Is an Expensive Adjustable Dumbbell Worth It in 2026? Bowflex 552 vs Results Series Tested
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Is an expensive adjustable dumbbell worth it in 2026? The short answer: it depends on exactly $30 and 33,500 reviews. The Bowflex SelectTech 552 at $429 is the proven, flagship pick with a 4.8-star adjusted rating across 35,000 buyers and a Mavrino Score of 9.7/10 — the most battle-tested adjustable dumbbell on the US market. The newer BowFlex Results Series 552 at $399 shares the same core praise (good value, easy to use, reliable) and the same core complaint (louder than expected), but carries a 4.7-star adjusted rating from 1,500 reviews and a Mavrino Score of 9.2/10.
The honest framing: these two products are functionally near-identical twins separated by $30 and a confidence gap. If you train consistently and want the version with a decade of owner data behind it, the extra $30 on the original 552 is justified. If you want to save a little and are comfortable with a newer, thinner review base, the Results Series is a legitimate alternative — just know you’re trading certainty for a modest discount.
⭐ Our Recommendation
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells (Pair)
Buy the Bowflex SelectTech 552 — 35,000 owners and a 9.7 Mavrino Score prove it.
With 35,000 reviews at a 4.8 adjusted rating and 87% positive sentiment, the Bowflex SelectTech 552 carries a level of real-world validation the Results Series simply cannot match yet. The $30 premium buys you certainty — you know exactly what you’re getting, including where it falls short (noise).
⚖️ Pick the other one if: If the $30 saving matters to your budget and you’re buying on Amazon Prime where returns are easy, the Results Series 552 at $399 is a smart, lower-risk experiment with an identical feature set.
- ✓ Ranked against 2 models on price, rating & real reviews
- ✓ Mavrino Score 9.7/10 · 35,000 verified reviews analyzed
- ✓ Independent — we may earn a commission, but it never sways the ranking
Head-to-Head
| Category | Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbe | BowFlex Results Series 552 SelectTech Du |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $429.00 | $399.00 |
| Strength range & adjustment | Dial-select system, 5–52.5 lbs per dumbbell in 15 weight settings | Same dial-select mechanism, same 5–52.5 lb range per the product listing |
| Ease of use | Praised by owners as intuitive; ‘easy to use’ is one of the top three phrases in verified feedback | Same praise pattern; instructions flagged as unclear by a minority of buyers |
| Noise level | Louder than expected — the #1 complaint across 35,000 reviews | Same noise complaint surfaces in the Results Series feedback at the same rate |
| Review confidence | 35,000 reviews, 4.8 adjusted rating — the largest sample of any adjustable dumbbell on Amazon | 1,500 reviews, 4.7 adjusted rating — solid start but 23x fewer data points |
| Value for money | 9.7 Mavrino Score at $429 — exceptional value per dollar given the proven track record | 9.2 Mavrino Score at $399 — strong value, but the lower score reflects the thinner data confidence |
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells (Pair)
$429.00 ★ 4.8/5
The Bowflex SelectTech 552 ($429, 4.8 adjusted stars, 35,000 reviews, Mavrino Score 9.7/10) is the definitive adjustable dumbbell benchmark in the US market as of 2026. Its dial-select system adjusts from 5 to 52.5 lbs in 15 increments — enough range to cover everything from shoulder rehab to heavy chest presses without touching a weight rack. Owners consistently cite ‘good value, easy to use, and reliable’ as its defining qualities, and 87% of all reviews are positive. The honest limitation is noise: the mechanism produces more rattle than buyers expect, which matters if you train early morning in a shared space. At $429 for a pair, this is not an impulse buy — but 35,000 owners have essentially crowdsourced a five-year warranty on its reputation.
👤 Best for: Anyone who wants the most proven, data-backed adjustable dumbbell available and is prepared to pay a $30 premium for that certainty over the Results Series.
Really happy with this adjustable dumbbell. Does exactly what it says and the quality is excellent.
Verified Amazon buyer
BowFlex Results Series 552 SelectTech Dumbbells (Pair)
$399.00 ★ 4.7/5
The BowFlex Results Series 552 ($399, 4.7 adjusted stars, 1,500 reviews, Mavrino Score 9.2/10) is the newer sibling to the flagship 552 — same weight range, same dial-adjust system, same core strengths, same noise complaint. At $399 it undercuts the original by $30, and early buyers are giving it the same 87% positive sentiment. The catch is data maturity: 1,500 reviews is a respectable start, but it’s 23 times fewer data points than the original, which means you have less certainty about long-term durability and edge-case failure rates. The unclear-instructions complaint appears here too, so unbox carefully. This is a solid dumbbell — it just hasn’t earned its reputation yet the way the original has.
👤 Best for: Budget-conscious buyers who want the Bowflex SelectTech experience at a small discount and are comfortable being an earlier adopter with a product that has a thinner review history.
Works well overall but louder than expected. Would still recommend for the price.
Verified Amazon buyer
The Verdict
So is an expensive adjustable dumbbell worth it in 2026? Yes — and the Bowflex SelectTech 552 at $429 makes the case better than almost any competitor. A 9.7 Mavrino Score, 4.8 adjusted rating from 35,000 buyers, and 87% positive sentiment isn’t marketing copy; it’s the largest real-world stress test an adjustable dumbbell has ever passed on Amazon. The $30 premium over the Results Series buys you that certainty, and for a piece of training equipment you’ll use 3–5 times a week for the next several years, $30 is noise.
The Results Series at $399 is not a bad product — it scores a legitimate 9.2 Mavrino Score and shares every core feature. But ‘not bad’ and ‘proven’ are different things. If you’re furnishing a home gym and want zero regret, buy the original 552. If you’re a deal-seeker who checks return policies before checkout and saves every $30 deliberately, the Results Series is a reasonable calculated bet. Just go in knowing you’re one of 1,500 testers, not one of 35,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bowflex SelectTech 552 still worth buying in 2026?
Yes. At $429, a 4.8 adjusted rating from 35,000 reviews, and a Mavrino Score of 9.7/10, the SelectTech 552 remains the best-validated adjustable dumbbell available in the US. The dial-adjust system covers 5–52.5 lbs per dumbbell and handles the full range of home gym training.
What is the real difference between the Bowflex 552 and the Results Series 552?
Functionally, they share the same weight range, dial-select mechanism, and user experience. The practical difference is $30 in price and 33,500 reviews of confidence. The original 552 has 35,000 reviews at 4.8 stars; the Results Series has 1,500 at 4.7. Same product, very different certainty levels.
Are both Bowflex 552 models loud?
Yes — noise is the top complaint across both products, and it appears in the feedback for each at a similar rate. If you train in an apartment or early morning, the rattle from the dial mechanism may be disruptive. Neither model has solved this, so factor it in regardless of which you choose.
Which Bowflex 552 should I buy if I’m on a tight budget?
The Results Series at $399 saves you $30 and shares the same core design. It scores a solid 9.2 Mavrino Score. The trade-off is a thinner review base (1,500 vs 35,000), so you have less long-term data on durability. If $30 genuinely matters, it’s a reasonable choice — just buy from a retailer with a good return policy.
