Disposable Gloves

Disposable Gloves Price List: Where to Buy the Best Medical Gloves in the UK

Why Disposable Gloves Matter for Professionals and Home Users

Whether you’re a nurse, dentist, hairdresser, cleaner, or a home DIYer tackling a messy project, disposable gloves are your first line of defense. They’re like a clear shield between you and contaminants — lightweight, single-use, and designed to keep surfaces and hands clean. In the UK market, demand for disposable medical gloves has ballooned, which means more choices, more price points, and more confusion. Ready to cut through the clutter and find the right gloves at the right price?

Understanding the Main Types of Disposable Gloves

Not all disposable gloves are created equal. Think of each type as a tool in a toolkit: you wouldn’t use a hammer to tighten a screw, so why use the wrong glove for a task? The three most common materials you'll see are nitrile, latex, and vinyl — each with strengths and weaknesses depending on sensitivity, strength, and cost.

Nitrile Gloves: The All-Rounder

Nitrile is the go-to for many professionals because it’s puncture-resistant, chemical-resistant, and hypoallergenic. If you’re allergic to natural rubber, nitrile is your best friend. Prices vary from budget boxes to premium exam-grade options, and you’ll find nitrile anywhere from Amazon UK and Boots to specialist suppliers like Gloves Direct and Medex. Thickness is often measured in mils (1 mil = 0.001 inch), so a 4 mil glove is about 0.004 inch thick — a good balance of sensitivity and protection.

Latex Gloves: Comfort and Fit

Latex offers exceptional fit and tactile sensitivity, making it popular in clinical settings. But it can trigger allergic reactions in some people, so many workplaces have moved to latex-free options. Retailers such as LloydsPharmacy and Superdrug stock latex gloves, usually aimed at dental or exam use. If fit matters most, latex often feels like a second skin, but be mindful of allergy labels.

Vinyl Gloves: Budget-Friendly for Light Tasks

Vinyl gloves are inexpensive and fine for low-risk tasks like food preparation or light cleaning. They don’t offer the chemical resistance of nitrile or the snug fit of latex, but when you need a cheap, disposable barrier, vinyl works. Supermarkets such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s sometimes sell vinyl gloves in multipacks, and trade suppliers like Screwfix will offer bulk vinyl gloves at better unit prices.

Top UK Retailers and Suppliers to Buy Disposable Gloves

Where you buy your gloves will depend on whether you're a consumer, a small business, or a large organization buying in bulk. Here are reputable places to look, spanning high-street stores, supermarkets, online marketplaces, and specialist suppliers.

Boots and LloydsPharmacy

Both Boots and LloydsPharmacy are familiar names on the high street and online. They stock a selection of disposable gloves aimed at healthcare and personal use, such as nitrile examination gloves and latex options. Prices are competitive for small packs, and they’re convenient if you need a quick top-up between larger wholesale orders.

Superdrug, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda

Superdrug often carries gloves geared toward beauty and personal care, while supermarkets like Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Asda focus on household and food-safe vinyl gloves or basic nitrile packs. If convenience is king, these stores are great for one-off purchases, though they might not have the widest range of specialty medical gloves.

Amazon UK and eBay

Amazon and eBay offer dizzying variety, from branded exam gloves to generic bulk boxes from overseas sellers. That variety comes with caveats: always check seller ratings, product certifications (CE or UKCA where applicable), and batch dates. Amazon is ideal if you need same-day or next-day delivery, but for regular, large-volume supplies you might prefer specialist distributors.

Gloves Direct, Medex, and Bunzl

Gloves Direct and Medex are UK-based specialists focused on gloves and medical consumables. They offer a deep product range, clearer technical specs, and better bulk pricing than general retailers. Bunzl is a major distributor servicing businesses and NHS-related procurement; it's suited for larger contracts and frequent orders. If you manage procurement for a clinic or care home, these are the places to compare unit prices and minimum order quantities.

Trade Suppliers: RS Components, Screwfix, Toolstation

Trade suppliers like RS Components, Screwfix, and Toolstation stock protective gloves for industrial and medical-light use. They’re strong on nitrile and disposable varieties, and often offer trade discounts. For workshops and facilities teams, buying from trade accounts can save money in the long run — especially if you plan to order boxes by the dozen.

How to Compare Disposable Glove Prices Smartly

Price-per-box is not the whole story. Think like a savvy shopper: calculate cost per glove, check for bulk discounts, verify certifications, and factor in the glove’s intended lifespan (single use vs sterile single-use). Would you rather pay less per box and get thinner gloves that split easily, or pay a bit more for higher puncture resistance? A simple math trick: divide the box price by the number of gloves to find unit cost — that’s the basis for apples-to-apples comparison.

