As with the best dumbbells, the beauty of a kettlebell lies in its simplicity. Who would have thought that a ball of cast iron with a single handle could provide so much benefit? You can swing and snatch a kettlebell for more power, raise and rotate a lighter bell for shoulder health, and use them instead of dumbbells for a new training stimulus. That’s why over the past decade, kettlebells have seen a resurgence in popularity with many health and fitness enthusiasts — from weekend warriors to athletes, and everyone in between.
This revival means that more manufacturers are producing kettlebells. So, as a consumer, more thought is required when choosing the right product. Our team of experts, including personal trainers and athletes, is here to take some of the burden off your shoulders, testing more than 20 different kettlebells. After careful consideration and personal trial and error, we’ve gathered the absolute best kettlebells on the market.
The 13 Best Kettlebells of 2025
- Best Kettlebell Overall: REP Fitness Kettlebell
- Best Kettlebell for CrossFit: Iron Bull Kettlebell
- Best Rubber-Coated Kettlebells: Rogue Rubber-Coated Kettlebells
- Best Powder-Coated Kettlebell: Titan Fitness Cast Iron Kettlebell
- Best Budget Kettlebell: Fringe Sport Kettlebell
- Best Competition Kettlebell: Bells of Steel Competition Kettlebell
- Best Kettlebell for Beginners: Bowflex SelectTech 840 Adjustable Kettlebell
- Best Adjustable Kettlebell: REP Fitness Adjustable Kettlebell
- Best High-End Kettlebell: Kettlebell Kings Powder Coat Kettlebell
- Best Kettlebell Set: Bells of Steel Powder Coated Kettlebell Custom Set
- Best Kettlebell for Cardio: Eleiko Kettlebell
- Best Kettlebell for Small Hands: Torque USA Kettlebell Package — Light
- Best Kettlebell on Amazon: Lifeline Kettlebell
Best Kettlebells Video Review
BarBend expert tester and certified nutrition coach Jake Herod shares our picks for the best kettlebells. Whether you’re looking for the best value, the best adjustable kettlebell, or you’re a kettlebell athlete and want the best competition option, we’ve got you covered.
Best Overall Kettlebell: REP Fitness Kettlebell
Rep Fitness makes a fully cast iron kettlebell that has a chip resistant coating and a handle that will fit a variety of user's hand sizes. We also appreciate that they list weights in both kilograms and pounds on every bell. Color coded handle markings make it easy to differentiate between weights.
Specs
- Weight Range: 1-48kg
- Highlights: Color-coded handles, weights in kg and lbs
- Material: Cast iron with a powder coat
- Handle Diameter: 30mm to 40mm
- Price: Starting at $14.99
Best Kettlebell for CrossFit: Iron Bull Kettlebell
Forged from cast iron with a durable powder coat, these kettlebells are made to last. Plus, color-coded rings indicate each kettlebell's weight, making it easy to choose the right one for each workout.
Best Rubber-Coated Kettlebells: Rogue Fitness Rubber-Coated Kettlebells
Rogue's Rubber Coated Kettlebell takes their standard model and adds a protective black urethane exterior coating. When you need to protect your floors during a workout, rubber-coated kettlebells are going cause less potential damage than iron or steel options. They're also great for movements that involve contact with the bell itself, like goblet squats.
Specs
- Weight Range: 26-70lbs
- Highlights: Urethane coating won’t easily rip, tear, or compress
- Material: Cast iron with urethane coating
- Handle Diameter: 35.56mm to 38.1mm
- Price: $80-$175
Best Powder-Coated Kettlebell: Titan Fitness Cast Iron Kettlebell
These kettlebells are made with highly durable cast iron and they have a black powder coat, too, which can help keep the weight protected from rust, corrosion, and paint chipping as you exercise.
