10 Best Kettlebells in 2021 (Personal Trainer-Reviewed)

Gentry Washburn is the manager and head personal trainer for her local fitness facility. She graduated from college with her bachelor's in Exercise Science and has been in the industry for the past 5 years since. She's super passionate about fitness and how our bodies work!

With all of that experience under her belt, we wanted to ask Gentry to review our buying guide below and provide any extra tips she could from the eyes of a personal trainer. Read on to see her insight, and follow her on Instagram for a peek into her work and life.

When selecting our 10 best kettlebells, we based our picks on Gentry's advice and on the following points:

• Kettlebells should be slightly ovular and have a flat base
• Whether the kettlebells were cast-iron, competitive, or adjustable
• The weight range requirements for different body types and workout styles
• One-caste kettlebells are sturdier than those with the handle and the body melded together
• It can be preferable to have coated kettlebells depending on your workout space

To understand why these points are important, check out our buying guide below. 

The following lineup consists of some of the bestselling kettlebells based on different types, shapes, materials, coating, and weight. There's bound to be the right kettlebell on the list for you to use!

*Please note that these products were chosen after extensive research by mybest writers. The choices are not necessarily affiliated with or recommended by Gentry Washburn unless explicitly said so.

You might think all kettlebells look the same, but actually, they're totally different! You have to consider a few details before making your decision, such as the equipment's material and coating. 

We don't mean that you have to look for a completely oval-shaped kettlebell. What it means is to choose a body that is not too round.

A round kettlebell isn’t easy to use in a racking position or for the overhead press because the round edge digs into your forearm. When you buy a kettlebell, you want to make sure that the one you choose can fit all kettlebell positions. 

In addition, it's important to pay attention to your kettlebell's base.  Some kettlebells have a base that's wider than the body, making them ideal for pushups and other ground-based exercises. Others are more balanced or even have a small base. The base size you select will depend on what exercises you practice.

We suggest you choose a flat base with no attached plastic or rubber, as these can disrupt the aerodynamics of your kettlebell. Just make sure that your kettlebell's base is truly flat, so it doesn't roll when you put it down. A flat base will also give you a smoother range of motion.  

There are three main types of kettlebells. One is the most popular type that we can see everywhere, while another is designed for athletes; the third is perfect for those with limited space to store their equipment. 

The original type of kettlebell is made of 100 percent cast iron and is welded in one seamless form. These kettlebells are made in different sizes based on their weight, usually in five-pound increments. The heavier the weight, the bigger the size.

Cast iron kettlebells are great for beginners and many types of workouts, especially two-handed body exercises. We recommend choosing cast iron kettlebells with big and wide handles for a comfortable grasp if you're new to the equipment. 

If you want to do two-handed swings, goblet squats, high pulls, and other basic kettlebell exercises, we suggest you choose cast iron kettlebells with enough space on the handle for two hands. 

Competition kettlebells are made for athletes and competitive kettlebell programs. They're made from steel, so they’re more durable than cast iron kettlebells. Unlike cast iron kettlebells, all competition kettlebells are the same size regardless of weight. To avoid confusion, most kettlebell brands offer a color code or numbering system to differentiate the weights of their products. 

The handle of a competition kettlebell is rectangular, small, and designed to be used with one hand. This means that you may not be able to do as many types of kettlebell exercises. However, it also makes competition kettlebells a good choice for users with smaller hands. Due to their compact size and occasional rubber padding, these kettlebells may also be useful for home training. 

Like adjustable dumbbells, adjustable kettlebells are good for someone who has limited space. Instead of buying a whole set of kettlebells, you can own one that comes in different weight sizes. 

It can be used the same way as a normal kettlebell, but some people have found that it makes kettlebell swings feel unnatural. You might need some time to get used to and feel comfortable with the adjustable option.

While the traditional kettlebell sets offer five different weights (17, 26, 35, 52, and 70 pounds), you can find kettlebells today ranging from five to 80 pounds in five-pound increments. 

This weight range is often enough for a year of steady exercise if you prefer low-weight, grinding exercises for core strength. On the other hand, if you want to practice ballistic-style kettlebell exercises that require two hands, 26 pounds is often considered a good starting weight. 

