While regular gloves only act as a barrier to keep your hands warm by trapping the heat of your hands, infrared-heated gloves use resistive elements (often carbon fiber) that warm the glove to keep your hands warm and temporarily increase local blood flow.
The warmth you feel comes mainly from direct heat transfer.
(Some gloves also claim to emit far-infrared energy, but the main therapeutic effect is still heat)
Infrared gloves directly warm your hands, providing a cozy and comfortable feeling even in cold temperatures, and improving blood circulation, which is very beneficial for people with hand arthritis, swelling, wrist pain, carpal tunnel, Raynaud’s, trigger fingers, and chronic cold hands.
(If you need deeper or more targeted relief, red light therapy wraps and infrared therapy devices can also help with neuropathy and chronic hand pain)
Overview
Key Points
- Electric heated gloves provide controlled warmth that can help reduce hand stiffness and discomfort from arthritis, especially in cold conditions.
- Battery-powered heated gloves work differently from compression or LED therapy gloves and should be chosen based on heat level, fit, and safety features.
- If heat is not comfortable or suitable, non-heated options such as compression gloves or red light therapy wraps may be better alternatives.
👉 In a Hurry?
See my short comparison table or jump to my detailed heated gloves reviews below.
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What is an Infrared Therapy Glove?
An infrared therapy glove uses body-emitted or electrical heat to boost blood circulation in your hands, fingers, and wrist.
To understand infrared radiation, think of it as a form of heat energy that you can’t see with your eyes but can feel on your skin.
It’s like the heat you experience when you hold your hands near a warm cup of tea or sit close to a bonfire.
Infrared gloves can significantly relieve symptoms such as hand and finger pain, stiffness, numbness, tingling, and wrist pain.
Occupational therapists may recommend infrared therapy gloves to people living with arthritis, neuropathy, Raynaud’s, strained hand ligaments, and more.
👉 For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, I recommend a heated wrist wrap and a heated hand massager!
There are plenty of heat therapy gloves on the market:
- Some are made with heat-retaining infrared (ceramic) fabric
- Some are electric (battery-operated) FIR gloves
- Some are microwaveable.
Some cover the entire hand and fingers, and others leave the top of the fingers exposed.
👉 I also recommend heated socks for people with Neuropathy, Diabetes, and all conditions causing cold or achy feet.
So, what’s the difference between all these therapeutic heated gloves?
Bio-Ceramic Gloves vs. Electric Heated Gloves
Bio Ceramic gloves (also known as Arthritis gloves) are usually designed to be somewhat tight – to add compression therapy to the heat and promote more blood circulation.
They mostly cover only the lower part of your fingers, and you’ll need to wear them for at least 8 hours a day to get the full benefits.
Electric heated gloves cover the entire hand, fingers, and wrist, are electrically heated, have various heat settings, and you’ll need less treatment time.
However, they are bigger and heavier and do not offer compression therapy.
Also, you won’t be able to work with your hands while they are on (but you can sleep comfortably with them).
Important: Not all “infrared” gloves work the same way.
- Heated gloves use warmth to relax tissues and improve your comfort.
- LED gloves use red and near-infrared light for photobiomodulation, not heat.
The Best Infrared Heated Gloves
Through our research, here are the top-rated heated gloves:
1. Savior Arthritis Heated Gloves – Longest Battery Life
- Heat – High (3 settings)
- Compression – Low
- Battery life – 3-6 hours per charge
✅ Pros – soft and flexible, leather palm so you won’t lose your grip when you need it the most, can be used for outdoor activities, reasonable price, well-made and stylish
❌ Cons – Difficult to sleep with (makes hands hot and itchy), not as effective in temperatures below 10°F
VIEW ON AMAZON $149
The Savior battery-operated heated gloves emit infrared rays via carbon fiber fabric and heating elements and can be set to 3 different temperature settings (Low/Medium/High) – which is ideal for Arthritis, Carpal Tunnel, Raynaud’s, and outdoor activities.
The Savior gloves are made with an external layer of 40% lambskin and 60% polyester – breathable, water-resistant, and wind-resistant.
They feel warm even before you turn them on.
The internal part is made of a soft pearl cotton insulation layer with heat elements and a pair of 2200mAh rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.
They cover the entire hand and come in 5 sizes to choose from – to ensure a perfect fit.
They are 100% portable, waterproof, and wind-resistant, and are designed for use in a variety of outdoor activities, including winter sports, but they can also be used for hand pain treatment, including Fibromyalgia.
However, the gloves are not as effective in temperatures below 10°F.
I recommend using these gloves for at least 2-4 hours, twice a day, to get the full benefits.
What to Expect
Immediate warmth; with daily heat sessions, stiffness typically eases in 1–2 weeks, pain scores down by 3–4 weeks.
Available on Amazon ($149)
2. Sharper Image LED Hand Pain Relief Mitten – Best LED Gloves
- Heat – low (red light wavelength)
- Compression – None
- Battery life – 40 minutes per charge
- Treatment time – 20 minutes
✅ Pros – uses infrared and red light to relax muscles and improve circulation, can be used at home or while traveling
❌ Cons – may not fit all hand sizes comfortably, limits hand usage
LED therapy gloves do not actively heat the hand, but the LEDs can produce a mild, gentle warmth during use, which is different from the stronger, adjustable heat provided by electric heated gloves.
