Orthopedic & Physical Therapy Products 8 Best Arthritis Gloves of 2023 for Compression and Winter IMAK'S Compression Arthritis Gloves are breathable and help keep blood flowing By Sarah Bradley Sarah Bradley Twitter Sarah is a freelance writer with a focus on health and wellness. She has written for publications like Women's Health, Healthline, and Parents. She taught creative writing for five years, and has a bachelor's degree in English from Southern Connecticut State University. Learn about our editorial process and Danielle Zoellner Danielle Zoellner LinkedIn Twitter Danielle Zoellner is a freelance writer with an emphasis in health and wellness. She graduated from the University of Missouri at Columbia. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 28, 2022 Medically reviewed by Anita C. Chandrasekaran, MD, MPH Medically reviewed by Anita C. Chandrasekaran, MD, MPH LinkedIn Anita Chandrasekaran, MD, MPH, is board-certified in internal medicine and rheumatology and currently works as a rheumatologist at Hartford Healthcare Medical Group in Connecticut. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products. Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. Learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Verywell / Sabrina Jiang Arthritis pain can make it hard to go about your daily life, and that’s especially true when the ache is located in your hands. Unlike pain in the other parts of your body, you can’t simply “rest” your hurting hands or rely on OTC pain medications 24/7. What you can do, though, is offer your hands support in the form of an arthritis glove that's designed to reduce many of the unpleasant symptoms of arthritis, including swelling, stiffness, and pain. When looking for arthritis gloves, check for portability, flexibility, and support. Additionally, “it is important to see if the gloves fit adequately, have a soft fabric (cotton), and comfortably, by picking a flexible fabric," says Magdalena Cadet, MD, a rheumatologist practicing at NYU Langone in New York City. "Picking fingerless gloves may offer some flexibility with the range of motion. Compression gloves have been worn to help reduce swelling.” We researched dozens of arthritis gloves and evaluated them for material, fit, comfort, and price. Here are the best arthritis gloves on the market today. Our Top Picks Best Overall: IMAK Compression Arthritis Gloves at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Vive Arthritis Gloves at Amazon Jump to Review Best Copper Gloves: Copper Compression Arthritis Gloves at Amazon Jump to Review Best Compression Gloves: ComfyBrace Arthritis Hand Compression Gloves at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Fingers and Thumbs: PhysioNatural Microwavable Therapy Mittens at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Winter: Copper Compression Full Finger Arthritis Gloves at Amazon Jump to Review Best Thermal Heat Relief: Thermoskin Premium Arthritic Gloves at Amazon Jump to Review Best Vibrating: Brownmed Intellinetix Therapy Gloves at Amazon Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks How We Selected What to Look For FAQ Why Trust Verywell Health Best Overall IMAK Compression Arthritis Gloves 4.9 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Allegromedical.com Pros Helps all types of arthritis Breathable fabric Also help carpal tunnel syndrome Keeps fingertips free Cons Material can attract lint and pet hair The IMAK Compression Arthritis Gloves earned our best overall pick for a reason. The gloves can be used for any type of arthritic hand pain to address the aches, pains, and stiffness that can happen throughout the day. With the fingertips exposed, this makes these gloves perfect for daytime use because it allows you to continue with your daily tasks, whether it be typing on a computer or working throughout the home. Additionally, the gloves are made with a breathable material of both cotton and spandex. This combination makes for flexible wear, which is important for people who experience some swelling of the joints. We also like that there’s an added compression effect with the gloves to keep the blood flowing throughout the hands and fingers. The best part is that the gloves also come in a variety of sizes to fit your hand well. Price at time of publish: $22 Material: Cotton and spandex | Number of Sizes Available: 5 What the Experts Say “A physician must be consulted about possibly wearing gloves if an individual has circulation problems, a condition called Raynaud’s disease where there is constriction of the blood vessels, and carpal tunnel syndrome which can be seen in diabetics, thyroid disease, and rheumatoid arthritis patients.” —Magdalena Cadet, MD, a