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Living with arthritis in your hands can make everyday tasks painful and stressful—and for some, it can even lead to anxiety or depression. Finding the best arthritis products and aids to make those tasks easier can go a long way toward increasing your independence and potentially boosting your mental health.
Dr. Pamela Mehta, founder and orthopedic surgeon at Resilience Orthopedics, says, “Some of these devices help with pain relief and swelling for when you’re performing daily tasks. There are also devices available that help you to perform tasks that are difficult because of limited movement.”
(What is ‘inflammaging’? Learn how inflammation affects you differently as you age.)
Our top overall pick for the best arthritis products for hands is Vive Foam Grip Tubing, which improves stability, control, and independence by making small-handled objects easier to grasp.
Our picks for the best products for arthritis in hands
The best arthritis products of 2024
From arthritis aids for daily living to arthritis gadgets for seniors, this list has got you covered.
Best compression gloves: Imak Compression Arthritis Gloves
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Why we like it: Imak Compression Arthritis Gloves apply gentle pressure to the joints, increasing circulation and warmth, and reducing stiffness, aches and swelling. Made from soft elasticated cotton, they’re breathable, washable and comfortable enough to wear during the day or night.
We love their open fingertips, which enable users to feel, touch, and perform daily tasks.
Keep in mind: Some users may find that resistance from the compression makes typing challenging. Measure your hands carefully to ensure you order the right size.
Product details: Size: S-L | Materials: Cotton
Best exercise putty for arthritic hands: CanDo Theraputty
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Why we like it: This therapeutic exercise putty can be used for hand exercises such as pinching, squeezing, and rolling, which are great for developing finger, hand, and wrist strength, as well as range of motion.
The putties are color-coded according to consistency, from extra soft to firm, so users can choose the right resistance level for their strength and flexibility. Their airtight containers are easy to open.
Keep in mind: The putty may stick to hair or stain fabrics.
Product details: Materials: Silicon blend
Best automatic jar opener: Kitchen Mama Electric Can Opener
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Why we like it: The Kitchen Mama Electric Can Opener is simple to use and requires minimal hand function, making it a great choice for home cooks with limited dexterity. Tap the large button on top to turn it on, and once the blade has traveled around the can, tap it again to turn it off.
The tilted blade cuts along the side of the lid, leaving a smooth edge and no sharp edges to cut yourself on.
Keep in mind: The product requires four AA batteries, which are not included.
Product details: Weight: 12 ounces
Best door knob grips: Able Life EZ Door Knob Grips
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Why we like it: An affordable alternative to replacing door knobs, these stretchy, non-slip silicone grips fit over any round door handles without obscuring keyholes. Their wing tip design means you can easily turn door knobs using your elbow or finger. We love the removable glow-in-the-dark inserts that make door knobs easy to find at night.
Keep in mind: The grips require strength and dexterity to fit.
Product details: Material: Silicone | Color: Clear
Best ergonomic mouse: Logitech MX Master 3S
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Why we like it: This wireless mouse is shaped to naturally fit your palm and fingers, providing comfort and support, and minimizing hand movement. Angled to position your forearm in a natural posture, there’s a curved thumb rest to cradle your hand.
We’re impressed by this mouse’s battery life and minimal click noise, and like that its textured surface provides grip for better control.
Keep in mind: This mouse is available for right-handers only, and offers more features than some users will need.
Product details: Wireless technology: Bluetooth | Battery: Rechargeable | Charging cable: USB-C
Best dressing aid: Oxo Good Grips Button Hook Dressing Aid
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Why we like it: This sturdy dressing aid uses a wire loop to grasp buttons and pull them through buttonholes, which may make buttoning clothes less painful and frustrating for people with arthritis.
The dressing aid’s wide, cushioned handle is covered with soft, non-slip ribbing that’s easy to grip, reducing stress on joints. It’s small and light enough to pack, or take to the office or gym.
Keep in mind: The wire loop struggles with tougher buttons and materials.
Product details: Weight: 2.4 ounces | Length: 4.25 inches
Best grabber reacher tool: RMS 34-inch Extra Long Folding Grabber Reacher
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Why we like it: This lightweight 34-inch grabber extends reach by 32 inches, making it useful for those with limited range of movement. Its grabbing jaw has an anti-slip coating, and rotates and locks at 90 degrees so you can pick up objects off the ground or high shelves, or from behind furniture.
A padded ergonomic handle and soft grip trigger mean this grabber reacher is secure and comfortable to hold and operate. It folds in half, making it travel friendly and easy to store.
Keep in mind: As a foldable product, this lightweight grabber isn’t suitable for picking up heavy items.
Product details: Weight: 7.92 ounces | Materials: Aluminum, steel
Best vegetable chopper: Fullstar 4-in-1 Vegetable Chopper
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Why we like it: This 4-in-1 kitchen tool for arthritic hands is great for those who find slicing and chopping painful and difficult. The four heavy duty blades manage large and small dicing, along with spiral and ribbon cutting. Insert your chosen blade, place fruit or vegetables on top, press down on the hinged lid, and the chopped pieces fall into the catch tray below. The handle and base are both anti-slip for stability.
This chopper comes with small cleaning brushes and a scraper, but it’s also dishwasher safe.
Keep in mind: The sharp blades may present a safety hazard when hand washing.
