9 Best Dip Bars and Stations For Your Home Gym [60+ Reviewed by PT]

Hi, I’m Steve Hoyles, a personal trainer, a gym owner, and a dip-bar connoisseur.

What’s a dip-bar connoisseur?

Me.

In all seriousness, though…

Over the last 2 decades, I’ve used a zillion dip bars with my clients.

I’ve bought them for my gym.

I’ve also sold them and bought others as they got better and cheaper.

Most importantly…

Over the last few weeks, I’ve teamed up with some of the brightest people in the industry to create this guide.

We compared 50+ bars in all key quality aspects.

We then sorted the winners by type and price.

It means your next dip station lives somewhere on this page.

And that’s regardless of your body type, fitness level, and budget.

I’ve just said a lot of bold stuff…time to back it up.

Let’s go…

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9 best dip bars & stations

Name	Best in category	Price	Defining feature/characteristic
1. Xmark 500	Overall value	$$	Great value for money
2. Body-Solid GDIP59	Money-no-object	$$$$	Oversized, tapered handles
3. One and Pro Dip rack-mounted dip bars by PRX Performance	Rack-mounted	$$	Space-saving – mounts onto a rack
Titan station	Cheap	$	budget-friendly
Dripex dip bars	For calisthenics	$
Fringe foldable wall-mounted dip bars	Wall-mounted/foldable	$$	Mounts onto a wall and folds down
Titan plate-loaded dip machine	For beginners	$$$$	Controlled progress
GoBeast Dip Stand	Portable	$$	Versatile, includes a pull-up bar
BalanceFrom Multi-Function Dip Stand	Height-adjustable	$$	Adjustable handle height

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1 – Best dip bars overall – Xmark 500

Who it’s for: The conservative buyer looking for a good dip bar on a budget.

Pros:

• Cheaper than similar stations.
• Angled grip with generous range.
• Tall enough for most people.
• Solid, wide handles.

Cons:

• The extra tall might find it too low (I’d say anyone over 6.2).
• The assembly instructions should be more comprehensive (as should the tools included).

Summary

The Xmark 500 is the best dip station overall because it nails all the basics…and does it on a budget.

These are the three key points:

1. It’s tall and wide enough for 90% of people.
2. It’s compact yet stable.
3. It features oversized grips.

And it does it all for much less money (like 2-3 times less) than its main competitor – the BodySolid GDIP59.

The Xmark 500 comes up in every conversation about dip bars I’ve ever had.

(and I’ve had hundreds of those over the years…)

That’s how I know it cost more a year ago than it does today…at the time of writing the first version of this guide.

In those terms, it’s a one-in-a-thousand exception.

I’m not sure what’s going on there, nor do I care.

For you, the buyer, two things are important:

1. It’s great value.
2. That value doesn’t come at the cost of quality. I’ve seen no changes in the manufacturing practices or materials over the years.

Let’s get back to the 3 points above, unpack and put them in context.

It’s the only station here where the bars angle inward.

And it works. It’s shoulder-friendly, elbow-friendly and performance-friendly.

The width range is 21 to 23, which will be good enough for most people.

The bars are just under 40 inches high.

The extra tall (6.2+) might find it undersized for doing dips with fully extended legs, and those on the shorter side might find it too tall.

But that’s true for any fixed-height station.

The only better approach to engineering the height is an adjustable design.

And any adjustment means that some part of the frame moves. That means it can never be as stable as a fixed, welded station.

And adjustable dip bars typically cost more.

Finally, the dip bars with adjustable height (almost) always have fixed handle distance.

Handle distance > Height

Why?

Because height is rarely a deal-breaker, unlike fixed parallel handles.

Specs

Distance between bars (inches)	21-23
Weight capacity (lbs)	500
Height  (inches)	49.5

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2 – Money-no-object pick – Body-Solid GDIP59 dip bar

Who it’s for: Anyone who wants a top-tier dip station and has the budget for it.

Pros:

• Premium build – steel, powder coat, welds, bars.
• Handles angled outwards (width range 19-21”).
• Oversized bars with great padding.

Cons:

• Pricey.
• Bigger than most stations.
• Handles might be too close for the tall and lanky (anyone over 6.1).

Summary

Body-Solid is the best dip station for you if the price is not a decision point.

