Tested & Trainer-Approved: The 14 Best Resistance Bands to Elevate Your Workouts

Types of Resistance Bands

It's important to know which style suits your workouts to pick the best resistance band for you. There are four common styles of resistance bands, and each has its own purpose:

• Loop bands are made of either elastic or fabric and can be looped around your ankles or thighs to add resistance to many lower-body workouts (think banded squats, lateral band walks, fire hydrants, and more).
• Tube bands are longer resistance bands that don't loop; rather, you can fasten handles or other accessories on either end and use them for upper-body workouts like rows, bicep curls, and more. These bands often come in sets with a door anchor, so you can use them like you would a cable machine at the gym.
• Power/assist bands are sturdier and thicker loop bands that are often used for assisted pull-ups, but can also be used to add resistance to other exercises, like bicep curls or glute kickbacks. This band style typically offers heavier resistance compared to the others.
• Resistance straps are typically used for stretching or for going deeper in yoga poses. These tend to offer the lightest resistance out of the four options.

We Also Tested

We tested 30 sets of resistance bands, but only 14 made it on our list of top recommendations. These bands didn't make our final list, but they still have some valuable features worth mentioning.

• Buckleband's Starter Set is easy to use and fasten anywhere on your body without having to wiggle it into place like you would with a traditional loop band. However, we noticed some slight tearing near the buckle when testing, so we're concerned about its long-term durability.
• Lululemon's Resistance Band Set didn't stay put. While the fabric felt very comfortable and sturdy, the bands didn't stretch as far as we would have liked.
• Rogue's Monster Resistance Bands set comes with five power/assist bands that offer a variety of resistance levels. But they don't come with a carrying case, and we think there are less expensive options of similar quality.
• CALIA's Fabric Bands are thick and wide and stay in place thanks to the non-slip ridges inside the bands. But we think the resistance offered is too heavy for most users, making it hard to complete many exercises.
• WIKDAY's Resistance Bands are good quality, sturdy bands that allow for much versatility in a workout. But we noticed they had a weird rubbery smell, and the lightest band's small diameter dug into our skin.
• Sunny Health & Fitness' Strength Training Band has four different resistance levels ranging from 100 to 180 pounds, making it a good choice for advanced exercisers. We found that it was easy to use, sturdy, and comfortable, but there are less expensive options that offer equally good quality.

What We’ve Updated

• Since we last published this article, we tested eight more resistance bands, including best-selling options and new releases.
• We tested the bands at home in our regular fitness routines, evaluating them based on the same key categories as our previous test: quality, versatility, ease of use, grip, portability, and overall value.
• After weeks of thorough testing, we reworked our list, replacing two products and adding six new ones.
• This current list reflects the most up-to-date, reliable options for a wide range of fitness levels and goals.

What to Look for When Shopping for Resistance Bands

• Style: Arguably, the most important factor to consider when choosing the right resistance band for you is the style of band that best suits your workout needs. You'll want to choose a resistance band style that targets the body part you want to work on and can be easily incorporated into your existing exercise regimen.
• Tension Range: Nearly every set of resistance bands comes with a specific tension range—whether noted by level (light, medium, and heavy) or pounds. Our experts recommend purchasing a set with a minimum tension that works for lighter upper-body exercises and a maximum tension that will prove challenging for heavier, lower-body workout routines (whatever that means for your specific fitness level). Multi-packs of resistance bands offer a range of resistance, so you don't have to worry about buying additional bands to tackle different exercises or to keep you feeling challenged over time.
• Material: No matter the resistance band's style, most are made with either rubber or latex. These materials are stretchy, long-lasting, and easy to clean. Rubber is typically more durable, but our experts note that latex is stretchier for both high- and low-impact exercises. Though loop bands can also be made with these materials, you may also find some made with fabric, a woven knit material that provides stretch without the fear of pinching or sliding on the skin.
• Included Accessories: Some of the most popular accessories in a workout band set are handles, ankle straps, and door anchors. Handles often clip onto tube bands with a carabiner clip, offering a secure place to hold the tubes comfortably. Ankle straps fit around the ankles, allowing you to do moves like hip adductions and hip abductions. If the set includes door anchors, you can complete kickbacks, rows, and other exercises that require the tube bands to be hooked to a secure area (like your door frame).

How We Tested the Best Resistance Bands

To determine the best resistance bands on the market, we've been testing 30 sets in The Verywell Testing Lab and at home for several months. To test each resistance band set, we use it in our regular gym routines multiple times per week over our testing period, completing both upper and lower-body workouts. We make sure to cater the type of workout to the style of resistance band we're testing. While testing each set, we evaluate the bands based on the following key criteria.