Unit Cost vs. Performance

Pay attention to cost per glove and also to performance details such as thickness in mils, grip pattern, and powder-free labeling. For instance, a 100-count box at £8 from a supermarket might seem cheap until you consider a 200-count box from a specialist supplier at £14 — the latter could be cheaper per glove and offer better quality. Always check that performance matches your use case.

Bulk Buying: Minimum Order and Storage

If you’re buying for a clinic or business, bulk orders usually drive prices down. Suppliers like Bunzl and Gloves Direct often offer steep discounts at higher quantities, but remember storage: gloves should be kept in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Buying a six-month supply makes sense only if you have proper storage and can rotate stock.

Choosing the Right Size and Fit

Choosing the correct glove size is crucial for safety and comfort. Too tight and the glove may tear; too loose and dexterity is compromised. Most brands use S, M, L, XL sizing, but you can also measure your hand across the palm in inches. Generally, a small often fits a hand width of about 7 inches, medium about 8 inches, and large around 9 inches. When in doubt, order sample boxes from suppliers to test fit before committing to a larger purchase.

How to Measure Your Hand in Inches

Wrap a measuring tape around the widest part of your palm, excluding the thumb, and read the measurement in inches. That number helps you pick between small, medium, or large. If your measurement sits between sizes, go up a size for comfort, especially for long tasks. Remember: counter-intuitive as it sounds, a slightly looser glove can sometimes be safer than one that’s stretched to the limit and likely to rip.

Sterile vs. Non-Sterile Gloves: When Each Makes Sense

Sterile gloves are used in surgical and invasive procedures where preventing infection is critical. Non-sterile gloves are fine for exams, cleaning, food handling, and general tasks. Most retail buyers will purchase non-sterile nitrile or vinyl exam gloves; hospitals and surgical centres will specify sterile, single-use boxes. Check product descriptions to avoid expensive mistakes.

Certifications and Standards to Look For

Always check for appropriate markings such as CE or UKCA certification for medical devices. Look for EN 455 (medical gloves standard) and, if chemical resistance is important, EN 374. Certification ensures the glove has been tested and meets performance standards — a small checkbox that saves headaches later on.

Powder-Free vs Powdered Gloves

Powdered gloves use cornstarch or similar agents to make donning easier. However, many healthcare settings now favor powder-free gloves because powders can interfere with wound healing and cause allergic reactions. Powder-free nitrile gloves are widely available from Boots, Gloves Direct, and trade suppliers and have become the default choice for most medical and food applications.

Safe Disposal and Environmental Considerations

Disposable gloves are single-use for a reason — infection control — but that raises waste concerns. Many gloves are not recyclable through regular household recycling streams, so disposal in general waste is common. For larger organisations, check if your waste contractor offers clinical waste services. Some suppliers also offer nitrile gloves made from renewable or biodegradable materials — though these options can come at a higher price per glove.

Are Eco-Friendly Gloves Worth It?

If sustainability is a priority, eco-friendly gloves can reduce your carbon footprint, but they may be pricier and have different performance profiles. For example, biodegradable options may not have the chemical resistance of nitrile. Evaluate your use case: for low-risk tasks, eco gloves can be a good fit; for high-risk medical work, prioritize safety and certification.

Tips for Getting the Best Prices Without Sacrificing Safety

Always balance cost and quality. Buy sample boxes to test fit and performance, compare unit costs rather than box prices, and check supplier reputation and certification. Sign up for trade accounts at RS Components or Screwfix if you’re ordering regularly. For one-off or emergency buys, high-street options like Boots or Amazon UK provide convenience. For ongoing medical procurement, specialists like Gloves Direct, Medex, or Bunzl offer better pricing and product range.

Watch for Hidden Costs

Shipping, minimum order fees, and taxes can add to the effective cost per glove. When comparing suppliers, add these to the box price to get a true unit cost. Sometimes a slightly pricier supplier with free delivery and better warranty is the most economical option overall.

Final Checks Before You Purchase

Before clicking “buy,” ask yourself: Does this glove meet the right standard (EN 455, UKCA/CE)? Is the size right? What is the cost per glove? Is the material suitable for the intended task? If you can answer these confidently, you’ll likely make a purchase you won’t regret.

Choosing disposable gloves is less about finding the cheapest box and more about matching product performance to your needs. With so many UK suppliers — from Boots and LloydsPharmacy to specialist wholesalers like Gloves Direct, Medex, and Bunzl — you can find a solution that balances cost, comfort, and protection.

Conclusion

Disposable gloves are an everyday essential for many professionals and households in the UK. By understanding glove materials (nitrile, latex, vinyl), measuring sizes in inches, checking relevant certifications, and comparing unit prices across high-street stores, supermarkets, online marketplaces, and specialist suppliers, you can make a smart, cost-effective choice. Whether you’re buying a few boxes from Boots or placing a bulk order with a trade supplier, prioritise fit, suitability for the task, and verified performance standards. A thoughtful purchase today saves frustration — and risk — tomorrow.