Product details: Catch tray size: 5 cups | Weight: 2 pounds | Materials: BPA-free plastic, stainless steel
Best reading light: Glocusent Upgraded Rechargeable LED Neck Reading Light
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Why we like it: This hands-free light allows you to read or work on a hobby without the strain of holding an additional light. Its lightweight, flexible arms fit comfortably around the neck.
Operation is non-fiddly: One arm houses the power button, which also features an automatic off-timer, and the other has buttons for adjusting brightness and color temperature. The rechargeable batteries offer up to 80 hours of light per charge.
Keep in mind: The power button is sensitive and may turn on in luggage.
Product details: Weight: 4.5 ounces | Materials: Silicone rubber, thermoplastic
Best key turner: Dext Keywing Key Turner
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Why we like it: Specifically designed for hands that find standard door keys difficult to grasp and turn, these robust key turners reduce the amount of strength required to grip and twist them. Each key turner in this three-pack is a different, vibrant color, making keys easy to locate and identify. The dimpled dome surface provides grip.
Keep in mind: Bunches of keys become bulky. The key turners are difficult to get on.
Product details: Size: 2.17 x 0.83 x 0.39 inches | Weight: 1.02 ounces | Material: Nylon
Best shoehorn: Fanwer Premium Long Handled Shoe Horn
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Why we like it: This rust-free shoehorn is easy to carry at its fully retracted 16-inch length, but extends to 31 inches, allowing users of different heights with limited reach or mobility to put their shoes on.
Its soft rubber handle is secure and comfortable to grip, and the spring between the rod and shoehorn provides flexibility when sliding a foot into a shoe.
Keep in mind: Those using the shoehorn at full length may find its stability is compromised by its flexibility.
Product details: Weight: 3.63 ounces | Materials: Stainless steel, rubber
Best foam tubing grips: Vive Foam Grip Tubing
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Why we like it: This foam tubing gives everyday objects such as toothbrushes, pens, or gardening utensils a secure, comfortable grip, giving users with arthritis increased stability and control.
Each piece of 12-inch tubing comes in three diameters to fit a variety of objects, can be cut to any length, and is flexible to fit curved items. We love that this tubing can be reused with multiple objects and is dishwasher safe.
Keep in mind: The tubing is only available as a pack of nine.
Product details: Material: Latex-free foam
How we chose the best products for arthritis
To help determine the best products for arthritis in the hands, we sifted through third-party reviews and also looked at the quality of products and key features. Here’s what we prioritized:
Third-party reviews: We checked reviews by customers who have bought and used each product for arthritis in hands, noting their insights into performance, features, and flaws.
Ease of use: Large buttons and simple functionality minimize frustration and increase independence.
Weight: Grasping heavy products can cause joint stress and pain.
Comfort: Soft materials and non-slip surfaces provide a comfortable, secure grip.
Tips for buying products for arthritis in the hands
Dr. Mehta recommends trying out different arthritis products, and advises considering which part of your hand is affected. “If it’s finger arthritis,” she explains, “you might be better off looking for devices that help with fiddly hand movements, as these will be more difficult with stiff and painful fingers.”
Adaptive products
Consider adapting regularly used items. Products such as key turners decrease the amount of strength required to perform a task.
Mobility
If your mobility is limited, arthritis products such as long-handled grabbers and shoehorns will extend your range of motion.
Hands-free
Hands-free aids such as neck reading lights allow arthritis sufferers to minimize use of their hands while enjoying hobbies and performing everyday tasks.
What types of arthritis affect the hands?
“There are many types of arthritis that can affect the hands,” explains Dr. Mehta, “but the most common is osteoarthritis.”
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that causes pain, stiffness and swelling. The hands are the most commonly affected joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis
A chronic, inflammatory autoimmune condition that starts by affecting small joints and can progress to larger joints before affecting the skin, eyes, heart, kidneys, and lungs.
(Learn why women are more prone to autoimmune diseases.)
Psoriatic arthritis
An inflammatory condition that affects some patients with psoriasis and causes stiffness, swelling, painful joints and decreased range of motion.
Gout-induced arthritis
Gout is an inflammatory condition caused by high levels of a chemical called uric acid forming crystals in the joints. Gout-induced arthritis is the most prevalent cause of arthritis in adults.
Post-traumatic arthritis
Post-traumatic arthritis is a form of osteoarthritis that can occur following injury to a joint.
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is an umbrella term for unexplained childhood arthritis and the most common form of arthritis in those under 16.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best product on the market for arthritis?
Fitting Vive Foam Grip Tubing onto hard-to-grasp items such as combs, pencils, and kitchen utensils makes them more comfortable for people with arthritis to grip.
What are the best products for arthritis in fingers?
The Oxo Good Grips Button Hook Dressing Aid and Logitech MX Master 3S mouse both make finger-reliant tasks less stressful on joints.
What are good kitchen tools for arthritic hands?
The Fullstar White Vegetable Chopper makes slicing and chopping easier. The Kitchen Mama Electric Can Opener makes opening cans safer for those with mobility issues.
Christie Dietz is an award-winning freelance journalist from London who is based in Germany. She has covered food and travel for publications including National Geographic Traveler, Gastro Obscura, Food and Travel and National Geographic Traveller Food (UK), to which she contributes a regular feature.
*Although we are sharing our personal opinions of these experiences or products with you, National Geographic is not endorsing these experiences or products on behalf of anyone. It has not performed product safety testing on any of these products, did not manufacture them, and is not selling, or distributing them and is not making any representations about the safety or caliber of these products or experiences for individual consumers. Prices and availability are subject to change from the date of publication.
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