Best Weight Plates: Our top weight plates are the RitFit Olympic Rubber Grip Plates (85 lb set) (FitScore 71.6/100), ranked on accuracy, hub, grip, coating and price per pound.
Olympic iron and grip plates ranked by FitScore; dropping the bar? See best bumper plates; or compare any model with our weight plate comparison tool.
Comparison Table
| Compareat a glance | TOP PICK | Pick 2 | Pick 3 | Pick 4 | Pick 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Best Overall | Best Classic Cast Iron | Best Large Rubber Sets | Best Quiet Tri-Grip | Best Classic Grip Plate |
| Type | Rubber-coated grip plates | Cast iron plates | Rubber-coated grip plates | Rubber-coated grip plates | Cast iron plates |
| Hub | Steel | – | – | Steel | – |
| Tolerance | within 1% | within 1% | within 2% | – | – |
| Grip holes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Low bounce | – | – | – | – | – |
| Warranty | – | – | – | – | – |
| Check Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Check Amazon for current pricing and availability.
Key Takeaways
- Iron plates suit rack work.
- A rubber coat protects floors and cuts noise.
- Compare the price per pound, not the box price.
Best Overall: RitFit Olympic Rubber Grip Plates (85 lb set)
Presentation
Best overall
Editor’s pick
RitFit Olympic Rubber Grip Plates (85 lb set)
RitFit Olympic Rubber Grip Plates (85 lb set) ranks #1 in this guide with a FitScore of 71.6/100. If you want a complete starter set of grip plates, the RitFit Olympic Rubber Grip Plates (85 lb set) gives you 85 lb in pairs of 2.5, 5, 10 and 25 lb, each a rubber-coated iron plate with a steel ring insert and three grip holes.
FitGearHQ FitScore
FitScore for Weight Plates
How this FitScore was calculated
This FitScore combines six category scores using weights defined for this guide.
Why Choose This Weight Plates
Read our full RitFit Olympic Rubber Grip Plates (85 lb set) review for specs, owner feedback and alternatives.
If you want a complete starter set of grip plates, the RitFit Olympic Rubber Grip Plates (85 lb set) gives you 85 lb in pairs of 2.5, 5, 10 and 25 lb, each a rubber-coated iron plate with a steel ring insert and three grip holes.
Performance reaches 100 of 100: the plates came within 1% of their labels on a tester’s scale and the steel ring slides smoothly on the sleeve. Comfort reaches 100 thanks to the grip holes and the rubber coat, which also protects floors. Owners rate the set highly and like how quiet it is in an apartment or garage.
The set tops out at 85 lb, so heavier lifters will add plates soon, and the plates are black only. Some owners mention a rubber smell at first, and the plates are not made for repeated overhead drops. Choose it to start barbell and plate work at home, but not as bumper plates.
In a Nutshell
Best Usage
- Squats, presses and deadlifts in a rack
- Plate-only moves such as front raises and carries
- Loading an Olympic 2 in barbell at home
For
- Lifters who train in a rack
- Users who carry plates often
- Lifters who want accurate loads
Not For
- Lifters who drop the bar from overhead
- Users with a 1 in standard bar
- Competition lifters who need calibrated plates
Key Specs
- Type: Rubber-coated grip plates
- Hub: Steel
- Tolerance: within 1%
- Diameter: –
- Warranty: –
Pros
- Weight within 1% of the label
- Grip holes for carrying
- Iron core
Cons
- Not for dropping
- Black only
- New rubber smell at first
Best Classic Cast Iron: CAP Barbell 2-inch Olympic Cast Iron Plate (OPHW)
Presentation
Best classic cast iron
Pick 2
CAP Barbell 2-inch Olympic Cast Iron Plate (OPHW)
CAP Barbell 2-inch Olympic Cast Iron Plate (OPHW) ranks #2 in this guide with a FitScore of 51.8/100. If you want a low price per pound in solid iron, the CAP Barbell 2-inch Olympic Cast Iron Plate (OPHW) is a classic 2 in cast iron plate with a rust-resistant enamel finish and handle slots on the smaller sizes.
FitGearHQ FitScore
FitScore for Weight Plates
How this FitScore was calculated
This FitScore combines six category scores using weights defined for this guide.
Why Choose This Weight Plates
If you want a low price per pound in solid iron, the CAP Barbell 2-inch Olympic Cast Iron Plate (OPHW) is a classic 2 in cast iron plate with a rust-resistant enamel finish and handle slots on the smaller sizes.
