The Best Medical Exam Gloves for 2023

Disposable gloves are needed for nearly every application in any medical setting. While not all gloves serve the same purpose, there are particular medical exam gloves that are ideal for healthcare and medical settings.

All medical gloves are now required to be powder-free gloves, thanks to the 2016 FDA ruling that set out to prevent risk and injury and protect patients and medical staff through banning powdered gloves from use in medical care.

If you're searching for the best disposable gloves for medical use, you're on the right track. This post highlights the different gloves that can be used in an array of healthcare and medical applications.

What Defines a Medical Glove?

Medical gloves are single-use gloves used during medical examinations, procedures, and surgery to help prevent cross-contamination between medical staff and patients. They can also be used in other industries and by workers exposed to biological hazards, including estheticians, janitors, and childcare centers.

Medical exam gloves protect the hands and skin from contact with dangerous chemicals, blood-borne pathogens, and other hazardous materials and substances. They are made to offer extra strength and protection than standard industrial gloves.

Medical exam gloves are designed for specific tasks within a medical or healthcare environment. In contrast, standard gloves can be used for various purposes, including food handling, cosmetic procedures, and housekeeping.

What Are Medical Gloves Made Of?

Disposable medical-grade gloves are typically made of nitrile, vinyl, latex, and chloroprene. Each material is durable, well-fitting, and designed for medical care and procedures.

The materials are often more of a matter of personal preference for the staff using them; some staff may prefer the fit of nitrile over vinyl, but the latter is more cost-effective to purchase.

• Nitrile gloves are typically the most popular choice for the healthcare industry because their synthetic rubber material is significantly more durable and stronger than other gloves, making them the “medical-grade” option. Nitrile gloves are also resistant to chemicals and provide impressive puncture resistance.
  Nitrile exam gloves are ideal in healthcare scenarios because of their durability and high level of protection for both the provider and the patient.
  
  
• Vinyl exam gloves are made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and offer the standard barrier protection for healthcare providers.
  Vinyl gloves are latex-free and offer a loose, comfortable fit, designed to be worn for shorter periods than other medical-grade gloves. However, vinyl gloves provide less durability than nitrile gloves. Vinyl gloves are the most cost-effective solution for exam gloves because they are more affordable but still high quality.
  
  
• Latex gloves are derived from a substance grown on mature rubber trees. They are known for fitting a person's hand almost perfectly. Their high tactile sensitivity has made these exam gloves a popular option for healthcare and many other industries.
  Latex also provides better protection against bacteria and viruses than the other materials, but it falls short of chemical protection that nitrile and vinyl offer. They are a popular and cost-effective product for other industries like beauty, food handling, caretakers, and housekeeping.
  One drawback of latex gloves is they often trigger latex allergies in patients and users, making them a hazard in many workplaces and environments. Many establishments and facilities have chosen to provide only nitrile, vinyl, or chloroprene disposable gloves to avoid the risk of an allergic reaction in a patient or customer.

Are Medical Gloves the Same as Hospital Gloves?

The terms medical gloves and hospital gloves may be used interchangeably. Medical-grade gloves are disposable and used in various medical settings, including hospitals, clinics, research labs, basic procedures, examinations, and operating rooms.

Medical-grade gloves must be of high quality to prevent common infections and diseases in medical or hospital settings. They're usually made of latex or nitrile.

They're worn by nurses, doctors, surgeons, lab technicians, and anyone who comes into contact with bloodborne pathogens or bodily fluids while caring for people (or animals).

The Best Medical Gloves

If you're searching for a reliable supplier to buy medical gloves in bulk or small batches, WellBefore offers affordable, high-quality single-use gloves. Find a wide selection of medical-grade disposable gloves, including latex gloves, nitrile gloves, and vinyl gloves.

Here are some of our most popular single-use gloves.

Disposable Nitrile Gloves

Our nitrile examination gloves are powder-free gloves with material options, such as nitrile and a nitrile-vinyl blend. Nitrile exam gloves are ideal for medical environments because they meet FDA specifications for safety and quality.

The best medical nitrile glovesprovide convenient features, including the following:

• Tear resistant with extra puncture resistance
• Great stretching durability
• A smooth finish that is soft to the touch
• Textured fingertips to stabilize grip
• Beaded cuff for extra durability
• Chemo and non-chemo variants
• Examination approved
• Single-usage
• FDA certification

Shop the best Nitrile Examination Gloves

Vinyl Medical Gloves

Our vinyl exam gloves are made of tear and puncture-resistant vinyl with a smooth finish for easy removal and application. The impressive stretchiness of vinyl gloves provides a conformed fit to improve tactile sensitivity, dexterity, and comfort.

Our disposable vinyl gloves are powder-free and available at a cost-effective price. Other features of the best vinyl medical gloves include the following:

• Powder-free material that leave hands without residue
• Beaded cuffs that eliminates roll-down and potential drip
• Latex-free material for people with latex allergies
• Ambidextrous construction designed for both hands
• Available in sizes extra small through extra large

Shop the best Vinyl Examination Gloves.

Latex Hospital Gloves

The latex exam gloves we carry have a smooth inside, featuring a polymer coating for ease of use. The latex material reduces wear and ensures continued reliable performance.

Other key features of the best medical latex gloves include the following:

• Standard beaded cuff for wrist protection and preventing roll-down
• High durability for moderate protection
• Powder-free for lower risk of reaction
• Textured fingertips for improved tactile sensitivity
• Ambidextrous design for the use of either hand

Shop the best Latex Examination Gloves.

Where to Buy Medical Gloves?

WellBefore is your one-stop shop for all disposable medical gloves. We carry the high-quality brands you love and offer competitive prices for every budget. If you're shopping for the best disposable medical gloves, browse our extensive glove inventory to find the perfect gloves for your needs.