Arthritis gloves are snug, stretchy gloves sold for stiff, sore hands. They are popular, and they feel good to many people, but the research on what they actually do is mixed.
This guide explains what arthritis gloves are, what the best trial found, what to look for when you buy, and six pairs that are in stock on Amazon US.
Arthritis gloves at a glance
- In a trial of 206 adults with rheumatoid arthritis, compression gloves did no better than loose, non-compressing gloves for hand pain, stiffness or function after 12 weeks.[1]
- A review of four small trials found that night-time compression gloves may reduce swelling in the finger joints in rheumatoid arthritis, but the results for pain and stiffness were inconclusive.[2]
- Pain improved by a similar amount in both groups, and the two types of glove had similar thermal qualities.[1]
- Splints, exercise, heat or ice and everyday joint aids are the treatments the NHS and OrthoInfo describe. Gloves are not on their lists.[3][4][5]
- Copper-infused fabric has not been shown to help. A 2013 trial of copper bracelets in rheumatoid arthritis found no benefit beyond a placebo.[6]
Do Arthritis Gloves Actually Work?
The honest answer is that gloves may feel good, but the evidence does not show that they treat arthritis.
The best evidence is the A-GLOVES trial, which ran at 16 NHS sites in the UK. It gave 206 adults with rheumatoid or other inflammatory arthritis and persistent hand pain either Isotoner arthritis gloves, which apply 23 to 32 mmHg of pressure, or loose-fitting placebo gloves with minimal pressure. After 12 weeks, hand pain had improved by about 1.0 point on a 10-point scale in the glove group and 1.2 points in the placebo group, a difference that was not statistically significant.[1] The authors found no clinically important effect on hand pain, function or stiffness, and adverse events were reported by 51% of the compression group and 36% of the control group.[1]
A 2015 systematic review of four small trials, with 74 people in total, looked at full-length compression gloves worn at night. Finger joint swelling was reduced in rheumatoid arthritis, but the results for pain and stiffness were inconclusive, and there was no difference in grip strength or dexterity.[2] The review found only a single study in hand osteoarthritis, and it was very small.[2]
So what do gloves offer? Warmth, a snug fit and a feeling of support. Pain improved in both groups of the trial, so a glove that feels comfortable and does not cause problems is a reasonable comfort aid, as long as you also follow your doctor’s plan.
What to Look for in Arthritis Gloves
- Finger Coverage – Fingerless gloves leave your fingertips free for typing, phones and small tasks. Full-finger gloves add warmth if your hands feel cold.
- Fabric – Soft, stretchy, breathable fabrics such as cotton-spandex blends are easier to wear all day. Copper-infused fabric is a feature, not a treatment.[6]
- Fit – A snug glove should not cut into the skin, leave deep marks or make your fingers tingle. Measure your hand, check the size chart and choose the larger size if you fall between two.
- Seams and Grip – Flat or outside seams cut down on rubbing, and silicone on the palm helps you hold a cup, a pen or a knitting needle.
- Care – Most gloves need a gentle wash and a flat dry, so check the care label.
Gloves work best as one part of the plan. See our compression gloves and copper-infused gloves guides if you want to compare more.
Other Ways to Look After Arthritic Hands
The NHS says mild osteoarthritis symptoms can sometimes be managed with simple measures such as regular exercise and special devices that reduce the strain on your joints during everyday tasks.[3] For rheumatoid arthritis, it describes long-term medicine plus supportive treatment such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy to keep you mobile and help with daily activities.[4]
OrthoInfo lists these nonsurgical options for arthritis of the hand and wrist:[5]
- Medication – A doctor can recommend the right medicine for your type of arthritis.
- Splinting – A splint limits the motion of an arthritic joint and so reduces pain. It is worn when the joints hurt, and wearing it for too long can weaken the muscles.
- Activity Changes – Changing how you do a task, or the tool you use, takes stress off the joint.
- Injections – A doctor can inject some joints.
- Ice and Heat – Either can help ease the pain for a while.
An occupational therapist can show you joint protection techniques and tell you whether a glove or a splint suits your hands.
How We Chose These Arthritis Gloves
These picks come from research. We compared the product specifications, the Amazon product pages and buyer feedback, and we checked that each pick is in stock on Amazon US. We did not test the products ourselves.
We looked at these factors:
- Finger Style – Whether the glove is fingerless or full-finger, and how much it leaves free.
- Fit and Sizing – How many sizes the maker offers and how you measure for them.
- Fabric and Grip – Materials, seams and any grip on the palm.
- Care and Value – How the glove is washed and what you get for the price, including pairs and guarantees.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Arthritis Gloves
- Do arthritis gloves work?
The largest trial found that compression arthritis gloves did no better than loose gloves for hand pain, stiffness or function, although both groups improved.[1] Gloves may still feel comfortable and warm. - Do compression gloves reduce swelling?
A review of four small trials found less finger joint swelling in rheumatoid arthritis with night-time gloves, but the trials were small and the results for pain and stiffness were inconclusive.[2] - Should I wear arthritis gloves at night?
Some trials tested night wear, but the evidence is not firm.[2] If you try it, choose a snug but not tight glove, and stop if your fingers tingle or change color. - Are copper arthritis gloves better?
There is no evidence that they are. A randomized trial found that copper bracelets did no better than placebo devices for pain, inflammation or function in rheumatoid arthritis.[6]
Our Picks: Gloves for Arthritis
Here are 6 arthritis gloves, from fingerless to full-finger. Each one is in stock on Amazon US.
