The ideal dumbbells for your home or garage gym are rubber hex dumbbells. Here’s a complete list of the best DBs for home workouts.
Why Rubber Hex Dumbbells Kick All of the Butts
There are a few reasons why they should be your go-to dumbbell:
? They won’t roll away from you. The hex design of the dumbbells prevents them from rolling away when placed on the floor. Even while it may appear to be a little irritation, spherical dumbbells will roll away from you if your gym floor is uneven, converting a minor annoyance into a potential safety threat.
? Protect your floor. While I wouldn’t propose dropping dumbbells from shoulder height to demonstrate this point, rubber-encased dumbbells are less likely to damage your floor during inadvertent drops.
? Thicker, contoured handles.I’m not a fan of thin, flat bars. I have long, E.T.-like fingers, so a thicker handle is always appealing to me. The handles on most conventional dumbbells and adjustable dumbbells are made of thin chrome or steel. Rubber hex dumbbells have broader, curved grips that fit comfortably (and more securely) in my palms.
? Less clanging and banging. It can be nice to clang and slam old school cast iron dumbbells back into the rack after a big set. However, the clang and bang isn’t always appreciated, particularly at home. The rubber coating on hex dumbbells softens the impact and significantly lowers noise. Get those benefits without disturbing the rest of the family.
Okay, okay, I’ll stop before I ramble on and on about why I like these kind of dumbbells.
Let’s go right to the fun stuff…
The reason you’ve come here…
A comprehensive review of the finest rubber hex dumbbells for home gyms.
Continue reading, and let’s start ballin’ with our dumbbells out.
Rogue Hex Dumbbells
⭐⭐⭐ Best overall rubber hex dumbbell
Rogue manufactures excellent equipment for both commercial and residential gyms. Even though I’ve never done a CrossFit WOD, and Rogue is often associated with the sport, you don’t have to be a CF competitor to appreciate their work. I swear by everything they make, from bumper plates to flat weight benches to Roman chairs.
Rogue wins in every metric when it comes to the best rubber hex dumbbells.
It doesn’t even come close.
Best quality (manufactured in the USA with North American steel) and best price (something you don’t typically hear about Rogue gear).
Rogue’s Rubber Hex Dumbbells are a basic pair of dumbbells. They have a curved and knurled grip that rises in size and is rubber-encased for quieter lifting and softer landing. Smaller weights (10lbs and under) feature a 25mm handle, while bigger weights have a thicker, 35mm handle, providing more grip assurance as you rise in weight.
Rogue sells a variety of dumbbells, some branded (like the ones we’re discussing right now) and some unbranded. They are essentially the same, with identical weight variations of 3%.
The branded DBs are slightly less expensive and are available in pairs as well as whole sets. A set of 10lb dumbbells costs roughly $28 and a pair of 125lb dumbbells costs $340, which is extremely low when compared to other DB manufacturers.
A pair of 50lb Rogue dumbbells, for example, costs $142, whereas single 50lb dumbbells from “low-priced” brands cost around $150.
To summarize, it’s difficult not to be impressed by the Rogue Rubber Hex Dumbbells’ thick handles, heavy-duty design, and incredibly low pricing.
CAP Barbell Rubber Hex Dumbbells
CAP Barbell manufactures a wide range of outstanding home gym equipment (and commercial gyms, too).
I definitely recommend a lot of their equipment, from their basic lat pulldown bar to barbell muscle clamps.
If you dislike Rogue, these dumbbells are an excellent substitute.
The Cap Barbell Rubber Hex Dumbbells, available in 5lb increments from 10lbs to 120lbs, are a fantastic addition to any home gym.
Handling the dumbbells is made more pleasant and secure with a curved chrome-plated handle. That stinky rubber encasing (common to all rubber DBs) will protect your floor from accidental drops and damage. And the weights are spaced far enough apart on the handle that you can train without being hindered.
They are substantially more expensive than Rogue’s dumbbells and on pace with the other DBs sold on Amazon, with a single 50lb dumbbell costing around $125 (pricing fluctuates—check here for current Amazon pricing and availability). They are available individually, in pairs, and as dumbbell sets from CAP Barbell.
Amazon Basics Rubber Hex Hand Weights
Amazon has invaded the personal fitness equipment market in recent years, and I am sure they have benefited significantly from the surge in people working out at home since the start of 2020.
They come in a variety of weights ranging from 10 to 50 pounds and have the standard chrome-covered and contoured handle that makes holding the dumbbells more secure. A thin rubber layer surrounds the “weight” section. There will be no rolling when you place the DBs on the ground or back on the rack.
They are less expensive than the CAP Barbell Dumbbells, but the sole drawback, at least for heavier lifters, is that they only go up to 50 pounds.
Sporzon! Rubber Hex Dumbbells
The sheer adaptability of dumbbells is one of my favorite aspects about them. Dumbbells are a fantastic supplement to any training plan, whether you want to blast your upper or lower body, do twists, weighted curls, or even hang them off a weighted dip belt.