rheumatologist practicing at NYU Langone in New York City Best Budget Vive Arthritis Gloves Amazon View On Amazon Pros Great value Lighter compression Comfortable Durable Seamless Cons Runs small Arthritis gloves don’t need to come with a hefty price tag. The Vive Arthritis Gloves provide soothing compression therapy and warmth to the hand at an affordable price, which is why we chose them as our best budget pick. These gloves have the same benefits as most other arthritis gloves on the market, so you’re not sacrificing quality when you buy them. The gloves provide soft compression to the hand and fingers to help relieve pain that forms at the joints. We love the gloves' lightweight fabric, which is made out of a cotton-spandex blend. This material gives the gloves some flexibility when putting them on and off. The design also leaves the fingertips free so you can continue your daily tasks without feeling restrained. Price at time of publish: $12 Material: Cotton-spandex blend | Number of Sizes Available: 5 Best Copper Gloves Copper Compression Arthritis Gloves 4.4 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Bed Bath & Beyond Pros Machine washable Anti-odor Breathable Cons Finger grips wear off Copper is one metal that has been touted as potentially providing benefits to people who suffer from arthritis, specifically in the form of copper bracelets. However, that information is pseudoscience at best with few studies indicating a clear difference in someone's symptoms when wearing the metal. But that does not mean that there are no benefits when wearing Copper Compression Arthritis Gloves. These gloves can be worn either in the daytime or at night, depending on when you most feel pain and stiffness in your joints. The compression effect also helps minimize any swollen joints and relieves pain. Be aware, though, that some people can experience an allergic reaction to metals. It is important to monitor new gloves when first wearing them to ensure that no allergic reaction or irritation is happening from the new material. Price at time of publish: $33 Material: 85% copper-infused nylon | Number of Sizes Available: 4 What the Experts Say “I often recommend arthritis gloves, as do our hand therapists (CHT), in the late post-op phase after joint replacement or fusions in the hand and wrist, since this helps to continue reducing post-op swelling while permitting function.” — Alejandro Badia, MD, FACS, a board-certified hand and upper extremity orthopedic surgeon with Badia Hand to Shoulder Center in Florida The 5 Best Carpal Tunnel Braces of 2023 Best Compression Gloves ComfyBrace Arthritis Hand Compression Gloves Amazon View On Amazon Pros Free e-book included Minimal seams add to the comfort Ideal for wearing to bed Cons Material is less stretchy If you’re experiencing joint pain and swelling from your arthritis, then finding a pair of gloves that compresses the hand is a good therapeutic option. The ComfyBrace Arthritis Hand Compression gloves were specifically created to gently compress the joints the second that the hand is placed in the product. Additionally, the design has seamless stitching to make for comfortable wear for long periods, which makes the gloves optimal for sleeping. The material is also breathable and moisture-wicking to make for comfortable wear in the warmer months. Reviewers say that wearing the gloves at night helped them wake up with less stiff and achy joints in the morning, making it easy for them to start their day. Price at time of publish: $32 Material: Spandex blend | Number of Sizes Available: 4 What the Experts Say “At night, it is more common to wear a compression-type glove that may or may not include the fingers. The gloves are usually made of a breathable material; however, most contain some form of elastic such as spandex.” — Fraser Leversedge, MD, hand and elbow orthopedic surgeon at UCHealth Best for Fingers and Thumbs PhysioNatural Microwavable Therapy Mittens Amazon View On Amazon Pros Helps with multiple conditions Machine washable Backed by a money back guarantee Cons May be small on some hands Bringing heat directly to the fingers and thumbs is one of the most optimal ways to address pain and stiffness from arthritis. PhysioNatural’s Microwavable Therapy Mittens is a great option for someone who has Raynaud’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and other joint stiffness like carpal tunnel. This is because the mittens provide direct heat to the joints when wearing them. Mittens, as opposed to gloves, are also great at warming up the joints because the fingers are next to each other instead of separated, which can create more heat between them. But, the downside of the mittens is that they