Gardening season is in full swing, which means it’s time to stock up on the right equipment, including seed starting trays, raised garden beds, weeding tools, and of course, gardening gloves. I’m deeply committed to both my garden bed and my bi-weekly nail appointment, so gardening gloves are a staple in my growing season lineup to keep my hands and nails secure while I’m outside.
To help you find the best gardening gloves, I spoke to gardening experts Carmen DeVito, the founder of garden and landscape design company Garden Cult and a certified New York State landscape professional, and Julie Bawden-Davis, a professional gardener and founder of Healthy Houseplants, and the author of multiple gardening books, about things to keep in mind when looking for a pair of your own. I also compiled a list of their recommendations for you to shop.
Best overall gardening gloves$undefined$16.47
Best gauntlet gardening gloves$undefined$59.95
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The best gardening gloves in 2026
Best overall gardening gloves
These gloves are lightweight, breathable and one of DeVito’s favorites for daily garden work. The gloves are reinforced at areas where the most wear and tear is expected, like the fingertips and knuckles, and have an elastic cuff that makes them easy to take on and off. The gloves are also touchscreen-compatible, and available in both single pairs and packs of three.
Editor’s pick
“My landlord gave me a large stack of these gloves a few years ago and I’ve been using them in my garden ever since,” says Nikki Brown, NBC Select senior editor. “They’re snug and not too thick so I can still feel the soil and plants I’m working with. I also know that going glove-free isn’t an option with my acrylic nails, so these gloves feel like a happy medium, especially with the anti-slip dots that make gripping things easier. When I’m working with anything wet, I’ll either double up or layer with a pair of rubber gloves but more often than not, these alone suffice. And they’re machine-washable, which is why I haven’t had to order a new pair yet, though I recommend air-drying to keep the blue dots intact longer.”
Best gauntlet gardening gloves
These gloves are soft on the inside and durable on the outside, according to the brand, and another favorite of DeVito’s. They’re prickproof and extra-long for added protection from any thorns or rough plants and brush you might be working with. The gloves are also padded on the palms for another layer of comfort, says Duluth.
Best leather gardening gloves
This form-fitting pair also comes recommended by DeVito because they’re smooth, supple, and pliable enough to be used for everyday gardening. To clean them, the brand recommends hand washing the gloves in cold water with a mild detergent.
Best value gardening gloves
These gauntlet gloves are the pruning go-to for Bawden-Davis. They provide extended protection along the forearms, and are also comfortable and soft, she says. The gloves are reinforced along the palms and fingertips for added puncture protection, and come in a range of colors
Best lightweight gardening gloves
For general gardening chores like potting plants and cleaning, Bawden-Davis recommends this dual pack of nitrile gloves from Wildflower Tools. “They are very comfortable and feel like a second skin, which makes garden tasks really easy while protecting your hands,” she says. They can also be machine-washed.
These gloves have a knitted base that gives you a lightweight, breathable fit while you garden, according to the brand. They have padded fingertips to help further protect your nails and hands, and a long cuff that protects your wrists from scratches and dirt. These gloves are also machine-washable.
Best aesthetic gloves
Brown also recommends these gloves from Style Selections, which are designed with an extra-long cuff and adjustable wrist loops for max comfort, according to the brand. They’re made from 100% buffalo leather that can withstand the wear and tear of your garden, and have a poly-blend material on the back for added breathability. The gloves also have a beautiful floral design that adds a touch of fun to your gardening workdays.
Best UPF gloves
These sleeves are designed to keep your arms protected from bug bites, scratches, and UV exposure. It has a UPF of over 50, and is made from a poly-spandex fabric that helps to cool and wick sweat from your skin, according to the brand. The sleeves are available in sizes ranging from small to XXL, and in floral and green colors.
Best cool weather gloves
Brown likes to use these gloves for her fall gardening, when the air is a bit chillier and the gardening requires a lot of soil work. They have a thick material that keeps your hands from getting cold, and also goes a long way toward keeping your manicure intact, says Brown. They’re made from a cowhide leather and have padded knuckles and reinforced fingertips for added protection.
Best splurge
These gloves are made from hand-stiched leather with a heavy nylon thread to keep the stitches from coming loose. The seams are on the outside of the glove for added interior comfort, and the fingertips are double-stitched for extra protection, according to the brand. The gloves are available in two lengths, standard and short, however, they tend to run big so the brand recommends double-checking your sizing before buying.
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How I picked the best gardening gloves
Aside from a few editor picks, all of the gardening gloves on our list come recommended by the experts I spoke to. The list also includes gauntlets, which are gloves with longer cuffs — these are best for pruning or working with thorny plants, according to DeVito.
Although some options may be labeled as women’s gloves, gardeners of any gender can benefit from each option. A variety of materials — cloth, rubber and leather — are included since each one is best for specific tasks– more details on this, and other shopping advice is also below.
How to shop for gardening gloves
When shopping for gardening gloves, experts suggest taking into account the glove’s material and sizing. DeVito also recommends buying more than one pair, and getting bright colors so they can be easily found around your garden.
What materials are best for gardening gloves?
Gardening gloves often come in cloth, leather and rubber materials, all of which are best for different gardening activities, according to DeVito. For all-purpose use, she suggests using lightweight, stretchy fabric and cloth materials that allow for a soft feel and breathability. However, she warns against buying solely fabric gloves — “they never last,” she says. Instead, she recommends fabric gloves with rubber palms, which she says are “practical but also give you a good, tactile feeling while gardening.” For heavier garden chores, DeVito suggests leather or rubber gloves. Because of their thicker weight, they’re also ideal for wintertime — She likes leather “to keep [her] hands warm and to protect them from getting hurt.”
How do you find your gardening glove size?
If you’re shopping in-person, try on the gloves if possible to check how well they fit and move with your hands. When shopping online, DeVito suggests measuring your palm width — “Most good online sources have a guide based on palm width or middle finger length,” she says.
What length is best for gardening gloves?
Gardening gloves come in a variety of lengths, from gloves ending at the wrist to gloves that reach well past your elbows. For everyday gardening tasks, you may not need longer gloves — gloves coming to the wrist or mid forearm are a great option for activities like watering, seeding, and smaller pruning jobs. If you’re doing more rigorous work, or handling thorn, brush or prickly plants, longer, full-arm gloves (like the gauntlets above) work best.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, because gardening gloves protect your hands not only from thorns or scratchy plants, but sharp tools and potential soil contaminants, says DeVito. This makes gardening gloves a safety essential for outdoor work, and a must-have for both beginner and more seasoned gardeners, especially gardeners with sensitive skin.
How often you wash your gardening gloves will depend on how often you use them. For avid gardeners, DeVito suggests washing them once weekly, or whenever they get very dirty.
The way your gardening gloves should be washed will change depending on the material and design. While some gloves are easily machine-washable, some require hand-washing to stay in the best condition possible. Many gloves come with instructions either on the tag, within the packaging or on the brand’s website.
Meet our gardening experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Carmen DeVito is the founder of garden and landscape design company Garden Cult and a certified New York State landscape professional.
- Julie Bawden-Davis is a professional gardener and founder of Healthy Houseplants, and the author of “Indoor Gardening the Organic Way” and “Southern California Vegetable Gardening.”
Why trust NBC Select?
I am an associate SEO reporter for NBC Select covering skin care, wellness, home and kitchen and more, including stories on everything you need to garden and the best indoor garden kits. For this piece, I interviewed two gardening experts on the best gardening gloves, including their guidance, recommendations and tips for purchasing one of your own.
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