors
- Designed for a low bounce
Cons
- Only available in black
- Not the cheapest weights
Bottom Line
The Giant Lifting Base Bumper plates are durable, designed for a low bounce, and include free shipping, which we love to see weight weights. They're not the cheapest bumper plates, but the quality is well worth the cost.
Best Color-Coded Bumper Plates: Living.Fit Bumper Plates
Good for: Anyone looking for color-coded bumper plates for quick weight identification
Best Color-Coded
Living.Fit Bumper Plates
Product Highlights
- Color-coded bumper plates
- Can be purchased in pairs or in sets
- Sets range from 160 lbs to 370 lbs
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free shipping to continental U.S. and Canada
- 4-year home warranty
- Low bounce
- Relatively inexpensive
- +/- 1% weight guarantee
Cons
- Rather thick plates at heavier weights
- 10-lb plates are thinner and not as durable for dropping
Bottom Line
Living.Fit Bumper Plates are an inexpensive option for bumper weight plates that are still made to last. These bumper plates are both color-coded and labeled so they’re easy to identify during a workout. In addition, they sell in both pairs of plates, as well as sets ranging from 160 pounds to 370 pounds; they’re also backed by a four-year warranty for home use.
The Living.Fit bumper plates are color-coded in accordance with the International Weightlifting Federation’s standards, so you can quickly identify which plate you need without wasting time in between sets. Lindsay Scheele, a home gym equipment expert and host of YouTube channel Garage Gym Reviews Everything, likes the plates’ “simple” look, which she rated a 4.5 out of 5, but added there was a thin wax coating she had to wipe off before using the plates.
“I actually really loved these,” Lindsay adds.
These plates are only about $30 more expensive than the cheapest bumper plates, but those few extra bucks provide unbeatable value when it comes to durability. Lindsay says she’s impressed with these so far, and there are no signs that these affordable bumper plates are going to fall apart any time soon.
RELATED: Living.Fit Barbell Review
“From everything I’ve read about how they’re made, they seem to be a solid product at a cheaper cost,” she says, scoring the overall durability a 4 out of 5. “I would choose these for my own home gym.”
The plates, Lindsay says, bounced “well off the ground” during testing, which mostly consisted of Olympic lifts, and despite dropping the plates and bar many times there was no visible damage to either.
There are nine bundles to choose from, and whether you want just a single plate, a pair of 45s, or an entire set, you’re covered by a four-year warranty for home use (only one-year for commercial use).
| Material: | Rubber |
| Full Diameter: | 17.7″ |
| Weight options: | 5, 10, 15, 25, 35, 45, 55 (lbs) |
Best Crumb Rubber Bumper Plates: PRx Crumb Rubber Bumper Plates
Good for: Lifters who prefer crumb rubber plates
Best Crumb Rubber Bumper Plates
PRx Crumb Rubber Bumper Plates
Product Highlights
- Individual bumper plates range from 10 lbs to 45 lbs
- Bundles of 160 lbs or 260 lbs
- Made from recycled crumb rubber
- Fits standard Olympic barbell
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Can buy the plates individually or in bundles
- Recycled crumb rubber provides less impact and noise
- Plates can endure 30,000 drops
Cons
- Cannot drop the 10 lbs and 15 lbs plates
- No free shipping
Bottom Line
The PRx Crumb Rubber Bumper Plates are made from durable, recycled crumb rubber and make a good quality plate. The material allows for less noise and impact compared to steel plates. Users can fit five 45-pound plates on each side of a bar.PRx states that they have tested the plates to withstand 30,000 drops. However, a caveat is that the 10-pound and 15-pound plates cannot be dropped if alone on the barbell. Doing so will lead to the inserts being damaged and the warranty will be voided.
Best Bumper Plates for Deadlifts: Bells of Steel Dead Bounce Bumper Plates
Good for: Those who want a low-bounce bumper plate that’s perfect for deadlifts
Best for Deadlifts
Bells of Steel 45-LB Bumper Plates
Product Highlights
- 100% virgin rubber
- Stainless steel inserts
- Absorbs impact and reduces noise
- Minimal bounce
- +/- 1% of claimed weight
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Virgin rubber gives off little to no smell
- Great addition to a home or commercial gym settings
- Lock design in the center hub gives the bumper added durability
- High-quality materials give you a great investment at an affordable price point
Cons
- Some customers felt the packaging used for shipping could be better
- Certain weights are on backorder
Bottom Line
Whether you enjoy lifting for fun or are competing on a competitive stage, these bumpers will help you reach your goals! All weights are the same diameter, giving you a consistent feel with each rep. The plates are also specifically designed to be no wider than 3.15 inches so that you can fit more plates on with each lift.
