Ansell HyFlex 11-840 Work Gloves Review (2026): The Best-Selling Foam Nitrile Grip Glove
Is the Ansell HyFlex 11-840 the right work glove for general handling and grip?
Short answer: Yes — if your hazard is abrasion, dirt and grip rather than cuts. The Ansell HyFlex 11-840 is the industry best-seller for general material handling, automotive and fabrication work thanks to its ergonomic nylon-spandex shell and breathable foam nitrile palm. It is not a cut-resistant glove and carries no ANSI cut rating — for cut hazards, choose the cut-rated HyFlex 11-561 (A4) or HyFlex 11-518 (A2) instead.
Ansell HyFlex 11-840 review (2026): this is the world's go-to general-purpose grip glove, but it is constantly mistaken for a cut glove. Below we cover what it does well, where it falls short, how it compares to its cut-rated HyFlex siblings, and exactly which buyer it fits. Start with the complete cut-resistant gloves guide if you are unsure whether you need cut protection at all.
Editorial verdict — 4.6/5 for general-purpose grip: the Ansell HyFlex 11-840 is the best-selling foam nitrile grip glove for a reason — thin, breathable, dexterous and tough against abrasion at around $18.48. It loses a half-point only because buyers must remember it is not cut-rated; matched to abrasion and handling work, it is hard to beat.
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Who the Ansell HyFlex 11-840 is for
- General material handlers and warehouse crews who need grip and abrasion resistance on parts, boxes and pallets — see the material-handling gloves collection.
- Mechanics and automotive technicians doing assembly, parts handling and tool work with no sharp-edge exposure.
- Fabrication and assembly workers who want fingertip dexterity and touchscreen feel from a thin 15-gauge shell.
- High-volume shops standardizing on one affordable, breathable grip glove for non-cut tasks. Browse the full hand protection collection.
- Not for cut hazards. If you handle glass, sheet metal or blades, skip this glove and read the best cut-resistant gloves guide.
What the Ansell HyFlex 11-840 does well
Ergonomic 15-gauge nylon-spandex shell
The thin knitted nylon-spandex shell is the foundation of the HyFlex feel: it hugs the hand in an athletic fit that moves with you, reducing hand fatigue across a full shift. That ergonomic shell is why the 11-840 reads more like a second skin than a work glove, and it preserves the fine motor control assembly work demands.
Breathable foam nitrile palm grip
The foam nitrile palm coating grips dry and lightly oily parts while its open-cell structure channels small amounts of oil away from the contact surface. Compared with a smooth nitrile dip it offers better wet/oily grip and far more breathability. For the full coating comparison see nitrile-coated vs PU-coated work gloves.
Abrasion resistance and durability
Abrasion is the 11-840's real protective job, and it does it well — the coated palm and snug shell resist wear from cardboard, rough castings, pallets and repeated tool handling, outlasting basic poly or cotton gloves on the same task. The standard behind abrasion ratings is explained in the EN 388 glove standard explainer.
Dexterity and touchscreen feel
Because the shell is thin and the coating is limited to the palm and fingertips, dexterity is excellent — you can pick up small fasteners and operate a touchscreen without removing the glove. That dexterity is a major reason it is the world's best-selling general-handling glove.
Value and best-seller availability
At roughly $18.48 it undercuts most premium grip gloves while delivering the trusted Ansell build, and its best-seller status means sizing and stock are easy to standardize across a crew. Compare it against the rest of the line in our best Ansell HyFlex gloves guide.
Where the Ansell HyFlex 11-840 falls short
No ANSI cut rating (this is the big one)
The single most important thing to know: the 11-840 is not a cut-resistant glove. It carries no meaningful ANSI/ISEA 105 cut level and behaves as A1-class for cut purposes. Buyers routinely assume any HyFlex is cut-rated — it is not. For cut hazards step up to the HyFlex 11-561 (A4) or HyFlex 11-518 (A2), and use the ANSI/ISEA 105 cut-level guide to pick the right level.
No impact protection
There is no back-of-hand TPR padding, so the 11-840 offers nothing for impact or pinch hazards. For those, see the impact-resistant gloves collection and impact-resistant gloves under ANSI/ISEA 138.
Limited chemical and immersion tolerance
The foam nitrile palm handles incidental oil only — it is not a fully coated immersion glove and should not be used for sustained solvent or chemical contact. When the job is wet chemistry, a fully dipped glove is the right tool, as covered in the coating guide.
