Bells of Steel Adjustable Kettlebells Review

I've tested a lot of kettlebells over the years, but adjustable kettlebells have always been a bit of a mixed bag for me. They promise to replace an entire rack of bells with one compact unit, but often fall short on usability. When Bells of Steel sent over their adjustable competition kettlebells to review - both the standard 12-20.5kg model (expandable to 32kg with expansion pack) and the smaller 6-12kg MW Edition - I was curious to see if they could deliver on that promise.

Spoiler alert: they definitely did.

Unboxing

I received three boxes from Bells of Steel - one expansion pack box and two kettlebell boxes. The expansion pack weights were packaged separately, and wow, these things are heavy even before you open them up.

Each kettlebell arrived well-packed in typical styrofoam protection. Nothing fancy, but everything arrived undamaged which is what counts.

The smaller 6-12kg MW Edition was the first one I cracked open. It's surprisingly compact, yet deceptively heavy even in its base configuration. Inside the box I found the kettlebell shell, weight plates packed on the side, and two wrenches for adjusting the weights.

The larger 12-20.5kg model followed the same packaging approach - well protected and ready to go.

Impressions

Right off the bat, the 6-12kg MW Edition caught my attention. It's small, compact, and has this charming logo on the back - "MW" with two clubs, which I later figured out stands for Mark Wildman, the kettlebell training expert who co-designed this model.

This little bell is more in line with the size of a traditional cast-iron kettlebell rather than a competition-style bell, which actually works in its favor for portability. You could easily throw this in your car for a workout on the go.

The larger 12-20.5kg model is a different beast entirely. It's a proper competition-sized adjustable kettlebell with a full range of weight options. The handle feels good - slightly pitted for grip, which I appreciate since I'm not a fan of constantly using chalk at home.

And if you eventually outgrow the 20.5kg base range? Bells of Steel offers a 13kg expansion pack that extends the larger bell's maximum weight from 20.5kg all the way up to 32kg. It's a smart way to extend the life of the bell without needing to buy a whole new unit.

However, I did notice some cosmetic issues on the larger bell. The finish has very slight indentations - it's not perfectly smooth. These are purely cosmetic and don't affect usability at all, but for the price point, I've seen better finishing on other cast kettlebells in my collection.

The Adjustment Process

Let me be straight with you - adjusting these kettlebells is not a quick process. It takes 1-2 minutes to change weights, which means if you're doing a workout where you need to switch between weights frequently, you're going to be frustrated.

I do wish somebody would invent a quick release system for adjustable kettlebells. I don't know how that would work mechanically, but it sure would be nice!

The process itself is straightforward enough: remove the bottom bolt, add or remove weight plates, replace the bolt, tighten everything down. The tools provided work fine for the job.

That said, I ran into a few issues. The threading on the bolt could stand to be improved - the nut doesn't go on as smoothly as I'd like, and I found myself having to use the wrench to tighten it more than I'd prefer. This makes me a bit concerned about potentially damaging the threads over time.

On the larger bell, I also noticed what appeared to be some melted packing material on the internal threading, which made turning the nut more difficult. These are minor quality control issues that Bells of Steel could definitely tighten up.

The Bottom Plate Problem

Here's where things got a bit frustrating with the smaller kettlebell. After I put the bottom plate back on and bolted it in for the first time, I tried to remove it again and it was completely stuck. Like, really stuck.

The tolerance between the upper and lower portions is just a bit too tight. Be aware that your first removal might require some extra effort to get the bottom plate loosened - it's annoying and definitely something Bells of Steel needs to address.

Interestingly, I didn't have this problem with the larger kettlebell, so it seems to be specific to the smaller model.

Oh, and a warning - when replacing the bottom plate, make sure you're not doing it over carpet. I somehow caught some carpet fibers in the kettlebell seam and pulled threads out of my carpet. Great.

Test Plan

I've been working with both of these kettlebells for the last few weeks, incorporating them into my regular home gym workouts. I focused on a variety of movements including:

• Two-hand swings
• One-hand swings
• Cleans
• Snatches
• Overhead presses
• Turkish get-ups
• Windmills
• Overhead squats

I tested both bells at various weight configurations to get a feel for how they perform across their full range.

Usability

Despite the adjustment hassles and the tight bottom plate on the smaller model, both kettlebells actually feel really good to use once you've got them set up.

The handles on both models are well-designed. The larger bell has a slightly pitted finish that provides good grip without needing chalk, which is perfect for my home gym setup. The smaller MW Edition has a less pitted, smoother finish - it almost feels like they were made by different factories or processes. The smaller one feels more finished overall, like more care was taken with it.

The window size on the larger kettlebell is generous enough for two-hand swings, which is a big plus. I've worked with competition kettlebells that had cramped windows, and it's refreshing to be able to get a full grip without pinched pinkies.

However, the smaller 6-12kg MW Edition has a much narrower window - it's really designed for one-hand work only. The compact design that makes it so portable also means you can't comfortably fit both hands in the window for two-hand swings. This isn't necessarily a deal-breaker since this bell is targeted at beginners and lighter conditioning work, but it's something to be aware of if two-hand swings are a big part of your training.

One interesting feature on the larger bell - you can adjust where the weight sits inside the kettlebell. There are two nuts inside, and the inner one can be raised or lowered to change the center of gravity. I don't know if this is standard on other adjustable kettlebells, but it's a nice touch for fine-tuning the feel of the bell.

The smaller 6-12kg MW Edition really shines for its intended purpose. If you're looking for a compact option for home use, travel, or for teaching young athletes and beginners, this thing is fantastic. Seven weight options (6kg, 7kg, 8kg, 9kg, 10kg, 11kg, 12kg) in a package smaller than a standard competition kettlebell is genuinely impressive.

