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Up to 24 different weights options in one practical package? Sold.

Not only can investing in one of our best adjustable dumbbells help you get the most out of your home workouts, but it can also keep your lifting zone clutter-free (win-win, right?).

Predictably, these space-saving sets are slightly pricier than your standard dumbbell or hand weight, but by providing up to 24 different weights options in one practical package, they're a great option for anyone looking to get a sweat on and make serious resistance training gains. In some cases, these smart ‘bells even allow you to up the weight and push for new PBs with just the touch of a button (looking at you, JAXJOX).

Sound good? Well, before you ‘add to basket’, there’s a few things you should know. Luckily, our team of fitness kit experts is on hand to explain what you’ll need to look out for when picking your perfect home workout partner. We’ve even put some top models to the test in the Women's Health Lab to bring you our best adjustable dumbbell recommendations for all experience levels and budgets.

In short, yes. If you’re looking to advance your at-home gym without advancing it width-wise, and progress your training simply by purchasing a single piece of equipment, then an adjustable dumbbell is one of the best ways to do so. Think of it as your own version of a weight machine and dumbbell rack-heavy gym without the cost, space and time needed to get you to and from it. Sounds worth it to us...

First up, there are three types of adjustable dumbbell: spinlock, dial and digital.

They're all great for providing a variety of weight options in a single dumbbell, but each has its own advantages.

Traditional spinlock dumbbells are generally cheaper, more readily available and sturdier, while dial dumbbells are quicker when it comes to loading and unloading weight plates. They also tend to have heavier weight options and a wider variety of weight increments to choose from (with the MuscleSquad Adjustable Dumbbell able to go all the way up to 40kg).

Digital dumbbells tend to be the priciest of the bunch, but by allowing you to change the weight with the touch of a couple of buttons they really take the faff out of workouts that require multiple different loads, as well as cutting down the time it takes to change weight.

There’s no denying that both traditional fixed dumbbells and adjustable dumbbells have their strengths, but it all depends on where you are working out, the type of movements you plan to use them for and what you are wanting to achieve.

Adjustable dumbbells can seem quite expensive compared to a single set of fixed dumbbells, but they tend to be cheaper in the long run. Once bought, you’ll have a piece of equipment that is versatile and allows you to progress without needing to buy more equipment (think of it as the world’s smallest dumbbell rack). On the other hand, fixed dumbbell sets can cost upwards of £300, and when you’re ready to lift heavier you’ll have to splurge on a new pair.

Many dumbbell users will end up sticking with the same fixed dumbbell weight for way longer than is beneficial to their training, just to avoid having to buy another set of dumbbells. This isn’t an issue with an adjustable dumbbell that can be switched easily between weights as you progress.

An adjustable dumbbell will allow you to cater your workout based on the strength of the muscle you are targeting or the type of exercise you are performing. Looking to add weight to your HIIT plan? Easy. Needing a lighter weight for your arms that aren’t quite as strong as your legs? Done. All possible with a single weight.

Space is an obvious benefit to having an adjustable dumbbell. They literally only require you to have storage space for one or two dumbbells and yet can be transformed into numerous by the use of a simple mechanism or by the changing of plates.

If you enjoy working out in different locations that don’t include the gym (park-workout lovers unite!), it’ll be a lot easier transporting one dumbbell, with the power to be many, than a whole lot of separate dumbbells. At the end of the day, it depends on what you’ll be using your dumbbells for and where. If you’re looking for a specific weight to enhance a specific area of training, then fixed dumbbells will do the trick. But if you’re wanting to commit to an at-home resistance programme with the aim of progressing in strength or you use weights for different types of training, then buying an adjustable dumbbell will be a great investment.

Our Women’s Health Lab in-house fitness experts tested the mettle (and metal) of a range of top adjustable dumbbells.

The team timed how long it took to load each dumbbell up to its maximum weight and how quickly and easily they could change the load mid-workout. The dumbbells were also tested to see how sturdy they felt, with top points awarded to those that felt stable and didn’t rattle or shake while being used.

