Last Updated on 10 July 2025 by Greg Brookes
Looking for the best kettlebell for your home workouts?
After coaching kettlebell classes for nearly 20 years and training thousands of students, I’ve tested dozens of brands and styles. In this guide, I share exactly which kettlebells I personally use and recommend to my clients, plus the types to avoid so you don’t waste money on uncomfortable or unsafe options.
Greg’s Top Kettlebell Picks
Best Overall: Kettlebell Kings Cast Iron
If you only buy one kettlebell, this is it. Durable, comfortable handle, and built to last a lifetime.
- Powder-coated for excellent grip
- Ergonomic handle for swings & presses
- Lifetime warranty
Best for Advanced Lifters: Competition Kettlebell
Same size regardless of weight, making it perfect for cleans, snatches, and long cycle work.
- Uniform dimensions
- Ideal for one-hand techniques
- Pro-grade construction
Cast Iron vs. Competition Kettlebells: Which Is Right For You?
Cast Iron Kettlebells
These are what I recommend for most people. They’re durable, versatile, and the handle size scales with weight, making them ideal for swings, goblet squats, presses, and general training. If you’re buying your first kettlebell, this is your best choice.
👉 Check price for Cast Iron Kettlebell here.
Competition Kettlebells
These are best suited for advanced lifters. They stay the same size regardless of weight, which is perfect for cleans, snatches, and kettlebell sport techniques. However, their wide size makes two-handed swings awkward for most beginners.
👉 Check price for Competition Kettlebell here.
Which Kettlebell Should You Buy?
If you’re just starting out or want a kettlebell for general strength, conditioning, and flows, go with the Cast Iron Kettlebell. It’s versatile, durable, and ideal for swings, squats, presses, and almost every kettlebell movement.
👉 Check price for Cast Iron Kettlebell here.
If you’re an advanced lifter focusing on cleans, snatches, or kettlebell sport techniques, choose the Competition Kettlebell. Its uniform size across weights makes your technique smoother and more consistent.
👉 Check price for Competition Kettlebell here.
✔️ Both are excellent choices from Kettlebell Kings – the brand I use daily with my own training and clients.
Kettlebell Types: What’s Out There
Today’s market is flooded with options. Here’s what you’ll find:
🔴 Vinyl-Coated Kettlebells
Cheap, but often slippery and uncomfortable. Seams can dig into your hands, making them a poor choice long-term.
🔴 Adjustable Kettlebells
Versatile in theory, but awkward for many exercises. Often uncomfortable for cleans, snatches, or presses due to shifting weight.
🔴 Cast Iron Kettlebells (Recommended)
Durable, versatile, and perfect for all skill levels. Single-piece construction feels natural for swings, presses, and squats.
🔴 Competition Kettlebells
Same size no matter the weight, ideal for advanced lifts like cleans and snatches, but less practical for beginners or two-handed swings.
Quick Tip:
Simple moves like single-arm deadlifts or slingshots can be done with almost any kettlebell. But for serious, full-body training, quality matters.
How Many Kettlebells Do You Need?
One Kettlebell
Perfect for beginners or minimalist workouts. Great for circuits and “flows” where you move through exercises without setting the bell down. Just know you may need to compromise between upper and lower body needs.
Two Kettlebells
Ideal for balancing upper and lower body training. You can use a lighter bell for upper body and a heavier one, or both, for legs. Versatile without overcomplicating your setup.
Three Kettlebells
Gives you room to progress. With three varied weights, you can double up or adjust based on exercise difficulty. Advanced users benefit most from this range.
7 Kettlebell Features to Avoid
When shopping for kettlebells, avoid these design flaws:
🔴 Thick Handles
Hard to grip, quickly exhausts your forearms, and limits your training.
🔴 Narrow Handle Width
Doesn’t allow for comfortable two-handed swings or goblet squats.
🔴 Plastic or Rubber Bases
Dig into your arms during cleans, presses, and rack positions.
🔴 Sharp Handle Edges
Tear up your hands, making high-rep training uncomfortable and unsafe.
🔴 Perfectly Round Body
Sits poorly in the rack position, causing awkward pressure on your forearm and wrist.
🔴 Poor Handle Spacing
Either digs into your wrist or sits too low, throwing off balance in lifts.
🔴 Vinyl or Plastic Coating
Gets slippery with sweat and can cause chafing or discomfort in racked or overhead positions.
What Size Kettlebell Should You Buy?
If you have access to kettlebells then use these tests to determine what’s right for you:
- Overhead Press Test: If you can press it for 8–12 reps with good form, it’s a good upper-body weight.
- Goblet Squat Test: Same 8–12 rep test—good form and control means it’s right for legs.
Recommended Starting Weights
Women:
- 8kg (17lbs): Learning the basics, and overhead exercises
- 12kg (26lbs): Two-handed swings, goblet squats, cleans, deadlifts
- 16kg (35lbs): Advanced progressions, heavier swings and deadlifts
Men:
- 12kg (26lbs): Beginners with no lifting experience
- 16kg (35lbs): Foundational strength moves
- 24kg (53lbs): Two-handed swings, heavier snatches, more advanced work
My Go-To Weights:
- 12kg: Warm-ups, pistol squats
- 16kg: Versatile for circuits and flows
- 20kg: Snatches, and a general working weight
- 24kg–32kg: Strength-focused moves like cleans, presses and squats
Best Kettlebell Brands to Buy
You want consistent sizing, comfortable handles, and durability. Here are some trusted names:
USA Options
- Rogue Fitness: Durable, powder-coated, accurate
- Kettlebell Kings: E-coated, ergonomic, lifetime warranty
- Onnit: Good aesthetics and functionality
- Titan Fitness: Affordable, good grip, broad range
- Rep Fitness: Durable, smooth finish, accurate weights
UK Favourite
- Wolverson Fitness: Long-time favourite for durability and performance
Final Thoughts
A good kettlebell is an investment in your fitness journey. Start with cast iron, avoid gimmicks, and choose sizes that match your strength level. If you follow the tips in this guide, you’ll buy once, and train for a lifetime.
Ready to Get Started?
Investing in the right kettlebell will save you frustration and help you build strength safely and effectively.
👉 Check my recommended kettlebells here and start training today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Kettlebells
Most women start with 8kg (18lbs) or 12kg (26lbs). Men often begin with 12kg (26lbs) or 16kg (35lbs). Use the overhead press and goblet squat test—if you can do 8–12 controlled reps with good form, it’s a solid starting weight.
For most people, cast iron is the better choice. It’s versatile, scales with weight, and allows comfortable two-handed exercises. Competition bells are great for advanced users but not ideal for beginners due to their uniform size.
Yes. A single kettlebell is enough for full-body workouts, circuits, and flows. You’ll just need to choose a weight that balances your upper and lower body needs, or be ready to compromise a bit on loading.
They can be convenient, but often sacrifice comfort and safety in dynamic moves like snatches or cleans. If you’re serious about training, fixed-weight kettlebells are a better long-term investment.
Look for a handle wide enough for two hands, especially for swings and goblet squats. Avoid thick handles (tire out your grip) or narrow spacing (limits movement and comfort).
No. These coatings often get slippery and can cause chafing or discomfort during racked positions. Bare or powder-coated cast iron is best for grip, durability, and feel.
Affiliate disclosure: Some links above are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase. This helps support my work without affecting your cost.
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