Best Work Gloves 2024
Across the UK, millions of people every day depend on work gloves to ensure that their hands are protected during their shifts. From plumbers and plasterers, to builders and bakers, there are a huge range of professions that rely on safety gloves.
With so many different types of gloves available, it can be difficult to know which are the best for your needs. Our product experts here at SafetyGloves.co.uk have trawled through the best brands to bring you this guide on the Best Work Gloves 2024, with a wide selection to help you find the perfect pair.
What's Covered in This Guide?
While there are many different types of work gloves to choose from, we will focus on the following key areas:
- Best Waterproof Work Gloves
- Best Heavy-Duty Work Gloves
- Best Heat-Resistant Work Gloves
- Best Thermal Work Gloves
- Best Cut-Resistant Work Gloves
- Best Touchscreen Work Gloves
- Best Grip Work Gloves
- Best Welding Gloves
- Best Disposable Work Gloves
- Best Gardening Gloves
- Best Construction Gloves
- Best Impact-Resistant Work Gloves
Best Waterproof Work Gloves
Our Winner: Portwest AP80 Liquid Pro Latex Foam Waterproof Gloves
Why We Love Them...
✔ Waterproof and warm design keeps hands dry and comfy
✔ Provide fantastic levels of grip, even in wet conditions
✔ High level of dexterity with a comfortable elasticated liner
Perfect For...
✔ Plumbing and other wet work
✔ Outdoor work in bad weather
✔ Safe handling of slippery items
Not the Best For...
✘ Cut protection (See our solution)
✘ Heat resistance (See our solution)
Editor's Verdict: When you're working with water, the last thing that you want to happen is for your grip to go. The Portwest AP80 Liquid Pro Gloves not only ensure that you can keep a firm hold on whatever your handling, but also keep your hands dry and comfortable at the same time.
Customer's Verdict: "After trialing [sic] many different gloves that give waterproof protection and work-ability. Myself and the workforce found these gloves to be the best in both use and cost." Sat ★★★★★
Not quite what you're after? Click here to see our full guide to Best Waterproof Gloves
Best Heavy Duty Work Gloves
Our Winner: Skytec Sapphire Xtreme Cut and Puncture Resistant Gloves
Why We Love Them...
✔ Incredibly strong and well-rounded mechanical protection
✔ Micro-foam coating for a robust grip in oily and greasy conditions
✔ Seamless liner and elasticated wrists ensure flexibility and comfort
Perfect For...
✔ Protecting your hands in the highest risk work environments
✔ Handling sharp objects in slippery, oily an wet conditions
✔ Protecting your hands without compromising versatility and dexterity
Not the Best For...
✘ Low-risk work (See our solution)
✘ Welding protection (See our solution)
Editor's Verdict: Combining extremely high resistance to cuts, abrasions, tears and punctures, along with contact heat resistance up to 100°C, it simply doesn't get more protective than the Skytec Sapphire Xtreme Safety Gloves. You'd be forgiven for thinking that with all this mechanical resistance the gloves would be overly bulky - but that's not the case! They remain thin and flexible enough for tactile work, while the raised micro-foam coating gives you a fantastic grip, even in oily and slippery conditions.
Best Heat-Resistant Work Gloves
Our Winner: Delta Plus Aton VV731 Knitted Polycotton Outdoor Work Safety Gloves
Why We Love Them...
✔ Suitable for handling up to 250°C materials
✔ Coated palms provides more secure handling
✔ Also great for handling at low temperatures
Perfect For...
✔ Any work including handling hot materials
✔ Jobs handling both hot and cold items
✔ People looking for washable gloves
Not the Best For...
✘ Welding (See our solution)
✘ Cut resistance (See our solution)
Editor's Verdict: With a lot of heat-resistant gloves, their protection comes at a high price. One of the reasons that we love the Delta Plus Aton Safety Gloves is that they provide a great level of protection at a price that every business can afford. They also have the added benefit of being suitable for cold handling too.
Customer's Verdict: "I was looking for proper heat resistant gloves to use with my hair curling iron, as everything advertised elsewhere was basically just a cheap pair of winter gloves for an extortionate price... I can touch the curling iron and not feel a thing, so I feel very safe now styling my hair... Overall I'm very pleased with these and feel I've got more than my money's worth." Gemma ★★★★★
Not quite what you're after? Click here to see our full guide to Best Heat-Resistant Gloves
Best Thermal Work Gloves
Our Winner: Ejendals Tegera 517 Insulated Waterproof Precision Work Gloves
Why We Love Them...
✔ Insulated gloves with added water resistance
✔ Close-fitting design allows for easy dexterity
✔ Oil and grease protection allows for better handling
Perfect For...
✔ Outdoor work in winter
✔ Cold storage work and cold handling
✔ Can also be used for hiking and cycling
Not the Best For...