Finally, testers donned their leggings for a workout, using each dumbbell for the same 20 bodybuilding movements ranging from deadlifts to goblet squats to bench press. Top-scoring models moved smoothly and were a practical shape that didn’t obstruct any movement patterns.

The best adjustable dumbbells earned both bragging rights and an esteemed WH Lab Approved badge, which you can see displayed below. Our editors have also picked a bonus four adjustable dumbbells that they trust to help them hit hardcore workouts at home.

Combining 15 weights into one, this space-saving dumbbell is a seriously impressive bit of kit sure to give your home workouts a boost.

The grooved rubber handle gave us great grip and proved more forgiving on our hands than its metal competitors. Our experts also really liked the rounded finish, which was easy to manoeuvre throughout every exercise we tried.

The plastic finish didn’t have the luxe look of other metallic entries on this list, but it did mean the Bowflex ‘bell was pretty much silent with none of the clanging or banging associated with iron plates.

The dials used to select how much they weigh were easy to use too, though they take a bit longer to tinker with than others as you’ll have to turn two (one on each side of the dumbbell) to make sure you get a uniform setting.

One for the gadget-lovers among you, this digital adjustable dumbbell makes changing weight a cinch — just pop it in the holding dock, select your chosen load with the push of a button on the holster and watch the magic happen.

They come as a pair too, which is a major win for anyone looking to hit dual dumbbell exercises like deadlifts.

Despite all their high-tech features (we never thought we’d use a pair of dumbbells with Bluetooth), these JAXJOX dumbbells are super simple to use.

The screen is easy to read and we were changing the weight with no problem after a quick play around. The dumbbells themselves have a compact design, feel really secure and move smoothly in and out of the rack. They can also be linked to a handy app, which can track your reps, sets, workout length and more.

The weight is only displayed on the holding dock, not on the weights themselves, but that was our only real niggle.

If it’s no-frills lifting you’re after, look no further than this Mirafit spinlock dumbbell set. It comes with an assortment of smaller weight plates, so you can play around with different combinations to increase the weight from 2kg to 40kg (the greatest range of any spinlock dumbbell we tested), depending on your strength and which movement you’re doing.

These dumbbells are built to last and simple to use too, characteristics that soon saw them become favourites with our experts.

Yes, changing the weight will take longer than with dial and digital dumbbells as you need to change the plates manually and screw collars onto either end to secure them. But, once in place, these weights won’t let you down.

The average dial adjustable dumbbell doesn’t come cheap but, with a price tag under £150, this Everlast set was by far the most affordable we tried.

Changing the weight is quick and easy, with a single movable dial offering a range of weight settings that increase by 2.5kg each time — particularly helpful if you’re supersetting two movements that require different loads.

The dumbbell itself is quite long and bulky, which we found a bit cumbersome for exercises like curls as the plates caught on our thighs at the bottom of the movement.

But we had no problem hitting a thorough lower body workout, with split squats, goblet squats and deadlifts all moving smoothly.

York has been in the fitness game for more than eight decades, and the brand’s wealth of experience shows in this premium pair of dumbbells. Our experts said they looked and felt the part, with the weight of each plate displayed clearly on both sides so you always know what you’re lifting. They also praised the smoothness of the spinlock collars, which were able to twist into place and secure the plates seamlessly.

The maximum weight may not be high enough to push seasoned lifters to their limits but, with its detailed instructions and exercise sheet showing buyers a selection of exercises to try, we think this York adjustable dumbbell set is ideal for newer resistance training recruits ready to graduate from bodyweight-only home workouts.

Unlike any dumbbell we’ve ever seen, this stylish yet sturdy set impressed our testers. The plates themselves have built-in screws, and can be added to the bar by twisting them into place (rather than securing them with a collar, as with traditional spinlock weights).

