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One of the main benefits of adjustable dumbbells is that they’re more affordable than buying an entire set of fixed dumbbells, not to mention the fact that they take up less space. That said, they can still get a little too expensive for some home gym owners. What to do then?
Our FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbells review looks at one such budget-friendly solution that provides a good amount of weight at an agreeable price tag. But with so many choices out there, is this the best choice for those looking to add some strength training equipment to their home gym setup? We’ll compare these to some of our other favorite affordable home gym equipment and let you know what we think.
More Than 20 Adjustable Dumbbells Tested by the Home Gym Pros
After testing and reviewing close to two dozen options, we narrowed down our picks for the best adjustable dumbbells. This list was the culmination of endless curls, presses, Romanian deadlifts, and adjusting many different weights to find the top picks for home gym owners with budgets both big and small. Who are we to decide that one weight is better than the other?
Besides Coop, who’s been the authority on home gym equipment for several years now, we’re a group of certified personal trainers, CrossFit coaches, athletes, and general fitness enthusiasts who have put our hands around more dumbbell handles than we could count. We’ve tried the best, and the worst, and we’re always upfront with what we think about a product.
Budget Adjustable Dumbbells
FLYBIRD 55-Pound Adjustable Dumbbells
Product Highlights
- Clear and easy-to-use dial that allows you to change weights with just one hand
- Weight ranges from 11 to 55 lbs per dumbbell
- 11-pound change increments
- Textured handle and cast iron weight plates
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Intuitive and easy-to-use
- High-quality
- Enhanced safety features
- Feel comfortable in your hand
- Safe spacing
- Quickly adjust with a dial
Cons
- 11-pound increments for weight change is a big jump in weight
Bottom Line
The FLYBIRD 55-pound Adjustable Dumbbells have a decent weight range of 11 to 55 pounds. They are easy to use and affordable but, with an 11-pound incremental weight jump, they are not a great choice for beginners or those who train with lighter weights.
A Quick Look at the FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbells
FLYBIRD Fitness manufactures and sells budget-friendly home gym equipment, and when it comes to adjustable dumbbells, they have two options: 25 pounds and 55 pounds. We tested the 55-pound option, which is sold either individually or in a pair.
Right off the bat, one of the more unique features of the FLYBIRD dumbbell is the weight increment: 11 pounds. That’s a big jump, and as we’ll explain later in this piece, could have some impact on your strength training journey.
Other than that, they’re pretty straightforward in that they’re shaped like your everyday dumbbells, but made with cheaper material to help bring down the price.
Our Tips
- We don’t recommend dropping any dumbbells, but since these are made with lots of plastic, you should make sure to never drop them from high heights.
Pros:
- Easy-to-adjust dial
- Inherently space-saving, replacing five pairs of dumbbells
- Budget-friendly, at under $400 for a pair
Cons:
- 11-pound weight increment is a big jump
- Not very durable
- Only a 1-year warranty
FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbells Video Review
Are the FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbells Worth It?
The FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbells sell for $379 for a pair of the 55-pound dumbbells, and around $190 for a single dumbbell (you can find some pre-owned ones on Amazon).
For comparison, a pair of 50-pound PowerBlock Elite Dumbbells sells for more than $400, and a pair of Bowflex SelectTech 552 dumbbells is normally $429 (as of this writing, it’s been marked down to $379 but we suspect it might go back up).
For the budget-conscious shopper, it may seem like a no-brainer to just go for FLYBIRD. And certainly many people would be happy with it, as it’s a fine dumbbell that’s capable of building muscle and strength. But, you only get five dumbbell weights out of it.
For just a bit more, you can get 16 weight sets out of the PowerBlock and 15 from Bowflex. In other words, you get much more value for not that much more money.
But some people may not need, or even want, that many weight options. And for some, $50 may be a make-or-break deal. So if you’re simply looking for an affordable dumbbell you can use for a quick home workout, the FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbells are well worth it.
