Exploring the 7 Best Weight Plates to Buy in 2023

Picking the right weight plates for your home gym is important because this is a serious investment that can impact your training experience for years to come.

The problem is that you can pick from numerous options, each seemingly as good as all the others.

To make your choice easier, I’ve put together this guide to show you the seven best weight plates on the market in 2023, explain what makes each great, and help you make the right choice.

Let’s discuss.

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The 7 Best Weight Plates in 2023

1. Best Overall: REP Fitness Old School Iron Plates
2. Best Budget: CAP Barbell Olympic Grip Weight Plate Collection
3. Best Bumper: Rogue Echo Bumper Plates
4. Best Urethane: Titan Fitness Urethane Bumper Plates
5. Most Stylish: Fringe Sport Savage Bumper Plates
6. Best Competition: Rogue Calibrated Steel Weight Plates
7. Best Change Plates: Rogue Change Plates

1. Best Overall: REP Fitness Old School Iron Plates

I’ve chosen the REP Old School iron plates as the top overall pick because they have a cool and classic look, just like what you might have seen in gyms back in the day. To top that off, these plates are well calibrated (the tolerance is just +/- 3 percent), and a pair of 45-lb plates will only set you back $159.99.

Adequate weight tolerance is essential because it ensures even loading on both sides of the barbell, contributing to safety and balance during heavy compound lifting.

You can pick from various weight options, ranging from 2.5 to 45 lbs. So, whether you’re a serious lifter who can deadlift or squat a few plates or just starting and don’t need more than 50 lbs on the barbell, these plates are the ideal choice.

One downside is that these plates lack rubber coating, which means they are prone to dings and scratches that can eventually invite rust. But hey––that rough design is part of their charm, and rust is unlikely to occur unless the humidity in your home gym is off the charts.

Another potential drawback is that these plates don’t have grip holes, which makes them slightly more challenging to handle. The good news here is that you would have to pinch each plate harder, which can improve your grip strength.

2. Best Budget: CAP Barbell Olympic Grip Weight Plate Collection

The CAP Barbell Olympic plates are the ideal choice for people who value affordability and durability, coupled with a decent design. With a price of just $125.98 for a pair of 45-lb plates, you get excellent value for the money.

You can pick from a range of weights from 2.5 to 45 lbs to adjust the load exactly as needed for every exercise.

Something that sets these plates apart from many others is their grip design. The handles make these plates easy to pick up, rack and unrack, and carry around your home gym. You can also grip the plates for longer and do exercises like shrugs and lunges.

One drawback is that these plates lack rubber coating and could damage your floor if you drop them. Their weight tolerance is +/- 5 percent, which isn’t as precise as other options on our list.

3. Best Bumper: Rogue Echo Bumper Plates

Like most other Rogue Fitness products, the Echo bumper plates are a fantastic choice for lifters who value quality, durability, and precision in their gym equipment. With a decent price of $190 for a pair of 45-lb plates, you don’t even have to spend that much.

You can pick from a range of 10 to 45 lbs, which offers enough versatility for CrossFit, Olympic weightlifting, and general strength training.

The high-quality virgin rubber ensures excellent durability and low bounce, which means you can safely drop the barbell to the floor without it rebounding and potentially hitting your legs.

The weight tolerance is +/- 1 percent, which means you can accurately load the barbell and ensure balance for the complex compound lifts.

One potential drawback (aside from the price) is the initial rubber smell. Fortunately, it fades over time.

Overall, these plates are a great option because Rogue is a reputable company with excellent customer service. Plus, you get a decent warranty period on the plates, which offers peace of mind.

4. Best Urethane: Titan Fitness Urethane Bumper Plates

While spending $340 for a pair of 45-lb plates may seem ludicrous, the investment is well worth it because these are some of the best weight plates on the market today.

First, these are color-coded for easy identification and a cool design. Second, you can pick from a range of plates, spanning from 10 to 55 lbs, which offers flexibility during your training.

Third, the plates are made of urethane rubber, known for its excellent durability and resistance to scratches and dents.

Fourth, the low bounce means you can comfortably drop the barbell even from an overhead position without worrying that it might rebound in your direction. Additionally, the slim design allows you to load more plates.

To top it all off, the weight tolerance is a mere one percent, which means you get excellent accuracy for safe and effective workouts.

The drawback is that these plates have limited availability, so you may need to be patient.

5. Most Stylish: Fringe Sport Savage Bumper Plates

One look at these plates is enough to tell you that the Fringe Sport Savage bumper plates stand out in the design department. Their unique aesthetics make them the ideal choice for anyone who wants to build a more interesting home gym.

Fortunately, their cool design isn’t the only good thing about them. Despite their relatively high price ($215 for a pair of 45s), you can pick from 10 to 55 lbs, which offers versatility for your training.

These plates are also made of quality virgin rubber and have a high durometer rating, ensuring a low bounce, making them ideal for intense compound lifts. With a weight tolerance of just one percent, you also get high accuracy and a good balance between the two sides of the barbell.

The two main drawbacks are the higher price point and the potentially longer shipping times some users have reported. However, despite that, the benefits are plentiful, making these bumper plates a fantastic option.

To top it all off, you get a year-long warranty on the 10 and 15-lb plates and three years on the 25+ lb ones.

6. Best Competition: Rogue Calibrated Steel Weight Plates

The Rogue Calibrated steel weight plates are a top-notch choice for people who prioritize precision, durability, and cool design. They aren't that much more expensive at $225 for a pair of 45-lb plates.

