Best dumbbells

Top pick: Marcy Adjustable Dumbbell Set 40 lbs — the best value for most home lifters. It's a classic plate-and-collar set that goes from light warm-ups to a solid working weight, it's rated well by a lot of buyers, and it's sold at several stores, so you're not stuck with one seller.

Who the others suit:

• FitRx SmartBell 60 lb 4-in-1 — if you want quick changes between sets and like the idea of dumbbell, barbell and kettlebell in one; the trade-off is plastic parts.
• FitRx SmartBell 2-pack (12.5 lb each) — for lighter work, rehab, or a second pair for drop sets.
• Yes4All / Garvee / BouPower 44 lb sets — budget plate sets with a connector bar if you'd rather buy once and add plates later.
• Core Home Fitness adjustable set — the premium choice: steel body, wide range, quick dial-style changes, and the strongest ratings here.

Fixed sets: nothing in the fixed-dumbbell category came up as good value in this search — fixed pairs get expensive fast once you need several weights, which is why adjustable wins on value for a home gym. If you want fixed, say which weights you need and I'll look again.