Dry fasteners and small parts
You want twelve thin polyurethane pairs for screws and nuts in the dry, and you do not need a cut letter on the amazon.co.uk bullets. The HyFlex 48-101 is about £12.35 for twelve, at 4.6 from 2,093 reviews.
Assembly gloves comparison 2026
The best assembly gloves, compared.
Top pick: Ansell HyFlex 48-101, 12 pairs – Highest score in the set: large review file, thin PU praised for fasteners, and twelve pairs at about £1.03 each despite no EN 388 code in this capture. Best value: Rainberg PU nylon, 12 pairs – About £0.83 a pair with CE EN 388 3121 printed and more than 2,000 reviews, if you order up for the short fingers. Updated October 2026.
Charlie White (Charlie DIYte)Expert source
Assembly gloves are light knit shells with a polyurethane or nitrile palm so you can pick up parts and still feel them. This capture prints no EN 388 code on the page. Read a cut mark only when the listing prints it: letter C is 10 N and letter D is 15 N in the straight-cut test, and X means that test was not run. For the full character table see the [EN 388 guide for assembly gloves](/hub/occupational-safety/assembly-gloves/sub/assembly-gloves-en-388). Buyers are assembly and maintenance workers, people who want a box of pairs for DIY, and anyone around sheet edges who needs a cut letter printed on the page. A cowhide welding glove was removed as a heat glove. Stays only as a borderline padded rigger, not as a second-skin palm dip. Name the job first: dry small parts, light oil, sharp edges, or dirty work you will bin. Foam nitrile is the first choice when light oil makes parts slip, as Safety UK describes in its coating guide. Do not paste manufacturer or codes onto these amazon captures when the bullets stay blank.
Assembly gloves are light knit shells with a polyurethane or nitrile palm so you can pick up parts and still feel them. This capture prints no EN 388 code on the page.
44 products checked · 58 hrs invested · +19,200 readers
11 of 11: Best assembly gloves compared
Swipe for more
1-2 of 11Best overall
Best value
7.9/10
7.1/10
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3.8/10
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2.5/10
5.3/10
∼ £12
∼ £6
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∼ £10
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∼ £13
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∼ £16
4.6(2,093)
4.6(1,142)
4.6(592)
4.5(409)
4.4(3,237)
4.4(20)
4.3(2,159)
4.3(1,791)
4.3(496)
4.1(865)
4.1(181)
Personal buying guide
Which assembly glove fits this job?
Question 1 of 2
What are you handling?
The best assembly gloves in detail
Our view
Ansell’s HyFlex 48-101 is 12 black large pairs at £12.35, about £1.03 a pair, with 4.6 from 2,093 reviews. The title describes a lightweight polyurethane-coated nylon liner for precision handling, and this capture prints no EN 388 code. Car and DIY reviewers say the shell is thicker than a disposable nitrile that tears, and still thin enough to feel nuts and screws. Reviewers also say they can use a phone, which is not a listing claim. The attributes say waterproof, while a UK review says oil and dirt still get through and leave hands grubby. Care is hand wash only. One review reported significant wear within two days, and a long-term user said a size 10 felt like a 9. In this comparison it is the top pick when the job is dry small parts and you want a named thin box rather than the dearest 18-gauge pack.
Pros
- Thin PU feel for fasteners
- 4.6 from 2,093 reviews
- Twelve pairs at £12.35
- Last well for light picking work, in one long review
Cons
- No EN 388 code in this capture
- Waterproof attribute conflicts with oil-through reviews
- Not heavy protection
- Size 10 called small by one experienced buyer
Best for: You want 12 thin polyurethane pairs for dry fasteners and you do not need a cut letter on the page.
Less suitable: Oil must stay off the skin, or you need an EN 388 code in the amazon.co.uk bullets.
Specifications
- Model
- Ansell HyFlex 48-101, 12 pairs
- Brand
- Ansell
- Price
- ∼£12
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(2,093)
- Coating
- Thin PU palm
- Touchscreen
- Not on the listing; reviews use a phone
- Pack
- 12 pairs
- Stated size
- L, black
- Water claim
- Attribute says waterproof
- Dexterity
- Lightweight knit, 2.3 mm
- Fit signal
- Sentiment positive; one long-term user says size 10 felt like a 9
Common questions
Does the 48-101 listing print an EN 388 code?
No. The title describes lightweight PU-coated gloves with a black nylon liner for precision handling, 12 pairs, size L. There is no EN 388 string in the bullets or attributes of this capture.
Are they waterproof?
The attributes say waterproof. A UK review says oil and dirt still get through and leave hands grubby, though less than bare hands. Care is hand wash only. Touchscreen is not a listing claim; reviewers say they can use a phone.
How do they compare with disposable nitrile in reviews?
The listing is 4.6 from 2,093 reviews. Car and DIY reviewers say they are thicker than nitrile that tears, and still thin enough to feel nuts and screws. One review reported significant wear within two days, and a size 10 felt small to a long-term user.
