Bowflex 1090i or HAKENO 40kg: which adjustable dumbbell wins?

Display

There is no display or screen on either product, so this category is not relevant in the usual sense. If you’re shopping from a fitness-equipment perspective rather than a tech-product perspective, the more useful comparison is how clearly each system presents weight selection and how easy it is to use mid-session. Winner: tie, because neither product has a display.

Performance

The HAKENO wins on pure lifting capacity. Its headline range goes up to 24 kg per dumbbell in the 15-in-1 configuration, with the listing also referencing a 40 kg adjustable dumbbell set variant, which suggests a much more serious load ceiling than the Bowflex 1090i’s familiar 41 lb / 18.6 kg class. For presses, rows, RDLs and goblet squats, that extra headroom matters a lot once you outgrow lighter adjustable dumbbells. The Bowflex is still excellent for general home training, but it is ultimately capped at a lighter working weight, so stronger lifters will hit its ceiling sooner. Winner: HAKENO, because it offers more progression potential and is better suited to heavier strength work.

Build quality and design

Bowflex has the advantage in proven design maturity. The 1090i is a well-known selectorised adjustable dumbbell system with a long track record, and that matters because dumbbells are one of the most abused pieces of home-gym kit. The adjustment mechanism is typically smoother and more refined than budget alternatives, and the brand’s reputation is reflected in the huge 9,576-review sample at a 4.7/5 rating. HAKENO’s design is more value-focused: it gives you two adjustable dumbbells for a much lower price, but the smaller review base of 248 ratings means there is less real-world evidence behind durability claims. If you want the safer bet for finish, consistency and long-term confidence, Bowflex wins. If you care more about getting two usable dumbbells with a heavier range, HAKENO is attractive, but it is the riskier choice from a build-quality standpoint. Winner: Bowflex.

Battery life

Neither product uses a battery, so there is no charging cycle, runtime or battery degradation to consider. In practical home-gym terms, that’s a plus for both: no charging, no dead sessions, no electronics to fail. Winner: tie.

Price and value for money

This is where HAKENO dominates. At £175.98, it is £124.02 cheaper than the Bowflex £300.00, and crucially that lower price gets you two dumbbells rather than what is presented as a single Bowflex unit. On a straight pounds-per-training-option basis, HAKENO is the better deal by a wide margin, especially if you want a matched pair for bilateral work, supersets or partner training. Bowflex only justifies its premium if you place a high value on brand trust, refinement and the reassurance of a widely proven system. For most buyers, the HAKENO’s value proposition is hard to ignore. Winner: HAKENO.

Game library/features

Again, there is no game library, but there are functional features that matter in the gym. Bowflex’s key feature is its selectorised convenience: quick weight changes with a compact footprint and a more established user experience. That makes it strong for circuit training, drop sets and general home use where you want minimal faff between sets. HAKENO’s standout feature is the ability to own two adjustable dumbbells at a lower total spend, which opens up more practical training options: alternating sets, dumbbell benching, curls, lateral raises and partner workouts without constantly swapping one handle between hands. If your priority is the slickest single-dumbbell user experience, Bowflex edges it. If your priority is more training versatility for the money, HAKENO wins. Winner: HAKENO, because two dumbbells and a heavier range create more usable training scenarios.

Overall user experience

Bowflex feels like the premium, low-drama option. The brand’s long-standing reputation and massive review count suggest a product that many home gym users have lived with for years, and that reassurance counts when you’re spending £300 on a single adjustable dumbbell. It is likely to be the more polished and predictable ownership experience, especially if you value compactness and don’t need very heavy loading. HAKENO feels like the smarter home-gym bargain: more weight, two dumbbells, and a much lower entry cost. For most UK buyers building a serious garage gym on a budget, that is the more practical purchase. The only reason to pay extra for Bowflex is if you specifically want the more established premium system and are happy to pay for it. Overall summary: HAKENO wins on value and strength potential, while Bowflex wins on brand confidence and refinement. If you want the best all-round buy, HAKENO is the definitive recommendation; if you want the safest premium choice, Bowflex is the fallback.