✘ Heat-resistance (See our solution)
✘ Gardening (See our solution)
Editor's Verdict: Here at SafetyGloves.co.uk HQ, we can't get enough of the Ejendals 517 Gloves – I myself used these when I hiked Scafell Pike recently and my hands couldn't have been more comfortable. Using Thinsulate, these gloves remain dextrous and comfortable to wear without having to compromise on your protection against cold temperatures.
Customer's Verdict: "I’m into the 2nd week of using these gloves in what’s been a very cold winter so far. As a marine engineer my work involves working outside and frequently wet conditions. The gloves have plenty of feel so don’t need to take them off too often to do fiddly bits and so far have been hard wearing. Would recommend" Mark ★★★★★
Not quite what you're after? Click here to see our full guide to Best Thermal Gloves
Best Cut-Resistant Work Gloves
Our Winner: Portwest A622 Level C Cut-Resistant PU Coated Gloves
Why We Love Them...
✔ Offer cut protection at an unbeatable price
✔ Level C cut protection is good for moderate threats
✔ Also allow handling of materials up to 100°C
Perfect For...
✔ Handling sharp-edges or working with knives
✔ Industries with both cut and heat hazards
✔ People requiring a dextrous cut-resistant glove
Not the Best For...
✘ Bad weather conditions (See our solution)
✘ Low-risk warehouse work (See our solution)
Editor's Verdict: When you need good protection at a great price, the Portwest A622 PU-Coated Gloves are an ideal choice. While they're not the best for very high-risk environments, for the majority of jobs that need cut protection, these are the best option available.
Customer's Verdict: "Really good safety kit. Very comfortable and oozes quality. Well worth the money." Ude ★★★★★
Not quite what you're after? Click here to see our full guide to Best Cut-Resistant Gloves
Best Touchscreen Work Gloves
Our Winner: Skytec Aria Heat-Resistant Touchscreen Work Gloves
Why We Love Them...
✔ Thin micro-foam coating makes them touchscreen capable and really grippy
✔ Versatile protection with strong resistance to abrasions, tears and contact heat
✔ Elasticated wrist and breathable liner ensure lasting comfort and cool hands
Perfect For...
✔ Safely using your phone, tablet or touchscreen equipment
✔ Varied work with a variety of possible day-to-day hazards
✔ Maintaining a safe grip in wet and oily conditions
Not the Best For...
✘ Tasks with high cut risks (See our solution)
✘ Forearm protection and risk of sparks (See our solution)
Editor's Verdict: When you take your gloves off to use your phone, tablet or the touchscreen of a piece of machinery, you put your hands at serious risk, particularly when working on site or around dangerous equipment. These Skytec Aria Work Gloves are fully touchscreen-compatible and boast strong resistance to abrasions, tears and contact heat up to 100°C to keep your hands protected. Combining a flexible, seamless liner with a bumpy, micro-foam coating, they're also dexterous and provide a fantastic grip, even in wet and oily conditions.
Best Grip Work Gloves
Our Winner: Portwest A120 Black PU Palm Gloves
Why We Love Them...
✔ Grip gloves with fantastic value for money
✔ Breathable design is comfortable to wear all day
✔ Thin liner provides you with great dexterity
Perfect For...
✔ Warehousing and logistics work
✔ Any low-risk environments
✔ Outfitting larger workforces
Not the Best For...
✘ Cut hazards (See our solution)
✘ Wet environments/outdoor work (See our solution)
Editor's Verdict: The Portwest A120 Gloves are the definition of value for money, making them the ideal choice when you're outfitting a large workforce. Best used for handling boxes and other low-risk items, these are the quintessential warehouse and logistics gloves.
Customer's Verdict: "Good quality with grippy palms for ease of use. Recommended." Ian ★★★★★
Not quite what you're after? Click here to see our full guide to Best Grip Gloves
Best Welding Gloves
Our Winner: Ejendals Tegera 126A Welding Gloves
Why We Love Them...
✔ Prevent burning while welding
✔ Long cuffs protect your wrists and forearms
✔ Available in multiple sizes for a better level of fit
Perfect For...
✔ Welding, metalwork and mining
✔ Loading wood burning stoves
✔ Female welders or those with smaller hands
Not the Best For...
✘ General handling (See our solution)
✘ Non-welding hot handling (See our solution)
Editor's Verdict: While we offer a lot of different welding gloves, one thing that really sets the Ejendals 126A Welding Gauntlets apart from other welding gloves is the fact they are available in five sizes to suit all users. Whether you have the hands of a giant, or are more on the slight side, you won't have to compromise on the fit of your gloves.
