The Best Bumper Plates of 2024

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Last Updated: December 8, 2023

So, maybe you’re getting your home gym all set up with the right flooring, squat rack, and possibly even a barbell. But, what about weights? While regular iron-weight plates can be the more affordable route, we strongly urge you to consider bumper plates, especially if you plan on doing things like cleans, jerks, and even deadlifts. Bumper plates are made of rubber and can help protect your floor, walls, and your new barbell when they’re dropped, either on accident or on purpose. They have a low bounce to be used in smaller spaces and to help minimize your risk of injury. Our team has compiled this list of the best bumper plates with the goal of aiding you in finding the right kind of bumper plates for your home gym.

Why You Should Trust Us

We genuinely enjoy testing and using a wide variety of gym equipment. With this experience, we know what makes quality equipment and what features make a brand stand out. In this best list of bumper plates, we’ve added a variety to help users determine which bumper plates they should get. So, whether you’re looking for urethane, competition, or just rubber bumper plates, we have you covered.

The Best Bumper Plates Of 2024

• Best Bumper Plates Overall: Fringe Sport Black Bumper Plates
• Best Competition Bumper Plates: Rogue Competition Plates
• Best Urethane Bumper Plates: Titan Fitness Urethane Bumper Plates
• Best Bumper Plates For Home Gym: Fringe Sport Savage Bumper Plate Sets
• Best High-End Bumper Plates: Hammer Strength Premium Rubber Color Bumpers
• Best Rogue Bumper Plates: Rogue Echo Bumper Plates V2
• Best Crumb Rubber Bumper Plates: Fringe Sport Hi-Temp Bumper Plates
• Best Bumper Plates On Amazon: REP Fitness Black Bumper Plates
• Best Budget Bumper Plates: AMGYM LB Bumper Plates

Sneak Peek of the Best Bumper Plates:

Here Are The Best Bumper Plates of 2024

1. Best Bumper Plates Overall: Fringe Sport Black Bumper Plates

The Fringe Sport Black Bumper Plates are at the top of our list of best bumper plates because they’re impressively engineered. They’re highly durable to handle dropping, yet they’re made with virgin rubber to not damage your floors. Feel free to drop these bumper plates from Fringe Sport, they’re designed to handle it and covered with a year warranty, just in case. You can even drop the 10 lb pair! They also have a low bounce to be used in smaller spaces. This is perfect if your home gym is compact.

These Black Bumper Plates are made to be dense and thinner than other bumper plates on the market. This means you can load your barbell with even more weight because you’ll have the extra room! Plus, all of Fringe Sport’s Black Bumper Plates have the same diameter which fits most 2” barbell sleeves.

The stainless steel insert is a nice touch that adds to the overall durability of these bumper plates. You’ll be able to perform any kind of lift with these and with weight options from 10 lb pairs up to 55 lb pairs, you can load up your home gym with as much weight as you like. Check out the Fringe Sport Black Bumper Plates if you’re looking for durable, backed bumper plates that you can use and drop for years to come.

2. Best Competition Bumper Plates: Rogue Competition Plates

If you’re a serious lifter who is looking for competition bumper plates, then the Rogue Competition Plates are for you. These competition bumper plates have less bounce, yet are slim so you’ll be sure to stack a lot of weight on your bar. They have a high durometer of 94, that’s really impressive and some of the highest in the industry. The center discs are made of steel and chrome plated as well as an IWF standard diameter of 450mm.

Some thought definitely went into creating the Rogue Competition Plates. The rubber surface is raised enough so the steel center discs don’t rub together and cause damage over time. These plates also have raised lettering and a textured matte finish that’s protected by the raised surface. I especially like that they have a lip on the edges of each plate so you can lift them off the ground more easily.

The Rogue Competition Plates come in classic colors to help you easily determine how much weight you have loaded on each sleeve. These competition bumper plates come in pairs or sets, depending on how much weight you need. Whether you need them for competition or you’re just looking for well-constructed competition plates, then these from Rogue are ones to consider.

