Nuobell Dumbbell Review

Have you been looking for an adjustable dumbbell lately? You’ve probably come across the Nuobell dumbbell out of Sweden. These designs are not necessarily revolutionary since we’ve seen this concept dating back to 2016. But they have managed to add a few significant improvements that have caught many people’s attention, especially those looking for a space-friendly adjustable dumbbell. Would you consider these options legitimate, or are they merely another name to add to the adjustable dumbbells hat? As we move forward, we’ll answer all of those questions as well as many more.

Benefits of Adjustable Dumbbells

My experience as a user of a variety of adjustable dumbbells has taught me that there are probably no other equipment classes that offer as many trade-offs right now. I have always preferred adjustable systems, for example, paired with Power Blocks, because they allow the weight to be adjusted efficiently without taking up a massive footprint.

When you use something like an Ironmaster, you can adjust it relatively fast. However, with a standard loadable handle, you sacrifice some of the traditional looks and functionality you would expect. To get something like a Bowflex-style, selectorized adjustable dumbbell, you will have to sacrifice some range of motion due to the length of the unit, and some overall comfort due to the bulky end caps.

Fast adjustments

The Nuobell dumbbells give you extremely fast adjustments, but they do trade off maximum load and long-term drop durability. You get some things at the cost of others, and this system is no exception. By the way, the Nuobells are modeled very similarly to the Core Fitness adjustable dumbbells from 2016. The Nuobells are much nicer, though, featuring a knurled straight handle instead of a rubber-contoured grip.

There are actual iron plates on the Nuobell dumbbells as opposed to plastic plates, and they are capable of lifting a much heavier weight. It is imperative to know that you can lift up to 80 pounds on these, as opposed to only 50 pounds on the Core system. We will walk through all of that and more in this article.

You should have a pretty clear idea by the end if these are the right options for you. In my opinion, some can highly benefit from the Nuobell dumbbell, while others might benefit from looking elsewhere. The first massive positive aspect of the Nuobells is their ability to be adjusted so quickly—perhaps the fastest in the entire industry. To achieve this, the device uses a rotating handle that threads a steel rod through a series of plates that correspond to the weight you have selected.

Nuobell dumbbell variants

A Nuobell dumbbell can be purchased in two variants: a 50-pound version and an 80-pound version. Each of those models can be adjusted in 5-pound increments. In the case of the 80-pound dumbbell, which is what I have, you effectively get 16 pairs of dumbbells in a very compact space. Whenever you want to change the weight, you simply rack them in the two cradles that come with your purchase; it is incredibly simple.

When the latches in the cradle are activated, they allow the handle to rotate freely. As a result, you can smoothly adjust the weight. You don’t have to worry about the handle spinning while you’re actively lifting the dumbbells, so there is no risk of the plates falling off or hurting you. Whenever you want to adjust the weight, there is a clear numerical call-out with a corresponding plus or minus that indicates which direction to rotate the grip.

Durable dumbbells

Even though the handle is hollow to allow the internal steel rod to protract and retract seamlessly, the unit remains highly durable. This is especially evident if you are comparing Nuobell dumbbells to older adjustable systems, which are prone to sticking. Furthermore, Nuobell dumbbells feature machined iron plates which give them that very traditional, commercial-gym feeling and aesthetic.

Downsides

Even though rapid adjustment is a fantastic feature, there are some downsides. In this application, there are a lot of plastic components. For example, a plastic connector is used to join the individual plates together along the steel rod.

When you pull up the handle, it clearly reveals the exact number of plates associated with your chosen weight. With that in mind, there are a few structural quirks you need to consider before making this investment.

Keep These Things in Mind

You have to carefully steer these dumbbells back into their cradles and connection slots because of the incredibly tight tolerances between the plates. It is imperative to line them up correctly; missing the connection after a strenuous, tiring set is frustrating and risks jamming the unit.

Having said that, the Nuobells are relatively forgiving if you don’t get them dead center. However, I have occasionally run into racking issues with 50 pounds or more. If you come in at a sloppy angle, it creates a gap between the connections. When this happens, I recommend pulling the dumbbell completely out and reseating it squarely before attempting to adjust the weight dial.