Ansell HyFlex 11-840 vs the competitive field
How the 11-840 stacks up against the cut-rated gloves it is most often confused with. Note that it is the only non-cut-rated glove in this table — that is the deciding factor, not a weakness, as long as you are buying it for abrasion and grip.
| Glove | Cut rating | Shell | Palm coating | Best for | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ansell HyFlex 11-840 (this glove) | Not cut-rated (A1-class abrasion) | 15-gauge nylon/spandex | Breathable foam nitrile palm | General handling, automotive, assembly | Check price → |
| Ansell HyFlex 11-561 | ANSI A4 cut | 18-gauge Dyneema blend | Foam nitrile palm | Cut hazards: sheet metal, glass, blades | Check price → |
| Ansell HyFlex 11-518 | ANSI A2 cut | 18-gauge Dyneema | Polyurethane palm | Light cut hazards + fine dexterity | Check price → |
| PIP MaxiFlex Cut 34-8743 | ANSI A2 cut | Engineered yarn | Micro-foam nitrile palm | Cut + maximum breathability | Check price → |
| Ergodyne ProFlex 7000 A2 | ANSI A2 cut | HPPE blend | Microfiber palm | Cut + grip on dry parts | Check price → |
As an Amazon Associate, WC Safety earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are accurate as of the date shown and are subject to change. Full affiliate disclosure.
Ansell HyFlex 11-840 vs its cut-rated siblings
The HyFlex family shares the same ergonomic DNA, but the cut-rated models add an engineered-yarn shell. Use this matrix to land on the right SKU.
| Coverage / Spec | HyFlex 11-840 (this) | HyFlex 11-518 | HyFlex 11-561 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breathable foam coating | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| Nylon / engineered-yarn shell | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ANSI/ISEA 105 cut rating | — not cut-rated | A2 | A4 |
| Best for plain abrasion / grip | ✓ | — | — |
| Best for cut hazards | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Touchscreen-friendly fingertips | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Typical price | $18.48 | $20.29 | $16.99 |
- Buy the 11-840 if the hazard is abrasion, dirt and grip with no cut risk — it is the thinnest, most breathable and lowest-cost of the three.
- Buy the HyFlex 11-518 if you need light cut protection (A2) plus maximum fingertip dexterity.
- Buy the HyFlex 11-561 if you face real cut hazards — it is rated ANSI A4 for sheet metal, glass and blades.
Shop the HyFlex range on Amazon →HyFlex 11-840HyFlex 11-518HyFlex 11-561
Stepping up to cut protection
If your hazard assessment flags any laceration risk, the 11-840 is the wrong glove and the fix is simple: move up the same HyFlex family. The HyFlex 11-561 (A4) covers most sheet-metal and glass work; the HyFlex 11-518 (A2) suits lighter edges with finer feel; and the HyFlex 11-542 adds heat resistance for warm cut tasks. Our how-to-choose-cut-resistant-gloves-by-ANSI-level guide maps hazards to levels.
Step up to a cut-rated HyFlex on Amazon →HyFlex 11-561 (A4 cut)HyFlex 11-518 (A2 cut)HyFlex 11-542 (cut + heat)
Category context: where the 11-840 sits
Coated knit work gloves split into two camps: plain general-handling grip gloves and cut-rated grip gloves. The 11-840 is the flagship of the first camp — the glove you reach for when you want grip, breathability and dexterity and the hazard is wear, not cuts. The moment cuts enter the picture, you cross into the second camp covered by the cut-resistant gloves collection and the cut-vs-impact glove explainer. Choosing across that line correctly is the whole job of a hazard assessment.
Total cost of ownership
At about $18.48 a pair, the 11-840 is a reusable, launderable glove — its cost-per-shift is a fraction of a disposable when used for repeated non-cut handling. Plan to replace it when the foam palm wears smooth or the shell thins from abrasion; rotating two pairs per worker extends service life by letting each dry between shifts. For crews mixing cut and non-cut tasks, pair the 11-840 for handling with a cut-rated SKU like the HyFlex 11-561 for edge work, and standardize sizing using our glove size chart. Shop the broader range in the hand protection collection.
Final verdict: is the Ansell HyFlex 11-840 worth it?
Rating: 4.6/5. The Ansell HyFlex 11-840 earns its best-seller status as a general-purpose grip glove — breathable, dexterous, abrasion-tough and affordable. Buy it for material handling, automotive assembly and fabrication grip. Buy the HyFlex 11-561 instead if you face cut hazards, or the HyFlex 11-518 for lighter cut work with finer feel. Just never treat the 11-840 as a cut glove — it is not.
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As an Amazon Associate, WC Safety earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are accurate as of the date shown and are subject to change. Full affiliate disclosure.
Ansell HyFlex 11-840: frequently asked questions
Is the Ansell HyFlex 11-840 cut-resistant?
