Pulse & Plate

Bowflex SelectTech 552 vs Nüobell

Two premium adjustable dumbbells with different ideas: a dial that swaps 15 weights to 52.5 lb, or a twist handle that reaches 80 lb. Here is how to choose.

By Stephen V.Last updated How we research

Both of these are premium adjustable dumbbells, but they solve the space problem in different ways. The Bowflex SelectTech 552 uses a dial at each end of the handle to swap between 15 settings from 5–52.5 lb per hand, all carried in a long plastic housing that docks in a cradle. The Nüobell 80 takes a different route: you twist the handle in its cradle to select plates, it reaches 80 lb per hand, and its steel plates and metal handle keep a constant, dumbbell-like shape at every weight. It also costs noticeably more.

So the choice is rarely about which one trains you better — both cover the muscle-strengthening work federal guidelines ask for. It’s about ceiling, feel and budget. If you’ll never load past the low 50s and want the gentlest progression, the Bowflex’s 2.5 lb micro-jumps and lower price are hard to beat. If you want a genuinely dumbbell-like tool that grows with you toward 80 lb, the Nüobell earns its premium. Both options below show a live price so you can weigh the gap yourself.

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FeatureBowflex SelectTech 552Nüobell 80
Weight range5-52.5 lb per hand5-80 lb per hand
AdjustmentDial on each endTwist the handle
Increment2.5 lb low, then 5 lb5 lb throughout
Weight settings15 per hand16 per hand
Shape and feelLong plastic housingConstant-length metal build
HandleMolded gripKnurled steel
Price tierMid-rangePremium
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells

Bowflex SelectTech 552

Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells

Buy this if: Home lifters who want the simplest weight change and the gentlest low-end progression at a lower price.

Strengths

  • Dial swaps 5-52.5 lb per hand in seconds
  • One pair replaces 15 fixed dumbbells
  • 2.5 lb micro-jumps at the low end for slow progression
  • More affordable than the Nuobell 80

Trade-offs

  • Long plastic housing is awkward for close-grip and some pressing angles
  • Caps at 52.5 lb per hand, so stronger lifters outgrow it
  • Plastic shell will not survive drops
  • Earlier units were part of a Bowflex/CPSC recall
$399.00 · View on Amazon

Price as of August 7, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

Nüobell 80 lb Adjustable Dumbbell

Nüobell 80

Nüobell 80 lb Adjustable Dumbbell

Buy this if: Lifters who want an 80 lb ceiling and the closest thing to a real dumbbell in the hand, and will pay for it.

Strengths

  • Twist the handle to change weight, no docking tray to align
  • 5-80 lb covers most home pressing and rowing
  • Steel plates and a metal handle feel like fixed dumbbells
  • Stays the same length at every weight

Trade-offs

  • Premium price for a single pair
  • 5 lb jumps only, so no micro-loading between settings
  • The 80 lb ceiling is more than many lifters will ever use
  • Like any adjustable, it is not built to be dropped
$745.00 · View on Amazon

Price as of August 7, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

Dial versus twist: how they change weight

The Bowflex changes weight with a dial at each end of the handle. Spin it to a number and the handle picks up only the plates you selected, leaving the rest docked in the base. It’s quick and foolproof, but the mechanism lives inside a long plastic housing, so the dumbbell is physically long even at light weights and can feel awkward at some pressing and close-grip angles.

The Nüobell works by twisting the whole handle inside its cradle: rotate to the weight you want, lift, and the unselected plates stay behind. Because the handle itself rotates, the dumbbell stays the same length at 20 lb or 80 lb, and the steel plates give it a balanced, traditional feel. If feel is what you care about most, read our adjustable versus fixed dumbbells breakdown, since a Nüobell is the adjustable that comes closest to a fixed hex set.

How high do you actually lift?

This is the clearest dividing line. The Bowflex tops out at 52.5 lb per hand, which is plenty for most people’s presses, rows and curls but can become a limit on heavier rows or goblet work. The Nüobell reaches 80 lb, giving stronger lifters real headroom in the same footprint. Be honest about your numbers: if you’re nowhere near 52.5 lb and progressing slowly, the Bowflex’s 2.5 lb steps at the low end matter more than a ceiling you’ll never touch. If you already press in the 40s and 50s, the Nüobell buys you years of room. For more picks across both styles, see our guide to the best adjustable dumbbells.

The Bowflex recall, in plain terms

You should know that Bowflex conducted a recall of SelectTech 552 and 1090 adjustable dumbbells with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, after reports of weight plates loosening or detaching during use. The published remedy differs depending on whether a unit was bought before or after April 23, 2024, so if you’re buying used or checking an older pair, confirm the current status and remedy on Bowflex’s own recall notice before you lift with it. It doesn’t make the current product unbuyable — recalls are how a maker fixes a known issue — but it’s a real fact to weigh, and one the Nüobell doesn’t carry. Whichever you choose, both cover the twice-a-week strength training public-health guidance recommends, so pair them with a weight bench to press, row and get the most out of the range.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Nuobell worth the extra money over the Bowflex SelectTech 552?

It depends on what you want. The Nuobell costs noticeably more, but it reaches 80 lb per hand, keeps a constant dumbbell length, and its metal build feels closest to fixed dumbbells. If you are strong enough to use that ceiling or you care a lot about feel, the premium is justified. If you train in the low 50s or below and want the simplest, cheapest way to cover a full range, the Bowflex SelectTech 552 is the smarter buy.

Can you drop the Bowflex SelectTech or the Nuobell?

Neither is built to be dropped. The Bowflex uses a plastic housing and a dial-indexed tray that can crack or misalign, and even the mostly-metal Nuobell relies on a selection mechanism you can damage by dropping. Set either one down under control every rep. If you train to failure and expect to bail on reps, fixed rubber-hex dumbbells are the more drop-tolerant choice.

What was the Bowflex SelectTech recall about?

Bowflex recalled SelectTech 552 and 1090 adjustable dumbbells with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission after reports of weight plates loosening or coming off during use. The remedy depends on whether the unit was purchased before or after April 23, 2024. Check Bowflex's official recall notice for the current status and instructions, especially if you are buying a used pair.

Which adjustable dumbbell has the higher weight limit?

The Nuobell, at 80 lb per hand, has the higher ceiling. The Bowflex SelectTech 552 tops out at 52.5 lb per hand across 15 settings. For most lifters 52.5 lb is enough for dumbbell work, but stronger lifters or anyone planning to progress a long way will value the Nuobell's extra headroom.

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