The NÜOBELL 80lb Adjustable Dumbbells meets
the Bowflex SelectTech 552 (Results Series)
The closest an adjustable dumbbell gets to a real one. We tested it head-to-head against the Bowflex SelectTech 552 (Results Series) ($343.99) across 6 key dimensions.
NÜOBELL 80lb Adjustable Dumbbells
“The closest an adjustable dumbbell gets to a real one”
Bowflex SelectTech 552 (Results Series)
“The easy-dial set that gets most people started”
Head-to-Head Breakdown
Strengths & Weaknesses
NÜOBELL 80lb Adjustable Dumbbells
- BarBend recorded no stuck adjustments and rated the twist dial the easiest to use
- Strong Home Gym called it the smoothest, most natural feel in the test
- Took two outright Best Overall awards, from BarBend and Garage Gym Lab
- Garage Gym Lab noted the plastic components and lack of any drop protection
- At 845 dollars a pair it is among the priciest mainstream options
- The handle shape feels uncomfortable to some lifters per BarBend
Bowflex SelectTech 552 (Results Series)
- Fitness Volt ranked it the outright top pick at 4.7 out of 5
- Fine 2.5-pound increments make it forgiving for beginners and small progressions
- The clearly marked dial is the consensus pick for ease of use across BarBend, Garage Gym Lab and Men’s Journal
- Reviewers rate long-term durability below the all-steel competitors
- The long barrel can feel awkward during some exercises
- Older 552 units were recalled for dislodging plates, a history the Results Series addresses
The Verdict
Our Bottom Line
The NÜOBELL won because it is the only set to take two outright Best Overall awards, from BarBend and Garage Gym Lab, and it earns them on the things you touch every rep. The twist-handle dial is the fastest adjustment in the category, and BarBend reported it never stuck during testing. Strong Home Gym went further and called it the smoothest-feeling adjustable it has used, with a balance and shape closest to a fixed dumbbell. That combination of speed and feel is the whole point of an adjustable set, and the NÜOBELL nails both. For a home lifter who wants one pair to replace a rack and barely notice the difference, it is the clearest pick across all six expert sources we synthesized.
NÜOBELL 80lb Adjustable Dumbbells
The NÜOBELL won because it is the only set to take two outright Best Overall awards, from BarBend and Garage Gym Lab, and it earns them on the things you touch every rep. The twist-handle dial is the fastest adjustment in the category, and BarBend reported it never stuck during testing. Strong Home Gym went further and called it the smoothest-feeling adjustable it has used, with a balance and shape closest to a fixed dumbbell. That combination of speed and feel is the whole point of an adjustable set, and the NÜOBELL nails both. For a home lifter who wants one pair to replace a rack and barely notice the difference, it is the clearest pick across all six expert sources we synthesized.
- You want the fastest weight changes and the most natural dumbbell feel
- You train at home and will treat the weights carefully
- You can spend more for the best in-hand experience
- You progress in standard 5-pound jumps
- You want a set multiple reviewers crowned Best Overall
Bowflex SelectTech 552 (Results Series)
The Bowflex SelectTech 552 wins value because it delivers the adjustable-dumbbell experience for less than half the price of the NÜOBELL. Fitness Volt ranked it the outright top pick at 4.7 out of 5, and BarBend, Garage Gym Lab and Men's Journal all reached for it as the friendliest set for a new lifter. The dial is clearly marked and quick, and the fine 2.5-pound steps make small progressions easy. The current Results Series also resolves the plate-dislodging recall that hit older 552 units. At around 344 dollars it is the lowest-risk way to find out whether adjustable dumbbells fit your training.
- You are new to adjustable dumbbells and want the lowest-risk entry
- You want fine 2.5-pound increments for small progressions
- You are working to a tight budget
- You prefer a clearly marked dial over a switch or pin
- You do not plan to drop the weights