Best Compression Gloves for Arthritis, Carpal Tunnel

Jan 07, 2024

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Compression gloves may support circulation and manage tingling and pain in your hands. They work by lightly squeezing the veins in your hands to support healthy circulation, while also preventing inflammation that can cause joint pain if you have:

Different types of compression gloves are made to address additional symptoms, like sweaty hands or hand cramping. But the evidence for using compression gloves, in general, is limited with mixed results.

Anecdotally, many people swear that wearing compression gloves makes daily tasks pain-free. There are some small studies that indicate that compression gloves may reduce pain levels, but nothing to suggest that these types of gloves work as a long-term treatment.

For most people who wear these types of gloves, pain and tingling will probably eventually return after you take the gloves off. While you’re wearing them, they very well may be helpful.

We put together a list of the best compression gloves we could find to help you get started if you’re interested in giving these products a try.

There are so many different compression glove products to choose from that it can be difficult to narrow it down. We didn’t accept any products or compensation from companies when putting together this list of the best products.

What we did consider was the following:

Our compression glove list hits a range of price points so that you can find something that fits your budget.

Most compression gloves aren’t considered medical devices, so there’s no standard methodology set up to evaluate them.

The FDA isn’t evaluating claims that these companies make about their gloves. What works for one person might not work for another, so the use of “best” is extremely subjective in this case.

With that being said, consumers trust some brands and products more than others. It’s the products that have the most consumer trust that we perceive to be your best bet in terms of trying out compression gloves.

Key features: These simple, cotton-nylon blend gloves are loved by reviewers, developed by doctors, and approved to treat a wide range of inflammatory and circulatory conditions affecting your hands. They’re meant to be breathable and easy to clean. These gloves are also on the lower end of the pricing scale, and reviewers say that they are comfortable enough to sleep in.

Considerations: These compression gloves are a great pick for daily use and can be used comfortably for hours at a time. But don’t expect them to last forever. Even the happiest customers reported that they expected to replace the gloves every few months.

Key features: These compression gloves are endorsed by the Arthritis Foundation. They’re long enough to pull on and off more easily than some others, especially if arthritis makes using other gloves difficult. They’re a cotton and spandex blend, so your palms won’t get too sweaty. And the open-glove design makes it easy for you to go about your daily tasks all while wearing these gloves.

Considerations: They’re on the thinner side, and some reviewers were unhappy with the quality of the stitching. If they work for you for everyday use, you may have to replace them before too long.

Key features: If you’re looking for gloves because you have carpal tunnel, you’ll need gloves that stabilize your wrist joint in addition to offering compression. Compression gloves might not help with the primary cause of carpal tunnel, which is nerve compression, but gloves padded with gel may reduce pain, according to a very small 2001 study. IMAK Computer Gloves offer an ergonomic shape, wrist support, and massaging beads meant to soothe carpal tunnel pain.

Considerations: These gloves might help to prevent a flare-up of carpal tunnel pain, but they don’t offer a strong compression element. If you’re looking to treat inflammatory conditions, like arthritis, in addition to carpal tunnel, you might want to invest in a heavier-compression option.

Key features: Studies are mixed on whether copper-infused materials really make a difference in providing pain relief. With that in mind, the RiptGear Compression Gloves provide a good deal of compression in addition to some wrist stabilization. The copper-infused fabric is also antimicrobial, which is a huge benefit when you’re using them out and about.

Considerations: Reviewers say that the sizing isn’t uniform with the products that they received, so keep that in mind when you’re trying to figure out what size to order. Any copper-infused product needs to be hand-washed and can’t be put in the dryer, so also be aware that these gloves aren’t the easiest to keep clean.

Key features: Most compression gloves tend to be fingerless, meaning they cut off at a joint midway up your finger. If you experience swelling or pain in your fingertips, you’ll want gloves that cover your whole hand. These gloves are made from the same nylon and cotton blend as our “best overall” pick, with the addition of fingertip compression for your fingers and your thumb. Reviewers also note that the fingertips on the gloves help keep heat in, so they’re warmer to wear.

Considerations: A common complaint among customers is the seams of the gloves, which some reviewers feel sit too tightly against the wrist and fingers. The gloves are supposed to be tight, but seams that aren’t tight to the glove’s interior can start to get irritating after hours of wear.

Key features: Gloves that provide compression therapy in addition to warming your hands can soothe tired, aching joints, especially in the colder months. These gloves aim to capture your body’s heat and redistribute it around your fingertips and hands while reducing swelling in joints. They also have a wrist strap if you need increased wrist stability. The gloves have a textured top layer to improve your gripping ability, too.

Considerations: These gloves may heat up, but they don’t use a heating mechanism, so they may not be as warm as gloves that are heated. They’re also on the pricier side, so you may want to go with a cheaper option for your everyday compression gloves.