Great for:
- Those looking for compact exercise equipment
- Anyone who doesn’t plan on lifting super-heavy weights
- Home gym owners on a budget
Not recommended for:
- Trainees looking to focus on progressive overload
- Anyone looking for an expandable set of adjustable weights
- Those who look for high-quality knurling on their dumbbell handles
FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbells Specs
| Footprint |
| Weight range |
| Weight increments |
| Construction |
| Adjustment system |
| Replaces |
| 16.1” L x 7.9” W x 6.9” H |
| 11-55 lbs |
| 11 lbs |
| Plastic, iron |
| Dial |
| Five dumbbells |
The Ups and Downs of the FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbells
In testing the FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbells, GGR Editor Nicole Davis found them to be a perfectly good budget option. They’re shaped pretty much like any other dumbbell you’d find in a commercial gym, so there’s no problem getting proper range of motion on just about any move.
Plus, the adjustment is pretty simple: You simply place the dumbbell in the tray, make sure all the plates are lined up, and twist the handle to pick the weight size you want to workout with at the time. Listen for the “click,” then you’re ready to work.
RELATED: Best Dumbbell Exercises
The one big issue with these dumbbells is the big jump in weight. The starting weight is 11 pounds, and it goes up by 11-pound increments all the way up to 55. That means you’re only getting five dumbbell weights out of these. Again, brands like PowerBlock and Bowflex give you triple that for not that much more in price.
Value aside, the jump presents a problem for those looking to focus on progressive overload, or increasing the volume or weight of a workout in an effort to gain muscle or strength. “But 11 pounds isn’t that much,” you might be saying to yourself. And yeah, in the grand scheme of things, it’s not, but when it comes to strength training, it can be.
There are memes in the weightlifting world that a 2.5-pound weight plate can feel like the heaviest thing in the world when added to a loaded barbell, and there’s some truth to that. If your body and central nervous system are used to lifting a certain weight, anything above that is going to feel like a challenge.
Plus, 11 pounds is just a weird increment. You won’t find 22- or 33-pound dumbbells in a commercial gym, as most usually jump anywhere from 2.5- to 5-pound increments.
Handle
If you’re expecting to feel like you’re holding a commercial gym dumbbell when lifting these things, we have bad news for you. The handles are made of plastic, and in lieu of any knurling, there are notches that supposedly help provide extra grip. It’s advertised as a non-slip handle, but we’re not sure how accurate that is.
For some reason, the 25-pound adjustable dumbbell comes with an aluminum alloy handle that we feel (no pun intended this time) would be much better in the hand.
Nicole, who admits that she has smaller hands than most, also felt as though the handle was a bit bigger in diameter than other adjustable dumbbell sets (we couldn’t find an exact measurement for the handle).
Adjustment
As we mentioned, adjusting the weight is as simple as placing the dumbbell in the tray and twisting the handle until your desired weight is selected. This is similar to how you change weights on the NÜOBELL Adjustable Dumbbells.
Nicole did notice the tray felt a bit flimsy, likely due to the fact that it’s made of plastic.
Durability
Speaking of plastic, the FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbells have a lot of it. The plates are made of durable cast iron, but the rest of the dumbbell is made of flimsy plastic that we suspect would break easily if dropped several times from high heights. And since these only come with a one-year warranty, we recommend treating these with care.
If you’re looking for a pair of dumbbells that can take more of a beating, we recommend checking out our list of the best dumbbells.
FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbells vs. Bowflex SelectTech 552
Our Budget Pick
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells
Product Highlights
- Replace 15 sets of weights
- Weights adjust from 5 to 52 lbs
- Extremely affordable at $329/pair
- Weight adjustments in 2.5-lb increments
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Replace 15 sets of weights
- Weights adjust from 5 to 52 lbs
- Extremely affordable at $329/pair
- Weight adjustments in 2.5-lb increments
- One of the fastest changing dumbbells on the market
- Come with a stand
Cons
- Max weight is 52.5 pounds
- Wide footprint remains the same at any weight
- Not meant to be dropped
Bottom Line
If you want affordable adjustable dumbbells, the Bowflex pair are a great option. Although they don't get very heavy, they are a great option for beginners and those who do not need more than 52.5 lbs per hand.
On the surface, the FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbells may seem like the more attractive option since they can go heavier than the Bowflex SelectTech 552 (which go up to 52.5), and they’re cheaper. But since Bowflex replaces 15 sets of dumbbells, compared to FLYBIRD’s five, it makes them a better value.
Plus, we’ve seen the Bowflex dumbbells fluctuate from a little under $400 to a little more than that depending on the time of year—if you time your purchase right, you could snag them for the same price as FLYBIRD’s.
Both offer similar levels of durability, and are made with a lot of plastic, but the Bowflex dumbbells just feel a little more stable during use.