Customer's Verdict: "Really nice soft gloves with lots of feel to them. I normally have problems finding gloves that fit well but these were perfect. I'll certainly buy them again." Gwen ★★★★★
Not quite what you're after? Click here to see our full guide to Best Welding Gloves
Best Disposable Work Gloves
Our Winner: Black Mamba Disposable Nitrile Gloves BX-BMG
Why We Love Them...
✔ Tough nitrile gloves ideal for a range of industries
✔ Durable design prevents rips and tears
✔ Resistant to oil and grease
Perfect For...
✔ Mechanics and others handling oily parts
✔ People with latex allergies or sensitive skin
✔ Tough tasks that require durable gloves
Not the Best For...
✘ Medical professions (See our solution)
✘ Food handling (See our solution)
Editor's Verdict: Anyone that has used disposable gloves in the past will know the pain of putting on a new pair only to have them rip or tear straight away. The Black Mamba Disposable Nitrile Gloves avoid this issue, allowing you to ensure that hygiene is maintained even when you are working in a tough environment.
Customer's Verdict: "Great gloves, very robust, I use these for mechanical workshop repairs, they survive most work and don’t snag like the cheap thin ones" Steven ★★★★★
Not quite what you're after? Click here to see our full guide to Best Disposable Nitrile Gloves
Best Gardening Work Gloves
Our Winner: Briers Ultimate Golden Leather Gardening Gloves
Why We Love Them...
✔ Made from supple leather for great protection
✔ Reinforced palm keeps your gloves working for longer
✔ Timeless design that provides excellent comfort
Perfect For...
✔ Both professional gardeners and home use
✔ Planting, digging, and other general garden tasks
✔ People looking for a durable pair of garden gloves
Not the Best For...
✘ Working with water (See our solution)
✘ Handling sharp-edged tools (See our solution)
Editor's Verdict: Briers is one of the most trusted names in gardening apparel and if you get your hands on a pair of their gloves, it's not hard to see why. The Ultimate Golden Gardening Gloves marry comfort, style and protection to bring you a pair of gloves that any green-fingered individual would be happy to use.
Customer's Verdict: "Saw my gardener using these round brambles and rose clippings. On his advice I bought some warm and comfortable the first time I used them I forgot I had them on. Will buy them again." Ingrid ★★★★★
Not quite what your after? Click here to see our full guide to Best Gardening Gloves
Best Construction Gloves
Our Winner: MaxiFlex Ultimate Palm Coated Handling Gloves 42-874
Why We Love Them...
✔ Thin construction is perfect for precision tasks
✔ Dermatologically-accredited by the Skin Health Alliance
✔ Ergonomic design reduces hand fatigue
Perfect For...
✔ Various tasks on a building site
✔ People with sensitive skin
✔ Improving comfort after a long day of wear
Not the Best For...
✘ Cut resistance (See our solution)
✘ Working in winter (See our solution)
Editor's Verdict: If, like me, you suffer with sensitive skin, you will know that wearing gloves can exacerbate the problem and leave you with sore, red hands. The MaxiFlex 42-874 Handling Gloves are designed to be kinder on your skin, meaning that if you are on building site all day, you don't have to worry about the state of your hands when you get home.
Customer's Verdict: "Best outdoor gloves I have ever used. Recommended by a builder friend of mine and it's the first thing I put on before getting my hands dirty whether doing building work, gardening or under the bonnet of my cars. Even had to share them with my wife!" Irek ★★★★★
Not quite what you're after? Click here to see our full guide to Best Builder's Gloves
Best Impact-Resistant Work Gloves
Our Winner: HexArmor Rig Lizard 2021X Heat-Resistant Gloves with Impact Protection
Why We Love Them...
✔ Protective padding on the back of the hand for impact
✔ Also resistant to cuts and heat up to 250°C
✔ Highly visible design is great for low-light conditions
Perfect For...
✔ High-risk environments
✔ Outdoor work in bad conditions
✔ A balance of comfort and protection
Not the Best For...
✘ Value for money (See our solution)
✘ Cold weather (See our solution)
Editor's Verdict: When you need the best levels of protection, the HexArmor Rig Lizard 2021X Gloves are your best bet. As well as having a protective exoskeleton on the back of the hand and knuckles, the Rig Lizard Gloves also provide Level C cut-resistance and contact heat protection up to 250°C meaning that they are great for the toughest, roughest tasks.
Not quite what you're after? Click here to see our full guide to Best Impact Resistant Gloves
Conclusion
It is difficult to know exactly what everyone is looking for when it comes to work gloves, as one person's perfect pair could be a nightmare for someone else. Hopefully this guide has got you covered, but if you'd like to see specific recommendations for your job, why not check out our Gloves by Industry area, where we have gloves for a wide variety of different tasks.
What work gloves have you used in the past that you can't live without? Let us know in the comments below or via Facebook or Twitter!
