Protective Handwear Price Comparison 2026
Compare 455 protective gloves from Ejendals, Uvex, HexArmor and more — find the best price across dozens of UK retailers in one place.
Protective handwear is one of those categories where the gap between a sensible purchase and a costly mistake is surprisingly wide. At the budget end, you can pick up a pair for as little as 1 £ — but spend closer to 9 £ and you gain access to gloves that genuinely comply with EN 388 mechanical hazard standards, with rated cut, abrasion and puncture resistance that holds up under real working conditions. The difference matters: a glove that looks protective but carries no certified rating offers little more than the illusion of safety.
Ejendals dominates this catalogue with over 160 references — a breadth that reflects the Swedish brand's grip on the professional PPE market. Their Tegera range is a staple on UK construction sites and in manufacturing environments, and for good reason: consistent EN 388 compliance, a wide size range, and competitive pricing. Uvex brings a more technical edge, particularly for precision work where tactile sensitivity matters as much as protection. HexArmor sits at the premium end, with an average price well above the market median — their cut-resistant gloves using proprietary SuperFabric technology are genuinely in a different league for high-risk applications, though most tradespeople will never need that level of protection.
Draper Tools, meanwhile, is the most-listed brand in the top 15 by number of offers — a sign that UK retailers stock them heavily and that prices are actively competitive across Screwfix, Amazon.co.uk, and Toolstation. If you're after a reliable general-purpose work glove without overthinking it, Draper's range covers most bases. For garden work, Gardena offers a more domestic-friendly option, while protective coveralls and safety knee pads are natural companions if you're kitting out for a full job.
One thing worth noting: the market is heavily skewed towards the lower end. The median sits at 9 £, but the average is pulled up to 19 £ by specialist brands like HexArmor and Kleenguard, whose chemical-resistant and cut-resistant gloves command a significant premium. If your work involves handling sharp metal, glass, or hazardous chemicals, that premium is justified. For general DIY or light trade use, the sweet spot sits comfortably below the median. Our comparison covers 455 products — use it to cut through the noise and find the right glove at the right price, whether you're buying from a full safety kit or just replacing a worn-out pair.
How to Choose the Right Protective Gloves
With 455 products spanning everything from basic cotton liners to cut-resistant aramid-fibre gloves, the choice can feel overwhelming. The key is matching the glove to the hazard — not just grabbing whatever's cheapest. Here's what actually matters.
EN 388 Rating: Know What the Numbers Mean
Every serious work glove should carry an EN 388 certification — four numbers printed on the glove that rate abrasion resistance (1–4), cut resistance (1–5), tear resistance (1–4), and puncture resistance (1–4). A glove rated 4342, for example, offers excellent abrasion resistance and solid cut protection. Don't buy a work glove without this rating visible on the packaging. Unrated gloves may look robust but offer no verified protection against mechanical hazards.
Cut Resistance Grade for Sharp-Object Handling
If your work involves sheet metal, glass, blades or wire, cut resistance is the single most important spec. The ANSI/ISEA scale runs from A1 (minimal) to A9 (maximum). For general construction, A4–A5 is usually sufficient. For glass handling or metal fabrication, go A6 or above. HexArmor's premium range reaches A9 — genuinely necessary for high-risk industrial environments, but overkill for most tradespeople. Note that higher cut resistance often means reduced tactile sensitivity, so there's a real trade-off for precision tasks.
Coating Type: Matching Grip to Your Environment
The palm and finger coating determines how well the glove performs in your actual working conditions. Nitrile coating is the most versatile — good grip in both dry and oily conditions, latex-free, and durable. Latex coatings offer excellent grip on dry surfaces but degrade faster with oil or chemical exposure. PVC is best for wet environments. If you're working in a cold store or outdoors in winter, look for a foam nitrile or sandy nitrile finish, which maintains grip even when wet. A glove with poor grip in your specific environment is a safety hazard, not a safety solution.
Thermal Protection: Heat and Cold Are Different Problems
EN 511 covers cold protection; heat resistance is rated separately under EN 407. These are not interchangeable — a glove rated for cold work will not protect against hot surfaces, and vice versa. For outdoor winter work, look for insulated gloves with a cold-resistance rating down to at least -20°C. For welding or foundry work, you need EN 407-rated heat resistance up to 250°C or beyond. General-purpose work gloves offer neither — which is fine for most applications, but critical to understand if your work involves temperature extremes.
Fit, Sizing and Wrist Closure
An ill-fitting glove is almost as dangerous as no glove at all. Too loose, and you lose dexterity and grip; too tight, and fatigue sets in quickly. Most reputable brands (Ejendals, Uvex) offer sizing from XS to XXL with consistent sizing charts. Check whether the glove has an elastic or knit wrist closure — this prevents debris from entering and keeps the glove secure during dynamic work. For extended wear, breathability matters too: look for ventilated panels or moisture-wicking liners if you're wearing gloves for more than a couple of hours at a stretch.
Chemical Resistance: Only Relevant If You Need It
Most work gloves offer zero chemical resistance — and that's fine for mechanical hazards. But if you're handling solvents, acids, oils or cleaning agents, you need gloves rated under EN 374. The standard classifies resistance from Type A (highest, resisting at least 6 chemicals for 30+ minutes permeation time) down to Type F. Nitrile and neoprene gloves generally perform well here; latex degrades rapidly with many solvents. Kleenguard's range is specifically engineered for chemical environments and commands a higher price accordingly — don't try to substitute a mechanical-hazard glove for chemical work.
- Entry-level and disposable (From 1 £ to 4 £) : Basic cotton, polyester or thin nitrile gloves. Brands like NEO Tools, Delta Plus and TUFFSAFE dominate here. Suitable for light gardening, painting or general DIY where hazard levels are low. Don't expect EN 388 compliance at this price — these are comfort and grip gloves, not certified PPE. Fine for occasional home use; not appropriate for professional or high-risk environments.
