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The Best Kettlebells of 2024

Our CrossFit-loving expert found the best kettlebells of 2024, including options from Nike, Rogue Fitness, and more!
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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 youโ€™ll find. With their simple design (itโ€™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. 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, youโ€™ll find our helpful Price & Value section, Buyerโ€™s Guide, and frequently asked questions at the end of the guide.

Editorโ€™s Note: For our November 7, 2024, update, we added the Nike Kettlebell and a Price & Value section to our buyer’s guide.

The Best Kettlebells for 2024


  • 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

  • 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

  • Material: Powder-coated iron ore
  • Handle: Powder-coated iron ore
  • Weight Range: 9-88 lbs. in varying increments

Pros

  • Grippy powder-coated exterior
  • Colored tape to indicate weights at a glance
  • Matte finish
  • Surprisingly affordable

Cons

  • Weight tops out at 88 pounds
Best Adjustable Kettlebell

Bowflex SelectTech 840

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

Kettlebell Comparison Chart

KettlebellPriceMaterialHandleWeight Range
Eleiko Competition Kettlebell$80-$215Powder-coated cast ironBare cast iron8-32 kg in 4 kg increments
Amazon Basics Cast Iron Kettlebell$22-$71Cast ironCast iron10-60 lbs. in 5- to 10-lb. increments
Nike Kettlebell$40-$128Powder-coated iron orePowder-coated iron ore9-88 lbs. in varying increments
Bowflex SelectTech 840$149Plastic, cast ironCast iron8-40 lbs in varying increments
Best Choice 3-Piece Kettlebell Set$50Coated concreteCoated concrete5, 10, and 15 lbs
Rogue Kettlebells$35-$320Powder-coated iron orePowder-coated iron ore9-203 lbs. in varying increments
Technogym Kettlebell$100-$305Rubber-coated cast ironBare cast iron4-24 kg in 4-kg increments
Bionic Body Soft Kettlebell$40-$140Weighted core with padded faux leatherPainted steel10-40 lbs. in 5-lb. increments
Kettle Gryp$35High-Impact ABS PlasticHigh Impact ABS PlasticVaried

How We Tested Kettlebells

Our Expert Testers

When heโ€™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)

Our Testing Process

All of the kettlebells considered for this buyerโ€™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. 

Buyer’s 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)

โ€œLightโ€ and โ€œheavyโ€ are relative terms, however. The standard prescribed weight in CrossFit is 53 pounds for men and 35 pounds for women. If youโ€™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, youโ€™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 donโ€™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 handleโ€™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, youโ€™re probably going to be rough with it, so go for a non-coated kettlebell. If youโ€™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 youโ€™re done with it), so itโ€™s less likely that youโ€™ll find a way to tear the coating.

Price & Value

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 you may be sacrificing quality.

Budget

The biggest factor when it comes to cost is how much a kettlebell weighs. The heavier it is, the pricier the kettlebell. However, you can cut some of the cost by going with off-brand kettlebells, which can usually be found for under $100. Like our budget pick, the Amazon Basics Cast Iron Kettlebell, which tops out at $71 for the 60-pound weight. Or, if you already have some dumbbells, you can convert them into kettlebells with the Kettle Gryp, which costs $35 and adds a kettlebell handle to most standard dumbbells.

M

Mid-Tier

Mid-tier kettlebells usually cost between $100 and $150. They are usually made with uniform weight, non-slip handles, and durable materials like iron ore or cast iron. You can buy or top pick Eleiko Competition Kettlebells, with its excellent grip and uniform bell diameter, weighing up to 44 pounds for $135 or less. Or, if you’re tight on space, the Bowflex SelectTech 840 ($149) changes weight from 8 to 40 pounds, all in one kettlebell.

Premium

If you’re looking for a heavier kettlebell, you’ll be paying premium prices. Rogue Kettlebells go up to 205 pounds, with the 205-pounder costing a hefty $320. Premium materials can also raise the price, as the heaviest Technogym Kettlebell is only 53 pounds, but its grippy stainless steel handle and rubber-coated cast iron bell bump the cost up to $305.

B

Kettlebells can be pricey, especially if youโ€™re looking for a durable or competition bell. The heavier you go, the more expensive they get. Especially when you consider shipping costs. Rogue Fitnessโ€™s 205-pound kettlebell costs $320, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How heavy should my kettlebell be?

It depends on your level of fitness. The standard weight for menโ€™s workouts in CrossFit is 53 pounds. For women, the standard weight is 35 pounds. If youโ€™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 youโ€™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 are 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 dumbbellโ€™s shape is ideal for movements like curls and tricep extensions, whereas a kettlebellโ€™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.

Whatโ€™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 youโ€™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.

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