The Best Kettlebells in 2023

Your journey towards swoledom can take you a lot of places. The gym, for instance, is an amazing place to reach your goals, but it’s also inconvenient. If you don’t have a gym near you or your workplace, you’re gonna have to invest a lot of time for something that’s already pretty time-consuming. A home gym is a great alternative, more affordable in the long run, and can help you reach the same goals more consistently and conveniently. Stocking your home gym with the best kettlebells and dumbbells, along with a sturdy, reliable weight bench, will enable you to work out daily without having to commute and spend a lot of money on an expensive membership.

For building muscle mass, dumbbells and kettlebells are the go-to tool, used by amateur and professional bodybuilders alike. Having access to the best adjustable kettlebell will allow you to work on your muscle groups with weights that match your current capacity. Working out at home can be as fulfilling and motivating as working out at a gym or in a public space. Just make sure to spec your home gym with items that fit your workouts and you’re gonna see results in no time. That being said, let’s take a look at 8 products that we’ve deemed to be some of the best kettlebells money can buy.

rogue kettlebells
  • Single cast
  • First run iron construction
  • Grippy powder finish for better grip
  • Color-coded handles
  • 9-203 lbs kettlebells
CHECK PRICES

You haven’t heard of Rogue Fitness? Bro, are you even serious? Joking aside, Rogue Fitness is one of the most reputed up-and-coming fitness accessory manufacturers. They provide high-quality products at very affordable prices. Their designs are solid, the public response is overwhelmingly positive, and their product line includes something for everyone.

Their kettlebells range from 9 to 203 pounds. As you climb up in weight they get more and more expensive. The iron used in the kettlebells is not scrapped. You might think this is just to stick it to the environment, but you’d be wrong to think that. It’s first run iron, and because there aren’t many impurities, the iron has no voids, so the center of mass is perfectly aligned.

The Rogue Kettlebells are also coated with powder. The powder will hold chalk and provide an amazing grip. The bottom of the kettlebells is flat, so you can store and use them safely, without worrying about a wobbly base. The handle is also color-coded so you can pick the right weight just by looking at the kettlebells.

In terms of grip, the matte finish should provide enough support for most workouts without you having to rely on chalk. Chalk can be messy, especially if you workout in tighter spaces, on carpets, in your own home. Chalk will provide that extra bit of grip if you plan on doing kettle swings or any sort of exercise that requires a strong, firm hold.

Lastly, the Rogue Kettlebells are single cast. This means that there is no need to attach the handle to the kettlebell with plastic or rubber or any other subpar materials that would wear down quicker than the iron. The only downside with this product is that if the powder finish chips off, you’re gonna be left with some rusty parts. Highly recommended!

Pros:
  • Grippy finish
  • Works well with chalk
  • Great weight accuracy
  • Good build quality
Cons:
  • Might rust if not handled with care

Kettlebell Kings Powder Coat Kettlebell

The Best Kettlebells in Terms of Quality

kettlebell kings powder coat kettlebell
  • Powder coating
  • Flat bottom
  • Color-coded
  • Iron cast
CHECK PRICES

I know I kind of went off raving about the kettlebell made by Rogue, but we’re not going to spend so much time talking about the Kettlebell Kings kettlebell. Why? Because they’re virtually identical.

Now, if you want to make an informed decision, there are a few things that make this more or less appealing to you compared to the previously-featured product. First off, the Kettlebell Kings product comes with a lifetime warranty. If you’re planning on building your own home gym, this is super important. You’re guaranteed to have a high-quality product for the rest of your life.

Secondly, the handle of this kettlebell has more surface area. If you have larger or wider hands, this is super important, since you’re gonna be able to have a better hold for your swings and dips.

Lastly, the Kettlebell Kings powder coated kettlebell has a slightly higher price. You do get premium quality and a lifetime warranty, but you’re going to have to cough up a few extra bucks. The more weight you want, the wider the pricing gap will become.

Pros:
  • Great weight accuracy
  • Good coating
  • Best quality out there
  • Lifetime warranty
Cons:
  • Considerably more expensive than the competition

REP Kettlebells

Great Quality, Affordable Price

rep kettlebells
  • Single cast
  • First run iron construction
  • Grippy powder finish for better grip
  • Color-coded handles
  • 9-106 lbs kettlebells
CHECK PRICES

The REP kettlebells are almost exact replicas of the Rogue kettlebells we’ve featured at the top of our list. While the Kettlebell Kings were similar, the REP kettlebells, apart from the logo, are almost indistinguishable, both in terms of features and in terms of quality.