The last thing you want as you come down from a strong deadlift is for the plates to bounce. That’s why we recommend the Bells of Steel Dead Bounce Bumper Plates for anyone who’s looking to lift some heavy weight without the heavy bounce.
I found during my testing that the plates greatly reduced any bounce, but they were also quieter and much gentler on your home gym flooring. Another reason it earned a 5 out of 5 on functionality is the plates’s diameter is no wider than 3.15 inches, whereas the average 45-pound bumper plate is 3.75 inches wide. This means you can fit more plates on the bar.
They also come with a guarantee that they’re within 1 percent of their stated weight.
The durability is a 4.5 out of 5, and the only reason I docked points was because there’s no stated durometer rating, a score of 0-100 based on how hard the rubber is. This rating generally gives us a good idea of how “bouncy” the plates are. Again, we found they were as close to a “dead bounce” as you can get but your experience may be different.
Read our Bells of Steel Weight Plate Reviews for our thoughts on the company’s full line-up.
| Material: | Virgin rubber |
| Full Diameter: | 17.7″ |
| Weight options: | 10, 15, 25, 35, 45, 55 (lbs) |
Best Value Bumper Plates: Major Fitness Low Bounce Bumper Plates
Best for Home Gym
Major Fitness Low Bounce Bumper Plates
Product Highlights
- Color-coded for identification
- Designed for low bounce
- Free shipping on all Major Fitness orders
- Made of durable rubber material
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Durable rubber material
- Designed for low bounce
- Color-coded for identification
- Free shipping
Cons
- May be oily out of the box
- Some may not like the design
Bottom Line
If you're looking for a complete set for your home gym, the Major Fitness Low Bounce Bumper Plates are a good option. They're durable and color-coded, though some may not like the style, and they may be a bit oily out of the box and need a cleaning.
When setting up a home gym, many of our readers want to buy one complete set of bumper plates up front, and the Major Fitness Low Bounce Bumper Plates are the best choice for home gym owners looking for a high-value plate.
They’re constructed of durable rubber and color-coded, making them easy to find when searching for the proper weight. Our tester used them for several months in his home gym, and even without rubber gym flooring, the plates held up well to regular use. He was surprised at how well they performed when he drop-tested them on rubber, rating them a 4 out of 5 for durability.
The biggest callout we have is the design. While the colors are night and bright, the logo and text aren’t all that appealing, and our tester found that his plates were very oily out of the packaging. You can clean your plates beforehand, but this extra step isn’t convenient when you just want to unbox your plates and start lifting.
Our tester said, “I had a problem with them being overly oily out of the box, and at the time when I owned them, I didn’t have a weight tree, so they got disgusting quickly.”
If you don’t mind cleaning your plates ahead of time, and you like this style, the Major Fitness Low Bounce Bumper Plates are a great way to order a complete set that’s durable and includes free shipping.
| Material: | High-density natural rubber |
| Full Diameter: | 17.7″ |
| Weight options: | 10, 25, 35, 45 (lbs) |
Best Rubber Bumper Plates: Nike Grind Rubber Bumper Plates
Best Rubber Bumper Plates
Nike Grind Rubber Bumper Plates
Product Highlights
- Bumper plates made with Nike Grind rubber exterior, a recycled material made from manufacturing scrap
- Available in 10-lb, 15-lb, 25-lb, 35-lb, or 45-lb plates
- Sold in pairs
- Weight tolerance of +/- 1%
- Moderate bounce with a durometer rating of 65
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Weight tolerance of +/- 1%
- Uses recycled materials
- Affordable
- Aesthetic design
Cons
- Heavier plates are wider than competitors
- 10- and 15-lb plates shouldn’t be dropped
Bottom Line
Nike Grind Bumper Plates have an exterior made with their Grind rubber, a recycled material made from Nike manufacturing scrap. Sold in pairs, these bumper plates are available from 10-pound plates to 45-pound bumper plates. With a durometer rating of 65, these bumper plates will have a moderate bounce when dropped.
