While not as well-known as dumbbells and barbells, kettlebell weights are among the most versatile and (dare we say) fun pieces of workout equipment you’ll find. With their simple design (it’s basically a ball of metal with a handle), the best kettlebells offer an incredible array of uses in the fitness world.

　　Kettlebell weights range from 2.5 pounds to over 200 pounds, and many kettlebell movements can work every muscle in the body. People use kettlebells to lose fat, gain muscle, and increase coordination. Thought to have been developed in Russia in the late 1800s, strength devices similar to kettlebells have been found as far back as the halteres used in ancient Greece.

　　In recent years, kettlebells have recently come back into the spotlight. Their versatility has made them standard pieces of equipment in HIIT training, CrossFit workouts, and home gyms worldwide. We looked at some of the best kettlebells you can buy for your home gym, from lightweight offerings for beginners to standard competition bells for advanced athletes.

　　This guide will help you choose the perfect kettlebell, considering ability, ease of use, and budget. To wrap up our roundup, you’ll find our helpfulcomparison chart,buyer’s guide, andfrequently asked questionsat the end of the guide.

　　Editor’s Note: For our May 3, 2024 update, we evaluated theEleiko Competition Kettlebell and were so impressed that we made it our top pick. We also added the Technogym Kettlebell, a Kettlebell set with a rubber coating for folks worried about damaging their floors.

　　Best Kettlebells for 2024 Best Overall: Eleiko Competition Kettlebell Best Budget: Amazon Basics Cast Iron Kettlebell Weight Best Coated Kettlebell: Technogym Kettlebells Best Adjustable: Bowflex SelectTech 840 Best Beginner Set: Best Choice 3-Piece Kettlebell Set Best Overall Kettlebell Eleiko Competition Kettlebell Specs Material Powder-coated cast iron Handle Bare cast iron Weight range 8-32 kg in 4 kg increments

　　

　　

　　Specs Material Powder-coated cast iron Handle Bare cast iron Weight range 8-32 kg in 4 kg increments Pros Exceptional build Same size across the weight spectrum Flat sides Wide handle Cons Pricey Sells out quickly Billy Brown When a design is as simple as a kettlebell, it’s the details that make the Eleiko Competition Kettlebell ($80-$215) stand out. These steel kettlebells are all the same size regardless of weight, providing users with the same workout experience every time they pick one up. Eleiko achieves this by using hollow interiors with fillers to hit the desired weight.

　　The wide handle provided plenty of room for two hands when the workout called for high-rep kettlebell swings. The flat top of the handle was also extremely comfortable during farmer carries and pushups. One of our favorite details during testing was the pitted handle, which provided a secure grip, even when our hands were slick with sweat. 

　　Additionally, the coated sides were surprisingly comfortable when resting on forearms. This is handy for overhead movements like shoulder presses and Turkish Get-Ups. As a nice touch, the logo is painted on instead of stamped on, eliminating bumps that can bruise or irritate forearms and wrists when the kettlebell goes overhead.

　　For athletes interested in kettlebell competitions, these bells are not only the required uniform size regardless of weight, but they’re also calibrated to be weight-accurate to within 200 grams.

　　Of all the bells we’ve worked out with, the Eleiko Competition Kettlebell is by far the most comfortable and easy to use. They are on the higher side of the price range, but you get what you pay for in this case.

　　Check price at eleiko Best Budget Kettlebell Amazon Basics Cast Iron Kettlebell Specs Material Cast iron Handle Cast iron Weight range 10-60 lbs. in 5- to 10-lb. increments

　　

　　Specs Material Cast iron Handle Cast iron Weight range 10-60 lbs. in 5- to 10-lb. increments Pros Low price Comfortable grip Flat sides Cons Inconsistent quality Narrow weight range Billy Brown If you’re building your gym on a budget, the Cast Iron Kettlebell Weight ($22-$71) from Amazon Basics is a great choice for the price. While similar in price to the higher-end kettlebells on this list, Amazon’s free shipping and returns with Prime make it a great buy.

