BRAINGAIN vs HAKENO: the smarter adjustable dumbbell buy for your home gym

Build quality and design

Winner: BRAINGAIN

BRAINGAIN has the edge here because it pairs a secure locking system with a non-slip grip and includes a storage dock, which matters more than it sounds. Adjustable dumbbells live or die by their selector mechanism and tray stability; a dock that keeps the pair organised reduces the chance of mis-seating plates or dropping a handle mid-change. HAKENO also uses a 15-in-1 adjustable design and is clearly aimed at the same space-saving audience, but the product listing gives less reassurance on ownership details and has far fewer reviews. With 1,234 reviews versus HAKENO’s 250, BRAINGAIN has the stronger real-world proof that the design holds up over time.

Performance

Winner: HAKENO

On paper, HAKENO wins performance because its listing suggests a broader adjustable range, with the product title referencing 2 x 24 kg / 40 kg and a 24-40 kg variable-weight format. If that higher ceiling is accurate for the exact version you receive, it gives you more headroom for presses, rows, goblet squats, and progressive overload as you get stronger. BRAINGAIN is listed as a 24 kg pair, which is still solid for most home users, but the HAKENO naming implies a more flexible top-end option. For buyers who want the most load potential from an adjustable dumbbell system, that extra ceiling is the key performance advantage.

Price and value for money

Winner: HAKENO

HAKENO is £175.98, while BRAINGAIN is £197.99, so HAKENO is cheaper by £22.01. That is not a huge gap, but on a home gym purchase it can still matter, especially if you are also buying a bench, flooring, or rack attachments. Purely on sticker price, HAKENO offers the better entry cost and a potentially higher stated max weight, which makes it the stronger value proposition if you are comfortable with a less proven product. BRAINGAIN’s higher price is easier to justify only if you place extra value on the larger review count, included storage dock, and the sense of a more established product.

User experience

Winner: BRAINGAIN

BRAINGAIN looks like the more polished ownership experience. The secure locking system and storage dock reduce friction in daily use, and that matters when you are changing loads between sets or sharing equipment in a small garage or spare room. Adjustable dumbbells should feel quick, tidy, and confidence-inspiring; if the tray and locking arrangement are intuitive, you will use them more often and with less annoyance. HAKENO may still be perfectly functional, but the listing does not communicate the same level of refinement or reassurance. For most home lifters, the better day-to-day experience is the one that feels safer and more organised, not just the one with the lowest price.

Overall value and buying confidence

Winner: BRAINGAIN

This is where the decision becomes clearer. Both products are rated 4.6/5, but BRAINGAIN’s 1,234 reviews are a much stronger signal than HAKENO’s 250. In practical terms, that means BRAINGAIN has been tested by a far larger pool of buyers, which lowers the risk of hidden issues with the locking mechanism, handle feel, or long-term durability. HAKENO still has a strong rating and is cheaper, but BRAINGAIN’s combination of a proven review base, included dock, and more confidence-inspiring feature set makes it the safer buy for most people.

Overall summary: HAKENO wins on price and likely top-end load potential, but BRAINGAIN wins where it matters most for a home gym purchase: trust, convenience, and ownership confidence. If you want the best all-round adjustable dumbbell set with the least uncertainty, BRAINGAIN is the better choice. If your priority is saving £22 and you want to chase the highest stated weight range, HAKENO is the value pick.