We’ll be honest, the Nike Grind Rubber Bumper Plates weren’t named the best rubber bumper plate because they performed any better than other options—they just look freakin’ sweet. Every one of our expert product testers rated it a 5 out of 5 on looks thanks to the recycled shoe rubber used in each plate. This also means each plate will have a unique look, though it should be noted the material may yellow if exposed to sunlight.
They’re not just pretty, however, and our team of lifting coaches and CrossFitters felt the strength equipment newcomers made a strong first impression.
“I would absolutely use these in my olympic lifting as well as your big three lifts,” says CrossFitter and Garage Gym Reviews Everything YouTube host Lindsay Scheele, who rated their shock absorption a 4.5 out of 5.
Only time will tell, but we’re willing to bet they’ll also last a while, too. Our testers dropped them from various heights, and each time the plates took it like a champ and showed no signs of wear and tear. “There was nothing that stood out as concerning,” Lindsay says. “It slid on the bar sleeve nicely but firmly and didn’t go shooting off the sleeve when dropped.”
The plates give off minimal bounce and are quieter than some more-established bumper plate brands, Lindsay adds.
If we had to pick one thing to complain about, it would be that the material isn’t the easiest to grip. “I don’t think the 45s are easy to hold in one hand unless you have a great grip strength or hold it by its insert,” Lindsay says in our Nike Strength Equipment review.
| Material: | Nike Grind Rubber |
| Full Diameter: | 450mm |
| Weight options: | 10, 15, 25, 35, 45 (lbs) |
Best 10-Pound Bumper Plates: Fringe Sport Black Bumper Plates
Best 10-Lb Bumper Plates
Fringe Sport Black Bumper Plates
Product Highlights
- Use 100% virgin rubber
- Shore Durometer of 85 sHA for a dead bounce
- Strong 10-lb that withstand dropping plates
- Free shipping
- Weight tolerance is +/- 1% of stated weight
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Use 100% virgin rubber
- Shore Durometer of 85 sHA for a dead bounce
- Have a 55-lb option
- Beveled edge that makes them easier to carry
- Unique hooked insert so more surface area of the insert grabs onto the rubber
- Free shipping
- Claims it’s okay to drop the 10-lb plates
- 3-Year Warranty comes standard
- Weight tolerance is +/- 1% of stated weight
Cons
- Wide plates
- Can’t load more than 500 lbs on most bars
Bottom Line
The Fringe Sport Black Bumper Plates are generally the best value bumper plates that we've reviewed. They feature a good warranty, have a wide variety of weight increments, low bounce, and are extremely durable. If you're looking for bumper plates for Olympic Weightlifting or CrossFit and want something that will last without (totally) breaking the bank, then these are a great option.
Best Competition Bumper Plates: Rogue KG Competition Bumper Plates
Best Competition Bumper Plates
Rogue KG Competition Bumper Plates
Product Highlights
- Weight Tolerance: +/- 15 grams of claimed weight
- Shore A Durometer rating of 94
- Gloss-matte-gloss finish and raised lettering for a clean, bold look
- Color-coded
Pros & Cons
Pros
- IWF standard 450MM in diameter,
- Chrome-plated steel disc inserts
- Weight Tolerance: +/- 15 grams of claimed weight
- Shore A Durometer rating of 94
- Gloss-matte-gloss finish and raised lettering for a clean, bold look
- Color-coded
- Come in sets or pairs
- Protective Rubber Flanges
Cons
- More expensive than regular bumpers
- Rogue doesn't offer free shipping
Bottom Line
If you are a competitive weightlifter or simply want a clean, durable bumper, and you have the money, these are a great option.
If you’re an Olympic Weightlifter and want to practice how you play or are putting on weightlifting meets, the Rogue Competition Bumper Plates are some of the best available at any price.
Granted, a bumper plate set from Rogue is less than that from Eleiko, Uesaka (arguably the best plates in the world, but also the most expensive and difficult to order,) DHS, and others at this level, they are still a pretty penny. However, we’ve been told by various sources that the Rogue Competition Bumpers are made in the same factories as Eleiko’s.
I wouldn’t suggest basing your purchase on this information, however, we’ve been told enough times by knowledgeable people that this is the case to make us at least curious.
