Three adjustable dumbbell sets compared on published size, weight range, weight steps, and whether they need a base or cradle to change weight.
Method note: This comparison is based on manufacturer specifications and product pages, a manufacturer owner's manual, direct manufacturer support confirmation, and a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall record. NookStrength has not hands-on tested these dumbbells.
There is no single winner for every apartment. These three sets differ in how they change weight and in what they include for storage.
“No Base Stand Required”
The Pro 50 adjusts from 5 to 50 lb per dumbbell in 2.5 lb steps across its full range. PowerBlock lists “No Base Stand Required” among its key features.
Published unit dimensions are 13 × 7 × 7.25 inches per dumbbell.
Best suited to someone who wants 2.5 lb steps across the whole range and prefers not to depend on a base or cradle to change weight.
View at PowerBlock.comHighest maximum weight — 52.5 lb
The Results Series 552 adjusts from 5 to 52.5 lb per dumbbell: 2.5 lb steps up to 25 lb, 5 lb steps from 25 to 50 lb, then a 52.5 lb top setting.
Storage trays are included. BowFlex support confirmed that the dumbbell must be seated in its tray to change the selected weight.
Best suited to someone who wants a 52.5 lb top setting (2.5 lb more than the other two sets here) and 2.5 lb steps in the lighter half of the range.
View at BowFlex.comCore's set adjusts from 5 to 50 lb per dumbbell in 5 lb increments.
Core lists each dumbbell at 14.5 × 7.9 × 7.5 inches. Its length changes with the weight selected: 9.3 inches at the 5 lb setting.
Core's owner's manual states that weight can only be changed when the handle is fully engaged in its cradle. Two aluminum cradles are included.
Best suited to someone who is comfortable with 5 lb steps and adjusting in the cradle, and wants a dumbbell that is shorter at lighter settings.
View at Core Home Fitness| Product | Weight range | Weight steps | Published unit dimensions | Base / cradle to adjust | Included storage | Stand | List price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BowFlex Results Series 552View at BowFlex.com | 5–52.5 lb | 2.5 lb to 25 lb, then 5 lb; 52.5 lb top setting | 16.9 × 8.3 × 9 in ² | Yes | Storage trays | Optional, sold separately | $479 |
| PowerBlock Pro 50View at PowerBlock.com | 5–50 lb | 2.5 lb throughout | 13 × 7 × 7.25 in | “No Base Stand Required” | None listed | Optional | $549 |
| Core Home FitnessView at Core Home Fitness | 5–50 lb | 5 lb | 14.5 × 7.9 × 7.5 in (length varies with weight) | Yes¹ | Two aluminum cradles | Optional | $429.99 |
All prices shown are manufacturer list prices, checked October 10, 2026.
¹ Stated in Core Home Fitness's owner's manual (TwistLock Dumbbell); the copy used for this comparison is hosted on Amazon's document servers.
² BowFlex support confirmed on October 14, 2026 that the published 16.9 × 8.3 × 9 inch measurements are taken with the dumbbell in its storage tray.
The BowFlex Results Series 552 reaches 52.5 lb per dumbbell, the highest maximum weight of the three models in this comparison.
It offers 15 settings, with 2.5 lb steps from 5 to 25 lb, 5 lb steps up to 50 lb, and a final 52.5 lb setting.
Model note: This page covers the current BowFlex Results Series 552. In June 2025, a recall of older BowFlex 552 and 1090 adjustable dumbbells was announced with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission because weight plates could dislodge during use. BowFlex lists the Results Series 552 as a replacement option for owners of affected legacy 552 units. BowFlex support told NookStrength on October 14, 2026 that the June 5, 2025 recall applied to a previous dumbbell design and that the specific recalled issue has been resolved in the current offering. Older or secondhand listings may still be recalled legacy units, so check that the model name reads “Results Series 552.”
The Results Series 552 adjusts from 5 to 52.5 lb per dumbbell. BowFlex publishes dimensions of 16.9 × 8.3 × 9 inches per dumbbell, measured with the dumbbell seated in its storage tray.
BowFlex support says that without the tray, the dumbbell is nearly the same length and width and approximately 1 inch shorter in height.
The set is sold as a pair and includes storage trays.
BowFlex notes that individual weight settings may vary from the stated values because of manufacturing tolerances.
Manufacturer list price: $479.
The dumbbell must be seated in its storage tray to change the selected weight.
BowFlex sells a compatible SelectTech Adjustable Dumbbell Stand separately for $199 list price.
Weight changes require returning the dumbbell to its tray.
BowFlex does not publish a stored-footprint figure for the complete pair in their trays, so the published per-dumbbell dimensions should not be treated as the full storage footprint.
BowFlex lists a 2-year parts warranty.
Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery for a product refund, with shipping and handling deducted.
Standard FedEx Parcel shipping is listed at $30.
The Pro 50 offers 2.5 lb adjustments across its full 5–50 lb range.
PowerBlock lists “No Base Stand Required” as a key feature. Core requires its dumbbells to sit in the cradle to change weight, and BowFlex support says the Results Series 552 must be seated in its tray.
