A4, A9 or EN388 Level 5? Best Cut Resistant Gloves for Knives and Mandolines

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Most kitchen cuts happen in a split second: the last inch of a potato on a mandoline, an oyster knife that slips, a fillet knife that skids off a bone. The best cut resistant gloves put a tough knit layer between that blade and your hand, but the labels are confusing. Some quote an ANSI/ISEA 105 “A” level, some an EN388 level, and some just say “Level 5.”

We compared six gloves sold by Amazon.com or the brand’s own store: four uncoated, food-prep gloves and two coated work gloves for the garage and yard. For each one we quote the cut rating and food-safe wording exactly as the listing gives them, and we flag where a listing names no standard.

Keep one point in mind throughout. Cut-resistant is not cut-proof, and it is not puncture-proof: a glove can slow a slicing blade and still let a sharp point through.

Our Top Cut Resistant Gloves Picks at a Glance

Price key: $ under $50 · $$ $50–$100 · $$$ $100–$175 · $$$$ $175+. Prices change often; check Amazon for today’s price.

1. NoCry CutGuard Cut Resistant Gloves: Best Overall

NoCry’s CutGuard is the glove many people picture when they think of a mandoline glove: a thin, grey, uncoated knit that slips on like a regular work glove. It is sold in sizes, and the version we looked at is a Large. The glove is ambidextrous, so it can go on whichever hand holds the food.

In daily use you wear it on the hand that steadies the food, not the one holding the knife. NoCry says it is designed to “dramatically reduce the risk of nicks and slices from kitchen knives, mandolines and graters when accidents happen,” and describes the knit as breathable so hands stay dry. When you’re done, it goes into the washing machine.

For ratings, the listing says the gloves are “EN388:2016 Level 5 and ANSI 105-2016 rated.” It does not say which ANSI A-level, so treat the ANSI line as a general statement rather than a specific number. NoCry also claims it is “4X better at protecting you than leather and 10X better than steel,” which is the brand’s comparison. Food safety is stated as “100% Food Safe,” with no certifying body named. The warranty field describes a limited lifetime warranty against defects in material and workmanship.

It suits most home cooks: anyone using a mandoline, box grater, peeler or fillet knife who wants a light glove that washes easily.

Why we like it

• Top seller in its category
• Machine washable
• Ambidextrous fit

Watch out for

The bullets call it “cut prooft,” but no glove is cut-proof, and the listing gives no ANSI A-level number.

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2. Schwer SlicePro PR1501-G Cut Resistant Gloves: Best High-Cut-Level Kitchen Glove

Schwer’s SlicePro PR1501-G is a food-prep glove built with ultra-high-strength fibers and stainless steel. The title calls it an “ANSI Cut Resistant Glove,” and the bullets describe these as “A9 cut resistant gloves,” the top of the ANSI scale, though the listing doesn’t name the test or a lab report.

Day to day it is used like any knit kitchen glove, on the hand that holds the food. Schwer lists food preparation, knife handling, oyster shucking, meat cutting, mandoline slicing, and vegetable and fruit peeling among its uses. The listing also says the gloves contain “no glass fiber,” which Schwer presents as more comfortable for people with sensitive skin.

The most useful line on the listing is its warning: “These gloves provide cut resistance only and are not designed for puncture protection.” That matters for oysters, where the risk is often a knife tip, not a slicing edge. Schwer says the gloves are “food-grade certified and tested to be free of harmful chemical residues,” without naming a certifier. The listing doesn’t give washing instructions, and the warranty field is empty.

It suits frequent oyster shuckers, anglers who fillet their catch and cooks who want the highest stated cut level, as long as they understand it won’t stop a stab from a point. Order by the size chart, because a loose glove can bunch up near the blade.

Why we like it

• Highest stated cut level here
• No glass fiber
• Honest puncture warning

Watch out for

The listing says plainly it isn’t designed for puncture protection, and it doesn’t say how to wash it.

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3. Dowellife Cut Resistant Gloves: Best for Mandoline Slicing

Dowellife’s cut resistant glove is an uncoated grey knit made from HDPE, a high-performance polyethylene fiber, blended with elastic nylon so it fits snugly. The title calls it “Food Grade Level 5 Protection” and names chef work, oyster shucking, mandolines, knives and meat cutting.

Its rating is stated in two versions of the European standard: “the highest EN388:2003 level 5 (EN388:2016 Level C) cut resistance certification.” The listing doesn’t give an ANSI A-level, so don’t read “Level 5” as an ANSI number. Dowellife also calls it “10 times stronger than normal gloves,” which is the brand’s comparison.

Daily care is easy. The listing says the glove is hand and machine washable and can be cleaned like a dish towel, and each wrist has a small hang ring so it can dry on a hook beside the sink. Dowellife says the elastic blend gives good grip without being stiff, though the glove has no coating or dots. The size field reads “Large (Pack of 1),” so check the listing for how many gloves you get.

It suits cooks who reach for a mandoline or peeler several times a week and want a glove that hangs by the sink and gets washed with the towels. The listing also names wood carving, carpentry and garden work, so a second glove can live in the garage drawer.

