The best work gloves, compared.
Top pick: KAYGO Safety Work Gloves MicroFoam Nitrile Coated 3 Pairs, KG18NB – Highest score in this set, with printed EN 388 4131, a latex-free micro-foam nitrile palm, and 4.6 from 794 amazon.co.uk ratings at about £9.98. Best value: Supreme TTF 24 pairs nitrile-coated nylon, size 9 – A 24-pair latex-free crate at about £13.55 with EN 388 4131 and CAT II printed, for light handling you expect to replace. Updated 16 October 2026.
These work gloves are reusable gloves for handling, light building, gardening, or mechanical jobs on amazon.co.uk. You judge a pair by the job, then the palm coating, then any EN 388 code that is printed, then the size. Every coded glove shows circular-cut level 1, and none shows an ISO 13997 letter, so none is a blade glove. Supreme and nitrile claim oily or light-oil grip. DIY is a leather gauntlet; for a wider leather set, see our [leather work gloves](/hub/occupational-safety/leather-work-gloves) comparison. Mechanix is one synthetic-leather mechanic pair with no EN 388 code. Household buyers, gardeners, and employers still have to match the glove to the risk. Disposable exam gloves are a different product and are not compared. Many are palm-coated knit gloves: a liner, polymer on the palm and fingers, and a back that is often open, so the glove is not waterproof.
These work gloves are reusable gloves for handling, light building, gardening, or mechanical jobs on amazon.co.uk. You judge a pair by the job, then the palm coating, then any EN 388 code that is printed, then the size.
38 products checked · 64 hrs invested · +18,600 readers
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Personal buying guide
Question 1 of 2
What are the gloves mainly for?
KAYGO’s KG18NB is three pairs of grey micro-foam nitrile gloves, size L, at £9.98, and it is the top pick in this set. The listing prints CE EN 388 4131, which is abrasion 4, circular cut 1, tear 3, and puncture 1, with no A–F letter. UK reviewers praise the grip and dexterity for cables and light handling, and some say a pair lasted longer than their usual gloves. The same sample reports a tight or small fit on size 8 and size 10/XL, coating that wears off, and holes where fingernails meet the fingers. One line says they are not long lasting for garden weeding, and one HGV driver got about two weeks. The bullets claim light oils and a water-repellent coat, which is short of a waterproof glove and short of an EN 374 time. It rates 4.6 from 794 reviews, the highest star line here, while the title model KG18NB does not match the model number KG18N.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Cable work and light handling when you want three thinner pairs and a printed abrasion level of 4.
Less suitable: Blade or glass work, long garden weeding, or a hand that already finds size L tight.
Specifications
Common questions
What EN 388 code is printed?
CE EN 388 4131. The listing does not print an A–F cut letter.
Do they claim chemical protection?
The page asks about chemicals. The bullets answer with light oils, abrasion, and a water-repellent claim. No EN 374 code or breakthrough time is printed.
How should they be washed?
The bullet says water not exceeding 40°C and tumble drying not exceeding 60°C. The care field says machine wash.
The DIY Doctor listing is one pair of green cowhide gardening gloves at £8.49, with a cotton liner, an extended cuff, and a stated weight of 260 g. UK reviewers praise the cuff for wrists and forearms around brambles, roses, and nettles, and some find the leather supple enough to grip. The same sample still reports thorns getting through on a hard grab, including raspberry canes and acacia, and one finger ripped in under two hours. The listing prints no EN 388 code, so the thorn-proof and cut-resistant lines stay marketing. It calls them one size for palm circumferences of 8–11 inches and says that covers 95 percent of hands, which is the seller’s figure, and reviewers say you cannot judge that fit until they are on. Waterproof fields disagree, and the model name mentions a three-pack while the included components say one pair. Across 2,265 amazon.co.uk ratings the line is 4.5.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Clearing roses, brambles, and nettles when you want a leather cuff and you will treat the thorn-proof line as advertising.
Less suitable: Fine tying with secateurs, a printed EN 388 code, or a glove you need to know will fit before you open the packet.
Specifications
Common questions
Does this listing print an EN 388 code?
No. The captured listing does not print an EN 388 code or an A–F cut letter. Thorn-proof and cut-resistant are bullet claims.
Are they waterproof?
The fields disagree. Is waterproof is false, and water resistance is set to waterproof. The bullets do not describe a sealed waterproof glove.
What size are they?