Our view
Ansell’s HyFlex 11-840 is one black size 9 (L) pair at £6.23, with a foam nitrile palm on a nylon and spandex knit, and it sits at 4.6 from 1,142 reviews. Electricians and mechanics in the UK sample cite grip with enough feel, which is the point of foam nitrile when a dry polyurethane dip slips on light oil. One buyer used them on concrete blocks. The page says water repellent and not waterproof, and a UK review says not to mix cement or use sand in them, because sandy water gets inside and rubs the skin. This capture has no EN 388 code. The bullets mention Dermatest, Oeko-Tex, and an ANSI abrasion level 4, which is not an EN 388 abrasion digit. Sizing is the repeated complaint, including a return because the pair would not go on.
Pros
- Foam nitrile when a dry PU dip is the wrong grip
- Single pair at £6.23 to try the size
- Grip praised for electrical and mechanical jobs
- Dark liner that the bullets say hides dirt
Cons
- No EN 388 code in this capture
- Not for wet cement or sand, per a review
- Some buyers find the size off
- One pair, so no spare in the pack
Best for: You want one foam-nitrile pair at £6.23 to try size 9 before you buy a box.
Less suitable: You are mixing cement or sand, or you need an EN 388 code on the amazon.co.uk page.
Specifications
- Model
- Ansell HyFlex 11-840, 1 pair
- Brand
- Ansell
- Price
- ∼£6
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(1,142)
- Coating
- Foam nitrile palm
- Touchscreen
- Listed as a special feature
- Pack
- 1 pair
- Stated size
- 9 (L), black
- Water claim
- Water repellent, not waterproof
- Dexterity
- Knit, 1.8 mm
- Fit signal
- Attribute says good; one buyer could not get them on
Common questions
Is the 11-840 a PU glove or a nitrile glove?
The title and bullets describe an abrasion-resistant nitrile coating and a breathable nitrile foam lining, with Fortix named in the bullets. The shell is nylon and spandex. This capture has no EN 388 code.
Will they keep cement and sand out?
The page says not waterproof and water repellent. A UK review says not to use them when mixing cement or using sand, because sandy water gets inside and rubs the skin.
What do UK reviews praise?
The listing is 4.6 from 1,142 reviews. Electricians and mechanics in the UK sample cite grip with enough feel, and one buyer used them on concrete blocks. Sizing is the main complaint, including a return because they would not go on.
Our view
Blackrock’s painter’s polyurethane gloves are six white pairs in size L at £6.95, about £1.16 a pair, with 4.6 from 592 reviews. The bullets print EN 388:2016 2131X and EN 420, and they name Intertek. Abrasion is 2, the Coupe cut digit is 1, and the straight-cut letter was not tested. Painting is the recommended use, and the bullets also name decorating, DIY, component handling, assembly, and electronics. UK reviewers like them for fences and rubbing down, and several say they run small, so a medium hand should look at large. The fabric-type attribute says 100% cotton while the bullets say a polyester liner, so the page does not agree with itself. They are not listed as waterproof, and they are light for heavy sanding.
Pros
- Printed EN 388:2016 2131X
- Low price for six pairs
- Light feel for decorating and assembly
- Strong star line at 4.6 from 592
Cons
- Cotton versus polyester conflict on the page
- Runs small in reviews
- Too light for heavy sanding
- Not waterproof
Best for: You are decorating or handling light parts and you will size up from a medium hand.
Less suitable: You need a heavy sanding palm, a waterproof glove, or a page whose fabric line agrees with itself.
Specifications
- Model
- Blackrock painter's PU, 6 pairs
- Brand
- Blackrock
- Price
- ∼£7
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(592)
- Coating
- Lightweight PU palm and fingers
- Cut claim
- EN 388:2016 2131X
- Pack
- 6 pairs
- Stated size
- 9/L, white
- Water claim
- Not water resistant
- Dexterity
- 13-gauge liner
- Fit signal
- Runs small; reviewers say size up
Common questions
What standard does Blackrock print?
The bullets print EN 388:2016 2131X and EN 420, and name Intertek plus a declaration of conformity in the image gallery. The fabric-type attribute says 100% cotton, while the bullets say a breathable polyester liner.
Are they only for paint?
Painting is the recommended-use attribute. The bullets also name decorating, DIY, component handling, assembly, and electronics, and say the PU palm helps with paint and solvents that can dry the skin. They are not listed as waterproof.
How does the size L fit?
The listing is 4.6 from 592 reviews. UK reviewers like them for fences and decorating, and several say they run small: a medium hand should look at large, and a large hand should look for extra large. They are light for rubbing down.
