Disposable Gloves: Nitrile, Latex, or Vinyl – Which Is Best?

Disposable hand protection is one of the most commonly needed types of PPE in various industries. 

After all, these gloves can be easily put on and easily thrown away after use. There’s no chance for exposure or cross contamination. 

That makes them perfect for tasks like handling potentially dangerous chemicals or preparing food. 

But glove material makes a big impact.

You have to make sure your team is working with the right level of protection and durability. 

Providing the wrong kind of gloves could lead to accidents involving cuts, punctures, and chemical burns. 

But how do you choose the right kind of gloves?

The first thing to know is that there are three main types of disposable gloves: 

• Vinyl
• Latex
• Nitrile

These glove types are the safest options for businesses. But deciding on the best for your industry depends on a range of factors.

Let’s break down each glove type and what to keep in mind when choosing disposable gloves for your business.

What are Latex Gloves?

Latex gloves are a type of disposable glove made from natural latex rubber. 

They’re a popular choice in many workplaces due to their thin yet resistant material. This gives the wearer plenty of touch sensitivity while also keeping their hands safe. 

Benefits of latex gloves: 

• Easy to wear
• Versatile and inexpensive
• Offer a very snug and protective fit
• Comfortably sculpt around the hand

Disadvantages of latex gloves:

• Only offers a moderate level of chemical protection
• Latex is a very common allergen and can cause severe allergic reactions

Latex gloves are most commonly used in these industries:

• Healthcare settings and medical offices
• Hospitality and food and beverage companies
• Cleaning and hygiene businesses with low-level hazardous disposal needs

Take a look at our guide to latex glove allergies and what alternatives there are.

What are Vinyl Gloves?

Vinyl gloves are a type of disposable glove made from flexible PVC. 

They offer a looser fit than latex, and are also less resistant to cuts and chemicals. These disadvantages mean vinyl gloves have a limited number of applications. 

Benefits of vinyl gloves: 

• Hypoallergenic
• Allow the wearer good touch sensitivity
• A cheap hand protection option for small businesses

Disadvantages of vinyl gloves:

• Not very durable and cannot be used in high-risk environments
• Not a good choice for teams handling potentially harmful chemicals 

Vinyl gloves are most commonly used in these industries:

• Hairdressing and non-invasive beauty services
• Businesses with basic, easy, low-level food prep
• Cleaning and hygiene with no hazardous disposal needs

What are Nitrile Gloves?

Nitrile gloves are made from synthetic rubber and are a good alternative to latex. 

Being made from synthetic rubber means they contain no allergenic material. 

On top of this advantage, nitrile gloves have very high tear resistance and chemical protection.

Both of these features have made them rapidly popular in modern workplaces. 

Benefits of nitrile gloves:

• Hypoallergenic
• Nitrile provides a high level of chemical hazard resistance
• Incredibly durable against mechanical risks like cuts and tears

Disadvantages of nitrile gloves:

• Slightly more expensive than latex and vinyl
• Not as supple as latex, making them potentially more awkward to wear

Nitrile gloves are most commonly used in these industries:

• Chemical settings like laboratories
• Garages and automobile manufacturing
• Medical settings such as clinics, hospitals, and surgeries
• Beauty salons and parlours that handle hazardous chemicals
• Cleaning, waste management, and disposal with high hazard risks

Nitrile vs. Latex vs. Vinyl: Which gloves are best for you? 

We’ve listed out the key differences between nitrile, latex, and vinyl gloves in the table below. 

Feel free to use it to help you decide what type of disposable glove is best for your industry.

TYPE	PROTECTION	DURABILITY	EASE OF USE	COST	HYPOALLERGENIC
LATEX	Cut resistance: High Chemical resistance: Moderate	High durability and can be worn for longer periods.	Super supple and offers a close fit.	Cheaper than nitrile but more expensive than vinyl.	No
VINYL	Cut resistance: Low Chemical resistance: Low	Gloves can be easily broken and worn through. Good for short-term use.	Loose fit and can be uncomfortable if needed for longer periods.	Cheaper than latex and nitrile.	Yes
NITRILE	Cut resistance: High Chemical resistance: High	Incredibly durable and hard to wear through during use.	Lower flexibility, but still comfortable to wear.	More expensive than both latex and vinyl.	Yes

Need disposable gloves for your team?

SMI provides a wide range of hand protection for all kinds of teams.

If you need to stock up on disposable gloves, our shop has the options you’re looking for. 

Need advice?

Our industry experts are on hand to help!

FAQs

Are nitrile gloves latex free?

Yes! Nitrile gloves are made from synthetic rubber and contain no latex.

What gloves are better for the environment?

Latex gloves are made from latex, which is a naturally occurring rubber. This makes it biodegradable and quick to break down. 

Vinyl and nitrile gloves can take longer to break down when disposed of. However, biodegradable versions of nitrile gloves are also widely available.  

What type of glove is most popular for businesses?

Latex gloves used to be the reigning champions of disposable gloves for business. 

In recent years, nitrile gloves have become more common due to their higher durability and hypoallergenic properties.