M-Plate Fractional Dumbbell Plates Review

M-Plate fractional dumbbell plates for Snode dumbbells add 16 extra weight increments without taking up any floor space.

In case you’re not familiar with Snode adjustable dumbbells, they range from 10 lbs to 80 lbs so they replace 8 pairs of dumbbells.

But they’re missing those small jumps in between weight increments which can make it difficult to progress in some exercises.

This is where M-Plate’s 2.5 lbs magnetic fractional plates come in handy.

Let’s check them out!

Unboxing

Snode Fractional Dumbbell Plates

M-Plate sells a 4 plate, 2.5 lbs Snode fractional weight plates set and they all come in one box, stacked on top of each other.

Each 2.5 lbs plate is individually bubble wrapped.

And here’s what they look like…

Each plate is made specifically to fit the Snode AD80 dumbbells and powder coated in black with embossed lettering and weight.

I took a close up pic of the top of the plate so you can see it better.

You can see the embossed M-Plate logo with 2.5 lbs right below it.

Flat Surface Rack For Snode M-Plates

I also picked up a rack made specifically for the Snode M-Plates.

It came bubble wrapped like the plates.

Here’s what it looks like…

It’s light weight and it’s made to hold the Snode plates when they’re not on the dumbbells.

Here’s what the plates look like when they’re on.

Each plate has a slot specific to their shape and keeps them upright.

I wouldn’t say these are a must have but they’re a cool add-on if you like to keep things organized around your home gym.

Specs

• Material: Stainless steel

• Magnets: 6 magnets on each dumbbell plate

• Weight increments: Add 5 lbs increments (2.5 lbs per side) to Snode AD80 adjustable dumbbells

• Compatibility: Made to fit inside the first plate of the Snode AD80 dumbbells (Other plates are available for Nuobell and Bowflex dumbbells)

What Are M-Plate Fractional Dumbbell Plates?

M-Plates for Snode AD80 Dumbbells

M-Plates are fractional dumbbell plates for dumbbells that add more weight increments without taking up any floor space.

They’re magnetic and made specifically to fit adjustable Snode dumbbells (they’re also made for a few other brands).

The back of the Snode M-Plates have 6 magnets to make sure they stay on securely while the dumbbells are in use.

Right below the magnets, they have a raised edge that’s made to fit like a puzzle inside the first plate of the dumbbells.

This combination of the raised edge and magnets makes these dumbbell plates very safe.

Here’s what they look like when they’re on the Snode AD80 dumbbells.

The bottom arch of the plate sits right above the dumbbell dial and doesn’t prevent it from adjusting while the plate is on.

You can see the top of the weight plate has a raised lip that makes it easy to push off when I want to take the plate off.

RELATED: Snode AD80 Review

M-Plates For Nuobell Dumbbells

M-Plate also makes 1.25 lbs dumbbell plates for Nuobell dumbbells.

These give Nuobells 32 extra micro weight increments.

M-Plates For Bowflex Dumbbells

And they also make 1.25 lbs for the Bowflex 552 dumbbells.

These give the Bowflex an extra 13 weight increments.

Top Benefits Of M-Plate Fractional Dumbbell Plates

Weight Increments

The main benefits of the M-Plate dumbbell plates is that they increase the amount of weight adjustments in increments of 2.5 lbs and 5 lbs.

This makes the Snode dumbbells jump from 8 weight adjustments to 24, so it triples the weight available.

I do have to mention that the 2.5 lbs jumps are made with an M-Plate attached to one side of the dumbbell only.

So for that reason, 2.5 lbs weight selections do feel slightly unbalanced.

But with two M-Plates on, the 5 lbs jumps feel perfect.

Safe

I do like that the M-Plates are made to fit like a puzzle on the Snode’s first plate.

From the outside, you can see how the black arches go into the first plate so there’s no shifting of the weight plates while I’m using them.

Combine that with the 6 magnets on the opposite side and these plates aren’t going anywhere.

