Amazon Basics Neoprene Review

The Amazon Basics Neoprene is an excellent set of entry-level hand weights. They are significantly smaller than standard dumbbells and are available in one-pound increments. Their wide variety of low-weight options means you'll be able to find the exact size you need to match your personal fitness level and goals. The color-coded neoprene makes it easy to select the right weight from a collection, and they are comfortable to use and work well with most common exercises.

Performance Comparison

Exercise Versatility

Versatility for dumbbells comes down to looking at the minute details in design and construction that can make the difference between comfortably performing a specific exercise or not. While most dumbbells can be used for a range of exercises, there are some specific movements and uses that not all dumbbells are conducive to doing. Many dynamic movements that include dropping weights to the ground, performing full range-of-motion exercises, and using them as stationary push-up bars can tease apart these differences between models. Across our myriad of tests, the Amazon Neoprene dumbbells proved to be acceptably versatile, though their small size limits their use for certain exercises.

When using the 5-pound Amazon Basics as push-up bars, our fingers brushed the floor. The five-pound model barely offered enough room to fit our fingers between the ground and the handle. Although this issue disappears when larger versions of the dumbbell are used — and isn't unique to the Amazon dumbbells alone — the limitation should be noted if you are considering one of the smaller pairs. Their smaller overall size can make it challenging to use a single weight with both hands, but not impossible. Other than those complaints, this pair performed fairly well across movements. We even felt comfortable dropping them to the ground, provided there was no risk to the floor.

Ease of Use

We found these neoprene weights to be solidly user-friendly. They have a simple, clean design and are comfortable in hand. The handles are slightly thinner and shorter than is ideal for some users, so this could be worth considering if you have larger hands.

In addition to their color coding, Amazon Neoprene dumbbells are clearly labeled on each end using large bold numerals to show the weight. We especially liked that this labeling was the same on both heads and did not include additional branding so that we could read the number easily from either direction.

The handle of these weights is smaller than what we found on most standard dumbbells and even compared to other beginner styles. Though we could still grab them comfortably, the edges of our palms brushed up against the heads of each weight. This is not ideal if you use them for repetitive movements, as it could cause chafing during long workouts. There is also a large seam running down the middle of each handle where the neoprene is sealed. This didn't impact their performance during our testing, but it was something we noticed as unpleasant. That said, the neoprene coating on these Amazon dumbbells is very soft and grippy, ideal for sweaty workouts.

Weight Options

One of the advantages of most beginner-style dumbbells, including these ones, is that they come in one-pound increments. This broader weight selection offers more personalized choices than most standard dumbbell collections sold in the more standard 2.5 or five-pound increments. Having these smaller weight increments available is a great benefit for folks looking to add a bit of resistance without a lot of weight — such as when recovering from certain injuries or seeking to add bone density. The Amazon Basics Neoprene dumbbells provide this to some extent.

These are available from one to 20 pounds. Within the first ten pounds, you can increase in one-pound increments. In larger sizes, the increase occurs in a more standard range, jumping from ten pounds to 12, 15, or 20 per dumbbell. Although we were quite pleased with the variety available in the lower half of the spectrum, it would be nice to see that same range continue for the upper half as well. Still, for those looking at lightweight options, these offer an acceptable number to choose from.

Construction Quality

We found no issues during testing with the construction quality of the Amazon Basics Neoprene dumbbells. They are a sturdy neoprene option that will hang tough for many workouts.

These Amazon dumbbells are made with a metal core completely covered in neoprene. The coated handle offers a softer, yet still grippy, alternative to the roughened metal handles found on standard dumbbells. Since these free weights do not have any moving parts, they seem durable and drop-proof. We measured these hand weights at just under five pounds each, a difference of around 1.5% from their stated weight; altogether unnoticeable.

Storage

Small in both weight and size, Amazon Neoprene dumbbells are easy to store and transport. During testing, we kept a five-pound set in a small decorative bin along with other home fitness equipment, which we then easily carried from the closet to our yoga space.

These dumbbells have a slight hex shape to the heads, so several pairs of them could be stackable. However, they are also small enough that storage space is only a minor concern. They'll easily fit in a box or on a shelf and can be carried from storage to your workout area.

Should You Buy the Amazon Basics Neoprene?

Amazon Basics Neoprene dumbbells are a high-quality, budget-conscious collection of hand weights. They are one of the lowest price-per-pound options of the beginner dumbbells we tested and are also easy to use. The soft neoprene coating is grippy, offering a lighter touch than metal and knurled dumbbells. Various weight options are available below 20 pounds, making them ideal for dialing in low-resistance workouts.

What Other Dumbbells Should You Consider?

If you like the idea of color-coded dumbbells but think you'd like more than one weight option, we recommend the J/Fit Set with Rack. These rubber-coated hand weights come in a set of three, with a stand included. You're even able to choose between several different total weight combinations. If you'd like even more variety, the CAP Coated Hex Set with Rack offers multiple hand weights as a group of five standard dumbbell pairs ranging from five to 25 pounds, plus an included storage rack. They're not coated with soft neoprene, but they're versatile and durable and designed to last for years. If you want a more stackable neoprene option, the CAP Neoprene Hex are a slightly costlier pair, but their exaggerated hex heads are easier to stack in the back of the closet. If, after reading this review, you've decided that you're looking for a burlier dumbbell or bigger weight ranges, any standard dumbbells like the Rogue Rubber Hex Dumbbells, REP Rubber Coated Hex, Amazon Basics Rubber Encased Hex, or BalanceFrom Rubber Encased Hex are great options. Generally, each of these free weights range from 5 to over 100 pounds and are durable, stackable, and easy to use.