The Sharper Image LED Hand Pain Relief Mitten treats all types of hand pain, including Carpal Tunnel, arthritis, neuropathy, and repetitive stress injuries, and it’s a one-size-fits-all glove.
These red LED light therapy gloves increase blood circulation and healing through red (660 nm) and near-infrared (880 nm) LEDs. 
Only the red LEDs can be seen; infrared bulbs emit invisible infrared rays.
They are rechargeable (cordless) and portable, so you can easily take them with you anywhere, or just relax in front of the TV.
The battery lasts for about 40 minutes per charge.
According to some customer reviews, 20 minutes generally eliminates pain temporarily, and 40 minutes seems to keep it away for days!
What to Expect
With 20 min, 3-5×/week, symptom relief in 2-4 weeks, and bigger gains by 6-8 weeks.
Available at Sharper Image ($144)
3. Sun Will Heated Glove Liners – Best for Typing & Phone
- Heat – Medium, 3 heat settings
- Compression – None
- Battery life – 3-7 hours (depending on setting)
- Material – Lycra & Polyestr blend
✅ Pros – ultra-thin design – thin enough for everyday tasks like typing on a keyboard, heating on back of hands, fingers and fingertips, battery-powered, 3 heat settings
❌ Cons – only the thumb and index finger have touchscreen material
VIEW ON AMAZON $92
The Sun Will heated gloves are one of the thinnest electric warming gloves you’ll find.
They provide the heat you need without the bulkiness of hot packs and thick fabrics.
You can easily use them for typing and other daily tasks, and they are touchscreen-compatible!
With a simple push of a button, you turn them on and choose from 3 levels of heat.
They are best for indoor use, but they can also be used outdoors as heated glove liners (great for skiing).
They are very comfortable and not too bad on the eyes.
They are powered by a pair of rechargeable lithium batteries (7.4V 2200 mAh) that keep your hands toasty warm for up to 6 hours, anywhere and anytime you want.
However, they are unsuitable for trigger finger relief and not warm enough for sub-zero temperatures.
What to Expect
Instant warmth; with daily heat, stiffness usually improves in 1–2 weeks, pain by 3–4 weeks.
Available on Amazon ($92)
Can’t Tolerate Heat? Non-Heated Arthritis Gloves to Consider
The gloves below do not use electric heat and are included only as alternatives for people who cannot tolerate warmth or need all-day wear.
1. Intellinetix Vibrating Gloves 
- Compression – moderate
- Vibration – moderate
- Battery life – 30-40 minutes per charge
✅ Pros – offer pain relief through compression & vibration for arthritis, Parkinson’s, and fibromyalgia, can help calm nerves and improve sensation
❌ Cons – The vibration feature requires an hour of charge between every half hour of use, is relatively expensive, and can’t be used while doing housework
VIEW ON AMAZON $120
Vibration is a subtle yet effective method of increasing blood circulation and warming that can help hand numbness and pain – without being too aggressive.
The Intellinetix soft and breathable gloves slip on just like any other glove, but then, with a push of a button, it starts vibrating gently through small motors inside the fabric, and low, gentle heat spreads around your hand.
You’ll only need 20-30 minutes twice a day for long-lasting results, but these vibrating gloves can run for 40 minutes without recharging (with a USB cable).
What to Expect
Relief during use; with 20-30 min, 1-2×/day, expect steadier comfort in 1-3 weeks.
Available on Amazon ($120)
2. IMAK Arthritis Compression Gloves
- Compression – moderate
- Size – 3 sizes
✅ Pros – Endorsed by the Arthritis Foundation, comfortable, easy to put on and take off, open-glove design – good for daily tasks
❌ Cons – you have to make sure the size fits well to get the benefits
VIEW ON AMAZON $21
IMAK, one of the leading brands of compression products designed for arthritis, has earned the Arthritis Foundation’s Ease of Use badge for its different types of gloves.
They are also designed to relieve carpal tunnel, tendinitis, and joint swelling.
They are easy to pull on and off because of the additional length.
The IMAK gloves are lightweight and made with 92% cotton and 8% spandex.
They are breathable, fit snuggly, and feel comfortable even if you wear them all day.
They offer light compression and warmth and help boost circulation to relieve pain and promote healing.
The open fingertips allow you to touch and grip, and they are perfect for doing your daily chores.
They do not dry out your hands, and they are great to use in the summer to prevent hand pain and swelling.
With compression gloves, having the correct size determines the success and pain relief provided.
Available on Amazon ($21)
3. Comfy Brace Arthritis Hand Compression Gloves
- Compression – moderate
- Material – cotton & spandex
- Size – 3 sizes
✅ Pros – firm compression with a lot of comfort, low price, fingerless design allows for daily tasks, breathable, moisture-wicking fabric keeps hands cool
❌ Cons – Cheaper, non-specialist gloves may have similar effectiveness
VIEW ON AMAZON $22
The Comfy Brace warming compression (fingerless) gloves are very similar to the IMAK gloves, made with the same material (cotton & spandex), and are also breathable, comfortable, and long-lasting (good stitching).
