Which Glove Is Best For You: Safety or Disposable?

The variety of safety and disposable gloves available in today’s market is staggering. But comparing and weighing their costs can be difficult. Today’s supply chain disruptions are making it even more confusing. Disposable gloves play such an important role in worker safety, so it’s useful to understand the role that quality plays in cost. The following details will allow you to weigh the options and find the right intersection of quality and price for your needs.  

Glove Cost Considerations 

The primary factor affecting the cost of gloves today is the fact that, for the most part, they are produced overseas. Because most raw materials for gloves—latex, vinyl, and more—are found overseas, cost is dependent on what happens in those regions. Materials shortages, labor disruptions and transportation problems around the world can all affect cost. This state of affairs will likely not change anytime soon. Compounding the problem is the fact that there is very little domestic manufacturing of gloves in the United States.  

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted cost, as well. Masks have not been the only product in high demand. The pandemic put major supply pressure on safety and disposable gloves. Empty shelves are still common, and pandemic pressures will likely continue for some time.  

Brand name also affects glove cost. Certain manufacturers, such as Ansell or Kimberly Clark, still charge a premium for their products. Those gloves are often medical-grade or of another high standard.  

How does quality affect glove cost? 

Quality plays perhaps the biggest role in glove cost, outside of supply chain issues. Both safety and disposable gloves are manufactured to a wide range of thicknesses and qualities, and it pays to understand how this affects cost.  

Some glove manufacturers use industrial-grade materials rather than medical-grade ones, and this keeps costs down. Industrial gloves are made to lower exacting standards than medical-grade ones. This difference might allow you to save on glove costs, but it is important to know how these gloves can be used. Medical-grade gloves can be used for industrial purposes—assuming they are durable enough—but industrial-grade gloves cannot be used for medical applications.  

Another major factor to consider is glove thickness. This is usually measured in mils—a mil is one one-thousandth of an inch. The thicker the glove, the more expensive it will be. A 4-mil glove is considered a good glove, but it costs more than a 3.5-mil glove.  

Something to be on the lookout for in today’s competitive buying market is authenticity. It’s possible to find 3.5-mil gloves being sold as 4-mil gloves. Not only do you need your workers to be fully protected, you need to be sure you are getting what you paid for. Working with well-known dealers and brand names will help you avoid this problem.  

How do different materials affect glove cost? 

The manufacture of safety and disposable gloves is seeing a long-term move away from latex gloves to safer and higher-quality options. These other options, such as nitrile or vinyl gloves, were more expensive than latex gloves in the past, but that price difference is shrinking.  

While latex gloves are an affordable and reliable glove for both worker safety and disposability, issues with allergies prevent their use for every worker. Nitrile, on the other hand, is a synthetic rubber that offers exceptional durability and chemical protection without the major allergy issue. Vinyl is another synthetic substance—a flexible plastic—with similar qualities; in particular, its flexibility makes it very useful in food service applications. These two materials are coming to dominate the safety and disposable-glove industry.  

Before the pandemic, the costs of nitrile and vinyl gloves were steadily coming down as their adoption spread. The pandemic led to high demand and surging prices for all safety and disposable gloves, but over time the affordability of nitrile and vinyl gloves should prove to be long-lasting.  

How can you manage safety and disposable glove costs? 

• Choose reusable gloves for applications that allow it. While some situations are not conducive to this—for example, medical and food-service settings—many tasks are amenable to reusable gloves. From warehouses to workshops, high-quality reusable gloves provide all of the safety and comfort needed.  
• Think hard about quality. Purchase gloves according to application. For example, a cleaning glove can be different than a cleanroom glove. Purchase multiple kinds of gloves, label them carefully, and train staff to use the appropriate kind. 
• Select materials that are both safe and effective. Weigh the options—latex, nitrile, vinyl, and others—and choose the gloves that provide the best value and usefulness.  
• Go for volume. Almost all suppliers offer a volume discount. If you feel good about your choice of gloves and are certain about your long-term needs, then order in greater quantities.  

Working with a reliable supplier can also help you avoid unnecessary costs. A supplier that offers a lot of safety and disposable glove options allows you to make a decision based on your exact needs rather than on the options the supplier happens to carry. A good supplier will also offer multiple shipping options that will fit your needs; some suppliers might even offer free delivery. Beware of surprise service or convenience charges that could turn your affordable glove order into a bad value.  

A reliable supplier will also ensure that you are getting what you paid for. More and more online retailers are selling mislabeled or misrepresented products, and having a relationship with a trustworthy supplier is great asset. The issue goes beyond value, of course; worker safety can be at stake.  

The Best Safety and Disposable Glove Value 

Benchmark offers a wide variety of safety gloves and disposable gloves for every workplace need. These options will let you select—with laser accuracy—the product which is best for your workers and your budget. In addition to our huge selection, Benchmark also offers: 

• Free delivery: Free next-day local delivery for all orders of $150 or more.  
• Price-match guarantee: Benchmark will match any lower price you find on gloves. 
• Expertise: Our product experts can walk you through any questions you might have about safety or disposable gloves.  
• Risk-Free: Ask a Benchmark rep about trying a sample of gloves before switching. 

Looking for some advice on which glove is best for your needs? Talk to one of our product experts.