Basically, the only significant difference between the two comes in their size. Rogue kettlebells come in a bigger variety, while the REP fitness kettlebells range from 9 to 106 lbs. Other than that, I’d recommend you pick the one that has a better price in your area.

Pros:
  • Grippy finish
  • Works well with chalk
  • Great weight accuracy
  • Good build quality
Cons:
  • Might rust if not handled with care
  • Coating might be a bit coarser than what you’re used to

Bowflex SelectTech 840 Kettlebell

The Best Adjustable Kettlebells

blowflex 840 kettlebell
  • 8-40 lbs
  • Comfort grip handle
  • LED signals for workouts

Having adjustable weights helps you save money and space. The Bowflex SelectTech adjustable kettlebell is a big space saver. If you’re planning on building a gym in your home or garage, then this is a key aspect: space management. The Bowflex kettlebell replaces 6 kettlebells.

The system operates with a dial that holds the weights in place. You’re getting settings that range from 8 to 40 pounds, meaning that you can incorporate this kettlebell in workouts for fat loss, core strength, upper and lower body muscles, for a complete workout. If you want a heavier weight, you’re pretty bottlenecked, but if you’re looking for something versatile to help you throughout multiple workouts, you’ve struck gold.

The Bowflex SelectTech 840 kettlebell also works with a phone app and through LED signals helps you push forward in your workouts. The weight is distributed ergonomically, the handle is wide and comfortable to hold, and the grip is just right.

Pros:
  • 6-in-1 kettlebell weights
  • Smartphone app to aid in your workouts
  • Ergonomic design
Cons:
  • Very expensive considering the max weight is 40 pounds

Fringe Sport Prime Kettlebells

Another Solid Choice

fringe sport prime kettlebells
  • Powder coating matte black finish
  • 9-106 lbs
  • 1-year warranty
  • Single-cast design
CHECK PRICES

The Fringe Sport Prime kettlebell isn’t anything special. You have a solid, single-cast iron weight with a matte black powder coating finish. The weights vary from 9 pounds to 106, so you’re getting good variety there. The price also goes up significantly, but I would argue that these are affordable, especially when you compare these with the Kettlebell Kings or Bowflex products.

In terms of quality, you’re getting something similar to the Rogue and REP fitness models, so you should be covered. Additionally, you’re getting a 1-year warranty, but I doubt you’re gonna need it. The only thing that can cause damage to your weight is rust, and as long as you’re gonna be careful, the coating’s going to cling onto the weight for as long as possible.

All-in-all, the one-year warranty is a big plus, and the affordable pricing model makes this a good choice if you’re looking to stock up on multiple weights for your workouts. The coating makes swinging and dipping very easy, even without using chalk.

Pros:
  • Good weight variety
  • Good design
  • Coating is nice and grippy
Cons:
  • Handle thicker than the competition

CAP Barbell Vinyl Coated Cement Kettlebell

The Best Kettlebells for Beginners

cap barbell vinyl coated
  • 5-20 pounds
  • Cement weights
  • Vinyl coated

If you’re a beginner, then it’s not that smart to go for the heavier, more premium products. Instead, try focusing on finding something that’s going to add more value to your gym kit. With that in mind, the CAP Barbell kettlebells are made using cement and come with a vinyl coating. This makes them less “cold”, something that’s important for your comfort, especially if you store them in an unheated garage.

The big selling point of this product is affordability. Instead of paying a big chunk of money for iron weights, cement weights get the job done at a fraction of the price. The weight varies between 5 and 20 pounds, not that much but enough to be useful in a variety of workouts.

For the 50 pound bundle, including the 5, 10, 15, and 20-pound weights, you’re getting a massive discount and a good selection of weights. The design is pretty good, with slender and wide handles to make things more comfortable.

Now, this product comes with a pretty big design flaw. Whether it’s a deal-breaker or not, that’s up to you. The kettlebells have a rather pronounced seam across the handle, and it will dig into your skin.

Pros:
  • Good value
  • Coating is comfortable and grippy
  • Wide and slender handles
Cons:
  • Sharp seam on the middle of the handle
  • More voluminous than iron kettlebells

Yes4All Vinyl Coated Kettlebells

Stylish and Comfortable to Use

yes4all vinyl coated kettlebell
  • 5-50 pounds
  • Vinyl coated bottom
  • Smooth handle
  • Cast iron weight

The Yes4All vinyl-coated kettlebells are single-cast iron weights with vinyl coating to protect the item from rusting. The handle is wide, thick, and smooth, so it’s perfect for swinging exercises. The bottom part of the weight is covered in vinyl, which is considerably harder to chip than powdered coating. That being said, the handle is smooth and you’re gonna need some chalk to get a good grip.

