Bowflex SelectTech 552 Review: Still the One to Beat?

The Bowflex SelectTech 552 is the adjustable dumbbell most people picture when they think of the category, and it has been the best selling set in its class for well over a decade. One dumbbell replaces 15 fixed pairs, going from 2.27kg up to 23.8kg with a twist of a dial, which is why it shows up in so many UK home gyms where space and budget are both tight.

It is aimed at anyone who wants a full rack of dumbbells without a full rack of dumbbells: beginners building a base, intermediate lifters running supersets, and anyone converting a spare room or garage corner into a training space. The headline verdict is that the core product is genuinely good and still one of the easiest adjustable dumbbells to recommend, but there are two things every buyer should know first. It is mostly plastic and does not like being dropped, and there was a significant recall on the older design that the current model has been built to fix.

What you actually get

Each SelectTech 552 covers 5lb to 52.5lb (2.27kg to 23.8kg) across 15 settings. You turn a dial at each end to the weight you want, lift the handle out of the cradle, and any plates you did not select stay behind. The early jumps are 2.5lb, which is small enough to progress sensibly on smaller lifts like lateral raises and curls, then they widen to 5lb higher up.

The selling point is speed. Swapping weight takes a couple of seconds versus the fiddly spin pins or stacked plates on some rivals, which matters a lot if you train with supersets or drop sets and do not want to stand around between moves.

Build, durability and the recall

This is the part to get right before you buy. The 552 is built largely from hard plastic for the plate mouldings and dial housing, which is what keeps each dumbbell light to handle and the price somewhat in check. In normal use that is fine. The most common complaint across negative reviews is not about lifting, it is about dropping. A single drop from bench height can crack or jam the selector cam, because the internal tabs are designed to hold the load while you lift, not to absorb impact. The practical rule from owners is simple: always set them back in the cradle, never let them fall.

The bigger issue is the recall. In 2024 roughly 3.8 million older SelectTech 552 and 1090 units were recalled in the US after reports that weight plates could come loose and fall off mid lift, with more than 100 injuries logged including broken toes and concussions. The current owner redesigned the product, and the Results Series version on sale now uses metal locking tabs in place of the mechanism that failed. That is a meaningful fix, but it is also why you should make sure you are buying the latest redesigned model rather than old stock or a used set from the recalled batch.

With that caveat, owners who treat them carefully commonly report five to ten years of service. The usual long-term failure point is the nylon dial seizing or wearing, often after years of misaligning the handle in the cradle, which a little silicone lubricant helps prevent.

In use: handling and the workout

Once you are lifting, the 552 mostly gets out of the way. Reviewers and owners consistently describe the handle as comfortable and the plates as secure, with little of the rattle or wobble you fear from a weight that splits apart. The dial action is quick and intuitive, and for a home circuit that flips between weights every set, that speed genuinely changes how you train.

The honest downsides are physical. These dumbbells are long, around 16.9in, and they carry their full bulk even at the lightest setting. That makes some movements awkward. Curls and lateral raises can feel clumsy because the ends are out near your wrists, and the length can clip your shoulders or thighs on certain exercises. Lifters with very specific form needs or those chasing heavy single dumbbell work may find the shape limiting. For general strength work, supersets and conditioning, it is a non issue most of the time.

There is no resistance tech or motor to worry about here, but the newer SelectTech ecosystem does offer an optional app and a separate stand. Neither is essential. The dumbbells do their job perfectly well as standalone weights.

Value

The 552 is not cheap, and there is a wrinkle worth flagging for UK buyers. The current Amazon UK listing is for a single dumbbell, so a matching pair means buying two, which roughly doubles the headline number. Older listings and retail bundles were sometimes sold and priced as a pair, so always read the listing carefully so you know whether the price you see is for one or both. Black Friday and seasonal sales are the usual time to catch a discount.

Even at full price, the value case holds up if you weigh it against buying 15 pairs of fixed dumbbells and finding the floor space and money for them. For most people the SelectTech 552 is cheaper, tidier and more flexible. It just is not the bargain option, and the plastic build means you are paying for convenience rather than indestructible steel.

If you are still comparing models, our best adjustable dumbbells UK guide lines the 552 up against its main rivals, and you can see more strength kit on the home gym hub. If you want a tougher, drop friendly alternative for floor work, it is worth reading our best kettlebells UK guide too.