We’ve tested the best kettlebells to row, twist, swing and squat your way to full-body functional fitness at home…
If you’re looking to get fit and build full-body strength at home, the versatile, space-saving kettlebell should be high on your kit list. It’s a relatively cheap piece of gear that’s good for everything from smashing leg day and building upper-body strength to heart-pumping HIIT sessions and even recovery and mobility work.
But not all kettlebells are created equal. That’s why we’ve swung into action, to bring you our tried and tested picks of the best kettlebells to buy in 2023.
How we test the best kettlebells
Our testers Kieran Alger and Leon Poultney are experienced product reviewers of all manner of fitness kit. They tested these kettlebells at various weights and through a range of exercises at high rep ranges to see how they handle. They marked each one for grip, comfort (and weight range for the adjustable options) and gave an overall score that takes build quality, performance and price into consideration.
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These are the best kettlebells for home workouts
- Best overall – Wolverson Competition Kettlebell (from £74.99, not available in the US), wolverson-fitness.co.uk
- Best for grip – TRX Rubber Coated Kettlebell (from $69.95 / £49.95), trxtraining.com
- Best for tight budgets – Mirafit Soft-Touch Cast-Iron Kettlebell (from £19.95, not available in the US), mirafit.com
- Best for outdoor workouts – Reax Fluikettle (from $57.95 / £50), reaxxer.com
- Best for workout tracking – JaxJox KettlebellConnect 2.0 ($249.99 / £250 plus subscription), amazon.co.uk
- Best for quick weight changes – Primal Personal Series Adjustable Kettlebell (£149.99, not available in the US), amazon.co.uk
Wolverson Competition Kettlebell
Best overall
| Weight range: | 8.8lbs to 70.5 lbs / 4kg to 32kg |
| Number of weights: | 11 |
| Features: | Consistent size across the range, calibrated for competition, lifetime casting warranty |
Pros:
- Good weight control
- Excellent grip and handling
Cons:
- You’ll want a whole set
Grip: 4/5
Comfort: 5/5
Weight range: 5/5
OVERALL: 5/5
Competition kettlebells are ideal if you want a consistent size and feel across a range of weights and Wolverson’s high-end offerings swing and handle beautifully. We find their retro boxing-gym styling to be instantly appealing, too.
We found their weight distribution to be even thanks to the solid one-piece casting. Plus, the wide, grippy handles have a subtle texture that’s easy on the hands. We also found there to be plenty of room here for two-handed drills, too. There is also a wide weight range with a useful top end of 70.5 lbs / 32kg.
- Read our full Wolverson Competition Kettlebell review
TRX Rubber-Coated Kettlebell
Best for grip
| Weight range: | 8.8lbs to 88.2lbs / 4kg to 28kg |
| Number of weights: | 8 |
| Features: | Rubber-coated bell, powder-coated handle, colour-coded weight rings |
Pros:
- Comfortable non-slip textured grip
- Durable rubber coating
Cons:
- Fairly expensive
Grip: 4.5/5
Comfort: 4/5
Weight range: 4.5/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
With rubber-coated bells and powder-coated handles, TRX’s kettlebells are as rugged as its popular suspension training systems. Featuring eight bells from 8.8lbs / 4kg up to 88.2lbs / 28kg, the range has enough options for all but the most powerful of lifters.
Each kettlebell is colour-coded, too, making weights easier to identify when you’re building up a collection. The size of the handles changes as you move up the weight range with bigger windows and larger diameters. We were impressed with the nicely balanced feel and reliable grip, which makes them easy to use for the likes of swings, presses, squats, snatches and other drills.
- Read our full TRX Rubber-Coated Kettlebell review
Mirafit Soft-Touch Cast-Iron Kettlebells
Best for tight budgets
| Weight range: | 13.2 lbs to 70.5 lbs / 6kg to 32kg |
| Number of weights: | 9 |
| Features: | Weld-free cast-iron construction, full set available with storage rack |
Pros:
- Flat, wobble-free base
- Reliable soft grip
Cons:
- Not as protective as rubber-coated
Grip: 4.5/5
Comfort: 4/5
Weight range: 5/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
Mirafit’s powder-coated cast iron bells are well worth considering if you’re looking to build a collection on a budget. Starting at under £20, the range is one of the most expansive too, with nine kettlebells weighing between 13.2lbs / 6kg and a whopping 70.5lbs / 36kg. Plus, you can also buy them in a set for added savings.
Underneath that protective coating, there’s a durable single cast, weld-free cast-iron bell. The handle is powder-coated too, which provided us with a smooth and soft grip. Despite their modest price, we found the Mirafit kettlebells to be well balanced, comfortable to hold and suitable for all major kettlebell drills.
- Read our full Mirafit Soft-Touch Cast-Iron review
Reax Fluikettle
Best for outdoor workouts
| Weight range: | 4.4lbs to 44lbs / 2kg to 20kg |
| Number of weights: | 9 |
| Features: | Soft Shock elastic exterior, steel ball and fluid interior |
Pros:
- Shock and impact absorbing
- Good for outdoor use
Cons:
- Not the most comfortable grip
Grip: 3/5
Comfort: 4/5
Weight range: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Reax is shaking up the kettlebell world with its unique Fluikettle. With a malleable plastic exterior and moving steel-ball and fluid interior, it adds instability and unpredictability to your workouts. That might not sound ideal, but in practice, this constantly shifting weight makes kettlebell sessions more challenging and therefore more productive.