　　Made from solid cast iron, the bell itself is extremely durable. The painted exterior is textured and helps prevent corrosion. We appreciate the wide, textured grip, which easily fits both hands even on the smallest bell. The bottom is flat to prevent wobble, and the sides are flat for comfort on overhead movements.

　　The only issues we’ve had with the Cast Iron Kettlebell Weight are in the build quality. Some come in with sharp ends left on the handles from the casting process. This can lead to discomfort and cuts on high-repetition workouts. These small protrusions can also occur on the bottom of the bell making the kettlebell less stable when doing deficit pushups on them.

　　These aren’t issues regarding design, however. They’re more of an issue in the process, so these occurrences are rare. If they do happen, Amazon has an excellent return and exchange policy.

　　$52 at Amazon Best Coated Kettlebell Technogym Kettlebell Specs Material Rubber-coated cast iron Handle Bare pitted stainless steel Weight range 4-24 kg in 4-kg increments

　　

　　Specs Material Rubber-coated cast iron Handle Bare pitted stainless steel Weight range 4-24 kg in 4-kg increments Pros Tough rubber coating Smooth, comfortable grip Durable rubber coating Tough rubber coating Smooth, comfortable grip Durable rubber coating Cons Handle can become slippery when wet. Inconsistent handle diameters Top weight is 24kg Billy Brown Kettlebells provide a great workout but can be hell on garage or living room floors if you don’t lay down horse stall mats or thick workout mats. The Technogym Kettlebell ($100-$305) is the highest-quality option if you want to keep your hardwood floor dent-free. While it’s not the cheapest coated kettlebell, this rubber-coated kettlebell is extremely durable and well-built.

　　Plus, the textured rubber coating (versus the more common vinyl coating), comes with a few interesting perks. First, we’ve found it’s more durable than vinyl — we didn’t see any cracking or abrasion after a few months of use. Additionally, the rubber feels slightly softer when performing overhead movements. During kettlebell snatch workouts, the exterior provided a touch of padding when our tester’s form slipped and the bell whacked against his forearm. 

　　During Turkish Get-Ups, the rubber exterior prevented the bell from sliding around as we worked through our reps. This made the sketchy movements feel much more stable and failed reps less likely. 

　　And unlike other coated bells, which tend to feel cheaper, the Technogym Kettlebell’s clean lines and textured coating gave our tester’s home gym an upscale feel. Less expensive options exist for floor-friendly kettlebells, but they don’t exude quality like this one does.

　　Check price at Techno Gym Best Adjustable Kettlebell Bowflex SelectTech 840 Specs Material Plastic, cast iron Handle Iron Weight range 8-40 lbs in varying increments

　　

　　Specs Material Plastic, cast iron Handle Iron Weight range 8-40 lbs in varying increments Pros Saves space Cheaper alternative to buying multiple kettlebells Easy to switch weights Cons Bulky Weights can rattle in the bell Uncomfortable in overhead or one-handed movements Billy Brown If you want a set of kettlebells but don’t have the room for a whole rack of weights, Bowflex’s SelectTech 840 ($149) is a great option. This system can go from 8 to 40 pounds with the twist of a dial. Weight options are 8, 12, 20, 25, 35, and 40 pounds. Basically, this system gives you six kettlebells but takes up the space of one.

　　The weights switch quickly and easily with a turn of the dial. This is great for adjusting for different movements or even slightly dropping the weight for your last set.

　　The design makes it more fragile. It’s not likely to survive a drop, especially when fully loaded. And the larger size makes it feel awkward in overhead or ab movements like Russian Twists.

　　Overall, Bowflex’s SelectTech 840 is a convenient way to store multiple weights in a small space. Just make sure not to drop that bad boy.