Specs
- Weight Range: 4-32kg
- Highlights: Powder-coated black finish
- Material: Cast Iron
- Handle Diameter: 26mm to 39mm
- Price: $29.99 to $119.99
Best Budget Kettlebell: Fringe Sport Kettlebell
These kettlebells are a great budget pick, as they're priced cheaper than the market standard. Plus, they also have a protective powder coat and color-coded handles, so you get a bang for your buck.
Specs
- Weight Range: 4-48kg
- Highlights: Powder coating, color-coded handles
- Material: Cast iron with urethane coating
- Handle Diameter: 31.75mm to 41.65mm
- Price: $30 to $190
Best Competition Kettlebell: Bells of Steel Competition Kettlebell
These kettlebells are up to competition-grade standards for GSU and IKFF use as well as meeting IUKL standards. All of the comp weight bells from 10kg to 32kg have international window size so you can train like you play.
Specs
- Weight Range: 4-48kg
- Highlights: Color-coded bells, wide window size, 35mm handle as per competition standards, legal for kettlebell sport competitions
- Material: Cast steel
- Handle Diameter: 33mm to 35mm
- Price: $49.99 to $469.99
Best Kettlebell for Beginners: Bowflex SelectTech 840 Adjustable Kettlebell
This adjustable kettlebell system replaces six individual kettlebells and features an easy-to-use dial to adjust the weight so you can get straight to your workouts.
Specs
- Weight Range: 8-40lbs
- Highlights: Fully adjustable to your preferred weight, compatible with JRNY app
- Material: Composite
- Handle Diameter: N/A
- Price: $129
Best Adjustable Kettlebell: REP Fitness Adjustable Kettlebell
These competition-style adjustable kettlebells are made from cast iron and feature a powder coat. With three buying options available, there is an increased chance you can find an option that meets your requirements.
Specs
- Weight Range: 8-16kg, 16-24kg, or 20-40lbs
- Highlights: No change in size when adjusting weights, great grip, quick and easy weight adjustment
- Material: Powder-Coated Cast Iron, Plastic
- Handle Diameter: N/A
- Price: $149.99-$209.99
Best High-End Kettlebell: Kettlebell Kings Powder Coat Kettlebell
These single-cast powder-coated kettlebells undergo a gravity-casting process, leading to an accurate weight and an evenly balanced kettlebell.
Specs
- Weight Range: 4kg-92kg
- Highlights: Refined powder coating process for durability and longevity, Wide range of weights
- Material: Cast iron
- Handle Diameter: 30mm to 47.5mm
- Price: $74.99-$424.99
Best Kettlebell Set: Bells of Steel Powder-Coated Kettlebell Custom Set
For most athletes, a single kettlebell probably won't cut it. But with this pick from Bells of Steel, you can build your own custom set, selecting only the weights you need.
Specs
- Weight Range: 4-40kg
- Highlights: You can build your own set, color-coded handles
- Material: Cast iron with powder coat
- Handle Diameter: 30mm to 39mm
- Price: Varies by set
Best Kettlebell for Cardio: Eleiko Kettlebell
Made of cast iron and with a flat bottom, Eleiko's Training Kettlebells feature extra wide handles that more easily allow for a two-handed grip on certain movements. The kettlebells are double moulded with a surface texture designed to promote durability while holding chalk consistently.
Specs
- Weight Range: 4-56kg
- Highlights: Textured handle for easy grip, finish holds chalk for good grip
- Material: Cast iron
- Handle Diameter: N/A
- Price: $30 to $420
Best Kettlebell for Small Hands: Torque USA Kettlebell Package — Light
This kettlebell package is ideal for kettlebell (or strength training) beginners or for adults with smaller hands, considering the handles have a relatively small diameter.
Specs
- Weight Range: 4-20kg
- Highlights: Smaller handles, durable paint coating, color-coded handles
- Material: Cast iron
- Handle Diameter: N/A
- Price: Call for quote
Best Kettlebell on Amazon: Lifeline Kettlebell
These kettlebells are made well with a durable powder-coat finish that provides a great grip, even when not using chalk. The color-coded handles make it easy to grab the right weight quickly.
