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The obvious way to keep Jack Frost from nipping at your fingers is to slip on a pair of toasty gloves. People have been wearing gloves for centuries, with the shift from mittens to individually wrapped fingers the biggest upgrade in all that time. But traditional gloves don’t play nicely with our smartphones. Sure, you could stab uselessly at the touchscreen before slipping your glove off to use your phone. But wouldn’t you rather snag a good pair of touchscreen gloves?
All these gloves have some material or fingertip technology that works with touchscreens, but some are better than others. I tested each pair in this guide with my phone—I answered calls, browsed the web, and sent text messages—and also considered comfort, grip, and warmth, using them in around 40-degree Fahrenheit weather. These are our favorites.
Updated October 2023: We added touchscreen gloves from Verloop, Kent Wang, The Heat Company, and Montane, and a new section with other gloves we tested.
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Before we dive in, I strongly recommend you increase the sensitivity of your phone’s touchscreen. Here’s how:
On an Android phone: Go to Settings, System, Languages, Keyboard, then Pointer speed, and then slide it to the max. These settings may vary based on your smartphone. Some Android phones also have an Increase touch sensitivity option or Screen protector mode you can find in the Display settings.
On an iPhone: Go to Settings, Accessibility, Touch, and tap Haptic Touch or 3D & Haptic Touch and adjust the slider to Fast. You may also consider tweaking some of the settings in Settings, Accessibility, Touch, Touch Accommodations.
These touchscreen gloves have the best balance of warmth and usability. I had no trouble unlocking my phone (via passcode, not fingerprint), answering calls, and typing at speed; every touch registers. Mujjo has also added rubber strips to the fingers and thumb to enhance grip, and it never felt like I was going to drop my phone. They are warm and comfortable. These gloves are not waterproof but can withstand a snowball fight or two without freezing your fingers or looking any the worse for wear. On the downside, they’re plain looking, and the cuffs can feel loose, with no option to tighten them.
If you prefer knitted gloves, Moshi’s Digits are great. These are very warm and comfortable, with effective touchscreen capabilities so you can use all your fingers and thumbs—I can type quite accurately with these gloves on.
Like the Mujjo, Moshi has included rubber strips in a wavy pattern to enhance grip, which is crucial because the knitted fabric is slippery. Unfortunately, the inner microfleece lining sometimes separates from the knitted outer layer. The weave is also quite loose, and my pair began to fray after I caught a finger on something during a snowball fight. (They’re not great for snowballs either.) If you want them to last, keep them dry and look after them.
The Glider Gloves offered the most control and accuracy among those I tested. The Canadian manufacturer uses conductive copper in the yarn, so every touch registers. You can tap and swipe with any part of your hand, pinch to zoom, and use your whole fingers, not just the tips.
I found these gloves very comfortable, with a soft brushed interior that feels seamless and textured silicone grip sections on the palm and fingers that ensure your phone won’t slip. The trade-off is that they are not very thick, so they won’t be warm enough for extreme cold, and they’re not waterproof, so forget about snowballs. Sizes feel on the small side at first, though they loosen up when you wear them in, and a tight fit allows for maximum typing accuracy.
Gloves don’t have to be black or gray, Verloop offers vibrant, eye-catching, fun color combinations for its knitted mitts. We tested the Twist Knit Touchscreen Gloves in magenta and cobalt, and they proved an instant hit with my daughter. The tips of the thumb, index finger, and middle finger are touchscreen-friendly. We found it easy to swipe around and even type with some practice, but you need a snug fit to type at speed and use your thumbs. These gloves are cozy, with ribbed cuffs, and they are machine washable but not waterproof.
You may prefer a thin pair of gloves to maintain your dexterity but still provide some warmth. Whether you are zipping around the city or out for a run, these Black Diamond gloves might be ideal. They are very thin, but there’s a suede patch on the palm that’s great padding for when you hold an umbrella or steering wheel. It’s easy to use the touchscreen with my thumb, so these are great for one-handed use, and I can type at close to normal speed. These gloves also have an elasticated wrist for a snug fit and a plastic clip for joining them together when they're off so you never lose one. They’re not especially warm, and they feel a little slippery.
★ Another Alternative: The North Face Etip Recycled Gloves ($44) are another great pair of thin touchscreen gloves. They're stretchy and water-resistant and made from recycled polyester. You can read more about them in our Best Running Gear guide.
If you prefer a classic style, these leather gloves from Kent Wang are ideal. They come in black, dark brown, and tan, and they look polished enough for the office but can blend in with any outfit. The deerskin leather is wrinkle-resistant, durable, and treated with a touchscreen-friendly layer the manufacturer promises won’t wear off. They work well with touchscreens, but it took me some practice to type because of the seams at the fingertips. You will want a snug fit for best results. These gloves are also comfortable and cozy, with a lovely cashmere lining (that explains the price). They can cope with rain or the odd snowball.
Slipping on these gloves feels heavenly because the brushed inner lining is incredibly comfortable. They are warm too, with a soft shell and leather exterior. Sadly, the touchscreen performance is disappointing. You can type with any finger or your thumb, but it takes more determination than with other gloves on our list. I became fairly capable with my thumb after some practice, but using my index finger was hit-and-miss, with touches frequently not registering.
The gloves grip well, and an elasticated section makes them snug at the wrist, but there's no adjustable strap. These gloves are easily the most comfortable pair, but I can recommend them only if you barely use your phone when outside in frigid temperatures.
Even the most responsive touchscreen gloves can leave you feeling like a clumsy illiterate when you try to speed-type a text, and many phones require a fingerprint scan to unlock. Luckily, you have fingerless options, and these clever fold-over mittens from the Heat Company are my favorite.
They are wind- and water-resistant, with goatskin leather palms and long cuffs to keep you cozy. But what I really love about these gloves is the two fold-back sections, a mitten top to cover your fingers (with a pocket for a hand warmer), and a separate thumb cover, with sewn-in magnets to keep them out of the way when open. I often use my thumb to unlock my phone and both thumbs to type, so the option to only expose my thumbs is ideal. These gloves are decently warm, but if it’s especially chilly, they can be combined with the Merino Heat Tube Liners ($39), which have long cuffs and another pocket for hand warmers.
These packable lightweight gloves can be stuffed into the included tiny sack and won’t take up much room in your bag. The brushed microfleece lining is really comfortable, and they’re surprisingly warm. The fingers are curved, and a special patch on your index fingertip and thumb works with touchscreens. I had no trouble tapping to answer calls or read messages, but they are bulky, so it’s tough to type with these gloves on. They are also water-resistant, so light rain is not a problem.
Some of the touchscreen gloves we tested fell short of a recommendation for one reason or another.
Trendoux Winter Gloves for $19: These affordable gloves have tips on the index fingers and thumbs that work with touchscreens, but the seams on the inside make them tricky to type with and a little uncomfortable. They are slim, so not especially warm, but the finish is smooth and water-resistant, with rubbery antislip dots on the palm and other fingers. I like the clip for snapping them together when you take them off.
Sealskinz Waterproof Cold Weather Gloves for $110: These gloves are fairly warm, combining goatskin leather with a middle layer and merino wool on the inside. The touchscreen capability is limited to your index finger and thumb, but I found it tough to type with my index finger because of where the join is, and it’s impossible to type speedily and accurately. The grip is quite good, there’s a Velcro strap to tighten at the wrist for a snug fit, and you can clip the gloves together. But they’re restrictive, too pricey, and not entirely waterproof, despite the name.
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