MX Select MX85 Rapid Change Dumbbells (Reference) review

Bottom line: the MX85 is the heavier end of MX Select’s older adjustable-dumbbell family: the manufacturer’s guide identifies a pair from 12.5 to 85 lb per hand, with a fairly high starting load and broad standard jumps. That makes it a useful reference for someone who wants more than an ordinary 50-pound pair can supply, but not a light-start system. The current MX Select global pages still describe contoured and knurled MX85 versions; the historical U.S. package and exact handle option are not crosswalked to a current American seller listing, so this assessment is for identification and comparison, not a buy recommendation.

What the MX85 documentation actually supports

The MX Select 2022 product guide names the MX85 and identifies the included set as a pair of dumbbells, weight plates and cradles. It lists 12.5 lb as the minimum and 85 lb as the maximum for each handset. Its weight legend shows ten standard selections: 12.5, 21, 29, 37, 45, 53, 61, 69, 77 and 85 lb. That is a long progression without a lot of close-in loading options. The product page rounds the ladder to eight-pound increments; the first printed jump is wider than that shorthand, so use the actual dial legend for the exact version rather than assuming a perfectly even mathematical series.

There is a second source wrinkle: MX Fitness Supply’s 2022 launch announcement promoted MX85 steps “as low as” four pounds, while the model-specific product guide and current MX Select pages show the coarser standard balanced sequence. The older MX Select user guide says to adjust both ends to the desired training weight. It does not document an MX85 routine that would turn the announcement’s four-pound phrase into a matching, equal-end set of selections. If small jumps are a must, treat four-pound spacing as unconfirmed and check the physical unit’s own weight legend and instructions.

Who benefits from the high ceiling—and who does not

The 85-pound maximum is the point of this model. It may be worth investigating for a lifter whose established dumbbell work is already above 50 lb per hand and who wants selector-style changes rather than a full rack of fixed pairs. The supplied cradles keep the system organized, and the handsets shorten at lighter settings: MX Select lists about 9.58 inches at minimum and 16.06 inches at maximum. The pair’s listed footprint is about 16.45 by 19.52 by 9.85 inches. Those dimensions are more useful than the brand’s broad claim that one pair replaces a rack; measure your own storage and pressing path before deciding.

The 12.5-pound floor is a real limitation, not a small print detail. It rules out lighter warm-ups and many beginners’ first upper-body loads. The standard choices are also much farther apart than five-pound ladders. For a documented 5–50 lb range and lighter start, the Core Home Fitness pair is a different option; it gives up the MX85’s top end. At the other end, compare the newer MX100 EVO assessment if you need more than 85 lb, but do not assume its selector parts, stand fit, load steps or package are interchangeable with this older MX85.

Selector routine and setup matter

This is not a dial to turn while holding the dumbbell. The MX Select user guide warns that the selector dial should be adjusted only while the handset is sitting in its weight cradle, and directs the user to set both ends before lifting. The selected dial is pushed home to lock. That cradle-dependent routine is part of the actual use plan: a missing or mismatched tray is not a harmless cosmetic omission. The guide also describes assembly and cradle spacing checks, which are worth reviewing before using a second-hand set.

The current global manufacturer pages distinguish contoured and knurled handle versions. The contoured page describes an antimicrobial grip, while the knurled page names a steel grip and matching selector dials. The 2022 U.S. announcement described the redesigned line’s contoured handles, but the archived U.S. source does not establish a retailer SKU or link it to both present global options. The accompanying official MX85 illustration shows the contoured handle and a printed selector legend. It is an illustration, not proof of the handle or package in a particular used listing. Confirm the grip and all supplied parts in person or from the seller’s exact model documentation.

Reference status and alternatives

A manufacturer announcement documents U.S. web availability in 2022, and MX Select continues to publish global MX85 product pages. The current U.S. collection snapshot we checked lists MX55, MX70 and MX100 instead; that does not prove the MX85 is discontinued or sold out, but it leaves a current U.S. purchase route and exact seller configuration unverified. For that reason it is kept as a reference-only model and is excluded from the finder, even when earlier products are requested. There is no verified current purchase link or price here.

If you are comparing a specific second-hand MX85, ask for a clear photograph of its model marking, both selector legends, matched cradles and both grips; verify that all plates engage, both ends can be set consistently, and the seller’s instructions match the handset. Do not rely on a generic “85 lb” title alone. If you need a currently documented purchase choice, use the finder to compare a verified current configuration whose lower limit, exact settings and handle are confirmed for your requirements.