The listing calls them one size and says they cover palm circumferences of 8–11 inches, which it claims fits 95 percent of hands. That 95 percent figure is the seller’s claim.
RUFTUF is a latex palm-coated pack at £12.40, with the title and item count saying 24 pairs and the size field saying L (Pack of 48). The listing prints EN 388 4-1-4-2, so abrasion 4, circular cut 1, tear 4, and puncture 2, plus a separate ANSI/ISEA abrasion level 4. UK reviewers praise the grip for gardening and general DIY, and some call them hard wearing for ordinary garden and house jobs. They also say the gloves are too heavy for detailed mechanical work, that large runs tight or the thumb is too big, and that they are a poor match for pruning roses. Orange latex gets sticky if you store palm to palm, and one buyer received a different colour. The palm is latex, so anyone with a latex allergy should leave them on the shelf. Waterproof fields disagree, the colour field says green and orange against an orange title, and the rating is 4.5 from 1,234 reviews.
Pros
Cons
Best for: General handling and ordinary garden jobs when nobody who will wear them reacts to latex.
Less suitable: Rose pruning, fine mechanical work, a latex allergy, or a buyer who needs the pack count to match.
Specifications
Common questions
Do these contain latex?
Yes. The palm is latex coated. The listing does not say latex-free.
What EN 388 levels are printed?
EN 388 levels 4-1-4-2. An ANSI/ISEA abrasion level of 4 is also printed. That is a separate mark.
How many pairs are in the pack?
The title, unit count, and number of items say 24. The size field says L (Pack of 48). Those strings are not reconciled.
The Mechanix Wear FastFit Covert is one large black pair at £13.49, model FFTAB-55-010, with a 0.6 mm synthetic leather palm and a TrekDry back. UK reviewers like the close fit, the elastic cuff, and the thin feel for automotive work, furniture, and boxes. The same sample reports fingers that rip within a week of work, or within about two months in the garden, and gloves that soak up water. They are cold once wet, and one reviewer says to skip the machine wash even though the bullet says machine washable. The listing prints no EN 388 code. It does print ANSI/ISEA abrasion level 3 and heat level 1, which sit outside EN 388 and EN 407, and the bullet says the palm is touchscreen capable. It rates 4.4 from 11,105 reviews and ranks under men’s outdoor gloves, in the fashion category rather than safety work gloves.
Pros
Cons
Best for: One pair for dry mechanical jobs and a phone, when you accept a shorter life under hard work.
Less suitable: Wet weather, a site that requires EN 388 digits, or a multipack you plan to throw away.
Specifications
Common questions
Is an EN 388 code printed?
No. The listing prints ANSI/ISEA abrasion level 3 and heat level 1. It does not print EN 388.
Are they touchscreen gloves?
The bullet says the palm is fully touchscreen capable.
Are they waterproof?
Is waterproof is false. Water resistance says water resistant. Reviews describe them soaking up water.
Straame is 12 pairs of black PU-coated nylon gloves, size M, at £9.99, with a stated glove length of 24 cm. UK reviewers like the price against single pairs in a DIY shop, and some use them for cars, bikes, chopping wood, bricklaying, and first-fix carpentry. A few say a pair still looks usable after a hard week. The same sample calls the medium very small, the coat wafer thin, and the gloves stiff and stuck together out of the pack. They are a poor match for heavy work, and one reviewer found a repeat order a different size. The listing prints no EN 388 code, says they are not designed to be fully waterproof, and gives a one-month warranty. The seller advises the larger size between fits and quotes a 0.5 cm tolerance. The rating is 4.4 from 3,243 reviews.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Medium or smaller hands on lighter handling of tools, timber, and boxes, if you size up when you are between fits.
Less suitable: Heavy work, a buyer who needs EN 388 digits, or anyone who found the last Straame medium too small.
Specifications
Common questions
Is an EN 388 code printed?
No. The captured listing does not print an EN 388 code.
Are they waterproof?
No. Is waterproof is false and water resistance is not water resistant.
What sizes does the listing offer?
The bullet lists sizes 6 to 11 and says to take the larger size between fits, with a 0.5 cm tolerance. This ASIN is medium, glove length 24 cm.