We hope you love the arthritis gloves we recommend!
So that you know, we may earn a share of sales or other compensation from links on this page. This does not change your price.
1
Copper Compression® Unisex Full Finger Arthritis Gloves Copper-Infused Full-Finger Gloves
The Copper Compression Full Finger Arthritis Gloves cover the whole hand, which suits people who want warmth in the fingers as well as the palm.
- The fingers are covered, and the thumb and index fingertips work on a touchscreen.
- The fabric stretches four ways, and grips on the palm help you hold objects.
- The gloves come in four sizes, small to extra large, and you size them across the palm just below the fingers.
- You get one left and one right glove, made for day or night wear.
2
ComfyBrace® Unisex Copper Arthritis Gloves Fingerless Compression Gloves
The ComfyBrace Copper Arthritis Gloves are fingerless gloves with a gentle squeeze and grips on the palm.
- The open-finger design leaves your fingertips free for typing, texting and tools.
- Anti-slip grips on the palm and minimal stitching keep the gloves from catching or rubbing.
- ComfyBrace backs the gloves with a lifetime warranty.
3
Vive® Unisex Arthritis Gloves Open-Finger Compression Gloves
The Vive Arthritis Gloves are open-finger compression gloves in a cotton and spandex blend.
- They fit close to the shape of the hand, and the open fingers leave your fingertips free for everyday tasks.
- The cotton-spandex knit is lightweight and breathable, and it holds in some warmth.
- Seams are stitched to keep irritation and pressure points down, and the stitching was updated for durability.
- They are eligible for HSA and FSA spending, and Vive offers a 60-day guarantee.
4
Copper Compression® Unisex Fingerless Arthritis Gloves Copper-Infused Compression Gloves
The Copper Compression Fingerless Arthritis Gloves are fingerless gloves in five sizes, so they suit a wide range of hands.
- The fabric stretches four ways and has non-slip grips on the palm, and the fingers are open so you keep your dexterity.
- They come in five sizes from extra small to extra large, and you size them by measuring around the palm above the thumb.
- Each set includes one left and one right glove, and the fabric is made to survive regular washing.
5
Thermoskin® Unisex Premium Arthritis Gloves Open-Finger Compression Gloves
The Thermoskin Premium Arthritis Gloves are open-finger gloves built around warmth and light compression, with a grippy outer surface.
- The fabric holds in the warmth of your hand and applies light, firm compression.
- The fingertips are exposed, so you can still type, write, drive and handle small objects.
- A textured Griptex surface on the outside helps you hold tools, cups and other household items.
- The gloves are shaped for the left and right hand, with an adjustable fastener at each wrist.
6
FREETOO® Unisex All-Around Compression Gloves Fingerless Gloves with Knuckle Pads
The FREETOO All-Around Compression Gloves are fingerless gloves with silicone pads set over the knuckles.
- Pressurized silicone pads sit at key knuckles, which gives more pressure in those spots than in the rest of the glove.
- The fabric is Lycra with 23% spandex, and the seams are double reinforced.
- Silicone grips on the palm help you hold a pen, a crochet hook or a game controller.
- There are five sizes from extra small to extra large, chosen by palm circumference, and FREETOO offers a 60-day replacement or refund.
Index Table: Gloves for Arthritis at a Glance
| No. | Product | Image | Features | Brand | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Copper Compression Unisex Full Finger Arthritis Gloves - Copper-Infused Full-Finger Gloves |  |
| Copper Compression | - |
| 2 | ComfyBrace Unisex Copper Arthritis Gloves - Fingerless Compression Gloves |  |
| ComfyBrace | - |
| 3 | Vive Unisex Arthritis Gloves - Open-Finger Compression Gloves |  |
| Vive | - |
| 4 | Copper Compression Unisex Fingerless Arthritis Gloves - Copper-Infused Compression Gloves |  |
| Copper Compression | - |
| 5 | Thermoskin Unisex Premium Arthritis Gloves - Open-Finger Compression Gloves |  |
| Thermoskin | - |
| 6 | FREETOO Unisex All-Around Compression Gloves - Fingerless Gloves with Knuckle Pads |  |
| FREETOO | - |
Sources
- BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. Hammond A et al. Clinical and cost effectiveness of arthritis gloves in rheumatoid arthritis (A-GLOVES): randomised controlled trial with economic analysis (2020). Accessed October 26, 2026.
- Clinical Rehabilitation (PubMed). The effects of compression gloves on hand symptoms and hand function in rheumatoid arthritis and hand osteoarthritis: a systematic review (2015). Accessed October 26, 2026.
- National Health Service (NHS). Osteoarthritis. Accessed October 26, 2026.
- National Health Service (NHS). Rheumatoid arthritis. Accessed October 26, 2026.
- OrthoInfo (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons). Arthritis of the Hand. Accessed October 26, 2026.
- PLoS ONE. Richmond SJ et al. Copper bracelets and magnetic wrist straps for rheumatoid arthritis: a randomised double-blind placebo controlled crossover trial (2013). Accessed October 26, 2026.
Update History
- Oct 2026: Rewrote the article around the A-GLOVES trial, a systematic review of compression gloves, NHS and OrthoInfo guidance and a copper trial, removed the claims that compression, copper and heat heal, increase circulation or reduce inflammation, the first-person text and the old score tables, rewrote all six product notes, and added Sources
- Oct 2026: Replaced Intellinetix Therapy Gloves (unavailable on Amazon US) with FREETOO All-Around Compression Gloves
- Feb 2021: Published
