The temperature has dropped, the air is freezing and we can all agree that winter is here. That means it’s time to get out the gloves. But if you’re regularly using your phone when you’re out, for directions or texting, there’s a problem. Walking in a bitter wind, a glove clamped between your teeth so you don’t lose it, while stabbing at your phone with one frozen finger is not the way to do the colder months.
That’s why touchscreen gloves are a must-have. A conductive wire woven into the gloves’ fabric transmits the electrical charge from your body to the sensors on your capacitive touchscreen. That means there’s no need to take off a glove to text or type.
Although they’re fairly simple, some elements still vary between brands and types. Sometimes, the conductive element is sewn into the entire glove (so you can use any part of your hand on the screen), at other times it just appears on some or all of the fingertips. The gloves may also have a textured, grippy surface to help you keep hold of your phone.
Don’t forget that if you use fingerprint ID to unlock your phone, that obviously won’t work through gloves. So, in the winter months, you might want to change your lock mechanism to something more low-temperature friendly, such as face ID or a PIN.
Touchscreen gloves will work with any phone or tablet. These are the best we’ve found.
North Face Etip Gloves – Best activewear option
Pros
- Good for winter sports
- Not bulky
Cons
- Not waterproof
These gloves are not only touchscreen-friendly but they’re activewear. That means they’re a good choice for any sports, plus biking, hiking or walking. A silicone pattern runs across the palm and over the fingers to improve your grip and their longer length mean they’ll stay put if you’re moving around or using your hands.
One of the biggest reasons to choose this pair is their superior fit. They’re not bulky and are designed to mould to your hands. The snug fit means you may need to go up a size if you’re in doubt.
You’ll be able to use a touchscreen with all five fingers.
If you’re in the US, they come in a wide variety of colours, whereas UK users will find that the only variant is whether The North Face logo is in black or white. They have a wrist clip so you won’t lose a single glove when you’re out and about.
Muji Wool Blend Touchscreen Gloves – Best budget option
Pros
- Three colour options
Cons
- Not the warmest gloves
If you’re looking for something simple and budget-friendly, check these out. These wool mix gloves from Japanese retailer Muji are available in black, brown or grey in the UK, with many more colour options available in the US. They’re made out of a blend of wool and synthetics, and are touch-friendly on the tips of the thumb, index finger and middle finger.
They work well – but only when the material is taut enough over your fingers to conduct properly. So, if there’s any doubt: size down.
They’re not going to be the warmest gloves in the world, but they’re simple, attractive, and cheap, which should be appealing to lots of people.
Moshi Digits Touchscreen Gloves – All-over conductivity
Pros
- Dual layer
Cons
- Colour options limited by size
- Only fingertip conductivity
Another pair we’ve tested are the Digits gloves from Moshi. These are now only available in the US, not Europe or the UK. They come in a choice of grey shades, although you may have to shop around to get the size you need in the shade you want.
If the tip of your middle finger measures 15-17cm to your wrist, you need small. Medium is 17-19cm, and Large is 19-20.5cm. If in doubt, go for the slightly smaller size as they’re stretchy. If you buy them too big, the conductivity will be compromised.
They’re dual-layered (with a seriously soft micro fleece lining), although we found that the layers pulled apart a little when taking the gloves off, so you might find the need to straighten them out again each time.
These have a conductive layer on all ten fingertips, so you can use any finger for your phone tapping and swiping (but obviously not fingerprint unlocking), and there’s a grippy pattern across the palm. However, the conductive thread does leave the inside of the gloves with an almost sparkly finish, so bear that in mind.
North Face Denali Etip Gloves – Best for hiking
Pros
- Warm and durable
Cons
- Not suitable for winter sports
Also from cold-weather specialist North Face are the Denali Etip Gloves. These are fleece-based, with durable Taslan over the knuckles and fingers for added strength, and a grippy silicone palm.
North Face rates them as suitable for “Cold” but not “Very Cold” conditions. They come in small, medium and large sizes.
They work well with a touchscreen, and we were able to type reasonably fast while outside in the cold. Colour options vary, and you might have to shop around to get the colour and size you’re after.
Trendoux Touch Screen Anti-Slip Gloves – Best budget activewear
Pros
- Anti-slip
- Lightweight
Cons
- Only tips of the thumbs and index fingers are conductive
- Not suitable for winter sports
If you like the look of The North Face gloves, above, these are a great budget-friendly alternative. These winter touchscreen gloves from Trendoux are made from a nylon/ spandex mix, so they’re stretchy. They’re comfortable when on and will come in handy for running, walking or biking.
They have anti-slip grips across the palm and fingers, which will help you keep hold of your phone. Bear in mind that only the tips of the thumbs and index fingers have conductive material.
Acdyion Women's Leather Touchscreen Gloves – Best Budget Women's Gloves
Pros
- Warm
- Stylish
Cons
- Harder to type in than wool gloves
These Acdyion women’s winter gloves are made from leather, with a warm cashmere lining.
We found that leather touchscreen gloves are a little harder to type in as the fingertips are tougher than wool, but they do the job and are probably more fashionable than a big pair of woolies.
They’re available in a range of colours, including black, grey, blue and red. There are also zippered and studded styles at a very similar price point.
Author: Emma Rowley, Group Home Tech Editor, Tech Advisor
Emma has been a journalist and copywriter for over 20 years and has been testing and writing about home tech and appliances for seven years. She tries out every appliance she writes about at home, and aims to recommend time- and energy-saving products that will last.