PowerBlock Dumbbells Review: Save Space & Upgrade Your Home Gym
- The Team at Gym Reviewer
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Building a home gym isn’t just about collecting as much gear as possible — it’s about maximizing space, functionality, and efficiency. One of the biggest offenders in wasted space? Dumbbells.
A full rack of 5–100 lb urethane dumbbells looks incredible, but it eats up multiple square feet of floor space and forces you to walk back and forth mid-workout just to switch weights.
That’s where PowerBlock adjustable dumbbells come in. In this review, I’ll break down the three most popular PowerBlock options — the Elite Series, Elite USA Series, and Pro Series — and share which one I personally chose to replace an entire set of urethane dumbbells in my home gym.
TL;DR — Quick Links
Top Space Saving Dumbbell Sets
✅ Budget: 5–50 lb Set
✅ Mid (Best Pick): 5–90 lb Set
✅ Premium: 5–100 lb Set
Extras:
Why Adjustable Dumbbells Make Sense for Home Gyms
Let’s get real. Most of us aren’t running a 3,000 sq. ft. commercial training facility. We’re working with garages, basements, or spare rooms. Every inch matters.
A traditional 5–90 lb dumbbell set can easily take up 6–8 feet of wall space.
That same range in a PowerBlock setup? Two dumbbells and a small stand.
Beyond space savings, you also save on cost. A new set of commercial dumbbells plus storage can run $3,000+. With PowerBlocks, you’re looking at under or around $1,000 for a comparable range.
PowerBlock Dumbbell Options Compared
🔹 1. PowerBlock Elite Series
Price (5–50 lbs): ~$400
Expandable to: 70 lbs / 90 lbs
Design: Black with color-coded selector pins
Vibe: Functional, but a little “Minecraft block” looking
The Elite Series is one of the most popular entry points. It’s simple, effective, and expandable all the way to 90 lbs. I like the color-coded weight markers — especially if multiple people use your gym.
Pros: Affordable, expandable, color-coded for quick use.
Cons: Bulky, blocky design. Personally, I’m not a fan of the aesthetics.
✅ Budget Pick → 5–50 lb Set
🔹 2. PowerBlock Elite USA (My Pick)
Price (5–90 lbs): ~$850 (often on sale)
Multiple Options: 50lb / 70lb / 90lb sets
Design: Sleek gray, numerical weight markers
Vibe: Compact, clean, professional
Country of Orgin: Made in the USA (click here for our complete list of Made in America Fitness Companies)
This is the set I personally went with for my garage gym. Why? Compact length. The shorter dumbbell size gives you a better range of motion on pressing and curling movements compared to the Pro Series.
The main drawback is noise — without rubber encasing, the plates can “clank” together. I don’t mind it (kind of feels old-school), but if you train late at night with kids sleeping, it may bother you.
Pros: Compact, sleek, affordable, expandable.
Cons: Noisy metal-on-metal clank.
✅ Mid Pick → 5–90 lb Set
🔹 3. PowerBlock Pro Series
Price (5–50 lbs): ~$1000+
Design: Rubber-encased weight plates, smooth finish
Vibe: Premium, quiet, but long
On paper, the Pro Series seems like the ultimate choice — rubber coating reduces clank, and the dumbbells look polished. The trade-off? As you move into heavier weights, the dumbbells become noticeably longer. That extra length can affect your range of motion and overall lifting experience.
Another issue: the rubber can crack over time, which could leave you with a broken plate and a customer service headache.
Pros: Premium look, quieter use.
Cons: Longer dumbbells, potential long-term durability issues.
✅ Premium Pick → 5–100 lb Set
Recommended Home Gym Add-Ons
If you’re investing in adjustable dumbbells, a couple of extras can seriously improve your setup:
Compact Foldable Stand → Keeps dumbbells at the right height, saves back strain, and folds away when not in use.
Adjustable Weight Bench → Unlocks presses, rows, step-ups, and dozens of other variations.
PowerBlock Dumbbells Comparison Table
Model | Weight Range | Expandability | Approx. Price* | Pros | Cons | Buy Link |
Elite Series | 5–50 lbs (base) | Expandable to 70 / 90 lbs | ~$400 (5–50) / ~$800 (5–90) | ✔ Affordable entry option ✔ Color-coded pins for quick use ✔ Solid durability | ✘ Bulky/blocky design ✘ Less sleek aesthetic | |
Elite USA Series (My Pick) | 5–50 lbs (base) | Expandable to 70 / 90 lbs | ~$500 (5–50, often on sale) / ~$850 (5–90) | ✔ Compact & shorter length ✔ Sleek design ✔ Best range of motion ✔ Affordable mid-tier | ✘ Louder “clank” sound ✘ No rubber dampening | |
Pro Series | 5–100 lbs (base) | Comes Fully Expanded | ~$1000+ (5–100) | ✔ Premium look & feel ✔ Quieter due to rubber coating | ✘ Longer dumbbells at higher weights ✘ Rubber may crack over time ✘ Higher cost |
*Prices vary by retailer and can change due to shipping or sales.
Home Gym Extras Comparison Table
Product | Key Features | Space-Saving? | Approx. Price* | Buy Link |
Compact Foldable Stand | ✔ Keeps dumbbells at waist height ✔ Folds away when not in use ✔ Reduces back strain when lifting | ✅ Yes | ~$100 | |
Adjustable Weight Bench | ✔ Multiple incline/decline positions ✔ Expands exercise variety (presses, rows, step-ups) ✔ Heavy-duty build for home gyms | ❌ No (but compact footprint) | ~$400 |
*Prices vary depending on retailer and sales.
Which PowerBlock Set Should You Choose?
Here’s my take:
On a budget? Elite Series is a solid starting point.
Best balance of size, price & performance? Elite USA series wins hands down (this is the set in my garage gym).
Want premium feel and less noise? Go Pro — just know the trade-offs with length and durability.
For me, the Elite USA 5–90 lb set was the clear winner. It’s compact, expandable, and fits the professional look I wanted for my gym.
Final Thoughts
PowerBlock dumbbells are one of the smartest space-savers you can add to your home gym.
Instead of walking across the room to switch weights or dedicating an entire wall to dumbbells, you can cover everything from light curls to heavy presses in one footprint.
If your home gym goal is to do more with less, these are an easy win.
Affiliate disclosure: Some links are affiliate links. This means we earn a small commission at no cost to you. It helps us keep Gym Reviewer running. Learn more at gymreviewer.com/about.
👉 Got questions about PowerBlocks or other adjustable dumbbells? Drop them in the comments on our YouTube or Instagram — I’ll answer, and the community always jumps in with great tips too!
Stay Strong,
Gym Reviewer 🌴