Additionally, the cradles pose another risk because they are made with a lot of lightweight plastic. The vertical posts are particularly vulnerable, so you must be cautious not to slam the weights down when re-racking during a hard set.

Vertical Posts Can Break

If you accidentally smash an 80-pound load into one of those plastic vertical posts while trying to rack the weight hastily, there is a very high chance the post will snap. Beyond the cradle, let’s look at the end caps. This is an area where many adjustable models struggle with both functionality and user comfort.

A Super Comfortable Dumbbell

The Nuobell features a male and a female connector, but the outer surface rests relatively flat. This makes resting the heavy weights on your thighs before a set incredibly comfortable, unlike the bulky Bowflex dials or narrow Ironmaster pins. You do have to be slightly conscious of the male connector’s placement on your leg, but overall, it is an exceptionally comfortable design.

The flat edges of the connectors also do a great job of preventing the dumbbells from rolling around on the floor—an underrated advantage. While traditional round-headed dumbbells tend to roll away, the Nuobells come to a quick stop and often settle right back where you placed them.

With about two and a quarter inches of flat area under the female connector, you can rest assured that your weights won’t roll away on a sloped garage floor. They stay put in a nice, confined space. However, it is worth reiterating that these connectors are plastic and do raise some long-term durability questions.

Nuobell Dumbbells: Durability Concerns

Realistically, the Nuobells haven’t been on the market long enough for a definitive, decade-long durability verdict. Still, I have reservations about their long-term survival, especially if dropped—which I strongly advise against. I also have minor concerns about the constant stress of racking and unracking on those plastic connection points.

However, drops remain the primary concern. The iron plates feature very harsh, un-radiused edges. Because they lack a soft rubber coating, dropping these bells from too high or at the wrong angle runs a massive risk of severely damaging your floor.

While an extremely dense horse stall mat will mitigate some of that risk, it is still an important factor to consider. Additionally, as you can see on the inner plates, there are two distinct cutouts.

While you can still grip the bells by the plates to perform movements like goblet squats or skull crushers, those sharp cutouts make it quite uncomfortable under heavy loads. Finally, dropping these dumbbells will instantly void your warranty. They come with a standard two-year warranty on workmanship and materials, which honestly feels a little shorter than I would expect for a premium price point.

Don’t Drop Your Nuobell Dumbbells!

Consider alternatives like PowerBlocks, which offer a 10-year warranty, or Ironmasters, which boast a lifetime warranty. In contrast, Nuobells utilize plastic components and lack a long-term durability track record. At this point, it should be abundantly clear: absolutely do not drop these bells. While this fragility is a valid concern we all need to take into consideration, your decision will ultimately come down to your budget and training style.

You will also notice a slight lateral rattle when using these dumbbells. During vertical movements like a hammer curl, you are going to hear and feel this plate shift much more than you would during a horizontal chest press. Since the plates mostly remain parallel to the ground during pressing movements, I don’t view the rattle as a dealbreaker, but it is a mechanical quirk to be aware of.

Final Thoughts

Aesthetically, Nuobell dumbbells are arguably the best-looking adjustable options on the market. I love the sleek, minimalist look of the all-black version, especially when compared to the bulky profiles of other brands. They do offer bright red and other stylized colorways; while those aren’t my cup of tea, the options are out there if you prefer a bolder look. Keep in mind that this is a premium setup—the 80-pound variant typically retails around $745 and includes two dumbbells and their respective cradles.

If you are strictly looking at the 50-pound weight class, I highly recommend checking out the Core Fitness adjustable dumbbells as a highly capable, more affordable alternative. On the other hand, if you need to lift more than 80 pounds, demand a proven durability track record, want the freedom to occasionally drop your weights without fear, and don’t mind slightly slower adjustment times, I would focus your attention on PowerBlocks or Ironmasters.

Finally, a word of warning: there are several cheap Nuobell clones floating around on marketplace sites. I strongly advise against buying them. You cannot guarantee the manufacturing quality, the warranty is likely nonexistent, and their advertising seems incredibly fishy. Stick with legitimate, authorized retailers to protect your investment. I purchased my set from Urban Fit, which is one of the verified authorized distributors here in the U.S.