Sporzon! hex dumbbells wrapped in rubber When it comes to a killer DB, it checks the majority of the criteria. Knurled grip, hex shape for simple storage and no rolling, and rubber encased for soft landings and floor protection.
There are two complaints.
First, the DBs only go up to 50 pounds and are usually offered in singles.
Second, as compared to other low-cost DBs, they weren’t all that cheap. They were much more expensive ($40 more for a single 50lb dumbbell) when compared to the Amazon Basics and the CAP Barbell DBs.
Sporzon’s DBs have nearly 2500 five-star reviews, making them an excellent pick for crushing your DB exercises at home.
JFIT Rubber Hex Dumbbells
Finally, there are JFIT’s rubber hexagon DBs.
You already know the deal: they have a chrome-plated handle that is balanced for a secure grip.
A diamond-knurl on the handle improves grip, and the rubber-encased ends are ideal for people working out in communal spaces (i.e. apartments).
Pricing is a little erratic, but I was able to acquire a single dumbbell for under $100, which is less than the other Amazon-listed dumbbells but much more than the Rogue DBs.
Available in a variety of weights ranging from 5 to 50lbs, and well-reviewed, with 70% of customers giving them a five-star rating.
CAP Barbell 150-pound Rubber Hex Dumbbell Set
⭐ Best rubber hex dumbbell set for intermediate lifters
If you’re looking for a good set of rubber hex dumbbells, CAP Barbell makes one of the best. Each set includes five pairs of dumbbells weighing 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 pounds.
The CAP Barbell dumbbells have curved handles for a more ergonomic grip, as well as light knurling to keep your hands from slipping when chasing gains in the gym. The handle is made of rolled solid steel and is linked to iron heads that do not clang or corrode with time.
Ordering your rubber hex dumbbells as a set significantly reduces the shipping costs of purchasing weights. The cost of shipping heavier items, such as dumbbells, quickly rises, especially if you buy them in pairs.
CAP Barbell sells dumbbell hex sets with a range of rack options.
You can choose between a two-tier dumbbell shelving rack and an A-frame for folks who wish to maximize floor space in their home gym (which is almost all of us).
The A-frame racks are also available in a range of colors, ranging from black to bright green, giving you plenty of options for picking the appropriate rubber hex set and rack to complement the decor of your home gym.
Choosing the Right Rubber Hex Dumbbells
Rubber hex dumbbells are among the most affordable dumbbells for home gym users.
While round head urethane dumbbells are preferred by most commercial and big box gyms due to their longevity and frequency of usage, they are also much more expensive.
Rubber hex DBs are more than adequate for folks who train out at home.
Here are some of the essential elements to look for when purchasing a pair or set for yourself.
✔️ Handle style.
The handle of most rubber hex dumbbells is softly shaped. Some lifting purists dislike this feature, but I prefer it because it provides a more tailored grip. Some gym companies, such as REP Fitness, construct their handles straight from head to head.
✔️ Handle knurling.
While we’re on the subject of handles, let’s take a look at the knurling, which is the handle’s “tread.” Knurling helps you get a better hold on the dumbbell handle.
Aggressive knurling, such as that found on powerlifting barbells, is perfect for short sets since it shreds your hands with repeated use.
Most rubber hex dumbbells have medium knurling that is ideal for longer sets and more repetitions.
One disadvantage of some DBs is that the majority of the handle is made up of exposed chrome with only strips of knurling. Lifters who sweat a lot understand how difficult it can be to grasp a chrome handle without knurling.
✔️ Fixed heads on the dumbbells
Most lifters won’t be bothered by this, but those wishing to equip a commercial gym will want to spend a little more money on rubber hex dumbbells that don’t have rattley, loose heads.
Rubber hex dumbbells with fixed heads are made by a few of my favorite brands, including Rogue, Titan Fitness, and Rep Fitness (or nearly fixed heads, in the case of Rogue).
The majority of the low-cost companies on Amazon sell hex dumbbells that aren’t as securely bonded at the handle and head. It’s simply less expensive to make this way.
Finally, until large groups of people use them aggressively on a daily basis, you won’t notice. And most brands don’t specify how they attach the heads in their product descriptions, so you’ll have to contact them directly to find out.
Having said that, I wanted to include this aspect in my breakdown since it helps to explain the pricing disparity between low-cost manufacturers and some of the larger fitness brands.
✔️ Cost
Finally, there’s the matter of money!
The amount you are willing to invest on hex dumbbells is determined by how much you intend to use them, how many DBs you want (singles, pairs, or sets), and your budget.
Fortunately, hex dumbbells are among the most economical options on the market, with even more premium brand names like Rogue creating highly cost-effective options for both the casual home gym enthusiast and lifters looking for a commercial-grade experience at home.