Latex gloves are made from natural rubber latex. They stretch, fit close to the hand and keep a good feel for fine work, which is why they are still common in clinics, salons, kitchens and cleaning kits.
This guide explains what the FDA says about latex gloves and allergy, and six powder-free latex gloves that are in stock on Amazon US.
Latex gloves at a glance
- The FDA says some people are allergic to the natural rubber latex used in some medical gloves, and that if you are allergic you should choose gloves made from synthetic materials such as PVC, nitrile or polyurethane.[1]
- Federal rules say some people are at risk of severe anaphylactic reactions to natural latex proteins, and a natural rubber latex glove must carry the statement ‘Caution: This Product Contains Natural Rubber Latex Which May Cause Allergic Reactions.’[2]
- Federal rules also bar the term hypoallergenic from the labeling of devices that contain natural rubber.[2]
- The FDA banned powdered surgeon’s gloves and powdered patient examination gloves in a final rule published on December 19, 2016.[1]
- OSHA says disposable gloves must be replaced when torn or punctured and must not be washed or decontaminated for reuse.[3]
Latex Gloves and Allergy
Natural rubber latex is the one glove material that can trigger a severe allergy. The FDA requires makers to list the material on the package, and says people allergic to natural rubber latex should choose gloves made from other synthetic materials.[1] Federal labeling rules say some individuals are at risk of severe anaphylactic reactions to natural latex proteins, and they require a caution statement on latex gloves.[2] The same rule says a glove that contains natural rubber may not be labeled hypoallergenic.[2]
If more than one person in your home or workplace uses the gloves, think about a latex-free option such as nitrile. OSHA requires employers who provide gloves under its bloodborne pathogens standard to keep hypoallergenic gloves, glove liners, powderless gloves or similar alternatives readily accessible to employees who are allergic to the gloves normally provided.[3]
Powdered and Powder-Free Latex Gloves
The FDA banned powdered surgeon’s gloves and powdered patient examination gloves, based on an unreasonable and substantial risk of illness or injury.[1] All six latex gloves in this guide are sold as powder-free.
Features of a Good Latex Glove
- Exam or Household – The Curad, Dealmed, Microflex and MedPride gloves are exam gloves. The Green Direct gloves are sold for household chores, and the Safeguard gloves for food service.
- Thickness – The MedPride gloves are 5 mil. A thicker glove resists puncture better, and a thinner one feels more sensitive.
- Cuff – A beaded cuff helps the glove stay rolled and resist tearing at the wrist.
- Size – Amazon boxes here are small and medium, and the Curad box is one size. Check the size on the page before you order.
- Pack – Boxes hold 50 or 100 gloves, and the Microflex case holds 1,000.
How We Chose These Latex 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:
- Material – Natural rubber latex, powder-free.
- Grade – Exam, food service or household.
- Thickness – Mil rating where given.
- Pack – Count and size on Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Latex Gloves
- Are latex gloves hypoallergenic?
No. Federal labeling rules say a device that contains natural rubber may not carry the term hypoallergenic on its labeling, and they require a caution statement about allergic reactions on natural rubber latex gloves.[2] - What should I wear if I am allergic to latex?
The FDA says people who are allergic to natural rubber latex should choose medical gloves made from other synthetic materials such as PVC, nitrile or polyurethane.[1] - Why are powder-free gloves common now?
The FDA banned powdered surgeon’s gloves and powdered patient examination gloves in a final rule published on December 19, 2016, based on the risk of illness or injury from the powder.[1] - Are latex exam gloves different from household gloves?
Yes. The FDA regulates medical gloves, including examination gloves, as Class I devices that need a 510(k) premarket notification.[1] Household gloves such as the Green Direct pack are sold for chores, not for exams.
Our Picks: Latex Gloves
Here are 6 powder-free latex gloves for exams, food service and the home. Each one is in stock on Amazon US.