　　$149 at Amazon Best Kettlebell for Beginners Best Choice 3-Piece Kettlebell Set Specs Material Coated concrete Handle Coated concrete Weight range 5, 10, and 15 lbs

　　

　　Specs Material Coated concrete Handle Coated concrete Weight range 5, 10, and 15 lbs Pros Great for beginners Price Comes with storage rack Cons Limited weight set Too light for experienced athletes Billy Brown For beginners, it can be good to start small. The Best Choice 3-Piece Kettlebell Set ($50) Set from Best Choice is a solid option for people who are just starting out. This set comes with three kettlebells weighing 5, 10, and 15 pounds, along with a storage rack. These weights work well for newbies who want to dial their form down before they go bigger.

　　They are also ideal for HIIT classes that require lightweight and high repetitions. The three bells allow you to go heavier as you progress, and the low cost allows you to upgrade without breaking the bank.

　　The Best Choice 3-Piece Kettlebell Set will likely be too light for experienced athletes. But if you’re just starting out, this set is a great option.

　　$50 at Amazon Best of the Rest Rogue Kettlebells Specs Material Powder-coated iron ore Handle Powder-coated iron ore Weight range 9-203 lbs. in varying increments

　　

　　Specs Material Powder-coated iron ore Handle Powder-coated iron ore Weight range 9-203 lbs. in varying increments Pros Solid build Void-free surface Matte finish Weights up to 203 lbs. Cons Pricey The coating occasionally degrades and flakes after a few years of use Billy Brown The standard kettlebell in almost every CrossFit gym, Rogue Kettlebells ($35-$320) are known for their solid build and durability. Cast from high-quality iron ore (not scrap) in a single piece, these are almost impossible to break. Over almost a decade of working with these bells, we have seen these dropped from varying heights on to concrete, thrown through drywall, and accidentally thrown into each other. We have yet to see one take any damage. You’re basically working out with a cannonball.

　　The black powder coat finish is durable and feels more natural than an epoxy finish. It is pitted and grippy and holds chalk well. The wide, flat base keeps the bell stable and prevents wobble on the floor.

　　Rogue Fitness has one of the best reputations in the fitness industry for the quality and build of its products, and its kettlebell is a prime example. This popularity and the price of the premium materials also mean they’re on the higher side when it comes to price. The good news is that you’ll never need to replace one.

　　If you’re looking to add equipment that will last a lifetime and add some street cred to your garage, Rogue Kettlebells are a great choice.

　　Check price at Rogue Bionic Body Soft Kettlebell Specs Material Weighted core with padded faux leather Handle Painted steel Weight range 10-40 lbs. in 5-lb. increments

　　

　　Specs Material Weighted core with padded faux leather Handle Painted steel Weight range 10-40 lbs. in 5-lb. increments Pros Soft body Safe for floors Cons Slippery handle Weights may vary by several pounds Not as durable as metal kettlebells Billy Brown If you want to protect your floors (and yourself), the Bionic Body Soft Kettlebell ($40-$140) is an option. The leather bag and weighted filling are much softer than traditional metal kettlebells. The large handle fits both hands for swings. It’s smoother than most handles we’ve tried, so there’s a greater risk of slipping. A bit of tape on the handle will solve this without issue.

　　The softer body is great for working out on hardwood floors, as the bottom won’t scratch it when you set it down or drop it. It’s also much safer for working on tile or concrete floors, since dropping it won’t chip or crack surfaces. Also, the soft body felt great against the forearms on overhead movements during testing.

　　We’ve seen reports of the delivered weight being off by two or three pounds, and the faux leather definitely shows wear more than cast iron. But if you want a kettlebell that will keep damage to yourself and your home to a minimum, the Bionic Body Soft Kettlebell is a great bell for you.

　　$87 at Amazon Kettle Gryp Specs Material High Impact ABS Plastic Handle High Impact ABS Plastic Weight range Varies depending on dumbbell

　　

　　Specs Material High Impact ABS Plastic Handle High Impact ABS Plastic Weight range Varies depending on dumbbell Pros Great for travel Good option if you already have dumbbells Cons Requires slight changes in form You need to already have dumbbells Billy Brown The Kettle Gryp ($35) is a great option if you already have a set of dumbbells lying around. This device clips around the handle of any dumbbell and turns it into a makeshift kettlebell. It’s easy to pack, so it works well for frequent travelers who don’t want to skip their kettlebell training in a hotel gym.