Seeing as these are Rogue’s premier plates, you’d expect them to have all of the trappings of a high-end set of bumper plates. This means accurate colors that are consistent throughout and honestly look extremely clean. A chrome-plated steel disc hub that shines extremely well and prevents rust from forming in a garage gym.
IWF Standard measurements including a 450MM outside diameter and 50.4MM collar opening and although they’re not IWF-certified yet, we’d assume they eventually will be due to Rogue being a “second-tier supplier” for the IWF.
The finish of the plates has a gloss-matte-gloss finish with raised lettering that makes them stand out in any gym. The actual weight in comparison to the stated weight is extremely accurate with a weight tolerance of +/- 15 grams. The durometer of the plates is a 94, which will provide a low bounce due to the hardness of the rubber. If they were much harder, they would be more prone to cracking, so this is a great medium and a big part of why it was scored a 5 out of 5 for durability.
Lastly, reviews on these are extremely positive. There are only two 4/5 star ratings on Rogue.com and only a couple on our site as well. We’ve talked to many that have owned both these and expensive competitors and see no reason to go with someone else.
If you want an extremely high-end set of bumper plates for Olympic Lifts and other movements, want to use what’s used in the CrossFit Games, and don’t want to pay the cost of Eleiko, then these are what we recommend. You can read more in our Rogue Competition Bumpers review.
| Material: | Virgin rubber |
| Full Diameter: | 17.7″ |
| Weight options: | 10, 15, 20, 25 (kg) |
Best Standard Bumper Plates: Vulcan Alpha Bumper Plates V2.0
Best Standard Bumper Plates
Vulcan Alpha Bumper Plates
Product Highlights
- Offer great durability
- Designed and warrantied for both indoor and outdoor use. Unique color pattern
- Available in every weight increment
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Well-liked bumper plates
- Great durability
- Designed and warrantied for both indoor and outdoor use. Unique color pattern
- Steel insert
- Available in every weight increment
- 48-month warranty
- May be less noisy
Cons
- Center steel insert hub is not stainless steel
- Rogue Fleck Bumper Plates are cheaper in pairs
- Claims that these are quieter are not substantiated
Bottom Line
The Vulcan Strength Alpha Bumper Plates are an extremely popular weight plate that claim to be more durable and quieter than pretty much every other bumper plate on the market. In addition to their function, they also include a unique color fleck pattern that most find to be very aesthetically pleasing, which we agree. Although we can't comment on the efficacy of the claims made, we can say that by and large, reviewers of the plates love them as do most in the home gym community. We do recommend them, although they are a bit more expensive than many competitors on the market, including the Rogue Fleck Plates that have a similar appearance.
Benefits of Bumper Plates
Bumper plates are some of the most expensive pieces of equipment that will go in any home gym or commercial gym. They are expensive to make, ship, and store. There is literally nothing about them that is cheap, yet you’ll find them in any gym worth its salt across the world. So, why would someone purchase bumpers, and look for the best bumper plates despite their cost? Here are three reasons why:
Bumper plates are quieter than iron plates
Without a doubt, bumper plates when compared to cast iron plates are vastly quieter. Think about it, rather than uncoated iron being dropped on the ground which makes a loud, shrill sound that continues to reverberate, virgin rubber or urethane compresses leaving a much quieter thud. This is a very significant difference as any home gym owner with neighbors will attest as well as any commercial gym owner with a landlord that likes to “pop in” to the gym at random times.
The decibel level of bumper plates being dropped can also be mitigated further by the use of rubber matting such as horse stall mats which we often recommend.
Bumper plates are safer for you and your equipment than iron plates.
Have you ever dropped a 45 LB iron plate on your foot? I have, and a majority of the time it leads to broken bones. But, more common than broken bones are cracked concrete, a disturbed foundation, and damaged barbells. Bumper plates compress when dropped, therefore taking some of the blow, and damage was done to whatever they are hitting. If they land on you, they won’t hurt nearly as much as steel.
If they’re hitting your Olympic barbell sleeve because you’re doing Olympic Weightlifting lifts and dropping the bar from overhead, bumper plates won’t leave permanent scars or potentially deform your bar like cast iron will.
Most importantly, outside of your safety, of course, is the fact that bumper plates won’t hurt the foundation of your much more expensive home. If you’re going to lift at home, then you should have bumpers.
