10 Best Value For Money Weight Plates (Rubber, Iron & Steel Reviewed)

1. HulkFit 

The HulkFit cast iron weight plate offers a vintage look and feel that makes you feel like an old-school lifter. The plates come in a range of sizes and with 1-inch or 2-inch holes to be used with traditional or Olympic barbells. If you want good quality cast iron weight plates, then these will work really well in your home gym.  

HulkFit is a tried and tested gym equipment brand well known on the market. They make very durable products but without the premium price tag, which has made them a popular brand for serious lifters. They don’t have as many features as some other brands, but their weight plates are solid, and the construction quality is high.  

The weight plates are circular but have grip holes so they can be carried easily, or even used without a bar. HulkFit has also applied a tough enamel finish to their plates. This offers additional protection and means they should stand up to heavy wear and tear.  

What we like the most about these plates is the accuracy. These plates have well-measured dimensions and have a very low tolerance, so you know exactly how much you’re lifting. We’ve found that cast iron weight plates can sometimes be less accurate, but HulkFit has done a good job here.  

Cast iron weight plates are sometimes a bit hit or miss, but these are durable and easy to use. The HulkFit plates can be a bit rough around the edges, and we did find a few uneven bits around the outside, but they feel really authentic. They’re a great home gym solution for beginner or intermediate lifters, and they're much more affordable than other weight plates, so you can pick up some great equipment even if you’re on a tight budget.    

2. BalanceForm 

BalanceFrom Rubber weight plates offer a range of advantages, and the BalanceFrom Olympic weight plates are some of the best that we’ve used. The quality of the materials and the high manufacturing quality make them much tougher than other plates, and they'll stand up to very heavy use.  

BalanceFrom is an American fitness brand specializing in home gym solutions, so it's no surprise that they've made it onto our best weight plates list. What we really like about this brand is that even though it's home fitness equipment, it's still really well made, and it’s probably even good enough quality to be used commercially. They’re a bit more expensive than most other home fitness brands, but they also offer a lot more in terms of functionality, features, and quality.  

Each BalanceFrom rubber weight plate is made from rubber-coated cast iron, with a steel insert to make them even longer lasting. There are three openings so they can be gripped and moved easily, and the weights slide effortlessly on and off the bar. What we like most about this is the high-quality rubber coating. It offers a lot of protection and makes them quiet to use, which is a real asset if you're working out at home.  

These rubber weight plates work well in a home gym but are certainly tough enough for commercial use. They're easy to clean and maintain, and work well for lifters of all abilities. They are slightly more expensive than other brands but worth the investment in our opinion because you won’t find many longer lasting rubber weight plates.  

3. Yes4All Standard 

These Yes4All weight plates are great for home gym workouts and offer a simpler but more affordable weight plate. The solid black paint and the cast iron give an old-school heavy lifting look and feel, but they work well for beginner lifters using a standard 1-inch barbell.  

Yes4All offers a wide range of training equipment which is simple and affordable. Their products are very much geared toward beginners and provide an easy way for lifters who are just starting to work out. They aren’t the toughest or most durable weight plates, and you won’t find them in commercial gyms, but they are a fraction of the price of other brands. 

These weight plates are more difficult to pick up, but they have an elegant design that works well in a stylish gym. The glossy black paint finish helps protect from corrosion, but we found that it chips pretty easily. The cast iron is pretty tough, but what we like most about these weight plates is their smooth edges. They glide on and off the bar and are well suited for those who are looking to use the same weight plates across multiple barbells, bars, machines, or dumbbells.   

These weight plates certainly aren’t the most durable, and the fact that they only fit on 1-inch barbells shows that they aren’t for the most advanced lifters. However, they are a great addition to a home gym because they look good, are easy to store, and aren't expensive. If you’re just getting started on your fitness journey, these weight plates will be a real asset.  

4. Synergee 

Synergee has created a classic looking weight plate which is one of the best metal options for an Olympic bar. The plates are solid and can be used with a wide variety of workout routines, but they are also compact enough that you can store them at home without issue. This mixture makes them a real asset in any home gym.  

