8 best kettlebells to upgrade your at-home fitness setup

Best: Overall

The best of the best, these competition kettlebells are internationally renowned for good reason. Solid, one-piece casting with a hollow core, lifting and swinging these kettlebells feels noticeably different, more stable and more directed than any filled kettlebells we tested. We felt in real control of where the weight was going. We tested lower weights, but if we were going to lift heavy (singles go up to 48kg) we would do it with one of these. The ergonomics are what make them so outstanding, but the finish, the broad, grip-able handle and cool, retro boxing gym-esque branding made them our firm favourite.

Best: For multiple weights in one

Incredibly innovative, this smart kettlebell is actually six kettlebells in one. The external bell is a hollow shell (around 5.5kg on its own) inside which 3kg interlocking weights are stacked, and you control how many weights you want the bell to pick up or drop with your phone or the LED console on the front. It is large, easy to grip with two hands, and – once you’ve got past the initial fear that the weights might drop out the bottom – a pleasure to use. Because there’s only one kettlebell and it’s so big, it is best used in tandem with the JaxJox app, which tracks sensors on the kettlebell to monitor the progress of your swing as it guides you through virtual workouts.

Best: For protecting your floor

A kettlebell coated in soft neoprene is ideal if you work out on wooden floors or in an apartment where you need to keep thuds to a minimum. This comfy range of cast iron kettlebells, which we tested in lower weights, was the softest to land that we tried, and didn’t mark our floor in the brief time we left it there. The neoprene case feels durable enough to last through a lot of workouts, but to maintain its protective layer for as long as possible we’d suggest storing it on a mat.

Best: Fluid-filled kettlebell

This fluid-filled kettlebell definitely takes some getting used to – but then, that’s the point. Because its weight is constantly shifting, your muscles are constantly adjusting to compensate, which provides a workout like nothing else we can think of. Ideal if you’re bored of standard weights workouts, or if you’re a bit nervous around cast iron kettlebells: the Fluikettle is slightly squishy (though it can still support your weight in a pushup), which feels less alarming if your workout calls for any throws to a partner.

Best: Rubber-coated kettlebell

Rubber-coated and comfortable, this is a perfect kettlebell to start an at-home workout with if you have a little bit of experience using them in the gym. All our testers could get a good two-handed grip on the handle and the weight distribution and shape was just right for single-handed swings. The rubber coating felt robust enough in our testing – we used it without a mat during one workout without any damage to our floor, but we wouldn’t recommend storing it like that for any length of time.

Best: Lightweight kettlebell

We rated this lightweight kettlebell highly both because of its easy and comfortable swing and lower than standard-range weight, and because it wasn’t neon pink, like a huge number of lighter weights are. Ideal if you have a cardio workout that occasionally calls for small weights (like a spin class) or if you’re nervous about trying kettlebells for the first time, the vinyl is comfortable enough and easy to grip even if you work up a sweat. It is also available in higher weights.

Best: Cast-iron kettlebell

Solid, durable and extremely unfussy, this is a classic gym dumbbell at a really good price. Made out of cast iron, it will outlast most budget kettlebells – but it will also scuff and mark your floor and do damage if you drop it on your foot. But if you store it on a mat and work out carefully, it’s got many of the benefits of professional-level kit: an even swing, excellent grip, even when you’re sweating, and a really substantial and comfortable handle for one or two hands.

Best: For two-handed workouts

A comfortable kettlebell that blends the benefits of cast iron with a vinyl base for softer drops and easier storage (we would still recommend using a storage mat). The very wide handle on this kettlebell made it our favourite for workouts that call for two-handed swings, but because the weight itself is quite small it’s actually pretty portable and easy to store. The handle is uncovered, which we found gave us a good grip – not too important at this low weight, but it would be at a higher weight – and it didn’t chafe, even after long workouts.