BowFlex vs PowerBlock Adjustable Dumbbells: Which Wins?

Safety notice before buying: Certain BowFlex SelectTech 552 and 1090 models were recalled on June 5, 2025 following reports of weight plates separating from the handle during use. If you own older models, stop using them and contact Johnson Health Tech Trading. The current BowFlex Results Series is the redesigned replacement — always verify you're purchasing the current model, not old stock.

Spec Comparison

	BowFlex Results Series 552	PowerBlock Elite EXP
Price	~$349/pair	~$399/pair
Weight range	5–52.5 lbs	5–70 lbs (expandable to 90 lbs with kit)
Adjustment mechanism	Dial on each end, ~3 seconds	Pin-selector, fast
Handle style	Traditional elongated dumbbell shape	Compact block-style
Amazon rating	4.6/5 from 27,000+ reviews	4.7/5 from 4,800+ reviews
Warranty	3-year parts	5-year residential
Weight increments	2.5 lb steps (lower range), 5 lb steps (upper)	2.5 or 5 lb increments
Drop resistance	No — internal parts damage if dropped	Higher durability, steel build

Design and Feel: Different Approaches to the Same Problem

Both sets solve the same core problem — replacing 10–15 pairs of fixed dumbbells with one compact, quick-adjusting pair — but they do it through different mechanical designs. BowFlex uses a dial at each end of the handle to select the weight, with unused plates physically staying behind in the cradle as you lift. The result is a dumbbell that looks and feels reasonably close to a standard fixed weight. PowerBlock uses a pin-selector system inside a compact block-shaped housing — fast to adjust, durable, but visually and ergonomically different from a traditional dumbbell. Most lifters find either system intuitive within a session or two; the preference between them is more personal feel than objective quality.

Weight Range and Expandability

This is where the two systems meaningfully diverge for stronger lifters. PowerBlock Elite dumbbells go up to 70 lbs, expandable to 90 lbs with an add-on kit, and replace 16 pairs of dumbbells. BowFlex's Results Series 552 tops out at 52.5 lbs per hand — sufficient for the vast majority of home training, but a real ceiling if you're pressing or rowing at the upper end of that range. If you're already training at 50 lbs and need room to grow, PowerBlock's expandability avoids buying a second set entirely.

Build Quality and Warranty

The PowerBlock Elite EXP comes with a 5-year residential warranty and a steel build — you pay once. BowFlex's Results Series 552 carries a 3-year parts warranty. Do not drop either set — adjustable dumbbells with internal mechanisms are damaged by impact, regardless of brand or price tier. Under normal training use (set down controlled, not dropped), both hold up well; PowerBlock's steel construction gives it a more durable feel for high-frequency training at heavier loads.

Review Volume and Social Proof

The PowerBlock Elite EXP sits at 4.7 stars across 4,800+ reviews. The BowFlex 552 has 27,000+ reviews with a 4.6-star average. BowFlex's far larger review base reflects its longer tenure as the category-defining product — it's been the default recommendation for home gym dumbbells for over a decade. PowerBlock's slightly higher rating across a smaller but still substantial sample reflects its loyal following among more serious home lifters.

The 2025 Recall Context

It's worth saying plainly: the recall affected the original SelectTech 552 and 1090 models, not PowerBlock. The current BowFlex Results Series is a redesigned model that addressed the plate-separation issue. But because BowFlex old-stock units are still circulating through third-party sellers, verifying that you're purchasing the current-generation Results Series (not an old SelectTech unit) is worth the extra moment of checking before completing any purchase — particularly when buying used, from a marketplace seller, or from a retailer that might be clearing older inventory.

Which Set Fits Your Training Priority

If your priority is fastest possible weight changes during a superset or circuit, BowFlex's dial mechanism has a slight edge in raw adjustment speed. If your priority is long-term durability and headroom to add weight as you progress, PowerBlock's steel build and expandable range are built around exactly that use case. Neither is the objectively "better" product — they're optimised for different training trajectories, and the right choice depends on where you expect to be in your training in two to three years, not just where you are now.

Our Verdict

For most home lifters, BowFlex Results Series 552 is the stronger starting choice — faster and more intuitive dial adjustment, the best-selling adjustable dumbbell in the category for good reason, and the 5–52.5 lb range is sufficient for most training goals. Choose PowerBlock Elite EXP if you need the higher weight ceiling or the 5-year warranty on a steel build, or if you're specifically planning to expand the weight range with an add-on kit rather than replacing the set entirely as you get stronger.

For the full adjustable dumbbell category, see our Best Adjustable Dumbbells 2026 guide.