BrainGain Adjustable Dumbbells Review

BrainGain has evolved significantly from the old 9-in-1 model with its terrible weight jumps. They now offer five distinct models ranging from £180 to £689, covering everything from budget entry-level to the premium Gen 4 with 1.5kg increments. The 40kg 16-in-1 with consistent 2.5kg increments is now a genuine competitor to MuscleSquad.

The problem? The lineup is confusing. BrainGain sells multiple 40kg models with different increment patterns, and the names (16-in-1 vs 17-in-1) don't make it obvious which is better. Buy the wrong one and you'll be stuck with uneven weight jumps.

Our recommendation:

• Best overall: The 40kg 16-in-1 with consistent 2.5kg increments (2.5, 5, 7.5, 10... up to 40kg). This is BrainGain's best UK model and directly competes with MuscleSquad.
• Budget pick: The 24kg 15-in-1 at ~£180 pair. The increments are uneven (1-2.5kg jumps), but at this price it's one of the cheapest selectorised options in the UK.
• Avoid the 40kg 17-in-1. Despite having more settings than the 16-in-1, it has irregular 2-3kg jumps (5, 7, 9, 11...) that are worse for progressive overload. The naming is confusing - more settings doesn't mean better increments.
• The Gen 4 (1.5kg increments) is excellent but primarily available from the EU store at ~€689. If you can source it, it's great. But the Stealth offers the same specs with confirmed UK availability and service.

BrainGain's biggest problem is that their product range is genuinely confusing. Here's what matters - the weight stop patterns:

24kg 15-in-1 - uneven increments

Weight stops: 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, 5.5, 6.5, 8, 9, 10, 11.5, 13.5, 16, 18, 20.5, 22.5, 24kg. The jumps range from 1kg to 2.5kg with no consistency. Fine at the lighter end, but the 2.5kg gaps at the top (20.5 to 22.5 to 24kg) are noticeable for isolation work.

40kg 16-in-1 - the good one

Weight stops: 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, 20, 22.5, 25, 27.5, 30, 32.5, 35, 37.5, 40kg. Consistent 2.5kg increments throughout. This is what you want. Also available in Octagon (hex) shape for anti-roll stability.

40kg 17-in-1 - the confusing one

Weight stops: 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40kg. The jumps vary from 2kg to 3kg. Despite having 17 settings (one more than the 16-in-1), the uneven spacing makes it worse for progressive overload. Don't be fooled by the higher number.

32kg 16-in-1 Octagon

Consistent 2.5kg increments up to 32kg. Same increment pattern as the 40kg 16-in-1 but with a lower ceiling. Good if you don't need more than 32kg and prefer the hex shape.

Gen 4 41.5kg (EU store)

1.5kg increments from 4kg to 41.5kg (26 settings). The same OEM product as the Stealth. Excellent, but primarily available from the EU BrainGain store at ~€689. UK delivery may attract import charges.

The 40kg 16-in-1 puts BrainGain in direct competition with MuscleSquad for the first time. Both offer consistent 2.5kg increments, but:

• BrainGain 40kg 16-in-1: 16 settings, 40kg max, ~£350 pair
• MuscleSquad 32.5kg: 12 settings, 32.5kg max, ~£420 pair

BrainGain potentially offers more weight for less money. However, MuscleSquad has a stronger reputation (4.8/5 Trustpilot from 6,000+ reviews vs BrainGain's newer presence), wider retail availability (Decathlon, Amazon, direct), and the 42cm compact design. Check current prices on both before deciding.

BrainGain uses their "Smart-Click Technology" dial mechanism across all models. Build quality is acceptable for the price, but Amazon UK reviews report some durability concerns after months of heavy use - mechanisms becoming stiff or not clicking into position cleanly.

The 24-month warranty (verified from their product pages) is decent and matches or beats most competitors at this price range. All models cannot be dropped.

Great for

• Budget buyers - the 24kg at £180 pair is hard to beat on price
• The 40kg 16-in-1 is a strong MuscleSquad alternative with 2.5kg increments
• Amazon buyers who want easy purchase and returns
• People who want the Octagon shape for stability
• Anyone who can source the Gen 4 from the EU store

Not for

• Anyone confused by the lineup - buy the wrong model and you get bad increments
• Lifters who need finer than 2.5kg (the Stealth offers 1.5kg)
• People who want a single clear recommendation (too many models)
• Those who prioritise proven long-term durability
• Anyone who drops dumbbells

BrainGain has significantly expanded their range and now offers genuine competition to MuscleSquad with their 40kg 16-in-1 (consistent 2.5kg increments). The 24kg model is one of the cheapest selectorised pairs in the UK. The confusing lineup of similar-sounding models with different increment patterns is the main drawback - make sure you're buying the right one.