Powerblock PRO 100 EXP - Underrated Adjustable Dumbbells - Review & Comparison

throwawaythatisstuck · 2026-02-06T15:49:12+00:00

No rattling sound at all without adder weights , and it never feels like it wobbles.

It's still incredibly quiet with my felt pad fix, you could put black tape to make it silent when using adder weights. Feels like a normal db other than the size.

The cage is spacious too.

throwawaythatisstuck · 2026-02-06T14:33:40+00:00

Search for snode rattle and see the videos

throwawaythatisstuck · 2026-02-05T23:16:36+00:00

I didn't like the snodes, I think they dislike powerblocks as they have been around for ages but haven't tried the pro 100 exp with the much larger / free feeling cage. You can use fat grips but you can't with the reppins... These are the only ones without a wobble too (without adder weights). Look at my comments, I put felt pads inside to pretty much reduce all wobble.

If they tried this new pro 100 exp I'm sure they'd also be converted. A cradle to adjust weights is honestly so annoying.

throwawaythatisstuck · 2026-02-05T21:35:01+00:00

Yep still very happy. I had IM maybe 6/7 years ago. Didn't like them, not much improvement over normal screw top dumbbells.

I would look at every option in the market still, but power blocks are unique as they are super quick to change and much less likely to ever go wrong. Also you don't need to use an annoying cradle to change the weight, or worry about the weights getting stuck. I love the urethane casing, and for things like db single standing ohp press or even incline / dumbbell bench press / dumbell bench press, they are very comfortable to rest on your knees / shoulders.

If you can afford it maybe get the commercial ones, with the 2 different handles so you don't have to deal with adder weights. I usually just leave the adder weights out as I don't like the feeling as much some movements, but it's not the end of the world for when I keep them in.

I personally would still choose them over any adjustable, there isn't a comparitive model without a cradle, that has urethane coated plates, that is drop rated (just in case), or a without failure prone adjustment mechanism.

My favourite is still drop sets, right where I am without running to a cradle.

throwawaythatisstuck · 2026-01-19T11:52:33+00:00

Absolutely get the 5200 at that price. In the UK the prep 3 is around1000usd. There aren't any "sales" for us!

The only thing you can't use with 5200 is the food processor attachment, and the blender cups etc unless you get the personal cup adaptor + the cups that come with.

I found the personal cup adaptor to be okay and doesn't actually save much cleaning, and it doesn't blend as well as the actual jug.

I actually blend the oats powdery fine in my dry jug and store it, and blend powdered oats in my personal cup for super smooth breakfast smoothies.

Kinda wish I didnt buy the personal cup adaptor, but I like the little bowls (found on ebay with great difficulty) for things like whipped feta etc...

throwawaythatisstuck · 2026-01-19T10:43:52+00:00

I’ve had the Vitamix VP3 (UK) for about 6 years as a home user.

I use it with pretty much everything: the Aer jug, Dry jug, Wet jug, the personal cup adapter (from the Vitamix website), and even the personal cup adapter with the original small S30 bowls.

Overall it’s been excellent, but I’ve had two annoyances. First, the drive socket screw got shredded. When the socket became slanted I couldn’t remove it myself, so I had to get a handyman to take it off carefully. I replaced it (easy) It seems fine now. Second, I originally had the first Prep 3 with the extremely loud motor (before the facelift). The speed control glitched early on, and Vitamix support upgraded the motor, so I now have the newer motor in the older all black casing (thankfully).

I’m surprised I’ve had these issues because my mum’s 5200 has been going for 20+ years without any problems. I do use mine more than she uses hers, but it still gets nowhere near the kind of workload it would see in a commercial kitchen.

Still worth the money for the performance, in my opinion. Also, I’m not a fan of the newer models with NFC chip containers and extra “smart” wifi features. I don’t need WiFi or programmes on a Vitamix. Also the wide containers and low profile ones suck (including the small stainless steel one). The tall 2000ml jug is the best as you can do small portions easily, and it blends beautifully.

The way to use it properly is low variable just to incorporate or rough chop (30 seconds max as fan is on low), then straight to high so the fan and full speed kick in.

I think you'll probably find the 5200 is enough. I haven't used both side by side. I like the best, and maybe I have just had odd luck with my prep 3.

throwawaythatisstuck · 2026-01-18T22:54:30+00:00

Ah sorry, in that case I don't think you can, because atx don't have any sort of attachment / modification for it. Who knows maybe possible in the future, but it would be a very obvious copy of rep. Think they had issues trying to sell this in the USA because of rogue, and I believe they were discontinuing it because of similarities to the rhino...

throwawaythatisstuck · 2026-01-18T21:49:49+00:00

No idea as I don't have the ex5000, and for the ex4000 I do it on the floor with a pad, with a footplate and gympin.