We hope you love the latex 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
Curad® Unisex Comfort Wear Powder-Free Latex Exam Gloves
The Curad Comfort Wear gloves are powder-free latex exam gloves in a box of 50.
- Curad describes the fit as flexible, with good finger sensitivity.
- The gloves are powder-free and non-sterile, and they leave no residue on hands or clothing.
- They come in one size, sold as fitting most hands.
- A 50-count box suits occasional use at home.
2
Dealmed® Unisex Latex Exam Powder-Free Disposable Gloves
The Dealmed gloves are cream latex exam gloves with beaded cuffs, 100 to a box.
- They are powder-free, ambidextrous and disposable, with a beaded cuff for a secure fit.
- Dealmed packs them flat in a Soft-Fill box so they come out without wrinkles.
- Dealmed sells them for wound care, lab work, hair coloring, tattooing, food prep and cleaning.
- The Amazon box is size small.
3
Microflex® Unisex MF-300 Diamond Grip Powder-Free Latex Exam Gloves
The Microflex MF-300 Diamond Grip is a powder-free latex exam glove with textured fingers, sold as a case of 1,000.
- The fingers are textured for grip, and the glove is exam grade with a pull-on closure.
- A case holds 10 boxes of 100 gloves.
- The Amazon case is size medium.
- It is the bulk choice in this guide for clinics, shops and large households.
4
Safeguard® Unisex Powder-Free Latex Food Service Gloves
The Safeguard gloves are powder-free latex gloves sold for food service and commercial use.
- Safeguard says they comply with 21 CFR 177 for food service use.
- The brand describes them as durable, highly elastic and puncture resistant.
- They are non-sterile, powder-free and sold in boxes of 100.
- The Amazon box is size small, and Safeguard lists concession stands, schools and home use.
5
Medpride® Unisex Latex Exam 5 Mil Powder-Free Medical Exam Gloves
The MedPride gloves are 5 mil natural rubber latex exam gloves, powder-free and non-sterile.
- They are 5 mil thick, which MedPride sells as barrier protection with puncture resistance.
- The cuff is beaded, the gloves fit either hand, and they leave no powder.
- MedPride says they contain natural rubber latex, so do not use them if you have a latex allergy.
- Boxes of 100 come in small to extra large, and the Amazon box is size medium.
6
Green Direct® Unisex Powder-Free Cleaning Disposable Household Gloves
The Green Direct gloves are disposable latex gloves sold for household chores.
- They are powder-free and ambidextrous, with a beaded cuff for tear resistance.
- Green Direct sells them for cleaning, washing dishes and gardening.
- They are a household glove, not a medical exam glove.
- The box holds 100, and the Amazon box is size medium.
Index Table: Latex Gloves at a Glance
| No. | Product | Image | Features | Brand | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Curad Unisex Comfort Wear - Powder-Free Latex Exam Gloves |  |
| Curad | - |
| 2 | Dealmed Unisex Latex Exam - Powder-Free Disposable Gloves |  |
| Dealmed | - |
| 3 | Microflex Unisex MF-300 Diamond Grip - Powder-Free Latex Exam Gloves |  |
| Microflex | - |
| 4 | Safeguard Unisex Powder-Free Latex - Food Service Gloves |  |
| Safeguard | - |
| 5 | Medpride Unisex Latex Exam 5 Mil - Powder-Free Medical Exam Gloves |  |
| Medpride | - |
| 6 | Green Direct Unisex Powder-Free Cleaning - Disposable Household Gloves |  |
| Green Direct | - |
Sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Medical Gloves. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). 21 CFR 801.437 – User labeling for devices that contain natural rubber. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). 1910.1030 – Bloodborne pathogens. Accessed October 27, 2026.
Update History
- Oct 2026: Rewrote the article around FDA, federal labeling and OSHA guidance on latex gloves, removed the unsourced claims that latex is FDA-approved, hypoallergenic and better than nitrile and the old score tables, rewrote all product notes from the Amazon pages, dropped out-of-stock and unavailable listings and added Sources
- Feb 2020: Published