Our view
KAYGO’s grey size L pack is two pairs at £14.98, and the title prints Level C and EN 388 4X42C on a micro-foam nitrile palm over an HPPE liner. In that string the leading 4 is abrasion, X means the Coupe test was not used, and C is the straight-cut letter, which published thresholds put at 10 N. The listing is 4.5 from 409 reviews, and UK comments praise a flexible grip for assembly and warehouse work. One reviewer says thorns still penetrate, and another says the black coating came off during the first shift. The page says water repellent, not waterproof, and care is a wash not above 40°C. Level C is a real printed mark in this set. It is not cut-proof, and a first-shift coating failure is a reason to keep a spare pair.
Pros
- Full EN 388 4X42C in the title
- Foam nitrile for light oil, per the bullets
- Flexible grip in UK reviews
- Assembly and warehouse named as uses
Cons
- Thorns still go through in a review
- Coating came off in one review
- Not waterproof
- Item weight captured as 10 g
Best for: You handle sheet edges in size L and you want EN 388 4X42C printed on the title.
Less suitable: You need a thorn-proof glove, or you will read level C as cut-proof.
Specifications
- Model
- KAYGO EN 388 4X42C, 2 pairs
- Brand
- KAYGO
- Price
- ∼£15
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(409)
- Coating
- Micro-foam nitrile
- Cut claim
- EN 388 4X42C, level C
- Pack
- 2 pairs
- Stated size
- L, grey
- Water claim
- Water repellent, not waterproof
- Dexterity
- Ultrathin HPPE knit
- Fit signal
- Neutral; thorns and coating wear show up in reviews
Common questions
What does 4X42C mean on this listing?
The title prints Level C protection and EN388 4X42C. The bullets say the liner is HPPE and claim the gloves are 10 times stronger than normal gloves. The file does not explain each character. Touchscreen is not listed.
Do reviews say they stop thorns?
No. One UK reviewer says thorns still penetrate. Another says the black coating came off during the first shift. The page says water repellent, not waterproof, and reviews repeat that they are not waterproof.
How should you wash them?
The bullets say tempered water not exceeding 40°C, a mild detergent, a 5–10 minute cycle, a cold rinse, then tumble dry within the stated limit. The pack is two pairs, size L, grey, at £14.98.
Our view
Straame’s black size S box is 12 polyurethane-coated nylon pairs at £9.99, about £0.83 a pair, with 4.4 from 3,237 reviews, the largest count in this comparison. The page names construction, gardening, mechanic work, warehouse handling, and DIY, and it does not print an EN 388 string or a touchscreen claim. Praise is a soft grip for sheds, driving, and gardening at this price. Repeated advice is to order the next size up, because the label runs small. The water attribute says not water resistant. One review doubts how much protection the thin shell actually gives. The star line shows a popular light glove, and it does not show a cut level, so a sheet edge is a different listing.
Pros
- About £0.83 a pair at £9.99 for 12
- Largest review count here, 3,237
- Light feel for fittings and garden work
- High rank in safety work gloves
Cons
- No EN 388 code
- Runs small
- Thin shell; one review doubts the protection
- Not waterproof on the attribute
Best for: You want 12 cheap nylon pairs for sheds, driving, and light garden work, and you will order up.
Less suitable: You need a printed EN 388 code, or the hazard is a sharp edge rather than dirt.
Specifications
- Model
- Straame nylon PU, 12 pairs
- Brand
- Straame
- Price
- ∼£10
- Customer rating
- 4.4/5(3,237)
- Coating
- PU across palm and fingers
- Pack
- 12 pairs
- Stated size
- S, black
- Water claim
- Not water resistant
- Dexterity
- Light nylon knit
- Fit signal
- Reviews say order the next size up
Common questions
Is there an EN 388 code on this Straame listing?
No. The capture describes a polyurethane palm and finger coating on knitted nylon, size S, 12 pairs. It does not print an EN 388 string or a touchscreen claim.
Which jobs does the page name?
Recommended uses are construction, gardening, and mechanic work. Bullets add warehouse handling, vehicle repairs, DIY, and garden jobs such as weeding and pruning. The water attribute says not water resistant.
What do UK reviews say about size?
The listing is 4.4 from 3,237 reviews, the largest count in this set. Praise is a soft grip for sheds, driving, and gardening at this price. Repeated advice is to order the next size up because the label runs small.
Our view
The AovYoo pack is two black size L pairs at £12.99, about £6.50 each, with a 13-gauge HPPE liner and a polyurethane palm. The bullets say certified ANSI A4, and the item highlight prints EN 388 4X42D. Letter D is a 15 N straight-cut threshold if you read that European string on its own. ANSI A4 is a US gram scale, and this file does not show a separate EN test report, so the two marks are not the same number. The listing is 4.4 from only 20 reviews. Praise in that small UK sample is grip for carving, with no cuts yet in the garden or on a mandolin. One reviewer reports short fingers, little stretch, and hand fatigue. The attribute says waterproof, which is a listing claim rather than a test stored here.
