Nothing is worse than trying to answer a text in the bitter cold or make an Uber call while standing outside. The glass back of a smartphone is typically incompatible with traditional gloves, and bare hands are just frozen and ultimately useless. Touchscreen gloves can help with that. Touchscreen gloves are crucial throughout the winter months since they were designed to keep your fingers toasty while enabling you to text, dial, and double tap. There are many excellent pairs to pick from, whether of whether you’re just getting into the trend yourself or are looking for a thoughtful present for someone special.
We looked into the best touchscreen gloves, considered user feedback and professional suggestions, and then put the contenders to the test (more precisely, a typing, scrolling, and temperature test) to assist you select the pair that will work best for you. We’re sharing our results with you after testing out 29 pairs of gloves in our NYC lab based on factors including warmth, comfort, simplicity of use, and design.
Best Overall
Ugg All Weather Quilted Gloves
Exterior: Sheepskin trim | Interior: Sherpa | Sizes: S/M, L/XL | Colors: Black, white, pink
Texting errors happen, but you can steer clear of an unpleasant autocorrect by getting these adaptable UGG quilted gloves for various weather conditions. What’s not to love? They type up emails and texts with ease, have a sheepskin accent around the cuff, and are lined with plush sherpa. While our tester acknowledges that she did make a few mistakes, those were before she became more comfortable and started to rely more on her fingertips. She claims that “scrolling was a breeze.” “The gloves didn’t feel bulky; they felt firm and snug.” The quilted gloves, which come in three colours, go nicely with any style and kind of coat or jacket. She says, “I’d suggest getting these gloves because they’re incredibly comfortable and easy to use, in addition to being stylish.”
The sizing options for these gloves would be our first choice if we could alter anything. Since hands vary widely in size and form, it may be more difficult for people with larger or smaller hands to find the correct fit. There are just two sizes available: S/M and L/XL.
What Our Testers Say
“These gloves have a stunning design. They are a perfect fit, akin to a glove. I adored the fur on the cuff in particular. Tester of products Mads Jensen
Theory Tech Gloves in Leather
Exterior: Lamb leather | Interior: Cashmere | Sizes: S, M, L | Colors: Black, brown, merlot
Theory’s Leather Tech Gloves are a great option if you want to treat yourself or someone you love to a costly pair of touchscreen gloves. These gloves, which are made entirely of lamb leather, will definitely brighten your day and create a statement. Our tester writes, “Although a little difficult to get used to at first, I quickly got used to the range of motion and was able to text pretty fast.” “The gloves are very luxurious-looking and extend past my wrist, which is perfect for staying warm on cold days, aside from their practical use.” The gloves not only block out any exposed skin when worn over a winter coat, but they also effectively conduct heat.
Although the gloves are slightly under $200, our tester told us they are well worth the price. It’s important to note that since you’re purchasing premium leather gloves, proper maintenance is required. The brand advises against cleaning them at yourself and instead suggests taking them to a professional, so you might want to pass on this one if you can’t afford to pay a little more to have them cleaned professionally. These are ideal, nevertheless, if an upscale pair of leather gloves is what you’re after.
Moshi Digits Touchscreen Gloves
Exterior: Conductive knit | Interior: Microfleece | Sizes: S, M, L | Colors: Dark gray, light gray
While some people are undoubtedly influenced by style, others are more concerned with staying warm while still being able to use their electronics. Although they only come in two colours and aren’t the most stylish option, the Moshi Digits Winter Touchscreen Gloves are excellent at keeping fingertips warm. In addition to each fingertip’s knit exterior containing conductive fibre for touchscreen compatibility—so all fingers may use the touchscreen, as opposed to just one or two like the others on this list—the dual-layered microfleece inside improves comfort in extremely cold temperatures. GripTrak patterns are embedded into each palm to improve your grip on your gadgets—even in extremely cold conditions.
If that’s still not enough to persuade you, we’ll let the scientific evidence do the talking. Before putting the gloves on, our tester discovered that the initial temperature reading was 73.5 degrees. The tester found that the gloves warmed up by 15.2 degrees after around 30 minutes of use (final value of 88.7 degrees). This suggests that the gloves gained warmth over time. These gloves are an excellent choice if you want to be outside for an extended period of time (or simply want your fingers to keep extra toasty) and need to be able to utilise every finger on your gadgets.
Canada Goose Leather Rib Luxe Glove
Exterior: Sheepskin leather, elasticized cuff | Interior: Brushed | Sizes: XS, S, M, L | Colors: Black
The Ladies Leather Rib Luxe Glove from Canada Goose is perfectly in line with the brand’s reputation as the place to go for items for the chilly months. The glove is not only elegant and sophisticated, but it also boasts well-thought-out features (such as a ribbed cuff that traps heat) that further establish its superiority over rival models. Our tester told us that the ribbed cuff and leather exterior are more than just stylish winter accessories, even though they appear pricey and intriguing. Because of their incredibly soft interior, the gloves are comfortable and make scrolling and typing a pleasure. Even though she made a few mistakes, which she claimed she expected with tech gloves, overall browsing was effortless and typing was made simple by the gloves.