Specs
- Weight Range: 4-44kg
- Highlights: Single-piece casting for durability, Powder-coat finish, Flat machined bottom
- Material: Virgin iron ore cast iron
- Handle Diameter: 32mm to 39.9mm
- Price: $31.37-$165.24
How We Tested and Chose the Best Kettlebells
BarBend‘s team of certified personal trainers, weightlifting coaches, and fitness fanatics tested more than 20 different kettlebells, scoring each on a scale of 1 (oof) to 5 (yay) in areas such as durability, versatility, and value in accordance with the BarBend equipment testing methodology. In building this list, these are the qualities we considered.
- Durability: We looked at a kettlebell’s coating, as this, like the casting process, can be a signal for long-term durability. A great coating can provide a better grip and will be chip-resistant.
- Performance: These are versatile pieces of workout equipment, so they need to perform well in multiple settings with both chalk and non-chalk users. Every handle’s coating and diameter can impact grip, so we spent extra time assessing their ability to support long-duration use.
- Weight Options: We took beginners and competitive athletes into consideration as we tested different weights and browsed resistance options.
- Warranty: We looked through warranties of different products, selecting kettlebells that come with some sort of protective warranty to shield against non-accidental damage.
- Grip and Handle: While prioritizing zero slip grips, we considered a variety of handle diameters and designs since some athletes prefer a wider handle diameter, while other like a more narrow grip. We provided options with smaller and wider windows to suit all fitness needs.
- Value: Let’s not beat around the bush here: investing in the best home gym equipment is a pretty big deal, and you obviously want the most for your money. By taking the above two characteristics into account and comparing them with price, we tried to identify the benefits versus the cost.
Benefits of Kettlebells
“Kettlebells bring so many benefits to the table that they deserve their own “benefits of” article,” according to Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC.
“For starters, kettlebell training comes with all of the usual benefits of resistance training: increased muscle mass, strength, bone density and bone health, improved mental health and confidence, balance and coordination, and independence into old age.” Here are some of the top benefits of kettlebell training.
- Builds Strength: As a piece of resistance equipment, kettlebells can help you gain strength. Regular strength training can help you develop stronger bones, sharpen your brain, and potentially manage chronic symptoms. (1)
- Versatility: There are plenty of exercises you can do with a kettlebell and they can help you get an excellent cardio workout, build your balance, and improve your muscular stability, too. “I love kettlebells for their ability to challenge balance, coordination, and stability, in addition to strength. That’s not something you can always achieve with other free weights or machines,” says Capritto.
- Space Saving: Compared to some of the best power racks, for instance, kettlebells are relatively small and easy to store when not in use. For those who need to save space or don’t have a super high budget, this exercise tool fits the bill.
What to Consider Before Buying Kettlebells
So, you’re interested in a new kettlebell. Here are some personal considerations that should be acknowledged before investing.
Your Training Style
You need to consider how and why you train and your training frequency before purchasing a kettlebell. If you’re a kettlebell athlete, for example, you’ll need a specific kettlebell of high quality. Beginners can get away with a cheaper, more basic version, while a more experienced lifter may want to invest in a nicer construction kettlebell. Or, if you engage in CrossFit or cardio workouts, then you’ll need a more comfortable bell with an outstanding grip for high-rep sets.
Assess your workouts honestly, and then look closer at a kettlebell’s features before clicking “buy.” Kettlebells are a great, versatile single piece of equipment when you can only get one or two new items for your home gym — but they aren’t the cheapest items, so you want to get it right before you shell out for one.
Price
Most kettlebells are going to be priced closely. So, we’ve made sure that the more expensive options are worth the uptick in price while the cheaper options are still of a certain quality. We take factors like construction, warranty, customer reviews, and our personal testing process all into consideration when looking at a kettlebell’s price tag.
