Bowflex 1090i vs EnterSports 12kgx2: which adjustable dumbbell wins?

Load range and training ceiling

Winner: Bowflex 1090i

This is the biggest deciding factor. The Bowflex 1090i adjusts up to 41kg per dumbbell, which is in a different league from the EnterSports set’s 12kg per dumbbell maximum. For anyone training chest, rows, presses, or lower-body dumbbell work with meaningful progression, 12kg quickly becomes limiting. The Bowflex gives you a much longer runway before you outgrow it, which is why it suits intermediate and advanced lifters far better.

Build quality and design

Winner: Bowflex 1090i

Bowflex’s design is more refined and purpose-built for regular use. The 1090i uses a selectorised dial system with a solid cradle, and the overall construction is designed to feel more like serious training equipment than a budget adjustable set. EnterSports is lighter-duty by comparison, and while it can be perfectly adequate for general home use, it is not built to the same standard of fit, finish, or long-term confidence under heavy use. If you want something that feels closer to commercial-grade convenience, Bowflex wins easily.

Ease of use and user experience

Winner: Bowflex 1090i

The Bowflex is quicker to change weights and more consistent in use. Adjustable dumbbells live or die by how painless the transitions are, and the 1090i’s dial-based system is one of the best-known solutions for fast set changes between exercises. EnterSports uses a simpler plate-style approach with 5 weight levels from 2kg to 12kg, which is fine for slower-paced workouts, but it is less seamless if you’re moving between supersets or higher-volume sessions. For a smoother, more gym-like experience, Bowflex is the better tool.

Grip, handling, and ergonomics

Winner: Bowflex 1090i

Both products are aimed at home users, but the Bowflex is the more mature design. The 1090i has a more substantial handle and a more balanced feel as the weight increases. EnterSports advertises a non-slip handle, which is useful, but its lighter maximum loading means ergonomics matter less under serious load. Once you start pressing or rowing heavier weights, the Bowflex’s superior stability and feel become more important.

Price and value for money

Winner: EnterSports 12kgx2

At £115.48, the EnterSports set is dramatically cheaper than the Bowflex at £300.00, saving £184.52. For beginners, casual users, or anyone mainly doing light-to-moderate dumbbell work, that price gap is hard to ignore. You are getting a usable pair of adjustable dumbbells for less than half the cost of the Bowflex, and for many households that will be enough. If your training needs are modest, EnterSports is the stronger value play.

Suitability for different training goals

Winner: Bowflex 1090i

If you want a single adjustable dumbbell system that can support long-term strength progression, Bowflex is the clear winner. The 41kg ceiling means it can handle pressing, rows, goblet squats, lunges, and accessory work for much longer before you need to upgrade. The EnterSports set is better suited to light general fitness, rehabilitation-style work, office use, or beginner routines where 12kg is enough. It is not a true replacement for a heavier training setup.

Brand confidence and proven track record

Winner: Bowflex 1090i

The Bowflex has a much larger review base at 9,576 ratings versus 1,032 for EnterSports, and the 4.7/5 score suggests consistently strong user satisfaction. That does not automatically make it better, but it does indicate a product with broader real-world validation. EnterSports’ 4.6/5 rating is also strong, but with a smaller review pool and a far lower maximum load, it is clearly the less proven option for serious training.

Overall user experience

Winner: Bowflex 1090i

The Bowflex is the better all-round training experience if you care about performance, progression, and convenience. It is more expensive, but the extra money buys a much higher load ceiling, a more polished adjustment system, and a more durable-feeling product. EnterSports is the better budget buy and a sensible choice for lighter work, but it is simply not in the same class for anyone planning to train hard over time.

Overall summary: Bowflex 1090i is the superior adjustable dumbbell for most serious home gym buyers because it offers far more weight, better usability, and a more robust design. EnterSports only wins on price, and it is the right choice if your training is light, your budget is tight, and you know you will not need heavy loads. If you want the best long-term purchase, buy Bowflex. If you want the cheapest functional option, buy EnterSports.