Nitrile VS Latex Gloves

Disposable gloves such as Nitrile and Latex gloves are essential in any healthcare and food preparation environment.

They protect the user, clients, or patients against exposure to dangerous microbes and other health risks.

Different designs and materials are used in most disposable gloves. However, today, we mainly concentrate on Nitril vs. latex gloves.

Then again, you also get non-disposable gloves options, especially in Nitrile gloves…
Most disposable gloves, however, consist of nitrile, latex, or vinyl and make up the largest use for the gloves.



Reviews: The Best Nitrile and Latex Gloves

These are the two choices in the most outstanding Nitrile and Latex Gloves;
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1
Reviewed by: Eliza Ward Score: 98.5

  • I have chosen the Gloveworks HD Industrial Nitrile Gloves as a favorite Nitrile glove.
  • It is latex and powder-free and has textured fingers and palms.
  • The glove is ideal for many uses, including industrial work and food preparation, and they are also disposable.
  • These are thicker eight-mill gloves, so they are unsuitable for medical use.
  • They come in a box of 100 disposable nitrile gloves and are orange for visibility.


2

Medpride® Unisex Medical Latex gloves


  • The Medrpride Latex gloves are my favorite for multiple purposes.
  • They are non-sterile, powder-free, medical-grade gloves that can also be used for food preparation and other purposes.
  • The Latex gloves are heavy-duty and more professional.
  • They offer a more comfortable fit that is stretchy and secure.
  • The gloves are available in various sizes and count options from which you can select.


Nitrile Gloves and Their Benefits

First, we would like to examine what Nitrile is used in your gloves.

Nitrile is a synthetic rubber compound mainly used in disposable and rarely in regular gloves.

Nitrile is sometimes used with other materials in non-disposable gloves.
Nitrile has been around for quite a while and is becoming increasingly popular, particularly in the food industry.

Here are a few facts that make nitrile gloves an excellent choice;
X3 Industrial Black Nitrile

  • Durable and Chemical Resistant – Nitrile gloves became prominent in the 1990s as the leading alternative to latex gloves. They may not be as elastic and flexible as other gloves; however, they are the most durable and chemical-resistant gloves. Thus, they are the ideal choices for people who work with chemicals and corrosives.
  • Hypoallergenic and Puncture Resistant -Nitrile gloves, unlike latex gloves, are completely hypoallergenic and are ideal for medical applications. They are also one of the most puncture-resistant glove materials. Nitrile gloves will generally not cause any allergies or reactions.
  • Infection and Barrier Protection – As a medical glove, Nitrile gloves provide the best barrier and infection protection because they are durable and puncture-resistant.
  • Not Flexible or as Sensitive as Latex – On the other hand, Nitrile gloves are not as flexible, stretchable, or touch-sensitive as other gloves such as latex and can be difficult to use for fine work and details where you need to rely on the touch sensation.

Latex Gloves and Their Benefits

Latex is a substance obtained directly from the rubber tree, so it is natural rubber instead of Nitrile, a synthetic rubber.

Latex is the most commonly used material in disposable gloves because it has been the only strong option on the market for a long time.

However, because latex gloves cause allergies and are not as puncture-resistant and strong, many hospitals and industries have started replacing them with Nitrile gloves.

In turn, Latex gloves do offer quite a few of their useful benefits, which include;
Disposable Latex Gloves

  • Protection Against Bloodborne Pathogens – Latex is recommended by people such as Darwin Brown in Physician Assistant, and in the 1980s and 1990s as the best protection against bloodborne pathogens such as HIV.
  • Not Hypoallergenic – One of the Downfall of latex is that it is not a hypoallergenic material, and many people do get an allergic reaction from latex, thus needing to seek other options such as nitrile and vinyl.
  • Very Flexible and Thin – Latex, in turn, is one of the most stretchable and flexible, thinner glove options between Nitrile and Vinyl. Latex is ideal when you need more touch sensitivity and is extremely flexible, so they will feel most like you do not have gloves on.
  • Not as Strong as Nitrile – Latex is a strong glove but does not compare to Nitrile gloves when it comes to strength.

Which is Better between Latex and Nitrile Gloves?

If you are looking for an answer to which is better, Nitrile or Latex gloves, it depends on the application and your budget.

While latex gloves are more flexible and sensitive to the touch, nitrile gloves are much more durable and of much better quality than latex gloves.

I lean more toward nitrile gloves; they are the stronger and better quality but the more expensive option between latex and nitrile gloves.


Uses of Nitrile and Latex Gloves

Then again, in choosing between Nitril and latex gloves, much of the decision comes down to what you will use the gloves for specifically.

Nitrile and latex gloves are stretchable and flexible gloves that protect your hands against whatever you will be coming into contact with.

They protect against bloodborne pathogens and foodborne illnesses, as well as against certain chemicals and household cleaners.

Nitrile and Latex gloves protect against the spread of infectious diseases and are ideal in food preparation and medical fields.

Someone would choose a Nitrile glove over a latex glove for its strength and hypoallergenic features, whereas a latex glove would be chosen because it is more flexible and sensitive to touch.

In both cases, Nitrile and Latex gloves can be used for similar purposes, except for some Nitrile glove models that are designed and blended with other materials as work gloves.


Features of the Best Latex Gloves

Disposable Latex Gloves

  • Powder or Powders Free Option – Latex gloves come available in both powdered and powder-free options from which you can choose. Most people choose powder-free as it is a more comfortable and less slippery option.
  • Thickness – Latex gloves are generally quite thin and come in a specific thickness. However, I have seen a few thickness options.
  • Size and Wrist Fit – Latex gloves are available in different size options and have different wrist cuts and fits depending on the specific brand.
  • Color – Latex gloves are mainly available in blue, white, or clear color options, although I have seen black and other colors.
  • Textures – Some latex gloves may have textured fingers or palms, depending on their specific uses.

Features of the Best Nitrile Gloves

ProCure Disposable Nitrile

  • Industrial Grade -Nitrile Gloves come in the choice of an industrial grade glove suited for handling harsh chemicals and solvents. This type of Nitrile glove is much thicker and has higher chemical and puncture resistance
  • Medical Grade – Medical Grade Nitrile Gloves are suited for use in food preparation and hospital for protection against foodborne illnesses and bloodborne pathogens, among other disease and infections. They are generally thinner and more flexible design gloves than industrial-grade gloves.
  • Size and Color – Nitrile gloves come in various sizes and colors. Clear, white, blue, and black colors are most prevalent.
  • Thickness – Nitrile gloves differ in thickness; industrial-grade nitrile gloves are between 6 and 8 mils thick, and medical-grade gloves are slightly thinner.
  • Texture and Finish – Nitrile gloves, depending on their design and purpose, come in various thicknesses and textures. The palms and fingers may be textured for improved grip.
  • Powdered or Powder Free – As with Latex Gloves, you also get a Powdered and powder Free option for Nitrile Gloves.

Index Table: Top Rated Nitrile and Latex Gloves

No.ProductImageFeaturesBrandScore
1Gloveworks Unisex HD Industrail - Nitrile Gloves
  • Latex Free
  • Powder free
  • Industrail Grade
Gloveworks98.5
2Medpride Unisex Medical - Latex gloves
  • Powder Free
  • Sterile
  • Heavy Duty
Medpride98


About the Author

Eliza Ward

Eliza Ward is a fashion enthusiast, nature lover, and full-time mother for 3 lovely kids in South Africa. She has always had a fetish for gloves and has the best product recommendations for all her friends and family. So she turned what she loved into her full-time job - by testing and recommending the best gloves for our online readers. Read her reviews to know how cool her observations are.