Why we like it

• Hang ring for drying
• Washable like a dish towel
• Strong category rank

Watch out for

Its rating is EN388 only; the listing gives no ANSI level, and the “avoid 99%” claim is marketing.

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4. THOMEN Cut Resistant Gloves, 4 Pieces (M + L): Best Two-Size Value Pack

THOMEN sells its cut resistant gloves as a four-piece pack with Medium and Large sizes, which makes it a practical buy when two people in the house cook, or when one person wants a spare while the other is in the wash.

The listing says the gloves are “made from level 5 cut resistant material” but doesn’t say whether that level comes from EN388 or ANSI, so treat it as a brand description rather than a rated number. THOMEN says its “transverse knitting tech and elastic material provide good grip” and keep hands breathable and dry during long prep sessions.

Cleaning is where the listing differs from the rest: it says the gloves “can be washed by hand or dishwasher,” the only listing here to mention a dishwasher. The suggested uses are broad, covering oyster shucking, wood carving, whittling, butchering, peelers and mandolines, yard and garage work, and handling broken glass. The bullets don’t make a food-safe claim beyond the “for Kitchen” title, and the warranty field is empty.

It suits families, roommates and anyone who wants a backup pair, especially if one cook has smaller hands than the other. Because the standard behind its rating isn’t named, it is better as an everyday prep and hobby glove than as the one you count on for the riskiest jobs.

Why we like it

• Two sizes in one pack
• Dishwasher-friendly, per listing
• Wide range of listed uses

Watch out for

The listing doesn’t name the standard behind “level 5” and makes no clear food-safe claim.

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5. Klein Tools 60590 A4 Cut-Resistant Work Gloves: Best Grip for Shop Work

Klein Tools’ 60590 is a work glove, not a kitchen glove. It pairs an HPPE knit shell with a microfoam nitrile dip coating on the palm and fingers, and the listing states “ANSI A4 cut resistance.” This listing is for two pairs in X-Large.

The coating is the main day-to-day difference from the kitchen picks. Klein says it “offers exceptional grip in dry, oily, and wet conditions,” which helps when handling sheet metal, glass, slick tools or rough lumber. The HPPE shell “conforms to hand shape,” per the listing, so you keep enough dexterity for detailed work, and the fingertips are touchscreen capable, so you can check a phone without taking the gloves off.

Klein also lists tear and abrasion resistance, a seamless knit cuff for comfort at the wrist, and machine washing. There is no food-safe claim, and coated gloves aren’t what you want touching food. The warranty field is empty.

It suits homeowners who open boxes with a utility knife, cut drywall, handle broken glass, sharpen mower blades or do garage projects where grip matters as much as cut resistance. This listing is X-Large, so measure your hand before ordering; a loose glove costs both grip and dexterity, and a tight one tires your hands.

Why we like it

• Stated ANSI A4 level
• Grip in wet and oily conditions
• Touchscreen fingertips

Watch out for

Keep it in the garage: there is no food-safe claim, and the coating isn’t meant for food contact.

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6. Malta Dynamics G6001 A5 Work Gloves, 12 Pairs: Best Bulk Pack for Garage and Yard

Malta Dynamics sells the G6001 as a 12-pair pack of coated work gloves. The title says “ANSI Cut Level A5 Protection,” and the bullets say they are “ANSI certified for Cut Level 5,” so the stated level is A5. This listing is for size Medium.

Each glove has a polyurethane palm coating that Malta says delivers “both exceptional grip and dexterity.” The construction is seamless, which the brand says reduces distractions, and the material is designed to “rapidly evaporate moisture from the skin.” The title adds touchscreen compatibility, handy when you’re working from a how-to video on your phone.

Care is by hand: the listing says to clean them “with soap and hot water,” with no machine-wash claim. The warranty field reads “Lifetime Limited Warranty.” The title also uses the phrase “OSHA and ANSI Compliant,” which is the seller’s wording rather than a specific certification we could check. There is no food-safe claim, so keep these out of the kitchen.

It suits homeowners who want enough pairs to leave some in the garage, some in the truck and some for helpers on yard cleanup day. Since all twelve pairs in this listing are Medium, larger or smaller hands should pick the matching size before ordering.

Why we like it

• Twelve pairs per pack
• Stated ANSI A5 level
• Lifetime limited warranty

Watch out for

They need hand washing, and the “OSHA and ANSI Compliant” wording is a marketing line, not a named certificate.

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How We Chose the Best Cut Resistant Gloves

Every pick was in stock and sold by Amazon.com or the brand’s own store when we checked. We then compared what each listing actually says:

• Cut rating as stated: ANSI/ISEA 105 A-level, EN388 level, or an unnamed “Level 5.” We never fill in a level the listing doesn’t give.
• Food-safe wording: quoted as written, with no certifier assumed.
• Coating and grip: uncoated knits for food, nitrile or polyurethane coatings for shop work.
• Washability, fit and pack size.
• Listing evidence: seller, sales rank and warranty field.

We kept to one glove per brand. Every pick here falls in our lowest price tier (under $50), so we sorted them by use rather than by price.