The nine bell range tops out at 44lbs / 20kg, which might be limiting for some, but the Fluikettle’s ability to enhance strength workouts more than makes up for that. We found that the soft, flexible outer rested comfortably against the skin and soaked up impacts against floors and limbs alike.
- Read our full Reax Fluikettle review
JaxJox KettlebellConnect 2.0
Best for workout tracking
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| Weight range: | 12.1lbs to 41.8lbs / 5.5kg to 19kg |
| Number of weights: | 6 |
| Features: | JaxJox app integration; motion sensors track reps, sets, weight, power, average volume and time; fast-charging USB-C connection |
Pros:
- Decent top weight
- Counts reps, sets and weight
Cons:
- Bulky with a big footprint
- Hardware and premium app are pricey
Grip: 4/5
Comfort: 4/5
Weight range: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
If you like to track your drills or prefer more immersive workouts, you might want to check out the JaxJox KettlebellConnect 2.0. Likewise if you don’t have the floor space for a collection of kettlebells. That’s because the JaxJox is a smart adjustable kettlebell that can internally select six weights between 12.1lbs / 5.5kg and 41.8lbs / 19kg, and packs motion sensors that track reps, sets and power.
You can also follow complete drill-by-drill workouts on your smartphone, or join on-demand coach-led classes, tracking stats as you go. However, you’ll have to pay a Peloton-style premium to access these features. Although you need power for the selection and smart training features, in our experience you can get around 14 hours of training time on a single charge.
- Read our full JaxJox KettlebellConnect 2.0 review
Primal Personal Series Adjustable Kettlebell
Best for quick weight changes
| Weight range: | 10lb to 40lb / 4.5kg to 18kg |
| Number of weights: | 5 |
| Features: | Secure locking mechanislm; ergonomic design; 1 year home warranty |
Pros:
- 10lb – 40lb / 4.5kg – 18kg in a small package
- Secure locking mechanism
- Ergonomic design
Cons:
- Loses kettlebell feel at lower weights
- Weight selection dial is annoying
- Avid kettlebell fans will struggle with design
Grip: 4.5/5
Comfort: 5/5
Weight range: 3.5/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Primal’s adjustable kettlebell offers five weights in a well designed package. The design has a rotating dial at the top to select the weights beneath it. The lower the weight you select, the fewer plates the Primal Personal Series Adjustable Kettlebell picks up.
Unlike some other rivals, such as the Bowflex SelectTech 840 Kettlebell, there’s no tray, so you don’t have to cart around an extra piece of plastic when you want to move the kettlebell. Simply select the max weight and away you go. The quality of Primal kit tends to be excellent and it’s no different here. At this price, we’d say it’s one of the most robust and reliable adjustable kettlebells we’ve tested. The unit is made from a number of materials, including aluminum, steel, polypropylene, nylon and ABS, but they all feel tough and able to withstand a bashing.
There is plenty of room between the handle and the bell, while well-defined horns make it easy to grip in numerous ways. We also appreciated the groove that runs down each flank, making it far more comfortable to perform snatches and overhead pressing movements, seeing as there’s somewhere comfortable to rest the wrist. The handle features a textured nylon covering, so grip is excellent.
- Read our full Primal Personal Series Adjustable Kettlebell review
Benefits of using a kettlebell
When it comes to home workouts, kettlebells bring big benefits. They’re versatile, space-efficient and great for full-body fitness.
They’re ideal for swings, cleans and snatches – where they’re more comfortable to use than dumbbells and less technical than barbells – making kettlebells excellent for building power.
Because you’ll often use them unilaterally, in ways that involve holding them at odd angles to your body, they’re also great for teaching your body to ‘resist’ force, building the anti-rotational strength that experts agree is key to long-term health. Finally, because they’re suited to very high reps, we think kettlebells are great for torching through calories and ultimately burning body fat.
If that sounds like something you want to invest in, there are a few things to consider when you’re looking for the best kettlebells to buy.
What to look for in the best kettlebells
The handle is critical: it should be wide enough to comfortably grip with two hands, with a smooth, comfortable texture that won’t irritate your hands after dozens of reps.
Ideally, you’ll also want a kettlebell that sits comfortably against your forearm during swings or snatches – big and round is the key, but we also recommend looking for a flat bottom so it stands easily.
Kettlebells can be made of cast iron, steel or even plastic. Cast iron kettlebells are the most durable and provide the best grip. Steel kettlebells are often coated in vinyl or rubber, which can help protect floors and reduce noise. Plastic kettlebells tend to be cheaper, but can also be the least durable. There are also softer water or sand-filled options, like the Reax Fluikettle.
Competition-style kettlebells are popular. They’re all the same size, regardless of the weight. That makes it easier to maintain consistency as you progress up the weights. They also tend to have smaller handles to avoid sliding, and they’re a joy to swing.
Choosing the kettlebell weight:
When it comes to choosing weights, it’s important to consider your fitness level and goals. If you’re a beginner, start with a lighter weight, around 18-26lb / 8-12kg. If you’re more advanced, you may want to go heavier – up to 70lb / 32kg (mainly for lower-body movements) or more.
As an all-round option, 35lb / 16kg is probably the best bet. You might find it a bit light when you get used to swings and squats, but it’ll also let you do a load of pressing variations and high-rep snatches.
If you’re getting a second bell, consider going slightly heavier – say 44lb / 20kg or 52lb / 24kg. The latter is heavy enough for almost any move you’ll want to do. Finally, you might want to invest in one smaller weight for mobility drills.
The other option is an adjustable kettlebell – like the JaxJox KettlebellConnect 2.0 or the Bowflex Selecttech 840 – which offers multiple weights in a convenient, compact format.
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