ALSO CHECKOUT: Micro Gainz Fractional Weight Plates

Best Features Of M-Plate Dumbbell Plates

Design

I love the circular design of the M-Plates because they almost look like they’re part of the dumbbell.

They’re off the handle so they’re not taking away any hand space and they sit above the dial so there’s no disruption when I make weight changes.

Here’s a closer look at how they sit on top of the dial.

You can see the dial doesn’t come in contact with the M-Plate so it’s free to spin even when the plate is on.

Magnets

With 6 magnets distribute around the entire arch of the M-Plate, it feels very secure even when I drop the dumbbells.

And even the magnets keep the plates on securely, it’s not hard to pull off the weights when I push sideways on the lip on top of the plates.

M-Plate Fractional Dumbbell Plates Pros & Cons

Pros

• Build: Fit snug on the first plate of Snode AD80 dumbbells

• Weight increments: Unlock up to 24 weight increments (instead of the original 8 on the Snode dumbbells)

• Magnets: Keep the plates securely on the dumbbells so they don’t fall off while in use

• Design: Allow the dumbbells to be adjusted without removing the magnetic plate

• Off the handle: Don’t take up any handle space

Cons

• Balance: I notice a slight imbalance when using a 2.5 lbs (on one side only) with very light weight (10 lbs) but as I go up in weight this is less noticeable. Nothing that throws me off when exercising but just a minor thing I noticed.

M-Plate Fractional Dumbbell Plates Snode Price

M-Plate sells their 4 plate set for $129.99.

This may seem like a lot from fractional dumbbell plates but when you think about all the extra increments you get, it’s actually a good deal.

Buying the individual dumbbells these plates replace would be way more than expensive.

M-Plate Discount Code

Plus, I’m gonna hook you up with a discount code that takes 10% off the retail price.

This brings down the price from $130 to $117.

Just click the red button below to reveal my exclusive coupon code.

M-Plate Dumbbell Plates Alternatives

Micro Gainz Snode Dumbbell Plates

The Micro Gainz Snode dumbbell plates come in 1.25 lbs increments so I’m able to get a few more micro jumps in between adjustments.

These are also magnetic and can also stay on the dumbbells while making weight adjustments.

They’re nicely powder coated in matte black and made from laser cut steel.

Micro Gainz vs M-Plate

Micro Gainz is the big player in the dumbbell fractional weight plate space so questions about which one is better always pop up.

Both are magnetic and function in a similar way but have different designs.

The biggest difference, is that Micro Gainz uses 1.25 lbs plates vs M-Plate’s 2.5 lbs for the Snode dumbbells.

So if you’re using Micro Gainz, you’ll get more weight increments from the Snode dumbbells than with M-Plate.

You can still 3X the amount of weight increments with M-Plate, whichever you choose depends on how granular you wanna get with increments.

Here’s what both plates look like from the side.

M-Plate is on the top and Micro Gainz right below it.

Both are magnetic, don’t get in the way of the dial, and don’t take up any handle space.

As far as price goes, the M-Plate Snode set sells for $130 and the Micro Gainz Snode set sells for $140.

My Experience Using The M-Plate Snode Dumbbell Plates

I like these better than Snode’s fractional weight plates that go on the ends of the dumbbells.

With Snode’s design, I have to constantly remove the magnetic weights in order to make weight changes and they dig into my thighs at the start of dumbbell presses.

M-Plate’s design is much better because they don’t dig into my thighs and don’t get in the way when I have to make weight adjustments.

Are M-Plate Dumbbell Plates Worth It?

If you own a pair of Snode AD80 dumbbells and want to get 16 extra weigh increments, you should consider the M-Plate dumbbell plates.

They’re made to fit the dumbbells like a puzzle and if it wasn’t for the top lip, you’d think they’re sold by Snode.

These are safe and won’t fall off the dumbbell while in use thanks to the 6 magnets that are placed all around the plates.