The weights range from 5 to 50 pounds, with affordable prices accompanying each option. The design is solid, with an ergonomic handle and a flat base for hassle-free storage and use. Overall, a well-made product with a solid design.

Pros:
  • Good price-performance ratio
  • Vinyl coating is great for making less noise and keeping your floors pristine
Cons:
  • Smooth handle requires powdered chalk for optimal grip

AmazonBasics Cast Iron Kettlebell

Basic, but On Point

amazonbasics kettlebell
  • Smooth finish
  • 10-60 lbs
  • Black coating to protect from rust
  • Flat base

If you want a nice, affordable product, then AmazonBasics delivers with some pretty value-oriented weights. Their kettlebells are pretty, well, basic, but they are pretty useful and come at a significantly lower price when compared with the rest of the market.

Their offer ranges from 10 to 60 lbs weights. Each weight is accompanied by a 1-year limited warranty, which is nice to see at this price point. The smooth finish isn’t amazing, but if you chalk before you lift, then you should be fine. With no coating (except some paint), they will likely rust if you don’t take precautions.

Overall, they’re not impressive, but come very cheap and are made using iron. If you don’t mind improvising with some tape and chalk for a better grip, then we recommend them as a value-oriented purchase.

Pros:
  • Amazing value
  • Cast iron at a low price point
  • Good sizes for most workouts
Cons:
  • Not the best weight accuracy
  • Not the best grip

How to Choose the Best Kettlebell

Getting ripped is all about consistency. You need to have ergonomic weights that are easy to use on a daily basis. If not, you’ll lose motivation and risk injury. Throughout this short buying guide, we’ll be giving you a few tips on products that will help you sow better results and products that you should steer away from. Let’s get to it!

Powder Finish vs Vinyl Coating

Both powder and vinyl finishes are comfortable to use. Vinyl coating helps protect your floors and weight from damage, will prevent rusting, and will significantly reduce the sound of your weight getting plopped on the floor. That being said, vinyl coating catches a lot of dust and will look pretty bad once it strips. Vinyl coating doesn’t work well with chalk, so if you need to adjust your grip, you’re gonna have to get creative.

Powder coating, on the other hand, provides better grip and works great with chalk. It provides good protection against rust and, once it starts chipping, it won’t look as bad. Overall, I think powder coating is easily superior to vinyl/rubber finishes.

Weight

If you’re looking to build muscle, then go with higher weights and more intense exercises. Deadlifts, low-rep swings, these exercises will help with your core strength and muscle development. Anything above 50-60 pounds will help you build muscle faster, with fewer repetitions.

If you’re leaning more towards cardio, a smaller kettlebell can be incorporated in a lot of different workouts. Squat and press, snatches, you can fit these between some jumping jacks and planks and give your arms and core a more intense challenge.

For beginners, just stick to small to medium weights. Anything below 40 pounds for two-handed exercises. Work your way up, perfect your technique, and then revisit the shops for bigger weights.

Handle Shape

If you have smaller hands, then finding a good kettlebell might be a challenge. Handles will vary a bit. Not much, but the small variations will definitely impact your experience. If you have small hands, try to shop for a kettlebell with a slimmer handle. As weights get bigger, the handle thickness will increase, and if you want to stick with a single brand, you’re going to have trouble finding a comfortable grip. The last thing you want to do is to send a 70-pound iron ball flying in your home gym.

If you have wider hands, then pick a kettlebell with a wider handle. You can tell just by looking at the design which weight will match your physique. Other than that, find a handle that doesn’t have a seam in the middle, and you should be set.

Casting Method (For Iron Kettlebells)

If the manufacturer uses a single-cast method, that means that the weight will be a single block of iron. This is good because you’ll have a more homogenous product, with little to no voids inside, and with accurate weight. Once you go up in weight, the casting method becomes crucial for the quality of your weight. Lower end manufacturers will rip you off by a few pounds.

About The Author

Catalin Tabacu

Living in a small mountain town, Catalin likes to spend his free time on the trails or at the lake. Big fan of the occasional morning jog (emphasis on occasional) and constantly trying out different diets, he likes to keep an eye out on current dieting trends and fitness influencers. Being a scrappy guy, he also likes to take things into his own hands when possible, so when the time comes to retouch the hardwood floors or to give the furniture a new finish, he doesn't shy away from getting his hands dirty.

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