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.

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.

What I Like About the NÜOBELL S 560

Easy weight selection

The twist-handle system is quick and intuitive. There is very little interruption to the workout, which is exactly what a premium adjustable dumbbell should accomplish.

Excellent appearance

These are some of the most elegant adjustable dumbbells available. The clean plate design, aluminum handle, flat ends, and four color options give them a high-end look.

More like a conventional dumbbell

The open handle and balanced shape feel more familiar than cage-style adjustable dumbbells. The length also changes with the selected weight, so lighter settings do not leave you lifting an unnecessarily long dumbbell.

Practical 5-pound progression

Five-pound jumps work well for most presses, rows, curls, lunges, and full-body strength workouts. The range from 5 to 60 pounds should be enough for many home-gym users.

A stand designed as part of the system

The optional Pylon stand is height-adjustable, compact, and visually consistent with the dumbbells. It is expensive, but it completes the setup better than most generic stands.

What Some People May Not Like

The $799 price

Cost is the biggest obstacle. There are capable 50- to 60-pound adjustable dumbbells in the $399 to $625 range. At $799, buyers are paying a premium for the NÜOBELL design, feel, finish, and adjustment experience.

The 32 mm handle will not suit everyone

Some lifters may want a thinner handle, while others with very large hands may prefer something thicker. If grip diameter is important to you, 32 mm is worth comparing with equipment you already own.

Passive knurling

The handle texture is comfortable and functional, but it may not satisfy someone who wants an aggressive, locked-in grip.

The stand adds another $349

The Pylon looks great and improves convenience, but the dumbbells and stand together cost $1,148. That moves the package well beyond the price of several competing dumbbell-and-stand combinations.

These should not be treated like fixed dumbbells

The adjustment mechanism contains moving components, so the S 560 should be placed down with control. NÜO specifically excludes damage from dropping or slamming from its warranty. Anyone who routinely drops dumbbells after heavy presses should consider a simpler, more impact-tolerant design.

Who Should Buy the NÜOBELL S 560?

The S 560 makes the most sense for someone who wants premium adjustable dumbbells, trains in a space where appearance matters, and values rapid weight changes. It is especially appealing for hypertrophy workouts, supersets, drop sets, general strength training, and shared home gyms.

Budget-focused shoppers have strong alternatives. So do lifters who prioritize aggressive knurling or drop resistance above appearance and refinement. But if you want an adjustable dumbbell that feels close to a conventional dumbbell and looks like a premium product, the S 560 belongs near the top of the list.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions About the NÜOBELL S 560

How much weight does the NÜOBELL S 560 provide?

Each dumbbell adjusts from 5 to 60 pounds, giving you a maximum combined weight of 120 pounds for the pair. The available settings are 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 pounds.

How do you adjust the weight?

Place the dumbbell completely into its storage cradle and rotate the handle until the desired weight appears on the selector. The internal mechanism connects the necessary plates, while the unused plates remain in the cradle. Always make sure the dumbbell is properly seated before attempting to change the weight.

What colors are available?

The NÜOBELL S 560 is available in Black, Silver, Forest, and Sand. The choice is primarily cosmetic, so you can select the finish that works best with your home gym or training space.

How thick is the NÜOBELL S 560 handle?

The machined aluminum handle has a diameter of 32 mm. This gives it a substantial feel without being unusually thick, although users with smaller hands may prefer a thinner handle. The knurling is relatively passive and prioritizes comfort over an aggressive grip.

Does the NÜOBELL S 560 come with a stand?

The dumbbells include the individual cradles required for changing and storing the weights, but the full-height S Pylon floor stand is sold separately. The Pylon currently costs $349 and raises the dumbbells to a more convenient height.

How much does the NÜOBELL S Pylon stand weigh?

The stand has a listed net weight of approximately 60 pounds. With two fully loaded dumbbells on the stand, the entire setup weighs approximately 180 pounds.

Can the NÜOBELL S 560 be dropped?

These dumbbells should be lowered under control rather than dropped or slammed. They contain an adjustable selection mechanism with moving parts, and NÜO’s warranty does not cover damage caused by dropping or slamming them. Lifters who regularly release dumbbells after heavy sets may be better served by fixed dumbbells or a more impact-focused adjustable design.

Is the NÜOBELL S 560 suitable for beginners?

Yes. The 5-pound starting weight and simple adjustment system make the S 560 approachable for beginners, while the 60-pound maximum gives most users room to progress. However, beginners who are unsure whether they will continue strength training may prefer to start with a less expensive adjustable set.

Is 60 pounds per dumbbell enough?

Sixty pounds per hand is enough for a wide range of curls, shoulder exercises, lunges, presses, rows, and general strength workouts. Stronger lifters may eventually need more weight for chest presses, rows, Romanian deadlifts, or lower-body movements. Those buyers should compare the S 560 with heavier adjustable systems before purchasing.

Are the NÜOBELL S 560 dumbbells worth $799?

They are worth considering if you prioritize fast adjustments, a conventional dumbbell feel, compact dimensions, and premium appearance. They are harder to justify if price and durability are your only priorities, since several competing sets provide a similar weight range for considerably less. The value comes from the complete user experience rather than weight alone.