　　At $35, it adds versatility to a rack of dumbbells. And it basically gives you a full set of kettlebells that take up no additional space.

　　The handle wraps and secures around the grip of a dumbbell. This adds a kettlebell-style handle to the dumbbell, making it useful for swings, snatches, and other movements. While they’re a great space-saver, it’s good to note that the dumbbell has a wider profile than the body of traditional kettlebells.

　　During kettlebell swings, we had to stand with an extremely wide stance to allow the dumbbell to pass through our legs without bruising our thighs. It definitely took some getting used to. 

　　It also prevented the natural rotation on kettlebell snatches. A round kettlebell rotates around the wrist as you drive it overhead. A dumbbell is too oblong for this, so we had to flip the weight up over our hands to let it whack our forearms. Not ideal.

　　Those issues aside, the Kettle Gryp could be a perfect solution for a frequent traveller who is working on a dedicated kettlebell program. Plus, it’s a lot cheaper than buying a rack of kettlebells for your home gym.

　　$35 at Amazon Kettlebell Comparison Chart

Kettlebell	Material	Handle	Weight Range	Price
Eleiko Competition Kettlebell	Powder-coated cast iron	Bare cast iron	8-32 kg in 4 kg increments	$80-$215
Amazon Basics Cast Iron Kettlebell	Cast iron	Cast iron	10-60 lbs. in 5- to 10-lb. increments	$22-$71
Technogym Kettlebell	Rubber-coated cast iron	Bare cast iron	4-24 kg in 4-kg increments	$100-$305
Bowflex SelectTech 840	Plastic, cast iron	Cast iron	8-40 lbs in varying increments	$149
Best Choice 3-Piece Kettlebell Set	Coated concrete	Coated concrete	5, 10, and 15 lbs	$50
Rogue Kettlebells	Powder-coated iron ore	Powder-coated iron ore	9-203 lbs. in varying increments	$35-320
Bionic Body Soft Kettlebell	Weighted core with padded faux leather	Painted steel	10-40 lbs. in 5-lb. increments	$40-$140
Kettle Gryp	High Impact ABS Plastic	High Impact ABS Plastic	Varied	($35)

Why You Should Trust Us When he’s not writing, Affiliate Managing Editor Billy Brown is a competitive CrossFit athlete and powerlifter, former gym owner, and personal trainer. His training crosses many disciplines, including frequent and proper use of a kettlebell.

　　He used his decades of fitness experience and extensive testing to assess these and other kettlebells in order to develop this list.

　　

　　Rubber coating can improve grip during goblet squats; (photo/Billy Brown) How We Tested the Best Kettlebells All of the kettlebells considered for this buyer’s guide were put through weeks of testing in both home gym and commercial gym settings. Each one was taken through various kettlebell workouts as well as CrossFit workouts by multiple athletes.

　　They were evaluated for grip, balance, and feel over the course of movements like kettlebell swings, Turkish Get-Ups, snatches, goblet squats, and other movements. Durability was assessed based on daily wear-and-tear as well as specific tests like dropping the weights from overhead, (carefully) tossing the kettlebells across the gym, and repeatedly dropping the kettlebells into a pile of weights.

　　Buyers Guide: How to Choose the Best Kettlebells Weight Kettlebells come in a wide range of weights. You can find kettlebells from 2.5 to over 200 pounds; choosing the right one for you can be daunting. If your budget can swing it, shoot for a lighter kettlebell for higher rep workouts and a heavy one for strength-based workouts.

　　

　　A grippy handle is key when performing overhead movements; (photo/Billy Brown) “Light” and “heavy” are relative terms, however. The standard prescribed weight in CrossFit is 53 pounds for men and 35 pounds for women. If you’re new to working out, consider lighter bells. Something in the 15- to 25-pound range should work for most beginners.

