Using a touchscreen phone while wearing winter gloves is frequently as easy as trying to read a book in the dark: you can’t use one without rendering the other essentially unusable. Claire Sturzaker, a travel writer and the creator of the travel site Tales of a Backpacker, believes that when it comes to gloves, warmth and functionality are frequently compromised. The structure and material of the gloves, especially the fingertips, are the key to the trick.
I asked winter clothing experts like Sturzaker for advice and suggestions in order to identify the top touchscreen-friendly gloves.
GO Ahead and SkipWhy should I trust NBC Select? How did I choose the best gloves that are compatible with touchscreens?
Selected.
-
Best overall glovesThe North Face Etip Recycled Gloves
$45.00$45.00The North Face
Learn more
-
Best for runningLululemon Women’s Fast and Free Fleece Running Gloves
$42.00$42.00Lululemon
Learn more
-
Best for winter sportsJanji Vortex Wind Block Gloves
$42.00$42.00Scheels
Learn more
-
Best wool touchscreen glovesSmartwool Thermal Merino Gloves
$40.00$40.00Smartwool
Learn more
How I picked the best touchscreen gloves
When selecting gloves that work with smartphone and tablet touchscreens, there are a few key factors to take into account. When compiling this list, I kept the following in mind:
-
Conductive material:
Look for touchscreen gloves made of warm insulated fabric, such as fleece or cashmere, that s also thin enough to use with a touchscreen phone, especially the fingertips. Gloves should have conductive fingertips (commonly made of metal fibers or conductive synthetic materials) to allow touchscreen use, says Eric Mooradian, the vice president of product development at online retailerHeat Holders
. Some brands refer to this as touchscreen conductive fabric or touchscreen compatible gloves. The fingertips often have a different texture or weave that makes it easier for your phone or tablet to detect your finger. All of the gloves on this list include touchscreen-friendly features, and some also have grips in the palms to keep tech from sliding out of your hand.
-
Size:
Look for close-fitting gloves if they re too big then they won t be as effective, says Stuzaker. If they re too tight, however, then they re not only uncomfortable, but could restrict the movement of your palm and fingers. The majority of gloves on this list come in at least three different sizes. -
Water resistance and absorbency:
Depending on how sweaty your palms get, some of that moisture can permeate the gloves and come in contact with your phone, which could potentially affect how well they work. Think about any time you ve tried to use your phone with a sweaty or lotion-covered hand it s usually harder to do. In addition to a fabric that is warm and flexible, you also want one that is absorbent so it can wick sweat from your hands, especially if you plan to run or exercise while wearing them. The gloves on our list also have absorbent properties, according to their brands.
Related
How to stay safe when running in cold weather
Would you want more from NBC Select?Shop more wisely by subscribing to our newsletter, The Selection.
The best touchscreen-friendly gloves
The touchscreen-friendly gloves on this list are either well regarded products with at least a 4-star average rating from 500 or more Amazon reviews (or from at least 50 reviews on their respective brand sites) or direct recommendations from professionals or NBC Select employees. A few of the gloves on this list are also from companies that we have reviewed and used.
Best overall touchscreen-friendly gloves:
The North Face Etip Recycled Gloves
The North Face Etip Recycled Gloves
- Many sizes available
- Silicone grip palms
- Cuffs have a clip
- Nothing to note at this time
The Etip Recycled gloves are composed of an elastic fleece material that moves in multiple directions and have touchscreen-friendly fingertips. They have an average rating of over four stars based on 996 reviews at The North Face. Additionally, the cuffs of the gloves feature a clasp that holds the two gloves together so one doesn’t disappear, and there are many silicone dots on the inside of the palms to prevent your phone from slipping out of your hands. Additionally, they come in a wider range of sizes than all but one of the other options on this list.
Fabric: fleece | Maintenance: n/a | Available sizes: 6
Best touchscreen gloves for running:
Lululemon Women s Fast and Free Fleece Running Gloves
Lululemon Women’s Fast and Free Fleece Running Gloves
- Comes in many sizes
- Silicone grip in palms
- Only one color available
These running and touchscreen-friendly gloves, which are also available in men’s sizes, are suggested by NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin, a seasoned long-distance runner who claims that they are the best for all of her daily sprints since they snap together, making it simple to keep them in place. I always wear these gloves when I run outside in cold weather because they save my hands from freezing and allow me to use my phone because the fabric on the fingers conducts the screen, she explains. I can quickly switch up my music, check my map, and text someone back. According to Lululemon, the thumb is composed of a particularly absorbent fleece fabric and the fingertips are compatible with touchscreens, making it ideal for removing perspiration from the face.
Material: fleece | Maintenance: cold water machine wash | Available sizes: 4
Warmest touchscreen-friendly gloves:
Uniqlo Heattech Lined Gloves
Heattech Lined Gloves
- Ultra warming
- Has elastic cuffs
- Repels water well
- Hand-washing recommended
According to the brand, you don’t have to give up phone conversations for warmth because the interior of these gloves is made of touchscreen-compatible fabric, while the exterior is also made of Uniqlo’s well-known and incredibly warm Heattech fabric. The material on the glove’s back helps keep out moisture, such as rain, even though it isn’t completely waterproof. In order to keep hands warm, the gloves’ cuffs are likewise elastic and fit snugly around the wrists.
Material: polyester; wash your hands with cold water;Options for size: 2
Best touchscreen gloves for winter sports:
Janji Vortex Wind Block Gloves
Janji Vortex Wind Block Gloves
- Has reflective tape
- Has extra-long cuffs
- Comes with mittens
- Material could be softer
The touchscreen-enabled Vortex Wind Block gloves, which are recommended by NBC Select editorial director and marathon runner Lauren Swanson, are adaptable and suitable for a variety of winter activities and workouts, including running and hiking in the snow. “The outer mitten layer adds extra defense against wind, but the inner layer doesn’t trap heat as well as other gloves I’ve tried,” she says. I can easily navigate my phone or Garmin watch thanks to the touchscreen pads on my thumb and forefinger. The gloves themselves have a silicone-pattern texture on the fingertips and are composed of a stretchy fleece material that wicks away perspiration. In order to improve visibility in the dark, the mittens also have a reflective line of tape.