Affordability reaches 76 of 100, the best of the iron plates here, and Performance 60: a tester’s scale found the plates within 1% of their labels. Owners describe a solid build and an accurate weight, and the thin profile fits more plates on the sleeve than rubber or bumper plates.
There is no rubber coating, so it is louder and harder on floors, and the 45 lb plate has no grip slots and is smaller than the IWF diameter. Some smaller plates arrive with rough edges, and iron plates are not for dropping from overhead. Choose it for rack work on a budget, with a mat under the bar.
⚖Compared with Our #1 Pick
Next to the RitFit Olympic Rubber Grip Plates (85 lb set), the CAP Barbell 2-inch Olympic Cast Iron Plate (OPHW) wins only on affordability (76 vs 62). It trails on performance (60 vs 100), which carries 30% of the FitScore for the best weight plates, and it has no steel inserts, which our #1 pick includes. Overall: 51.8 against 71.6.
In a Nutshell
Best Usage
- Squats, presses and deadlifts in a rack
- Plate-only moves such as front raises and carries
- Loading an Olympic 2 in barbell at home
For
- Lifters who train in a rack
- Users who carry plates often
- Lifters who want accurate loads
Not For
- Lifters who drop the bar from overhead
- Users with a 1 in standard bar
- Competition lifters who need calibrated plates
Key Specs
- Type: Cast iron plates
- Hub: –
- Tolerance: within 1%
- Diameter: –
- Warranty: –
Pros
- Weight within 1% of the label
- Grip holes for carrying
- Iron core
Cons
- Not for dropping
- Black only
- Can chip if dropped
Best Large Rubber Sets: XDDIAS Rubber Olympic Weight Plates
Presentation
Best large rubber sets
Pick 3
XDDIAS Rubber Olympic Weight Plates
XDDIAS Rubber Olympic Weight Plates ranks #3 in this guide with a FitScore of 44.5/100. If you want rubber grip plates in larger sets, the XDDIAS Rubber Olympic Weight Plates uses a rubber-surfaced iron core with three grooved grip holes, in sets from 85 to 260 lb.
FitGearHQ FitScore
FitScore for Weight Plates
How this FitScore was calculated
This FitScore combines six category scores using weights defined for this guide.
Why Choose This Weight Plates
If you want rubber grip plates in larger sets, the XDDIAS Rubber Olympic Weight Plates uses a rubber-surfaced iron core with three grooved grip holes, in sets from 85 to 260 lb.
Performance reaches 48 of 100: a tester’s scale found the plates within 1.5% of their labels. Comfort reaches 100 with the grip holes and the rubber surface, and owners like the wide choice of set sizes for a growing home gym. The thin rubber-coated iron profile also leaves more room on the sleeve than bumper plates for heavy squats and deadlifts.
Sets can ship in several boxes, the rubber smell lasts longer than on virgin rubber plates, and the plates are not made for overhead drops. Choose it if you want one brand of grip plates from a starter set to a full 260 lb setup, and air the plates out before the first session.
⚖Compared with Our #1 Pick
The XDDIAS Rubber Olympic Weight Plates does not beat the RitFit Olympic Rubber Grip Plates (85 lb set) on any scored category in this guide. It trails on performance (48 vs 100), which carries 30% of the FitScore for the best weight plates; our #1 pick has a 1% weight tolerance against 2%. Overall: 44.5 against 71.6.
In a Nutshell
Best Usage
- Squats, presses and deadlifts in a rack
- Plate-only moves such as front raises and carries
- Loading an Olympic 2 in barbell at home
For
- Lifters who train in a rack
- Users who carry plates often
- Anyone starting barbell training at home
Not For
- Lifters who drop the bar from overhead
- Users with a 1 in standard bar
- Competition lifters who need calibrated plates
Key Specs
- Type: Rubber-coated grip plates
- Hub: –
- Tolerance: within 2%
- Diameter: –
- Warranty: –
Pros
- Grip holes for carrying
- Weight within 2% of the label
- Iron core
Cons
- Not for dropping
- Black only
- New rubber smell at first
Best Quiet Tri-Grip: GIKPAL Olympic Rubber-Coated Tri-Grip Plates
Presentation
Best quiet tri-grip
Pick 4
GIKPAL Olympic Rubber-Coated Tri-Grip Plates
GIKPAL Olympic Rubber-Coated Tri-Grip Plates ranks #4 in this guide with a FitScore of 42.1/100. If you want quiet tri-grip plates with a machined hub, the GIKPAL Olympic Rubber-Coated Tri-Grip Plates pairs a rubber-coated iron core with a stainless steel hub, three grips and raised lb markings.
