When It Comes to Strong Arms, Nothing Beats Kettlebells
May 29, 2025
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Similar to the best dumbbells, the best kettlebells make it easy to build muscular strength and endurance right at home. Their shape and grippy handles make them easy to swing and maneuver in ways that might not be as safe with other types of weights, so you can perform a greater variety of moves.
And, with a little expert guidance, it’s a snap to find top-notch kettlebell weights that suit your needs and your space. Shop our favorite options below, and read on to learn more about this handy workout helper.
Our top picks
- Best Adjustable Kettlebell: Bowflex SelectTech 840 Adjustable Kettlebell, $149
- Best Standard Kettlebell: Kettlebell Kings Powder Coat Kettlebell, starting at $56
- Best Budget Pick: Amazon Basics Cast-Iron 10-Pound Kettlebell, starting at $19
- Best Splurge: Rogue Fitness Kettlebell Powder Coat, starting at $42
- Most Durable: Yes4All Cast-Iron Kettlebell, starting at $11
- Best for Varied Weights: Rep Fitness Kettlebells, starting at $33
- Best for Quieter Lifting: Yes4All Vinyl Coated Kettlebell, starting at $17
Shop the best kettlebells
Let’s get into the swing of things.
Best Adjustable Kettlebell: Bowflex SelectTech 840 Adjustable Kettlebell
BowFlex
SelectTech 840 Adjustable Kettlebell
If you’re low on space, an adjustable kettlebell is the way to go. This design allows you to change weight values without switching between (or having to invest in) different pieces of equipment.
Bowflex’s bestselling version won a Home Fitness Award in 2023—our tester loved how easily its weight adjusted (with just the turn of a dial) and the way it came in clutch throughout their fitness journey: “The best part is that you can have it for a long time, even as you increase weight and get stronger,” they said.
Available weights: 8, 12, 20, 25, 35, and 40 pounds
Best Standard Kettlebell: Kettlebell Kings Powder Coat Kettlebell
Kettlebell Kings
Powder Coat Kettlebell
Justin Meissner, an NASM-certified personal trainer, kettlebell certification instructor, and mobility specialist, tells SELF he’s used Kettlebell Kings’s cast-iron bells for years, in large part for their durability (“They last forever,” he says). They’re sturdy with wide handles and flat bottoms—perfect for easy lifting and storage.
For those who are sticklers about the numbers: Kettlebell Kings uses a process known as gravity casting to make its equipment, which ensures accurate weights and prevents wear and tear over time.
Available weights: 18, 22, 26, 31, 35, 40, 44, 62, 70, 80, 88, and 97 pounds
Best Budget Pick: Amazon Basics Cast-Iron 10-Pound Kettlebell
Amazon Basics
Cast Iron 10-Pound Kettlebell
Weights can get pricey fast, especially if you’re buying multiple sets at the same time. But you can snag a wide range of weights for less when you opt for these kettlebells from Amazon Basics. They’re bare-bones, but they get the job done—and even the smallest sizes have wide handles to help you maintain a comfortable grip. Plus, they’re made of solid cast iron, so they won’t fall apart on you (like some budget-friendly fitness gear that sacrifices quality for cost).
Available weights: 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, and 60 pounds
Best Splurge: Rogue Fitness Kettlebell Powder Coat
Rogue
Fitness Kettlebell Powder Coat
If you’re willing to spend some extra on your setup, you can’t do much better than these Rogue kettlebells. “The finish holds chalk well without tearing up your hands, and the weight distribution feels balanced and consistent across all sizes,” Everett Miner, NASM-CPT, an in-person and online fitness coach, tells SELF.
I personally use Rogue’s kettlebells at my local rock climbing gym and agree with Miner—they feel really high-quality, with a subtle texture that enhances their grip but doesn’t feel too rough either. (Which is a major win at a climbing gym, where you want to preserve the skin on your hands as much as possible.)
Available weights: 9, 13, 18, 26, 35, 40, 44, 53, 62, 70, 80 and 88 pounds
Most Durable: Yes4All Cast-Iron Kettlebell
Yes4All
Cast Iron Kettlebell
Christa Sgobba, SELF’s director of fitness and food, has had her set of Yes4All weights since 2020, when she beefed up her home gym setup during the COVID lockdowns. “They are holding up perfectly,” she says. Case in point: They’re made from solid, seamless cast iron and feature a sturdy, corrosion-resistant paint finish.