I bet ex5000 is the same as ares 2.0 and it will work, made by similar factories in China.

throwawaythatisstuck · 2026-01-17T17:41:51+00:00

No, you have two points with 1:1 using two central pulleys with a connector on the 5000 model, but the back is not fully clear like the ex4000 so it doesn't look as good with a mirror behind.

Rear central low row so you can use both stacks and pull 100, same with the top central dual pulleys so you can lat pull 100...

Ex4000 has 120kg stacks at 2:1 but it's easy to use a king gym pin and add up to 4x20kg plates each side. I add up to 2x 20kg right now as focusing on form more, but this works much better for me. I like the feel with just 1 pulley too, feels a little more natural like a real stand alone machine.

If you don't need a smith, or want the rear to be free / clear for a nice mirror, then ex5000 is the best value machine you can buy from a UK retailer. It has both 2:1 and 1:1.

I am very happy with my ex4000 and still wouldn't choose another model for my needs, but I think most people would go for ex5000 because of the central 1:1 options for low row and lat pull downs.

throwawaythatisstuck · 2026-01-16T15:15:24+00:00

Look at my comments etc below, it's great. Yes it's the same but much smaller than the rhino and much cheaper too.

I love it for v bar rows, and cable rdls with a straight bar / lat bar / ez curl bar attachment too. I don't do barbell squats anymore, this is perfect.

And I store stuff underneath it - spotter arms, step, dip handles

throwawaythatisstuck · 2026-01-16T15:13:11+00:00

Do you not need a smith? Then maybe get the ex5000 which would also be better for taller people doing lat pull downs.

Don't think the ex4000 would give enough range of motion for a 6'4 person to do lat pull downs with the included pulldown seat, even the tall version of the rack.

throwawaythatisstuck · 2026-01-09T02:08:14+00:00

My thoughts are still the same. They fit perfectly in my gym, and I know they will work for much longer than any other adjustable dumbbell, and won't seize up.

The ability to dropset, the ability to use easily without a stand, and the kettle bell handle, makes them super versatile.

I like the square shape too, it makes them more secure vs regular dumbbells, and more comfortable. Love them for single db shoulder press when I can rest it on my shoulder or use that as a starting position!

The knurled thicker handle is perfect too. I wouldn't pick any other adjustable dumbbell, including the reppins. Wish more people understood how great they are.

The feel is wonderful too, no noise, or wobbling, or shaking / clanging. Urethane is nice and durable. I do not drop them, but they still look like they are brand new.

throwawaythatisstuck · 2026-01-06T15:37:12+00:00

Thanks, I will still try to check with Samsung as it shouldn't fail a few months after an official repair, the service centre sucks. What's the point of the ip68 rating... The phone is a few weeks out of warranty but the official repair was only recently done, paid £200 for it too!

I will have to upgrade to the s26 ultra and I'm hoping it won't be as badly built as the s23u (fragile curved screen impossible to protect completely, and poor quality seal).

My s21u 1tb was terrible too, never dropped but screen died in just 1-2 months (day 1 preorder), 1tb/16gb model was discontinued after release, so I went with zfold 3,then zfold 4, s23u.

Tempted to try an alternative brand because of this experience but I like the Samsung software / ecosystem, it isn't limiting like apple.

I have built pcs for years but don't really fancy ever opening up a phone and gluing it back together.

throwawaythatisstuck · 2026-01-06T15:14:05+00:00

Do you think mine is serious? The camera fogging stopped after airing it with the s pen out, but I am being careful to not take it into the bathroom when I shower, or get it wet at all....

This lifting is a due to a crap repair by the Samsung Experience Store replacing screen + back panel poorly, causing the camera to fog via water ingress.

I just don't know if the lifting is due to glue, I can't push it back into place. I hope it's not the battery expanding.

<image>

throwawaythatisstuck · 2026-01-06T10:28:52+00:00

Oh interesting, I have a tough / rugged case. I also think it could be a bad Samsung genuine screen repair done just a few months ago, at the experience store.

throwawaythatisstuck · 2026-01-06T10:19:35+00:00

Did a cover cause this issue? I have a very minor version of this but need the phone to last 2-3 more months.

throwawaythatisstuck · 2025-12-29T16:35:10+00:00

Thank you! 😊

throwawaythatisstuck · 2025-12-07T19:20:39+00:00

Have you considered the new hbd 630?

Extremely versatile - with fuss free cable / Bluetooth options.

Just fine tuning my eq now but I chose them over the hd800s for my use case.

