The 10 Best Arthritis Gloves to Alleviate Pain and Improve Function

How We Selected the Best Arthritis Gloves

When selecting the best gloves for arthritis relief, we spoke with rheumatologists, occupational therapists, orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, and hand specialists. They provided insight into what materials are best and how arthritis gloves should fit. We then reviewed the best products on the market based on the following criteria:

• Comfort: The most important aspect of good arthritis gloves is how comfortable they are, especially because you may be wearing them for hours at a time. We considered how much compression each pair offers, how the seams line up on your hand, and whether or not the gloves are difficult to get on and off. 
• Warmth: Heat can help soothe arthritis pain, so we considered what level of warmth each pair of gloves provides as well as how breathable they are. We looked for gloves that keep your hands warm without making them overly hot and sweaty.
• Material: The materials used in constructing arthritis gloves can benefit the fit and comfort level. Ideally, it will also provide compression without hindering dexterity. For this reason, we considered the material used for the gloves and considered how it enhances performance.
• Durability: Arthritis gloves tend to be used frequently, which is why we focused on durability. We wanted to ensure that each pair of gloves would maintain its quality, shape, and function after repeated use.

What to Look for When Shopping for Arthritis Gloves

• Comfort and Fit: According to Tara Schwartz, PT, MPT, physical therapist and owner of three FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Centers in Florida, arthritis gloves should fit snugly without being too tight. You shouldn’t struggle to get them on or feel like they’re cutting off your circulation. She recommends working with a physical therapist or another healthcare provider to get measured. This will help ensure you are purchasing the best glove for your condition and symptoms. 
• Material: The best material for you depends on your symptoms, the amount of compression you need, and the sensitivity of your skin, says Pamela Mehta MD, board-certified orthopedic surgeon and founder of Resilience Orthopedics in San Jose, California. She suggests considering how breathable the material is as well as how it feels next to your skin. Gloves designed purely for overnight compression are often made of nylon and lycra. If you’re mainly concerned about warmth, cotton and wool blends might provide what you need.
• Compression: When selecting arthritis gloves, Trevor Petrie, MOTR/L, CHT, certified hand therapist and chief medical director with Grace & Able, suggests looking for gentle graduated compression. This pushes fluid away from the joints and reduces inflammation, he says. It’s easy to overestimate how much compression you need to reduce swelling and pain. According to Petrie, the lymphatic system in the hand is made up of small vessels that don’t like to be squished by excessive pressure, so the glove should feel like it’s giving your hand a gentle hug rather than binding it. 
• Finger Coverage: Most arthritis gloves have the fingertips free so you can grasp and manipulate objects. This also makes them easier to wear for longer periods of time. The gloves' compression should start from your fingertips and flow down to your midfinger, hand, and wrist, says Schwartz. She also suggests making sure the gloves are secure but not restrictive at the wrist and looser at the hand. 
• Additional Features: Of course, the most important feature of an arthritis glove is how the gloves fit you, says Schwartz. That said, elements like the heating component, vibration, and other technology features are also important to consider. 

Our Experts

When developing our list of the best arthritis gloves, we consulted hand and wrist specialists as well as rheumatologists and orthopedic surgeons. Here are the experts who provided their valuable insight: 

• Magdalena Cadet, MD, assistant professor of medicine and rheumatologist at NYU Langone
• Alejandro Badia, MD, FACS, a board-certified hand and upper extremity orthopedic surgeon
• Fraser Leversedge, MD, hand and elbow orthopedic surgeon at UCHealth
• Pamela Mehta, MD, board-certified orthopedic surgeon and founder of Resilience Orthopedics in San Jose, California 
• Trevor Petrie, MOTR/L, CHT, certified hand therapist and chief medical director with Grace & Able
• Tara Schwartz, PT, MPT, physical therapist and owner of three FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Centers in Florida
  

Why Trust Verywell Health

Sherri Gordon, CLC, has been covering health and social issues for nearly 20 years and has written countless articles with a health focus. Consequently, she is well versed and knowledgeable about a number of health conditions—like carpal tunnel and osteoarthritis—that impact our everyday lives. Plus, as someone who needs occasional relief from achy joints and wrist pain, Sherri knows how important it is to find comfortable gloves to help alleviate discomfort and pain that come from arthritis.