If you don’t already have a workout mat or floor protection in your workout area, these bells are also available with rubber bases to prevent denting and scuffing.
Available weights: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, and 80 pounds
Best for Varied Weights: Rep Fitness Kettlebells
Rep Fitness
Kettlebells (12 kg)
Tina Tang, CPT, a NASM-certified personal trainer with additional training in barbell and kettlebell work (and one of our 2024 Home Fitness Award judges) says these are her go-to. The handles are easy to grip, the bells themselves don’t feel too bulky, and the weight options are second to none. Tang points out that Rep offers weights in increments that are harder to find from other brands, which can be helpful as you gradually increase the load you’re working with.
One thing to note: Rep sells its kettlebells by kilograms and by pounds. More options are available in kilograms, so we’ve listed them in that unit below.
Available weights: 1, 4, 6,8, 10, 12, 14,16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, and 48 kilograms
Best for Quieter Lifting: Yes4All Vinyl Coated Kettlebell
Yes4All
Vinyl Coated Kettlebell
Maybe you have downstairs neighbors or you work out right next to your partner’s home office—there are a million reasons why you might want to keep noise to a minimum, and these kettlebells can help make your sessions noticeably quieter. Their vinyl coating softens the impact they make when you put them down (and has the added benefit of protecting the bells themselves from corrosion over time). And hey, who doesn’t like a pop of color?
Available weights: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, and 100 pounds
How we chose the best kettlebells
Whether it’s for our annual Home Fitness Awards or simply to stay up to date on industry trends, we’re always testing new workout and weight training equipment here at SELF. So we already had a pretty good idea of which brands and models make truly high-quality kettlebells when we started curating this list. To narrow the field further, we also asked fitness professionals to weigh in on their preferred bells and share which features are actually important to consider when shopping.
FAQs about kettlebells
What to look for when shopping for kettlebells
According to Meissner, you should mainly pay attention to the material of the kettlebell—opt for steel or cast iron over plastic. They may cost more, but they’re built to last. “Plastic [kettlebells] usually have just rice as the weight on the inside, and they’re poorly made,” he says.
Meissner also recommends buying powder-coated kettlebells, since they feel more ergonomic and easier to grip during dynamic moves. “The heavier they get, the larger the bell gets. [But] they feel nice in the hand and move easily,” he says.
What makes kettlebells useful for strength training?
“When you hold a kettlebell, the bulk of that weight is below the handle, which forces your body to stay stable and controlled while performing exercises,” Vanessa Liu, a NASM-certified personal trainer and nutrition specialist, tells SELF. She adds that this design can add a degree of difficulty to moves you’re used to doing with a dumbbell.
According to Meissner, kettlebells are also a wise investment due to their durability and versatility. “You don’t need a lot of them to be able to get great workouts in. There are exercises you can do with kettlebells that don’t work very well with dumbbells, but any dumbbell exercise you can do with a kettlebell,” he says, noting that they’re great for strength building, cardio, and more.
Liu adds that working out with kettlebells can make everyday functional movements feel easier. “Kettlebells are good for when you have to hold a weight at your side, like in a carry exercise. Think about how you carry grocery bags—there’s a handle and most of that bag weight is below the handle,” she says. “A kettlebell carry is a very functional exercise that mimics how you carry everyday things.”
How to get started with kettlebell training
If you’re a kettlebell beginner, “learning proper form and technique will set you up for success,” Meissner says. His favorite move is a kettlebell swing. “These will strengthen the glutes, hamstrings, and the core, and can increase cardiovascular output,” he explains. “There are simpler exercises as well, like a goblet squat, which is just holding the kettlebell up by the chest while doing squats. Russian twists are great for the core, and bent-over rows will strengthen the back and arms.”
Kate Cherichello, an ACE-certified personal trainer, fitness professional, and founder of Be By Kate Training & Coaching, notes that focusing on your form during kettlebell exercises will help prevent injuries down the line. “Core engagement is key. When there is a weight pulling you away from your center, you increase your chance of injury. Keeping the core activated is going to help keep your body in alignment and is particularly important for your back safety,” she explains. She also notes that you need to be in control of the weight at all times, especially during exercises like kettlebell swings.
“The weight should be a challenge, but not so much that your form is compromised. Take a break or change to a lighter weight before letting anything happen to your form,” Cherichello says. “Additionally, before adding any weight to an exercise, practice the exercise without the weight so as to ensure you have the form down first. It’s paramount to safety and longevity in working out!”
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