Bumper plates have higher workout versatility than iron plates.
Thanks to the more quiet and safe nature of rubber in comparison to its older brother iron, bumper plates allow a greater workout versatility. With metal plates, you can’t drop the weight from overhead unless you don’t mind breaking things. You also shouldn’t drop them from hip height, although many do.
On the other hand, bumper plates can be dropped from just about any height without fear. This means suddenly you can overhead press, clean and jerk, snatch, deadlift, and other barbell exercises and movements without worrying about dropping the bar. This is a significant benefit for home gym owners where space is limited.
One last thing to note is that many lifters will say that bumper plates can give more oscillation to the bar due to being wider out on the barbell, making weights feel lighter. However, a 2024 study1 showed no significant difference between bumper plates and weight plates while performing bench press. Bumper platers have plenty of benefits, but won’t make you lift more.
Why We Recommend Bumper Plates for Home Gyms
Home gym owners are, in all honesty, the ideal candidates for bumper plates. All of the benefits previously stated apply directly to those with garage gyms and I’d say they’re even more relevant for owners of commercial gyms or CrossFit Affiliates.
First, the quiet nature of rubber makes it so that those lifting at home don’t have to worry about waking up their family along with the entire neighborhood when they decide to work out at 5 a.m. The benefit of a home gym is that it’s always open. Forcing yourself to only work out when people are awake because you’ll wake them up with your weight plates defeats the purpose.
Next, a majority of the time you’ll be working out in your garage gym alone. This means safety is of utmost importance, as there won’t be anyone to help you should you get hurt. Rubber is safer than iron; few will argue with that. It’s the reason all of our kids’ toys are coated in shiny colors of rubber, versus hard metal. And, bumpers work as well for strength training as they do for cardio or conditioning workouts.
Finally, a home gym has finite space. This means limited space for both equipment and room for movements that use the equipment. To maximize the room, equipment that can do multiple things is ideal, and the best bumper plates that we recommend fit that bill more so than metal weights. Having worked out in my home gym for more than a decade and helping thousands of others start their own gyms, I would highly suggest bumper plates for most people.
RELATED: Compact Exercise Equipment
Standard Bumper Plates vs Competition Bumper Plates
There are two types of bumper plates currently on the market. The first doesn’t really have a specific name, so we’ll just call them “Standard Bumper Plates” (sounds pretty riveting doesn’t it?) and the other type is “Competition Bumper Plates.“
Standard bumper plates are the ones most often seen. These are typically black, although many companies have started to make colorized versions, even ones with cool graphics like these Fringe Sport Savage Plates (the colors look even better in person.) Standard bumper plates use a steel insert instead of a hub, are wider than competition plates, and therefore don’t allow you to fit as much weight on the bar, are more likely to warp, and are often much cheaper.
Competition bumper plates, on the other hand, utilize a steel hub that is often in two sections and is then bolted together securing the rubber, allowing more weight to fit on the bar due to their thin width, are most often in different colors and are typically more expensive. Although competition bumper plates often have a more dead bounce than black bumper plates, that isn’t always the case. It largely depends on the Shore A Durometer Rating of the plates.
For most people, standard/black bumper plates are what we’d recommend. Most trainees can’t Olympic lift more than what is allowed on the bar with these types of plates and if using them for deadlifts or squats, it’s easy to add some castiron plates on the end to meet whatever weight that is needed.
If you want plates that should last the rest of your life, want the ability to put as much weight on the bar as most can possibly lift, and the aesthetics of things matter to you, then we suggest competition plates. It’s what I use in my garage gym, but then again I also have a 10 Foot tall squat rack and 30 barbells, so I wouldn’t say I’m a “typical” home gym owner.
How We Picked and Tested the Bumper Plates
In order to gather enough bumper plates to make a truly comprehensive comparison, we first began as we do with all of these types of guides by searching both the internet and the Garage Gym Reviews Product Dashboard for weight plates. We currently have over 100 different bumper plates that have been rated and reviewed by users on Garage Gym Reviews with more being added daily as they’re released.
In addition to what was listed in our database, we researched Amazon, Walmart, and manufacturer sites like Rogue Fitness, Rep Fitness, Titan Fitness, EliteFTS, and others to see if we missed anything. In addition, we discussed the topic with our Garage Gym Community Facebook Group as well as the r/homegym subreddit of which I am a Mod.