The downside? The smaller size does throw off my movement mechanics since I'm used to competition-sized bells. But honestly, for what this kettlebell provides, it's well worth the adjustment period.

Durability

Both kettlebells are built with steel shells and iron weight plates, which should last essentially forever with proper care. The construction is solid - no rattling or loose parts.

The coating on both models appears durable enough. I haven't seen any chipping or significant wear despite regular use, though as I mentioned, the finish on the larger model could be smoother.

The threading concern I mentioned earlier is really my only durability worry. If the threads get damaged from repeated adjustments, that could become a real problem. Time will tell, but I'd recommend being gentle when tightening and loosening the bolts.

Just like any kettlebell, keep them dry and wipe them down after use to prevent rust on any exposed metal parts.

Pros

The biggest advantage of these adjustable kettlebells is obvious - they save a tremendous amount of space and money compared to buying a full set of individual kettlebells.

The 12-20.5kg model offers 41 different weight configurations with its 0.5kg and 1kg increment plates. That's an insane amount of versatility in one package. You unlock "in-between" weights you won't find in regular kettlebells, which is perfect for gradual progressive overload.

And for those who get strong enough to max out the base model at 20.5kg, the optional 13kg expansion pack takes you all the way to 32kg, effectively turning this into a beast-mode heavy bell for advanced training.

The 6-12kg MW Edition is a revelation for traveling, small spaces, or working with beginners. It's compact, portable, and gives you seven kettlebells in one small package.

Both models have well-designed handles that provide good grip.

The larger model has a generous window size that works great for two-hand work, though the smaller MW Edition is really designed for one-hand exercises only.

The ability to adjust the internal weight position on the larger model is a nice touch for dialing in the center of gravity.

Cons

The adjustment process takes 1-2 minutes, which makes these kettlebells impractical if you need to switch weights frequently during a workout. If your training requires multiple weight changes, you'll want to either plan longer rest periods or consider getting two adjustable kettlebells.

The bottom plate on the 6-12kg model can be quite snug and difficult to remove initially. Be aware that your first weight change may require some extra effort.

Threading quality on the bolts could be better - the nuts don't thread on as smoothly as I'd like, and there was evidence of melted packing material on the internal threads of my larger bell.

The finish on the 12-20.5kg model has visible imperfections - small indentations that don't affect function but look less polished than other kettlebells at this price point.

The two models feel like they came from different production lines - different handle finishes, different overall quality levels. The smaller MW Edition feels more refined.

The narrow window on the 6-12kg MW Edition limits its use for two-hand swings, which could be a deal-breaker depending on your training style.

Price

At the time of this review, the 12-20.5kg adjustable kettlebell retails for $220.99 USD. When you consider you're getting 41 different weight options that would cost thousands of dollars to replicate with individual kettlebells, the value proposition is undeniable.

The optional 13kg expansion pack retails for $121.99 USD and extends the larger bell's weight range from 20.5kg up to 32kg. It's a worthwhile investment if you're progressing quickly or know you'll need heavier weights down the road.

The 6-12kg MW Edition retails for $164.99 USD. For a compact, travel-friendly kettlebell that gives you seven different weight options (6kg through 12kg), that's a solid deal. You'd pay nearly that much for just two or three individual kettlebells of similar quality.

Both models represent good value if you're space-constrained or need the versatility of multiple weights in a single package.

Bottom Line

The Bells of Steel adjustable kettlebells are a solid option for anyone looking to save space and money in their home gym, with one important caveat - you need to be okay with the 1-2 minute weight change process.

Both kettlebells deliver on their core promise: giving you a full range of kettlebell weights in a fraction of the space and cost. The larger 12-20.5kg model is genuinely impressive - 41 different weight configurations in one package, a well-designed handle with good grip, and a generous window that works great for two-hand work. Yes, there are some cosmetic finish issues and the threading could be smoother, but these are minor annoyances in an otherwise excellent product. For the price, you're getting tremendous value and versatility.

The smaller 6-12kg MW Edition is where Bells of Steel really nailed it. It's compact, portable, and perfect for the kind of high-rep conditioning work I enjoy. The fact that it's small enough to throw in a car makes it incredibly versatile for travel, outdoor workouts, or teaching beginners. The bottom plate can be a bit snug initially, but it's manageable.

If Bells of Steel can address the quality control issues - tighten up the bottom plate tolerances on the MW Edition, improve the threading, and polish the finish on the larger model - these would be no-brainer recommendations. But even as they are now, both kettlebells offer excellent value and functionality.

I'd recommend the 6-12kg MW Edition for beginners, travelers, or anyone with limited space. The larger 12-20.5kg model? It's a great option for home gym owners who want the versatility of multiple kettlebell weights without the cost and space requirements of buying individual bells. The minor issues don't detract from what is fundamentally a well-designed and functional adjustable kettlebell.

And if you're serious about long-term kettlebell training and think you'll eventually need heavier weights, the 13kg expansion pack gives you room to grow without having to buy a second adjustable kettlebell.

If you have any questions about the Bells of Steel adjustable kettlebells that I didn't cover in this review, drop them in the comments below and I'll do my best to answer!

Ready to Put Your New Kettlebells to Work?

Now that you've got your adjustable kettlebells dialed in, you'll want some proven workouts to make the most of them. I've put together a collection of free single kettlebell workouts that are perfect for home gym training. These are short, effective routines designed for people who have limited time and space - beginner through intermediate level workouts that you can knock out in 20-40 minutes with just one bell.