Hi Friends, We are going to discuss Top 10 kettlebells in 2021. The best kettlebells for a full body workout at home.
You’ve probably espied the row of colorful kettlebells that sit quietly in the corner of your local gym, or you might be waiting to buy the best kettlebells online. They might look like heavy teapots without a spout but kettlebells are, in fact, a very powerful tool in the fight against flab. Kettlebells can build functional muscle mass at home like no other home weights.
Perhaps you fancy flinging one around at home, as part of your quest to build the best home gym? Then you’ll be wanting nothing but the best kettlebells for home. The best dumbbells remain the most popular choice, but kettles are an ideal counterpart to them, working your different muscle groups in different ways. Just be careful if you have fragile floor coverings or low ceilings.
WHY GET A KETTLEBELL?
These broad-handled little bundles of fun offer solid muscle building resistance with the added delight of an intense cardio workout, and if used correctly, can condense a lengthy gym routine into one short, sweaty swinging sash – try this kettlebell full body workout.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Correct Kettlebell Size
It is essential to consider certain factors when choosing the right kettlebell size. These factors are:
- The type of kettlebell exercises you want to undergo: Ballistic vs. Grind exercises
- Your weightlifting experiences
- Your workout goals
- Age and current fitness level
- Kettlebell quality
- Handle diameter
Top 10 kettlebells: ONNIT PRIMAL KETTLEBELL
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight range available: 0.5 pood (36 lbs) – 25 pood (90 lbs)
REASONS TO BUY
- Beautifully crafted
- Chip-resistant iron
- Enlarged handles for better grip
REASONS TO AVOID
- International shipping is expensive
- Might damage hard floors
The ONNIT Primal kettlebell range is full of personality. The different weight options depict different type of apes: the small half-pod ‘bell is a howler monkey while the largest, two-and-a-half-pod kettlebell has the face of Bigfoot.
But it’s not just about looks. ONNIT Primal kettlebells are made of chip-resistant iron and therefore are super durable. For the same reason, they might not work all that well on hard floors as they might damage it, should they not be placed properly.
The Primal kettlebells have a ‘fat grip’ which is better for improving grip strength and especially good for two handed kettlebell exercises such as kettlebell swings and upright rows. If you find one in stock, we strongly advise buying them as soon as possible.
JTX NEOPRENE COVERED KETTLEBELL
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight range available: 6-20 kg
REASONS TO BUY
- Reasonably priced
- Neoprene cover is a good for hard floors
REASONS TO AVOID
- Some manufacturing inconsistencies
The JTX neoprene-covered kettlebells are made of cast iron and come equipped with a thick handle, the former being great for durability and the latter for improving grip. The neoprene sleeve over the cast iron body will help keeping the floors intact too.
On the downside, the kettlebells are not perfect and on multiple items we found small imperfections, probably from the mould not fitting perfectly or the iron not setting in the mould just right, that could cause discomfort. A small pointy bit on the handle can result in a bruised palm after a gruelling kettlebell swing session.
And for the price, these imperfections are not only acceptable but also somewhat expected. These are just decent kettlebells for a decent price.
Top 10 kettlebells: BOWFLEX SELECTTECH 840 KETTLEBELL
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight range covered by one kettlebell: 8-40 lbs. (3.5-18 kg)
REASONS TO BUY
- Cheaper than getting six kettlebells separately
- Weights are held firmly by the lock
- Space saving design
REASONS TO AVOID
- Bulky
- Handle is not too thick
- Dial is quite stiff to turn
Admittedly the Bowflex SelectTech 840 Kettlebell looks more like an actual kettle than a home weight, but don’t let the looks deceive you. Under the plastic shell, you’ll find a set a weights which you can adjust with the dial on the top, making it easier to switch weights between exercises.
As in the case with most one-size-fits all solutions, the Bowflex SelectTech 840 Kettlebell is trying to appeal to all whilst fails to please the individuals; it is definitely more space saving than having six different kettlebells laying around in your one-bed flat, but it is also rather bulky, making it a bit less convenient to work out with doing one handed moves.
Saying that, it is not all that difficult to get used to the shape and the size of the Bowflex SelectTech 840 Kettlebell and despite its obvious drawbacks, it should probably be the go-to kettlebell to anyone with limited space in their homes.
The Bowflex SelectTech 840 Kettlebell is especially suited for two-handed exercises, like the kettlebell swing, but you can also easily use it for single leg deadlifts too. Some might feel a bit less inclined to use the Bowflex SelectTech 840 Kettlebell for overhead exercises due to the bottom of the being open – exposing the weight plates inside – you can doctor this by holding the handle firmly and pointing it away from you as you move the kettlebell.
