PowerBlock Pro 50 Review: Specs, Limits and Current Alternatives
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The PowerBlock Pro 50 is a home adjustable dumbbell pair that runs from 5 to 50 lb per hand in 19 settings, with urethane coated plates and a contoured rubber handle. This review covers that exact model, not the Commercial Pro 50, which is a different set.
Our short verdict: it is a quiet, compact set for lifters who will stay at or under 50 lb per hand. It does not expand, so anyone likely to outgrow 50 lb should look at the current alternatives further down.
Reviewed Product
- Reviewed Product: PowerBlock Pro 50 Adjustable Dumbbells (home model, sold as a pair)
Key Points
- 5 to 50 lb per hand in 19 settings, every 2.5 lb from bottom to top.
- Not expandable: 50 lb per hand is the ceiling, and PowerBlock makes no kit for it.
- Contoured TPR handle, 38 mm across, with urethane coated steel plates.
- 5 year limited warranty for residential use only.
- WorkoutHealthy no longer carries the home Pro 50, so we compare it with the PowerBlock sets we do carry.
PowerBlock Pro 50 Highlights
The Pro 50 puts 19 dumbbell weights into a block about 13 inches long. A magnetic selector pin sets the weight, and two 2.5 lb micro weights in each handle fill the half steps.
Its main limit is the ceiling. At 50 lb per hand with no expansion path, it suits lifters whose heaviest dumbbell work will stay in that range.
PowerBlock Pro 50 Adjustable Dumbbells
- 19 settings, 5 to 50 lb per hand
- Every 2.5 lb, bottom to top
- 13 x 7 inch footprint per dumbbell
- Urethane coated steel plates
Best for: home lifters who want many weights in little space and will stay at or under 50 lb per hand.
Key Specs
- Weight range: 5 to 50 lb per hand
- Settings: 19, in 2.5 lb steps
- Selector: magnetic selector pin plus two 2.5 lb micro weights per handle
- Grip: contoured TPR, 38 mm across, 4.88 inches long
- Size: 13 x 7 x 7.25 inches per dumbbell
- Warranty: 5 year limited, residential use only
Weight Range, Increments and Expansion
The Pro 50 starts with a 5 lb handle and moves in 2.5 lb steps all the way to 50 lb, for 19 settings. Our earlier review said the steps widened to 5 lb above 25 lb, and that was wrong; PowerBlock lists every 2.5 lb step from 5 to 50.
| Range | Settings (lb per hand) |
|---|---|
| 5 to 25 lb | 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, 20, 22.5, 25 |
| 27.5 to 50 lb | 27.5, 30, 32.5, 35, 37.5, 40, 42.5, 45, 47.5, 50 |
It does not expand. PowerBlock describes the Pro 50 as a non expandable model, and the expansion kits for its other lines do not fit it.
Using the Selector Pin
One habit matters on any PowerBlock: seat the magnetic pin fully in a color zone before lifting. A pin left between zones may not pick up the weight you intended.
Handle Feel and Ergonomics
The handle is contoured TPR, 38 mm across and 4.88 inches long. It is softer on the palms than bare steel, though a smooth grip gives less hold than knurled steel when hands are sweaty.
The Pro 50 has no knurled steel option from the factory. PowerBlock lists knurled grip handles as a compatible add on for this model, sold separately.
Footprint and Storage
Each dumbbell measures 13 x 7 x 7.25 inches, so one block sits on about 0.6 square feet of floor. That is far less space than a rack of 19 fixed pairs.
PowerBlock lists stands for the Pro 50, but none is included. Confirm stand fit with us before ordering one, since PowerBlock stands are sized around specific blocks.
Durability and Build
The plates are steel with a black urethane coating, which keeps them quieter than bare metal when they settle. The magnetic selector pin is the part to treat with the most care.
Like every PowerBlock, the Pro 50 is not built to be dropped. The selector pin and rails are the parts that take the damage.
Warranty and Commercial Use
PowerBlock covers the Pro 50 with a 5 year limited warranty for residential use only. A gym, studio or other shared floor falls outside that coverage.
That is the main reason the Commercial Pro 50 exists. It is a different set with its own commercial warranty, covered below.
Attachments That Fit the Pro 50
PowerBlock lists the Pro Series straight bar, EZ curl bar and kettlebell handle as compatible with the Pro 50. WorkoutHealthy carries the PowerBlock Pro Series Barbell, typically $175 to $225, and the PowerBlock Pro Series Kettlebell Handle, typically $125 to $175.
These are not the Pro 100 attachments, which fit a different weight stack. Check the model on your dumbbells before ordering.
Cost Breakdown: Price Per Setting
PowerBlock's own list price for the Pro 50 is roughly $525 to $575 a pair. WorkoutHealthy does not sell the home Pro 50 now, so that figure is PowerBlock's list price rather than ours, and seller prices vary.
