Bowflex kettlebell or HAKENO dumbbells: the smarter home-gym buy

Display

This category does not apply in the usual sense, because neither product has a screen. If we translate the idea into user feedback and ease of use, the Bowflex wins on clarity: a 4.7/5 rating from 7,392 reviews is a strong signal that the product is widely understood and consistently delivers what buyers expect. The HAKENO also scores well at 4.6/5, but with only 246 reviews, there is less real-world proof. Winner: Bowflex, because the much larger review base gives more confidence in the buying decision.

Performance

The HAKENO wins decisively here if your goal is strength training. The product title indicates a 15-in-1 adjustable dumbbell system with a range up to 24-40 kg, and that is a major advantage over the Bowflex kettlebell’s 18.1 kg maximum. For goblet squats, presses, rows, RDLs, and progressive overload, the HAKENO gives you much more headroom. The Bowflex performs best for kettlebell-specific work such as swings, cleans, snatches, and Turkish get-ups, but 18.1 kg will cap you quickly if you are already reasonably strong. Winner: HAKENO, because the higher load ceiling makes it the better tool for long-term progression.

Build quality and design

Bowflex has the cleaner, more proven design. SelectTech products are known for simple weight selection and a compact footprint, which matters in a home gym where floor space is at a premium. The kettlebell format also feels more natural for ballistic lifts than a dumbbell conversion. HAKENO’s adjustable dumbbell design is more complex, and with adjustable systems, complexity often means more parts, more potential wear points, and more care needed when changing weights. That said, the HAKENO’s design is more versatile because it replaces multiple pairs of dumbbells, which is a huge practical advantage if you train a full-body programme. Winner: Bowflex for simplicity and confidence; HAKENO for versatility. Overall, Bowflex edges it on design quality because kettlebells are inherently robust and less fiddly.

Battery life

Neither product uses a battery, so this factor is not relevant. If we interpret this as maintenance and convenience, Bowflex wins because the kettlebell format is quicker to grab, set, and use with fewer moving parts to think about. HAKENO requires more setup and adjustment between loads, especially if multiple users or multiple exercises are involved. Winner: Bowflex.

Price and value for money

Bowflex is cheaper at £138.68 versus HAKENO at £175.98, a difference of £37.30. For buyers who mainly want one compact piece of kit for conditioning and general home workouts, Bowflex offers strong value because it is well-reviewed, simpler, and less expensive. However, value is not just about upfront price; it is about what you get per pound spent. The HAKENO is the better value if you need heavy dumbbells, because getting adjustable loading up to 24-40 kg in one set can replace several fixed dumbbells that would cost much more individually. Winner: tie, with Bowflex better on upfront cost and HAKENO better on training value.

Game library/features

Again, this category does not apply literally, but the equivalent is exercise variety. The HAKENO wins because adjustable dumbbells support a broader training menu: bench press, shoulder press, rows, lunges, split squats, curls, lateral raises, and heavy unilateral work. The Bowflex kettlebell is excellent for conditioning, grip strength, and core work, but it is more specialised. If your training is built around general strength and hypertrophy, the dumbbells are the more useful tool. If you want a compact conditioning implement, the kettlebell is the better feature set for that niche. Winner: HAKENO.

Overall user experience

Bowflex is the easier recommendation for most casual home gym buyers because it is affordable, highly rated, and straightforward. It is the kind of product you are more likely to use often because it is quick to pick up and well suited to short workouts, EMOMs, and kettlebell circuits. HAKENO is the more serious strength-training purchase: if you want one space-saving system that can grow with you, the adjustable dumbbells offer far more progression potential. The trade-off is that adjustable dumbbells are usually slower to change and more mechanically involved than a single kettlebell. In a garage gym or spare-room setup, the Bowflex is the neater, more confidence-inspiring buy for kettlebell training, while the HAKENO is the better all-round investment for lifting heavy over time.

Overall summary: choose Bowflex if you want a reliable, compact kettlebell with a proven track record and a lower price. Choose HAKENO if your priority is serious strength training, heavier loading, and maximum versatility from a space-saving adjustable system.