Did you know that not all disposable gloves are created equally? When it comes to choosing the right disposable glove coating for your business needs, there are several important factors that you may not have considered. Here, we explore the differences and reasons for choosing latex gloves, nitrile gloves or vinyl gloves. Scroll to the end of the article for a like-for-like comparison summary of different glove coatings or read on for an in-depth view.
Nitrile gloves
Material: Nitrile-coated gloves are made from a synthetic rubber, an alternative to natural latex. Most commonly, nitrile gloves are black or blue, which helps you to detect if there is a puncture in the glove. At Easy Gloves, we also offer them in a range of other colours, including pink and orange.
Uses: Due to their durability, nitrile gloves are used for a variety of purposes. They are a popular choice for the following industries: healthcare/medical, laboratories, automotive, tattoo and piercing studios, food service, cleaning and manufacturing.
What are the benefits of nitrile gloves?
Nitrile gloves are a popular choice for many professions. There are several reasons why nitrile-coated gloves could be perfect for your organisation’s needs. These include:
- Hypoallergenic – an alternative for those who suffer from an allergy to natural latex
- Durability – being resistant to punctures makes them a reliable option when handling chemicals
- Choice of thickness – you can choose from a variety of different thicknesses, depending on how much protection you need
- Cost-effective – Easy Gloves nitrile gloves start from as little as £2 (ex. VAT) for 100
- Grip – helps you hold onto items in oily, greasy or wet conditions
- Comfortable – nitrile gloves mould to your hand shape once warmed by body heat
- Size options – available in a choice of sizes to suit a variety of different individuals’ preferences
- Colour options – available in a variety of colours including black, pink, orange, blue and purple.
What are the drawbacks of nitrile gloves?
One of the only downsides of choosing a nitrile-coated glove is that they are not biodegradable.
Latex gloves
Material: Latex can be natural, synthetic or a blend of the two. The natural material is derived from trees. Latex gloves tend to be a creamy white colour. At Easy Glove, we only sell natural latex gloves.
Uses: Latex-coated gloves have a variety of uses in a professional setting. They are suitable for the following industries: healthcare/medical, laboratories, beauty and tattoo, cleaning and food service.
What are the benefits of latex gloves?
Latex gloves have been around for many years, and it’s easy to see why. These multi-functional disposable gloves offer many benefits:
- Biodegradable – unlike other glove types, latex gloves are biodegradable, making them a more eco-friendly choice than nitrile or vinyl
- Comfort – they are widely known as the most comfortable type of disposable glove that you can wear due to their elasticity, fitting like a second skin
- Affordable – you can purchase 100 latex gloves for as little as £3.45 (ex. VAT) from Easy Gloves
- Micro-textured – where you need to be accurate and sensitive with your grip (such as when tattooing), latex gloves allow for greater dexterity than other disposable gloves
While you can purchase powdered latex from other retailers, at Easy Glove, we choose to stock non-powdered latex. This reduces the risk of an allergic reaction and is better for a medical environment, reducing contamination.
What are the drawbacks of latex gloves?
Some people are allergic to latex, which means they aren’t suitable for every individual. If you choose to use latex gloves in your business, make sure you offer an alternative too (such as nitrile and vinyl gloves).
Vinyl gloves
Material: Made from PVC plastisol (a liquid form of vinyl that becomes more solid when heated). They come in a variety of thicknesses and colours.
Uses: Latex gloves can be used in a variety of professional settings, including: food service, light cleaning, salon/spa (i.e. hair colouring), childcare (i.e. changing nappies), light medical use (i.e. low risk/non-sterile) and manufacturing.
What are the benefits of vinyl gloves?
At Easy Gloves, we offer a wide selection of vinyl gloves, with features including:
- Affordability – they are the most low-cost option. You can purchase them from Easy Glove, starting from as little as £1.50 (ex. VAT) per 100 gloves
- Latex-free – suitable for those who suffer from an allergy to latex
- Looser fitting – quick and easy to slide off your hand if you need to change gloves frequently
- Anti-static – making them useful for handling electronic equipment
- Odour-free – they do not have a distinct smell, ideal for handling food
What are the drawbacks of latex gloves?
They do not offer the durability, protection or touch sensitivity of nitrile or latex gloves. Because of this, they are not recommended for all-day, constant use.
Comparison between nitrile, latex and vinyl glove coatings
| Nitrile | Latex | Vinyl | |
| Key industries | Healthcare/medical Labatories |
Cleaning Beauty |
Food service Childcare |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes | No | Yes |
| Durability | 5/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Comfort | 4/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Grip/control | 4/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Biodegradable | No | Yes | No |
| Cost | From £2.15 (ex. VAT) per 100 | From £3.45 (ex VAT) per 100 | From £1.50 (ex. VAT) per 100 |
Now you know which type of glove coating is right for your business needs, you can browse our selection of disposable gloves.
