There are two swappable pairs of handles (5 lbs & 10 lbs) and no adder weights. Changing the weight is even faster on this set because you don’t have to take the time to insert or remove the adder weights. You change the selector pin setting and/or swap the handles. It’s overall more durable so it can handle rougher commercial gym use conditions. However, because these are likely to be used in tougher settings, they have a shorter 1-year commercial warranty, as opposed to the 5-year limited home use warranty that the Pro EXP has. What are the best adjustable dumbbells? To find out, we tested 30 top-rated pairs by performing an intermediate full-body weightlifting circuit with each set in The Verywell Testing Lab. Our editors (including two certified personal trainers) tested each pair through completing 5-10 reps of bent-over rows, bicep curls, forward lunges, front squats, and bench presses.

Don’t expect these to feel like traditional fixed dumbbells; their shape is boxy and the handle is caged. Like you thought, the Elite set is slightly more compact than the U90 set in length, width and height. It’s not a major difference, but it’d be noticeable if you compared them side by side. The Elite 5-50 is 12″L x6″ W x 6″ H at 50 lbs, vs. the U90 Stage 1, which is 12.5″ L x 7″ W x 7.25″ H at 50 lbs. We also noticed that, although the adjustable dumbbells are slightly bulkier than regular dumbbells, they still maintain the traditional dumbbell shape (unlike many other adjustable dumbbells). This allows you to perform any traditional strength training exercise without having to alter your form. We love how easy these adjustable dumbbells are to adjust between exercises. We were also able to maintain a good grip on the dumbbells, even with wet hands, thanks to the grippy rubber handles.

A Little Noise

Each model has its own positives and negatives, described below, which makes choosing between the two such a difficult decision. We loved how grippy the pair was with dry hands, but did notice some slipping when performing exercises with wet hands. When dropped on gym flooring, the dumbbells remained completely intact with no scratches. And dropping them on concrete resulted in only minor scratches with no broken or chipped parts. We think that this pair offers reliable durability, making them well worth the investment. It is quite confusing to distinguish between the various series, models and add-ons, especially when you’re just starting to research them. Even though these are my favorite adjustable dumbbells, they aren’t without their flaws. High Weight Bulkiness

The Sport EXP dumbbells have an “Open Handle” design. There are no padded wrist support bars on the top of the handle like the Elite has. This gives you all the side-to-side range of motion to move your wrists/forearms without obstruction.Pro 90 Commercial Set: The Pro 90 Commercial Set comes with 90 lbs max capacity per dumbbell. It is not expandable. The Elite dumbbells have a “Closed Handle” design. This refers to the padded wrist support bars at the top of the handle. These supports let you prop your lower forearm against the pad to keep your wrist neutral with little effort. It can also provide leverage on curls so that you focus more on your biceps. Some people love this. Others with very large hands and wrists find it to be restrictive to their wrist/forearm movement. With so many models, each having its own unique set of features, capabilities and limitations, it takes some effort to familiarize yourself with not only the major distinctions between models but also their more subtle differences. One thing that trips up many people about the handles is that they are caged in, which isn’t the most ergonomic thing in the world. On some movements, the bars hit your wrists. This isn’t a dealbreaker for me, but it’s worth noting. Durability In addition to reviewing gym equipment, I also own a couple other businesses, have three kids, a wife, and many other responsibilities. Training is a supplement to everything else in my life and therefore forces me to value each second I spend in the gym.