Top 10 kettlebells: JAXJOX KETTLEBELLCONNECT
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight range covered by one kettlebell: 12-42 lbs (5-19 kg)
REASONS TO BUY
- Six kettlebells in one
- App-based workouts
REASONS TO AVOID
- Rattles a bit
JaxJox offers a spread of 5kg-19kg in a singly, albeit slightly bulky, unit. It sits on a neat base – that is either plugged into a wall or charged up for workouts on the fly – and users simply toggle a button to quickly swap between the required weights.
In addition to this, it can be synched via Bluetooth to a smartphone app that offers a bunch of different workout guides and advice on what weight to select for individual exercises.
It’s all very clever but we found the unit a bit bulky and misshapen compared to regular steel dumbbells, while weights inside the outer unit rattle a bit mid-swing.
Plus, you’ll have to invest in two of these if you want the ultimate kettlebell workout (squats, two-hand overhead press etc.), and that could get expensive.
PRIMAL STRENGTH REBEL KETTLEBELL SET
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight range available: 8kg, 12kg, 16kg, 20kg, 24kg, 28kg
REASONS TO BUY
- Solid construction
- Colour coded for easy use
- Pro-spec
REASONS TO AVOID
- Takes up room
- Designed for gym use predominantly
Rebel kettlebells don’t come cheap but they are engineered to last, fashioned from premium-grade Iron Ore, not scrap iron (as with cheaper alternatives) and using a one-piece cast mold to ensure the kettlebells feel well balanced in the hand and built to last.
The powder coated finish means they won’t flake, chip or rust when covered in sweat, too.
Top 10 kettlebells: GORILLA SPORTS COMPETITION KETTLEBELL
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight range available: 8kg up to 40kg
REASONS TO BUY
- Identical size, regardless of weight
- Massive weight spread
- Built to compete
REASONS TO AVOID
- You have to purchase individual bells
With very strict regulations on dimensions and the aperture of the window, these solid steel numbers are really only for the very serious enthusiasts out there.
Each solid steel unit is individually priced, with the weedier 12kg model costing around £50. Expect to part with a lot more for the heaviest 40kg kettlebells.
OPTI VINYL 10KG KETTLEBELL
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight range available: 2kg to 10kg
REASONS TO BUY
- Basic but solid
- Bargain price
REASONS TO AVOID
- Not the heaviest
If you’re new to the whole kettlebell thing, this vinyl number from Opti is a real bargain, with a cheap but substantial finish proving enough for most novice swingers.
The 10kg maximum mass could feel a little bit light in time, but for those starting out, or who don’t require massive heft from their ‘bells, this is great. The compact size makes it perfect for stashing away at home for the odd impromptu session.
BODYPOWER 16KG KETTLEBELL
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight range available: 4kg to 40kg
REASONS TO BUY
- Easier on floors
- Comfortable to hold
REASONS TO AVOID
- Small weight spread
Bodypower offers a very impressive range of weights, with the option to package them up into a small set of, say, 6kg-12kg increments. There’s even a massive 40kg unit for the bench folk, but it’s pricey.
Top 10 kettlebells: MIRAFIT KETTLEBELL WEIGHT SET
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight range in set: 5kg to 15kg
REASONS TO BUY
- Not as intimidating as iron
- Good weight spread
- Stand included
REASONS TO AVOID
- Needs more care than iron
Alternatively, hedge your bets with this very affordable, entry-level set of kettlebells. The Mira set offers a decent spread of three plastic weights (5lb to 15lb, which is 2.25kg to 7kg), on a plastic stand.
That’s not a huge maximum weight, obviously, but it allows lighter users to switch between high-resistance and low-resistance/high rep workouts with ease, for not much money.
The vinyl coating may feel cheaper than the cast iron and steel suggestions on this list but all three of these will set you back half the price of a single kettlebell from some of the other brands.
MEN’S HEALTH 16KG KETTLEBELL
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight range available: 16kg to 24kg
REASONS TO BUY
- Solid build
- Manly AF
REASONS TO AVOID
- Rough handle
It’s also one of the cheaper 16kg weights on the market, making it very tempting to splash out on a couple to create a pretty awesome home gym set-up. The handle is quite rough, however, presumably to emphasise its Manly Healthiness credentials. Wear gloves and have Norwegian Formula hand cream ready.