Best Compression Gloves
[amazon table=”2011″]Arthritis compression gloves can offer real relief from pain and swelling in the hands and fingers.
If you have arthritis pain or another condition such as carpal tunnel syndrome that affects the hands and you don’t already own a pair of compression gloves, you could be unnecessarily suffering.
With many styles and varieties available, it’s worth taking the time to consider which compression gloves best suit your needs and preferences.
Here are our top picks…
👑 Our Pick for Best Overall
[amazon box=”B015QNN0MU” title=”Copper Compression Full Finger Gloves” description=”The full finger gloves from Copper Compression could be a perfect fit for you and alleviate a lot of discomfort and pain in your hands.”]⭐ Our Other Top Picks for Compression Gloves
- Best of the Best: Copper Compression Full Finger Gloves
- Best on a Budget: Vive Arthritis Gloves
- Best Compression Gloves for Arthritis: IMAK Compression Arthritis Gloves
Best Compression Gloves Reviews
Copper Compression Full Finger Gloves (👑 Top Pick)
We found that the best compression gloves out there are the full finger gloves made by Copper Compression.
As you may have guessed from the brand name, these compression gloves use copper in their design to provide extra anti-inflammatory properties for the hands. This particular brand of gloves stands out from other copper-integrated styles because they use a high percentage of copper. While some brands might use a minimal amount of copper just to claim their gloves are copper-integrated, Copper Compression had the user’s best interests in mind while designing their gloves. To be specific, they claim to use up to 88% copper-infused nylon in their products.
These gloves provide full coverage for the fingers. This is an interesting design choice, given that the majority of compression gloves are fingerless. However, it offers several key advantages.
For a start, they are perfect for sleeping in. This makes them ideal for a sound night of sleep uninterrupted by pain or inflammation in the hands. They are also suitable for use in cold climates or outdoor activities. While fingerless gloves are great for hot weather and maintaining finger dexterity, these will be perfect for mitigating the discomfort that the cold can bring for your hands. Even if you don’t have arthritis, you’ll be able to appreciate just how much harsh weather conditions can affect your hands and cause stiffness.
As for the design of the gloves, they are made from a breathable material, which is elastic and easy to work with. There’s also an anti-slip grip in place on the palm side of the glove, so you can go about your business as if you weren’t wearing gloves at all. Perhaps the best part about the design of these full finger gloves is the various sizes available. You must find compression gloves that fit your hands well, so the fact that Copper Compression offers four sizes should put your mind at rest. Once you’ve taken your hand measurements, there should be no reason you can’t get the gloves with the perfect fit.
Features:
- Full finger design
- High copper content (up to 88% copper-infused nylon)
- 100% money-back guarantee
- Anti-slip grip
- 4 available sizes
Vive Arthritis Gloves (💸 Best on a Budget)
As our top budget pick, these arthritis gloves from Vive offer excellent value for money.
If you’re looking to try compression gloves out to see if they can help with your rheumatoid arthritis, then this is a great option. Available at a very affordable price, these gloves are fingerless in design. As a result, they are best suited for use in warm weather, or for everyday use. If you are very active and enjoy activities like sports or hobbies which heavily involve the hands, then you would love a pair of fingerless gloves like these. With just the fingertips exposed, your hands will stay warm, but you will maintain a lot of your dexterity which is necessary for a lot of manual tasks.
Just because these compression gloves are fingerless, that alone doesn’t guarantee they’ll be practical for carrying out a lot of activities. However, what sets them apart from other fingerless styles is their textured grip. This makes it easy for you to grip and hold everything from your mobile phone to your kitchen knife or garden tools. The non-slip composite material used ensures that you don’t accidentally drop everything you pick up while wearing these gloves.
The material of these gloves is a hybrid of cotton and spandex. This gives you the benefits of cooling that come with the naturally breathable fabric, combined with the durability and elasticity of the synthetic material. Most importantly, the design of these gloves makes them comfortable to wear at any time of year, but especially when it’s hot out. There are also three different sizes to choose from, so you should be able to find the perfect fit for your hands.
Features:
- Fingerless design
- Textured anti-slip grip
- Cotton/spandex material
- Available in 3 sizes
- 60 day guarantee
IMAK Compression Arthritis Gloves (⚡ Best Compression Gloves for Arthritis)
The IMAK compression arthritis gloves are the best arthritis gloves and can help alleviate symptoms associated with the condition.
These compression gloves apply a light amount of pressure to your hands so you can still use them for everyday activities. Gloves like this don’t need to be exceptionally tight to relieve joint pain or discomfort caused by arthritis, and IMAK proves just that. Their fingerless gloves are both very comfortable to wear and highly practical, not restricting movement or dexterity in the slightest. They also promote blood circulation so you can keep your hands warm and functioning at their best.