“But it looks the same as the XMark?”

It might look the same, but it’s not.

When you get close and “personal” with it, you’ll realize it’s superior in a few small ways that add up to a premium experience.

Whether that premium vibe is worth two or three times more is a different story.

So what’s different about it?

A few things stand out compared to XMark and Titan:

• The welds are cleaner and more precise.
• The handles are more robust, and the rubber padding is better…I’d describe it as commercial-like.
• It’s more compact at the top yet more stable at the base (bigger footprint).

Specs

Distance between bars (inches)	19-21
Weight capacity (lbs)	400
Height  (inches)	38

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3 – Best rack-mounted dip bars – One 2×3 and Pro 3×3 Dip rack-mounted dip stations by PRX Performance

Who it’s for: Anyone looking for rack-mounted dip bars and has a 2×3 or 3×3 rack with ⅝ “ holes.

Pros:

• ⅝” pin works with most racks.
• Premium construction and finish.
• Thick handles.
• Space saving (wall storage available as an add-on).

Cons:

• Doesn’t work with non-standard pin-holes.

Summary

The two US-made stations from PRX won the rack-mounted category in a landslide.

• PRX One for 2×3 racks
• PRX Pro for 3×3 racks

The four main reasons for the win are:

1. Absolute stability with zero wobble.
2. Compatibility with most racks.
3. The coating – grippy but not overly aggressive.
4. The ease of (dis)assembly and storing.

The obvious competitor to the PRX station is the Rogue Matador Series.

Two things stand on the side of PRX in this face-off.

• How securely it mounts.
• The storage option.

Now, I am splitting hairs here but it’s all about finding the absolute best.To do that, you have to do some hair-splitting.

Anyway…

I’m not a fan of the pin-only mounting of Rogue Matador.

I always had a feeling that it might wobble out.

It’s not likely to happen; it’s just a feeling I get…

In other words, if the bars are staying put, fixing them to the rack is the better solution.

PRX units do that.

PRX units cost slightly more than Rogue but that’s a moot point.

Here’s why…

On the PRX units, the storage is about 20 bucks, and Rogue’s is 40.

In other words, the cost evens out if you include the wall storage.

Specs

Distance between bars (inches)	17.5-22
Weight capacity (lbs)	500
Height  (inches)	n/a

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4 – Best cheap dip bars – Titan Dip Stand

Who it’s for: Anyone looking for a decent dip station on the cheap.

Pros:

• Cheap.
• High.
• Compact.

Cons:

• Fixed handle distance.
• Handle padding isn’t great – both size and material-wise.
• Sub-par attention to detail – welds and coating.

Summary

The Titan dip stand is the most you can “cheap out” and still get a decent freestanding station.

The one major difference compared to the Xmark and Body-Solid is the fixed parallel bars.

At 24.5 inches distance, these might be too far apart for anyone with a smaller frame.

Specs

Distance between bars (inches)	24.5
Weight capacity (lbs)	500
Height  (inches)	51

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5 – Best dip bars for Calisthenics – Dripex station

Who it’s for: Anyone looking for an adjustable dip station for calisthenics.

Pros:

• Adjustable width and height.
• Thick frame and high weight capacity (1,100 lbs).
• Cheap.

Cons:

• You’ll probably see some twisting in the frame with prolonged use.
• The bars should be thicker (not accurately represented in the listing images).

Summary

The Dripex station is our top pick for calisthenics because of the thick frame, which translates to stability and high capacity.

Chinese-made stations that look something like this are a dime a dozen on Amazon.

And this Dripex isn’t the most popular one.

Not even close…

The only way to separate the wheat from the chaff is the weight capacity.

The most popular stations of this type have a weight capacity of 300-450 lbs, which is 2-3 times lower than this Dripex.

Specs

Distance between bars (inches)	16.6-24.09
Weight capacity (lbs)	1,100
Height  (inches)	30.7-35

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6 – Best dip bars for small spaces – Fringe wall-mount dip station

Who it’s for: Anyone looking to squeeze the most out of the limited home gym space and still get good dip bars.

Pros:

• Space-saving – mounts onto a wall and folds in on itself.
• Locks in place.
• Good spacing (21-25 inches width).
• High weight capacity.

