8 Best Budget Barbells (2023) – Cheap, High-Quality Bars

Best Budget Barbell

28.5 MM Rogue Boneyard Ohio Barbell

Many people don't know about Rogue's boneyard. It's where you can pick up barbells at a fraction of the brand-new price because it has a slight cosmetic blemish. This is the ultimate place to shop since you're on a budget.

And since slight scuffs and marks won’t affect the barbells performance, you’re getting a perfectly functional barbell for cheap. Specifically, I recommend going for a 28.5 mm barbell suitable for multi-purpose training.

You will likely find the Rogue Ohio Bar in the 28.5 mm boneyard. This barbell has a 190,000 PSI tensile strength, so it can handle aggressive workouts like CrossFit when dropping weights overhead.

Dual knurl markings mean you can easily dabble in Powerlifting and Olympic Weightlifting without purchasing another barbell. It has a hybrid knurling which isn't overly aggressive. My experience with the Ohio Bar’s knurling is it still has great grip even with sweat.

No center knurling makes it more challenging to squat or front squat heavy when sweaty. I prefer center knurling when front squatting so it doesn't slip as easily. However, having no center knurling is a bonus if you do high-rep movements like cleans.

The budget coating options are black zinc or e-coat. Both offer good rust resistance. However, the black zinc may fade with use. E-coat is a relatively new barbell coating taken from the automotive industry. It is incredibly resilient and maintains its gloss even with heavy use.

It feels smoother than black zinc, so it'll be a preference on what you choose. You'll also be limited by what's available in the boneyard, often black zinc finishes.

One downside is there is no warranty like there is with new barbells.

Best Budget Olympic Weightlifting Barbell

Rogue IWF Olympic Weightlifting Training Bar

You may be wondering why I’m including a $560 barbell in a list of budget bars. An IWF-certified Olympic Weightlifting barbell will typically cost you over $900.

Being IWF certified means it's a competition-ready barbell that adheres to their specifications, having a tight weight tolerance and a near-perfect manufacturing process.

For $560, it’s a bargain. Why are Olympic Weightlifting barbells so much more expensive than others? It’s the construction and materials unique for Weightlifting bars.

First, the Rogue IWF Olympic Weightlifting Training Bar has exceptional 215,000 PSI tensile strength, so it will never deform or break with proper use.

The bar features non-aggressive knurling, meaning you can enjoy long and daily training sessions without the fear of ripped hands or uncomfortable grips.

The bar's needle bearings provide a buttery-smooth spin, crucial for executing clean and jerk or snatch with precision and protecting your wrists and elbows.

The bar has a bright zinc coating which will provide a different feel to the hard chrome you may use on competition day but provides decent rust resistance.

The cherry on top? Rogue's lifetime warranty. It's not just a product you're investing in—it's a lifelong partnership with Rogue, a brand that stands behind the quality and durability of its gear.

Best Budget Multi-Purpose Barbell

Fringe Sport Wonder Bar V2

Best Budget Barbell For Women

Rogue Bella Bar 2.0

When you pick up the Rogue Bella Bar 2.0, you'll notice it feels lighter than your typical weightlifting bar. That's because it's a 15kg bar designed specifically for female athletes.

Weightlifting and CrossFit require women to use a 15 kg, 25 mm shaft diameter barbell. The smaller shaft diameter is better for female lifters who, on average, have smaller hands than males. It’ll be much easier to grip snatches with a smaller diameter shaft.

While the shaft diameter is smaller, the quality isn't diminished as it's made from the same material as the Ohio bar with a 190,000 PSI tensile strength, so it won't deform with use. It has a good whip making it perfect for CrossFit and Weightlifting.

However, you can perform your heavy strength movements and Powerlifting with this bar, with dual knurl markings and bronze bushings giving a smooth spin.

The hybrid knurling gives a firm grip without being overly aggressive. The Bella Bar 2.0 has the same finish as the Ohio bar with a black zinc coating for rust resistance. But it presents the same issue with wear.

Rogue also has a lifetime construction warranty, so as long as you're using the bar correctly and not dropping it with iron plates, for example, you're covered.

You can't beat the price for a women's barbell, either. At $235, you're looking at a quarter of the price of a women's Weightlifting barbell. You may also find it in the Rogue boneyard cutting the price further.

You can read my full list of best women's barbells here.

Best Budget Powerlifting Barbell

Titan Elite Series Power Barbell

The first thing you’ll feel when unracking the Titan Elite Series Power Barbell is the solid 29mm shaft diameter of a Powerlifting barbell. Its aggressive mountain knurling is a game-changer.

Whether it's a sweaty deadlift session or a grueling set of squats, this gripping pattern ensures the bar stays firmly in your hands, providing an unbeatable blend of comfort and control.

If you’re not used to aggressive knurling, this may cause some pain initially. The barbell has a hard chrome coating which most premium barbells have, as it has excellent rust resistance and feel. High-quality chrome coatings don’t chip and peel.

It has a weight capacity of 2000 lbs for the strongest Powerlifters, backed by a 220,000 PSI tensile strength giving it robustness. It's the highest tensile strength barbell on this list since it is designed for lifting extremely heavy weights on the big three.

The rough center knurling means it stays tight on your back when squatting and doesn’t slip on your chest when benching. One downside is the lack of warranty, with Titan only offering 1-year while many other companies offer at least 10 years or lifetime.

However, for $230, you won’t find many Powerlifting barbells with these specifications.

Best Budget Barbell For CrossFit

Rogue Echo Bar 2.0

The Rogue Echo Bar 2.0 is part of Rogue's Echo series, which is their budget equipment line. Think of it as the budget Ohio bar. Because of the multi-purpose 28.5 mm shaft diameter, decent whip, and 190,000 PSI tensile strength, it makes a great partner for CrossFit.

It uses bushings for the smooth spin, ideal for high-rep Olympic lifts and heavy-strength training movements. It's an all-around CrossFit barbell on a budget. It only has Olympic knurl marks, so if you plan on Powerlifting, a barbell with dual knurl markings like the Ohio bar is a better option.

The Rogue Echo Bar 2.0 uses a bright zinc coating which looks nice and is rust-resistant but will wear with use. There's no center knurling which is ideal for a CrossFit bar since you'll be performing high-rep cleans and thrusters.

Because it’s part of their budget range, Rogue only gives a 1-year warranty. For $265, though, you're getting a decent barbell at their lowest price point. Also, don't forget to check out the boneyard to see if you can pick this up even cheaper. I've seen this for $165 in the boneyard.

Best Budget Barbell On Amazon

XMark Blackhawk Barbell