The fingerless design adds to the appeal of these gloves as it makes them apt for use indoors as well as outdoors. Whether you need to be able to type with them or play tennis, you should be able to easily enough. This is helped by the highly breathable cotton (92%) fabric used, ensuring the most comfortable fit even when the weather is hot. Being made of cotton also makes them easy to maintain as all you need to do is throw them in the washing machine.
As an affirmation that this brand is committed to creating the best gloves for arthritis, they were awarded the Ease of Use Commendation from the Arthritis Foundation. This means they have taken special care to design a pair of compression gloves that are not only practical, but comfortable too.
Features:
- Fingerless design
- Made from cotton (92%) and spandex (8%)
- Grey and black colour options
- Available in 5 sizes
Thermoskin Premium Arthritic Gloves
Thermoskin’s premium arthritic gloves provide an interesting take on compression gloves.
In our view, these are the best heated gloves with compression available, so if you struggle with the cold then they would be a sound investment. Cold weather can worsen existing symptoms like stiffness in the fingers or general pain from inflammation, so it’s worth staying on top of that by keeping your hands warm at all times. A great way to do so is to invest in compression gloves that not only hug your hands tightly, but heat them up too. That’s exactly what these gloves from Thermoskin are designed to do.
With a multi-layer design, these gloves have been optimized for heat retention. As a result, you can be sure that whatever the weather is like outside, your hands will be incredibly warm inside the gloves. The outermost layer is textured, which aids with grip and performing everyday tasks like using a mobile phone or cooking dinner. Then on the inside you have a combination of neoprene and polyester which makes for a heat-insulating lining.
There really should be no other options to consider if what you’re looking for is a glove that keeps your hands warm while alleviating inflammation symptoms. As is the case with a lot of products though, the strongest point of these compression gloves is also its achilles’ heel. The gloves can be warm to the point that they cause sweating which could prove to be uncomfortable if it happens regularly.
Features:
- Fingerless design
- Available in 6 sizes
- Textured outer layer
- Heat-insulating inner layer
Dr. Frederick’s Original Grippy Arthritis Gloves
Another great budget-friendly option is these arthritis gloves from Dr. Frederick’s Original.
These compression gloves are some of the best open finger style gloves we’ve come across, and they’re great for alleviating arthritis-related symptoms. Made from a combination of natural and synthetic materials, these gloves are both highly durable and breathable. The cotton (60%) ensures comfort and makes these gloves a joy to wear, even in hot weather where other gloves would seem unbearable. It also makes them easy to clean as you can put the gloves in the washing machine with your other laundry.
We would recommend Dr. Frederick’s Original Grippy Gloves for anyone who is experiencing arthritis-caused symptoms or light inflammation in the hands. While they won’t provide the most relief from pain, they still do a great job while remaining practical and comfortable. If you have minor discomfort and are looking for some gloves you can wear around the house or outside for your daily errands, these could be a great fit for you.
Features:
- Fingerless design
- Available in 2 colors
- Available in 3 sizes
- Made from cotton (60%), polyester (33%), and spandex (7%)
What To Look For When Selecting Compression Gloves
While there shouldn’t be too many factors involved in choosing a pair of compression gloves, you need to make sure you get the perfect fit for your needs.
The main things you’ll need to take into account are the material of the gloves, the style, and the fit. Once you know your hand size and your preferred fabric and style, you’ll find the best pair for you in no time.
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Style
The style of the compression gloves is perhaps the most important factor to consider, and will determine how and when you use them. It can also have a significant impact on the range of motion you’ll have in your hands.
There are styles for everyday use that can help with activities like gardening or cooking, styles to target the source of discomfort and reduce symptoms, and styles to keep the hands warm and promote good blood circulation.
Fingerless
The first and most common style is fingerless gloves.
A lot of people who have arthritis or from inflammation in the hands prefer this type of compression glove because it doesn’t limit dexterity in the hands and fingers.
If your symptoms aren’t too severe, and you want to carry on doing the activities you love but with more comfort than before, then fingerless compression gloves could be a wise investment.
The downside of these gloves is they don’t provide the best coverage if you have pain in the knuckles for example. They also aren’t great for cold climates, since your fingers will be largely exposed to the elements.
Full Coverage
The other main style of compression glove is the one that provides full coverage for your fingers.
As you can imagine, this style is best suited to cold weather as your fingers won’t be exposed like with the fingerless variety.
You might also find that these gloves are better for wearing through the night. If you wake up in a lot of pain, then full coverage gloves could be a good option for you as you can put them on right before you go to bed.
