Best Nitrile Gloves

By Eliza Ward · On November 26, 2020 · Updated: October 26, 2026

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Nitrile is a synthetic rubber, and nitrile gloves are the usual pick when you want a disposable glove without natural rubber latex. They come in thin 3 mil kitchen gloves, thick 5 mil shop gloves and exam gloves sold in cases of 1,000.

This guide covers what to know before you buy, including what the FDA says about medical gloves, and seven disposable nitrile gloves that are in stock on the web US.

Disclaimer: This article is general information, not medical or workplace safety advice. For a medical or job-site glove decision, follow your employer’s or clinician’s guidance.

Nitrile gloves at a glance

The FDA regulates medical gloves, including examination gloves, as Class I devices that need a 510(k) premarket notification.^[1]
The FDA says people allergic to natural rubber latex should choose medical gloves made from synthetic materials such as PVC, nitrile or polyurethane.^[1]
The FDA says sharp objects can puncture medical gloves, and that you should change a glove that rips or tears.^[1]
The FDA says never to reuse, wash or disinfect medical gloves.^[1]
For work gloves, OSHA requires employers to base the choice on the hazards, the task and the duration of use.^[2]

Disposable Nitrile and Reusable Nitrile Gloves

The word nitrile covers two different kinds of glove. Disposable nitrile gloves are thin, single-use gloves, and every pick in this guide is one of them. Reusable work gloves, such as nylon gloves with a nitrile palm coating, are a separate product made for grip and abrasion.

Disposable – Thin, powder-free and made to be thrown away after one task. The FDA says never to reuse medical gloves.[1]
Reusable (coated) – A knit liner with a nitrile coat on the palm. These are work gloves, and OSHA says to choose them by the hazard and the task.[2]

Why Choose Nitrile

Nitrile contains no natural rubber latex, which is why the FDA lists it among the alternatives for people with a latex allergy.^[1] The FDA requires makers to label the glove material, so check the package.^[1]

Features of a Good Nitrile Glove

Thickness – Mil is a thousandth of an inch. The 4 mil gloves from 1st Choice and Gusto and the 5 mil Salon World Safety gloves are thicker than a basic exam glove, and the Basic Medical glove is 0.12 mm at the fingers. A thicker glove resists tearing better, and a thinner one feels more sensitive.
Exam or General Use – The MedPride and Basic Medical gloves are sold as exam gloves. The others are sold for food service, cleaning, salons and shops.
Color – Blue is common for exam and food gloves. Black hides grease and ink.
Texture and Cuff – Textured fingertips help with wet grip. A beaded cuff helps the glove stay rolled and resist tearing at the wrist.
Pack Size – Boxes hold 100 gloves, and two of the picks are cases of 1,000.

How We Chose These Nitrile Gloves

These picks come from research. We compared the product specifications, the The web product pages and buyer feedback, and we checked that each pick is in stock on the web US. We did not test the products ourselves.

We looked at these factors:

Material – Powder-free nitrile, latex-free.
Thickness – Mil or millimeter rating.
Use – Exam grade or general use.
Pack – Count and size on the web.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Nitrile Gloves

Are nitrile gloves latex-free?
Nitrile is a synthetic rubber, and the FDA lists it among the alternatives to natural rubber latex for people with a latex allergy.^[1] Check the package label for the material.

Can I reuse disposable nitrile gloves?
The FDA says never to reuse, wash or disinfect medical gloves, and to change them if they rip or tear.^[1]

Are exam gloves different from general-use gloves?
Yes. The FDA regulates medical gloves, which include examination gloves, as Class I devices that need a 510(k) premarket notification.^[1] General-use gloves such as the Salon World Safety and 1st Choice black gloves are sold for food service, salons and shops.

Can a nitrile glove be punctured?
Yes. The FDA notes that sharp objects can puncture medical gloves.^[1] For tasks with cuts or punctures, OSHA says the employer should choose hand protection that fits the hazard.^[2]

What size nitrile glove should I buy?
Use the maker’s size chart, because nitrile stretches less than latex. The The web boxes in this guide are size medium and extra large, so check the size on the The web page before you order.

Our Picks: Nitrile Gloves

Here are 7 disposable nitrile gloves for food service, shops and general tasks. Each one is in stock on the web US.
We hope you love the nitrile 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.

100 Pcs Nitrile Disposable Gloves - Soft Industrial Gloves, Vinyl Gloves Powder-Free, Latex-Free Protective Gloves, Soft and Comfortable, Size Extra Large - SereneLife SLGLVNIT100XL, Assorted

Currently unavailable

The SereneLife gloves are blue-style disposable nitrile gloves in a 100-count dispenser box.

They are powder-free and latex-free, with a rolled cuff that makes them quick to put on and take off.
The whole glove has a fine texture for a grip on wet and dry objects, from glassware to tools.
SereneLife lists hair coloring, food preparation, cleaning, pet care, painting and crafts as uses.
The The web box is size extra large.

