A compact adjustable dumbbell that makes home training far easier

Yes — the Bowflex SelectTech Adjustable Weights and Dumbbells, Single Dumbbell 552 is worth buying if you want a compact, quick-change dumbbell with a genuine 2–24 kg range and a strong 4.7/5 rating from 9,609 reviews. At £171.99, and with the current price marked as the all-time lowest, it is priced sensibly for a premium adjustable option rather than a cheap space-saving compromise.

First impressions

The appeal is immediate: one dumbbell replaces 15 fixed weights, and that matters if you’re building a serious home setup in a flat, spare room, or garage corner. The black/red finish looks familiar and functional rather than flashy, and the single-dumbbell format is important to understand up front — this listing is for one unit, not a pair. If you want matched dumbbells for bilateral training, you’ll need to buy two.

What does the 2–24 kg range actually give you?

The headline spec is the 2–24 kg per dumbbell range with 15 fine increments. That is a proper spread for home use: light enough for raises, curls, and rehab-style work, but heavy enough for presses, rows, squats, lunges, and extensions. The step-up format is useful for progressive overload because you are not jumping between awkward fixed weights; you can move in smaller increments and keep training momentum.

How good is the quick dial system in real use?

The quick dial system is the main reason people buy this style of dumbbell, and here it does what it should: change weights in seconds. That makes it far better suited to circuits, supersets, and HIIT than a stack of loose plates or a traditional spinlock setup. In practical terms, less time fiddling with equipment means more time under load, which is exactly what you want during short home sessions.

Is it apartment friendly and easy to live with?

Yes, the moulded plate coating is a real advantage in shared spaces because it reduces clanging compared with metal-on-metal dumbbells. That makes early morning or late night training less disruptive. The compact footprint is also a major win: instead of storing 15 pairs of dumbbells, you only need space for one or two SelectTech units, which can transform a cluttered room into a usable training area.

How does it feel for pressing, rowing, and lower-body work?

Bowflex claims a secure grip handle and balanced feel, and that is the right design goal for a dumbbell that needs to cover everything from curls to lunges. For presses and rows, the adjustable format should feel efficient and stable enough for controlled sets; for squats and lunges, the wide range makes it more versatile than many fixed dumbbell pairs. The key limitation is that this is still a single adjustable dumbbell mechanism, so users who prefer the feel of a traditional fixed hex dumbbell may notice the compromise.

Build quality and confidence

The 4.7/5 rating from 9,609 reviews suggests the design has been broadly well received, and the 100+ bought last month figure shows it still has strong demand. The warranty terms were not provided in the data, so I can’t comment on coverage, and that is a gap buyers should check before ordering. For a product at this price, warranty detail matters because adjustable mechanisms are more complex than a basic iron dumbbell.

Is it good value for money?

At £171.99, this is cheaper than the Bowflex Unisex 1090i Single Adjustable Dumbbell at £300.00, while matching its 4.7★ rating. It also undercuts the Bowflex SelectTech Adjustable Kettlebell at £179.95 and is cheaper than the BRAINGAIN 15 in 1 Adjustable Dumbbells 24kg Pair at £219.99, though that BRAINGAIN option includes a pair and a storage dock. If you want a proven branded adjustable dumbbell with a strong review base and compact storage, the Bowflex price is competitive — especially at the current all-time low.

What should buyers watch out for?

The biggest warning is obvious: this is sold as a single dumbbell, so the apparent price can be misleading if you actually need a pair. The second issue is that adjustable dumbbells are not the same as fixed dumbbells for every lift; the mechanism adds complexity, and some lifters simply prefer the simplicity and durability of solid heads. Also, the sales rank of #11371 in category is respectable but not elite, so this is a popular niche product rather than a mass-market bestseller.

How does it compare to alternatives?

Compared with the Bowflex 1090i at £300.00, the 552 offers a far lower entry price and a lighter maximum weight, which makes it better for general home training but less suited to heavier strength work. Against the BRAINGAIN 24 kg pair at £219.99, Bowflex has the stronger brand reputation and slightly lower price per unit, but BRAINGAIN gives you two dumbbells and a storage dock. The Bowflex kettlebell at £179.95 is a different tool entirely, but it shows the 552 sits in the same premium home-gym pricing band.

Final take

If your priority is a tidy, fast-adjusting dumbbell with a real 2–24 kg range and a long track record of happy buyers, this is an easy recommendation at £171.99. If you need a pair, or you want maximum load for heavy dumbbell work, budget for two units or look at alternatives with clearer pair pricing.