Cut Resistant Glove Buying Guide

Best Level 5 Cut Resistant Gloves: ANSI vs EN388

“Level 5” means different things depending on the standard. MSC Industrial’s cut protection glove guide explains that the ANSI/ISEA 105 scale runs from A1 (lowest) to A9 (highest), measured as the grams of force a blade needs to cut through the material: A1 covers 200 to 499 grams and A9 exceeds 6,000 grams. EN388 is a separate European standard. NoCry and Dowellife state EN388 Level 5; Klein states ANSI A4, Malta Dynamics A5 and Schwer A9; THOMEN says “level 5” without naming either. Compare like with like.

Best Cut Resistant Gloves for Kitchen Use

Kitchen gloves go on the hand that holds the food, not the knife hand. Uncoated knits (NoCry, Schwer, Dowellife, THOMEN) are the ones aimed at food prep. MSC’s guide notes that coatings can improve grip but may not be suitable for food processing, which is why we steer the Klein and Malta gloves to the garage. A sharp knife is safer than a dull one that skids, so pair your glove with a good edge from our knife sharpener guide, and see our kitchen knife set picks if your knives need replacing.

Best Cut Resistant Gloves for Mandoline Slicing

Mandolines cut fast, and the last inch of food is where fingers get close. A snug, washable glove such as the Dowellife or NoCry suits frequent mandoline use. Use the food holder that came with the slicer as well; a glove resists slicing, but it isn’t a reason to push fingers toward the blade.

Best Cut Resistant Gloves for Oysters

Oyster knives stab more than they slice, and MSC’s guide says cut resistance and puncture resistance are different properties: a glove that is highly cut resistant is not automatically puncture resistant unless it has also been tested and rated for puncture. Schwer’s listing says the same of its own glove. Hold the oyster in a folded towel inside the glove and work the knife away from your hand.

Best Food Safe Cut Resistant Gloves

None of these listings names an independent food-contact certifier. NoCry says “100% Food Safe,” Schwer says “food-grade certified,” and Dowellife’s title says “Food Grade.” THOMEN’s bullets make no clear food-safe claim, and the Klein and Malta work gloves make none. Wash food gloves after every use, and replace any glove with a cut, hole or worn spot.

Shop and Yard Work

For utility knives, glass, sheet metal and yard cleanup, a coated glove gives grip that a kitchen knit can’t. OSHA’s hand protection standard, 29 CFR 1910.138, tells employers to base glove selection on the task, conditions, duration of use and hazards, which is good advice at home too. See our utility knife guide for safer blades, and our chainsaw guide for the extra gear saws call for. No knit glove is a substitute for chainsaw protective gear.

When a Cut Happens Anyway

Gloves lower the odds of a bad cut; they don’t remove them. Keep a stocked kit in the kitchen and garage, and know where it is before you start slicing. Our first aid kit guide compares kits for home, car and workshop. For a deep or uncontrolled cut, get medical help.

Guests, Kitchen Injuries and Your Policy

If a guest or helper is hurt in your kitchen or garage, how a homeowners or renters policy responds depends on your policy and the circumstances. Don’t assume either way; ask your agent what your coverage includes. Our Ohio homeowners insurance guide explains the basics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best cut resistant gloves for the kitchen?

The NoCry CutGuard is our top pick. It is #1 in Amazon’s Cut Resistant Gloves category, the listing states EN388:2016 Level 5 and calls it “100% Food Safe,” and it is machine washable and ambidextrous.

Are cut resistant gloves cut-proof?

No. They are rated for resistance, not immunity, and MSC’s glove guide notes that cut resistance and puncture resistance are different properties. Schwer’s own listing says its glove is “not designed for puncture protection.” Keep using safe knife technique.

What do level 5 and A9 mean on cut resistant gloves?

They come from different standards. ANSI/ISEA 105 runs from A1 to A9, measured in grams of force to cut through the material. EN388 is a European standard with its own levels. A listing’s “Level 5” isn’t an ANSI number unless it says so.

What are the best cut resistant gloves for oysters?

The Schwer SlicePro lists the highest cut level here (A9) and names oyster shucking, but its listing warns it isn’t designed for puncture protection. Use a folded towel and keep the knife moving away from your hand.

Can you put cut resistant gloves in the washing machine?

Check each listing. NoCry, Dowellife and Klein say machine washable, THOMEN says hand or dishwasher, Malta Dynamics says soap and hot water, and Schwer’s listing doesn’t say.

The Bottom Line

For most kitchens, the NoCry CutGuard is the best cut resistant glove: top-ranked, machine washable and stated EN388 Level 5. The Schwer SlicePro lists the highest level (A9) for oysters and fish, the Dowellife is the mandoline glove that hangs by the sink, and the THOMEN pack covers two hand sizes. In the garage, the Klein Tools 60590 adds wet-and-oily grip at ANSI A4, and the Malta Dynamics G6001 gives you 12 pairs at A5. Whatever you choose, remember that cut-resistant is not cut-proof.

Questions about how your policy handles injuries at home? Call Jeff Smith’s State Farm office at (740) 354-7747 or request a coverage review, and ask your agent what applies to you.