NÜOBELL Adjustable Dumbbells Review

A solid pair of dumbbells can be one of the best pieces of equipment to add to your home gym. They’re about as versatile as it gets since you can perform hundreds of exercises from bicep curls, to dumbbell bench presses, and even lower body movements such as a lunge or split squats. However, the problem a lot of people face when looking to add a pair of trusty dumbbells to their arsenal is they tend to need multiple pairs — and that dominates space. The good news is that you can replace a full set of dumbbells with a pair of adjustable ones like the NÜOBELL Adjustable Dumbbells.

These popular dumbbells are available in two different options, ranging from five to 50 pounds, or five to 80 pounds. The footprint of adjustable dumbbells such as these are a fraction of what you will find from a full set of dumbbells, and while you may feel they feature a hefty price tag — you might actually be saving money in the long run, plus adjusting the weight is as easy as 1,2,3. Whether you’re tight on space in your home, or you want to clear up some room in your home gym for a new power rack, the NÜOBELLs might be a good option for you to consider.

Main Takeaways

• NÜOBELL Adjustable Dumbbells have an impressive weight selection range. They can be set to weigh as little as five pounds each, and users can add weight in increments of five pounds all the way up to 50 or 80 pounds per dumbbell, depending on the set you choose.
• One pair of these adjustable dumbbells replaces up to 16 pairs of weights (if you chose the 80-pound option), which saves serious space and money.
• The dumbbells adjust to heavier or lighter weight with an easy twist of the handle, and they are secure and mostly rattle-free while in use.

NÜOBELL Adjustable Dumbbells

NÜOBELL Adjustable Dumbbells

This Swedish-designed "smart" dumbbell adjusts from 5 pounds up to 80 pounds — all you have to do is twist the handlebar. Its sleek, modern design will make a great addition to any home gym. 

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NÜOBELL Adjustable Dumbbells Highlights

Taking up a fraction of the space that 32 separate dumbbells would consume, the NÜOBELL Adjustable Dumbbells only require the space of a single 50- or 80-pound dumbbell pair (depending on the model you buy). Aside from their spatial practicality, these dumbbells’ dial function has been finely engineered for ease of use. Unlike some other adjustable dumbbells, that are equipped with inefficient mechanisms that make it difficult to change the weight, we found these incredibly easy to remove and nestle back into their home.

One downside for those who may be working with light weight for higher repetitions is that the weights may feel a bit clunkier than your average 10- or 15-pound dumbbell. The weights at the end of the dumbbell are quite wide in diameter, even at five pounds — but we didn’t find that to affect us during our time with these dumbbells. And while the price may seem steep, buying all of your dumbbells at once could save you money in the long run. 

Who Should Buy the NÜOBELL Adjustable Dumbbells

• Anyone who wants a gym’s worth of dumbbells that can be stored in a small space for a decent price.
• People looking to build and maintain muscle through popular free weight exercises like curls, military press, and standing rows.
• Households where various people of differing size and strength all want access to reliable dumbbells.

Who Shouldn’t Buy the NÜOBELL Adjustable Dumbbells

• Anyone who’s not looking to drop a lot of money on dumbbells all at once.
• People focused on precision lower weight exercises for whom a smaller dumbbell is a better choice.
• The NÜOBELLs cap out at 80 pounds, so anyone who needs heavier weights will likely need to get some traditional dumbbells that will accommodate their strength.
• These dumbbells do not have a rubber or urethane coating, so the exposed metal can be tough on floors if dropped or set down firmly. It also may not be the most comfortable feel with movements where skin is in contact with one or more heads of the dumbbell.

Price

The 50-pound pair of NÜOBELLs costs around $600, while the 80-pound set is going to cost you about $750. The storage rack is not included with your purchase, and you have two different options to choose from — the gray stand is going to cost you around $185, while the black is around $195. The storage rack may not be "essential", but it’s helpful for when you store your bells and adjust the weight. 

Factor in shipping, which is going to cost you another $100 or so, and you’re looking at a spend of around $1,000.

Yes, it’s a lot of money, but you may save money in the long run compared to purchasing individual dumbbells over time. This is also the case when comparing the price that some companies charge for their full sets that range in the same weight — not to mention the price of a storage rack. 

Overall Build and Quality

While some adjustable dumbbells can be difficult to maneuver and not the most sturdy, the NÜOBELL Adjustable Dumbbells are impressively solid. Their knurled stainless steel handles and steel weight plates are stable, and changing the weight setting is as easy as a twist of the wrist. Adjusting the weight on these dumbbells feels smooth and the click at each weight interval is satisfying.

Overall, this pair of dumbbells feels solid, with very little plastic built into the design of the actual bells (only used to hold the plates and handles together). The stands do use a good amount of plastic though, so you’ll want to be careful when going to store these. If you were to carelessly drop them in the stand, you increase the risk of cracking or breaking that plastic. 