3. Best Urethane Bumper Plates: Titan Fitness Urethane Bumper Plates

The Titan Fitness Urethane Bumper Plates are our top pick for urethane bumper plates. The center insert is chrome plated and they’re made with urethane rubber. Urethane is harder and more durable than rubber. So, these urethane bumper plates from Titan Fitness have a really low bounce, making them great for use in small spaces.

These bumper plates come in very vibrant colors and the plates are sold individually, in pairs, and as a set. They have a nice texture that keeps them from being slippery, as well as a raised lip to make them easier to pick up off the ground.

The plates are dense and pretty thin at 0.95” to 2.2”. Normally, urethane bumper plates can be pretty pricy, but we’re pleased with this price point on the Titan Fitness Urethane Bumper Plates.
If you’re looking for a quality and affordable set of urethane plates then these are definitely ones to consider.

4. Best Bumper Plates For Home Gym: Fringe Sport Savage Bumper Plate Sets

Arguably the coolest-looking bumper plates on this list are the Fringe Sport Savage Bumper Plate Sets. The tiger streaks and colors are made for these plates to be easy to find and determine how much weight you have loaded. They help take the extra thinking out of it, especially if you’re looking to get a quick lift in.

Beyond looking cool, these bumper plates are durable, thin, and have minimal bounce. They’re made with virgin rubber to be dense, so you can use them in smaller spaces as well as be able to stack a lot of them on your bar. The Fringe Sport Savage Bumper Plates are sold in sets ranging from 100 lbs up to 370 lbs. The plates range from 10 lbs up to 55 lbs.

They have a durometer of 85 sHA for the 25, 35, 45, and 55 lb plates. The 10’s and 15’s are 90 sHA, so you can drop them and not have to worry about damaging your floors, walls, or your barbell. The insert is made of stainless steel and is designed to fit most 2” barbell sleeves. So, on top of a fun look, the Fringe Sport Savage Bumper Plate Sets are functional and a great addition to any home gym.

5. Best High-End Bumper Plates: Hammer Strength Premium Rubber Color Bumpers

If you’re looking for the best high-end bumper plates, then the Hammer Strength Premium Rubber Color Bumpers are for you. These bumper plates come in vibrant colors to make distinguishing between different weight sizes quick and easy. The weight plates come in 25, 35, 45, and 55 lbs. They’re sold individually so you can select however many you need.

These premium bumper plates are all 450 mm in diameter no matter which sized weight you use. They vary a little in width for each sized plate. They also have a 90 sHA durometer, so they’re dense with that low, dead bounce that you want in a bumper plate.

At Life Fitness, Hammer Strength backs the Premium Rubber Color Bumpers with a nice 3-year warranty. With the hard chrome plated steel center hub and rubber-to-core bonding system, these plates should last you a long time. Not only can you expect great-looking rubber bumper plates from Hammer Strength, but you can expect them to be very durable as well.

6. Best Rogue Bumper Plates: Rogue Echo Bumper Plates V2

Another option from Rogue Fitness that we recommend are the Rogue Echo Bumper Plates V2. They’re popular with a classic black look with bright white lettering. These bumper plates have been tried and tested, and coming from Rogue, they’re durable to boot. I really like that they can be purchased in pairs as well as in sets.

The Rogue Echo Bumper Plates V2 are made of virgin rubber and have an IWF Standard in diameter. They’re also ACFT (Army Combat Fitness Test) approved! We appreciate that they’re accurate and within 1% of the listed weight.

Heavy lifters will get a lot of use out of these best rogue bumper plates because they’re slim enough to load your bar with a lot of weight. They also have minimal bounce and an 88 durometer rating so you can drop them without worrying about damaging your barbell. Users will get a lot of use out of these multipurpose bumper plates from Rogue.

