For upper-chest growth
For upper-chest growth, incline machine press rates higher on our research criteria: easier to progress, easier on the joints.
Incline dumbbell press gives more stretch.
Both are good choices that train the upper chest the same way, so they swap freely. Rotating between them every few weeks is an easy way to vary your training.
The research score comes from these, scored by hand from the studies. Lifter scores appear once an exercise has 10 ratings. How scores work
Incline Dumbbell Press. Dumbbells allow a deeper stretch than a barbell, on an incline that brings in more upper chest.
Incline Machine Press. A guided incline press: easy to push hard and add weight, with the angle shifting work toward the upper chest.
For upper-chest growth, incline machine press rates higher on our research criteria: easier to progress, easier on the joints. Incline dumbbell press gives more stretch. Both are good choices that train the upper chest the same way, so they swap freely. Rotating between them every few weeks is an easy way to vary your training.
About the same: both are easy to learn.
Incline dumbbell press needs dumbbells and a bench, so a home gym covers it. Incline machine press needs a machine, so for most people it’s a gym exercise.
Incline machine press: it rates Excellent for joint and recovery cost in our research rubric, against Strong for incline dumbbell press.