prevent you from getting any work done. So this product is most optimal for someone who experiences joint pain and stiffness in the morning and is looking for an option to wear at night. Price at time of publish: $47 Material: Plush fabric | Number of Sizes Available: 1; One size fits most The 7 Best Gifts for People with Arthritis of 2023 Best for Winter Copper Compression Full Finger Arthritis Gloves with Touchscreen Tips Amazon View On Amazon View On Coppercompression.com Pros Keeps fingers warm Satisfaction-guaranteed Helpful for other types of finger pain Cons Ribbing on fingertips rubs off quickly Depending on the person, gloves covering the entire fingers to the tips can be a nuisance, especially in the summer months. But full-cover gloves are especially beneficial for someone who has Raynaud’s syndrome or is living in colder weather. Cold weather can increase the severity of the symptoms. So the added fabric encloses the fingers and provides direct heat to the digits. Heat is important to improve circulation throughout the fingers and hand, as well as relieve any joint stiffness. Although full-fingered gloves can often hinder someone from performing tasks, that might not be the case with the Copper Compression Full Finger Arthritis Gloves. These gloves include touchscreen fingertips, which allow you to text on your phone or utilize a tablet without having to take off the product. Price at time of publish: $20 Material: 85% copper-infused nylon | Number of Sizes Available: 4 Best Thermal Heat Relief Thermoskin Premium Arthritic Gloves View On Amazon View On Walmart View On CVS Pros Works with your own body heat Grips on fingers Cons Seams can rub Time and time again experts have found that heat is one of the quickest and most beneficial tools to use when addressing joint stiffness and pain. Heating pads and warm washcloths are simple ways to provide heat to those aching joints. But those options are not easy to use throughout the day. Thermoskin Premium Arthritic Gloves provide long-lasting heat to the fingers and hands all day or night long without impacting your ability to perform necessary tasks. Besides providing heat, the gloves also add soft compression to the hand, which assists with any swelling or pain someone might be experiencing. Additionally, the gloves feature small rubber dots on the inside palm of the material. This helps people grip items around their household easily. Price at time of publish: $40 Material: Outer lining: Nylon; Mid layer: Rubber foam; Inner lining: Polyester | Number of Sizes Available: 6 The 10 Best Heating Pads of 2023 Best Vibrating Brownmed Intellinetix Therapy Vibrating Arthritis Gloves Amazon View On Amazon View On Sharperimage.com View On Walgreens Pros Comes in three sizes Last 40 minutes when fully charged (via USB) Made with breathable cotton material Cons Pricey Vibration is a newer addition to possible therapeutic methods that could relieve symptoms caused by arthritis. While science has not quite caught up with the technology, it could be something new to try if other therapy methods are not proving beneficial. All it takes is slipping on the gloves and pushing a button to allow the vibrations to begin. These vibrations can work like heat therapy to help warm up the joints, thus reducing any stiffness and pain that you might be experiencing. A 2018 study published in the journal Pain Medicine tested the Intellinetix gloves with women who live with osteoarthritis. Just over half of the participants (53.5%) said that the gloves helped reduce their hand pain, and 71.4% indicated that they would use them again. The one downside about these gloves is the price tag. So if you find them out of budget, then consider going for a cheaper pair that addresses heat and compression therapy. Those gloves could have the same or even more benefits than a vibrating glove. Price at time of publish: $120 Material: Cotton material | Number of Sizes Available: 3 Final Verdict If you are looking for gloves that will address a variety of symptoms from arthritis while allowing you to still perform tasks throughout the day, then we recommend the IMAK Arthritis Compression Gloves. If you are looking for gloves that provide full coverage to your entire hand, then we recommend the Copper Compression Full Finger Gloves. This glove will keep the hand warmed up from the fingertips to the wrist without preventing you from performing tasks like using a smartphone. How We Selected the Best Arthritis Gloves When selecting gloves for arthritis relief, we spoke with rheumatologists and occupational therapists. We then spent hours combing the web for the best and most effective products. After taking all of our options into