FitGearHQ FitScore
FitScore for Weight Plates
How this FitScore was calculated
This FitScore combines six category scores using weights defined for this guide.
Why Choose This Weight Plates
If you want quiet tri-grip plates with a machined hub, the GIKPAL Olympic Rubber-Coated Tri-Grip Plates pairs a rubber-coated iron core with a stainless steel hub, three grips and raised lb markings.
Comfort reaches 100 of 100 and Performance 40 with the steel hub. Owners say the three-grip design makes handling and plate changes faster, that the plates stay quiet and hold up over months, and that they work for plate-only moves such as front raises. The raised lb numbers stay easy to read when you change plates between sets, and the rubber coat keeps the noise down on a garage floor.
Owners report a strong rubber smell that can get worse in humidity and some oily residue on arrival, and the plates are not made for overhead drops or for 1 in standard bars. Choose it for rack work and carries, but leave dropped lifts to bumper plates.
⚖Compared with Our #1 Pick
The GIKPAL Olympic Rubber-Coated Tri-Grip Plates does not beat the RitFit Olympic Rubber Grip Plates (85 lb set) on any scored category in this guide. It trails on performance (40 vs 100), which carries 30% of the FitScore for the best weight plates; our #1 pick has a 1% weight tolerance. Overall: 42.1 against 71.6.
In a Nutshell
Best Usage
- Squats, presses and deadlifts in a rack
- Plate-only moves such as front raises and carries
- Loading an Olympic 2 in barbell at home
For
- Lifters who train in a rack
- Users who carry plates often
- Anyone starting barbell training at home
Not For
- Lifters who drop the bar from overhead
- Users with a 1 in standard bar
- Competition lifters who need calibrated plates
Key Specs
- Type: Rubber-coated grip plates
- Hub: Steel
- Tolerance: –
- Diameter: –
- Warranty: –
Pros
- Grip holes for carrying
- Iron core
- Steel hub fits the bar sleeve
Cons
- Not for dropping
- Black only
- New rubber smell at first
Best Classic Grip Plate: CAP Barbell 2-inch Olympic Grip Plate (OPHWIS)
Presentation
Best classic grip plate
Pick 5
CAP Barbell 2-inch Olympic Grip Plate (OPHWIS)
CAP Barbell 2-inch Olympic Grip Plate (OPHWIS) ranks #5 in this guide with a FitScore of 31.7/100. If you want classic cast iron grip plates from a long-standing brand, the CAP Barbell 2-inch Olympic Grip Plate (OPHWIS) has oversized grip holes, a black baked enamel finish, a machined center hole and raised numbers.
FitGearHQ FitScore
FitScore for Weight Plates
How this FitScore was calculated
This FitScore combines six category scores using weights defined for this guide.
Why Choose This Weight Plates
If you want classic cast iron grip plates from a long-standing brand, the CAP Barbell 2-inch Olympic Grip Plate (OPHWIS) has oversized grip holes, a black baked enamel finish, a machined center hole and raised numbers.
Comfort reaches 60 of 100 with the grip holes. Testers found the plates within a tenth of a pound of their labels, with an accurate machined hole and easy-to-read numbers, and the finish holds up well. The oversized holes make it easier to lift the plates off the floor and load them onto the bar, and the cast iron stays thin on the sleeve.
There is no rubber coating or steel hub insert, so the plates are louder and harder on floors, small burrs can appear around the edges or grip holes, and the warranty is short. Choose it for rack work on a budget, and keep a file handy to smooth any burrs.
⚖Compared with Our #1 Pick
The CAP Barbell 2-inch Olympic Grip Plate (OPHWIS) does not beat the RitFit Olympic Rubber Grip Plates (85 lb set) on any scored category in this guide. It trails on performance (0 vs 100), which carries 30% of the FitScore for the best weight plates; our #1 pick has a 1% weight tolerance, and it has no steel inserts, which our #1 pick includes. Overall: 31.7 against 71.6.