• Quality: Throughout our testing period, we noted the quality of each resistance band. Do the resistance bands feel like they're made of high-quality material that doesn't pinch or rub the skin? Did the resistance bands stretch out at all, or did they remain in like-new condition over our testing period? Sets score well in this area if they're made with durable materials that maintain their quality over time.
• Versatility: How versatile is the set of resistance bands? Does it offer enough variety in tension range to be used for different exercises and fitness levels? Can the bands be used for full-body workouts or just for upper- or lower-body moves? Sets scored well in this area if we found them easy to use for multiple exercises and effective for training more than one body part.
• Ease of Use: Were the resistance bands easy to use during our workout routines? Or did we have to modify moves to use them properly? Was it fairly easy to set the bands up for an exercise, or did it take effort to position them properly? We value bands that don't make setting up for a workout more difficult than it should be.
• Grip: Did the bands hold steady during exercises, or did they constantly slip, forcing us to stop our workouts to readjust them? For loop bands, did they dig in or pinch our skin, or did they feel comfortable? For tube bands with handles, were the handles easy to hold, even with sweaty hands? We only recommend sets that stay put during workouts without causing discomfort.
• Portability: If the set comes with multiple bands and accessories, does it come with a carrying bag to easily store and move the equipment? Can the bands easily fit into a gym bag, or are they too heavy or bulky to transport? We value portability to make it easier for you to use your bands on the go.
• Value: To determine whether each band or band set was truly worth its price, we waited to check the price of each resistance band until after our one-month testing period. We then evaluated whether the price of each set was worth its quality and whether we would buy each at its full price or wait until the set went on sale.

Our Experts

We consulted certified personal trainers to gain expert insights on how to evaluate and test resistance bands effectively. Their guidance helped us identify the key features to consider and understand the differences between various types of bands.

• Cassandra Padula Burke, CPT, RDN, a personal trainer, triathlon coach, and owner of Catalyst Performance Lab in Finksburg, Maryland
• Noelle McKenzie, CPT, personal trainer and co-founder of Leading Edge NY
• Gabby Drucker, CPT, personal trainer and owner of Drucker Fitness in Tarrytown, New York

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of resistance bands? 

Resistance bands are a more portable, versatile, and often budget-friendly alternative to other fitness equipment. They offer a variety of resistance levels and can target every major muscle group through a wide range of exercises. And several studies have suggested that working out with resistance bands can activate muscles and build strength.

Do resistance bands build muscle?

Resistance bands can be highly useful for building muscle strength and endurance. One study found that resistance bands activated some muscles more than free weights (namely, the accessory muscles of an exercise)—and some muscles less than free weights (namely, the primary muscles typically activated during a workout)—when similar exercises were performed.

What can you expect to pay for a resistance band?

A set of quality resistance bands usually costs between $20 and $80. Cheaper bands may not be as durable, while more expensive options may come with more resistance levels and added accessories that make it easier to complete full-body workouts. 

Why Trust Verywell Fit

April Benshosan is a Verywell Fit writer and experienced weight lifter. She uses booty bands for hip and glute activations before leg day and wears them during weighted hip thrusts to keep her knees wide (for better glute activation), and she always brings her plastic loop bands along with her when she's traveling. April's work highlights her passion for arming people with the information they need to make informed decisions about their health.

Additional reporting by Megan Foster, Lindsey Lanquist, Sarah Felbin, and Jen Zeltwanger. 

Megan Foster is a seasoned Verywell Fit writer and former college athlete. She prioritizes health and fitness in her daily life, and she’s always looking for an effective new workout routine or fitness product to share with her readers. Megan regularly uses resistance bands while working out in the gym or at home. She helped us test some of our top resistance bands in the Lab, carefully evaluating the durability and versatility of each set while noting its overall value and affordability.

As a seasoned health and fitness writer for Verywell Fit, Lindsey Lanquist understands how vital quality product recommendations can be. She is careful to recommend products that are reliable, comfortable, and genuinely well-reviewed by those who’ve tried them.

With over two decades of dance experience, Sarah Felbin loves diving into the latest wellness research. As a Verywell Fit writer and editor, she's passionate about finding products that are of great value and make life easier. She also helped test some resistance bands in the Lab and still uses them regularly to maintain her flexibility.

Jen Zeltwanger has 25 years of experience in the health and fitness industry and knows how important it is to find good-quality products that add value to your fitness routine. She is particularly focused on finding and recommending products for effective home workouts.