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Best Equal Weight ETFs in 2026

Last updated: March 2026

Equal weight ETFs give every stock the same allocation rather than weighting by market cap. This reduces mega-cap concentration and increases exposure to mid-size companies.

Quick Picks: Our Top 1 Equal Weight ETFs ETFs

  1. 1
    Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (RSP)The top pick for its combination of ultra-low 0.20% expense ratio, $60.0B in assets, and broad exposure across 503 holdings.

How We Chose These ETFs

Selecting the right ETFs for equal weight etfs investors requires a careful evaluation of multiple factors. We analyzed dozens of funds across the industry and narrowed our recommendations based on the following criteria. Each factor was weighted according to its importance for investors in this specific category, ensuring that our picks are truly optimized for your goals.

  1. Reduced concentration risk Reduced concentration risk from mega-cap tech dominance
  2. Greater exposure to Greater exposure to mid-cap companies within the index
  3. Systematic rebalancing that Systematic rebalancing that inherently buys low and sells high
  4. Diversification benefit over Diversification benefit over cap-weighted indices

We also factored in our proprietary Beginner Suitability Score, which evaluates each fund on a 1-to-10 scale considering expense ratios, volatility (beta), diversification (holdings count), dividend history, and track record length. Funds that score consistently high across these dimensions earned a spot on our list.

1. Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (RSP) — Best Overall

InvescoUS Large-Cap Equal Weight

Expense Ratio

0.20%

AUM

$60.0B

5-Year Return

10.00%

Beginner Score

9/10

RSP holds all 500 stocks in the S&P 500 but gives each one an equal weight of about 0.2%, rather than weighting by market cap. This means smaller S&P 500 companies have the same influence as mega-caps like Apple or Microsoft. The equal-weight approach reduces concentration risk and provides a natural tilt toward mid-cap and value stocks within the S&P 500 universe.

Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF earns its spot as our best overall pick because it delivers on the metrics that matter most for equal weight etfs investors. With an expense ratio of just 0.20%, you keep more of your returns working for you over time. The fund manages $60.0B in total assets, which speaks to its popularity and ensures strong liquidity with tight bid-ask spreads when you buy or sell shares.

Over the past five years, RSP has delivered a total return of 10.00%, outperforming many of its peers and rewarding patient, long-term investors. The fund holds 503 individual securities, giving you exceptional diversification across a wide swath of the market. Its beta of 1.02 indicates that the fund is closely aligned with overall market movements, which is expected for a broadly diversified fund.

RSP currently pays a dividend yield of 1.70%, providing investors with a stream of regular income on top of capital appreciation. Dividends are typically distributed quarterly and can be automatically reinvested through most major brokerages, accelerating the compounding process. With a track record stretching back to 2003, RSP has weathered multiple market cycles including the 2008 financial crisis and the 2020 pandemic, proving its resilience. Our Beginner Suitability Score rates it 9/10 (Great for Beginners), reflecting its excellent combination of low costs, manageable volatility, and broad diversification.

Pros

  • Eliminates mega-cap concentration risk by giving every S&P 500 stock equal influence
  • Natural tilt toward mid-cap and value factors within the S&P 500 universe
  • Quarterly rebalancing systematically sells winners and buys laggards for a contrarian effect
  • Outperforms cap-weighted S&P 500 during periods of broad market participation

Cons

  • Higher expense ratio of 0.20% compared to standard S&P 500 index funds
  • Quarterly rebalancing generates more turnover and potential tax events in taxable accounts
  • Underperforms when mega-cap stocks lead the market, as in recent tech-driven rallies
Read our full RSP review →

Comparison Table

Here is a side-by-side comparison of all 1 ETFs in our equal weight etfs category. This table highlights the key metrics you should evaluate when choosing between these funds. Pay close attention to expense ratios and beginner scores, as these are the most impactful factors for long-term investment success.

ETFExpense RatioAUM5Y ReturnYieldHoldingsBetaScore
RSPInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF0.20%$60.0B10.00%1.70%5031.029/10

*Beginner Score is calculated based on expense ratio, beta, holdings count, dividend yield, and fund inception year. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Recommended: This beginner-friendly ETF course on Udemy covers everything from ETF fundamentals to building a recession-proof portfolio in 7 days.

Common Mistakes Equal Weight ETFs Investors Make

Even with a solid selection of ETFs, investors in the equal weight etfs category can undermine their results by falling into avoidable traps. Understanding these common pitfalls will help you stay on track and avoid costly errors that could set back your financial progress by years or even decades.

  • 1

    Not realizing equal weight: Not realizing equal weight ETFs have higher turnover and potentially more tax events

  • 2

    Expecting equal weight to: Expecting equal weight to always outperform cap-weighted indices

  • 3

    Ignoring the higher expense: Ignoring the higher expense ratios compared to cap-weighted alternatives

  • 4

    Overallocating to equal weight: Overallocating to equal weight without understanding when it tends to outperform

The best defense against these mistakes is a simple, written investment plan that you commit to following regardless of market conditions. Define your target allocation, set up automatic contributions, and schedule a review only once or twice per year. This removes emotion from the process and keeps you focused on long-term wealth building rather than short-term noise.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between equal weight and cap weight?

Cap-weighted funds like VOO give more weight to larger companies. Equal weight funds like RSP give every stock the same allocation, boosting smaller company exposure.

When does equal weight outperform?

Equal weight tends to outperform when small and mid-cap stocks lead the market. It underperforms when mega-caps drive returns, as in recent years.

Is RSP a good alternative to VOO?

RSP provides S&P 500 exposure without mega-cap concentration. It costs more at 0.20 percent versus 0.03 percent for VOO, so consider if the diversification benefit justifies the fee.

Do equal weight ETFs have higher risk?

They have slightly different risk characteristics with less single-stock concentration but more volatility from smaller company exposure. Total risk is comparable to cap-weighted indices.