In a Nutshell
Best Usage
- Squats, presses and deadlifts in a rack
- Plate-only moves such as front raises and carries
- Loading an Olympic 2 in barbell at home
For
- Lifters who train in a rack
- Users who carry plates often
- Anyone starting barbell training at home
Not For
- Lifters who drop the bar from overhead
- Users with a 1 in standard bar
- Competition lifters who need calibrated plates
Key Specs
- Type: Cast iron plates
- Hub: –
- Tolerance: –
- Diameter: –
- Warranty: –
Pros
- Grip holes for carrying
- Iron core
- 20 lb in the priced set
Cons
- Not for dropping
- Black only
- Can chip if dropped
How We Selected the Best Weight Plates
Accuracy and the hub lead at 30 points, then Durability at 25, Comfort at 20, Affordability at 15, Practicality and Features at 5 each.
Every Olympic iron and rubber-coated iron plate in our pool counts; a brand holds at most two places. 5 plate products qualified. Our FitScore method explains every criterion.
| Category | Weight | What it measures for this buyer |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 30 | Stated weight accuracy and a steel hub |
| Durability | 25 | The warranty and the brand record |
| Comfort | 20 | Grip holes and a rubber coating |
| Affordability | 15 | Price per pound |
| Practicality | 5 | Low bounce, a full 450 mm diameter and lb and kg markings |
| Features | 5 | Color coding and the weight you get in the set |
How to Choose the Best Weight Plates
Olympic plates differ by material, coating and grip.
Cast iron: thin, cheapest per pound, loud on floors.
Rubber-coated iron: quieter and kinder to floors, often with grip holes.
Bumper plates: thick rubber for drops, in their own guide.
Pro tip: Use collars on every set, and set iron plates down rather than dropping them, as the makers advise.
Start with the bore (Olympic 2 in) and the stated tolerance, then the hub and the grip holes. A rubber coat protects floors. See bumper plates vs iron plates if you plan to drop the bar.
Tolerance: within 1% to 3% of the label.
Hub: a steel insert fits the sleeve snugly.
Grip: holes make carrying easier.
Checklist Before Buying Weight Plates:
- Check the bore: Olympic 2 in.
- Check the stated tolerance.
- Check for a steel hub.
- Check for grip holes.
- Compare the price per pound.
- Read the warranty.
Common mistakes to avoid:
- Buying 1 in plates for an Olympic bar.
- Dropping iron plates from overhead.
- Skipping collars.
- Comparing single plates with sets on price alone.
- Ignoring the tolerance.
Decision Shortcuts
Pick the coating first, then the grip.
Check the warranty terms before you buy: the FTC explains how to read a product warranty.
Best Overall: You want a complete starter set with grips: choose RitFit Olympic Rubber Grip Plates (85 lb set).
Best Classic Cast Iron: You want plain cast iron for rack work: choose CAP Barbell 2-inch Olympic Cast Iron Plate (OPHW).
Best Large Rubber Sets: You want rubber grip plates up to 260 lb: choose XDDIAS Rubber Olympic Weight Plates.
Best Quiet Tri-Grip: You want quiet plates with a steel hub: choose GIKPAL Olympic Rubber-Coated Tri-Grip Plates.
Best Classic Grip Plate: You want classic iron grip plates: choose CAP Barbell 2-inch Olympic Grip Plate (OPHWIS).
Final Verdict
RitFit Olympic Rubber Grip Plates (85 lb set) is our first choice for most people shopping for a weight plates. 5 Olympic iron and rubber-coated iron plates were scored; bumper plates have their own guide. Accuracy and the hub carry the most weight here (30%), then rubber and warranty (25%). Iron plates are thin and suit rack work; they are not made to be dropped from overhead.
For most buyers, RitFit Olympic Rubber Grip Plates (85 lb set) is the best weight plates we would check first, after confirming its current price and availability.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Weight Plates
In our ranking, the RitFit Olympic Rubber Grip Plates (85 lb set) (FitScore 71.6/100).
Iron plates are thin and suit rack work; bumper plates are made to be dropped. See bumper plates vs iron plates.
No: Olympic plates have a 2 in hole for Olympic bars; standard bars take 1 in plates.
Most are stated within 1% to 3% of their label.
Yes if you train indoors: they are quieter and protect floors.
The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans advise muscle-strengthening activity at least 2 days each week.
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