Salon World Safety Black Nitrile Disposable Gloves, Box of 100, Size Medium, 4.0 Mil - Latex Free, Textured, Food Safe

Currently unavailable

The Salon World Safety gloves are black nitrile gloves that are 5 mil thick, the heaviest in this guide.

Each glove weighs about 5 grams, and the box holds 100 ambidextrous gloves.
The fingertips are textured, and the fit is snug enough to use a touchscreen phone.
They are powder-free and latex-free, and Salon World Safety sells them for food handling, salons, automotive work and sanitation.
The The web box is size medium.

Microflex MK-296 Black Disposable Nitrile Gloves, Latex-Free, Powder-Free Glove for Mechanics, Automotive, Cleaning or Tattoo Applications, Medical / Exam Grade, X-Large,100 Count (Pack of 10)

Currently unavailable

The Microflex MidKnight MK-296 is a black disposable nitrile glove from Ansell, sold here as a case of 1,000.

The outside is fully textured and the cuff is beaded, and the shape is ambidextrous.
The inside is powder-free, and the gloves are for single use only.
Ansell markets them for automotive, laboratory, law enforcement, tattoo and emergency medical work.
The The web case is size extra large.

1st Choice Black Nitrile Disposable Exam Gloves 3 Mil, Latex and Powder-Free, Food-Safe, Textured, X-Large, Box of 100

Currently unavailable

The 1st Choice gloves are black nitrile gloves, 4 mil thick, in a 100-count box.

The black color gives a clean look in a kitchen, salon or shop.
1st Choice sells them as food safe and latex-free, for cleaning, food prep and general tasks.
The box comes in sizes from small to extra large, and the The web box is extra large.

MedPride Powder-Free Nitrile Exam Gloves, Medium, Box/100

Currently unavailable

The MedPride gloves are iris blue nitrile exam gloves, non-sterile and single use.

Nitrile is a synthetic material, so the gloves contain no natural rubber latex and leave no powder.
Textured fingertips help you grip and feel what you handle, and the beaded cuff adds durability.
The box holds 100 ambidextrous gloves, and the The web box is size medium.
MedPride sells them for home caregivers, wound care and personal medical use.

BASIC Medical Blue Nitrile Exam Gloves - Latex-Free & Powder-Free - NGPF-7004 (Case of 1,000), Xtra Large

Currently unavailable

The Basic Medical gloves are blue nitrile exam gloves sold as a case of 1,000.

They contain no natural rubber latex and are made without powder.
The fingers are 0.12 mm thick and the palms are 0.08 mm thick, with a smooth finish.
A case holds 10 boxes of 100 gloves, in size extra large on the web.

[100 Pack] Disposable Nitrile Gloves - Powder & Latex Free - Medium

Currently unavailable

The Gusto gloves (formerly sold as Comfy Package) are blue 4 mil nitrile gloves, 100 to a box.

They are powder-free, non-sterile and made without latex or rubber.
The 4 mil thickness is meant to resist rips and tears while keeping dexterity.
Gusto sells them for kitchens, salons, cleaning crews, painters and food service.
The The web box is size medium.

Index Table: Nitrile Gloves at a Glance

No.	Product	Features	Brand	Score
1	SereneLife Unisex 100-Count Nitrile - Soft Disposable Gloves	Powder-Free Latex-Free Textured Fingertips Rolled Cuff	SereneLife	-
2	Salon World Safety Unisex Black 5 Mil - Thick Disposable Nitrile Gloves	5 Mil Black Powder-Free Latex-Free	Salon World Safety	-
3	Microflex Unisex MidKnight MK-296 - Black Nitrile Case of 1,000	Black Full Texture Beaded Cuff 1,000 Count	Microflex	-
4	1st Choice Unisex Black 4 Mil - Food-Safe Nitrile Gloves	4 Mil Black Food Safe Latex-Free	1st Choice	-
5	MedPride Unisex Iris Blue Nitrile - Powder-Free Exam Gloves	Exam Gloves Textured Fingertips Beaded Cuff Box of 100	MedPride	-
6	Basic Unisex Blue Nitrile Exam - 1,000-Count Exam Gloves	Exam Gloves 0.12 mm Fingers 1,000 Count Latex-Free	Basic	-
7	Gusto Unisex Blue Nitrile 4 Mil - Disposable Gloves, 100 Count	4 Mil Powder-Free Latex-Free Non-Sterile	Gusto	-

Sources

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Medical Gloves. Accessed October 27, 2026.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). 1910.138 – Hand protection. Accessed October 27, 2026.

Update History

Oct 2026: Rewrote the article around FDA guidance on medical gloves and OSHA hand-protection rules, removed the unsourced hypoallergenic and chemical-free claims and the old score tables, rewrote all product notes from the The web pages, dropped out-of-stock and duplicate products, and added Sources
Nov 2020: Published