consideration, we determined which to feature based on key criteria recommended by the experts: comfort, coverage, material, and added features. Once we narrowed down our options, we compared each treatment's benefits to its price tag. While some choices on our list may be more expensive, we wanted to give a wide range of options that would fit all needs and budgets. Based on all of these factors, we compiled this list of the best gloves to relieve arthritis symptoms. What to Look for in Arthritis Gloves Comfort What’s comfortable for one person might not necessarily be comfortable for someone else. Ideally, you should be able to put on a pair of gloves and forget you’re wearing them: That’s the true mark of comfort. Make sure the gloves aren’t too tight or loose-fitting and that no part of the glove pinches or digs into your skin while you’re wearing them. “I would be careful with compression gloves that are also too tight. You do want to have sufficient circulation and not impede circulation to the fingers,” says Jonathan Greer, MD, a Florida-based rheumatologist. It is important to remember that the fit of the glove can alter day to day depending on the swelling of the hands and joints. “The glove that fit yesterday might not fit today,” said Betty Hearne, OTHR, an occupational therapist in Massachusetts. “Most people can feel if the gloves are too tight. Your hand might go cold and feel tingly. It might ache like a shoe that is too small.” Coverage Gloves are available in all different coverage levels: full hand and wrist, finger-only, wrist-only, hands and fingers, and fingerless. Make sure to choose a glove that supports the part of your hand that suffers from arthritis and addresses your type of arthritis. “If someone has Raynaud's Phenomenon, I personally like gloves that have all the fingers encased in one mitt that is heated,” Dr. Greer says. “Individual fingers that are wrapped don’t quite heat the same compared to when you have the full mitt and your fingers are all together.” But, ultimately, it is up to the individual on what coverage makes more sense for their personal life and symptoms. Your level of mobility during the day can impact the coverage decision. “For daytime use, I want the fingertips to be free but the fingers covered,” Hearne says. “For nighttime use, the whole hand should be covered.” Material Certain fabrics and materials will be more comfortable for you than others. If you tend to run hot, you might want to choose a breathable fabric—but if your hands are always cold and it triggers your pain, a thermal option would be a better choice. “Heavier gloves hold more warmth, which can be comforting but may make it difficult to move your fingers. They are often worn at night,” Hearne says. “Lighter weight fabrics are often easier to wear during the day so you can use your hands.” Lightweight fabrics will also provide more flexibility in the glove to make them easy to put on and remove. “Many garments have copper in them and claim to better help arthritis. There is no evidence that the copper helps, but the glove is a good one and is reasonably priced so we do recommend its use,” Hearne adds. Allergies are an important consideration when selecting gloves. “Be careful, patients can have allergic reactions to the products in gloves, particularly the latex or rubber related products,” Dr. Greer says. Also, depending on the breathability of the material, it is important to give your hands breaks from wearing the gloves if sweat builds up. “You don’t want to have the hands totally encased 24 hours per day without giving the glove the chance to dry,” Dr. Greer adds. Added Features Arthritis gloves can come with a variety of therapeutic features to tackle symptoms someone might experience daily. Heated gloves are one of the more important features to focus on because of their ability to relieve stiffness and joint pain. “For rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, the heat in the gloves provides and improves circulation in the joints and reduces stiffness,” Dr. Greer says. But it is important to note that while the heat will temporarily alleviate the joint stiffness, this, like other therapeutic methods, will not reverse the disease. “It is a reliever of the symptoms,” he says. Compression is another feature that works well to temporarily relieve symptoms associated with arthritis in the hands and fingers. “Most of the patients that I see have the wear and tear of osteoarthritis, and their joints are swollen and painful,” Hearne says. “The gloves can really help by giving you some compression to the hands and the joints, which will inhibit pain.” Other features like copper in gloves and added vibrations do not have the