Is the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Worth It in 2026?

Yes, the Bowflex SelectTech 552 is worth it -- if you need 15+ dumbbell pairs in one compact package and your working weights stay under 52.5 lbs per hand. If you're already pressing heavy or plan to soon, these will limit you faster than you think. For everyone else, they remain the best value in adjustable dumbbells.

What You're Actually Getting

The 552 uses a dial system on each end of the handle. Turn it, lift, and you've selected anywhere from 5 to 52.5 lbs in 2.5 lb increments (up to the first 25 lbs, then 5 lb jumps). It replaces 15 pairs of dumbbells, which would otherwise eat up an entire wall of your garage.

The space savings alone are massive. A full fixed dumbbell set from 5-50 lbs needs a large rack and roughly 30 square feet. The 552s sit on a single stand that takes up about 2 square feet. For apartment lifters or anyone working out of a spare bedroom, that trade-off is hard to beat.

Weight changes take about 2 seconds. No pins, no plates to slide on and off. Just dial and go. For supersets and circuit work, nothing touches this speed.

Where It Falls Short

The 52.5 lb max is the biggest limitation. Most guys doing dumbbell bench press will outgrow these within a year or two of consistent training. Once you're pressing 50s for reps, you need heavier dumbbells and you're stuck.

The plastic dial mechanism works fine under normal use but is not built for abuse. Drop these from any height and you risk cracking the internal selector plates. Bowflex is clear about this: do not drop them. If you train to failure regularly and tend to dump your weights, these are not for you.

At heavier settings, the dumbbells are long and bulky. The 52.5 lb setting extends the full length of the cradle, which can feel awkward during certain movements like concentration curls or hammer curls.

Who Should Buy

• Beginners to intermediate lifters who don't yet need more than 52.5 lbs per hand
• Small space gyms -- apartments, spare rooms, or tight garage corners
• Anyone who values quick weight changes for circuit training or supersets
• Lifters who treat their equipment carefully and won't drop them

Who Should Skip

• Advanced lifters who already press 50+ lbs or will within the next year -- look at the PowerBlock Elite 90 instead
• Powerlifters and heavy trainers who need 70+ lb dumbbells
• Anyone who drops weights -- the dial mechanism will not survive it
• Budget-conscious buyers -- a few pairs of Cap Hex dumbbells cost far less if you only need 2-3 weight increments

Bowflex 552 vs The Alternatives

vs Cap Hex Dumbbells: Fixed dumbbells are cheaper per pair and virtually indestructible. But buying 15 pairs costs more than the 552 and takes up an absurd amount of space. If you only need 2-3 specific weights, Cap Hex wins on value. If you need range, the 552 wins. Full comparison here.

vs PowerBlock Elite 90: The PowerBlock goes up to 90 lbs per hand and handles drops better thanks to its steel construction. It also costs $869 -- more than double the Bowflex. If you're already strong or plan to get there, the PowerBlock is worth the investment. If not, save the cash. Full comparison here.

The Bottom Line

For most home gym owners training in a garage or spare room, the Bowflex SelectTech 552 is still the best value in adjustable dumbbells. The space savings alone justify the $429 price tag. You get 15 pairs of dumbbells in one, weight changes are the fastest in the category, and the build quality holds up as long as you don't abuse them.

Read our full Bowflex SelectTech 552 review for detailed testing results and long-term durability notes.