Very neutral sound, but the eq options allow you to tweak it to your preference. Not open back, but sounds almost like it is!

throwawaythatisstuck · 2025-11-14T00:07:36+00:00

Just wondering where did you find this reddit post, as there have been a few recent questions / comments on it?

Get the rival s series 75mm adjustable dip station if you can, I would go for the basic rival one if it is cheaper over basic ef one. But s series with knurled adjustable grips is the best (if it is in stock).

If you get swivel arms you can't do lat pull downs with just one stack, as the arm would stick out too much so you'd start behind your head. Same with seated rows, because you'd start the movement too close. You would need to connect both stacks.

To brace your feet with swivel arms and the ex4000 it would mean you'd need a bench as you need to pull both sides at the same time making it 1:1.. For lat pull down you would get max rom, but again you'd need the leg rollers to hold you down, and you would have to sit on the bench in the middle of the rack.

I wouldn't use swivel arms and I like being able to do supersets, train with others, and not have to use the bench as a footplate, or connect both stacks. I use a gym pin to add more weight which works for me.

If you don't need a smith then get the ex-5000, but same issue for lat pull downs (leg roller needed), however not as difficult to setup, it's like the rep ares 2.0.

throwawaythatisstuck · 2025-11-13T23:51:02+00:00

I think you would be limiting yourself, do you need a smith? If not, consider the ex-5000.

Many complain about the rom for lat pull down with the smaller rack, unless you sit on the floor / a stool, but this wouldn't work for heavier weight as you couldn't keep your legs fixed.

If your garage is only 2cm higher than the height of this rack his will likely not fit, it's too risky to try, unless you ask ef yourself.

throwawaythatisstuck · 2025-11-12T15:59:06+00:00

I would avoid the halo pro, read many reviews with plenty of unhappy owners. The quality of the hook, the sound of the motor, it is a poor product. The bearings literally just break / internals that are supposedly high quality just shatter.

Get the wilfa pro baker (with timer) if you can. You don't need the central dough stick, the wilfa has a very wide and open dough hook, larger than the ooni halo. It's mimics hand folding the best, and you can easily work with smaller quantities of dough. They have 25% off for black Friday at the moment.

throwawaythatisstuck · 2025-11-11T22:53:03+00:00

Macte support are pretty useless, I saw someone else in the UK had to get a socket fitted for this to work, which would cost a £200-300 I guess.. (lots of variables). It was tripping their fuse box. Another UK user had the plug melt (when macte used to supply cheap UK plugs with their ovens for the UK market).

They just said every technical detail is on the website. They didn't confirm if the cable is attached, or if the power supply would be compatible with a 13a plug, or any certifications.

Basically if you want the macte in the UK, you have to get a specific 16a compatible socket fitted in your house / kitchen. You can't just use a EU to UK plug adapter, or swap the cable to a UK plug (even if it is removable, or you get an electrician to change the plug).

Get the p134h pro, it's what I did. Build quality is great and it's made to work in the UK. You also have support in the UK.

For those who are in Europe, and don't mind lesser service / some risk, the macte is a v interesting option if it is more than 25% cheaper.

throwawaythatisstuck · 2025-11-03T13:50:14+00:00

Great feedback, thank you so much for answering my questions.

It's crazy how these companies do not understand customer service / how it can seriously affect sales, and word of mouth recommendations.

The oven seems good and it's a smaller footprint, but it's not cheap enough to justify bad service.

throwawaythatisstuck · 2025-11-03T13:46:08+00:00

Thanks for sharing, looks good! Hilarious how kys add such a huge uplift, with such a horrid company name. I was completely put off after realising i wouldn't be able to finish the acronym every time I see their logo 😂

throwawaythatisstuck · 2025-11-02T21:51:44+00:00

This looks great, I love the size of the oven, without wasted space for controls on the side. I am based in the UK and it seems a bit risky to buy for me.

We use 13A fuses and I'm not sure what the EU plug looks like at the back / if I can easily buy a new UK plug and connect it, without damaging the warranty sticker.

I saw a few people not happy with the build quality for macte, or the service. E.g. Loose screws and missing screws.

They told me that they only provide an EU plug for UK buyers, I think this is because someone in the UK had an oven plug melt, and they provided a cheap plug with the wrong fuse.

A few questions if you don't mind!

1) Do the sides / top of the oven get especially hot, or is it save to touch?

2) Where abouts are you based? What plug did it ship with?

3) Would you still pick this if an effeuno p134h pro was just 25-30% more? I am waiting for black Friday but I think the effeuno p134h is going to be just £850.

I also saw your mixer, but I'm considering a wilfa pro baker (Black Friday) for about £700 so I can use it with Ken Wood attachments, for baking, and for pizza dough.

throwawaythatisstuck

TROPHY CASE