Do adjustable dumbbells break if you drop them?

This is one of the most consistent warnings across community threads. Reviewers note that dial- and selector-style dumbbells with plastic internals (Bowflex, NordicTrack, and most budget twist-handle sets) are not drop-proof and can crack or jam. Steel quick-lock designs like the Eisenlink are described as functioning more like fixed iron, but reviewers still advise against throwing any adjustable dumbbell.