Pros
- Cut claim is printed, unlike most PU boxes here
- PU grip and a 13-gauge knit
- Touchscreen fingertips in the bullets
- Low pair count if you only need two
Cons
- Only 20 reviews
- ANSI A4 and EN 388 are mixed on the page
- Fingers short in one UK review
- Waterproof is a listing claim, not a test in this file
Best for: You want two size L pairs with a printed 4X42D highlight and you accept a 20-review file.
Less suitable: You need a large UK review sample, or you will treat ANSI A4 as the same mark as letter D.
Specifications
- Model
- AovYoo A4 cut gloves, 2 pairs
- Brand
- AovYoo
- Price
- ∼£13
- Customer rating
- 4.4/5(20)
- Coating
- PU palm and fingertips
- Cut claim
- ANSI A4; highlight EN 388 4X42D
- Touchscreen
- Yes, fingertips in the bullets
- Pack
- 2 pairs
- Stated size
- L, black
- Water claim
- Attribute says waterproof
- Dexterity
- 13-gauge HPPE knit
- Fit signal
- One review says fingers are short and to order up
Common questions
Which cut mark is printed for these AovYoo gloves?
The bullets say certified ANSI A4 and that this matches a high EN 388 cut level. The item highlight prints EN388 4X42D. ANSI A4 is a US scale. The file does not show a separate EN test report.
Are they listed as waterproof?
The attribute Is Waterproof is true, and a bullet calls the PU palm waterproof and oil-resistant. There is no separate water-resistance level line. Care says machine washable.
What do the few UK reviews say?
The listing is 4.4 from 20 reviews, with 10 UK reviews in the file. Praise is grip for carving and no cuts yet in the garden or on a mandolin. One reviewer reports short fingers, little stretch, and hand fatigue.
Our view
Rainberg’s black large box is 12 polyurethane-and-nylon pairs at £9.99, about £0.83 a pair, with 4.3 from 2,159 reviews. The bullets print CE EN 388 3121, so abrasion is 3, the Coupe cut digit is 1, tear is 2, and puncture is 1, with no straight-cut letter. In this capture the listing ranks 1 in Safety Work Gloves. The page positions them for light to medium work in dry and slightly wet or oily conditions, not heavy oil. UK reviews often praise grip when hands are greasy, and they also say large, medium, and extra large run short in the fingers. One review says grinder sparks holed the back. Care is hand wash, with a bullet that caps water at 40°C. In this comparison it is the best value for a coded light box you can replace when the fingertips wear, provided you order up a size.
Pros
- Printed EN 388 3121
- About £0.83 a pair
- Grip when greasy, in reviews
- Top safety-glove rank in this capture
Cons
- Size labels run small
- Not for heavy wet work
- Grinder sparks holed the back in one review
- No touchscreen claim
Best for: You want 12 light pairs at about £0.83 each, with CE EN 388 3121 printed, and you will order up.
Less suitable: You need a cut letter, a long finger, or a glove that survives grinder sparks.
Specifications
- Model
- Rainberg PU nylon, 12 pairs
- Brand
- Rainberg
- Price
- ∼£10
- Customer rating
- 4.3/5(2,159)
- Coating
- PU palm and fingertips
- Cut claim
- CE EN 388 3121
- Pack
- 12 pairs
- Stated size
- L, black
- Water claim
- Not water resistant; slight oil only
- Dexterity
- Seamless nylon knit
- Fit signal
- Large, medium, and XL called small in reviews
Common questions
What EN 388 code does Rainberg print?
The bullets say CE EN388 3121. There is no ISO cut letter. The page positions them for light to medium work in dry and slightly wet or oily conditions, not as a heavy-oil or waterproof glove.
Is large actually large?
UK reviews often say no. Buyers of large, medium, and extra large describe short fingers and a tight fit, and several say to order up. The listing is 4.3 from 2,159 reviews and ranks 1 in Safety Work Gloves in this capture.
What is the wash advice?
Care is hand wash. The bullet says tempered water not exceeding 40°C, a mild non-ionic detergent, a 5–10 minute cycle, and a cold rinse. Touchscreen is not mentioned.
Our view
Across 1,791 amazon.co.uk reviews, the Ansell HyFlex 11-618 is an 18-gauge nylon knit with a thin polyurethane palm, sold as 12 blue pairs in size 10 (XL) at £35.95, about £3 a pair. Reviewers use that shell for screws and small parts, and they often say it sweats less than disposable nitrile. The title and the bullets claim touchscreen use. This capture does not print an EN 388 code, so the page does not give you a cut letter. UK reviews repeatedly say the cuff is short and the label runs small, with advice to order up. Care is hand wash only, and the listing says the gloves are not water resistant. The price only makes sense if you specifically want that 18-gauge feel.