Type of Kettlebell
Different types of kettlebell are suited to different types of athletes. Training kettlebells are great all-around options for everyday athletes. These are the kettlebells you’ll find in your local gym and are generally most cost-friendly.
Competition kettlebells are best for those who are planning to compete in the sport. These are more pricey and generally meet sport standards to give you an accurate representation of the weights used professionally.
You can also consider an adjustable kettlebell. These are ideal for beginners or those who are limited on space. They offer a pretty broad range of weights within one single mechanism and they’re usually cost-effective.
Weight Options
Before you order just any kettlebell, think about the weight options at your disposal. Choose weights that are suited to your fitness level and maybe even consider ordering one or two heavier kettlebells to allow room for progression.
Handle
Handles can vary from one kettlebell to another. Typically, you want a handle that has some sort of coating, as these can hold chalk pretty well to prevent slipping. However, there are handles with wider and smaller windows, too. If you’re someone who has larger hands or loves cardio training, a wider handle window is ideal.
Coating
We highly recommend choosing a kettlebell with some sort of protective coat on the top. After sitting for a while, kettlebells can rust or corrode but a coat can help increase your weights’ longevity.
The Best Kettlebell Exercises
It’s tough to say exactly which kettlebell exercises are best. Really, it depends on your training goals and experience levels. However, assuming you want to focus on compound movements that will bolster your strength, power, and conditioning, the total-body moves below are a great starting point. Or, isolate certain muscle groups if you want a more specified workout.
Upper-Body Kettlebell Exercises
Lower-Body Kettlebell Exercises
Kettlebell Core Exercises
Kettlebell Flows Explained
A kettlebell flow is like a kettlebell circuit — stringing together a bunch of different kettlebell movements. The key difference is that with a circuit, you will be putting the bell down between moves and even perhaps resting a bit in between exercises. With a kettlebell flow, your goal is to literally flow right from one move into the next without stopping or putting the bell down. So, you might perform a small set of push presses, use the last rep to start an overhead carry, and flow from that right into a small series of kettlebell snatches.
When you’re looking to design your own kettlebell flow, don’t be afraid to look a little silly for a hot second — before you even pick up the weight, simulate the movements to make sure that they can, in fact, flow seamlessly into each other. You’ll need at least one clean programmed in there if you want to transition from a Romanian deadlift to a strict press, for example — so make sure you include all those elements.
Kettlebells Vs. Dumbbells
If you’ve got a limited budget — or only a small amount of space — you might have to make the sad choice of buying a kettlebell vs. a dumbbell. And while we never want to put two excellent pieces of gym equipment against each other (dumbbells are spectacular training tools), it’s worth noting a couple of things about the versatility of kettlebells:
- Due to their off-balance shape, kettlebells engage more of your stabilizer muscles during lifts.
- Many kettlebell movements are ballistic in nature, meaning that they build power, strength, coordination, and conditioning all at once.
- Kettlebells develop lifters’ grip strength due to the constant pressure needed to stabilize an offset load while it’s rapidly moving. Think about the work you have to do to keep a bell on a controlled path during swings, cleans, and snatches.
- Kettlebells don’t require a lot of space, and a single implement can be used for a vast diversity of moves and training goals.
- Even the most cardio-heavy kettlebell lifts are low-impact, meaning that you can go heavy, hard, and ballistic without taxing your joints too much.
The Right Way to Hold a Kettlebell
For a lot of kettlebell lifts, you’ll grip it in a similar way to gripping a dumbbell — in the middle of the handle, keeping your fingers light. It might feel scary at first to not choke the darn thing, but it’s much better for your wrist health to practice gentleness in your grip during moves like swings.
For more complex lifts like cleans, snatches, and Turkish get-ups, you want an offset grip. To avoid the painful flopping of the kettlebell onto your wrist or forearm, don’t grab it right in the center. Instead, tuck the pad between your index finger and your thumb against the curve of the handle.