Material: polyester; Maintenance: n/a; Available sizes: 3
Best fleece touchscreen gloves:
Alo Performance Fleece Gloves
Alo Performance Fleece Gloves
- Made from soft fleece
- Wicks sweat
- Multiple sizes
- Hand-washing recommended
Alo claims that the fingertips of these performance fleece gloves are compatible with touchscreens. You don’t have to worry about your tech being covered in palm perspiration because the absorbent fabric also wicks moisture away from the front and back of your hands. The brand advises washing them by hand in cold water and drying them with a towel.
Material: fleece; washing instructions: hand in cold water; available sizes: 3
Best gripping touchscreen gloves:
Achiou Touchscreen Soft-Knit Winter Gloves
Achiou Touchscreen Soft-Knit Winter Gloves
- Silicone grip palms
- Available in many colors
- Made from flexible material
- Hand-washing recommended
With a 4.3-star average rating based on 59,539 reviews on Amazon, these winter gloves are perfect for use with touchscreen-enabled devices because, according to the makers, the palms contain several silicone patches that make it easy to hold your phone and the fingertips have a feel that is sensor-friendly. Regardless of your activities, hands will stay warm thanks to the soft-knit fabric used for the remainder of the glove.
Material: spandex, polyester, and acrylic; wash by hand in cold water;Options for size: 6
Best cashmere touchscreen gloves:
Quince Mongolian Cashmere Gloves
Quince Mongolian Cashmere Gloves
- Has long cuffs
- Extremely soft
- Available in many colors
- Only one size available
The commerce editor for NBC SelectDue in large part to Quince’s expertise in producing incredibly soft, premium materials like cashmere, Lindsay Schneider and I are major admirers of the clothing and bedding line. These gloves come in more than five muted tones and have an average rating of 4.7 stars based on 1,067 reviews on Quince. According to the brand, they boast a breathable weave, long cuffs that you can tuck under the sleeves of your coat or jacket, and touchscreen-friendly fingertips.
Cashmere material; wash by hand in cold water; available in one size.
Best merino wool touchscreen gloves:
Smartwool Thermal Merino Gloves
Smartwool Thermal Merino Gloves
- Long cuffs
- Available in many sizes
- Machine washable
- Nothing to note at this time
Smartwool, which is well-known for promoting the warmth and softness of merino wool, produces some of the greatest winter accessories, such as these touchscreen-enabled, thermoregulating gloves. With the thumb and index finger of the gloves being touchscreen compatible, you can use your phone both vertically and horizontally to type, scroll, or favorite videos. The gloves fit tight to the skin without sacrificing breathability. Based on 139 reviews, the gloves have an average rating of 4.1 stars on Smartwool.
Material: Merino wool; washing instructions: machine in cold water; available sizes: 5
Outdoor Research Women s Flurry Sensor Gloves
Outdoor Research Women’s Flurry Sensor Gloves
- Has attachable clips
- Silicone grip material
- Wicks sweat
- Only one color available
These gloves, which have a 4.6-star average rating based on 62 reviews at REI, are specifically made to keep hands warm while also making using a touchscreen device simple. Because of this, the silicone grip material on the palms and fingers enables your phone or tablet to detect your touch or swipe. The gloves, which are composed of a wool and polyester combination, feature tapered cuffs with loops that allow you to pull them on.
Composition: wool, nylon, and polyester; maintenance: n/a; available sizes: 3
Related
Experts explain why you can t wear your traditional cotton socks when working out
How to shop for touchscreen-friendly gloves
When looking for touchscreen-friendly gloves, there are a few things to take into account in addition to your budget and lifestyle. Here are some considerations that our specialists advise:
Exercise
Sweat from your palms is more likely to flow through your gloves the more you move. For instance, it’s crucial to think about gloves that are lightweight, warm, and absorbent—think cashmere or fleece—if you work out frequently or commute on foot. In order to avoid stains and smells, you will also need to wash the gloves more frequently. Remember that hand washing is the best way to clean most gloves.
Insulation
Mooradian advises searching for gloves that state that they have both an exterior touchscreen-conductive material and an interior insulated liner. In order to keep your body warm, insulated products help retain and trap heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Regular winter gloves are meant to keep your fingers and palms warm, especially in brutally cold wind, which is why many of them are made of super warm material like wool. However, a touchscreen finds it more difficult to detect gloves that are very thick or fuzzy. Touchscreen gloves have fingers made with touchscreen-conductive materials and gripping formulated for electronic devices, according to Mooradian.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we collaborate with professionals that possess specific expertise and power derived from pertinent education and/or job experience. Additionally, we take precautions to guarantee that all professional counsel and suggestions are given impartially and free from unreported financial conflicts of interest.
-
Claire Sturzaker
is a freelance travel writer and the founder of the travel blogTales of a Backpacker
. She regularly writes about winter travel advice and resources.
-
Eric Mooradian
is a vice president of product development atHeat Holders
, an online winter apparel and gear retailer.
Why trust NBC Select?
I m acommerce editorat NBC Select, where I write about home, kitchen and lifestyle topics. I ve also reported on winter accessories such aselectric blankets,how to clean beaniesand REI s winter sale. I spoke with travel and winter sports and apparel experts for their guidance for this story.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok to stay up to speed, and watch NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of technology and tools, wellness, and more.