Cons:

• You might see some wobble (more than with fully welded rack-mounted stations).
• The joint is the “weak” link.

Summary

If a rack-mounted station gets in the way or you just don’t like the look, your best bet is a wall-mounted unit.

In the category, this Fringe stands as the undisputed king of the hill.

• It gets the spacing right.
• It’s beefy (higher weight capacity than any freestanding or rack-mounted station we’ve looked at so far).
• The folding mechanism works smoothly.

For some reason (probably demand), there’s not much competition among the wall-mounted units.

I’ll illustrate that in two points:

• Bars that are as good (like Bulldog or DipStands) cost 50-100% more.
• Bars in this price range are discounted or often out of stock (like Valor).

Specs

Distance between bars (inches)	13-25
Weight capacity (lbs)	600
Height  (inches)	n/a

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7 – Best dip station for beginners and controlled progress – Titan plate-loaded dip machine

Who it’s for: For anyone looking to slowly build dip strength.

Pros:

• Controlled progress.
• Beginner-friendly.
• You need extra space for loading/unloading plates.

Cons:

• Handles might be too wide apart for some.
• Costs more than a classic station.

Summary

The Titan plate-loaded machine is the best dip station for beginners, controlled progress, and people with shoulder injuries.

I’m stressing “controlled progress” because it’s a great tool for advanced athletes to break through plateaus.

It might not look as cool as hanging a massive chain around your neck for weighted dips.

It’s certainly safer and less taxing on the shoulder.

(especially if you’re into doing dips to failure).

There are better-seated stations for dips, and there are cheaper ones.

There is none with a better balance between value, functionality and quality.

For example, a top-tier station with selectorized weight will cost you 5-10 times more.

My absolute favorite is the Legend Fitness 6010, which currently costs 912% more than this Titan.

You read that right.

Specs

Distance between bars (inches)	21-22 (measured)
Weight capacity (lbs)	600
Footprint (square inches)	5.6

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8 – Best portable dip bars – GoBeast stand

Who it’s for: Anyone looking for a dip stand that packs light and small.

Pros:

• Versatile beyond dips – pull-ups and push-ups.
• Simple to put together and disassemble.
• Packs down small and light enough to be portable.

Cons:

• Not as stable as classic stations.
• Fixed handles width and height.
• Lower weight capacity than other types.

Summary

What’s this thing doing on the list of “best dip bars?”

I can almost hear you thinking it…

Well, it’s the only dip bar type that’s truly portable.

You’ll see units like Drpex brag about the easy setup and adjustments.

But here’s the reality…

On any station with 500+ lbs capacity, changing the settings, heights and widths is a pain in the you-know-what.

You’ll do it once, twice, maybe five times…then it gets old, and you choose one setting to rule them all.

That also doubles for packing the whole thing and taking it with you.

It might wobble and the paint might chip.

But it’s a great excuse to get some alone time on those weekends with the inlaws.

Specs

Distance between bars (inches)	23.6
Weight capacity (lbs)	330
Height  (inches)	45

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9 – Best dip stand with adjustable height – BalanceFrom Multi-Function

Who it’s for: Anyone worried about getting the height right on fixed stations.

Pros:

• Adjustable height – 10-inch range.
• Cheaper than most similar stations.
• Weight capacity on par with more expensive units.
• Color choices.

Cons:

• Fixed width – with around 25 inches between bars, it’ll be too wide for some.
• Foam handles.

Summary – the good, the bad, and the ugly

This BalanceFrom is one of THE most popular dip stands in existence…and with good reason.

It’s cheap, looks cool, and you can adjust the height.

The build quality and finishes are decent for the price, but nothing to write home about.

The handles are short, parallel and fixed.

Therein lies the main problem.

I measured the distance between the handles to be around 25 inches.

If your shoulders are narrower than, say, 22 inches, this will likely be too wide for comfort.

In this scenario,  a lot of your strength will “dissipate” on stabilization rather than pushing up.

Specs

Distance between bars (inches)	26.5 (measured, not in the specs)
Weight capacity (lbs)	500
Height  (inches)	adjustable

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Buyer’s guide to choosing a good dip bar for killer upper body workouts

Below is a detailed guide on choosing the best dip bars for your needs.

I’ll keep it super practical.