This leaves them with a sleek, compact design that feels a lot like a fixed-weight dumbbell, making them a good option for functional movements like snatches or renegade rows. At 12.5kg, the starting weight is a bit high for isolation moves like curls. But, for heavy lifters and CrossFit fans after a versatile dumbbell for compound exercises and at-home wods, these come highly recommended.

With a name like MuscleSquad and the aesthetic of a Transformer, we expected some impressive specs from these dumbbells… and we weren't disappointed. With a max weight of 40kg per ‘bell, even leg day aficionados should be able to push themselves, though the weight can easily be stripped down to 5kg for lighter sessions too.

The dial turns with ease and is straightforward to use, making changing weight a doddle, and we liked the safety lock button for ensuring the plates stayed in place. Unloading and reracking the dumbbells into their holder to switch the resistance could be a bit clunky, and the metal plates rattled during some movements. However, if heavy compound lifts like squats are your mainstay, you won’t find a weightier pair of dial dumbbells.

Solid, reliable and effective; this dumbbell set has everything you need for a hardcore home workout. We found they were best for unilateral work as, if you’re using both weights simultaneously, each one maxes out at 10kg. However, if you’re brave enough, you can load up a single dumbbell to 20kg for some spicy bulgarian split squats and single leg deadlifts.

We were big fans of the four 0.5kg plates included in the set, which allow you to increase the weight on the bar by smaller margins and squeeze every ounce of effort out of your muscles on working sets (perfect for progressive overload).

With weight plates of durable cast iron, handles of solid steel and quality being a priority throughout the manufacturing process, these adjustable dumbbells have been made to last.

Special anti-loose O-rings will ensure that your weight plates stay where you want them to, and iron spin locks will prevent them from coming loose over time or accidentally taking a dive mid-repetition.

Did we mention the steel connector? Yep, you’ll also have yourself a barbell.

This adjustable dumbbell is basically four dumbbells in one, and all it takes to select the one for you is a quick push and slide of the lever.

Weighing between 2.5 to 12.5kg, this adjustable dumbbell is a great option for those looking to progress their upper body strength slowly but steadily.

You’ll be renegade rowing and lateral raising your way to stronger arms in no time.

Ok, so these look a bit daunting, but there’s a good reason for their odd appearance, we swear. The open handle design allows for a greater range of movement when performing exercises.

As for the colours, well each one corresponds to a specific weight so that it’s easy to see what weight you’re selecting. All you do is pull out the selector pin on the side of the adjustable dumbbell and reinserting it around the colour rail you want.

See, nothing too scary right?

Ready to get your full body workout on? It’ll be easy thanks to all the options available with this adjustable dumbbell set.

Dumbbells for tricep kickbacks? Check! Adjustable dumbbells to switch it up for squat variations? Check! Barbell to get in that chest press? Check!

All possible before the first coffee of the day, or second if we’re being honest with ourselves.

Yes, as long as you've been cleared for physical activity and are fit for resistance training, you should have no issues using adjustable dumbbells. It is worth remembering the following when using them though:

Warm up: A good warm-up can help prevent injuries and prepare your body for the session ahead.

Choose the correct weight: Make sure the weight you choose is appropriate to your level of fitness and strength.

Focus on your form: If you cannot maintain good form, reduce your range of motion or switch to a lighter weight.

Familiarise yourself with your adjustable dumbbell: Know how the weight-changing mechanism works so that you can ensure your weight plates have been loaded securely.

Load weights safely: Take care when loading and unloading weight plates.Listen to your body: If anything doesn’t feel right, back off or speak to a professional.

Cool down: An adequate cool-down will help your body recover from the stresses of the session.With the popularity of home gym kit soaring over a succession of lockdowns (remember those?), it’s no wonder there are plenty of brands offering their own adjustable dumbbells nowadays, leaving you with a tricky decision to make.To help you make up your mind, we’ve tested the best adjustable dumbbells that will stand the test of time and give your resistance training sessions a lift.