　　Handle As your main point of contact with the kettlebell, the handle is an important consideration. Two things to factor in are grip and hand space. The first thing to look at is the size of the handle. The main movement with kettlebells is the kettlebell swing. This entails gripping the handle with both hands and swinging it from between your legs to eye level or overhead.

　　That said, you’re going to need enough room to grab the handle with both hands. Most kettlebell handles are roomy enough for this (all the ones on this list do), but some don’t. Luckily, this is a serious offense in the kettlebell community. So it should be easy to find out in online reviews.

　　

　　A soft-bottom kettlebell can be easier on flooring; (photo/Billy Brown) Also, consider the handle’s grip. A smooth grip may feel good initially, but it can get slippery. This is an especially big deal with heavy kettlebells. Consider a pitted or textured handle. These not only provide more grip, but they also retain chalk better for extra friction.

　　Vinyl Coated vs. Non-Coated The question of vinyl-coated versus non-coated is really a matter of whether or not you plan to use your kettlebell in your home. Vinyl is a potential weak point since it can tear off after vigorous use or drops. If you plan to use your kettlebell in the garage, you’re probably going to be rough with it, so go for a non-coated kettlebell. If you’re using your kettlebell in the house, vinyl is a good choice.

　　

　　Soft-bodies kettlebells can take the sting out of kettlebell snatches; (photo/Billy Brown) Vinyl coating works well as a protectant for the floor and other surroundings. It also dampens the noise when you set it down. Also, you will likely be treating your kettlebell more gingerly (no tossing it on the ground when you’re done with it). So it’s less likely that you’ll find a way to tear the coating.

　　Price Kettlebells can be pricey, especially if you’re looking for a durable or competition bell. The heavier you go, the more expensive they get. Especially when you consider shipping costs. Rogue Fitness’s 200-pound kettlebell costs $250, plus another $250 for shipping.

　　You can expect to pay just over a dollar a pound for a good kettlebell from a well-known brand. You can go with off-brand cheap kettlebells from a less established brand, but the quality of construction may be compromised.

　　If you’re tight on funds, check eBay or Facebook Marketplace to see if there are any kettlebells for sale. If it’s in your area, you’ll even save on shipping if you go and pick it up. If you need one now and you don’t have the funds, you can make a DIY kettlebell.

　　At its most basic, a kettlebell is just a weight with a handle. Even a paint can loaded up with sand or rocks will do. Just make sure you’re not swinging it in front of anything breakable. We wouldn’t trust those handles.

　　FAQ How heavy should my kettlebell be? It depends on your level of fitness. The standard weight for men’s workouts in CrossFit is 53 pounds. For women, the standard weight is 35 pounds. If you’re new to kettlebell workouts or fitness in general, go lighter. Somewhere between 15 and 25 pounds should work for most people.

　　For building strength, shoot for a heavier weight. Strength athletes will regularly use 70- to 100-pound dumbbells. If you’re planning to upgrade to heavier weights, start slow. Get comfortable with the weight with Russian (eye-level) kettlebell swings and ease your way up to going overhead.

　　Which is better: Kettlebells or dumbbells? Both are versatile pieces of equipment. They can do many similar movements like goblet squats, snatches, and overhead presses. However, a dumbbell’s shape is ideal for movements like curls and tricep extensions, whereas a kettlebell’s shape is less ideal for these. A kettlebell, on the other hand, is great for dynamic movements like swings and two-handed movements like upright rows.

　　What’s a competition kettlebell? Competition kettlebells are most easily recognized by their size. Every competition bell is the same size, regardless of the weight. Also, competition kettlebells are usually made from steel. This makes them more durable than bells made of iron.

　　How many days a week should I do kettlebells? Thanks to the wide range of movements kettlebells can handle, you can use kettlebells as often as you’d like. You can do an upper body workout one day and lower the next. Or you can alternate lighter with heavy workouts every other day. There are people who work out exclusively with kettlebells 5-plus days a week, depending on their programming.

　　Billy Brown Check price at eleiko