The Rainberg 24-pair listing is black PU-coated nylon, size L, at £15.99, the highest shelf price in this set. It prints the same CE EN 388 3121 as the 12-pair packs, so the extra money stays on an abrasion 3, circular cut 1 glove. UK reviewers use them for work, house jobs, and gardening, and one used a pair on cement and a rough stone wall. They also call large and XL smaller than expected, too thin for more than minimum protection, and a poor match for rose bushes. One reviewer got about two or three days from a pair in daily work. The title and the number of items say 24 pairs, and the unit-count field says 12.0. The care field is garbled beside a bullet that says water not exceeding 40°C, the listing says they are neither waterproof nor water resistant, and the rating is 4.4 from 598 reviews. Item weight is 590 g.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A large-hand buyer who wants a bigger PU crate and already accepts the 3121 limit and a short pair life.
Less suitable: Anyone who can use the 12-pair Rainberg at £9.99 for the same code, or who is pruning roses.
Specifications
Common questions
How many pairs are in the pack?
The title and the number of items say 24. The unit-count field says 12.0. Those strings conflict.
What EN 388 code is printed?
CE EN 388 3121. No A–F letter.
Are they a heavier glove than the 12-pair Rainberg?
The code, coating, and not-for-heavy-duty limit match the 12-pair listings. This ASIN weighs 590 g and is priced at £15.99.
Supreme TTF size 9 is 24 pairs of red nitrile-coated 13-gauge nylon gloves at £13.55, model 103RB, and it is the best value in this set when you want a latex-free crate with abrasion level 4. The listing prints EN 388 4131 and CAT II, which is abrasion 4, circular cut 1, tear 3, and puncture 1. UK reviewers praise the 24-pair price for light gardening and general work, and some maintenance teams accept the fit as a light glove. The same shared review text, identical to the size 10 ASIN and the same 4.4 from 553 ratings, says the coat is extremely thin, smells out of the pack, and can last one to three days on a water-fed pole or barely a day of block laying. A pipefitter found them slippery with threading oil, which sits awkwardly beside the dry, wet, and oily claim. The back is open, so the disagreeing waterproof fields describe a breathable liner, and the chemical-resistant attribute has no EN 374 code or breakthrough time beside it.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A size 9 crate of latex-free nitrile palms for light handling you expect to replace.
Less suitable: Block laying, threading oil, blade work, or anyone who needs reviews that belong only to size 9.
Specifications
Common questions
What EN 388 code is printed?
EN 388 4131, and the bullet says CAT II. No A–F cut letter is printed.
Are they waterproof?
The fields disagree: not waterproof, and water resistant. The bullet says the back is open so the hand can breathe.
Are the reviews specific to size 9?
The 50 captured reviews match the size 10 ASIN word for word, and both listings show 4.4 from 553 ratings.
This is the size 10 Supreme TTF 103RB, 24 pairs at the same £13.55, and the listing calls that size XL. It prints the same EN 388 4131 and CAT II as the size 9 pack, and the same 4.4 from 553 ratings, because the 50 captured reviews match word for word. In that shared text, some larger hands find more room, and some buyers use the gloves for a light gardening day or a maintenance crew. The criticisms travel with the reviews: short life on a water-fed pole and on block laying, a thin coat, a bad odour, and grip that fails for some. The bullet says the back is open, while the attribute fields on this ASIN say waterproof. Garment size country says United States, the thickness field says 1.8 millimetres against 0.01 inches on the size 9 page, and the care line is hand wash with no temperature. Item weight is 1.02 kg.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A size 10 hand that wants the 24-pair nitrile crate and will ignore the waterproof flag.
Less suitable: A size 9 hand, sealed wet work, or chemical protection with a breakthrough time.
Specifications
Common questions
What EN 388 code is printed?
EN 388 4131, CAT II. No A–F letter.
Are they waterproof?
The attribute fields say waterproof. The bullet says the back is open. Do not treat the flag as a sealed glove.
How do they differ from the size 9 listing?
This ASIN is size 10 and weighs 1.02 kg on the listing. The size 9 ASIN weighs 1.06 kg. Price, code, and the captured reviews match.
This Rainberg ASIN is the medium 12-pair black PU nylon glove at the same £9.99, listed at 270 g rather than the large pack’s 290 g. It prints the same CE EN 388 3121 and the same limit: dry and slightly wet or oily, and not for heavy duty. UK reviewers use the pack for gardening, light DIY, and messy jobs, and some smaller hands find the medium useful, including on light oil. Others call the medium rather small, say to move up to large, and report short fingers even when the palm is acceptable. Holes and tears appear once the work is heavier than light duty, and the gloves are a poor match for angle grinding. One reviewer expected phone use, which the bullets do not state. Most captured review titles match the large 12-pair ASIN, so this 4.3 from 2,166 is a shared sample rather than a separate medium-only test. The listing says they are neither waterproof nor water resistant.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A smaller hand on light, mostly dry jobs where a 12-pair PU pack is a consumable.