In addition to all of this, I talked to some CrossFit Games Athletes as well as high-level Olympic Weightlifters to see what they’ve used and which they prefer. I’m always wary to put too much emphasis on what athletes think as they typically could care less other than looks, but I think it’s worth doing.
Lastly, we compiled what we had on hand, which is currently over 20 different types of bumper plates, and read the individual reviews we’ve done on them.
We took all of this and have ranked the bumper plates based on various categories and budget levels.
I think it’s important to note something first though. Olympic plates (Olympic plates have a 2″ collar opening, standard plates, the old-style have a 1″ hole) don’t have nearly the amount of review characteristics as something like Olympic barbells.
However, after some discussion among those on the Garage Gym Reviews team, we were able to narrow down our specs for how we judge bumper plates for our guide. Here is the list, in no particular order:
Overall Construction: The overall construction of a bumper plate deals with the materials used and how they were put together from a macro standpoint. Overall, how was the bumper plate constructed, and is it in line with the price point?
Weight Accuracy: How accurate to the listed weight are the plates. Using highly accurate scales we tested the plates. In addition, does the company offer a weight accuracy guarantee? The closer to the stated weight the guarantee is, the better.
Warranty: Is there a warranty on the plates? If so, how long is it? Good bumper plates have a minimum of a one-year warranty.
Width, Collar Opening, &Diameter: The diameter of bumper plates should be as close to 450MM as possible as this is the IWF standard. The thinner the plates, the better as it will mean more weight can fit on the bar. The collar opening should be as close to 50.4MM as possible. This, again, is the International Weightlifting Federation Standard.
Price: We’re not so much looking at the price, but the value of the plates. If they’re expensive, they should have durability and quality that reflect the price.
Color Coding Accuracy: The colors of the bumper plates should be the following: Red for 55LB/25KG. Blue for 45LB/20KG. Yellow for 35LB/15KG. Green for 25 LB/10KG. 10 and 15 LB bumper plates vary.
Shore A Durometer Rating: This rating determines, in essence, how hard or soft the rubber is which in turn dictates how much bounce the plate has.
Steel Insert Quality: A stainless steel insert is best, but other metals can be used if priced accordingly. Whether it’s molded with the rubber or added afterward matters as well.
Printed or Raised Lettering: Printed lettering will fade with time and make it hard to know how much the plates weigh. Good quality plates most often have raised lettering that shows the amount of weight being used.
Steel Hub Finish: Competition bumper plates utilize a steel hub that is often plated with chrome or uses zinc.
Durability: Bumper plates, when used in a home gym setting should last decades. We look to reviews from users to get an average.
Bumper Material: Virgin Rubber, Crumb Rubber, and Urethane are the most often used materials for bumper plates.
Why We Don’t Recommend Hi-Temp and other Crumb Rubber Bumper Plates
Crumb Rubber Bumper Plates
Hi-Temp Bumper Plates
Product Highlights
- Made in the USA
- Highly recommended by gym owners and goers
- Can purchase in pairs or full set
- Collar is inset from the plane
Pros & Cons
Pros
- We have absolutely used and abused the set of Hi-Temp Bumper Plates we have and although they're not perfect, for high usage gyms, Hi-Temps are hard to beat (there's a reason so many CrossFit Affiliate Gyms use them.)
- Hi-Temps are made with recycled crumb rubber from used tires which are then heated up and compressed in a mold. This is what causes them to be so affordable, but also why they bounce more than most bumper plates.
- Although Hi-Temps work fine indoors, the reason we like crumb rubber plates is so we can take them out onto the driveway when the weather's nice. Training outside is one of the best benefits afforded with a home gym.
- Hi-Temps are guaranteed to be within +/- 0.5 LB of the claimed weight. This is a pretty wide range but at least there's a guarantee.
- The 2" insert on the plates is made of stainless steel that will prevent rust from forming.
- In comparing price, these are some of the best value bumper plates on the market; especially when you consider the durability. Although we've used them a lot, there are many others who have put even more abuse on them. An old CrossFit gym I used to attend had them for nearly a decade with only a few 10 LB plates biting the dust.
Cons
- The biggest complaint people have with Hi-Temps is that their diameter is smaller than IWF Standard bumper plates. At 445MM, although only 5MM smaller, it makes it difficult to use other plates on the bar as well.
