Choose the Bowflex SelectTech 552 for a light starting weight and fine steps up to 23.9 kg per dumbbell, or the 1090i for a ceiling of 40.8 kg in 5 lb steps. Bowflex's own pages list both as dial-adjustable pairs, so range, step size and size on the floor decide it.
This comparison reads the makers' specification pages and does not involve testing, because the site does not test products.
Which has the wider weight range, the 552 or the 1090i?
The 1090i has the higher ceiling and the 552 has the lower floor. Bowflex lists the 552 at 5 to 52.5 lb (2.3 to 23.9 kg) per dumbbell and the 1090 at 10 to 90 lb (4.5 to 40.8 kg). The two ranges overlap between 10 and 52.5 lb, so a buyer who stays inside that overlap could use either.
The difference sits at the ends. Only the 552 goes below 4.5 kg, and only the 1090 goes above 23.9 kg. If your heaviest exercise is a goblet squat or a heavy row, that ceiling is the figure to check first. The dumbbell weight guide for beginners explains how to estimate the loads you need.
Side-by-side specification
| Item | Bowflex SelectTech 552 | Bowflex SelectTech 1090i |
|---|---|---|
| Weight range per dumbbell | 5 to 52.5 lb (2.3 to 23.9 kg) | 10 to 90 lb (4.5 to 40.8 kg) |
| Settings per dumbbell | 15 | 17 on bowflex.com; the UK spec table lists 15 |
| Step size | 2.5 lb up to 25 lb, then 5 lb, with a final 2.5 lb step to 52.5 lb | 5 lb throughout |
| Size per dumbbell | 43 x 21.2 x 22.8 cm | 44.4 x 24.2 x 25.3 cm |
| Sets of weights replaced (maker claim) | 15 | 17 |
| Standard warranty | 2 years, parts | 3 years, parts on bowflex.com; 2 years on the UK page |
| Stand | Sold separately | Sold separately |
| Indicative price | around £608 (checked Oct 2026) | around £289 for a single dumbbell (checked Oct 2026) |
The bowflex.com pages describe the Results Series 552 and 1090. Bowflex's UK page is for the 1090i, and the two are related but not identical listings.
How do the weight steps differ?
The 552 moves in 2.5 lb steps from 5 to 25 lb, then in 5 lb steps from 25 to 50 lb, and ends with a 2.5 lb step to 52.5 lb. The 1090 moves in 5 lb steps from 10 to 90 lb: 10, 15, 20 and so on. Bowflex notes that individual settings may differ slightly from the stated values because of manufacturing tolerances, on both pages.
A 5 lb step is about 2.3 kg. At light loads that is a large proportional jump, which is why the 552's finer steps matter for smaller or isolation exercises. At heavy loads the same 5 lb is a small proportional change, so the coarser 1090 ladder costs less there. This is reasoning from the listed figures, not from use.
Which is bigger on the floor?
The 1090 is larger in every dimension Bowflex gives. Per dumbbell, the 552 is 43 cm long, 21.2 cm wide and 22.8 cm tall. The 1090 is 44.4 cm long, 24.2 cm wide and 25.3 cm tall. The length difference is only 1.4 cm, but the 1090 is 3 cm wider and 2.5 cm taller.
Bowflex lists a separate SelectTech stand for both and states no tray dimensions on the pages read here, so measure the space from the manual or the seller's listing. Heavier loads also raise the stakes for the surface underneath; see flooring for heavy weights.
Is the 1090i a better choice than the 552 for beginners?
On the listed figures, the 552 is the gentler starting point because its lowest setting is 2.3 kg per dumbbell against 4.5 kg for the 1090. The NHS strength exercises page suggests starting with light weights, such as filled water bottles for a biceps curl, and building up slowly by adding repetitions over time. For personal advice on loads and technique, ask a qualified professional.
A beginner who expects to progress a long way may still want the higher ceiling. The NHS says adults should do strengthening activities on at least 2 days a week, working all the major muscle groups, so a set that grows with you has value. See the Bowflex 552 review and the Bowflex 1090i review for each set on its own.
Why does the UK 1090i page contradict itself?
Bowflex's UK 1090i page describes 4 to 41 kg and 17 weight increments, but its specification table lists 15 settings from 2.3 to 23.9 kg, which matches the 552 range. The bowflex.com 1090 page lists 10 to 90 lb and 17 settings. This comparison treats the bowflex.com figures as the 1090 specification.
A UK buyer is purchasing the UK listing, so ask the seller to confirm the range before ordering. The same UK page showed the pair as sold out when it was opened for this article.
What does each cost?
The indicative price in our data for the 552 is around £608 (checked Oct 2026) for the pair. The 1090i figure in our data, around £289 (checked Oct 2026), is for a single dumbbell, so a pair needs two and costs more. Do not compare £608 with £289 directly. Prices move, so confirm the quantity and price with the retailer.
Warranty, returns and safe use
The bowflex.com 552 page lists 2 years on parts, with optional 3 and 5 year Protection+ plans. The bowflex.com 1090 page lists 3 years on parts, while the UK 1090i page lists 2 years. Bowflex says the Protection+ plans add cover such as accidental damage, wear and tear and transferability. Plan availability in the UK is not stated on the pages read.
For safe use, Bowflex's UK 1090i page describes placing the dumbbell fully in its base, selecting the weight, and lifting only once the weight is fully selected. The bowflex.com pages carry no safety section, so read the manual supplied with your set.
What do the makers leave out?
The pages read here do not publish the unloaded weight of either dumbbell, the dimensions of the storage trays, or a price for the stand. Those gaps matter for planning: without a tray size you cannot be sure the set fits a shelf or a corner, and without a stand price you cannot cost the full setup. Bowflex's UK 1090i page also says the set is compatible with its JRNY app, which is a separate membership and not needed to use the dumbbells according to the pages read.
Treat any figure not on a maker page as unverified, including anything quoted second-hand in a retailer listing. Where a number matters to your decision, ask the seller to confirm it in writing before you buy.
Which should you choose?
- Choose the 552 if you want a light starting load, fine 2.5 lb steps below 25 lb, and a slightly smaller dumbbell.
- Choose the 1090i if you expect to use more than 23.9 kg per dumbbell and can accept 5 lb steps and a larger size.
- Look elsewhere if budget is tight or space is very small. The adjustable dumbbell guide covers lower-cost sets, and adjustable vs fixed dumbbells covers the fixed-weight route.
