Rankings

For everyday home lifting the QuickDraw is the better buy than the Bowflex 552. It is mostly steel, the switches lock with a click, the knurled 32 mm handle feels like a real dumbbell, and the lifetime warranty beats Bowflex. It is slower to change than a dial, longer when loaded, and needs add-on plates past 30 lb. A strong value for most lifters.

The S 5100 is the adjustable dumbbell for lifters who miss the feel of a real one. Twist the handle and both ends change in a second, the shape stays compact enough for flyes, and 100 lb a hand covers serious pressing. It costs $999 a pair, the dumbbells are not meant to be dropped and the stand is fussy. Buy it if you lift heavy and have money. Otherwise PowerBlock or Bowflex do the job for less.

The 552 is still the quickest dial dumbbell to use and the cheapest way to replace 15 pairs, but it asks for trust the brand has not fully earned. The recalled models dropped plates on people, the redesigned Results Series adds metal locking tabs, and the dial housing is still plastic. Buy it on sale, treat it kindly, and never drop it. If you lift heavy or rough, buy a PowerBlock or Nuobell instead.

The 840 is a convenient bell for beginners and small flats: six weights from 8 to 40 lb in one dial, with a smooth shell and a comfortable handle. It is not a replacement for cast iron. The plates rattle on swings, the body is bulky, 40 lb is a low ceiling, and $149 buys more iron elsewhere.