The Pro 50 adjusts from 5 to 50 lb per dumbbell across 19 settings in 2.5 lb steps, with published dimensions of 13 × 7 × 7.25 inches per dumbbell.
The set includes two handles, two magnetic selector pins and four 2.5 lb micro weights.
The grip uses a contoured TPR design with a 38 mm diameter and 4.88-inch grip length.
Manufacturer list price: $549.
PowerBlock recommends the optional PowerMax 2.0 Stand for the Pro 50. Its list price is $199.
At $549, the Pro 50 has the highest manufacturer list price of the three models compared here.
It cannot be expanded beyond 50 lb per dumbbell.
No tray or cradle is listed among its included components, unlike the BowFlex and Core sets.
PowerBlock lists a 5-year limited warranty for residential use.
Its policy allows return requests within 30 days of purchase with an RMA. The customer pays return shipping, and refunds exclude shipping, handling and assembly fees.
Returns are subject to a 20% processing/restocking fee applied to the original purchase price, and order cancellations are also subject to a 20% fee.
Returned products must meet PowerBlock's stated condition and packaging requirements and include all materials. Products returned without an RMA are not refunded.
Residential orders ship free within the 48 contiguous United States; heavier orders may arrive in multiple boxes.
Core's adjustable dumbbells cover 5–50 lb per dumbbell in 5 lb increments.
Their length changes with the selected weight, down to 9.3 inches at the 5 lb setting.
Core lists each dumbbell at 14.5 × 7.9 × 7.5 inches, with a total pair weight of 100 lb.
The set includes two adjustable dumbbells, two aluminum cradles and an exercise guide.
Manufacturer list price: $429.99.
Weight changes must be made while the handle is fully engaged in the cradle.
An optional Core Adjustable Dumbbell Stand is available separately for $149.99 list price. The stand does not include the cradles.
With the dumbbells on the stand, Core publishes assembled dimensions of 22 × 33.5 × 31.9 inches.
Core uses 5 lb weight steps, while the other two models provide 2.5 lb steps for at least part of their ranges.
The owner's manual warns against dropping the dumbbells freely from any height and states that doing so is considered abuse and is not covered under warranty.
Core lists a 2-year parts warranty.
Returns are accepted within 30 days of purchase. Customers pay return shipping, a restocking fee may apply if the product is not returned in its original condition, and orders cancelled after shipping carry a $40 fee.
Core does not publish a shipping cost on the product or policy pages used for this comparison.
Each of these sets covers multiple weight settings, but the published numbers don't tell you everything about how a set will fit and work in a small space. Five things are worth checking.
All three manufacturers publish per-dumbbell dimensions, but none publishes a directly comparable footprint for the complete pair in its normal storage setup.
BowFlex's published figure is measured with one dumbbell in its tray, while Core's dumbbell changes length with the weight selected.
Treat the per-dumbbell figures as a starting point, not as the space the full set will take up.
If you plan to switch weights between sets, check whether the dumbbell has to be back in its cradle or base to do it.
PowerBlock says no base stand is required. Core requires its handle to be fully engaged in the cradle, and BowFlex support says the Results Series 552 must be seated in its tray to change weight.
Maximum weight differs by only 2.5 lb across these three sets, from 50 to 52.5 lb.
Step size differs more: 2.5 lb across the whole range, 2.5 lb only in the lighter part of the range, or 5 lb throughout.
Two of the three sets include trays or cradles; for the third, none is listed. All three manufacturers sell an optional stand.
The “Included storage” and “Stand” columns in the table, and each product section, give the details.
The three return policies differ in return shipping, restocking fees and cancellation charges.
If you are unsure about fit, read the policy in each product section before ordering.
Training upstairs? See our guide to Quiet Home Gym Equipment for Upstairs Apartments.
We compared these adjustable dumbbells using published manufacturer specifications, official product pages, manufacturer documentation and direct manufacturer support confirmation where needed. The BowFlex model note also uses the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's 2025 recall record.
NookStrength has not hands-on tested these dumbbells.
We did not use owner reviews for this version of the comparison.
For dimensions, we use the figures published by each manufacturer plus BowFlex's written clarification about how its published measurements were taken. We do not rank the products by stored footprint because none of the three publishes a directly comparable footprint for the complete pair in its normal storage configuration.
We do not compare stand footprints in this comparison.
Prices shown are manufacturer list prices, checked October 10, 2026. Sale prices are excluded from the comparison because they can change independently of list price.
No stand is required as part of any of the three sets compared here. All three manufacturers sell optional stands.
See the comparison table for included storage and stand details.
It depends on the model. PowerBlock says no base stand is required. Core requires the handle to be fully engaged in its cradle, and BowFlex support confirmed that the Results Series 552 must be seated in its tray to change the selected weight.
See the “Base / cradle to adjust” column in the table.
There is no directly comparable published stored-footprint figure across all three products.
Use the published unit dimensions in the comparison table as a reference rather than treating them as the full stored footprint.