The goal is to help you recognize which station fits the bill instead of boring you with theory.

For the sake of simplicity, I’ve grouped all factors into 9.

9 primary factors to look for in a dip station

1 – Type of dip bar/station

The first (and the most important) decision in choosing your next dip station is deciding between the types.

My role is to simplify the choice by doing two things:

1. Decluttering – boiling down all dip-station types to as few as possible (without any falling through the cracks).
   
   This will mean some lumping, mixing, and matching…and I’m Ok with that if it leads to clarity.
   
2. Point out the specific benefits of each type. This should help you pinpoint what’s best for your home gym and goals.

Let’s go…

2 – Position – distance and angle between the dip bars

There’s a lot of hoopla about the angled bars.

Let’s get that sorted out first.

The angled bars aren’t a miraculous concept designed to target the triceps over the chest or vice versa

Some bars are angled for spacing reasons – so you can choose the distance that creates the least stress in your joint.

It’s fair to say that positioning for optimal triceps activation is easier on parallel bars.

You could also say that angled bars are more biomechanically accurate because the shoulder joint is facing forward.

I’m not gonna do that…

For two reasons:

1. The angle is slight and makes minimal to no difference.
2. It might needlessly confuse you.

To simplify, go with these 2 rules of thumb:

1. Choose fixed parallel dip bars only when you’re sure the width is right for you (more on that in a second).
2. Choose a tapered dip bar (or an adjustable parallel) if you’re unsure about the distance.

How far apart should dip bars be?

Dip bars should be slightly wider than your shoulders. Choose bars that give you some leeway on both ends of that range, like the XMark 500.

That minimizes shoulder injury risk and allows all your effort to go into pushing up (instead of stabilization).

Bonus tip: Measure the distance between the tip of your elbow to the fingertips of your open palm.

Add 1-2 inches. That’s your ballpark bar distance – the sweet spot that will be effective for upper-body workouts.

It’s crucial for shoulder safety, especially if you’re using more than your body weight on dips.

3 – Thickness of dip bars

Avoid thin bars – that’s my #1 tip on thickness.

Go for the bars measuring 1.5-2 inches in diameter.

Why?

Because a thicker bar will distribute pressure better (not dig into your palms), which directly translates to three things:

1. More weight.
2. More reps.
3. Lessened wrist-injury risk.

That’s especially important on weighted and failure sets.

The over 1.3-inch rule doesn’t completely eliminate all thinner bars – it just means you’ll need to adjust and use extra padding…something like Fat Gripz or even a towel will do.

For reference, the graph below compares the diameters of our Top 11.

*I measured some of these personally, which means these aren’t official specs.

4 – Finish of the bars – slick, padded, powder-coated

The finish of dip bars is less crucial compared to something like barbells.

If the bar is thick enough and you get the spacing right, it acts more as support rather than something you grab onto.

Still…

I’d avoid the slick bars unless you’re choosing them for a particular reason…like advanced calisthenics stuff.

For most people – padded and powder-coated dip bars will be grippy enough.

However…

With a powder coat, you want a matte finish with a bit of grit. You don’t want a rubbery finish that feels slippery on sweaty hands.

With padded handles, you want medium-soft dense foam. You don’t want handles that feel plasticky, and you don’t want low-quality foam that will fall apart in 6 months.

That sounds commonplace, but…

I can not list every dip station that has a grip problem. We could go on with that ‘till the cows come home.

I can tell you this – none of the top 11 picks suffers from it. It was a deal-breaker in the choosing process.

5 – Build of the frame – structural build and finish

The structural build comes down to the cross-section of the tubes and the gauge of the steel used.

Finish build refers to the finer detail – like the coating, welds, and joints.

Again, we’re looking at different dip bars here so it’s a mixed bag.

Here’s what I’ve seen over the years:

1. The best dip bars are built around an 11 to 14-gauge frame.
2. Most of them are 14-gauge, and it’s where the best value lives.
3. Most of the freestanding stations use 6-square-inch tubing for the frame.
4. The attention to detail and finishes are rarely great in the under-150 range.
   
   In other words – to get precise, clean welds, you’ll need to go with some of the Rogue or PRX stuff.

Finally, choose frames with built-in rubber feet for floor protection.

