The best kettlebells
One weight, a hundred exercises: the kettlebells for swings, squats and home workouts.
A kettlebell works the whole body: swings, squats, presses and carries. One or two bells and a bit of floor space make a complete home workout.
They began as counterweights on Russian market scales: the Russian word, girya, is recorded as far back as the early 1700s. Cast iron is the classic; neoprene coating is quieter and kinder to floors.
What matters
- Weight: most women start at 8kg, most men at 12–16kg.
- Solid cast iron rather than cement-filled.
- A wide handle for two-handed swings.
- A coating if it's going on a wooden floor.
#1 of 5
Best overall
Amazon Basics Cast Iron Kettlebell (8kg)
£20–£30 Price range
Solid cast iron with no seams, a wide textured handle for one- or two-handed swings, and a price that makes it easy to add a second weight later.
What owners say: Owners find it good value, solid with no seams and well balanced, with a good grip for home workouts.
A closer look: Put a mat or old rug underneath on wooden floors. Most women start swings at 8kg and most men at 12–16kg; lighter for presses.
- Solid cast iron
- Painted finish
- Wide textured handle
- 8kg (other weights available)
- For swings, squats and presses
Best for: A first kettlebell
- Weight
- 8kg
- Finish
- Painted cast iron
- Weights available
- Several weights
- Handle
- Wide, textured
- Flat base
- –
#2 of 5
Best finish
Yes4All Powder-Coated Cast Iron Kettlebell (8kg)
£20–£30 Price range
A powder-coated finish grips better than gloss paint without chalk, and colour-coded rings with both kg and lb markings make the right bell easy to grab. The flat base keeps it upright for renegade rows.
What owners say: Owners find it comfortable with a grip that isn't slippery, solid, accurate in weight and excellent value.
A closer look: The flat base makes it steady for push-up rows and storage. For sweaty sessions the powder coat holds far better than a shiny handle.
- One-piece cast iron, no welds
- Powder-coated grip
- Colour-coded, kg and lb marked
- Flat base
- 4–32kg available
Best for: Swings and snatches
- Weight
- 8kg
- Finish
- Powder-coated cast iron
- Weights available
- 4–32kg
- Handle
- Wide, lightly textured
- Flat base
- Yes
#3 of 5
Kindest to floors
KK Neoprene-Coated Kettlebell (12kg)
£20–£30 Price range
Cast iron wrapped in neoprene, so it's quieter when set down and far kinder to wooden floors, in bright colours that tell the weights apart.
What owners say: Owners find it well made with a good size-to-weight ratio and nice grip, and happy on wooden floors.
A closer look: A good choice for flats and upstairs rooms where a dropped iron bell would be felt below. Wipe the coating with a damp cloth after sweaty sessions.
- Cast iron core, neoprene coat
- Quieter, protects floors
- Textured handle
- 12kg (2–20kg available)
- Colour-coded
Best for: Home floors
- Weight
- 12kg
- Finish
- Neoprene-coated cast iron
- Weights available
- 2–20kg
- Handle
- Textured
- Flat base
- –
#4 of 5
Yes4All Neoprene-Coated Kettlebell (8kg)
£20–£30 Price range
Neoprene-covered cast iron with a wide, smooth handle and a stable flat bottom, in colours that make each weight easy to spot.
What owners say: Owners find it excellent quality and good value, compact with a nice grip, and perfect for quick home workouts.
A closer look: Two light bells (say 6kg and 8kg) suit most home workouts better than one heavy one. The flat base stores neatly in a corner.
- Cast iron, neoprene cover
- Wide smooth handle
- Flat base
- 8kg (2–20kg available)
- Multicolour by weight
Best for: Home workouts
- Weight
- 8kg
- Finish
- Neoprene-coated cast iron
- Weights available
- 2–20kg
- Handle
- Wide, smooth
- Flat base
- Yes
#5 of 5
Core Balance Neoprene-Coated Kettlebell (8kg)
£20–£30 Price range
Cast as a single piece rather than with a welded handle, which the maker says makes it stronger, with a neoprene body and a powder-coated handle that's comfy for small and large hands.
What owners say: Owners find it great quality and value with a comfortable handle, though a few find it slightly wobbly when set down.
Heads up: A few owners find it rocks slightly when put down, so it's less suited to push-up rows than flat-based bells.
A closer look: The handle suits both small and large hands, handy if a couple share it. Start with two-handed swings before trying one hand.
- Single-piece cast iron (no welded handle)
- Neoprene body
- Powder-coated handle
- 8kg
- Bright orange
Best for: Couples sharing
- Weight
- 8kg
- Finish
- Neoprene-coated cast iron
- Weights available
- –
- Handle
- Powder-coated
- Flat base
- –
How they compare
| Feature | #1Amazon Basics 8kg | #2Yes4All powder | #3KK neoprene 12kg | #4Yes4All neoprene | #5Core Balance 8kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best finish | Kindest to floors | |||
| Picked Rating | 9.3 | 9.2 | 9.1 | 9.0 | 8.9 |
| Price | £20–£30 Price range | £20–£30 Price range | £20–£30 Price range | £20–£30 Price range | £20–£30 Price range |
| Weight | 8kg | 8kg | 12kg | 8kg | 8kg |
| Finish | Painted cast iron | Powder-coated cast iron | Neoprene-coated cast iron | Neoprene-coated cast iron | Neoprene-coated cast iron |
| Weights available | Several weights | 4–32kg | 2–20kg | 2–20kg | – |
| Handle | Wide, textured | Wide, lightly textured | Textured | Wide, smooth | Powder-coated |
| Flat base | – | Yes | – | Yes | – |
| Best for | A first kettlebell | Swings and snatches | Home floors | Home workouts | Couples sharing |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
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