REVIEWS / COMPARE
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells vs PowerBlock Elite EXP Adjustable Dumbbells
It's close — Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells (9.5) and PowerBlock Elite EXP Adjustable Dumbbells (9.5) score nearly the same across real user voices. Pick on the specifics below.
| Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells | PowerBlock Elite EXP Adjustable Dumbbells | |
|---|---|---|
| RATING | 9.5 / 10 | 9.5 / 10 |
| CONFIDENCE | low | low |
| USER VOICES | 63 | 29 |
| POSITIVE | 85% | 85% |
| PRICE | — | — |
| RECOMMENDED | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells
★ STRENGTHS
- Extremely fast weight adjustments via dial
- Excellent space-saving footprint
- Proven to last years or decades for careful users
✗ WATCH OUT
- Plastic components are prone to breaking if dropped
- Uncomfortable shape digs into legs during setup
- Severe failure reports of weights dropping on users
PowerBlock Elite EXP Adjustable Dumbbells
★ STRENGTHS
- Extremely fast weight changes compared to screw-lock models
- Exceptional long-term durability with minimal moving parts
- Urethane coating prevents clinking noises (excluding adder weights)
✗ WATCH OUT
- Adder weights can rattle and cause slight balance issues
- Blocky 'cube' shape takes getting used to aesthetically and ergonomically
- Requires DIY fixes (tape/felt) to achieve complete silence
HOW THIS COMPARISON WAS BUILT
Both verdicts are synthesised from real user voices on Reddit, YouTube, Hacker News, ProductHunt, Trustpilot and editorial sources — 63 for Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells, 29 for PowerBlock Elite EXP Adjustable Dumbbells. No paid placement; ratings come from raw sentiment, not our opinion. Read the methodology.