A fair way to compare adjustable sets is price per weight setting, since each setting replaces one fixed pair. The prices below are ranges, and the per setting figures are our calculation from them.
| Set | Price (pair) | Settings | Approx. price per setting | Stand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PowerBlock Pro 50 (home) | $525 to $575 (PowerBlock list) | 19 | About $28 to $30 | Not included |
| PowerBlock Elite EXP 50 | $375 to $425 | 15 | About $25 to $28 | Not included |
| PowerBlock Commercial Pro 50 | $1,000 to $1,100 | 9 | About $110 to $120 | Included |
The Pro 50 and Elite EXP 50 land close on price per setting. The Pro 50 buys finer steps and urethane plates, while the Elite EXP 50 buys a lower entry price and a path to 90 lb.
Pro 50 vs Commercial Pro 50: Not the Same Set
The names are close, but the sets are different. The home Pro 50 uses 5 lb handles with micro weights for 19 settings in 2.5 lb steps, while the Commercial Pro 50 uses 10 lb knurled steel handles with no micro weights, for 9 settings in 5 lb steps.
The Commercial Pro 50, typically $1,000 to $1,100, includes a Pro Rack stand and a 1 year commercial limited warranty. It is the right choice for a shared floor, and the home Pro 50 is not.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- 19 settings in even 2.5 lb steps from 5 to 50 lb
- Small footprint, about 0.6 square feet per dumbbell
- Urethane coated plates are quieter than bare metal
- Soft TPR handle is easy on the palms
- Pro Series bar and kettlebell handle attachments fit
Cons
- 50 lb per hand is the ceiling, with no expansion kit
- Residential warranty only
- No knurled grip from the factory
- Blocky shape is bulkier than a round dumbbell
- No stand included
Good for: home lifters starting strength training or working with moderate weights, people short on space, and anyone who wants fine 2.5 lb steps for circuits and accessory work.
Not for: lifters likely to need more than 50 lb per hand, anyone equipping a shared or business floor, and buyers who prefer the feel of a round dumbbell.
Current PowerBlock Alternatives to the Pro 50
If 50 lb per hand may not be enough, start with a set that can grow. These are the current PowerBlock sets WorkoutHealthy carries that cover the same ground.
- PowerBlock Elite EXP 50, typically $375 to $425. Also 5 to 50 lb, in 15 settings, and it expands to 70 and then 90 lb with Elite EXP stage kits.
- PowerBlock Elite EXP 90, typically $775 to $825. The full 5 to 90 lb Elite EXP set, with 27 settings.
- PowerBlock Pro 100 EXP, typically $525 to $575 for the 5 to 40 lb build up to $1,150 to $1,250 for the full 5 to 100 lb build. Urethane plates like the Pro 50, a choice of knurled or cushioned grip, and stages up to 100 lb.
- PowerBlock Commercial Pro 50, typically $1,000 to $1,100. The version for a gym, studio or hotel floor, with a stand and a commercial warranty.
For a wider view, our best adjustable dumbbells guide compares PowerBlock with other brands.
Bottom Line
The PowerBlock Pro 50 is a well built, compact home set with even 2.5 lb steps from 5 to 50 lb. Its fixed 50 lb ceiling is the one thing to be sure about before you buy.
If you will stay under 50 lb per hand, it does the job in very little space. If you might not, the Elite EXP 50 or the Pro 100 EXP gives you room to grow.
Check price on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
What is the weight range of the PowerBlock Pro 50?
The Pro 50 adjusts from 5 to 50 lb per hand in 19 settings, every 2.5 lb from bottom to top. The half steps come from two 2.5 lb micro weights stored in each handle.
Can the PowerBlock Pro 50 be expanded past 50 lb?
No. PowerBlock describes the Pro 50 as a non expandable model, and there is no kit for it. If you may need more than 50 lb per hand, the Elite EXP 50 or the Pro 100 EXP can be expanded.
Is the Pro 50 the same as the Commercial Pro 50?
No. The home Pro 50 has 19 settings in 2.5 lb steps and a residential warranty. The Commercial Pro 50 runs 10 to 50 lb in 9 settings of 5 lb, uses knurled steel handles, includes a stand, and carries a 1 year commercial warranty.
What warranty does the PowerBlock Pro 50 have?
PowerBlock lists a 5 year limited warranty for residential use only. It does not cover use in a gym, studio or other business setting.
Do PowerBlock bars and kettlebell handles fit the Pro 50?
PowerBlock lists the Pro Series straight bar, EZ curl bar and kettlebell handle as compatible with the Pro 50. The Pro 100 attachments are a different system and do not fit it.
Does WorkoutHealthy sell the PowerBlock Pro 50?
Not currently. WorkoutHealthy carries the Elite EXP 50, Elite EXP 90, Pro 100 EXP and the Commercial Pro line, which are the closest current alternatives.
Bottom Line
PowerBlock Pro 50 Adjustable Dumbbells
- 19 settings, 5 to 50 lb per hand
- Every 2.5 lb, bottom to top
- 13 x 7 inch footprint per dumbbell
- Not expandable past 50 lb