10 of the best kettlebells we’ve tested: budget buys to space-saving styles 

As well as being Saga Exceptional’s fitness writer, I also run a kettlebell club. We meet three times a week and vary in age and ability, but we all have a passion for kettlebells. We use a range of kettlebells in different weights for different exercises, and many of us also have bells at home.

We have endless discussions about what attributes are required in a kettlebell, what constitutes value for money, and what we would like to invest in. Because kettlebells are an investment, particularly if you’re buying more than one.

We tested the kettlebells during group classes over several weeks. Multiple testers, of differing strengths and abilities, tested the bells while performing the following moves: 

• Kettlebell swing – swinging the bell back and forth between the legs.
• Deadlift – lifting the kettlebell straight up from the ground.
• Clean and press – Lifting the bell from the ground with one hand, to the outside of the body and pressing it overhead.
• Squat – holding the bell with two hands and squatting down.
• Snatch – quickly pushing the bell up overhead and swinging it back down. 
• Turkish get-ups – standing up from a lying position, holding one kettlebell in the air throughout. 

We need our kettlebells to be comfortable and easy to use. If they’re bulky then it’s hard to swing them between the legs, and if the handles aren’t smooth then our hands will suffer during moves like the snatch. If the bell part (the big round area) is too big, it makes it difficult to hold the bell comfortably for moves such as the squat or press. We also tested for durability – how likely the bells are to last. 

We love Wolverson kettlebells, and they would always be our top choice. Although slightly more expensive than other cast-iron kettlebells, the quality is outstanding, and they’re built to last. The handle to bell size ratio is perfect, and they can be used for pretty much any weighted move you can imagine. The matt finish means they’re easy to grip, and they hold chalk well if needed. Wolverson are often said to be the “gold standard” of kettlebells, and it’s easy to see why.

A cast-iron kettlebell would be our preferred choice, and the Amazon Basics range offers great quality at a decent price. We were all surprised at the high finish of this bell and felt it would be particularly good for anyone wanting to build a set of bells to use at home. Check the handles for any rough spots, but these can be easily sanded away.

If you want to workout at home and space is at a premium, an adjustable kettlebell is a good solution. In short, you can click different weight plates in and out of place (how you do it is dependent on the model). This Jaxjox one is digital, so you adjust it to your required weight using the display. It also has an app that will monitor your progress and guide you through workouts according to your goals. While we didn’t find it particularly useful in a class situation, those testers who took it home loved it. 

Similar to the Amazon kettlebell, this offers very good value for money. The handle was slightly rougher, but a bit of sandpaper soon smoothed the rough patch. The bell swung nicely and fitted in well with the ones we use in class. The handle was slightly further from the bell than the higher quality bells, but that’s really only noticeable if you’re very experienced in kettlebells. We all felt this would make a good entry- level bell. 

Neoprene covered kettlebells tend to be slightly kinder to the floor, leaving fewer marks and dents, so this could be a good choice if you’re wanting kettlebells for home use. We felt this kettlebell was a good all-rounder. It’s suitable for all weighted exercises. Although the handle is slightly thick, it didn’t impact our workout too much, and it was very smooth. Our kettlebell did arrive with a slight tear in the neoprene, but that didn’t affect the performance of the bell.

This kettlebell has plates that you slide in and out to get to the desired weight. It’s very easy to change, which was a definite plus. However, the plates are in quite random weights such as 2.1kg, 2.4kg and so on. So, if you want to know what weight you’re using, you do have to do some addition or subtraction to work it out. That might not be a dealbreaker for you but it was frustrating for all of our testers. It’s a shame as this would have been our top pick for adjustable kettlebells.

Some people like to workout on holiday (and by some people, I mean me). This nifty kettlebell is actually a sandbag and can be emptied and refilled. So, it folds flat, you arrive at a beach, refill it, and you’re good to go. The handle was a little too flimsy for our testers, which reduced the rating, but it is comfortable to swing, squat, deadlift and press. Just be careful with snatches or any overhead moves because of the handle. It’s perfect for anyone who travels a lot, or if storage space is an issue (though you’d have to refill and empty it for each use). 

Bowflex makes good quality equipment, and this kettlebell is no exception. However, our testers felt that in trying to be quirky and standout, they’ve compromised on the efficacy of the design. The bell is very easy to adjust, but too big to swing comfortably. Because of this, our testers ended up standing in a very wide stance, which can ultimately lead to back or knee issues.

Apart from adjustable ones and the sandbag kettlebell, all the kettlebells we tested were 12kg. We picked this weight as it’s a good middle-ground weight – suitable for intermediate, but not advanced, exercisers. The 12kg York kettlebell is far too big and bulky to swing effectively, needing such a wide stance that it becomes almost impossible. However, the lighter bells in the York range (4kg, 6kg, 8kg) are much more user-friendly. So, although our testers didn’t enjoy using this one, if you’re a beginner, the affordability of the lighter bells makes York a good choice. 

We were all intrigued by this plastic “Gryp” that says it’ll turn any dumbbell into a kettlebell. However, we were disappointed by the reality. Dumbbells are wide (unless you use a very light weight), and that means once in the “gryp” they’re difficult to swing. You’d be better off holding the dumbbell on one end and swinging it that way instead. In fact, there is nothing the Gryp does that can’t be done with a normal dumbbell.