With the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the importance of high-quality personal protective equipment (PPE) has become even more apparent. As a result, hand protection, especially nitrile gloves, has become particularly in demand — and nitrile gloves manufacturers are responding.
Unfortunately, not all nitrile glove manufacturers are created equal, and some have started in recent years to take advantage of the boom in demand without the knowledge or skill necessary to make high-quality, adequate personal protection.
At a glance:
You may be wondering, “Are any nitrile gloves made in USA factories?” To help you navigate the options and sort the good from the bad, we’ve compiled this guide to the best nitrile gloves manufacturers in 2024.
However, we know that the terminology around sources for nitrile gloves can be confusing, so before we get started, let’s take a look at some of the different terms you’ll frequently hear so that we’re all on the same page:
It’s important to remember, though, that these categories can have significant overlap. For example, some medical gloves manufacturers also act as distributors or wholesalers of their own products.
Now that that’s out of the way let’s look at some of the top nitrile gloves manufacturers currently on the market, all of whose products we proudly carry on Gloves.com.
Top Nitrile Gloves Manufacturers in the USA
Gloves.com
You probably know that Gloves.com sells a wide range of nitrile gloves, but did you know that on top of being a glove distributor and wholesaler, Gloves.com is also a nitrile glove manufacturer? HandCare is our in-house brand of disposable gloves, and we’re proud to provide these protective gloves to individual consumers and corporations alike.
Our HandCare line has a little bit of everything, with black nitrile gloves in 4 mil and 6 mil thicknesses, blue gloves in 4 mil and 8 mil thicknesses, and 8 mil thick orange gloves, so there’s an option for just about everything. Each style is available in Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large sizes.
All HandCare gloves are exam-grade and powder-free. They’re also all third-party lab-tested to ensure safety and efficacy, and they meet the rigorous standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials.
ASAP
ASAP (an abbreviation for Art & Science of Amazing Protection) seeks to mix art and science in each glove it creates, and this goal has led to some high-quality gloves.
At Gloves.com, we carry SAP Black Nitrile Gloves (5 Mil), ASAP Orange Nitrile Gloves 5 Mil, and ASAP T-Grip Orange Nitrile Gloves (7 Mil). However, ASAP has black, blue, and orange options in 3 mil, 4 mil, and 5.5 mil thicknesses.
Thinner gloves have fingertip texture for grip and tactile sensitivity, while thicker options (including the T-Grip Orange gloves we carry) provide a more secure grip in industrial settings.
ASAP offers Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large sizes to ensure the perfect fit.
Diamond Gloves ADVANCE
Based in vibrant, sunny Southern California, Diamond Gloves ADVANCE specializes in top-tier exam-grade medical gloves but has a few industrial options.
Gloves.com carries the styles of ADVANCE Plus Orange Nitrile Gloves (6 Mil) and ADVANCE Blue Nitrile Gloves (5 Mil).
In addition, Diamond Gloves offers medical gloves in 3.5 mil, 4 mil, and 5 mil thickness options, each available in a spectrum of colors including Blue, Violet Blue, White, and Black. For industrial gloves, Diamond Gloves ADVANCE has models in 3.5 mil and 8.5 mil thickness, with Orange, Blue, and Green color options.
In addition, buyers have the choice between textured fingertips and full-hand texture. The former is better suited for medical use, while the latter is ideal for industrial purposes. Regardless of style, these gloves are available in Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large sizes.
However, these gloves are exclusively available in larger quantities, which is excellent for those who need to buy in bulk but not for users who only need a small amount at a time.
BMC Protect
Founded in 1994 in the San Francisco Bay area as Bay Medical, then rebranded as BMC Protect in 2016, this company is a glove manufacturer and a manufacturer of other safety equipment for industrial and medical use, like shoe covers, medical supplies, and surface disinfectants.
At Gloves.com, we carry its Grip Protect Precise Medical Purple Nitrile Gloves (4 Mil). In addition, BMC Protect also manufactures 3.5 mil, 5 mil, and 6 mil thick black gloves and 3.5 mil thick gloves in blue. All are available in Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large sizes.
As you can see, BMC Protect has a relatively limited selection compared to other manufacturers. This setup makes sense since it manufactures and sells many other medical and safety products besides its gloves.
However, what they do have is very high quality. Each pair is chemotherapy-rated and fentanyl resistant while boasting textured fingertips.
FAQ
Why Are Nitrile Gloves So Expensive?
Nitrile gloves are more expensive compared to latex gloves because nitrile gloves are made of synthetic rubber produced from petroleum, a costlier ingredient than natural rubber, which latex gloves are made out of. However, disposable nitrile gloves are more substantial and durable than other gloves. They’re also more puncture—and chemical—resistant and less likely to cause allergic reactions.
How Big Is the Nitrile Glove Market?
In 2021, the global nitrile glove market was estimated to be worth $9.2 billion, according to Spherical Insights. A report from Grand View Research indicates that in the US alone, the nitrile glove market was valued at $2.7 billion that same year, with an expected compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7% from 2023 to 2030.
Who Uses the Most Nitrile Gloves?
Nitrile gloves are most commonly used in the medical, automotive, and manufacturing industries. These industries value nitrile gloves for their strength and chemical resistance. Nitrile gloves are also widely used in labs, tattoo parlors, and the beauty industry.
Are There Different Grades of Nitrile Gloves?
There are two grades of nitrile gloves: industrial and medical. Industrial-grade nitrile gloves are designed for particular resistance to hazardous chemicals and punctures. They’re used in various industries, including janitorial, automotive, and food service.
Medical-grade nitrile gloves are designed for use in healthcare facilities, protect from infectious diseases, and are regulated by the FDA in the US, like other medical equipment.
Conclusion
There are more options for nitrile gloves than ever, and navigating them all can be challenging.
In a market valued at billions, there’s a wide range of options, but some are better than others. Whether you're a healthcare professional, an industrial worker, or an individual looking for personal protection equipment for daily life, the options here are all high-quality choices that will be able to provide precisely what you need.
From our own HandCare line to BMC Protect’s handful of options, each manufacturer recommended here makes products that are a great choice, and you can buy them all right here at Gloves.com.