Best Weight Plates for 2025: Top Picks for Rubber, Iron, and Steel Weight Plates

From the best Olympic barbell to the best adjustable dumbbells, REP Fitness is no stranger to earning the top spot on our roundups. And when it comes to weight plates, you won’t find anything better than their Equalizer Urethane-Coated Iron Olympic Plates.

This type of weight plate is most often found at big-box commercial gyms. This is for good reason: Cast iron weight plates are an economical choice, yet they’ll last for ages. The six-hole design in these REP Fitness Equalizer Plates also makes them much easier to grip and move around than other types of plates, which means members are theoretically—emphasis on theoretically—less likely to drop weights on their toes.

Anyway, these REP weight plates are a great pick for anyone who hates bothering with bumpers or metal plates that feel nearly impossible to pick up from the ground. We’ve all been there: Trying for five minutes to finagle a finger underneath a plate lying flat on the ground or stacked on one of those mobile plate poles; eventually asking for a buddy to help or accepting the pain that is smashing your fingernail between two 45s. But I digress.

They’re super easy to load onto bars with the honeycomb holes to grab onto, earning a 5 out of 5 for its design and ergonomics. “It has such a nice feel with the urethane, too,” says GGR founder Coop Mitchell. “It gives the plates a grippy feel, which helped an already well-designed plate be easier to handle.”

And thanks to the thin width (45s clock in at just 1.8 inches), you can load up to eight 45-pound plates on each barbell sleeve and still have room for collars. We’re looking at 720 pounds on the bar, making these a solid choice for a powerlifting bar. If you’re using a 15-kilogram bar like the Bella Bar, note that the barbell sleeves are shorter, so you won’t be able to fit as many plates.

Compared to bare steel or iron weight plates, rubber-coated ones like these have increased durability, so they should resist damage longer. Over time, the thin rubber coating may start to peel, but by that point, you’ve had many years of use without even touching the metal underneath.

Just remember: These are not bumper plates. Despite the rubber coating, you can’t drop these from overhead, from the front rack, or from anywhere. While REP does offer a lifetime warranty on these plates, they aren’t warrantied for dropping. So don’t drop ‘em.

In addition to a weight tolerance no greater than +/- 2% of the stated weight, these plates feature a machine-drilled center hole—not cast—for a super tight fit on the barbell sleeve. They earn a 3.75 out of 5 for their weight tolerance.

For a closer look at these, check out my REP Equalizer Iron Olympic Plates review.

Not all 10-pound bumper plates are created equal. If you’re going to pay extra attention to any of your weight plates, make it the 10-pounders. These are the most vulnerable weight plates in your collection of bumpers, so make it a point to get good ones and take good care of them.

As all bumper plate enthusiasts know, 10-pound bumper plates are prone to bending, flexing, cracking, and deforming. Making 10 pounds of rubber fit a 450-millimeter diameter is no simple task. But Fringe Sport has done a pretty darn good job.

Fringe Sport’s 10-pound bumpers are the best we’ve tested. The Shore A Durometer rating of 90 is higher than that of Rogue’s Echo 10-pound bumpers, so naturally, the Fringe Sport ones don’t bend or flex as easily. The bumpers get a perfect 5 out of 5 for their bounce and Durometer rating. The hooked stainless steel center hub also adds to the durability.

Plus, Fringe Sport now offers a lifetime warranty on their 10-pound black bumper plates (and all of their bumper plates), which is almost unheard of. For comparison, the warranty on the Rogue Echo 10-pound bumper plates is just 90 days. After three years, you’ll be responsible for return shipping costs, but still, this is a wild warranty for bumper plates, earning a 5 out of 5 for customer experience.

We have no problem recommending a full set of Echos—minus the 10s—and heading over to Fringe Sport for your 10-pounders. This might irk some home gym owners who get nit-picky about having cohesive sets of equipment, but I truly think it’s the right choice.

Or, if you’re just looking to add a set of 10s to your existing collection, we urge you to try these out. Our biggest complaint with the Fringe Sport 10-pound bumper plates is that the diameter is ever so slightly smaller than the diameter of the rest of the plates in this collection: The 10-pound plates are 17.5 inches in diameter while the rest of the collection meets the IWF standard of 17.7 inches. It’s a small difference and probably unnoticeable for most people, but we think it’s worth calling out.

RELATED: Best CrossFit Equipment

Crumb rubber plates are made from recycled rubber and creates a more durable plate than those made with virgin rubber (brand-new rubber) and provides a high bounce for CrossFitters or Olympic lifters who are looking for that type of thing (sorry powerlifters, you’re going to have to look at our other options). We’ve tried more than 10 crumb rubber plates and the PRx ones are our favorite to date.