Features

Each of these dumbbells can be set to a weight as low as five pounds and, depending on which you choose, as heavy as 50 or 80 pounds. They nestle securely into the included cradle when not in use, and they slide up and back into it for easy adjustment.

Adjustability

Adjusting the weights involves grabbing the grips while the weights are in their cradle and twisting toward the plus to add weight, and toward the minus to reduce it. You can switch from the heaviest to the lightest weight and anywhere in between in a matter of seconds. While it may be really easy to adjust the weight when the bells are stored, once you remove them from storage, the handle is locked and it won’t move on you during your workout. 

Weight Options

Regardless of whether you choose the 50- or 80-pound weight option, the lowest weight to which you can set these dumbbells is five pounds, and they adjust up in five-pound increments from there. So twist the handle a click toward the "+" sign and you have a 10-pound weight. Another twist gives you a 15, then a 20, and so on. 

While 80 pounds may not be enough for some people who feature elite strength levels, it’s worth mentioning that a large portion of adjustable dumbbells max out around 50 to 55 pounds. So you may be hard pressed to find a pair of adjustable bells that can be as heavy as these.

Handle Grip and Comfort

The grips of the NÜOBELL Adjustable Dumbbells are sized well for an adult’s hand, big enough for a larger man but not so thick that a smaller woman couldn’t easily manage them. They are made of a knurled stainless steel that’s easy to grip even as you sweat throughout a hard workout. We really like the grips on the NÜOBELLs, as knurled handles are more common on fixed, traditional dumbbells, but less common on adjustable dumbbells.

Weight Plate Design

The incremental weight plates these dumbbells use are engineered to stay snug to one another as you lift, not rattling or shaking, which would be at best annoying, and at worst, a detriment or danger as the weights become unstable. Plus, they’re made of a highly durable matte black steel that will not only last, but may also add a sleek look to your space. 

While the design of these weight plates is secure, we found them to rattle ever-so-slightly while in use. They’re one of the most secure adjustable dumbbell sets we’ve exercised with, but they are not 100% rattle-free. 

Product Specs 

Adjustable dumbbells are both a space and money saver, and the NÜOBELL Adjustable Dumbbells are one of the most modern pairs on the market. They’re easy to adjust and each one only takes up about 19" x 8" of floor space individually. Plus, if you want to move them, you need only pick up and maneuver two adjustable dumbbells and their cradle, rather than 16 separate pairs (if you went for the 5 to 80-pound set).

Dumbbell Type

Since these are in fact adjustable dumbbells, you can easily switch the weight to your liking for each specific exercise. Simply twist the handle in the direction you desire to either increase or decrease the weight. Oftentimes adjustable dumbbells can be a little difficult to change the weight, but we felt as if it was a breeze with the NÜOBELLs. 

While these bells may be a little larger when set at a lighter weight (such as 10 pounds) than your traditional dumbbell, you likely won’t need to adjust your movement too much to accommodate for that size. 

Size and Dimensions

While stored, the NÜOBELLs only take up a little more space than a shoe box for a pair of running sneakers would. We measured it out, and they’re right around 19 inches long and eight inches wide individually. Which is still a significantly smaller footprint when side by side than a couple pairs of dumbbells require, especially a full set.

Portability

Sure, these weights are quite heavy to maneuver when you’re on the highest weight adjustment, but that’s the point. They’re far easier to transport than 16 separate pairs of dumbbells — at least with these, you need only make one or two trips to move them.

Warranties

This product comes with a two-year manufacturer’s warranty, and you can buy an extended warranty — adding an additional one to three years of coverage — to the manufacturer’s warranty, as well. 

Places to Buy

You can buy NÜOBELL Adjustable Dumbbells directly through the SMRTFT website, as well as through some other fitness companies like Rogue, and even through Amazon.

Company Information

SMRTFT, the brand behind these dumbbells, states on their website that they are committed to "ethical manufacturing, impeccable quality, innovative developments and timeless design" in products made for the "professional athlete, weekend warrior or a stay at home parent" who wants to get and stay fit.

Final Word

With so many dumbbells on the market, the NÜOBELL Adjustable Dumbbells stand out for their seamless adjustments, sleek look, and solid grip. On top of that, they have a wide range in weight that goes all the way from five pounds up to 80 pounds. One pair of these weights can replace 16 pairs of dumbbells, freeing up a good amount of space in your home gym for you to add a power rack or squat rack. All-in-all, if you’re serious about investing in a pair of dumbbells, this may be a solid option for you to consider adding to your home gym. 

Before you buy, you’ll want to make sure you lift heavy enough to make use of all of the weight options provided — otherwise, you may be better off opting to buy a few lighter pairs of dumbbells to save money, and the same goes for anyone who needs some heavier dumbbells for their workouts. However, if you’re often using dumbbells in the 60- to 80-pound range, these dumbbells could make a solid addition to your space.

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