If you are on the hunt for some cheap, strong, and reliable bumper plates then you have come to the right place.
Below is a review of the most affordable bumper plates on the market. Out of this selection, you may find the one that is exactly what you need.
- OneFitWonder Bumper Plate
- XMark XM-3393 Olympic Bumpers
- Rep Fitness Bumper Plates
- X Training Equipment Color Bumper Plates
- Titan Fitness Bumper Plates
OneFitWonder Bumper Plate
Fringe Sport offers some of the thinnest bumper plates on the market. Even better is that they are durable and relatively cheap. These weight plates also have numerous solid features.
Features
The OneFitWonder bumper plates feature steel hooked inserts that give greater stability than other metal inserts. Their plates also have high durability with a low bounce factor. It is based on their unique rubber formula.
Unfortunately, the smell from the plates can be overwhelming. Also, the flimsy feel to them may lead you to expect poor quality.
Pros
- Thin
- Low bounce, high durability rubber formula
- Stainless-steel hooked inserts
Cons
- Overpowering smell
- Feels flimsy
Who It’s For
These may not be the cheapest plates, but they are excellent for anyone who needs thinner plates. The thinness allows you to put more weight on the bars.
XMark XM-3393 Olympic Bumpers
Buying the cheapest bumper plates does not mean sacrificing quality. Xmark Fitness’s XM-3393 is a quality bumper plate without an inflated price point.
Features
The XM-3393 features 95% virgin rubber, thin plates for your weight bar. They are designed for an Olympic bar. And, fit snugly with a curved stainless-steel flange ring.
These are not perfect, however, since the smell is very strong and can linger. Also, the warranty does not cover 10- and 15-pound plates.
PROS
- 95% virgin rubber thin plates
- Fit snugly to the bar
CONS
- Strong smell that may not go away
- Warranty doesn’t cover 10 or 15 lb. plates
Who It’s For
These are great plates for you if you are looking for name recognition as reassurance. However, if you are sensitive to smells you may want to pass on this one.
Rep Fitness Bumper Plates
Next are the rubber bumper plates featured by Rep Fitness. They are durable. They are droppable. And, they are one of the least expensive plates on the market.
Features
These plates feature a low-bounce factor. And, the 10 lb. plate is a little thicker for higher durability. While the 45-lb. plates are thinner to stack more on your bar.
They were tested to take over 15,000 drops from about 8 feet. And, they have specially designed steel hooks molded into the plates. It reduces the chance for the insert to pop out and improves durability.
However, despite the special rubber formula to reduce odor, expect it to still be present.
Finally, the warranty can be confusing as well. You only receive a 1-year warranty for 10 and 15 lb. plates. But, the warranty jumps up to 3-years if you buy the heavier plates.
PROS
- Low-bounce
- 10 lb. plate a little thicker
- 45 lb. plate thinner
- Steel hooks to keep plates in place
CONS
- Strong odor
- Limited warranty on lower plate weight
Who It’s For
These are solid rubber bumpers, especially for someone who is not sensitive to smell. Also, unless you plan on buying the heavier weight plates the limited warranty on 10 and 15 lb. plates may be unappealing to you as well.
X Training Equipment Color Bumper Plates
If you would rather not go with a name brand plate, this may be the one for you. And, they are the cheapest bumper plate on this list.
Features
First, these are color-coded rubber bumper plates. If that is a deal-breaker, you may as well skip to the next review. But, the color-coding feature can come in handy if you want to grab the correct weight plate quickly.
They are low bounce and are sold in pairs as well as singles. And, while they do have steel inserts, there are no hooks or other locking mechanisms for the plates.
Lastly, like many bumper plates, they smell. And, they feel a bit greasy. You can always wipe them down, but the smell never really goes away.
PROS
- Color coded
- Low bounce
- Sold in singles and pairs
CONS
- No locking mechanism
- Strong smell
- Feel a little greasy
Who It’s For
These are the best plates for someone looking for an inexpensive, off-brand alternative. They are even cheaper than the cheapest bumpers on this list. However, once again if you are sensitive to smells you may not like this one either.
Titan Fitness Bumper Plates
Titan Fitness bumper plates are probably one you’ve never heard of. But, that’s okay because it is one of the least expensive plates on the market.
Features
These bumper plates offer you versatility because they fit both Olympic bars that are 2” or less in diameter. Or, you can fit them on your 2” dumbbell bars.
They are durable rubber plates. And have a steel ring that helps maintain its shape. They are also available in different pairing colors.
They are not, however, meant to be thrown down on the floor or dropped. Unlike other bumper plates, they will not be able to withstand that treatment.
PROS
- Fit on either Olympic bar or dumbbell bar
- Available in different colors and sizes
CONS
- Cannot withstand being thrown or dropped
Who It’s For
This is for you if you have a home gym and work out casually. It cannot withstand much abuse. And, like most bumper plates you will find this one also has a smell, though, it dissipates a little quicker than the other cheapest bumper plates on the list.
Our Recommendation
If you are just starting out in Olympic weightlifting or strength training in general, OneFitWonder by Fringe Sport or XMark’s XM line is the way you will want to go for budget bumper plates. They offer quality and the reassurance of brand name recognition without the brand name price.
But, if you want to go with the most value for the cheapest price you can’t beat X Training or Rep Fitness’ bumper plates. They can withstand a beating and still hold up. Unfortunately, if you are sensitive to smells they may be a no-go for you.
In that case, Titan Fitness offers the least expensive bumper plates with a smell that isn’t as strong as the others. But, they cannot withstand rough handling. So, if you opt for these as the bumper plates for you, try to be a little gentle.