Which adjustable dumbbell is right for you?
Every shiny, eye-catching piece of fitness equipment grabs your attention. But maybe you live in an itty-bity apartment or your home gym is already bulging at the seams. I feel the dilemma.
For those of us tight-on-square-feet, a good pair of adjustable dumbbells hits the mark while keeping things compact. Luckily, REP offers two options: the REP® x PÉPIN™ FAST Series™ Adjustable Dumbbells for more advanced lifters, and the QuickDraw™ Adjustable Dumbbells for beginners or anyone looking for a lighter load. But which one is right for you?
We'll cover everything you need to know to decide which set suits your training, space, budget, and needs. To compare both options, we spoke with Noah Tenenbaum, MS in applied physiology and kinesiology, NSCA-certified strength and conditioning coach, and REP product analyst. Plus, I'll detail the pair I chose for my home gym (a.k.a. the corner of the dining room), since I, too, was caught in the crosshairs of uncertainty.
Which Adjustable Dumbbell Set Is Right for You?
The right adjustable dumbbell for you depends on your needs. As such, here's a chart comparing considerations between the REP® x PÉPIN™ FAST Series™ and QuickDraw™ Adjustable dumbbells.
| Feature | REP® x PÉPIN™ | QuickDraw™ |
|---|---|---|
| Max Weight | 125 lb pair | 60 lb pair |
| Weight Span | 10–60, 85, 105, or 125 lb | 5–30, 40, 50, or 60 lb |
| Dimensions | 7.2" H × 18.9" L × 5.3" W | 7.9" H × 20.6" L × 8.45" W |
| Handle | 34mm, nickel-plated, volcano knurling | 32mm, nickel-plated |
| Build | Full 11-gauge steel (dumbbells + cradles) | Mostly steel with some plastic components |
| Weight Change Mechanism | Sliding magnetic pop-pin | Lock-N-Load steel switches |
| Additional Details | UHMW liners prevent steel-on-steel contact | Support rods double as handles for exercises like overhead triceps extensions |
Overall, the QuickDraw™ is a fantastic adjustable dumbbell for beginners, while the REP® x PÉPIN™ may be a better choice for more advanced lifters.
To help you evaluate more options, check out our dumbbell comparison guide.
Weight Range and Progression Ceiling Compared

"I actually have both the PÉPIN™ and the QuickDraw™," says Tenebaum, noting that he prefers to work with the PÉPIN while his wife likes the QuickDraw™. "Since I will have lifts requiring a weight over 60 lbs, I needed the PÉPINS."
The REP® x PÉPINS FAST Series™ Adjustable Dumbbells are available in 65 lb, 85 lb, 105 lb, and 125 lb pairs — with the option to purchase Add-On Weight to expand the smaller setups to a total of 125 lbs per dumbbell.
The QuickDraw™ Adjustable Dumbbell are available in 30 lb, 40 lb, 50 lb, and 60 lb pairs — with a similar upgradeability to resistance with their own Add-On Weights (available in lb and kg) — up to a total of 60 lbs per dumbbell.
WINNER: REP® x PÉPIN™
Adjustment Speed and Mechanism Breakdown
The REP® x PÉPINS FAST Series™ and QuickDraw™ both feature quick and easy adjustments. The REP® x PÉPINS uses a sliding magnetic pop-pin, while the QuickDraw™ utilizes Lock-N-Load steel switches for each individual weight-plate increase.While there is numbering on the QuickDraw™ to help you know how much weight you've chosen based on how many switches you've flipped, sometimes my brain glitches and choosing the right weight to work with takes me some trial and error. However, it still adjusts so much faster than any other adjustable dumbbells I've used before.
On the other hand, Tenenbaum hasn't had any issues with dialing in exactly what he wants to work with on the PÉPINS. "Each handle just has two pop-pins and slides," he says. "It's very quick and convenient."
Both adjustable dumbbells have been drop-tested — the REP® x PÉPIN beat out the competition, and the QuickDraw™ even survived being thrown off a building (we don't recommend this). The QuickDraw™ Lock-N-Load switches have also been cycle-tested 100,000+ times to make sure this piece of the dumbbell is as sturdy and resilient as the rest.
While it's difficult to pick a winner in this category — THE QUICKDRAW™ SURVIVED A FALL FROM THE TOP OF A BUILDING — we're giving the win to PÉPIN due to its total 11-guage steel construction, whereas the QuickDraw™ has some plastic components.
[Read More: How to Clean and Maintain Adjustable Dumbbells]
WINNER: REP® x PÉPIN™
Ergonomics, Grip Feel, and Training Comfort

