Northdeer V2.0 Adjustable Steel Dumbbells, 40/60 lb, Compact Review (2026)

How the V2.0 update changes the design

Northdeer's second-generation dumbbells use thinner, frosted-finish steel plates than the original V1.0 version, which lets more plates fit on each handle within a similar overall footprint. According to the manufacturer's listing and independent coverage from dumbbellsfit.com, the plates are precision cut from solid steel rather than assembled with welds, and the threading is deep enough to keep plates from working loose under load. Northdeer states the V2.0 plates remain compatible with V1.0 handles and hardware, so owners of the earlier version can mix components rather than replacing an entire set. The steel handles themselves are rated to hold up to 220 pounds of total plate weight, leaving headroom beyond the 40 or 60 pound configurations sold in this listing.

No-nut adjustment mechanism

Instead of a rotating dial or a pin-and-shim system, these dumbbells adjust by screwing plates directly onto the handle and removing a locking nut when you want to change weight, which the manufacturer calls a no-nut design for quick swaps. Each plate is marked with its weight for fast identification during a session. This screw-on approach trades some of the speed of a quick-dial adjustable dumbbell for a simpler mechanical design with fewer moving parts, which is part of why reviewers point to the plates staying secure through repeated overhead presses, curls, and squats without noticeable shifting.

Grip and finish

The handles are wrapped in a foam material intended to stay comfortable and non-slip even as the loaded weight increases, which matters more on a compact adjustable dumbbell than on a fixed-weight one, since the same handle has to feel right whether you are lifting a light or a near-maximum load. The plates carry a frosted, matte-silver finish rather than a painted or chrome coating, which independent coverage describes as more resistant to fingerprints and light scuffing than a glossy finish. Because the plates are bare steel rather than rubber or urethane coated, setting them down hard on a hardwood or tile floor can leave marks, so a mat under your workout area is worth using.

Weight range and handling at the top end

This listing covers 40 and 60 pound versions, meaning each dumbbell in the pair reaches that weight when fully loaded, which gives meaningful room to progress on presses, rows, and other compound lifts compared with lighter adjustable sets capped around 25 pounds. The tradeoff of packing that much steel into a compact handle is that the loaded dumbbell gets noticeably thicker and heavier to maneuver at the top end, which several users report feels more awkward during higher-rep, smaller movements like curls than during presses or rows where a firmer grip and shorter range of motion are less affected by the added bulk.

Who should buy these dumbbells

These suit a home lifter who wants a compact adjustable dumbbell built from steel rather than a plastic-shelled dial system, and who values durability and a small footprint over the fastest possible weight changes. The 220-pound handle rating and V1.0 compatibility give some room to expand the set later without starting over. They are a weaker fit for anyone doing frequent high-rep curls or lateral raises at the heaviest setting, where the bulk becomes more noticeable, or for anyone without a mat or padded flooring to protect against the bare steel plates.

Frequently asked questions