- Best overall: Spri Vinyl Coated Dumbbells, sold as a pair from 1 to 20 lb and color coded by weight.
- Best for heavier lifts: Spri Rubber Hex Dumbbells with chrome contoured handles and a non-rolling shape.
- Best for walking: Spri Thumblock Wrist Weights, which lock around the thumb so your hands stay free.
- Best palm-sized option: the 1-lb Soft Mini Xerball, sand filled and soft.
- Start light: most toning and cardio work uses 1 to 5 lb per hand.
Best overallSPRI Vinyl Coated Dumbbell Set
Best lightest startSPRI Dumbbells Hand Weights Set of 2 - Vinyl Coated Exercise & Fitness Dumbbel
Best for strengthSPRI Rubber Hex Dumbbell
Best for walkingSPRI Thumblock Wrist WeightsThe best hand weights are the ones you will pick up four times a week, and for most home workouts that means light, comfortable and easy to store. Spri builds its weights for club floors, so the range covers everything from a 1-lb vinyl dumbbell to a 25-lb hex pair.
We sorted six Spri options by what you plan to do with them: walking, toning classes, physical therapy or straight strength work. All details come from the listings.
Our picks
SPRI Vinyl Coated Dumbbell Set
Spri's vinyl dumbbells come as a pair and, per the listing, run from 1 to 20 lb. The vinyl coating is easy on floors and gives a secure grip when hands get sweaty. Each weight is color coded, so you can grab the right pair at a glance. The maker calls them ideal for smaller hands.
- Wide 1 to 20 lb range
- Floor-friendly vinyl coating
- Color coded by weight
- Rounded vinyl heads can roll on a slope
SPRI Dumbbells Hand Weights Set of 2 - Vinyl Coated Exercise & Fitness Dumbbel
This is the same vinyl dumbbell in the 1-lb pink size, the bottom of the range. The listing mentions walking, running, cardio and physical therapy as uses. A pound per hand sounds small, but it adds up over a long session. The vinyl surface stays grippy when you sweat.
- Very light starting load
- Easy grip for smaller hands
- Sold as a pair
- You will outgrow it for strength moves
SPRI Rubber Hex Dumbbell
The rubber hex dumbbell has a chrome contoured handle with a textured grip. Its hex shape stops it from rolling and lets it stack on the floor or a rack. The thick rubber ends, according to the maker, protect flooring and reduce noise. Pairs run from 3 to 25 lb and singles from 30 to 50 lb.
- Non-rolling hex heads
- Textured chrome handle
- Range goes up to 50 lb singles
- Chrome handle is colder and harder than vinyl
SPRI Thumblock Wrist Weights
These wrist weights loop around the thumb, so the weight sits on your wrist instead of in a clenched fist. The listing describes a no-slide design and an easy-grip pull tab for removal. This set totals 4 lb, with each weight at 2 lb. One size fits most.
- Hands stay open
- Thumb lock stops sliding
- Quick pull-tab removal
- Not suited to heavy lifting
SPRI Wrist Weights Thumblock Arm Weights Set for Women & Men (2lb Set - Two 1l
The same thumb-lock design comes in a 2-lb set made of two 1-lb weights. The listing pitches it for adding resistance to walking, running and cardio. It also notes arm and shoulder tone as a goal. Choose this size if you are new to weighted walking.
- Gentle 1-lb per wrist load
- Same no-slide design
- Easy on and off
- Light for experienced walkers
SPRI Soft Mini Xerball
The Soft Mini Xerball is a sand-filled, 1-lb ball that fits in the palm. Spri calls it a strength conditioning alternative to a dumbbell. The listing notes that air can leak over time, and 3 to 4 pumps with a needle restore its shape. It is soft enough to drop without worry.
- Soft, drop-friendly shell
- Fits in one hand
- Re-inflatable
- Needs a pump now and then
Which are the best hand weights for your workout?
Think about what your hands do during the move. Gripping a dumbbell suits lifts; an open hand suits walking and cardio. The best hand weights for you follow from that, and this table sums up the six options.
| Weight | Grip | Coating | Range | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl dumbbells | Closed fist | Vinyl | 1-20 lb pairs | Toning, classes |
| Rubber hex dumbbells | Chrome handle | Rubber ends | 3-25 lb pairs, 30-50 lb singles | Strength |
| Thumblock wrist weights | ✓ Hands free | Soft wrap | 2 or 4 lb sets | Walking, cardio |
| Soft Mini Xerball | Palm | Soft shell | 1 lb | Pilates, barre |
Torn between vinyl and rubber? Our vinyl vs rubber hex dumbbells comparison breaks it down. For the full lineup, see the exercise and fitness picks.
How heavy should hand weights be?
Per-hand load is what you feel. The chart shows the per-hand weight of the picks above, taken from the listing sizes.
Weight per hand
From Spri listing sizes, pounds
A rough rule: if you can do 15 clean reps and could do five more, the weight fits that move. Walking and cardio stay at the light end; rows and squats want the heavier pairs.
What to look for in hand weights
Coating and floors
Vinyl and rubber both protect floors. Vinyl feels softer in the hand; rubber hex ends are thicker and quieter when you set them down. Either can be among the best hand weights for a carpeted or wooden floor.
Shape
Hex heads do not roll. That matters on hardwood or when you do floor work between sets.
Room to grow
- Buy two or three pairs a step apart rather than one middle weight.
- Color coding helps when several pairs share a shelf.
- Wrist weights are for movement, not for lifting; do not swing them hard.
If you would rather add one bigger piece, a single kettlebell can cover swings and squats. See our Spri kettlebell review.
Our top hand weight picks at a glance
SPRI Vinyl Coated Dumbbell Set
Check price →SPRI Rubber Hex Dumbbell
Check price →SPRI Thumblock Wrist Weights
Check price →These three cover the best hand weights use cases: classes, strength and walking. Pair them with a band from our resistance bands guide for a complete kit.
How we picked
We looked at every Spri handheld and wrist weight in our catalog with a photo and a full listing. To shortlist the best hand weights, we grouped them by grip and coating, then by the weight range each line offers.
Size variants made the list only when the award is about size, as with the 1-lb vinyl pair and the 2-lb wrist set. We did not use prices, ratings or review counts.
FAQ
What are the best hand weights for beginners?
A pair of 3 or 5 lb vinyl dumbbells covers most beginner moves. Add a lighter pair for shoulder raises and a heavier pair for rows as you progress.
Are wrist weights better than dumbbells for walking?
For walking, yes. Thumb-lock wrist weights keep your hands open, so you do not grip hard for half an hour. Dumbbells are better for strength moves.
Do vinyl dumbbells damage floors?
The vinyl coating is designed to be easy on floors, per Spri. Set them down rather than drop them, and use a mat on hardwood.
What weight hand weights should a woman use?
It depends on the move, not on gender. Many people start at 2 to 5 lb for arms and 8 to 15 lb for rows and squats, then move up when reps get easy.
Are hand weights enough to build muscle?
They can be, as long as the load keeps going up. Once 20 lb vinyl pairs feel light, step into the rubber hex dumbbells, which run to 50 lb singles.