Braingain 24kg Adjustable Dumbbells review: Quick-adjust weights that actually keep up with your workouts

If you’re trying to build a minimal home gym without filling your living room or spare room with heaps of equipment, adjustable dumbbells can be a smart place to start.

Models such as the Braingain 24kg Adjustable Dumbbells, which I'll be reviewing here, promise to replace an entire rack of weights with a single, compact, convenient design.

Braingain's dumbbell, in particular, comes in under £200 for a pair, making them significantly cheaper than more established rivals like the Bowflex SelectTech 552i adjustable dumbbell.

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The question is whether that saving comes at the cost of compromises, or whether these budget-adjustable dumbbells can genuinely compete. After all, you usually get what you pay for… right?

Braingain 24kg Adjustable Dumbbells review

Price and availability

The Braingain 24kg Adjustable Dumbbells are available now directly from Braingain, priced from £169.99 / $229 / €196 / AU$321 per pair, positioning them firmly in the mid-range adjustable dumbbell category. Considering they replace 15 individual fixed-weight pairs, they’re a great value for anyone building a compact home gym setup - or looking for an accessible selection of weights at home.

What are they?

Braingain's adjustable model offers 15 weight settings ranging from 2.5kg to 24kg per dumbbell, adjustable via a simple twist-dial mechanism on the handle.

That means one pair replaces an entire rack of traditional dumbbells while occupying little more space than a single heavy set. The included trays keep unused plates aligned for quick switching between exercises and tidy storage when not in use.

Lifting the handles out of the tray and returning them is also straightforward - and most importantly, they slot back into place easily. There’s nothing worse than finishing a heavy set and struggling to line the plates back up to relieve a tired body, but that wasn’t an issue here.

Weight increments include 2.5kg, 3.5kg, 4.5kg, 5.5kg, 6.5kg, 8kg, 9kg, 10kg, 11.5kg, 13.5kg, 16kg, 18kg, 20.5kg, 22.5kg and 24kg.

This variety makes them suitable for progressive overload training if you’re looking to build muscle and power, while still offering lighter options for accessory work, beginners or rehab-focused sessions.

Design and build quality

Adjustment is fast and intuitive - and they’re aesthetically pleasing, too. The handle turns smoothly to select the desired weight and can be easily adjusted with one hand. Simply twist the handle, lift the dumbbell, and the excess plates remain in the tray - a system similar to premium selector dumbbells but at a more accessible price point.

Compared to old-school spinlock-style adjustable dumbbells, the difference is immediate. There’s no unscrewing collars or swapping plates mid-session, which makes supersets and drop sets far easier to manage. Being able to switch quickly between 2.5kg and 24kg also helps keep workouts flowing without unnecessary interruptions between sets.

At 39cm in length, they’re slightly bulkier than fixed dumbbells and can take a little getting used to, particularly for smaller frames. That said, this is typical of adjustable weights and something most people adapt to quickly.

Workout performance

With a top weight of 24kg per dumbbell, the Braingain set feels reassuringly close to using traditional fixed weights and is suitable for a full-body dumbbell workout, including presses, deadlifts and rows. That said, during testing, a few limitations came up. For stronger lifters, 24kg may not be enough for heavier chest-based or leg-focused work. For me, however, the range was more than sufficient for most upper- and lower-body exercises.

Where these dumbbells really stand out is how quickly you can change weights without interrupting the flow of a session. Adjustments are easy, and throughout testing, the mechanism felt smooth and precise without sticking or jumping.

The handles also feature an embossed grip pattern, which provides a secure hold even with heavier loads or sweaty hands - something that makes a noticeable difference during warmer and more intense workouts - think dumbbell complexes, where you don’t put the bells down - or a weighted HIIT circuit.

Like most dial-adjustable systems, the Braingain are not designed to be dropped after failure reps, so controlled lifting and releasing is recommended to protect the mechanism and plates. Dropping them can cause the plates to rattle and shift, so they’re best suited to more controlled strength work rather than maximal-effort lifting and dropping to the floor in complete exhaustion.

Accessories

Each pair of Braingain adjustable dumbbells comes with dedicated storage trays that keep the plates organised and aligned, making it easier to switch weights between sets.

Optional stands(links to Braingain) are also available, raising the dumbbells to waist height - a worthwhile upgrade if they’re going to live in a permanent training space. The company also sells adjustable kettlebells if you decide to invest and expand your adjustable-weight home setup.

Verdict

For anyone setting up a home gym without the space for multiple fixed dumbbells, the Braingain 24kg Adjustable Dumbbells strike an excellent balance between usability, versatility and price. One pair replaces an entire rack of weights, and the design feels far sleeker than some chunkier brands on the market.

Finished in all black, with the adjustment mechanism neatly built into the handle, they’re compact, tidy and easy to store between sessions.

The quick-adjust dial system makes them far more practical than traditional plate-loaded alternatives, while the 15-step weight range supports everything from rehab-style light work to serious upper-body strength training.

Unless you need loads over 24kg per hand, they’re a smart, space-efficient strength investment for most home gym users.

Also consider

If the Braingain set fits your budget but you’re weighing up alternatives, there are a few strong adjustable dumbbell systems worth considering, depending on whether you want a heavier load, a different adjustment mechanism, or something from a more established brand.

If you like the dial-adjust system used by the Braingain pair but want something heavier-duty, the Bowflex SelectTech 1090i Adjustable Dumbbell adjusts from 4kg up to 41kg, replacing up to 17 pairs of fixed weights and making it suitable for stronger lifters who will quickly outgrow the 24kg offering from Braingain.

The trade-off is price - they cost significantly more - but they remain one of the best-known adjustable dumbbell systems on the market.

The PowerBlock Sport 24 Adjustable Dumbbells offer a maximum weight similar to the Braingain pair but use a stacked pin-adjustment system rather than a twist dial. The chunky box-style design isn’t for everyone aesthetically; they look nothing like dumbbells, but they’re extremely solid and durable and priced similarly.

I’ve also been lucky enough to test the Primal Personal Adjustable Dumbbells, which go up to a hefty 34kg and use a sliding pin selector system that’s quick to adjust and easy to handle. Unlike spin-collar designs, they don’t add bulk at the ends, which makes them more comfortable to rest on your legs when setting up for heavier lifts.

Overall, if your priority is value and ease of use, the Braingain pair remains one of the strongest sub-£200 options. If you need heavier loads or something a bit more substantial long-term, Bowflex or Primal make more sense.