NÜOBELL S 560 Adjustable Dumbbells Review: Elegance Meets Easy Adjustability
The adjustable dumbbell market has become crowded, but most models still look unmistakably like pieces of exercise equipment. The NÜOBELL S 560 dumbbells are different. They have a clean, refined design that looks just as appropriate in a high-end training studio as it does in a garage gym.
That appearance is not their only selling point. The S 560 adjusts from 5 to 60 pounds in 5-pound increments simply by turning the handle while the dumbbell is seated in its cradle. This gives you 12 weight settings in one compact package and makes the transition between warmups, working sets, supersets, and drop sets remarkably easy.
The tradeoff is price. At $799 for the pair, the NÜOBELL S 560 is a premium adjustable dumbbell competing against several capable options that cost substantially less. Whether it is worth the extra money depends on how much you value its traditional dumbbell feel, fast adjustment system, compact shape, and elegant appearance.
GEARMASHERS REVIEW SUMMARY
NÜOBELL S 560 Adjustable Dumbbells
Best for
Home gym users who value quick adjustments, traditional dumbbell feel, and premium styling
Standout feature
Fast twist-handle weight selection, with optional expansion to 100 pounds per dumbbell
What I like
Easy weight changes; compact, conventional dumbbell shape; premium finish; expandable weight range
What to consider
High price; passive knurling; 32 mm handle may feel thick; not designed to be dropped
Price
$799 per pair; optional Pylon stand $349
Quick verdict
An elegant, easy-to-adjust dumbbell with a familiar lifting feel. A strong premium option, although its price and grip design will not suit everyone.
NÜOBELL S 560 Adjustable Dumbbells | Pros and Cons
Pros
- Fast, intuitive twist-handle weight adjustment
- Traditional dumbbell shape with an open grip and flat ends
- Compact design that gets shorter at lighter weight settings
- Adjusts from 5–60 pounds in practical 5-pound increments
- Expandable to 100 pounds per dumbbell with the optional expansion kit
- Premium appearance with four color options
- Optional height-adjustable Pylon stand makes pickup more convenient
Cons
- Premium $799 price for the pair
- Optional Pylon stand adds another $349
- Passive knurling may lack grip for heavier lifts
- The 32 mm handle may feel thick for smaller hands
- Must be fully seated in the cradle to change weights
- No 2.5-pound increments for smaller weight increases
- Not designed for dropping or slamming; resulting damage is excluded from the warranty
Unboxing and Setup
Our complete shipment arrived in five boxes. Each S 560 dumbbell came in its own box, and the remaining boxes contained the S Expansion Kit and Pylon floor stand. The expansion kit allows the original S 560 dumbbells to be upgraded into the heavier S 5100 configuration, increasing the maximum weight from 60 to 100 pounds per dumbbell.
Receiving five separate boxes may initially make the system appear more complicated than it is, but the assembly process is logical once the stand is built and the components are organized. Building the Pylon first was definitely the right order for us. It made installing the cradles and plates easier, reduced the amount of work done at floor level, and left us with a clean, organized final setup.
Because we had the Pylon stand, it made sense to build that first. Starting with the stand gave us a stable, elevated work area for assembling the dumbbells instead of trying to organize all the plates and cradles on the floor. Once the Pylon was assembled, we placed the dumbbell cradles on top and secured each one to the stand using its associated screw knob and cradle bracket.
The next step was loading the plates into the cradles. For each side of an S 560, the standard configuration included two half plates, one regular plate, and one end plate. The plates need to be placed in the correct order and seated properly so the handle’s selection mechanism can engage them cleanly. After loading everything, we moved the handle through the different weight settings to make sure the selected plates lifted smoothly and the unused plates remained securely in the cradle.
The S Expansion Kit included four additional plates along with longer cradles designed to accept the extra weight. These longer cradles replace the standard S 560 versions and provide the added room necessary for converting the dumbbells into the S 5100 configuration. With the extension plates installed, each dumbbell can be adjusted all the way to 100 pounds while retaining the same basic twist-handle selection system.
