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Arthritis occurs when your joints become inflamed, resulting in pain and stiffness. The condition commonly impacts your hands, which can make simple daily tasks difficult and painful. Arthritis gloves can provide the relief you crave and increase your ability to do everyday activities by allowing you to perform movements such as lifting, pinching, gripping, and grabbing in a pain-free way. To determine the best arthritis gloves for alleviating pain and stiffness as well as improving the function of your hands, we consulted with rheumatologists, occupational therapists, orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, and hand specialists. They provided valuable insight into how arthritis gloves should fit and what they should be made of. Below you’ll find the best arthritis gloves that relieve pain, provide compression, and improve circulation. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Best Compression: Best Vibrating: Best Versatile: Best Fingernail: In This Article Our Picks How We Selected What to Look For Our Experts FAQ Why Trust Verywell Health Pros Breathable cotton fabric Endorsed by the Arthritis Foundation Easy to put on and take off Cons Material is on the thinner side Glove Type: Fingerless, compression | Sizes: Small, medium, and large | Material: Cotton and spandex Endorsed by the Arthritis Foundation, IMAK Arthritis Gloves provide the perfect mix of compression and comfort. They have a fingerless design, which means they won’t interfere with daily tasks, but the quality fabric and firm compression also keep your hands warm. The breathable cotton fabric provides just the right amount of warmth without causing sweating or discomfort. The compression on these gloves is strong enough to promote circulation and relieve swelling, but light enough that putting them on and taking them off is a breeze. They’re also machine washable, and the durable fabric holds up well with regular cleaning. While these gloves do a decent job of keeping your hands warm, they are on the thinner side and may not be ideal in extremely cold environments. Pros Minimal seams Lifetime replacement guarantee Fingerless design Cons May be less durable than other gloves on our list Glove Type: Fingerless, compression | Sizes: Small, medium, and large | Material: Cotton and spandex If you’re looking for an inexpensive and effective pair of arthritis gloves, you can’t go wrong with the ComfyBrace Arthritis Hand Compression Gloves. These gloves are made from a breathable cotton and spandex blend and feature a nearly seamless design, which earns them high marks for comfort. Like many other gloves on our list, these gloves are fingerless, which means they allow for full use of your hands and fingers. The light compression is just enough to promote circulation without feeling too restrictive. Overall, we're impressed with the ability of these gloves to relieve hand and joint pain, especially when you consider the affordable price. While these gloves do everything you would expect arthritis gloves to do, they may not last as long as some others on the list. That said, if you have a limited budget or aren’t sure if you can commit to wearing arthritis gloves consistently, they make a great starter pair. Pros Medical-grade compression Fit either left or right hand Seamless design and ion technology Cons Price is only for one glove Primarily intended for wrist pain Glove Type: Wrist only, compression | Sizes: Small, medium, large, and extra large | Material: Micro-nylon and spandex OrthoSleeve Wrist Compression Sleeve offers medical-grade compression—an ideal feature for anyone who wants to promote circulation and blood flow. Designed for those who primarily experience arthritis pain in the wrist and thumb, this compression sleeve is versatile and can be worn on either the left or the right hand. The sleeve has a seamless design and slim profile, so it easily fits under clothing. Its ion technology helps to reduce odors, which is a real plus if you wear them for consecutive days. We're also impressed by the manufacturer’s patented K-Zone technology, which functions like kinesiology taping without the tape. The price only covers a single sleeve, although purchasing one sleeve allows you to get the second at 20% off. Additionally, this sleeve is designed to address arthritis pain in the wrist and thumb, so if you have arthritis pain in your finger joints, it may not be ideal for you. Pros Text-friendly Provide a secure grip Cons Full-finger design may be uncomfortable Glove Type: Full finger, compression | Sizes: Small, medium, large, and extra large | Material: Silicone, copper, infrared yarn Tommie Copper Core Compression Infrared Full Finger Gloves warm your hands without chargers, batteries, or plugs. Utilizing infrared yarn that is infused with ceramic infrared-emitting particles, the gloves are designed to absorb