Pros
- Thin feel for screws and small parts
- Touchscreen claimed on the listing
- Breathable versus sweaty disposable nitrile
- Twelve pairs in the box
Cons
- No EN 388 code in this capture
- Reviews say the cuff is short
- Reviews say the size runs small
- £35.95 is the dearest box in this set
Best for: You want the 18-gauge feel for dry small parts and you will pay about £3 a pair.
Less suitable: You need a printed EN 388 code, a long cuff, or a cheaper box of the same thin job.
Specifications
- Model
- Ansell HyFlex 11-618, 12 pairs
- Brand
- Ansell
- Price
- ∼£36
- Customer rating
- 4.3/5(1,791)
- Coating
- Thin PU palm
- Touchscreen
- Yes, title and bullets
- Pack
- 12 pairs
- Stated size
- 10 (XL), blue
- Water claim
- Not water resistant
- Dexterity
- 18-gauge, 1.2 mm
- Fit signal
- Attribute says true to size; reviews often say small and short in the cuff
Common questions
Do these Ansell 11-618 gloves show an EN 388 code?
Not in this amazon.co.uk capture. The title and bullets describe an 18-gauge liner, a thin PU palm, and touchscreen use. Material features say cut and abrasion resistant as a phrase, without a five-character EN 388 mark.
Can you use a phone with them on?
The title and the bullets say they are touchscreen compatible. Care is hand wash only, and the water line says not water resistant.
What do UK reviews repeat about the fit?
The listing is 4.3 from 1,791 reviews. In the UK sample, buyers praise the thin feel for small parts and less sweat than disposable nitrile. Repeated complaints are short cuffs and a label that runs small, with advice to order up.
Our view
QEARSAFETY’s grey size 8/M box is 12 pairs at £12.99, a 13-gauge polyester knit with a light polyurethane palm and fingertips, listed at 4.3 from 496 reviews. The bullets say the gloves conform to CE, EN 388 and EN 420, and they do not print a code such as 3121 or 4X42C. Touchscreen is not mentioned. UK reviews include DIY and a professional decorator, and they also say the palms soak up water and that some pairs rip easily. The attribute says not waterproof and not water resistant. The best-sellers rank in this capture is 1,086 in Safety Work Gloves, which is weak beside the boxes that sit in the top hundred. They are a light indoor pack if you already accept a named standard without digits.
Pros
- Twelve light pairs for about £13
- 13-gauge liner for feel
- Used for painting and indoor DIY
- EN 388 and EN 420 at least named
Cons
- No numeric EN 388 code
- Not waterproof
- Some tear easily
- Weak best-sellers rank in safety work gloves
Best for: You want 12 light size 8 pairs for indoor decorating and you can live without a numeric code.
Less suitable: You need the digits after EN 388, or the job is wet gardening that soaks the palm.
Specifications
- Model
- QEARSAFETY PU gloves, 12 pairs
- Brand
- QEARSAFETY
- Price
- ∼£13
- Customer rating
- 4.3/5(496)
- Coating
- Light PU on palm and fingertips
- Cut claim
- EN 388 named, no score
- Pack
- 12 pairs
- Stated size
- 8/M, grey
- Water claim
- Not water resistant
- Dexterity
- 13-gauge, 0.75 mm
- Fit signal
- Some say a real-hand fit; others say they rip and soak
Common questions
Is there a full EN 388 score?
The bullets say the gloves conform to the CE standard, EN 388 and EN 420. They do not print a code such as 3121 or 4X42C. Touchscreen is not mentioned.
Are the grey palms waterproof?
The attribute says not waterproof and not water resistant. UK reviews say they are not the shiny coated style and that they soak up water, so wet gardening is a poor match.
Who are they aimed at?
The title says light, thin general-purpose work, size 8/M, 12 pairs at £12.99. Reviews include DIY and a professional decorator. One review says they rip easily. The listing is 4.3 from 496 reviews.
Our view
WFX’s red size M pair is £7.99, with 4.1 from 865 reviews, and it is a spandex rigger with padded knuckles, a hook-and-loop cuff, and leather fingertips. There is no palm dip and no EN 388 code, so it is not the same product as the polyurethane and nitrile knits in this table. The bullets claim touchscreen leather tips. One UK review says the patch is unreliable and the right index finger was stitched twisted, while another says the touchscreen works. The fit is slim, and reviewers repeatedly say a large still feels small. A freezer-warehouse user wore inner gloves underneath. They are water repellent, not waterproof. Knuckle padding is the feature the dipped gloves do not have, and for screws, sheet edges, or a printed cut mark it is the pair to leave in the basket.
Pros
- Knuckle padding the dip gloves do not have
- Hook and loop rather than a knit wrist
- Usable under thicker inners for cold work
- One pair at £7.99 to try
Cons
- Not a thin palm-dip assembly glove
- No EN 388 code
- Size runs small
- Touchscreen stitching failed in one review
Best for: You want knuckle padding and a hook-and-loop cuff in size M, not a second-skin palm.
Less suitable: You are assembling small parts, or you need a printed EN 388 code.