NÜOBELL S 560 Specifications
| Feature | NÜOBELL S 560 |
|---|---|
| Weight range | 5–60 lb per dumbbell |
| Weight increments | 5 lb |
| Number of settings | 12 |
| Adjustment method | Twist-handle selector |
| Handle diameter | 32 mm |
| Handle material | Machined aluminum |
| Available colors | Black, Silver, Forest, and Sand |
| Dumbbells price | $799 per pair |
| Pylon floor stand price | $349 |
| Warranty | Two years; NÜO currently advertises an additional two-year extension when purchased directly |
Prices were checked in September 2026 and may change because of sales or promotions.
A Premium Adjustable Dumbbell That Actually Looks Premium
The first thing that stands out about the NÜOBELL S 560 is how elegant it looks. Adjustable dumbbells are often bulky, covered in plastic, or built around a cage that makes them feel very different from a conventional dumbbell. The S 560 has a much cleaner profile, flat ends, and a balanced plate arrangement that more closely resembles the dumbbells you would expect to find in a commercial gym.
NÜO offers the S 560 in four colors: Black, Silver, Forest, and Sand. Black is the safest choice for almost any gym, while Silver has a more traditional metallic appearance. Forest gives the dumbbells a distinctive dark-green finish, and Sand works especially well in a lighter or more design-conscious training space.
Color normally would not be an important part of a dumbbell review, but it matters here because appearance is one of the reasons someone might choose the NÜOBELL over a less expensive competitor. If your gym is inside a finished room, office, or shared living space, these are among the few adjustable dumbbells that can complement the room instead of looking like equipment that needs to be hidden.
Weight Changes Could Not Be Much Easier
The adjustment system is what makes the S 560 so enjoyable to use. Place the dumbbell fully into its cradle, rotate the handle to the desired number, and lift. The mechanism selects the required plates while leaving the others behind.
You can choose 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, or 60 pounds. The simple 5-pound progression is easy to understand, and the speed of the selector is particularly helpful during:
- Supersets that require different weights for two exercises
- Drop sets with little rest between weight changes
- Full-body workouts that move quickly from legs and back to shoulders and arms
- Shared workouts involving lifters with different strength levels
Some adjustable dumbbells require you to move several switches, pull a selector pin, or add small weight cylinders. The NÜOBELL system is more intuitive. You make one movement with the same handle you are about to lift.
The main limitation is that the dumbbell needs to be properly seated in the cradle before it can be adjusted. This is common with dial- and handle-adjusted dumbbells, but it means the cradle is an important part of the system rather than optional packaging.
Handle Diameter and Knurling
The redesigned aluminum handle measures 32 mm in diameter. That is a middle-ground size, but handle preference is personal.
A 32 mm handle should feel substantial without being excessively thick for most users. Lifters with larger hands may appreciate the extra diameter, especially during presses and rows. Someone with smaller hands—or anyone accustomed to a thinner barbell or dumbbell handle—may prefer something closer to 28 to 30 mm.
The machined knurling is on the passive side. It provides texture and feels comfortable during longer workouts, but it does not bite into the hand like aggressive power-bar knurling. I can see this being a benefit for higher-repetition training, curls, lateral raises, and workouts in which the dumbbells are repeatedly picked up and put down.
On the other hand, lifters who prefer very aggressive knurling may find the grip less assertive than they want, particularly during heavy rows or Romanian deadlifts. Neither approach is universally better; this comes down to whether you prioritize comfort or maximum grip feedback.
The NÜOBELL S Pylon Floor Stand
The S 560 includes individual storage cradles, but NÜO also sells the S Pylon floor stand for $349. The stand elevates both cradles, so you can select and retrieve the dumbbells without repeatedly bending down to floor level.
The Pylon matches the dumbbells exceptionally well. Its powder-coated steel construction, compact footprint, and uncluttered design make the complete setup look like a coordinated system rather than two dumbbells placed on a generic rack. The cradle height can be adjusted from approximately 21.7 to 25.2 inches, allowing you to choose a more comfortable pickup position.
The Pylon stand itself has a listed net weight of approximately 60 pounds. Each S 560 dumbbell reaches 60 pounds, so the stand supports roughly 260 pounds of dumbbells when both are set to their maximum weight. Once loaded, the full setup weighs around 153 pounds.