Those who are biologically male more often start with the weight range of 26, 35, and 53 pounds. You should start with the lowest weight size of 26 pounds if you have little or no experience in weight training. 

The next range, 35 pounds, works for one-handed exercises while 53 pounds can be used with two-handed exercises. But if you’re advanced in your technique, you can definitely go for higher weight options since there are now many available weight options. 

Males and other people with larger muscle mass should be careful to not start out with kettlebells that are too heavy. The muscles you use to lift kettlebells are more varied than those used for lifting dumbbells. Starting too heavy could lead to bad form, or worse, to injury. Start with the recommended low weights, then work your way up with good form. 

Good construction will increase the lifespan of your kettlebell, while an outer finish or added coating can protect kettlebells and your floor from damage. 

Cast iron kettlebells can either be made from one piece of iron for the whole kettlebell or a melded set of the ball and the handle. A single piece of iron is what you want to choose because it’s more durable. This is called a single-caste kettlebell. 

A loose handle not only hampers your workouts but could pose a safety risk. Even though it’s likely more expensive than two pieces, it doesn’t break easily. Be on the lookout for lines that imply welding, or even ask the seller if you're feeling uncertain about whether the kettlebell you're looking at is a single piece. 

Rubber coating on kettlebells helps protect your floor from scratches. It also cushions the sounds your kettlebell can make when you put it down. That makes rubber-coated kettlebells a good choice for apartment dwellers, or for people training at home who don't want to damage the flooring. 

You may be able to differentiate between weights easier if you get a multi-colored, rubber-coated set of dumbbells. One thing to be careful about is that rubber can become slippery when your hands sweat, so you'll have to be wary of accidentally dropping your equipment. Still, rubber coating can personalize your kettlebells and protect against damage and noise. 

The two main advantages of vinyl coating are protecting the floor and helping you easily identify the weight of the equipment due to color differences.

Vinyl-coated kettlebells are similar to their rubber-coated counterparts, as they tend to be more slippery when your hands get sweaty. It's also easier for the vinyl coating to chip or wear down than it might be for rubber or powder coating.

Still, vinyl-coated kettlebells can be a good start for those who want to grab a particular weight quickly or have less experience with the equipment and want to protect the floor from possible falls and scratches. 

Powder coating refers to kettlebells made from cast iron and coated with enamel paint to protect the iron, so it protects your kettlebell from rust and corrosion. This paint is incredibly durable and doesn't peel or chip easily.

Powder coating gives your handle more texture, meaning you get a firmer and more comfortable grip on your kettlebell. This can increase your workout effectiveness and reduce the risk of injury. Powder-coated kettlebells are recommended if you want to start lifting really heavy weights or intend to perform more intensive ballistic exercises. 

Looking for a short workout using your new kettlebell? Here's a short, 10-minute full body workout from BodyFit By Amy that will help you get in shape with your new home workout gear.

Still have some lingering questions about kettlebells and how to use them? Gentry is here to answer a few of the most commonly asked questions!

Gentry says, "It all depends on what exercise you are performing. While doing a simple kettlebell squat, you should have both hands on the outside handles of the kettlebell, with your elbows tucked in to your body and the bell right under your chin. 

While doing a kettlebell swing, you will want both hands on the very top of the kettlebell handle with all fingers wrapped around for a good grip."

Gentry says, "This is a personal preference. Some like to use kettlebells in their everyday workout while others - mostly beginners - are intimidated by them. 

While they are great in their own way, some people just prefer using a dumbbell over a kettlebell. Once you become more familiar with them and the unique exercises that you can do with them, they become more fun."

Gentry says, "In some exercises, yes. But there are unique exercises that kettlebells just work a lot better than a dumbbell, for instance, kettlebell swings and Turkish get-ups. 

While you can absolutely do these two exercises using a dumbbell, a kettlebell is just a lot easier because of the weight placement in them."

There are many workout tools that you can add to your home gym. Most of them are affordable and can be used by all fitness levels. Check out our suggestion for other home workout equipment.

If you're wondering what kettlebells the pros use, check out this Amazon brand recommended by fitness instructor Natalie Mitchell.

If you want a little more inspiration while you shop, here's a collection of Amazon's recommended kettlebells. 

Author: Apinya Masuda

Updated by Erin Himeno on November 8, 2021.

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