No — the Ansell HyFlex 11-840 is an abrasion-resistant general-handling glove, not a cut-resistant glove. It carries no ANSI/ISEA 105 cut rating and should be treated as an A1-class glove for cut purposes (minimal cut protection). If your task involves sheet metal, glass, blades or other cut hazards, choose a cut-rated HyFlex such as the Ansell HyFlex 11-561 (ANSI A4) or Ansell HyFlex 11-518 (ANSI A2). See our ANSI/ISEA 105 cut-level guide to match a level to your hazard.
What is the Ansell HyFlex 11-840 actually best for?
The Ansell HyFlex 11-840 is built for general material handling, automotive work, assembly and fabrication grip where the hazard is abrasion, dirt and oil — not laceration. Its ergonomic 15-gauge nylon-spandex shell and breathable foam nitrile palm make it one of the best-selling general-purpose grip gloves in the world. For broader options see the material-handling gloves collection.
Ansell HyFlex 11-840 vs 11-561 — which should I buy?
Buy the 11-840 when the job is grip, dexterity and abrasion with no real cut risk — it is thinner and more breathable. Buy the HyFlex 11-561 when you face cut hazards: it adds an 18-gauge engineered-yarn shell rated ANSI A4. They look similar but solve different problems. Compare the full lineup in our best Ansell HyFlex gloves guide.
Does the Ansell HyFlex 11-840 have a foam nitrile coating?
Yes. The HyFlex 11-840 uses a breathable foam nitrile palm coating that channels light oils away from the contact surface for grip, while leaving the back of the hand uncoated for airflow. Foam nitrile is the reason this glove handles slightly oily parts better than a smooth-dip glove. For the coating trade-offs read nitrile-coated vs PU-coated work gloves.
Is the Ansell HyFlex 11-840 good for mechanics and automotive work?
Yes for general bay work — grip on tools, parts handling and assembly — which is exactly where its foam nitrile palm shines. It is not the pick when you are reaching into sharp sheet-metal edges; for that step up to a cut-rated glove. See our best cut-resistant gloves for mechanics guide for the cut-hazard side of automotive work.
What ANSI cut level is the Ansell HyFlex 11-840?
The 11-840 is not assigned a meaningful ANSI/ISEA 105 cut level — it is a general-purpose abrasion glove and behaves as A1-class for cut protection. Do not rely on it as a cut-rated glove. If a job spec or hazard assessment calls for an explicit cut level, choose a glove that publishes one, like the A2 HyFlex 11-518 or A4 HyFlex 11-561. Our how to choose cut-resistant gloves by ANSI level walks through the selection.
How does the Ansell HyFlex 11-840 handle dexterity and touchscreens?
Dexterity is a core strength. The thin 15-gauge nylon-spandex shell lets you feel small fasteners and operate touchscreens, and the foam nitrile palm keeps grip without bulk. That is why it is favored for assembly and parts work over thicker leather or coated gloves. For fine cut-plus-dexterity tasks, the 18-gauge HyFlex 11-518 is the cut-rated equivalent.
Is the Ansell HyFlex 11-840 abrasion-resistant?
Yes — abrasion resistance is the headline feature. The foam nitrile palm and snug knit shell resist wear from repeated handling of rough parts, cardboard, pallets and tools, which is why it lasts longer than a bare-cotton or basic poly glove on the same job. For the standard behind abrasion ratings see the EN 388 glove standard explained.
What size Ansell HyFlex 11-840 should I order?
HyFlex gloves run true to size in a snug athletic fit — the shell should hug the hand without bunching at the fingertips, which is what preserves dexterity. If you are between sizes, most users size to their true measurement rather than sizing up. Use our glove size chart to measure, and browse sizes in the hand protection collection.
Can the Ansell HyFlex 11-840 be used for cut hazards if I am careful?
No — carefulness is not a control for cut hazards under a proper hazard assessment. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.138 requires gloves matched to the identified hazard, and a non-cut-rated glove does not satisfy a cut hazard. Use the 11-840 for abrasion and grip, and reach for the HyFlex 11-561 (A4) or a higher level when blades and edges are present.
Ansell HyFlex 11-840 vs PIP MaxiFlex Cut — how do they differ?
The 11-840 is a non-cut-rated grip glove; the PIP MaxiFlex Cut 34-8743 adds an ANSI A2 cut rating on a similarly breathable micro-foam nitrile platform. If you want the same airy feel but with light cut protection, the MaxiFlex Cut is the cross-shop. Both appear in our best cut-resistant gloves guide.
Why is the Ansell HyFlex 11-840 so popular?
