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It's no secret that a set of dumbbells can provide a full-body workout in the comfort of your home, and virtually any strength training workout routine requires you to have a range of free weights at your disposal. But no one wants to own a slew of weights—they’re cumbersome to work with and take up a lot of room when not in use. A better alternative: The best adjustable dumbbells give you a wide range of weight options without taking over your room. In fact, any modern home gym should have a set of adjustable weights—consider them table stakes in the home fitness game.

From old school iron to Alexa-enabled weights, adjustable dumbbells come in multiple muscle-building ... [+] varieties.

In fact, the best adjustable dumbbells can introduce even more convenience and efficiency into your training program. Forgoing a floor full of individual plates, bars and locking mechanisms, adjustable dumbbells are incredibly compact, as all their pieces are housed in a single cradle or base. And more than just space-savers, adjustable dumbbells let you select from, say, 10 to 50 pounds quickly and easily. Just dial in the desired weight, and the dumbbell automatically delivers exactly what you need, leaving the rest of the weights in their handy dock. In the case of the most tech-savvy sets, you can even let an app set the weights based on your workout or you can ask Alexa to set the poundage for you.

Factors like price, weight range and technology are all important to ponder before buying. We've put together the best adjustable dumbbells for fitness-minded folks of all stripes, budgets and skill levels.

Featuring 5 to 50-pound weights—adjustable in 5-pound increments—these Core Fitness adjustable dumbbells offer a wide range of workout opportunities for both fitness enthusiasts and those just beginning their muscle-building journeys. The dumbbell’s TwistLock system lets you quickly increase or decrease weight with a simple turn of your wrist, one handed. Like other adjustable dumbbells, they also sport a compact design that won't clutter your home gym.

What we really appreciate, though, is the simple, no-nonsense design. While similar sets wouldn't look out of place in a sci-fi film, there's no mistaking this pair for anything but heavy metal made to build mass. The all-black finish—stretching from the plates to the textured grips—reinforce this minimalist design. As many user reviews point out, their price is also right, with $400 scoring you a pair of adjustable dumbbells that'll likely last a lifetime.

If you prefer a more futuristic approach to reaching your fitness goals, look no further than NordicTrack's iSelect adjustable dumbbells. Like nearly everything else in our homes, this latest fitness innovation is compatible with Alexa. Sold as a pair, the 50-pound weights are adjusted via voice controls; a simple, “Alexa, set weight to 20 pounds” will adjust the weights, hands-free.

If you'd rather not rely on Amazon's ubiquitous in-home robot, you can change weights by hand. The weight dock itself is pretty high tech, with a digital display that shows you the currently selected weight level. It’s also compatible with the popular iFit app to stream workouts to a phone or tablet. (iFit charges a subscription fee, but you get the first 30 days for free.) The Alexa and iFit integration might not suit those looking to keep things simple, but based on the iSelect's 4.2-star Amazon rating, early adopters seem very satisfied with this tech-focused take on getting fit.

JaxJox DumbbellConnect goes all-in on smart fitness, encouraging users to burn calories while enjoying the full benefits of the JaxJox app. The free download, which works with the brand's entire ecosystem of connected exercise equipment, tracks reps, sets and total weight lifted per session, as well as long term progress. The app includes these basic functions and some beginner-friendly tutorials, while a $13 per month subscription opens access to on-demand classes and personalized programs.

Beyond the convenience—and accountability-driven motivation—that comes with tracking your progress digitally, the DumbbellConnect packs plenty of standard features. The pair of dumbbells each sit in their own tray, which house push buttons for 8-50 pound adjustments in 6-pound increments. Despite the app integration and electronic adjustments, the set sports an appealing, minimalist design that makes it feel more like solid fitness equipment than a gimmicky gadget.

The majority of adjustable dumbbells cater to those looking to replace bulky, individual metal plates and free-weight equipment with a more convenient, compact option. As such, you don't see many adjustable systems designed to replace smaller handheld weights. LifePro nicely fills this void, offering an adjustable option that maxes out at just 12.5 pounds.

Easily adjustable in 2.5 pound increments, the dumbbells are a great option for fitness newcomers or lighter lifters who want to tone without cluttering their workout space with individual 3-, 5-, 8-, and 10-pound weights. The pair’s manageable size also makes them portable, so working outside on a nice day or bringing them to a fitness class is totally doable.

This streamlined offering from Flybird combines the space-saving convenience of adjustable dumbbells with a weight range well suited to both beginners and more advanced lifters. Its all-metal plates are quickly and effortlessly adjusted by turning the handle to the desired weight.

A well-balanced range of 5-25 pounds, selected in 5-pound increments, should cover most home gym needs. Whether you're looking to tone and define or build more substantial mass, you'll also appreciate the dumbbells’ textured grip and safety-lock system. While the Flybird doesn't offer much in the way of value-added features, its simple design and median weight range make it a great choice for folks looking to lose the free weights, but still get fit at home.

If you're a seasoned lifter looking to make serious gains, you'll want to ratchet the weight past the usual 25- and 50-pound limits most adjustable sets max out at. You’ll want the Bowflex SelectTech 1090, an adjustable dumbbell that goes from 10 to a formidable 90 pounds in 5-pound increments.

While the SelectTech sports a durable, tank-like design and wide adjustment range, it leverages an elegant dial system for incredibly quiet and smooth weight transitions. Its footprint is also impressively compact for a dumbbell that’s packing nearly 100 pounds. All that weight will cost you though—a pair of these bad boys will run you north of $1,000 ordinarily, though it is sometimes marked down to about $800. That said, the SelectTech's 4.5 star Amazon rating (based on over 1,400 reviews) suggests it’s a worthy investment for fitness enthusiasts who prefer to pump iron at home.

The Prctz doesn't offer anything fresh in terms of innovation, and it's a bit chunky for a 25-pound adjustable dumbbell. Still, it's hard to beat the price, especially when compared to sets that can cost hundreds more for the same poundage. For $140, you can grab a pair of these simple yet solid dumbbells, and still enjoy the convenience of quick-swapping adjustments.

Its 5-pound increments also provide enough range to easily hit all muscle groups during an at-home workout. If you're just starting to get fit—or you're uncertain if adjustable dumbbells are right for your training routine—this Prctz dumbbell will let you test the waters without abusing your budget too badly.