- Due to the way the plates are molded, Hi-Temps are notorious for having their center stainless steel hub popping out when people drop a bar with only 10 LB plates loaded.
- These are much wider than your average plates. At a width of 3.75" for a 45 LB plate, that's over a 1.5" wider than a competition bumper plate. This means you can typically only fit 405 LB on a barbell when doing deadlifts or squats, which definitely limits powerlifters and very strong Olympic Weightlifters.
- Although still functional, our plates look pretty beat up and ugly. They are retired automotive tires so it is a bit expected.
- Due to how they're molded, Hi-Temps do sometimes have defects that don't get discovered until they get to the customer. However, most companies like Rogue Fitness and Fringe Sport will fix the issue.
Bottom Line
Hi-Temps Bumper Plates are the most durable bumper plates we've tested and reviewed. Not only have they stood for the abuse we've placed on them, but CrossFit Boxes the world over have done some truly awful things to Hi-Temps and really the only issue is that the insert pops out. We do prefer other types of bumper plates for most people due to how thick Hi-Temps are, but it's hard to argue against their durability. We recommend Hi-Temps for those with high volume gyms or who like the look. Most home gyms are better off with other options, however.
Hi-Temp Bumper Plates are some of the most popular (or used to be at least) bumper plates on the market. They’re especially popular among CrossFit Boxes and high-traffic functional focused commercial gyms. The reason we don’t recommend them is not that they’re not that great, but because their steel insert ring often falls out due to the molding process, they’re the widest plates available which means you can’t fit a lot of weight on the bar, and they’re more expensive than many of the other options.
If you’re running a high-traffic CrossFit Affiliate, I could see use cases for Hi-Temps, however, there are simply too many other options now available that have a lower bounce, standard diameter, and a better value.
The Top 5 Bumper Plates For Most People
Just want our straightforward answer for which are the top 5 bumper plates that we recommend for most people?
Here they are:
- Fringe Sport Milspec Bumper Plates
- Vulcan Alpha Bumper Plates V2.0
- Rogue Echo Bumper Plates
- Titan Fitness Economy Plates
- Rep Black Bumper Plates
What to Look Forward To
We’ve seen some interesting new bumper plate designs leaked recently. One in particular that we posted on our Instagram are these new plates from Rogue that feature holes throughout:
We’re guessing they’re designed to make less noise and have a more dead bounce. We’ll see how that works out in real life.
The Competition
It would be impossible to include every bumper plate on the market in our recommendations and still make them easily accessible. For this reason, we include reasons why other plates didn’t make our top rankings below:
Hi-Temp Bumper Plates – see here for more info.
Hi-Temp Competition Training Plates – Decent plates, but no 55’s, they chip easily and don’t have great reviews.
Rogue Fleck Plates – Very similar to our Runner-Up the Vulcan Alpha Bumpers V2.0. I haven’t been able to use them or see reviews yet, so I will withhold a complete comparison. That said, these are pretty similarly priced, it depends on the package, but they are thinner than Vulcans, although Vulcan offers a longer warranty.
Rogue Training 2.0 Plates – We have multiple sets of these in both black and color. They were the same plates that Pendlay/MDUSA used to sell. After using them for a few years, I can confirm that they’re an okay plate, but there are many more we’d suggest above them today.
Rogue Dumbbell Bumpers – They’re cool, but certainly not a full replacement for real bumper plates.
Onnit Captain America Shield Bumper Plates – Cool-looking novelty plates, but they are now sold out everywhere.
REP Fitness Competition Bumper Plates – We actually really like these plates. They’re a good value competition plate and have been very durable in our gym. However, they fit a weird price gap. If you want colored plates they’re a great option, however.
Fringe Sport Competition Bumper Plates – These are the exact same as Reps at a similar price point. On sales, Fringe Sport can be had for less.
Fringe Sport Savage Bumper Plates – Awesome-looking plates. Probably one of our favorite designs, however, we know not everyone would love them so we recommended the same plate in a more simple style as our top pick.
Fringe Sport Black & Color Bumper Plates – Same as the Contrast plates that we’ve recommended in different styles and price points. Choose your favorites.
XMark Hi-Impact Bumper Plates – Good bumper plates for the price with a good 3-year warranty. However, they are a bit more expensive than some of the other offerings, although we’d recommend them to PRIME Shipping lovers.