Less suitable: A hand that already finds medium small, bramble pulling, or phone use through the fingertip.
Specifications
Common questions
How does this differ from the large Rainberg 12-pair?
This ASIN is size M and the item weight is 270 g. The large ASIN is size L at 290 g. Both print CE EN 388 3121 and £9.99.
Are they waterproof?
No. Not waterproof and not water resistant.
What is the wash limit?
The bullet says water not exceeding 40°C, a mild detergent, a 5–10 minute cycle, and a cold rinse. The care field says hand wash.
The Rainberg large pack is 12 pairs of black PU-coated nylon gloves at £9.99, and the listing prints CE EN 388 3121. That code is abrasion 3, circular cut 1, tear 2, and puncture 1. UK reviewers use them for gardening, light DIY, bins, painting, and car jobs, and some describe the grip as usable when greasy. The same reviews call the labelled large small, with short fingers, and say the coat is too thin for brambles. Holes show up in heavier work, including short cardboard shifts, and one pack had the tough pad on the wrong hand. The bullet limits them to dry and slightly wet or oily conditions, and it rules out heavy duty, heavy oil, and wet work. Water resistance is weaker than some buyers expected, the listing says they are neither waterproof nor water resistant, and the rating is 4.3 from 2,159 reviews. Much of the captured review text is shared with the medium ASIN.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A large-labelled crate for light DIY and messy household jobs you expect to wear out.
Less suitable: Brambles, angle-grinder work, or a buyer who needs the large label to match a true size 9 hand.
Specifications
Common questions
What EN 388 code is printed?
CE EN 388 3121. No A–F cut letter is printed.
Are they waterproof?
No. The listing says not waterproof and not water resistant. The grip claim is dry and slightly wet or oily, not heavy wet work.
What work are they not for?
The bullet says not for heavy duty work and not for heavy oily or wet conditions.
Velway is 12 pairs of red PU-coated polyester gloves, size 9/L, at £9.49, with a stated length of 25 cm and a palm width of 9.5 cm. The coat sits on the palm and fingertips, and the back is seamless knitted polyester, so the pair is for light to medium dry work. Several UK reviewers like the price for decorating and light gardening, and some say the fit is close without feeling bulky. Others find the PU thin, say it wears off, and treat a pair as finished after a day or two of heavier work. They wet through, and reviewers call them too thin for brambles and nettles. A highlight says EN 388 rated, but no digits are printed, the seller says to order the next size up, and the unit-count field says 1.0 against 12 pairs. The rating is 4.3 from 1,033 reviews, and the listing says latex-free.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Decorating, light gardening, and assembly when you will replace a pair after heavier days.
Less suitable: Brambles, wet hands, warehouse boxes where reviewers say the grip slides, or a job that needs printed EN 388 digits.
Specifications
Common questions
What EN 388 code is printed?
None. A highlight says EN 388 rated. The bullets do not give the four digits or an A–F letter.
Are they waterproof?
No. Is waterproof is false and water resistance is not water resistant.
What size should you order?
The listing is size L / 9, with glove length 25 cm and palm width 9.5 cm. It says to order the next size up for the best fit.
We compared the 11 work-glove listings on this page using amazon.co.uk product data and public HSE and SATRA notes on fit, EN 388, and PPE duties. The score weighs the printed code, the coating against the job, size, pack life and latex, then price and the UK star line. We did not run a lab test, and a bullet that says CE EN388 is a claim, not a declaration of conformity we have seen.
Printed hazard code
30%EN 388 is read left to right as abrasion, circular cut, tear, and puncture. A missing code, or a claim with no digits, cannot be treated as a tested level.
Palm coating and job
25%PU suits light to medium dry work. Nitrile in this set claims light oil. Latex is a palm coat with an allergy limit. Leather and synthetic leather are separate jobs.
Size and fit
20%HSE size 9 and size 10 are hand measurements, not the word large. Several listings tell you to order the next size up.
Pack life and latex
15%A 12-pair or 24-pair crate is a consumable. One pair is something you keep until it fails. Latex-free is only counted when the listing prints it.