Specifications
- Model
- WFX padded rigger, 1 pair
- Brand
- WFX
- Price
- ∼£8
- Customer rating
- 4.1/5(865)
- Coating
- No palm dip; leather fingertips
- Touchscreen
- Claimed; reviews disagree
- Pack
- 1 pair
- Stated size
- M, red
- Water claim
- Water repellent, not waterproof
- Dexterity
- Stretch spandex, padded knuckles
- Fit signal
- Slim; reviews say large is still small
Common questions
Is this the same type as a PU assembly glove?
No. The title is a spandex rigger-style glove with padded knuckles, a hook-and-loop closure, and leather fingertips. There is no palm dip and no EN 388 code. It is one pair, size M, red, at £7.99.
Does the touchscreen fingertip work?
The bullets say the leather fingertips are for a phone. One UK review says the patch is unreliable and the right index finger was stitched twisted. Another says the touchscreen works. The listing is 4.1 from 865 reviews.
How do they fit?
The fit type is slim. UK reviewers repeatedly say the label runs small: a large feels tiny, and larger hands are told to order extra large. A freezer-warehouse user still wore inner gloves underneath. They are water repellent, not waterproof.
Our view
Kebada’s W1 is 12 grey pairs in size 9/L at £15.99, and the special features print EN 388 3131X. In that string the Coupe cut digit is 1 and the last character is X, which means the straight-cut test was not run. The title claims touchscreen use, and the care line allows a cold machine wash. The listing is 4.1 from 181 reviews, tied for the lowest stars in this set. UK reviews include holes by the end of a day on concrete blocks, and a delivery driver whose grip failed within three hours. The bullets describe light and medium duty and say the gloves are not waterproof. Several buyers also say the photos look thicker than the nylon that arrived. A printed 3131X is a light-handling mark, not a heavy-duty one.
Pros
- A printed EN 388 string, 3131X
- Touchscreen and a 12-pair box
- Fine for light gardening in several reviews
- Machine-wash care line
Cons
- 4.1 from 181, the joint lowest stars here
- Not heavy duty in reviews
- Not waterproof
- Photos look thicker than the nylon some buyers received
Best for: You want 12 grey size 9 pairs with EN 388 3131X printed, for light handling you can wash cold.
Less suitable: The shift is concrete blocks or parcels that wore these out inside a day in reviews.
Specifications
- Model
- Kebada W1, 12 pairs
- Brand
- Kebada
- Price
- ∼£16
- Customer rating
- 4.1/5(181)
- Coating
- PU palm
- Cut claim
- EN 388 3131X in special features
- Touchscreen
- Yes, title and bullets
- Pack
- 12 pairs
- Stated size
- 9/L, grey
- Water claim
- Not water resistant
- Dexterity
- Lightweight knit, 25 cm long
- Fit signal
- Sentiment okay; reviews split between a good garden fit and a baggy thin shell
Common questions
What EN 388 mark does Kebada print?
Other special features include EN388 Rating 3131X. The ANSI abrasion attribute is 4. The page also prints a temperature rating of 32°F to 100°F. There is no ISO cut letter.
Are they for heavy blocks and parcels?
The bullets describe light and medium duty, including delivery and warehouse work, and say they are not waterproof. UK reviews include holes by the end of a day on concrete blocks, and a delivery driver whose grip failed within three hours.
Can you wash them?
The care line says machine wash cold, do not bleach, tumble dry low, and do not iron. The title says they are touchscreen compatible, including fingers and palm coating.
How we compared
Eleven assembly-glove listings on amazon.co.uk were scored on 20 October 2026 from listing facts and review notes, not from a wear test or an EN 388 lab run. Amazon stars and review volume, the standard line on the page, assembly fit from UK comments, and price per pair are weighted 25, 20, 35 and 20. Deductions can apply for fewer than 50 reviews, ANSI mixed with EN 388, a waterproof attribute that reviews contradict, a fabric line that clashes with the bullets, or a padded rigger that is not a palm dip. Each star line stays the amazon.co.uk figure. The 0–100 score is not an EN 388 result.
1
Amazon evidence
25%Up to 25 points from the star average and how many UK reviews sit behind it. Under 50 reviews can trigger a separate deduction. A high star line on twenty reviews is not treated as stronger evidence than 4.3 from 2,159.
2
Standard on the listing
20%Up to 20 points when an ISO cut letter is printed as EN 388 on the amazon.co.uk page. A four-character string without a letter scores lower. A named precision maker with no code in this capture scores 12. EN 388 named without digits scores 8. A padded rigger without a palm dip scores 2.
3
Assembly fit
35%Up to 35 points when UK reviews describe feeling nuts and screws with a named limit, when foam nitrile wins on light oil, or when a coded light box grips greasy hands. Deductions apply for holes in a day, rips, thorns through a cut shell, or coating loss on the first shift.
