Nitril, Latex oder Vinyl? Medizinische Einmalhandschuhe im Vergleich

Medical Disposable Gloves Compared: Nitrile, Latex, Vinyl

4 min reading time

For most examinations in practices and hospitals, powder-free nitrile gloves are widely used today: they are latex-free, tear-resistant and resistant to many chemicals. Latex gloves offer the finest tactile sensitivity but carry an allergy risk. Vinyl gloves suit short tasks with low strain. For purchasing, EN 455, the AQL value and fit also matter.

Nitrile, latex and vinyl at a glance

Disposable gloves are part of the basic equipment of every medical facility. The three common materials differ clearly in durability, tactile sensitivity, chemical resistance and allergy potential. The table summarises their typical properties. The information provided by the respective manufacturer in the product data sheet always takes precedence.

Property	Nitrile	Latex	Vinyl
Material	Synthetic rubber	Natural rubber latex	PVC with plasticisers
Latex-free	Yes	No	Yes
Tear resistance	High	High	Low to medium
Tactile sensitivity and elasticity	Good	Very good	Limited, looser fit
Chemical resistance	Resistant to many substances	Medium	Low
Typical use	Examination, care, laboratory, cleaning	Tasks requiring high dexterity	Short tasks with low strain

Strengths and limits of each material

Nitrile gloves

Nitrile is latex-free, mechanically robust and resistant to many chemicals. This makes nitrile gloves suitable for a wide range of examinations and tasks, and they are widely used in practices, hospitals, care facilities and laboratories. If the material is damaged, it usually tears visibly, so a defect is noticed quickly. For users who react to vulcanisation accelerators, some manufacturers offer accelerator-free versions.

Latex gloves

Latex offers very good tactile sensitivity and high elasticity; the glove fits closely and adapts to the hand. The risk of latex allergy in users and patients must be considered. Many facilities therefore rely on latex-free alternatives or stock both variants. The German Technical Rules for Biological Agents (TRBA 250) provide for powder-free, low-allergen latex gloves in healthcare.

Vinyl gloves

Vinyl is latex-free and is often used as an economical solution, but it is less tear-resistant, less elastic and less resistant to chemicals. Vinyl gloves are suitable for short, low-risk tasks with little mechanical strain, such as simple cleaning or service work.

Standards and labelling: EN 455, EN ISO 374 and AQL

Medical disposable gloves are medical devices and must comply with the EN 455 series of standards. It covers, among other things, freedom from holes, physical properties such as tensile strength, biological evaluation and shelf life. Further information can be found on the packaging and in the data sheet:

AQL (Acceptable Quality Level): describes the statistical sampling inspection for holes. EN 455-1 requires an AQL of 1.5 for medical gloves. A lower value, such as 1.0 or 0.65, stands for stricter inspection criteria.
EN ISO 374-1: protection against chemicals, classified as Type A, B or C according to the number of substances tested and the breakthrough time.
EN ISO 374-5: protection against microorganisms. The addition "VIRUS" shows that the glove has also been tested against viruses.
Dual classification: Many gloves are both a medical device under the MDR (EU) 2017/745 and personal protective equipment under Regulation (EU) 2016/425, Category III. They therefore protect both patients and staff.

How to check declarations of conformity when purchasing is explained in our article on MDR and CE marking in procurement.

Powdered or powder-free, sterile or non-sterile?

Powder-free gloves are the standard today. Powder can release particles and, with latex, bind allergens, which is why powdered versions are rarely purchased any more. Sterile gloves are used for aseptic tasks. They are packed in pairs, often available in half sizes and anatomically shaped for the right and left hand. Non-sterile examination gloves for general examinations come in dispenser boxes and fit either hand.

Checklist for purchasing gloves

Material: matched to the task and to known allergies within the team
Sizes: stock XS to XL for all staff; sterile gloves usually come in half sizes
Thickness and length: thinner gloves for more tactile sensitivity, thicker versions or extended cuffs for tasks with higher strain
Standards: EN 455, where required EN ISO 374-1 and EN ISO 374-5, AQL value in the data sheet
Packaging unit: On ShopMed24, each supplier sets its own packaging unit; the details are shown on the product page
Accessories: plan suitable wall-mounted glove dispensers and hand disinfection products at the same time
Storage: cool, dry and protected from light; keep an eye on the expiry date

Which mask suits which level of protection is explained in our article FFP2 or surgical mask.

Related categories:

Frequently asked questions

Which glove is suitable for people with allergies?

Latex-free gloves such as nitrile or vinyl reduce the risk of a latex allergy. Anyone who reacts to vulcanisation accelerators can find accelerator-free nitrile gloves from some manufacturers.

Nitrile or latex: which is more robust?

Nitrile is usually more tear-resistant and more resistant to chemicals. Latex scores on tactile sensitivity and elasticity.

What are vinyl gloves suitable for?

For short, low-risk tasks with low mechanical and chemical strain.

What does AQL 1.5 mean for gloves?

The AQL defines how strictly a batch is sample-tested for holes. EN 455-1 requires an AQL of 1.5 for medical gloves; lower values stand for stricter inspection criteria.

Are examination gloves automatically protective gloves?

No. A product only counts as a protective glove if it has also been assessed as PPE under Regulation (EU) 2016/425, usually with proof according to EN ISO 374. The details are stated on the packaging and in the data sheet.

Examination and protective gloves from various manufacturers can be found in the Gloves & masks category. Looking for a specific model or a particular size? Send us a product request.