The 7 Best Anti Vibration Gloves
Updated by · How we research
Seven jackhammer, grinder and saw gloves ranked by vibration certification, padding and fit. The Portwest A790 leads with a published lab result and low price. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
No glove makes a jackhammer safe. The lab test for vibration gloves doesn't measure the slow, heavy pounding that breakers produce, and even certified gloves trim only part of the buzz from grinders and sanders. They still add grip, warmth and padding. If you run a breaker, rotary hammer or saw for work, these gloves have real test claims behind them.
Editor's Notes
October 26, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Admin:
The Portwest A790 takes the top spot because it's the cheapest certified glove we found, and Portwest prints the glove's actual lab numbers from the vibration test on its spec sheet instead of a bare pass. The Ergodyne ProFlex 9015F(x) follows for heavy demolition, and the Ergodyne ProFlex 9012 adds wrist support.
Six of the ten gloves ranked here before were impact or rigger gloves. The Ironclad Wrenchworx, Mechanix MPT-58-010, Seibertron High-Vis, Vgo Rigger and both Handlandy pairs guard against bumps and scrapes, but none carries a vibration certificate we could confirm, so they're gone. The Cestus TrembleX is gone because of availability concerns.
The Ergodyne ProFlex 9000 stays, lower down, because Ergodyne's own spec sheet doesn't claim the vibration test for it. Both Superior Glove Vibrastop gloves stay, the S10VIB knit and the VIBGHFV half-finger leather pair. The Impacto BlackMaxx ISO is new.
The page covers gloves sold for vibrating tools, and we kept only those with a vibration standard behind them. We checked each glove's certification against the maker's own spec sheet, read NIOSH and British safety guidance on what the glove test leaves out, and looked for recalls. The guide explains why even the best glove is the last line of defense on a jackhammer.
June 25, 2021:
We're pleased to report that our previous suggestions are all still great choices, and in fact span a wide range of use cases. If vibration is your only focus, the Cestus TrembleX remain at the top because of their superior ventilation. If you prefer full-finger protection, the Ironclad Wrenchworx are a great and affordable model, and heavily reinforced models like the Mechanix MPT-58-010 and Seibertron High-Vis are perfect for high-risk construction or contracting work.
March 25, 2020:
Though described as vibration-resistant gloves, it appears the Healthcom Level 5 do not provide any such benefits, instead offering protection from heat and cuts. We removed this from the list due to irrelevance.
We noted that in addition to their bright orange color, the Handlandy Impact feature a reflective strip on the wrist, which makes these a good option for road crews and construction workers who are on the job at night or early in the morning.
Both new additions can be cleaned in the washing machine. Users of the Superior S10VIB note that while the thick padding provides ample protection, it can limit dexterity when handling certain equipment. The Mechanix MPT-58-010 are suitable for an array of activities, from construction or working on cars to biking over rough terrain.
Special Honors
Forcefield Anti-Vibration Gloves Forcefield, a Canadian safety-gear maker, sells its own range of vibration-damping gloves direct, including gel-palm gloves with high cut resistance and Delta Force padded goatskin gloves. It's worth a look for crews that need cut protection and some palm padding in one glove. Check each model's standards before buying, since the collection mixes certified and uncertified designs. forcefieldcanada.com
What The Vibration Glove Test Covers
If only the seller makes the claim, and the maker's spec sheet doesn't, treat it as unproven.
Gloves sold for vibrating tools are tested under ISO 10819, and the American version is ANSI S2.73. A lab shakes a handle while a person grips it through the glove, and sensors measure how much vibration reaches the palm. The CDC's NIOSH summary of ANSI S2.73 says the test runs from 25 to 1,250 cycles a second, and the damping material has to cover the palm, fingers and thumb. That's why half-finger gloves can't fully pass the current version.
The result comes as two ratios: how much of the mid-range buzz gets through, and how much of the high-pitched buzz. A ratio under 1 means the glove cut some vibration. Portwest publishes both for the A790: about 0.87 in the middle band and 0.60 in the high band. In plain terms, it trims roughly 13 percent of the mid-range buzz and 40 percent of the high-pitched buzz. Many makers only state that a glove passed.
Check which edition a glove meets. The 2013 edition replaced the 1996 one with stricter rules, and the Ergodyne ProFlex 9015F(x) and Impacto BlackMaxx ISO cite the newer one. If only the seller makes the claim, and the maker's spec sheet doesn't, treat it as unproven.