A higher bounce is usually not a great thing, as it can cause more damage to your floor or equipment, earning the PRx plates a 3 out of 5. However, PRx has tested these plates to withstand 30,000 drops. With that durability, it should last well enough in your home gym, earning it a 4.5 out of 5 for durability and construction.

Lindsay Scheele, home gym equipment and Garage Gym Reviews Everything host, uses these for her CrossFit-style workouts and is “obsessed” with them, saying it makes her workouts much more fun.

“I’m a big fan of the flaky look on the plates,” she adds. The rounded edge also makes them easier to grab from the floor, so she rates the design and ergonomics a 4 out of 5.

While these are indeed durable, the 10- or 15-pound plates are so thin and flexible that dropping them may cause the steel insert to pop out and cause damage to the plates and your barbell. Good thing these are sold individually so you can skip those two weights if you want.

If you see “calibrated” in the name, expect a high-quality product. If you see Rogue in the name, double your expectations. These are by far the best steel weight plates I’ve ever had the pleasure of using.

When a plate is calibrated, it means the actual weight is less likely to deviate from the stated weight. Some weight plates, for example, might state 45 pounds. But if you weigh it, you could get an actual weight of anywhere from 40 to 50 pounds (typically, inaccurate plates are lighter, not heavier). Calibrated weight plates are machined to precision.

Available in both kilos and pounds and made to IPF specs, these Rogue Calibrated Steel Weight Plates have a tight weight tolerance of just 10 grams more or less than the stated weight, earning a 5 out of 5 for weight tolerances (more if I could give it). The 50.4-millimeter center opening fits Olympic barbells snugly and, like others with a tight center hub, may be a struggle to fit on cheaper bars that don’t fully conform to IPF specifications.

These plates are extremely thin and probably the absolute best weight plate option for powerlifters on this list. The 55-pound plates are barely over an inch in diameter, so on a standard Olympic barbell, you can load more than 1,000 pounds on the bar. However, the calibration raises the price of these plates considerably, so I wouldn’t recommend them unless you were serious about entering a powerlifting competition or two. It earns a 3.75 out of 5 for its value.

I will note that the coating on these plates isn’t the best. The paint chips easily and although we haven’t used these plates as much as we’ve used some others, they look more worn than they should. They do look smooth when the paint is new, though.

I love a good urethane weight plate. Urethane is an ultra-durable type of rubber that makes for solid, dense weight plates that resist bouncing and skipping.

Titan Fitness lists the weight tolerance as plus/minus 1%, which I have found to be accurate in my usage of these plates, earning a 5 out of 5 for weight tolerances. Constructed of virgin urethane rubber, a solid cast iron core, and a hard chrome center hub with a chamfer, the Titan Fitness Urethane Bumper Plates are sure to bless your garage gym for many years.

GGR Senior Director of Content Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1, swears by these plates, rating them a 5 out of 5 for construction and durability. “I’ve had a pair of 10- and 15-kilogram plates in my gym for about two years now,” she says. “They’re a little dirty, but no dings or scratches are on them, unlike my higher quality competition bumper plates.”

My main complaint: Because of the lipped, squared-off design, these weight plates are very hard to pick up from the ground if they’re lying flat. It’s just tough to get a finger under the plate to lift it up.

You should also know that urethane is universally slippery, so expect these weight plates to be more grip-averse than most rubber weight plates. Because it can be hard to get a good grip on them, they get a 3.5 out of 5 for their design and ergonomics.

One of my favorite things about these weight plates is their vibrant color. Pictures don’t do them justice and I have a hard time explaining just how shockingly bright these plates are. I might’ve enjoyed unboxing these plates as much as I enjoy using them to this day: They are a standout addition to any home gym.

Titan Fitness often gets out of stock of these bumper plates, so be aware when you look to purchase these. If you can find them, they’ll be an extremely durable and colorful addition to your home gym.

If you’re looking for a durable, classic set of black bumper plates, look no further than the Rogue Echo Bumper Plates. These sturdy bumpers are constructed of virgin rubber with a stainless steel center ring—two factors that automatically boosted these weight plates to the top of our list.

Although the Echo bumpers are imported and we’d prefer to see them made in the U.S., we know that would jack up the price. We also don’t think the quality is subpar at all despite being imported.

With a Shore A Durometer rating of 88, you can rest assured that the Echo Bumper Plates will withstand drops from the overhead position as well as ego bar slams after hitting a personal record, earning a 4 out of 5 for its bounce. The 450-millimeter diameter and 50.6-millimeter collar opening meet the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) specs and Rogue’s promise of a +/- 1% weight tolerance means you can confidently train with these bumper plates and hit the same numbers in competitions.