your body's natural heat energy and then release it back into your body. These warming capabilities promote circulation, reduce joint stiffness, and encourage fluidity of movements. The gloves' silicone grippers located on the palm ensure you can easily hold onto a water bottle, phone, or other objects without losing your grip, and the text-friendly thumb and index finger allow you to use your phone or tablet. Despite being a warming glove, we love that these gloves are breathable and wick sweat. Some people may find the full-finger design uncomfortable after extended wear. Also, although the gloves are touchscreen friendly, it can be more challenging to use smartphones and tablets while wearing them. Pros Designed by doctors Washable Textured grip Cons Exposes more of the fingers than other fingerless options Glove Type: Fingerless, compression | Sizes: Small, medium, large, and extra large | Material: Copper nylon and spandex Evidence is mixed on whether or not copper can impact inflammation, but one recent study found that copper-infused fabrics may reduce excessive inflammation in macrophages, which play a role in rheumatoid arthritis. With that in mind, our hunt for the best copper arthritis gloves led us to Dr. Frederick’s Original Copper Arthritis Gloves. Not only are these gloves infused with copper, but they also offer light compression to alleviate hand and wrist discomfort, poor circulation, and neuropathy. The gloves have a grippy surface and fingerless design and are doctor-designed to be breathable, odor-resistant, and warming. Despite the copper content, they’re also machine washable, and the durable fabric holds up well even with consistent use and cleaning. These gloves expose more of the fingers than some people might like. For example, if you have pain in your top finger joints, you may want to consider gloves with longer fingers. Pros Breathable, cotton fabric Easy to put on and take off Adjustable levels of vibration Cons Charge only lasts 40 minutes Glove Type: Vibrating, compression | Sizes: Small, medium, and large | Material: Cotton Vibrating gloves are a relatively new arthritis therapy, but research is promising. A study published in Pain Medicine tested Intellinetix Therapy Gloves on women who live with osteoarthritis. The researchers found that more than half (53.5%) of the participants reported reduced hand pain, and 71.4% indicated that they would use them again. Aside from the research backing up the effectiveness of these gloves, we appreciate the fact that the vibrations work like heat therapy to warm up the joints, reducing stiffness and pain. The vibration levels are adjustable, so you can have just the right amount of movement in your hands. They’re easy to put on and take off, made of breathable fabric to keep your hands from getting sweaty, and provide light compression to improve circulation. The charge only lasts 40 minutes, which could be frustrating for people who need the movement to last longer. But, if you only need vibration therapy for short bursts of time, these gloves may be the perfect remedy. Pros Copper-infused compression Made with antimicrobial fabric 100% satisfaction guarantee Cons Don’t cover the top finger joints Glove Type: Half-finger, compression | Sizes: Small, medium, large, and extra large | Material: Copper-infused nylon Sometimes arthritis pain and discomfort can extend beyond your fingers to your wrists, forearms, and elbows. When that happens, it can help to have a longer option like Copper Compression Long Arthritis Gloves. Not only does the copper-infused nylon provide just the right amount of compression for comfort and support, but the fabric also offers antimicrobial properties and anti-odor technology so you can wear them regularly without worrying about germs or smells. The durable, moisture-wicking fabric material doesn’t restrict the movement of your wrist and elbow joints and makes the gloves comfortable for long-term wear. The grippy material in the palm area also helps with grip. These gloves have a half-finger design, which means the top finger joints are not covered. While this design feature is great for finger mobility and freedom, if you have pain in your top finger joints, you may prefer a little more coverage. Pros Designed by doctors Washable Medical handbook included Cons May need to be replaced frequently Glove Type: Fingerless, compression | Sizes: Extra small, small, medium, large, and extra large | Material: Cotton, nylon, spandex We found Dr. Arthritis Cotton Arthritis Gloves to be the perfect combination of comfort and support. These gloves are ideal for everyday wear, and the soothing blend of cotton, nylon, and spandex provides just the right amount of compression while still feeling soft against the skin. These doctor-designed gloves are versatile enough to provide pain relief for a variety of conditions including osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and