The difference is in the price – they are the lowest-cost ones on this list.
The light compression and warmth, and the open fingertips prevent swelling and ease hand pain while you run errands, cook, walk the dog, drive, or work on your computer.
The fabric prevents moisture, and you can easily hold on to things when you work and are comfortable sleeping with it at night (to wake up without swelling).
Amazon buyers love this pair of arthritic gloves and give it very high ratings.
What to Expect
6–8+ hrs/day wear typically shows relief in 1-2 weeks, best by 4-6 weeks.
Available on Amazon ($22)
4. Thermoskin Arthritic Gloves
- Compression level – moderate
- Size – 6 sizes
✅ Pros – compression that can help soothe tired, aching joints, a wrist strap for wrist stability, a textured top layer to improve grip
❌ Cons – Unpleasant smell when opening the package, may cause sleep disturbance – not for sleeping
VIEW ON AMAZON $46
Thermoskin is an Australian-based company with 30 years of experience in making arthritis gloves.
These warming compression gloves are made with Trioxon lining to capture your natural body’s heat, while the outer layer is textured for better grip (textured palms) – for gardening, cooking, sewing, and household chores.
The design of these therapeutic gloves provides compression while helping to control swelling and stabilize painful finger joints.
They are also anatomically shaped to relieve arthritic pain in the fingers and hand, and the 6 sizes allow you to choose a perfect fit.
They are mildly compressing, and the seams are strong and durable.
When I tried the Thermoskin gloves, they actually felt like a very skinny wet suit for the hands.
However, the Thermoskin gloves are somewhat stiff and may feel uncomfortable for sleeping, and too tight if you choose the wrong size.
What to Expect
With daily wear, expect 1-2 weeks to feel less stiffness/pain, and fuller benefit by 4-6 weeks.
Available on Amazon ($46)
5. Dr. Frederick’s Original Arthritis Gloves
- Compression – moderate
- Material – cotton (60%), Polyester, and Spandex
✅ Pros – Mild compression, which gives extra support to thumbs, fingers, wrists, and knuckles, affordable
❌ Cons – Possible sizing issues
VIEW ON AMAZON $15
Dr. Frederick’s original arthritis gloves are highly popular with their sleek, soft, and breathable composition and open fingertips that allow you to use your phone and pick up anything you need – without slipping.
These compression gloves use your natural body heat to provide warmth and are tight enough to allow for compression on your fingers, thumbs, wrists, and other joints.
They are machine washable and come in 3 sizes.
The right size will be a perfect fit and allow for heat and compression therapy while allowing you to do your daily chores pain-free and comfortably.
What to Expect
Consistent 6-8 hrs/day wear: 1-2 weeks to notice relief, 4-6 weeks for peak effect.
Available on Amazon ($15)
How to Use Arthritis Therapy Gloves
First of all, when you use arthritis gloves (with heat & compression), make sure the gloves fit.
If they are too tight or too loose, you won’t enjoy all the benefits.
Some gloves come in adjustable sizes or have an adjustable strap to ensure a good fit.
You have to use them for at least 8 hours a day, or you can use them when you sleep.
You probably won’t feel results if you just use them here and there.
- Compression gloves – hours or overnight
- Battery-heated: shorter sessions (e.g., 20–120 min), per brand guidance
- Vibrating heated gloves – can be used for 20-30 minutes, twice a day.
👉 If your pain is nerve-related rather than stiffness-related, heated hand massagers or infrared devices for neuropathy may give you better relief than gloves alone.
Are Heated Gloves Safe?
Electric heated gloves are generally safe for short, controlled use when used as directed.
They work by warming your hands, which can temporarily increase local blood flow and help relax stiff or sore tissues. They do not use UV light.
That said, heat should be used carefully:
- If you have neuropathy or reduced sensation, always use the lowest heat setting, consider wearing a thin liner, and check your skin every 10–15 minutes.
- Do not use heated gloves on broken, irritated, or inflamed skin, including open wounds or active dermatitis.
- Avoid wearing battery-heated or LED gloves overnight, unless the manufacturer clearly states they are safe for sleep and include an automatic shut-off timer.
- For nighttime use, non-heated compression gloves may be safer if they fit comfortably and are not too tight.
To your health and happiness,
Meital
P.S
Check out more ways to use infrared light therapy for Neuropathy, and the best infrared light therapy home devices.
Studies
Nasir SH, Troynikov O, Massy-Westropp N. Therapy gloves for patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a review. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. 2014;6(6):226-237.
Oosterveld FG, Rasker JJ. The effect of pressure gradient and thermolactyl control gloves in arthritic patients with swollen hands. Br J Rheumatol. 1990;29(3):197-200.
Peggy T. McKnight OTR/L , C. Kent Kwoh MD. Randomized, controlled trial of compression gloves in rheumatoid arthritis