Synergee is an international brand who have made a name for themselves by creating high-quality products. Their barbells and weight plates are regarded as some of the best around, and they are particularly popular with cross-fitters. Their weight plates are clearly good quality and should stand up to regular use.    

These weight plates are made from steel, not cast iron, so they are much more durable and effortless to clean. The 2-inch diameter allows them to be used with almost every Olympic bar, and you can incorporate them into powerlifting, bodybuilding, or even cross-fit workouts.  

What we like the most about these metal plates is that even the higher weights are compact, so you can keep them out of the way without needing any specialist storage solutions. By keeping it simple, Synergee has made their weight plates more user-friendly than some premium brands, and they work well in home or commercial environments.  

Synergee weight plates are more expensive, and while the steel is quieter than cast iron, it’s still noticeably louder than rubber plates. However, these metal weight plates combine aesthetics with functionality, and they're well suited for lifters of all levels.  

5. Blemished LB Economy 

Not everyone has a big budget for home gym equipment, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for less. The Titan blemished economy bumper plates are some of the cheapest bumper plates on the market and perfect for home gym owners who don’t care as much about looks.  

Titan is a well-known fitness brand that manufactures affordable equipment. Their quality is good, though their production centers are based in Asia, which can sometimes lead to less consistency in products. That being said, their weight plates are good, and for this price point, they're offering great value for money.  

The reason Titan is able to keep the price so low is because some of these weight plates have cosmetic damage. There may be some dents or cracks to the paint, but Titan carries out testing to make sure they still work. We found them acceptable to use and couldn’t see any issues with functionality, though we have to accept they might not last as long as other weight plates.  

These rubber plates are relatively plain but have small features which make them more user-friendly. A steel insert makes loading and unloading them onto the bar much easier, and a raised lip plate makes it easier to lift and carry them. There’s only a low bounce on this rubber, but these weight plates are still much quieter than steel or cast iron.  

These bumper plates are all the same size and suitable for any Olympic bars. Titan sells them in packs, so you can pick up a full set in one go. If you're looking to get into lifting and need to kit out your gym, these economy bumper weight plates will work well.  

6. Everyday Essentials 

Color-coded weight plates make life easier and let you know exactly what you're lifting. This can save you a lot of time, and it’s a useful feature in any gym with a lot of equipment. If you’re looking to add some color to your workout, these weight plates are perfect for lifters of all abilities.   

As the name suggests, Everyday Essentials are about making simple products well. They make home gym equipment with a low-price tag but still functions effectively. They definitely don’t have the same quality as premium brands like Rogue Fitness, but their weight plates are pretty solid and a great option if you’re on a budget.  

These weight plates are made from really quiet premium rubber, and you can barely hear the plate hitting the floor. All the plates are the same size for easy storage, and they have a 2-inch diameter which can be used on any Olympic barbell. What we like most about the Everyday Essentials weight plates is the accuracy. They've been made to exact specifications, and the weight tolerance is very low, so you can be sure you’re lifting exactly what it says on the side. This is really important for advanced lifters, and these color-coded weight plates are great for those in training for a competition.  

Our only criticism of these weight plates is that they can bend if they’re dropped too frequently. Also, the quality isn't as high as we would like, and we found some visible damage on some of the outer edges of the rubber. However, they are easy enough to slide on and off the bar and good to work out with. We'd just recommend storing them out of the way when they aren't in use to protect them from accidental damage.  

7. CAP Barbell 

CAP Barbell is one of the highest-rated fitness brands on the market. They make good quality, reliable products and back them up with excellent customer service so you can have confidence in the brand. Their cast-iron weight plates are well made and perfect for those working out at home. They also have some lower weight options, which are useful for beginner or intermediate lifters.  

CAP Barbell has over 30 years of experience in the fitness industry, and you've probably used their products before without even realizing it. Their weight plates are big but narrow, so they’re reasonably easy to store. Despite being made from cast iron, these weight plates are durable, largely due to the black baked enamel finish that protects them from damage. They’re made with a 1-inch hole which is suitable for smaller bars, and there’s a wide range of weight limits to choose from.  