The stand is attractive and convenient, but it pushes the total package to $1,148 before any discounts. It is therefore more of a premium finishing touch than a required purchase. Buyers trying to control costs can use the included cradles on a sturdy, appropriately sized surface.
How the NÜOBELL S 560 Compares With Other Adjustable Dumbbells
The prices below are for pairs and were checked in September 2026. Retail prices and sale pricing can change, so confirm the current price before buying.
| Adjustable dumbbell | Weight per dumbbell | Increments | Approx. price per pair | Main distinction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NÜOBELL S 560 | 5–60 lb | 5 lb | $799 | Premium finish, fast twist adjustment, traditional dumbbell shape |
| REP QuickDraw 60 | 5–60 lb | 5 lb, with select 2.5 lb adjustments | About $600–$625 | Steel selector switches and strong durability emphasis |
| PowerBlock Pro 50 | 5–50 lb | 2.5 or 5 lb | $549 | Compact design and small weight jumps, but a caged handle feel |
| BowFlex SelectTech 552 | 5–52.5 lb | 2.5 lb through 25 lb, then 5 lb | $399 | Lower price and fine adjustments at lighter weights, but longer overall shape |
| Core Home Fitness | 5–50 lb | 5 lb | $399.99 | Twist-handle adjustment at roughly half the NÜOBELL price |
| NordicTrack Select-A-Weight 55 | 10–55 lb | 2.5, 5, and 10 lb changes depending on setting | $399 | Useful intermediate settings and good value, but a less streamlined selector system |
The comparison makes the NÜOBELL’s position clear. It is not the value choice. BowFlex, Core Home Fitness, and NordicTrack cover a similar general weight range for around half the price. REP’s QuickDraw reaches the same 60-pound maximum for less and places a greater emphasis on ruggedness. PowerBlock offers excellent compactness and finer adjustments, although its enclosed handle and unconventional shape do not feel like a normal dumbbell.
The S 560 makes its strongest case when feel, adjustment speed, and appearance all matter. It provides a more traditional lifting experience than PowerBlock, looks more refined than most selector-style models, and is faster to adjust than systems that require multiple manual changes.
NÜOBELL S 560 | Frequently Asked Questions
Are the NÜOBELL S 560 dumbbells worth $799?
They’re worth considering for fast adjustments, traditional dumbbell feel, and premium styling. Budget-conscious buyers have less expensive alternatives.
Is 60 pounds per dumbbell enough?
It suits many exercises, but stronger lifters may need more for presses, rows, and lower-body training.
Can they be expanded to 100 pounds?
Yes. The optional S Expansion Kit adds plates and longer cradles, increasing capacity to 100 pounds per dumbbell.
Can you drop the NÜOBELL S 560?
No. Lower them under control. Damage from dropping or slamming is excluded from the warranty.
How do you adjust the weight?
Seat the dumbbell fully in its cradle, rotate the handle to the desired weight, and lift.
How does the handle feel?
The 32 mm aluminum handle has passive knurling. Smaller hands may prefer a thinner grip.
Does the set include a stand?
Storage cradles are included. The optional Pylon stand costs $349.
Are these suitable for beginners?
Yes. The 5-pound starting weight and simple selector make them approachable.
What weight increments are available?
The standard set adjusts from 5–60 pounds in 5-pound increments.
What colors are available?
Black, Silver, Forest, and Sand.
Final Verdict
The NÜOBELL S 560 succeeds because it combines function with design better than most adjustable dumbbells. The weight changes are extremely easy, the 5- to 60-pound range is useful for a wide variety of exercises, and the clean profile avoids the awkward cage or oversized shape found on many competitors.
Its 32 mm handle and passive knurling will come down to personal preference, while the $799 price will be the deciding factor for many buyers. Less expensive products can deliver similar weight ranges, but few match the complete NÜOBELL experience.
For buyers willing to pay for quick adjustments, a conventional dumbbell feel, and one of the most elegant designs in the category, the NÜOBELL S 560 is a compelling premium option. Add the Pylon stand and it becomes one of the cleanest adjustable-dumbbell setups you can place in a home gym—even if the complete package is undeniably expensive.