I love the dead bounce on these plates, and it’s something you won’t often see in an economy-priced weight plate. GGR Founder Coop Mitchell adds, “A low, dead bounce is good for you and the plates. Your home gym, too.” A low bounce will deaden impact into your home gym flooring, as well as keep the weights from bouncing wildly in your garage gym.

I also think these are some of the cleanest-looking bumper plates out there with a smooth matte black finish and stark contrast with the raised white lettering.

Based on the number of reviews on the Rogue website, the Echo Bumper Plates are Rogue’s best-selling bumpers. These also happen to be Rogue’s least expensive bumper plates. When you factor in Rogue’s exceptional shipping prices and the three-year warranty on the 25-, 35-, and 45-pound plates, you have the best bumper plates for the best price right here. They earn a 4 out of 5 in value.

I will say I’m not a fan of the measly 90-day warranty on 10- and 15-pound Echo bumpers, but other than that, these are a win-win in my book.

You can read more in our Rogue Echo Bumper Plates review.

We love a plate that looks sleek, yet solid, and these plates hit the mark on that. These look great and are super functional too. With these plates you won’t have to worry about them slipping from your tired grip thanks to the deep lip on the edge of the plates. Whether you want to load up your barbell for some heavy squats or work on your grip with minimal equipment, these have you covered. 

With a smaller inner diameter of 1.99 inches, you won’t have to worry about these weights wiggling around on the barbell. At the time of release, these were the tightest fitting plates on the market! The 45-pound plate in the set is also only 1.25 inches so you will have plenty of room on your bar to keep stacking them up; you can also opt for their mammoth 100-pound plates, which are still only 2.25 inches thick. They earn a 4.5 out of 5 for their design and ergonomics.

While these iron weight plates may not be the best option for Olympic lifts with so many great bumper plates out there, they are perfect for powerlifting or bodybuilding-style workouts. 

In addition to traditional barbell exercises, deep-dish plates like these have other applications thanks to the extra room for grip. You can use these for farmer’s walks, halos, or even reverse curls with the right grip.

Customers love the look and feel of these plates, with a average rating of 4.9 stars out of 5, with nearly 900 total reviews. Most reviews speak highly of the weight’s precision, both in tolerance, and with the precise collar opening.

CAP Barbell is known for its budget-friendly pricing and availability at big box stores like Academy Sports & Outdoors and Dick’s Sporting Goods. However, you can also get a lot of different CAP products on Amazon. I’ll be the first to say I wouldn’t normally recommend CAP Barbell weight plates over other brands, but if you’re set on ordering budget home gym equipment from Amazon, these are your best bet if you’re looking for plates with handles.

CAP has been around for a long time and makes decent, but not great, fitness equipment. These plates are solid cast iron with a semi-gloss enamel painted finish. They feature oversized grips for easy loading onto the bar and clearly marked weight indications in silver. Like other cast iron plates, you can expect some minor discrepancies between plates, although they’re only aesthetics, earning them a 4 out of 5 for construction and durability.

I agree with the primary sentiment on Amazon: These plates are what they are. They’re run-of-the-mill iron weight plates you can use for general strength training. There’s nothing extraordinarily good or extraordinarily bad about them. They’re priced well enough for what they are though, earning a 4 out of 5 for value.

There are, however, some minor imperfections you should know about these plates. First of all, they aren’t made to IPF specs, so skip them if you care about that. (We aren’t worried about IWF specs, since we hope you aren’t planning to snatch or jerk with these.) The diameter of the 45-pound CAP plates falls short of the IPF specification of 17.7 inches. These measures about 16.75 inches, which only really matters when you’re deadlifting—just something to keep in mind.

If you search these online, you’ll see a lot of good reviews and a lot of bad ones. It seems to me that all of the people who left good reviews had the right expectations and understood what they would get out of a budget weight plate they ordered on Amazon. People who left bad reviews seemed to think they were ordering from Rogue Fitness or Eleiko. Set your expectations correctly and you’ll enjoy these weight plates just fine.

As one reviewer said on Amazon: “This is a 45-lbs weight with a 2-inch hole in it. Not much to go wrong. It’s heavy and I can pick [it] up and put it back down again to get stronger.”

Well, there you have it.

You might think that the most durable bumper plates should be our top pick for the best overall weight plates. But that’s simply not the case: Durability is just one factor you should consider when looking for weight plates, albeit an important one. There are many other things you should consider, of course, such as price, warranty, shipping, diameter, width, and more.