You can also get creative. A bottoms-up grip challenges your forearms, wrists, fingers, and shoulders. Holding the bell around the body can help emphasize your shoulders a bit more when front-loading your goblet squat and can provide different angles for overhead and floor presses.
Best Kettlebells FAQs
How much do kettlebells cost?
Kettlebells range in price from around $30 to $50 for a relatively light non-competition option to several hundred dollars for heavier, competition-spec bells. If you’re just starting out with kettlebells, you can expect to spend around $200 to $300 for a few lighter, budget-friendly options to give you a taste for kettlebell training. If you like it, you may want to expand your weights or opt for one or two higher-end kettlebells.
What is the best kettlebell to buy?
The answer to that depends on what your goals and budget are. We’re fans of Iron Bull Kettlebells because they’re high-quality, rather affordable for how well-made the product is, and color-coded, so you can easily switch between weights without fumbling around trying to find the right kettlebell.
Can I integrate kettlebells into my weight training?
If you’re buying a kettlebell to integrate it into an existing training program, you’re probably wondering how much kettlebell work is too much when you’re a powerlifter, weightlifter, or otherwise focused on non-kettlebell aspects of training. The answer: there are always ways to integrate kettlebell work into your lifting that will not take away from recovery.
If you’re not going super heavy, kettlebell swings and Turkish get-ups can be great ways to grease the grooves of positive movement patterns — making kettlebells a great active recovery tool for your “off” days. You can also integrate moves like light kettlebell halos between upper body lifts to keep your shoulders mobile and ready for the pressure that barbell work can put on them. And, if you’re looking for cardio that doesn’t involve endless runs, look no further than a solid kettlebell cardio session as either a finisher or cardio day all on its own.
What weight kettlebell should I get?
When you’re considering what kettlebell weight to buy, you need to balance your goals against your “limiting lifting factor.” What’s the exercise you know you want to do with your kettlebell that you will need the lightest weight for? It might be all well and good to spring for a 32-kilogram bell because you can do your lower body work with it (and maybe floor presses). But if you know you want to overhead press and can’t do that with 70 pounds, there’s your limiting factor.
In other words, you might want a heavy bell for all your lower body training needs. That said, if you want to also be able to get some solid upper body lifting in with your kettlebell, make sure you’re taking that into account. It’s a balancing act that will require some deep contemplation and programming creativity, but it’ll be worth it in the end.
What makes a quality kettlebell?
Here are three main factors to consider when looking for a quality kettlebell:
– First, a quality kettlebell has a single-cast construction, as this means the kettlebell was created with one cast and isn’t pieced together with multiple types of metals. These models are more durable.
– Second, the coating is durable, chip, and rust-resistant. A strong coating can do wonders for prolonging your investment.
– Lastly, a quality kettlebell has a flat bottom finish and is void of seams and other signs of construction imperfections.
How should I care for my kettlebell?
For the most part, kettlebells take care of themselves if you store them in a dry spot — especially if they’ve got rubber coating. You might opt to check your bell over every few months to lightly sand down places where it might chip if you’re training outside or in a garage and have been letting it hit concrete when you set it down. But, for the most part, kettlebells are pretty low maintenance.
If you opt to strip the rust-resistant coating away from your competition kettlebell to give it a more rugged grip, make sure you’re protecting your kettlebell from rust when you’re not using it (pro-tip: wipe off your lingering sweat after each session).
What size kettlebell should I get?
This depends on the types of workouts you like and your current fitness level. If you only want to buy one kettlebell, we recommend an adjustable option, as they’re more versatile for different workouts.
If you plan to buy a set, we recommend getting a few that can work for both upper- and lower-body workouts. Also consider getting a few that are challenging for your current fitness level to give you room to grow.
References
- Mayo Clinic. (2023, April). Strength training: Get stronger, leaner, healthier. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/strength-training/art-20046670