4
Price credibility
20%Up to 20 points for shelf price against pack size and what the page prints. About £0.83 a pair with a printed EN 388 string and more than 2,000 reviews scores high. Six pairs under £7 with a printed code scores high. The £35.95 twelve-pair box scores low on value unless you specifically want 18-gauge feel.
Independent review
Last updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Assembly glove buying guide
Start with the job, then the coating, then whether the amazon.co.uk page prints an EN 388 string, then size and price per pair. The notes below follow that order for these eleven listings. None of the scores is a laboratory test.
What are assembly gloves?
Assembly gloves on amazon.co.uk are light knit gloves with a polyurethane or nitrile palm so you can handle parts and still feel them. Buyers are assembly and maintenance workers, people who want a box of pairs for DIY, and anyone around sheet edges who needs a cut letter printed on the page. Eleven listings stay in this comparison. A cowhide welding glove was removed as a heat glove. WFX stays only as a borderline padded rigger, not as a second-skin palm dip.
Best for
- Dry screws and small parts with a thin polyurethane box you can replace
- Decorating and light DIY with a printed EN 388 code and size-up advice
- Sheet edges when the listing prints letter C or D and you keep a spare pair
Not ideal for
- Wet cement, brambles, or concrete blocks that holed light shells in reviews
- Chemicals, live electrical work, or a bench drill that can catch loose knit
- Anyone who treats ANSI A4 as the same mark as EN 388 letter D
Mistakes to avoid
- 1
Buying on stars and ignoring the printed code
A 4.1 star line on a light EN 388 3131X box is not a higher cut level than a 4.6 thin PU file with no code. Stars do not raise the cut letter.
- 2
Treating waterproof attributes as task proof
Several listings say not waterproof. A waterproof attribute on the 48-101 conflicts with oil-through reviews. Knitted dips wick liquid on the back.
- 3
Ordering your T-shirt size
EN ISO 21420 uses glove sizes 4–13. UK reviews here repeatedly say the label runs small, including large and extra large called short in the fingers.
What to weigh up
Coating and EN 388 on the page
HighPolyurethane suits dry dexterity. Foam nitrile suits light oil when parts slip. Read EN 388 only from the amazon.co.uk capture you are buying. Rainberg prints CE EN 388 3121. Blackrock prints EN 388:2016 2131X. Kebada prints 3131X, where the Coupe digit is 1 and X means no straight-cut letter. KAYGO prints 4X42C in the title. AovYoo mixes ANSI A4 with highlight 4X42D. Ansell HyFlex 48-101, 11-618 and 11-840 print no EN 388 code in these captures.
Pack size, fit and price per pair
HighCompare price per pair before you compare pack count. Rainberg and Straame are about £0.83 a pair at £9.99 for twelve. Blackrock is about £1.16 a pair for six at £6.95. The 48-101 box is about £1.03 a pair at £12.35. The 11-618 box is about £3 a pair at £35.95 for eighteen-gauge feel. Reviewers often say order up. One HyFlex buyer could not get 11-840 on. Cut packs are two pairs at about £7 each.
Which option suits you?
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
Light oil on parts
Polyurethane slips when hands meet light oil. Foam nitrile is the coating Uvex Safety UK names for that job. Try one Ansell HyFlex 11-840 pair at about £6.23 before you buy a box, and keep cement and sand out of them.
Light dirty work on a budget
You want a coded twelve-pair box you can bin when the fingertips wear, at about £0.83 a pair. Rainberg prints CE EN 388 3121, and UK reviews say to order up because the label runs small.
Common questions about assembly gloves
Which assembly glove is the top pick in this set?
The top pick is the Ansell HyFlex 48-101, twelve black large pairs at about £12.35 on amazon.co.uk. The star line is 4.6 from 2,093 reviews. UK car and DIY comments praise a thin polyurethane shell that still lets you feel nuts and screws. This capture prints no EN 388 code in the bullets. The attributes say waterproof while one review says oil still gets through, so treat the job as dry handling. The score is from listing facts, not a wear test.
How much do assembly gloves cost on amazon.co.uk in this comparison?
In these eleven shelves the prices run from about £6.23 to £35.95. That is this set, not a market average. About £6.95 to £15.99 covers most six- or twelve-pair boxes, often under £1.50 a pair. Straame and Rainberg sit near £9.99 for twelve, about £0.83 a pair. Blackrock is six pairs at £6.95. Cut-resistant pairs here are about £6.50 to £7.50 each. The HyFlex 11-618 twelve-pair box is the dearest thin polyurethane pack at £35.95, about £3 a pair.
What should you check before you buy assembly gloves?
Name the job first: dry small parts, light oil, sharp edges, or dirty work you will bin. Match the coating: polyurethane for dry dexterity, foam nitrile when light oil makes parts slip. Read EN 388 only if the listing prints the code. Compare price per pair, not stars alone. Size against the hand; reviewers here often say the label runs small. These are not chemical, electrical, or drill gloves. HSE warns against wearing gloves where a bench drill can catch them.
