£165.98 for 40kg adjustable dumbbells: strong value if you want space savings

The HAKENO 2 x 24 kg / 40 kg Adjustable Dumbbells are worth buying if you want a space-saving home setup with a fast weight change mechanism and you can live with the compromises of an adjustable system. At £165.98, with 240 reviews and a 4.6/5 rating, this is priced well below the Bowflex 1090i at £300.00 and slightly under the Bowflex SelectTech 552 at £171.99, which makes the current price look particularly attractive.

First impressions

The headline feature is obvious: one pair replaces 15 fixed dumbbell settings, covering 24–40 kg in selectable steps. That kind of range is useful for home training because it reduces clutter immediately, especially if you’re working out in a garage, spare room, or flat where a full dumbbell run would be impractical. The listing also claims a 1-second dial adjustment, which is exactly the type of convenience that makes adjustable dumbbells viable for supersets, drop sets, and circuit work.

What are the key features in practice?

The standout technical idea here is the dial-based selection system. If the adjustment really is as seamless as described, it saves a lot of time versus plate-loaded handles, where you’re constantly removing collars and swapping discs. The dual safety locking system is also important: adjustable dumbbells need more than convenience, they need to keep the plates secured during presses, rows, and floor work. HAKENO’s claim of a secure double-locking mechanism and 10 locking grooves in a high-strength nylon base suggests the design is aimed at preventing wobble and accidental plate movement.

The weight range is the other major selling point. A 24–40 kg adjustable dumbbell set is far more serious than the lighter adjustable sets aimed at casual users. That matters if you want something that can handle heavier dumbbell benching, rows, split squats, and loaded carries without immediately outgrowing the equipment. The frosted powder-coated plates should also help with abrasion resistance and reduce the cheap, shiny look that some budget adjustable dumbbells have.

How does it perform for home training?

For most home gym users, the main performance question is not just how heavy the dumbbells go, but how quickly you can move between weights and whether the mechanism stays secure under load. On paper, HAKENO scores well here: a 1-second dial change, 15 weight options, and a locking system designed to keep plates fixed. That makes it more practical than traditional spinlock dumbbells and more versatile than fixed pairs.

The limitation is obvious too: adjustable dumbbells are only as good as their mechanism and tolerance levels. If you train hard and often, you’ll want to pay attention to how solid the handle feels, how stable the plates are at the upper end, and whether the dial system remains smooth over time. The product data does not include a commercial-grade warranty, plate dimensions, or exact increment chart, so buyers should treat this as a home-use tool rather than a rack replacement.

Is the build quality convincing?

The build story is reasonably encouraging. HAKENO highlights a high-strength nylon base, 10 locking grooves, and a dual-locking system, which are all sensible design choices for a product that needs to survive repeated weight changes. The powder-coated plate finish is another plus because it suggests a more durable surface than bare painted metal.

That said, there is a genuine warning here: the listing copy is heavily promotional and cuts off mid-sentence in places, so you do not get the kind of full technical transparency you’d want from a premium strength product. There is no listed footprint, no stated handle diameter, no explicit warranty term, and no detailed compatibility information for accessories or replacement parts. For a home gym buyer, that means less certainty than you’d get from a more established commercial-style brand.

Is it good value for money?

At £165.98, this is strong value if you want adjustable dumbbells in the 24–40 kg class. The price is at the all-time lowest recorded level, and it is only £6.01 cheaper than the Bowflex SelectTech 552 at £171.99 while offering a heavier stated range than that model. Compared with the Bowflex 1090i at £300.00, the HAKENO is dramatically cheaper, which makes the value case hard to ignore.

The trade-off is trust and ecosystem. Bowflex has a stronger reputation, clearer product support, and more established market presence. HAKENO wins on headline price and usable range, but you are paying less partly because you are not getting the same brand assurance.

How does the HAKENO compare to alternatives?

Against the Bowflex SelectTech 552, the HAKENO looks better for heavier training because its stated range goes up to 40 kg, while the Bowflex 552 tops out at 24 kg. Against the Bowflex 1090i at £300.00, HAKENO is far cheaper and likely the better pick for buyers who care more about value than brand pedigree. If your priority is long-term confidence, resale value, and a proven system, Bowflex still has an edge; if your priority is maximum weight per pound spent, HAKENO makes more sense.

The bottom line is simple: this is a compelling adjustable dumbbell set for serious home use, provided you are comfortable buying from a less established name and you want the convenience of a dial system more than the certainty of a premium brand.