XMark Go Green Crumb Rubber Bumper Plates – Decent crumb rubber bumpers that are imported and have a nasty odor. If you’re going to get recycled car tire crumb rubber bumpers, just go with Hi-Temp.
X Training Equipment Premium Color Bumper Plates – These are highly reviewed on Amazon, however, the colors are completely off. For instance, 45 LB plates are red instead of blue. If this were fixed, for the price, these are actually a decent value.
HulkFit Color Coded Rubber Bumper Plates – These are high-density rubber-colored plates with a unique hub. They’re priced pretty well, but their colors are completely off and we question their long-term durability due to the unique hub design. They also have been known to crack:
Vulcan Absolute Competition Bumper Plates – Haven’t seen enough reviews or held them ourselves so can’t currently rank. They do have a great, 5-year warranty though.
DHS Competition Bumpers – Great bumpers at a high price. Would like to see more reviews or spend more time with them than we have.
Synergee Bumper Plates– Pretty pricey compared to the competition for a similar plate. They also come with no known warranty.
Uesaka Competition Bumpers – These are some of the most well-liked bumpers among Olympic Level Weightlifters that we’ve talked to. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to do anything other than seeing pictures online with them. Eventually, we’ll use them and update our rankings. Until then, we’ll admire from afar.
Uesaka Pro Series Training Bumpers – Haven’t had enough use or heard enough reviews from others to give a recommendation.
Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Competition Discs – A more calibrated version of the Training Discs. Not worth the price for anyone but a meet director in comparison.
Eleiko Sport Training Discs – Great option for those that want Eleiko on a very big, but still a budget type of budget. If you’re going to spend this much though, you might as well buy their IWF plates.
Eleiko XF Bumpers – Great bumper plates for those in Europe. A bit too expensive for most in the US, however, they do have great sound suppression although they are a bit thick. They now offer these in pounds as well as kilos.
American Barbell Color Urethane Pro Series Plates – I’m a big fan of these plates, in fact, they’re some of the favorites that I own. However, despite how much I like them when comparing them to others such as the Titan Urethane Plates, they’re simply too much more costly to recommend above the others. I do think they’re a better plate than Titan’s and they have a better warranty, so if you want Urethane, and don’t mind dropping some change, these are a great option.
American Barbell Sport Bumper Plates – These are high-quality standard bumper plates available in black, color, KG, and LB variations. These almost took the top spot, however, there is no listed Shore A Durometer Rating or warranty information so we’re unsure of the quality of the plates. The pricing is actually really great especially when you consider Free Shipping. If you want just plain black bumper plates, these are pretty great.
Titan Olympic Rubber Bumper Plates – We have not personally tested these, however, we’ve heard enough bad press from our readers that they have an awful smell, are prone to warping as well as often have their steel insert fall out. They’re cheap in price, but likely for a reason.
Werksan LionFit Bumper Plates – Great, high-end competition bumpers, however, I believe they have closed their US operations.
PRx Color Elite Bumper Plates – This appears to be similar to the older Pendlay type plates, however at the price point, they’re a bit much for the quality.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bumper Plates
Are competition bumper plates worth it?
Competition bumper plates are very durable and this is the main reason using the best bumper plates is worth every penny.
Do bumper plates make a difference?
Bumper plates make a huge difference when compared to iron plates, because bumpers are more durable and can be tossed around a home gym. On the other hand, with iron plates, they can’t just be thrown anywhere.
What are bumper plates?
Bumper plates are strong rubber-weight plates. They usually have a uniform diameter within all weights and are used during Olympic and CrossFit exercises. The weights, barbell, and the floor are all protected by the rubber structure of the bumper plates.
How much should I spend on bumper plates?
A high-quality bumper plate can cost as much as $7 per pound, but for most people’s training purposes, you should look for a bumper plate for $2.50-$5.00 per pound. More serious trainers should invest more money into their bumper plates because they’re likely to last longer and be more durable.
References
- Fiedler, M. J., Triplett, N. T., Hamilton, K. C., Needle, A. R., & van Werkhoven, H. (2024). The Effect of Different Weight Plate Widths (Bumper vs. Standard) on the Biomechanics of the Bench Press. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 38(4), e143–e149. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000004679
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