Do Touchscreen Gloves Really Work?

With the summer season drawing to a close, many people are updating their wardrobe for the chilly temperatures to come. There’s no better way to keep your hands warm on an otherwise cool autumn morning than by wearing a pair of thick, insulated gloves. But what if you plan on using a touchscreen devices at the same time?

You might be surprised to learn that there are actually gloves designed specifically for use with touchscreen devices. From an outsider’s perspective, they look just like any ordinary pair of gloves, often featuring a distinct color at the fingertips. However, “touchscreen gloves” are unique in their method of operation, allowing users to touch and control their device while wearing gloves.

So, why can’t you use just any ordinary pair of gloves to perform commands on your touchscreen device? Well, if it’s a resistive device, you can. But most modern-day smartphones, tablets and other touchscreen devices are capacitive, meaning they calculate the origin touch based on the electromagnet field (EMF) disturbance created by the human body. Still confused? Think of like this: the human body products a small but noticeable electrical charge at all times. Capacitive touchscreen devices use this phenomenon to determine when and where a touch occurs. When you press your finger against the surface of a capacitive device, your body’s own electrical charge causes a disturbance in the device’s charge.

The problem with regular gloves is that they typically block your body’s electrical charge; thus, preventing the wearer from using a touchscreen devices with them. Even if you physically touch the surface of a device with regular gloves, your body’s electrical charge won’t transmit through. This is in stark contrast to “touchscreen gloves,” however, which live up their namesake by allowing the wearer to use them in conjunction with a touchscreen device. The fingerprints are designed with a special conducting material through which an electrical current can pass.

Keep in mind, however, that not all touchscreen gloves function as intended. Some will work flawlessly, whereas others may struggle to register touches. If you are going to invest in a pair of touchscreen gloves, do your homework beforehand to ensure they live up to the promise. Searching for past customer reviews is an excellent way to gauge the overall quality of touchscreen gloves.