It is widely cited as one of the best-selling general-purpose work gloves because it nails the everyday-handling formula: thin breathable shell, reliable foam nitrile grip, good dexterity and a low price. For shops that need a single high-volume glove for non-cut tasks, it is the default. For a ranked field of alternatives see the cut and work glove rankings.
Is the Ansell HyFlex 11-840 oil-resistant?
It handles light, incidental oil — the foam nitrile palm wicks small amounts of oil away from the grip surface. It is not a fully coated chemical or immersion glove, so for sustained oil or solvent contact choose a fully dipped nitrile glove instead. The nitrile vs PU coating guide explains where foam coatings stop working.
Does the Ansell HyFlex 11-840 protect against impact?
No — the 11-840 has no back-of-hand impact protection (no TPR/ANSI 138 padding). For back-of-hand impact in mechanical and oilfield work you want an impact glove; compare options in the impact-resistant gloves collection and read impact-resistant gloves and ANSI/ISEA 138. For the cut-vs-impact distinction see cut-resistant vs impact-resistant gloves.
Is the Ansell HyFlex 11-840 machine washable and reusable?
Yes — like most HyFlex coated knits it is reusable and can be laundered to extend life, though wash cycles gradually soften the foam grip. For high-abrasion daily use, plan on replacement when the palm coating wears smooth or the shell thins. It is far more economical than a disposable glove for repeated non-cut handling. Browse long-life options in the cut-resistant gloves collection when you also need cut protection.
Where does the Ansell HyFlex 11-840 fall short?
Its limits are exactly its category limits: no cut rating, no impact protection, and only incidental oil/chemical tolerance. Buyers who assume a HyFlex glove is automatically cut-resistant are the ones who get caught out — the cut-rated HyFlex models are separate SKUs. Match the glove to the hazard using our complete cut-resistant gloves guide.
Why trust this Ansell HyFlex 11-840 review? WC Safety operates as an independent industrial PPE retailer — we sell the HyFlex 11-840 and its cut-rated siblings to safety managers, procurement teams and field supervisors. This review is authored by our editorial desk, not by Ansell or by paid third-party reviewers. The glove's classification is cross-referenced against Ansell's published HyFlex technical data, the ANSI/ISEA 105 cut-resistance standard, and OSHA 29 CFR 1910.138 hand-protection requirements. Disclosed: WC Safety stocks the 11-840 and earns Amazon affiliate commissions on outbound clicks; neither factor influences the rating, and we will steer cut-hazard buyers to a cut-rated glove every time.
By Steven Eaton, WC Safety Editorial — Hand-protection desk · specialization: cut, abrasion and impact glove selection and ANSI/ISEA 105 / EN 388 classification.
Last reviewed: · Sources reviewed: ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 cut-resistance standard, EN 388:2016 mechanical-hazard glove standard, Ansell HyFlex 11-840 technical data sheet, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.138, ANSI/ISEA 138-2019 impact standard.
Editorial standard: Zero sponsored listings. No manufacturer input. No paid placement on this page. The 11-840's non-cut-rated classification was independently verified against the manufacturer datasheet and the ANSI/ISEA 105 standard — we do not assign it a cut level it does not hold.
Last reviewed: · Sources reviewed: ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 cut-resistance standard, EN 388:2016 mechanical-hazard glove standard, Ansell HyFlex 11-840 technical data sheet, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.138, ANSI/ISEA 138-2019 impact standard.
Editorial standard: Zero sponsored listings. No manufacturer input. No paid placement on this page. The 11-840's non-cut-rated classification was independently verified against the manufacturer datasheet and the ANSI/ISEA 105 standard — we do not assign it a cut level it does not hold.
How this Ansell HyFlex 11-840 review was researched. The assessment draws on four primary sources: (1) the Ansell HyFlex 11-840 product technical data sheet and specification; (2) ANSI/ISEA 105-2016, the U.S. cut-resistance classification standard; (3) EN 388:2016, the European mechanical-hazard glove standard (abrasion, cut, tear, puncture); and (4) OSHA 29 CFR 1910.138 hand-protection requirements. No first-person wear testing is claimed; the review is a specification-and-comparison analysis. Reviewed quarterly and on any change to ANSI/ISEA or Ansell published guidance. Authority references: OSHA 1910.138, ISEA.
Disclosure. WC Safety is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases via links on this page (tag wcsafety04-20). We also stock the Ansell HyFlex 11-840 directly. We accept no payment for placement — the rating reflects specification and use-case analysis only, and it specifically penalizes any temptation to imply cut protection the glove does not have. This review is general information, not medical, legal or safety-compliance advice; verify glove suitability against your own documented hazard assessment and consult a Certified Industrial Hygienist for formal PPE programs.