7. Best Crumb Rubber Bumper Plates: Fringe Sport Hi-Temp Bumper Plates

If you’re eco-conscious or just looking for the best crumb rubber bumper plates, then look no further than the Fringe Sport Hi-Temp Bumper Plates. They’re made from recycled rubber and made in the U.S. These hi-temp bumper plates are a bit wider, so while you won’t be able to load as many as say comp bumpers, you can drop and use these with ease knowing they’re more resistant to bending and cracking.

They’re highly durable and can handle any type of workout, as well as being dropped. They do have a higher bounce than other rubber bumper plates, but they’re built to last. We really like that Fringe Sport included steel inserts that pair well with these crumb rubber bumper plates. The 10 and 15-lb plates are durable as well as the others, so they should handle all kinds of use.

The Fringe Sport Hi-Temp Bumper Plates are sold in pairs of 10, 15, 25, 35, and 45 lbs. You can also purchase them in sets of 190 and 260 lbs. They’re great for home as well as commercial gyms, and users can expect to perform all kinds of exercises with these hi-temp bumper plates.

8. Best Bumper Plates On Amazon: REP Fitness Black Bumper Plates

When shopping on Amazon, it can kind of be a gamble sometimes on the quality of the product that you’re purchasing. The REP Fitness Black Bumper Plates have earned the best bumper plates on Amazon on this list because they come from a reputable brand, are impressively constructed, and are affordable.

They remind us of the Rogue Echo Bumpers because they’re similarly built and come in a classic black and white design. I really like that they’re sold in a variety of weights. You can purchase the REP Fitness Black Bumper Plates in 5, 10, 25, 35, and 45 lb pairs. They’re also available in 160, 190, 230, 250, 260, and 370 lb sets. Keep in mind that the 5 lb plates aren’t meant to be dropped. The 10 lb plates are an extra 1” thick though, so they’re designed to be very durable.

The REP Fitness Black Bumper Plates allow users to load up to 515 lbs on the bar. So, heavy lifters should find a lot of use out of these hearty bumper plates. They’re rated for commercial and home use, so you can use them practically anywhere.

9. Best Budget Bumper Plates: AMGYM LB Bumper Plates

Even though bumper plates are pricier than weight plates, that doesn’t mean there aren’t affordable options. The AMGYM LB Bumper Plates are our pick for the best budget bumper plates because they come in a range of sizes all at affordable prices. You can purchase them in pairs as well as sets.

The AMGYM Bumpers are made of virgin rubber and have a steel insert, so they’re durable and suitable to handle weightlifting and powerlifting. They’re said to have a low, dead bounce making them great for small and large home gyms. Their construction also makes them quiet to use, especially compared to iron plates.

The AMGYM LB Bumper Plates come in a range of sizes ranging from 10 lb pairs up to 370 lb sets. These high-density bumper plates range in width depending on the size, so users should be able to load a lot of weight on their barbell sleeves.

Benefits Of Bumper Plates

Bumper plates have a lot of advantages, especially when using them at home.

They’re versatile

Bumper plates are highly versatile. Whether you’re a casual lifter, powerlifter, bodybuilder, or into Crossfit, bumper plates are made to be used for all kinds of lifting. From squats and deadlifts to bench presses and snatches, bumper plates can be used for all kinds of exercises.

Bumper plates can be used with all kinds of weight racks, too.

They’re durable

Bumper plates are made of rubber which makes them durable to use. When you buy well-made bumper plates, you can trust that they’ll last, especially when they’re used and stored correctly. They’re made to be dropped and to handle different environments from home and garage gyms to commercial gyms and even some use outdoors.

They’re safer and less prone to damaging your floor

Because bumper plates are made of rubber and are meant to be dropped, they’re a bit safer for you and your floor than iron plates. They’re designed to bounce and absorb the impact when they hit the floor. Many types of bumper plates are dense and designed to have a low bounce so they’re less likely to hit something or you when they bounce.

They’re also easier to handle. I’ve accidentally dropped iron weights when loading barbells. Fortunately, this hasn’t resulted in any injuries or damage. I have smashed a few fingers when racking metal weight plates though. While this was minor, major injuries like broken toes and feet, as well as damaged flooring, have occurred from metal plates being accidentally dropped. Bumper plates on the other hand are much easier to grab, load, and even just to pick up off the floor.