If durability is the primary driver for your bumper plate purchase, the BP Plates from Iron Bull Strength are a fantastic option. These dense bumper plates feel great during use, too, with a low, dead bounce from as high as overhead. The BP Plates have all been tested to withstand more than 10,000 drops from 8 feet high—including their extra-thick 10-pound plates—ensuring durability in a home gym environment. They easily get a 5 out of 5 for their construction and durability.

The bumper plates are constructed of virgin rubber: a solid, dense rubber that allows for a low, dead bounce when dropped. A low bounce protects your weights, barbell, and home gym flooring as well; plus, it helps reduce noise during workouts. 

Although Iron Bull Strength doesn’t give a specific Durometer rating, GGR Everything lead reviewer Lindsay Scheele thought they were solid, in her workout of hang cleans, deadlifts, and front squats. “They had a small bounce when they were dropped, which I prefer, and at no point did they seem to have weak spots when dropped from overhead,” Lindsay adds. “Overall, these are solid.” She rates the bounce a 4 out of 5.

Able to be bought in pairs or bundles, the BP Plates are a bit pricier than other bumpers, and free shipping is only for orders above $150; so if you’re looking to buy just a pair of plates, you might have to add shipping costs. Plus, with a limited lifetime warranty (so long as you don’t use these plates negligently), these bumper plates are sure to last.

Many think competition Olympic bumper plates are the same as regular training bumper plates. This is not so. Competition bumper plates utilize a steel center plate instead of just a center ring; are thinner so you can fit more weight on the bar; are made to IWF specs (including color), and have tighter weight tolerances than standard bumpers.

“These are solid,” says Olympian and competitive weightlifter Caine Wilkes, CNC, USAW-L1. “I’ve used these in gyms that have had them for years, and aside from some aesthetic dings and scratches, they hold up extremely well.” He rates the construction and durability a 4.75 out of 5.

The Rogue Competition Bumper Plates in particular feature a chrome-plated steel center plate, a gloss-matte-gloss finish in IWF colors, raised white lettering, and official IWF branding. The 450-millimeter diameter meets IWF specs. With a 50.4-millimeter collar opening, these competition bumpers fit an Olympic barbell very snugly and may not fit cheaper barbells that aren’t made to spec.

Tight weight tolerance of just +/- 15 grams of the stated weight means competitors can confidently train with these Olympic weight plates and match their lifts in competitions. They get a 5 out of 5 for weight tolerances.

Rogue Competition Bumper Plates have an insanely high Shore A Durometer rating of 94, making these some of the densest bumper plates available. No matter how much or how little weight you have on the bar, you will receive a dead bounce when you drop these weight plates, also getting a 5 out of 5 for the bumpers’ bounce.

I love that Rogue added a raised flange around the metal disc to prevent direct metal-to-metal contact when loading multiple plates on your barbell. This prevents premature scuffing and rusting of the steel beneath the chrome coating; however, scuffing and rusting is still always a possibility, especially if you don’t take proper care of these weight plates.

The saying “you get what you pay for” rings true with these plates. Rogue Competition Bumper Plates are not a budget product—I’d go as far as to say they’re a luxury, rating them a 3.5 out of 5 for value. Caine adds, “They’re too expensive for most people, and I wouldn’t recommend them unless you have plans to seriously compete.” If you do compete in weightlifting, however, this is the best plate set option for you.

You can read more in our Rogue Competition Bumpers review.

REP Fitness Old School Iron Plates are similar to the Rogue Deep Dish Plates. Like the Deep Dish Plates, the REP Old School Iron Plates are single-sided with one deep lip. They’re solid cast iron coated with a matte finish and raised silver lettering to complete the classic vintage look.

Since they’re bare metal plates, they also cost less than the urethane-coated REP Equalizer Plates we love. All in all, they’re a solid choice that comes at a great price point. There’s nothing inherently special about these weight plates in terms of construction or function, but if you’re looking for value, you’ve found it.

While the REP Old School Iron Plates may not seem like a budget item on the surface, once you factor in shipping costs, these come out less expensive than the Deep Dish Plates and a lot of other iron plates. REP’s free shipping really comes in clutch here, earning them a 4.5 out of 5 for value. As with many weight plates, the more you buy, the better price per pound you get.

Just like REP’s standard iron plates, the Old School Iron Plates feature a complete cast construction, earning them a 4 out of 5 for construction and durability. It doesn’t receive full marks though, since there are no machined or precision-drilled parts. So you should expect some minor discrepancies between plates you receive. I don’t think small imperfections are anything to worry about, but it’s worth noting.

Unfortunately, REP Fitness only warranties these iron plates for one year. This doesn’t make me feel super confident in the product, but then again, most bare metal plates don’t have a fantastic warranty. These are not plates you’re going to want to drop consistently if you want them to last.

RELATED: Best Budget Home Gym Equipment