- The practical sweet spot (From 4 £ to 9 £) : This is where Draper Tools and the entry-level Ejendals Tegera range live. You get genuine EN 388-rated protection, nitrile or latex coating, and decent durability. Most tradespeople, gardeners and DIY enthusiasts will find everything they need here. Currys, Screwfix and Amazon.co.uk all stock heavily in this bracket, so price competition is strong — worth comparing before buying.
- Professional-grade protection (From 9 £ to 14 £) : Mid-range Ejendals Tegera, Uvex and Comfy Package gloves. Better materials, higher EN 388 ratings, improved dexterity and longer lifespan. Often the right choice for regular professional use — the cost-per-wear calculation favours spending more upfront. Thermal insulation and cut-resistant options start appearing here in earnest.
- Specialist and high-risk applications (Over 14 £) : HexArmor and Kleenguard territory. These gloves are engineered for specific high-risk environments: A7–A9 cut resistance, EN 374 chemical resistance, or extreme thermal protection. The price reflects genuine engineering, not marketing. If your risk assessment demands this level of protection, don't compromise — but equally, don't overspend if your hazard profile doesn't justify it.
Top products
- Draper Tools 82603 protective handwear (Draper Tools) : The most widely stocked Draper glove in the comparison — six retailers competing on price keeps it sharp. A solid entry-level choice for general trade use, though don't expect premium cut resistance.
- Draper Tools 82612 protective handwear (Draper Tools) : The priciest of the Draper top-sellers, which suggests a more capable spec — likely reinforced palm or higher EN 388 rating. Best value in the Draper range if you need a step up from basic.
- Draper Tools 82609 protective handwear (Draper Tools) : Mid-range Draper with six competing offers — the price competition here is real. A good all-rounder for tradespeople who want reliable protection without overspending.
- Draper Tools 71114 protective handwear (Draper Tools) : Consistently available across six retailers and priced accessibly. Dependable for regular DIY and light trade work — not a specialist glove, but honest about what it is.
- Draper Tools 65816 protective handwear (Draper Tools) : One of the better-priced options in the Draper lineup with full retailer competition. A sensible pick for anyone wanting a verified work glove without the premium brand markup.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the EN 388 rating on work gloves actually mean?
EN 388 is a European standard that rates a glove's protection against four mechanical hazards: abrasion resistance (1–4), cut resistance (1–5), tear resistance (1–4), and puncture resistance (1–4). The numbers appear in sequence on the glove's label — so a rating of 4342 means maximum abrasion resistance, high cut resistance, good tear resistance, and moderate puncture resistance. Always check this rating before buying work gloves; a glove without EN 388 certification offers no verified mechanical protection.
Are cheap work gloves worth buying, or should I always spend more?
It depends entirely on the task. For light gardening, painting or general DIY, gloves priced from 1 £ to 4 £ are perfectly adequate — you're buying comfort and basic grip, not certified PPE. For professional or high-risk work, spending up to 9 £ or beyond gets you genuine EN 388 compliance, better materials and longer durability. The false economy is buying a cheap glove for a job that demands a rated one — a cut through an unprotected glove costs far more than the price difference.
What's the difference between nitrile and latex coated gloves?
Nitrile coating is synthetic, latex-free, and performs well in both dry and oily conditions — it's the safer all-round choice for most work environments. Latex offers excellent grip on dry surfaces and is generally more flexible, but it degrades faster when exposed to oils or solvents, and can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. For most UK tradespeople, nitrile-coated gloves are the practical default. Only choose latex if you specifically need maximum dry-grip sensitivity and have confirmed no latex allergy.
Which gloves are best for cut resistance in 2026?
HexArmor leads the field for maximum cut resistance, with several models reaching A8–A9 on the ANSI/ISEA scale using their SuperFabric technology — these are the gloves used in glass handling and metal fabrication. For most professional applications, Ejendals Tegera and Uvex offer A4–A6 rated gloves at a much more accessible price point. Cut resistance above A6 comes with a trade-off in dexterity, so only go higher if your risk assessment genuinely requires it.
Can I use the same gloves for chemical handling and mechanical work?
No — and this is one of the most common and dangerous mistakes. Mechanical work gloves (rated under EN 388) are not tested for chemical resistance, and many materials that resist cuts will degrade rapidly when exposed to solvents, acids or oils. Chemical-resistant gloves are rated under EN 374 and require a completely different material specification — typically nitrile, neoprene or PVC at sufficient thickness. Kleenguard and specialist Ejendals lines cover chemical resistance, but always check the specific EN 374 type rating against the chemicals you're handling.
How do I know what size work gloves to buy?
Measure the circumference of your dominant hand around the knuckles (excluding the thumb) in centimetres — this gives your glove size. Most brands use a straightforward S/M/L/XL scale: S is typically 7–8cm, M is 8–9cm, L is 9–10cm, XL is 10–11cm. Ejendals and Uvex both publish detailed sizing charts. A glove that's too large reduces grip and dexterity; one that's too small causes fatigue and can split at the seams. If you're between sizes, size up for comfort during extended wear.
Are there any glove brands to avoid for professional PPE use?
We'd be cautious about any unbranded or very low-cost gloves that claim EN 388 compliance without a visible certification mark and traceable manufacturer details. At 1 £ to 4 £, some products carry ratings that haven't been independently verified. For professional PPE, stick to established brands — Ejendals, Uvex, HexArmor, Draper Tools — where the EN certification is genuine and the manufacturer stands behind it. The Which? Kitemark and BSI certification are additional reassurances worth looking for on UK-sold PPE.