Exam Grade vs. Industrial Grade Gloves: What's the Difference?
Short answer: exam grade gloves are made and tested for medical use and regulated by the FDA as medical devices. Industrial grade gloves are made for non-medical work like janitorial, food service, automotive and manufacturing, and they usually cost less per glove.
What makes a glove "exam grade"?
In the United States, patient examination gloves are regulated by the FDA. Manufacturers must meet FDA requirements before selling them for medical use, and batches are tested for pinholes against a quality limit called the AQL (acceptable quality level). A lower AQL means fewer allowed defects. Exam gloves are typically held to an AQL of 2.5 or better.
What makes a glove "industrial grade"?
Industrial grade gloves are made for general-purpose protection. They are not marketed for medical procedures, and they often have a higher AQL, meaning more pinholes are acceptable per batch. For cleaning, food prep, painting, auto work and packing, that is usually fine, and you save money on every case.
Exam grade vs. industrial grade at a glance
| Exam grade | Industrial grade | |
|---|---|---|
| Intended use | Medical, dental, labs, patient care | Janitorial, food service, automotive, manufacturing |
| Regulation | FDA medical device rules | Not sold for medical use |
| Pinhole quality limit (AQL) | Stricter, typically 2.5 | Usually higher |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
Which grade should your business buy?
- Clinics, dental offices, senior care and labs: exam grade, always.
- Tattoo, beauty and spa services: exam grade is the safer choice when skin may be broken.
- Restaurants and food prep: industrial grade works for most tasks.
- Janitorial, automotive and warehouses: industrial grade nitrile for chemical and oil resistance.
Wabii PPE glove options
- Nitrile gloves, exam grade: FDA-compliant, 4-5 mil, case of 1,000
- Nitrile gloves, industrial grade: 4-5 mil, case of 1,000
- Vinyl gloves, exam grade: FDA-compliant, 3-4 mil, case of 1,000
- Vinyl gloves, industrial grade: 3-4 mil, case of 1,000
All are powder-free, ambidextrous and available in sizes S, M, L and XL.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use industrial gloves in a medical setting?
No. Medical and patient-care tasks call for exam grade gloves that meet FDA requirements.
Can I use exam gloves for cleaning or food prep?
Yes. Exam gloves work for any task industrial gloves do. They just cost more per glove.