The Bowflex SelectTech are also one of the most easily adjustable dumbbells, and only require a twist of a dial found at the end of each weight.
Check out our full Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells review for our full thoughts on these budget-friendly weights.
FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbells vs. PowerBlock Adjustable Dumbbell
A Great Adjustable Dumbbell
PowerBlock Elite Series Adjustable Dumbbells
Product Highlights
- Change the weight in 2.5- or 5-lb increments
- Up to 70 lbs per hand
- Add extension kits for up to 90 lbs per hand
- Extremely durable
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Can change weight in increments of 2.5 or 5 pounds
- Weight goes up to 90 pounds with add-ons
- More durable than most adjustable dumbbells
Cons
- Rectangular shape might throw some people off
- Returns subject to 20% restocking fee
- Not as comfortable as using fixed dumbbells
Bottom Line
PowerBlock Elite dumbbells go up to 70 pounds (90 pounds with the extension kit), can be changed in 2.5- or 5-pound increments, and replace 16 pairs of dumbbells. These adjustable dumbbells are also priced under $500. PowerBlocks are ideal for anyone seeking a durable adjustable dumbbell for at-home workouts.
PowerBlock has been one of our favorite adjustable dumbbells for quite some time, and once you get your hands on one, it’s easy to see why. They replace 16 sets of weights, have convenient color coding for easy weight selection, and can be expanded to up to 90 pounds per hand.
That’s quite a lot of features for a product that’s only about $40 more expensive than the FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbells.
Now, one big drawback of the PowerBlock dumbbells is that they have a more boxy shape and a handle that limits your range of motion on some moves. We wouldn’t recommend them for beginners, but if you’ve been weight training for a while, we think they’re worth the extra cost.
Check out our full PowerBlock adjustable dumbbell review for a comprehensive look at these weights.
Customer Service
FLYBIRD Fitness can be texted at (253) 733-1752 or emailed at service@flybirdfitness.com Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
Warranty, Financing, Returns
You can finance FLYBIRD purchases through Klarna by selecting the service at checkout.
The FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbells has a one-year warranty, which is half the industry standard for most adjustable dumbbells.
FLYBIRD only gives you 30 days from the date of delivery to return a product for a full refund (you don’t get shipping and handling back), but the product must be unopened and unused.
Ordering and Assembling the FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbells
Ordering the FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbells is simple: Just click “Add to Cart,” wait for the box to ship, and the dumbbells arrive at your home gym with no assembly required.
Customer Reviews
The FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbells have a 4.9 average rating, with 45 reviews written as of press time. Of those 45 reviews, 43 are 5 stars.
The lone 3-star review was because the reviewer, like us, wished the increment jumps were less drastic.
Final Verdict of Our FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbells Review
Are the FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbells the best choice for those looking to become their strongest, most muscular selves? Probably not. But are they a great budget-friendly option for those looking to burn calories and get a full-body workout? Absolutely.
There are better options out there, but we can see how many people would be just fine using these in their day-to-day lives.
Our key takeaways on the FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbells are:
- They’re a great value for the price
- They aren’t super heavy, but heavy enough for many lifters
- Don’t drop them
- They’re easily adjustable
- Weird weight increment jumps make us wonder though
FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbells Rating
FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbells
Our FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbells review looks to answer the question: Are these the best budget-friendly adjustable dumbbells on the market?
Product Brand: Flybird
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 109.99
Product In-Stock: InStock
3.29
FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbells FAQs
Are FLYBIRD weights good?
FLYBIRD weights are a great budget-friendly option for those looking to get some strength training work done from the comfort of their home. Our only complaint is that the weight increments jump by 11 pounds, which is quite a big change and also one you don’t see in many other pieces of equipment.
Are adjustable dumbbells worth it?
Adjustable dumbbells are worth it for two main reasons: Price and space. You’re going to spend just as much, if not a little less money, on a good pair of adjustable dumbbells as you would an entire set of fixed dumbbells. Plus, you only need two of them compared to several pairs of traditional free weights.
What are the cons of adjustable dumbbells?
Adjustable dumbbells tend to have a good amount of plastic, as seen on the FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbells, so they’re not as durable as traditional dumbbells. And, depending on the brand, some adjustable dumbbells are shaped in a way that could limit range of motion on some movements.
Further reading
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