Why Gloves Help Least On A Jackhammer
Jackhammers, breakers and tampers hit slowly and hard, and most of that energy sits below what the glove test measures. The British Safety Industry Federation's Bad Vibrations guide notes that the test doesn't cover low-frequency vibration and calls certified gloves very limited as protection against hand-arm vibration syndrome. Grinders, sanders and chainsaws buzz at higher pitches, where padding does more.
The Laborers' Health and Safety Fund of North America sums up a NIOSH study: few glove designs cut the vibration reaching the palm, results depended heavily on the tool, and gloves can't be relied on alone. Hand-arm vibration syndrome starts as tingling, numbness and fingers that turn white, and the damage can become permanent.
The controls that work come first. Use a lower-vibration tool or one with damped handles, keep bits and chisels sharp, let the tool do the work rather than leaning on it, and take regular breaks. Cold makes symptoms worse, so warm hands matter, which the eLCOSH hand-arm vibration checklist also stresses. See a doctor early if numbness lingers after work.
Impact Gloves, Fit And Care
Many gloves sold as anti-vibration are impact gloves: mechanic's gloves with rubber armor on the knuckles and some foam or gel in the palm. They protect against bumps and pinches, but most carry no vibration certificate. Chainsaw Journal makes the same point about popular impact gloves. If you want both, a certified glove with knuckle armor, such as the Ergodyne ProFlex 9015F(x), covers each job.
Fit matters more than padding thickness. A glove that's too thick or too loose makes you squeeze harder to hold the tool, and a tighter grip passes more vibration into the hand. Choose a close fit with no loose cuff near spinning bits, grinders or drills. Knit gloves with pods are thin and flexible, while leather and armored gloves trade some feel for wear resistance.
Knit gloves like the Superior Glove Vibrastop S10VIB can go in the washer; let them air-dry. Wipe leather gloves clean and let them dry away from heat. Replace any pair once the pods crack, tear or press flat, since worn padding does little.
How we researched this
We compared 16 gloves sold for vibrating tools and screened eight in depth. We checked each finalist's vibration certification against the maker's spec sheet where one exists, read NIOSH and British safety guidance on what the glove test covers, analyzed patterns in owner feedback, and checked every brand for recalls with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Sources (11)
- Portwest: A790 anti-vibration glove
- Ergodyne: ProFlex 9015F(x) certified anti-vibration gloves
- Ergodyne: ProFlex 9012 certified anti-vibration gloves with wrist support
- Ergodyne: ProFlex 9000 spec sheet
- Impacto: BlackMaxx ISO
- CDC NIOSH PPE-Info: ANSI S2.73 / ISO 10819
- British Safety Industry Federation: Bad Vibrations
- LHSFNA: Reducing the Risk for Vibration Injuries
- eLCOSH: Hand-Arm Vibration Checklist
- Chainsaw Journal: anti-vibration gloves review
- Forcefield: anti-vibration gloves collection
Frequently asked questions
Do anti-vibration gloves actually work?
Partly. Certified gloves cut some of the high-pitched buzz from grinders, sanders and saws, but NIOSH found few designs reduce vibration at the palm much, and they help least with slow, heavy tools. Use them along with low-vibration tools and regular breaks.
What are the best gloves for jackhammer work?
A full-finger glove certified to ISO 10819 or ANSI S2.73, such as the Portwest A790, which Portwest makes for jackhammers and breakers. For rough demolition, the Ergodyne ProFlex 9015F(x) adds knuckle armor. No glove removes a jackhammer's low-frequency pounding, so limit time on the tool.
Are impact gloves the same as anti-vibration gloves?
No. Impact gloves armor the knuckles and back of the hand against bumps. Vibration gloves have damping material on the palm and fingers and are tested under ISO 10819. A few gloves do both.
Can anti-vibration gloves prevent hand-arm vibration syndrome?
Not on their own. Safety agencies treat gloves as a last step after choosing lower-vibration tools, keeping them maintained and limiting daily trigger time. Keep hands warm, and see a doctor if tingling or numbness lasts after work.
What does ISO 10819 certification mean?
A lab measured how much vibration passes through the glove to the palm in a mid and a high frequency band, and the glove stayed under set limits. The test doesn't cover the lowest frequencies, and the current edition dates from 2013.
Are half-finger anti-vibration gloves worth it?
They give better trigger feel and grip on small parts, but the fingers get no damping or protection, and the current test requires damping on the fingers. Choose full-finger gloves for long shifts on heavy tools.