same science behind them as heat and compression therapy. “All of these are based on pseudoscience,” Dr. Greer says. “They are not going to hurt you, they are not going to cause damage, but the science behind these things is not as robust as the science we see for the drugs we use to treat these diseases.” Frequently Asked Questions How long should I wear my compression gloves? Each type of glove has specific directions for efficacy and safety. Most are recommended for eight-hour wear. Keeping them on longer can have side effects. “Too much compression can worsen underlying poor circulation,” says Siddharth Tambar, MD, a rheumatologist at Chicago Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine. “I would not recommend it for any conditions resulting in skin breakdown or poor blood flow. I would recommend against use if pain worsens with usage.”There are additional conditions, especially those related to circulation problems, that don’t pair well with arthritis gloves. “A physician must be consulted about wearing gloves if an individual has circulation problems, a condition called Raynaud’s disease where there is constriction of the blood vessels, and carpal tunnel syndrome, which can be seen in people with diabetes, thyroid disease, and rheumatoid arthritis,” says Magdalena Cadet, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine and rheumatologist at NYU Langone. Can you wear arthritis gloves to bed? Not only is it possible to wear arthritis gloves to bed, according to Alejandro Badia, MD, a board-certified hand and upper extremity orthopedic surgeon with Badia Hand to Shoulder Center in Florida, but they are also intended to be worn at night for two reasons. First, effective compression of joint swelling and shifts in lubricating joint fluid don’t happen in a matter of a few hours. “Most people sleep at least six hours, and that continuous pressure is what’s most effective,” Dr. Badia tells Verywell Health. “No better time to do that consistently than every night during sleep.” The second reason, he explains, is that most swelling happens at night because of fluid retention due to cortisol secretion, as well as the fact that most joints are at the same level as the heart—positioned horizontally as we sleep. (Sleeping in an adjustable bed will also change the position of your hand so it will not be at the same level horizontally as your heart.) “The gloves will minimize pooling of fluid in already painful joints,” Dr. Badia adds. How tight should arthritis gloves be? You may need to test out a few different pairs before finding the one that is best for you. “Finding arthritis gloves that provide the ideal amount of support without the downsides of constriction can be difficult—particularly when one’s hands may vary in size due to fluctuations in swelling,” Fraser Leversedge, MD, hand and elbow orthopedic surgeon at UCHealth tells Verywell Health.Arthritis gloves need to be tight enough that they exert their desired action—namely to minimize joint swelling and edema, Dr. Badia notes. “Too loose, they don’t work. Too tight and it’s hard for patients to be compliant with the needed prolonged usage,” he says.According to Dr. Leversedge, the gloves should support the joints that are painful, be comfortable, and not cause a notable increase in swelling of the fingertips if worn for 30 to 45 minutes before going to bed. “Be careful when using fingerless gloves that are too tight, as this might promote swelling in the fingers, beyond the tighter portions of the gloves,” he explains. Why Trust Verywell Health Sarah Bradley has been writing health content since 2017—everything from product roundups and illness FAQs to nutrition explainers and the dish on diet trends. As a migraine sufferer, she understands how important it is to find easy-to-use products that prevent and relieve pain and always strives to recommend well-reviewed, quality products that can help people live with less pain. Additional reporting for this story by Danielle Zoellner As a seasoned health writer, Danielle Zoellner knows the importance of finding just the right product to fit your medical needs. Throughout her career, Danielle has interviewed a variety of experts in the medical and health fields while reviewing dozens of products. Her experience and knowledge in the field work together to help readers like yourself find the best products for your daily life. 1 Source Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Jamison RN, Mei A, Edwards RR, Ross EL. Efficacy of vibrating gloves for chronic hand pain due to osteoarthritis. Pain Medicine. 2018;19(5):1044-1057. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! 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