The three most popular types of gloves are vinyl, nitrile and latex. All three-offer ample protection against infectious agents like bacteria, viruses and fungus (both inside and outside the home). However, there are some key differences between the three that make them more suitable for certain settings over others.

Vinyl, nitrile, and latex gloves are all synthetic gloves that offer a viable alternative to natural rubber latex. Each option has its own unique characteristics and can be suitable for different applications, but it’s important to know what makes each type unique before you make your final selection.

Vinyl gloves were the first synthetic alternative available to the consumer, offering an allergy free option to latex. The fit and feel of vinyl gloves mean that they may not be ideal for activities requiring a high level of precision. Nitrile is a type of synthetic rubber. It’s incredibly durable, latex-free, and specifically designed for medical applications. Nitrile gloves were first developed during the early 90s’. Since then, they’ve become the go-to glove for many doctors, nurses, and home caregivers. Latex Gloves – latex or rubber is not what it used to be! Whether you choose vinyl or nitrile over latex, there’s one thing we can all agree on: These products have improved drastically over time. We went through our archives pulling some pictures of vintage latex gloves (that could be considered “antique” today).

Vinyl gloves can be used for food handling and general cleaning tasks around the home. The material is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and has the advantage of being inexpensive, lightweight and durable. However, due to environmental concerns regarding PVC exposure, vinyl gloves have fallen out of favor with most healthcare practitioners and many companies have banned their use.

Advantages and disadvantages of each type of gloves?

Now that we know little more about the different type of gloves, let’s take a closer look at their pros and cons.

Vinyl gloves:

Nitrile gloves:

Latex gloves:

In what situations should I use vinyl vs nitrile vs latex?

The type of gloves that will most benefit you and your loved one depends on their individual needs and your caregiving responsibilities. As a general rule, we recommend the following:

Vinyl gloves: 

Since vinyl gloves contain more elastic than nitrile or latex, they tend to fit loosely. Avoid wearing them when changing diapers, providing bathing assistance, or helping your loved one use the toilet. Vinyl gloves are ideal if you’re on a tight budget, only need to wear gloves for a few minutes, or need to cover your hands while preparing snacks, drinks, or meals.

Nitrile gloves: 

When it comes to caregiving, nitrile gloves are considered the “gold standard.” Because they’re free of allergens like latex, there’s less risk of skin irritation, or in severe instances, anaphylaxis.

Nitrile gloves fit your hands comfortably and encourage finger dexterity. That makes them ideal for cleaning and sanitation as well as tasks that require gripping, twisting, or lifting. When you’re finished wearing a pair of nitrile gloves, remove and toss them in the trash. Thanks to advances in manufacturing, many of the nitrile gloves currently on the market are biodegradable.

Latex gloves: 

Latex gloves are just as comfortable as nitrile, but because they’re made of latex, present the risk of an allergic reaction. They’re safe for use in almost any caregiving situation, as long as your loved one doesn’t suffer from a latex allergy.

Which type of glove material is best for me?

When buying gloves there’s a lot to consider: client allergies, fit, high/ low-risk jobs, powdered/unpowdered, shelf life, costs, environmental impact. Let’s explore what glove choice is best for each scenario.

Best choice for Allergies

If someone’s life is at risk, then there’s no better option for gloves than synthetic. Made in a lab, both nitrile and vinyl gloves provide allergy-free glove protection.

About 1 to 6 percent of people in the U.S. have a latex allergy, but the statistic gets scary when you consider that you can develop the allergy at any time. People who work with latex the most are in the healthcare industry. When we look at those numbers, we see that about 8-12 percent of health care workers will get a latex allergy.

Best choice for Budget

When analyzing the bottom line, vinyl gloves are the most economical option available today. PVC has been around for many years, and costs of production are low.

This glove material is a great choice for every day in low-risk tasks. If you’re looking for a cheap, simple barrier between your hands and the environment, vinyl gloves are a great option for you.

Best choice for High-Risk Tasks

If you are working in an infectious environment, you are going to want the strongest, most reliable barrier for your body. The best choices for you are nitrile or latex. If there’s a chance of you encountering petroleum-based products in your line of work, opt for nitrile gloves to be safe. Your health is in your own hands.

Now that we’ve compared the three most popular glove materials, there’s only one question left to ask. Which gloves will you choose?

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