Key features: If you often feel pain in the joints in your hands, vibrating compression gloves may provide some relief. A small 2017 study showed that women with osteoarthritis reported reduced pain symptoms after using vibrating gloves once per day for 20 minutes. These Intellinetix gloves have small motors inside that vibrate your hands.

Considerations: Vibrating compression gloves tend to cost a lot more than basic compression gloves. If this is a feature that’s not essential for you, you can get a great compression glove for one-third of the price. Also check the sizing guide carefully, as returns may not be permitted for gloves that don’t fit.

Key features: Reviewers rave about these well-priced gloves, which offer firm compression with a lot of comfort. People with rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and carpal tunnel all say that these gloves offer the best bang-for-the-buck in terms of ease of use. They even have a special seam design to prevent rubbing and irritation, which some other manufacturers can’t say.

Considerations: Keep in mind that these gloves are one of the least expensive on the round-up, and there’s an aspect of “you get what you pay for.” While you may save money initially, it’s possible you’ll have to replace them earlier than you would some other brands, and there’s only a difference of a couple of dollars when you consider upgrading to a more durable product.

Key features: Long sessions of computer or console gaming can cause cramping in your hands. Gaming gloves may provide relief, but it’s essential to find gloves that still allow for freedom of movement and that don’t turn your hands into a sweaty, uncoordinated mess. These gloves are meant to improve your grip for a better gaming performance while keeping cramping and sweaty fingers from becoming an issue. They also have hand wrist padding, which can make gaming sessions at a keyboard more comfortable, and they’re machine-washable.

Considerations: These gloves are fingerless, so you may still get sweaty on your fingertips while you’re gaming. They’re marketed for use on PC, but should also work great for console gaming. You’ll also want to be aware that these gloves offer less compression than some other options on this list, which makes them great for the finger movements required in gaming but might not help with conditions like arthritis.

When you’re buying compression gloves, think about what, exactly, your primary use for them is going to be.

Maybe your primary goal is to reduce swelling and pressure on your joints. Maybe you’re looking for gloves that redistribute heat to your hand because of Reynaud’s or another health condition.

Or maybe you’re simply looking for gloves that reduce cramping in your hands, or that keep your wrist steady while you’re typing. It’s important to know what the primary function of the glove needs to be before you buy.

You may also want to consider:

Gloves should be easy to pull on and off, and have simple instructions about how to keep them clean.

Some manufacturers will recommend that you have multiple pairs for different tasks (ie: one pair for gardening, and another pair for sleeping in), while other brands claim that you can wear their gloves all the time.

Fit is essential for the gloves to be effective. You may need to have someone else help you carefully measure your hand and look at the sizing guide of any gloves you’re considering.

Not every glove manufacturer will allow for returns if the gloves don’t fit, so read reviews to see if the gloves run small, large, or true to size.

Only you know the types of material that tend to be comfortable on your skin. Gloves that are made of cotton blends tend to be easier to clean and more breathable.

Gloves with a higher nylon or spandex ratio may provide a higher level of compression. Look into what your compression gloves are made of before you purchase.

Compression gloves support circulation in your fingers, preventing swelling in your joints. They do this by applying a gentle, uniform pressure that surrounds your hands and the base of your fingers.

At the same time, your hands are surrounded by a warm layer of heat from the gloves, which can relax your muscles and, in theory, help provide pain relief.

Compression gloves are sometimes recommended by physical therapists and rheumatologists for people who have any type of inflammatory or swelling condition in their hands. But the evidence for how well they work is inconclusive.

Compression gloves may very well provide temporary relief of your inflammation or pain, and maybe even increase your range of motion when you use them regularly. Just keep in mind that most of the evidence we have at this point is anecdotal.

Compression gloves work best when you follow directions from your doctor or physical therapist about how you should be using them. Follow these tips:

Compression gloves can be an effective at-home remedy. They can help support your hands during everyday activities or through the night. However, compression gloves aren’t a replacement for medical care, diagnosis, and treatment.

Talk with a doctor about your wrist pain if you have any of the following:

The advice for how long to wear compression gloves varies according to how you’re using them. As a general rule of thumb, don’t wear them for more than 8 hours at a time. Some compression gloves are recommended for sleeping in, while others are not.

Don’t wear any gloves that cut off your circulation for any length of time.

Compression gloves should make your joints feel supported while still allowing blood to circulate freely through your hands and fingers. You should also be able to get them on and off fairly easily. Any feeling of numbness or pain is a sign that your compression gloves are too tight.

Compression gloves may temporarily relieve inflammation from arthritis or other conditions, but the evidence is mixed. A 2016 systematic review of four small clinical trials studied how compression gloves helped with symptoms of rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. The review concluded that more research is needed.

There are a ton of options for compression gloves out there, and most have additional features that you might want to consider. Think carefully about which features you actually need in these gloves before you purchase them, and always be aware of any warranties or return policies.