Price and UK ratings
10%Shelf price and the amazon.co.uk star line are the last check. They do not replace the hazard, the code, or a risk assessment.
Start with the hazard, not the star rating. Abrasion can sit with a printed EN 388 code. Blades and glass need an ISO 13997 letter, which this set does not print. Chemicals need EN 374 and a material matched to the substance. Heat to EN 407 is not printed here. Then read the coating, the size, and whether the pack is a crate you expect to throw away. A low price per pair is usually that crate.
A work glove here is a reusable glove for handling, light building, gardening, or mechanical jobs on amazon.co.uk. Disposable exam gloves are a different product and are not compared. Most of the set are palm-coated knit gloves: a liner, polymer on the palm and fingers, and a back that is often open, so the glove is not waterproof. DIY Doctor is one leather gauntlet with an extended cuff and a thorn claim, and it prints no EN 388 code.
EN 388 is four results in order: abrasion, circular cut, tear, puncture. On 4131 the cut digit is 1. That is not an overall mark and not an ISO 13997 blade letter.
HSE puts size 9 at about 229–254 mm around the hand and size 10 at about 254–279 mm. Velway calls size 9 large and Supreme calls size 10 XL. Several listings say to order the next size up.
Rainberg, Velway, and Straame reviewers call the PU too thin for brambles or nettles. A waterproof flag that fights an open back, or a latex palm issued to someone with a latex allergy, is the same class of mistake.
The coating decides the job more than the brand line. PU packs from Rainberg, Velway, and Straame are for light to medium dry work, and only slight wet or oil. Rainberg’s own bullet rules out heavy duty, heavy oil, and wet work. Reviewers still use those packs for decorating, bins, light DIY, and some car jobs, and they also call the coat too thin for brambles. Supreme TTF and KAYGO use nitrile and claim oily or light-oil grip.
Read a printed EN 388 code left to right: abrasion, circular cut, tear, puncture. SATRA puts abrasion level 4 at 8,000 cycles and level 3 at 2,000. Rainberg prints 3121, so abrasion 3 and circular cut 1. KAYGO and Supreme TTF print 4131, so abrasion 4 and circular cut 1. RUFTUF prints 4-1-4-2. Velway says EN 388 rated and prints no digits. Straame, DIY Doctor, and Mechanix print no EN 388 code.
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
You want a multipack for dirty, mostly dry jobs and a different glove for thorns. The Rainberg 12-pair large pack prints EN 388 3121 at about £9.99. Reviewers use it for light DIY, bins, painting, and car jobs, and they also say the labelled large runs small and the coat is too thin for brambles.
If you finish a pair in a day or two, you are buying a crate, and you still need the size and the coat. Supreme TTF size 9 is 24 latex-free nitrile pairs at about £13.55 with EN 388 4131 printed. Shared reviews describe a thin coat and a short life on harder jobs.
You still need the risk assessment, a credible conformity mark, and latex avoidance. KAYGO prints CE EN 388 4131 on a latex-free micro-foam nitrile palm, three pairs, size L. A star rating does not replace that assessment, and circular-cut level 1 is not blade protection.
KAYGO KG18NB leads this set for cable work and light handling: three latex-free micro-foam nitrile pairs at about £9.98, with EN 388 4131 printed and 4.6 from 794 amazon.co.uk ratings. It is the top pick for that job, not for blades or long garden weeding. The best value when you want a latex-free crate is Supreme TTF size 9, 24 pairs at about £13.55 with the same 4131 code, if you accept a thin coat and a short pair life. The other listings cover thorns, one mechanic pair, or a cheaper PU multipack, each with the limits in its review.
KAYGO Safety Work Gloves MicroFoam Nitrile Coated 3 Pairs, KG18NB
Highest score in this set, with printed EN 388 4131, a latex-free micro-foam nitrile palm, and 4.6 from 794 amazon.co.uk ratings at about £9.98.
Supreme TTF 24 pairs nitrile-coated nylon, size 9
A 24-pair latex-free crate at about £13.55 with EN 388 4131 and CAT II printed, for light handling you expect to replace.
Editorial
Products Compared publishes British-English buying guides based on amazon.co.uk listings and public UK sources. We do not run a lab and we do not invent test scores.
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Public UK sources used for this comparison, retrieved on 16 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. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, star ratings, and review counts come from amazon.co.uk listings. We did not lab-test these gloves.