It was noted by the tester—who has tiny hands—that the subject tested a size L. She acknowledged that typing more properly would have been simpler if she had been wearing the proper size, but the fact that she was able to type with a larger size speaks volumes about how effective these gloves are.
Uniqlo Women Function Gloves
Exterior: Acrylic, wool, nylon, spandex | Interior: Same as exterior | Sizes: M, L | Colors: Gray, black, brown, navy, dark gray, dark brown
Don’t allow erratic weather to defeat you. The moisture-absorbing, bio-warming Heattech lining in these Uniqlo gloves keeps hands toasty and comfortable. Regardless of the weather, the thumb and index finger are easily manoeuvrable and compatible with touchscreens. Chloe Anello, Senior Commerce Editor, found it effortless to type using these on her fingertips. She noted it took some getting used to the thumbs, but the faults were little because the gloves fit securely. She really liked how the touchscreen area of the glove seemed less noticeable because it was the same colour as the rest of the glove.She said the gloves suited her well, with the length of each one not interfering with her long sleeves and the fingers having just enough give to extend over large jewellery, like her engagement ring, without pressing against her flesh in an uncomfortable way. Making the gloves easier to clean would be our first modification, if we could make any. The manufacturer advises against using a washing machine or sending the gloves to be dry cleaned, leaving only the option of carefully washing by hand.
Trendoux Touch Screen Winter Gloves
Exterior: Acrylic, spandex | Interior: Same as exterior | Sizes: M, L, XL | Colors: 10
Is it better to wear knit gloves than leather ones? Trendoux’s knit winter gloves are a great choice. Despite being lightweight, the dense knit material provides excellent protection from chilly conditions. Additionally, one side features rubber grips that make it easier to navigate and tap and prevent slipping while conducting daily tasks. Our tester said they’re “very comfortable and warm,” despite the fact that they don’t appear particularly stylish—they sort of look like garden gloves. These gloves come in sizes ranging from medium to extra large, which can be perplexing, but our tester found that the medium size fit her tiny hands rather nicely.
isotoner Spandex Touchscreen Gloves
Exterior: Nylon, spandex | Interior: Polyester | Sizes: S/M, L/XL | Colors: 11
Particularly when shovelling or tailgating are involved, gloves can get filthy. Cleaning up is made as simple as possible with these machine-washable gloves from Isotoner. And as if it weren’t already wonderful enough, they’re quite effective. Our tester reported that creating messages was simple and that the gloves provided a good grip on the phone’s exterior. She revealed that her movement was never affected by the gloves. With these gloves, she was actually able to remove items from her back pocket, which may not have been possible with thicker alternatives. Our tester acknowledged that the design is somewhat reminiscent of driving gloves and said that it gave her a “fashionista” feeling.
What to Look For in Touchscreen Gloves
Exterior Material
When looking for a pair of touchscreen gloves, the outside material should be your first priority. The choice is all yours because there are so many options available (such as leather, spandex, polyester, and wool). Practicality should be your first priority, according to stylist and trend forecaster Kendall Becker, if you need a little assistance. Rich leathers and luxurious knits, such as cashmere, “look amazing and offer tonnes of warmth,” the designer claims. “Elegant embellishments, sherpa lining, and distinctive hardware elevate gloves beyond their basic state, but they are not essential.”
Lining
Since the inside of the glove is what actually touches your hands and keeps them warm, you should give the lining or interior of the glove first priority when selecting touchscreen gloves. For example, merino wool linings are innately warm and retain heat extremely well, even when damp. In comparison to other fabrics, synthetic linings offer mobility, breathability, and quick drying times. Sherpa and cashmere are supple, cosy materials that cover your fingertips like a blanket.
Touchscreen Capability
Finally, but most definitely not least, you want to think about your gloves’ touchscreen functionality. While having a thumb and pointer finger for a touchscreen is wonderful, you should opt for a pair that allows all fingers to manipulate the touchscreen if you want additional dexterity.
FAQ
What kind of gloves work on touch screens?
As one might expect, not all gloves are made to work with touchscreen technology. Touchscreen gloves are necessary for the device—a phone, tablet, or computer—to recognise your touch commands. These gloves contain conductive fingertips that allow the gadget to sense and interpret electrical energy from the gloves as a command.
What material is warmest for gloves?
Make sure the material of your gloves keeps heat in and cold out when making your selection. Particularly warm hands are maintained with inside linings composed of fleece, wool, and synthetic materials. “Shimmer versions are best found in fleece, but for warmth and a fashionable statement, sherpa is ideal,” advises Becker. Additionally, the sherpa along the trim provides a pleasant shield against inclement weather.
Can you wash touchscreen gloves?
In the end, everything comes down to the material, so make sure to look for directions on the label inside your gloves. Unless otherwise indicated, it’s advisable to avoid washing leather gloves in the washing machine. Instead, give them a hand wash with a microfiber cloth and a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar, or have them professionally cleaned. On the other hand, gloves composed of materials such as spandex can be thoroughly cleaned by running them through the washing machine.
How can you style gloves?
It’s likely that you’re searching for touchscreen gloves because you want them to be useful and comfortable, but if you want to customise the gloves, the details matter. According to Becker, “try out unexpected colours or embossed leathers—these feel chic.”