What really sets this weight plate apart from the competition is the attention to detail. CAP Barbell has ground down the edges of each plate so that it’s smooth and even, and there is a very low tolerance for each. This means you have accurate weight plates so you can gauge exactly how much you’re lifting.  

These plates are quite loud to use compared to rubber plates, and they might not be great in a small home, but there is no denying they’re well made. The quality really does shine through, and the consistency is excellent. CAP has really shown they know what they're doing with these plates.   

8. BalanceForm 

BalanceForm is a great weight plate brand, so it's no surprise they've come up twice. Their vinyl plates are great for strength or cardio exercises, and they come in small and large weight sizes so that they can be used by people of all abilities.  

These weight plates are made from cement and wrapped in a thick vinyl cover. The concrete is cheap and heavy, which means that even their heavier plates are a lot cheaper. The vinyl shell is surprisingly soft on your hands and makes them more comfortable to use in a workout. It also helps protect the plate against any rust or corrosion so that it lasts longer.  

These plates are available in pairs or assets, and they’re cheap, so you can kit out your home gym easily. The flat edge on the bottom means you can store them standing up, and they’re reasonably compact. These weight plates are definitely best suited for small garage gyms and should support beginner or intermediate lifters.  

BalanceForm has done a great job in making these weight plates consistently good quality, and the weight accuracy is very high. Our only criticism is that we found that they were a little bit tricky to slide on and off the barbell. This can be annoying if you're moving the weights between bars, but it isn't a big deal for most users.  

These plates are very well made and offer an affordable vinyl option for home gym owners.    

9. CAP Barbell Black  

CAP Barbell is a well-respected brand, and their rubber weight plates are popular with lifters of all levels. This solid cast iron round plate is quick and easy to load and won’t take up too much space in your home. If you’re looking for a versatile weight plate that you can easily move between bars, these will work well.  

This is one of the safest weight plates on the market. The thick rubber surrounding the iron makes it bounce off the floor when dropped and heavily reduces the impact. This means it’s less likely to cause injury if it slides off the bar, and it’s not going to damage your floor. The rubber also adds to the durability of the weight plate, and it should stand up to heavy use.  

These CAP weight plates can be used for strength or cardio training, and you can get them in very low weights. The compact sizing makes them easy to stack and store, and the smooth glossy finish means you won’t mind leaving them out. The accuracy is good too, and the weight should be almost exactly what it says on the side.  

The real limiting factor of these weight plates is that they won’t work on an Olympic bar. However, if you've got a standard barbell at home, then this will definitely do the job, and because it's CAP Barbell, you know it's going to give you good long-term value for money. This is an excellent addition to any home gym and will work well for lifters of any level. 

10. STOZM Supreme Fitness 

STOZM weight plates are really high quality, and the consistency between each plate is impressive. They have a clean, modern look and will work really well for those with a standard bar in their home gym.  

STOZM is a relatively new brand that uses modern construction techniques to create the next generation of fitness equipment. Their weight plates are much more precise than competitors, and we've been impressed by the consistency of all their fitness products.  

STOZM have used laser cutting to make their hyper-accurate weight plates. This means that every single one has the exact same dimensions, and they have the exact weight down to a single gram. In addition, they're made entirely from steel and polished so that they’re completely smooth, with an electrostatic powder coating applied to the outside. This helps to protect your plate from damage and corrosion and should keep them in working order for longer.  

The best feature of STOZM weight plates is the warranty. STOZM guarantee their plates for life, so you're protected against any defects in the material or workmanship. This doesn't cover cosmetic damage but means you get much more significant long-term value for money than most other brands.  

It’s a shame that these steel weight plates aren’t available with a 2-inch hole for Olympic bars because they’re some of the best metal plates we’ve seen. They come in black as standard, but you can opt for different colors if you prefer. They do cost a bit more, but we think it’s definitely worth the investment because of the long-term value they offer.