even soft tissue and sports-related injuries. They come with a helpful medical handbook complete with advice on other ways to reduce pain and inflammation. We also love the open-finger design, which promotes mobility and dexterity and allows you to perform everyday tasks with ease. If you wear these gloves every day as intended and wash them consistently, you may need to replace them more frequently than gloves made with more durable materials. Pros Come with a comfort wrist strap Easy to put on and take off Paraben- and phthalate-free Cons Only come in two sizes Glove Type: Fingerless, compression | Sizes: Small/medium and large/extra large | Material: Cotton, spandex, hemp If you’re looking for a fingerless glove that offers excellent compression and is created with all-natural ingredients, we’re confident that you will love the Hempvana Green Relief Arthritis Gloves. Plus, they’re free of phthalates, gluten, and parabens, and are vegan and cruelty-free—all great features for someone who has sensitivities or prefers a more natural product. Made with hemp fibers, cotton, and spandex, these gloves are moisture-absorbent and soft enough to keep your hands cool throughout the day or night. They also feature a comfort wrist strap that allows you to secure them in place. The fingerless design and grippy texture allow for a full range of motion without being cumbersome or intrusive. One downside to these arthritis gloves is that they only come in two sizes, which can make it challenging to find the right fit if you have small hands or are in between sizes. Pros Wide range of sizes Durable Naturally warming Cons Seams can rub Glove Type: Fingerless | Sizes: Extra small, small, medium, large, extra large, and extra extra large | Material: Nylon, foam, rubber For gloves that offer a good grip, we love Thermoskin Premium Thermal Compression Gloves. With their textured palms and exposed fingertips, you can confidently and firmly grip items. Plus, the fabric is designed to increase the reactivity of your muscles. These gloves feature compression as well as an adjustable forearm strap to ensure your hands feel snug and secure while you are wearing them. They don’t have a heating element, but the snug fit and cozy materials are designed to capture your body's heat and bring natural relief to arthritis pain. These arthritis gloves have more pronounced seams, which can rub and create discomfort when worn for long periods of time. 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: 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: Do arthritis gloves really help? While some studies have been inconclusive as to how much arthritis gloves help over standard gloves, one study found that arthritis gloves can alleviate symptoms of stiffness, pain, and swelling, says Dr. Mehta. You also may benefit from the increased warmth in your hands and the extra support. How long should I wear arthritis gloves each day? Arthritis gloves have specific directions for efficacy and safety, but most manufacturers recommend wearing them for no more than eight hours. Keeping the gloves on longer can have side effects. Also, some conditions—especially those related to circulation problems—don’t pair well with arthritis gloves. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have Raynaud’s disease or carpal tunnel syndrome before using arthritis gloves, suggests 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, but it’s also recommended, according to board-certified hand and upper extremity orthopedic surgeon Alejandro Badia, MD. The continuous pressure helps address joint swelling and shifts in lubricating joint fluid. Gloves also minimize the pooling of fluid in already painful joints. How tight should arthritis gloves be? Finding arthritis gloves that provide the right amount of support without constriction is important, says Fraser Leversedge, MD, a hand and elbow orthopedic surgeon at UCHealth. Arthritis gloves should be tight enough to minimize joint swelling and edema without causing pain or discomfort. Ideally, the gloves should support painful joints without causing a notable increase in swelling. 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.Best Overall
IMAK Compression Arthritis Gloves
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Best Compression
OrthoSleeve Wrist Compression Sleeve
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Tommy Copper Core Compression Infrared Full Finger Gloves
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Best Copper
Dr. Frederick's Original Copper Arthritis Glove
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Dr. Arthritis Cotton Arthritis Gloves
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Best Fingernail
Hempvana Green Relief Arthritis Gloves
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How We Selected the Best Arthritis Gloves
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