What does EN 388 4X42C mean on a listing?
When the title prints EN 388 4X42C, the leading 4 is the abrasion digit, X means the Coupe cut test was not used, 4 is tear, 2 is puncture, and C is the ISO straight-cut letter. Published thresholds put C at 10 N. It is a real printed mark on KAYGO in this set. It is not cut-proof. One UK review says thorns still penetrate, and another says the coating came off on the first shift. Letter D on AovYoo’s highlight is 15 N, and ANSI A4 is a US scale, not the same line.
Are thin PU assembly gloves waterproof?
Most listings here say not waterproof or not water resistant. Several polyurethane boxes soak in wet gardening reviews. A waterproof attribute on the 48-101 conflicts with a review that says oil and dirt still get through. Knitted dips are a poor chemical barrier because liquid can wick through the back. HSE treats gloves as a last resort and tells you to match the task. Do not read a shiny palm as a waterproof rating.
When should you choose foam nitrile instead of PU?
Choose foam nitrile when light oil makes polyurethane slip. Ansell’s HyFlex 11-840 is one black large pair at about £6.23 with 4.6 from 1,142 reviews. Electricians and mechanics in the UK sample cite grip with enough feel. The page says water repellent and not waterproof, and a review says not to mix cement or sand in them. This capture prints no EN 388 code. For coating choice without re-reading the full table, see PU or nitrile for assembly gloves.
Do assembly gloves replace a risk assessment at work?
No. Great Britain applies PPE Regulation 2016/425 through the Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018. GOV.UK’s March 2025 guidance says CE marking of PPE remains recognised indefinitely in Great Britain alongside UKCA. Star counts and amazon reviews are not a substitute for solvents, rotating machines, dermatitis, or gloves you issue to employees. Get a proper assessment for those jobs. At work, who pays for PPE is a separate question from which thin knit to buy.
When should you stop and pick a different category?
Stop when the hazard is chemicals, live electrical work, heat, or a bench drill that can catch loose knit. Pick cotton gloves for a different liner job, or eye protection when the risk is impact and dust rather than a palm dip. The WFX padded rigger in this table is not a second-skin assembly glove. For sheet metal and grinding you need the right PPE type, not a higher star line on a thin polyurethane box.
Our verdict
In this set of eleven amazon.co.uk listings, the top pick is the Ansell HyFlex 48-101 twelve-pair box at about £12.35, with 4.6 from 2,093 reviews and a thin polyurethane shell for dry fasteners. This capture prints no EN 388 code on the page. The best value is Rainberg at about £9.99 for twelve pairs with CE EN 388 3121, about £0.83 a pair, if you size up. Sheet edges start with KAYGO’s printed 4X42C or AovYoo’s 4X42D highlight, and reviewers still report thorns and blades getting through. None of these scores is a lab test or a cut-proof claim.
Best overallView offer
Ansell HyFlex 48-101, 12 pairs
Highest score in the set: large review file, thin PU praised for fasteners, and twelve pairs at about £1.03 each despite no EN 388 code in this capture.
Best value
View offer
Rainberg PU nylon, 12 pairs
About £0.83 a pair with CE EN 388 3121 printed and more than 2,000 reviews, if you order up for the short fingers.
Editorial
Editor
Assembly glovesPPE listingsamazon.co.uk listings
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Guides to assembly gloves
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Assembly glove buying guideCoating, cut need, pack and size without the full tableBest assembly glovesWho each strong listing suits, without badge languageHow to fit assembly glovesMeasure the hand and read S, M and LPU or nitrile assembly glovesDry precision against light oilEN 388 on assembly gloves3121, 3131X, 4X42C and 4X42D explained
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Sources
Public UK sources from the research digest, last checked on 20 October 2026. Shelf prices and star lines are the amazon.co.uk figures in the display file. The price bands are this set, not a market average.
- HSE: glove selection (retrieved 20 October 2026)
- HSE: using the right type of PPE (retrieved 20 October 2026)
- GOV.UK: PPE Regulation 2016/425 guidance (March 2025) (retrieved 20 October 2026)
- GOV.UK: product marking UKCA and CE regimes (retrieved 20 October 2026)
- SATRA: EN 388 explained (retrieved 20 October 2026)
- SATRA: EN ISO 21420 sizing (retrieved 20 October 2026)
- Uvex Safety UK: glove coatings and grips (retrieved 20 October 2026)
- Ansell HyFlex 11-618 (manufacturer page) (retrieved 20 October 2026)
Expert source (DIY & tools): Charlie White (Charlie DIYte) (external profile) – public expert commentary used as a research source, not as a contributor to our pages.
This page contains affiliate links to amazon.co.uk. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, stars and review counts are from the UK listings checked on 20 October 2026. We did not lab-test these assembly gloves.