Copper-infused
Copper-infused gloves are considered to be the best when it comes to reducing inflammation in the hands and symptoms such as swelling or stiffness.
Since copper has anti-inflammatory properties it gets to work on the causes of discomfort in hands and fingers, but without restricting their movement at all.
If you regularly experience symptoms in your hands that go beyond just being uncomfortable then you really should consider copper-infused compression gloves.
They will give you the best chance of managing the pain caused by inflammation, and help you live a normal life doing the things you love.
Thermal
Another style of compression glove is the thermal kind.
As you can imagine, thermal compression gloves are fantastic for cold climates, and outdoor activities. The same reason they’re so good in cold weather makes them terrible for hot weather.
Since the cold can be a contributing factor in inflammation and stiffness in the hands, it’s well worth getting on top of it with a pair of thermal compression gloves if you’re regularly exposed to it.
While this type of glove will likely be the most expensive, it’s definitely worth the investment if you want to live comfortably no matter how harsh the conditions are outside.
Fit
Compression gloves won’t work properly if the fit isn’t good. That’s why it’s crucial that you find a pair that fits your hands as snugly as possible.
Compression gloves should feel like you’re wearing regular fitted gloves, but just tighter due to the extra pressure on the fingers. They shouldn’t feel loose, and they certainly shouldn’t be so tight that they inhibit circulation or cut it off completely.
Due to the prevalence of universal size compression gloves, it can be hard sometimes to make sure you’re buying gloves made for your hands. For this reason, if you have particularly large or small hands then you should consider brands with multiple sizes, or gloves that are adjustable.
Material
The last thing that should factor into your decision about compression gloves is the material they’re made from.
As you browse compression gloves you will probably find that cotton is the most popular material used. Cotton is preferred by many since it gives you breathability and helps to maintain finger dexterity. Plus it can be easily washed and is a comfortable material to wear in hot weather due to how light it is.
Other common materials include spandex and polyester. These synthetic materials are often used to help provide elasticity and durability to cotton gloves.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Compression Gloves
Do compression gloves really work?
Compression gloves can work in the sense that they can reduce pain brought on by inflammation and conditions like arthritis.
While they may not cure anything, the gloves can be effective in alleviating some of the uncomfortable symptoms you may experience in your hands.
These types of gloves work by applying pressure to the hands and fingers, which can aid with blood circulation and provide a distraction from symptoms such as swelling or stiffness.
There are also some types of compression gloves that are thermal, and make use of heat to help melt away discomfort and soreness.
If you suffer from arthritis or inflammation in your hands, then compression gloves can help you go about your business free from pain and discomfort. They can help you live a normal life by targeting the symptoms typically associated with these conditions.
How long should you wear compression gloves?
In order to get the most out of compression gloves, you should wear them for at least eight hours at a time.
A common misconception surrounding these gloves is that they can provide a sort of quick fix to your discomfort. The reality is different though, since you’ll need to wear them for a long time to notice an improvement in symptoms.
As a general rule, it’s a good idea to start wearing them soon after you wake up in the morning. That way, you should benefit from them all day, and your hands will have ample opportunity to get used to them. It’s a good way to test them out too, and see if the fit is perfect.
It will also help you perform daily activities like cooking or cleaning without feeling too much discomfort in your hands. Though you may find that you need to take them off a lot with certain activities, like washing your hands.
Another option is to put them on right before you go to bed. This is better for warm climates, since wearing them during the day might lead to profuse sweating and overheating.
Do Copper Fit compression gloves really work?
Copper Fit compression gloves can help reduce inflammation and encourage blood flow in your hands.
What makes compression gloves fitted with copper so effective is the combination of pressure with the anti-inflammatory qualities of copper.
Copper Fit’s gloves have an open finger design which makes them comfortable to wear throughout the day, whatever you want to do.
They also have a non-slip grip that will help you grip and hold onto objects, so they are really designed to facilitate daily activities.
They work to reduce the swelling in your fingers and alleviate any discomfort you may be feeling as a result of a condition like arthritis.
Are compression gloves supposed to be tight?
Yes, the science behind compression gloves is that they apply pressure to your hands and fingers to help blood circulation and alleviate symptoms associated with inflammation.
There is a limit though. Compression gloves shouldn’t feel so tight that they’re difficult to put on or take off. They also shouldn’t be so tight that they completely cut off circulation in your hands. You’ll know if they’re right for you the first time you try to put them on.
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A Final Word on Compression Gloves
Compression gloves are one of the best ways you can deal with pain and inflammation in the hands brought on by conditions such as arthritis.
Based on how severe your symptoms are, and what style you prefer, you should be able to find a pair in this guide that is the perfect fit for your lifestyle.