Of course, when using bumper plates, you want to make sure you have proper gym flooring installed in your home gym to help prevent damage.

Also, if you’re lifting alone in your home, bumper plates give you a little more peace of mind because you can drop them if the weight you’re lifting is too heavy.

What To Factor When Buying Bumper Plates

Bumper plates can be an excellent addition to your home gym, especially if you value durability, quality, and safety when lifting. But what are important factors to consider when buying the best bumper plates for you?

Construction

No matter what kind of lifting you’re doing, you want to make sure that you’re using well-constructed bumper plates. Bumper plates are made from rubber ranging from virgin, recycled, or urethane. The rubber shouldn’t be too hard or too soft, this can affect the quality and also the bounce, which I’ll get into in a moment.

Standard and competition bumper plates have steel inserts. Lower-end plates will sometimes use brass for the insert. The insert adds to the durability of the bumper plate. Competition bumper plates have a larger insert, or center hub, and are thinner and denser than standard bumper plates. These are rated for competition use and allow users to load a lot of weight onto their bar sleeves. Standard and lower-level plates are great for most users and home use. While they don’t have as thick of inserts, they’re still durable and quiet to use. They’re also great for all kinds of exercises.

You want a snug fit on the barbell sleeve to help eliminate excess noise.

Bounce

If you’re planning on dropping your bumper plates, you want to check the durometer rating of the bumper plates. This is on a scale of 1 to 100. The higher the number, the lower the bounce. Less bounce means less of a chance that you or your gym will get hit by the barbell. A low, dead bounce also helps protect your equipment. The durometer rating indicates the hardness of the plate and most bumper plates fall between 70 to 95 on this scale.

Something to be aware of is that recycled rubber or crumb rubber bumper plates have a higher bounce than virgin rubber and urethane. These types of bumper plates are very durable however and can be used outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for in a bumper plate?

Ideally, you want a bumper plate that has a minimal bounce to help protect your surroundings and yourself. Bumper plates are made of different types of rubber that can affect how much bounce they have. It’s also important to consider what material the center insert is made of. Steel is found on mid to higher-end bumper plates, and the type of plate determines how thick the insert is. For instance, competition plates have a thicker insert. You also want to consider the thickness of your bumper plates. Thicker and denser bumpers tend to be the most durable and less likely to bend or crack when dropped.

What are the advantages of bumper plates?

Bumper plates come with a lot of benefits. They’re covered in rubber which helps protect your floors, walls, equipment, as well as yourself. Most bumper plates have a low, dead bounce so they can be dropped in smaller spaces without causing damage to their surroundings. They’re very durable and can last for years. They’re also a lot quieter to use than regular weight plates made of iron. Bumper plates are also great for all kinds of lifting.

How much do bumper plates weigh?

Typically, bumper plates come in 10, 15, 25, 35, 45, and 55 lbs. Depending on the manufacturer, they can be sold individually, in pairs, and in sets.

What are bumper plates?

Bumper plates are weighted plates that are covered in rubber. Most have a steel insert and core making them durable to use. Bumper plates are used in Olympic lifting as well as other kinds of lifting and workouts and are meant to be dropped.

About the Author

Sydney Kaiser, ISSA-CPT, ISSA Nutritionist Certification
Sydney is a certified fitness instructor, personal trainer, and sports nutritionist who combines her passion for fitness, health, and wellness with her passion for writing. After graduating from UC Riverside with a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, she began teaching indoor cycling and Lagree Fitness group fitness classes to people of all ages and abilities. Raised in Central Michigan, Sydney grew up training and competing on the Arabian Horse Association circuit through both Regional and National levels in Dressage and Sport Horse classes. In college, Sydney went on to compete at the collegiate level as a Division 1 equestrian athlete. Here at TRG, Sydney relies on her extensive background in fitness when reviewing and recommending all kinds of fitness, recovery, and health-related products.