That way, you won’t have to use all those gains and upper body strength to defend yourself from an angry wife because she “paid a fortune for the hickory hardwood.”

(Any resemblance to real persons is purely coincidental…kinda.)

6 – Weight capacity of dip bars & stations

The weight capacity of dip bars/stations is in the 300-1000+ lbs range (graph below).

Anything over 400 lbs is great.

Don’t look at the capacity literally – look at it as an indication of stability.

For example, a station like Dripex looks very similar to a bunch of other stuff, including some more popular bars like the ProSourceFit or the Lebert.

The devil is in the details…in this scenario, the weight capacity.

The Dripex is listed at 1,100 lbs, while the other two max out at 400.

Does that mean they’ll break or bend?

No.

(unless Eddie Hall or “the Mountain gets into calisthenics and starts doing handstands)

Anyway…

It does mean the dip bars with significantly lower capacities will feel wobblier and have some bend on intense movements.

Here’s the comparison graph I promised…

7 – Size of the station – fixed dip stand vs. rack-mounted, foldable, and portable dip bar

Space is often the name of the game with home gyms and not everyone has the space for a standalone dip bar.

That’s why I’m including the footprint comparison graph here.

When not available in the specs, these footprints are approximations based on what I measured.

They might not be precise to the T, but they definitely are a useful starting point.

Also, the footprint only makes sense when interpreted along with the station type.

Here’s what I mean by that:

• The Fringe wall-mounted bar folds down and take up minimal space.
• On the other hand, you have fixed stands like XMark, Body-Solid, and Titan.
• The rack-mounted bars will have a smaller footprint but you’ll need to go outside that footprint to actually perform the dip.
  That especially goes if you’re a bigger guy doing dips as a part of your chest day  (because you’ll be leaning forward).
• Some stations (like the Dripex) look easy to dismantle and move, but trust me, doing it every time is a pain in the rear.
• Finally, some of these actually qualify as portable dip bars. A case in point is the GoBeast. The trade-off of portability is sturdiness.

Here’s a no-BS reference – only go with a freestanding dip station if you have 6+ square feet to spare.

The Titan assisted dip machine seems like an exception with a footprint of 5.6 square feet, but it’s not. You’ll need 1.5-3 feet to load and unload the plates.

8 – Price of a good dip station

Expect to pay $80-350 for a good home-gym dip station (see graph below).

I’m stressing “home gym” here because there are dip machines that cost well over 4K, which are only practical for commercial use.

They’re not practical for home use but they’re awesome if you have an unlimited budget.

If that’s the case, my absolute favorite is the Hammer Strength Select Assist Dip Chin.

Below is a graph comparing the prices of our top 11 picks (with the Hammer machine included for reference).

9 – Warranty terms

Good dip bars are basically pieces of steel tubing put together in a way that allows for comfortable dip movement.

Duh…am I smart or am I smart?

Yet, some companies still do it…offer sub-par terms, that is…

Here are my 3 rules of thumb:

1. If you’re paying over $100 for a dip bar, expect a lifetime warranty.
2. Only accept a basic 30-day warranty for cheap stations like the GoBeast.
3. The exception to rule #1 are all Titan units and some from Fringe.

Why are Titan’s dip bars an expectation?

Because they’re still sticking to their 1-year warranty policy. It’s a blanket policy that goes for all Titan stuff, and dip bars are no exception.

Unlike other brands, the warranty tells you very little about the Titan’s build quality.

What’s up with Fringe?

The Fringe wall-mounted dip is an exception because there’s a joint – if anything’s gonna go, it will be that part.

I don’t see that happening, but I understand the reasoning behind the 1-year warranty.

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Methodology – how we assess and rate dip bars and stations

Below is an overview of what we did for this guide.

Our process of choosing the best bar and dip station is unique because it’s a blend of first-hand experiences, tests, statistics, and expertise.

In other words – we don’t just choose random bars and babble about stuff you can see in their spec sheets anyway.

Because it’s so common in this space…and I’ve seen it time and again while working on this guide.

Anyway, here’s what we did…

1. We created a database of dip bars and stations that we feel are worth your money. To do that, we looked at 35 sources – from all the major home gym brands to Amazon.
   
   There’s some subjectivity here. To offset it, we cast a wide net and made sure we’re not missing anything.
   