Something that makes these plates stand out is the extensive weight range, going from as low as 0.25 lbs and 0.25 kg to 55 lbs and 50 kg, which offers all the flexibility you will ever need when loading a barbell.

These plates are made from cast iron, ensuring incredible durability. Their thin design makes it possible to load multiple plates on both sides of the bar, even if the sleeves aren’t that long.

The best part? Their weight tolerance is +/- 10 grams. This is incredibly impressive and much better than the accuracy you get from other plates.

A couple of drawbacks are that the plates may be prone to rust if kept in a humid environment, and the cast iron construction means they are not ideal for dropping unless you don’t mind chipping the paint or damaging your floor.

7. Best Change Plates: Rogue Change Plates

The Rogue change plates are not the most affordable option on the market, but their precision and convenience make the investment worthwhile. You can pick from 1.25 to 10 lbs and 0.5 to 5 kilos, ideal for adjusting the load on accessory barbell lifts.

These plates are made of cast iron and have rubber coating, though you’re unlikely to ever hit the floor with them during most exercises. The larger plates with a bigger diameter will be the ones to absorb the impact.

The color coding allows for easy identification, making it easy to quickly pick the right plates and adjust the load for your training. Moreover, their tolerance is +/- 10 grams, which offers exceptional accuracy.

As a whole, these are an excellent choice if you value micro loading and struggle to make 10-lb jumps on some barbell exercises.

Why Your Home Gym Needs Weight Plates

Weight plates are a fundamental part of any good gym, especially for folks interested in building muscle and strength through compound barbell lifts.

First, weight plates allow for incredible versatility because you can use them to load a barbell, a short bar, an EZ bar, or even some plate-loaded machines. You can also use weight plates to load bodyweight exercises (e.g., pull-ups with the help of a weight belt) or even lift them as is to target different muscles––for example, wheel turns are excellent for shoulder growth.

Second, plates are necessary for progressive overload. Long-term muscle and strength gain require pushing yourself harder and placing more stress on your body. Weight plates allow for incremental load increases and the necessary overload.

Third, weight plates are far more space-efficient compared to gym machines. One barbell and some weight plates won’t take up much space; you can even store them in a spare bedroom or a small basement.

Finally, weight plates are incredibly durable and will likely last a lifetime, even if you don’t care for them that much. That makes them a worthwhile investment for your home gym.

Factors to Consider When Purchasing Weight Plates

1. Workout Style

Your workout style will determine what plates you should buy. For example, iron plates are great for powerlifters because they are typically thinner, allowing trainees to load up more of them on the barbell sleeve.

In contrast, folks interested in Olympic lifting or CrossFit might opt for bumper plates because these are designed to be dropped and not damage the floor.

2. Budget

The cost of weight plates can vary greatly, depending on the material, brand, weight tolerance, and other factors. Determine your budget and consider the best option for you without sacrificing quality and safety.

3. Barbell Sleeve Diameter

This one is relatively straightforward, but make sure the hole in the center of the weight plate fits over the sleeve of your barbell. The standard size is 50.6 mm, but there are also 25 mm options available.

4. Material

Iron, steel, and rubber-coated weight plates tend to be more affordable, while rubber and urethane ones cost more per pound.

5. Weight Accuracy

If you’re serious about your lifting and care about your stats, consider plates with a higher degree of weight accuracy––for example, the Rogue Calibrated Steel Weight Plates and Rogue Change Plates.

6. Design

While not nearly as important as functionality (I know some of you won’t agree with this), the design of your plates also matters. It can add to the atmosphere of your home gym, allowing you to create your little slice of iron paradise.

Some folks prefer the classic iron look, while others prefer color-coded plates.

Best Weight Plates Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Should I get olympic or regular weight plates?

The type of weight plates you should get depends on your goals and budget. Olympic plates are generally better for more advanced trainees, whereas regular ones are a more cost-effective option for the average lifter.

2. Who manufactures the best weight plates?

Rogue Fitness, Titan Fitness, and Fringe Sport are three companies that produce high-quality weight plates and other fitness equipment.

3. What’s a good price for weight plates?

Weight plate prices range from around $1.50 to $4 per pound. Iron plates tend to be the most affordable but are also prone to chipping and rust. In contrast, competition rubber and urethane bumper plates cost the most and are of excellent quality.

Somewhere in the middle is ideal for most people.

4. What are the best weight plates for powerlifting?

While several manufacturers offer quality weight plates, we recommend Rogue Fitness if you’re looking for the best weights on the market, especially for powerlifting and competition.

Final Words

Picking the right weight plates is crucial for setting up a home gym you can love. Whether you prefer the look and feel of old-school iron plates or are drawn to the charm of newer, more colorful designs, take the time to consider what would make you happy.

Additionally, consider things like budget and training style. Iron plates might be your ideal choice, but if you do a lot of Olympic lifting or CrossFit and frequently drop the barbell on the floor, purchasing a set of bumper plates instead might be better.

Similarly, consider calibrated plates if you aspire to compete, and every pound counts.

This guide is just a starting point, and I hope you’ve gotten a few good ideas. However, I recommend doing your research to see what makes the most sense for you.

Read next:

• The 8 Best Budget Power Racks, Cages & Stands (2023)
• The 6 Best Barbell Collars In 2023 (Budget, Premium & More)
• The 7 Best Short Barbells For Your Gym (2023)