In use, both adjustable dumbbells feel great for different types of lifters. The biggest call out is that, even at 125 lbs, the REP® x PÉPINS FAST Series™ stay relatively compact — only 18.9" long — which helps give you the same feel you'd have from a fixed dumbbell.
The knurling on the REP® x PÉPIN™ is slightly more aggressive than the QuickDraw™ — I prefer the QuickDraw™ hand-feel since I'm not using them for max lifts. "I like a slightly aggressive knurling," says Tenenbaum, "So the [REP® x PÉPINS] are just right for me."
Overall, the QuickDraw™ has a more moderate, comfortable grip. This category was close to a tie, but the built-in support rods — which double as additional handles for movements like french presses — ultimately put it over the top.
WINNER: QuickDraw™
Long-Term Value: Cost per Pound of Resistance

At $1,499.99 for the REP® x PÉPIN™ 125 lb pair, that's $6.00 per lb. At $575.99 for the QuickDraw™ 60 lb pair, that's $4.80 per lb. It's also worth noting that for both adjustable dumbbells, the best bang for your buck is choosing the heaviest setup, as cost per pound decreases as total capacity increases and you get more usable resistance across a wider training range.
QuickDraw™ wins on pure cost efficiency per pound. However, while the PÉPIN™ costs more, it provides a significantly higher total load ceiling.
WINNER: QuickDraw™
Find Your Perfect Adjustable Dumbbell Set at REP Fitness
To choose the right adjustable dumbbell, start with how much weight you realistically want to lift and the budget you’re working with. The QuickDraw™ is the more cost-friendly option and is ideal for general strength training, but it caps out at 60 lb per dumbbell. The REP® x PÉPIN™ FAST Series™, on the other hand, offers a much broader training range with a maximum of 125 lb per dumbbell, making it better suited for long-term strength progression and heavier lifting needs.
FAQs
Is the REP® x PÉPIN™ Adjustable Dumbbell better than the QuickDraw™ Adjustable Dumbbell?
Better is subjective, but if you're looking for an adjustable dumbbell that's durable, easy to adjust, and has a huge amount of resistance you can work with (up to 125 lb per dumbbell), the REP® x PÉPIN™ FAST Series™ is the better choice.
Are REP® x PÉPIN™ adjustable dumbbells worth the price?
If you want heavy, adjustable dumbbells that will last you for years, the REP® x PÉPIN™ is a solid choice. At $1,499.99 for the REP® x PÉPIN™ 125 lb pair, that works out to $6.00 per pound, compared to the QuickDraw™ 60 lb pair, which comes in at $4.80 per pound.
What is the maximum weight for REP® x PÉPIN™ and QuickDraw™ adjustable dumbbells?
The REP® x PÉPIN™ maxes out at 125 lb (250 lb total per pair), and the QuickDraw™ maxes out at 60lb (120 lb total per pair).
How fast can you adjust the REP® x PÉPIN™ vs QuickDraw™ dumbbells?
Both dumbbells adjust in seconds, but the REP® x PÉPIN™ can adjust slightly faster since you're using a sliding magnetic pop-pin rather than flipping multiple Lock-N-Load switches on the QuickDraw™.
Are adjustable dumbbells a good idea for a home gym?
Yes! Adjustable dumbbells can replace multiple fixed dumbbells, helping to clear up your home gym.
Rosie Borchert is a NASM-CPT, former Nike Volleyball coach, and writer whose work has appeared on BarBend, Tonal, ABC, Netflix, and Amazon Studios. If anyone would like to hire her to play beach volleyball, snowboard, binge watch TV, or go climbing, please get in touch.
This article was reviewed by Ashley Boyer, ACE-CPT, for accuracy.
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