   The result – a list of 60+ dip stations and bars.
   
2. We defined types of dip bars that are different enough to be in separate categories.
   
   This was a crucial step because you can’t compare XMark 500 to Rogue Matador more than you can compare a pear to a peach.
   
   They’re both sweet, but that’s about it.
   
   This step was about creating groups of dip bars where differences can be quantified and measured.
   
   The result is 20+ quality categories within every dip bar type.

3. We gathered the data for each criterion defined.
   
   The result – completed dip station database.
   
4. We choose the winners for each category.
   
   Our dip-bar picks gravitate towards value because one of our core principles is that exercise shouldn’t be expensive.
   
5. We went back to the industry experts and consulted them about our picks.
   
   This step is about getting more trained eyes to sign off on our list as complete, fair, and balanced.
   
   The result – a complete list of best dip bars, one that covers all needs and budgets.
   
6. We update this guide regularly. We’re especially on the lookout for two things: new dip-bar arrivals and changes in the quality of our top picks.
   
   We do this because things change fast in the mass-production age. The dip-bar market is no exception.
   
   The result – an up-to-date guide that’s relevant at all times.

That sounds like bragging, but we kinda deserve it…

Seriously, what I listed is not about us – it’s about YOUR reasons to trust us.

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FAQs about dip bars

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Other dip bars and dip stations – close-but-no-cigar

Below are dip stations and bars that didn’t make it to the best-dip-bar list but deserve a mention.

It’s a huge market, and we tried to make the guide concise and simple.

Making this guide straightforward was not straightforward at all.

If that makes sense…

We sacrificed some great dip bars to the Simplicity Gods.

It means the best dip station FOR YOU might be on this list.

• Fitness Gear Pro dip bars – a solid piece of equipment with a heavy-duty steel frame. Still, there are cheaper power towers that are just as good for dips.
  
• RELIFE REBUILD YOUR LIFE dip station – a popular dip stand similar to at least a dozen others on Amazon. It costs the same as the Dripex and the geometry is akin but doesn’t compare in robustness and weight capacity.
  
  And what’s up with that name? Is that supposed to inspire me? Just call it “Get Off Your A** dip station”…that’ll do it.
  
• Dipholm Adjustable rack-mounted station by Home Gym Builders – my all-time favorite. Versatile dip bars and probably the best rack-mounted station on the planet.  They’re made in Europe and not available in the US. Plus, they’re crazy expensive…4-5 times the cost of premium US-made bars like Rogue or PRX.
  
  I exchanged a few emails with Lucas, a kind customer representative from Home Gym Builders. He shared that any delivery service would add at least $250 to the price. It seems they have no plans of shipping to the US anytime soon.
  
• BalanceFrom Multi-Function Dip Stand – cheap, yet solid stand with fixed padded handles that won’t work for everyone.
  
• ProSourceFit Dip Station – good but not unique, costs (a bit) more than similar dip stands.

Power tower as an option for dips

A power tower is a versatile station – dips, leg raises, and a pull-up bar.

All of these are decent but can’t be compared to a standalone dip bar.

(I’ve also never been a fan of the “power tower” name…but that’s beside the point.)

If you feel one of these might work for you, our pick in the “power tower category is the Sportsroyals tower. The main reason is the balance between price and build quality.

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Best dip bars – resume and key takeaways

I feel like I started working on this guide ages ago.

It was a doozy, but we made it work.

We created a lean “Goldilocks” list that’s just right in scope.

At least we think so…

You have the XMark 500 as the best dip bar/station overall because it does a similar job as some bars that cost 2 or 3  times as much.

One of those costly stations is the Body-Solid GDIP59, a top-tier unit top-to-bottom.

It’s slightly better than the XMark in many small ways. The differences range from some substantial aspects (like the beefier frame and thicker handles) to the finer things (like coating and welds).

If you don’t have the space for a standalone dip station, rack-mounted bars are a viable alternative.

Our top picks in that category are the two attachments from PRX Performance – the PRX One and the PRX PRO.

They work with most racks and rock a grippy powder coat that doesn’t quit.

Kudos to you if you actually read this whole thing…even if you skimmed through it.

If you’re still unsure which of these is right for you, click here to skip to the top picks table.

If you want to come back later – bookmark this page.