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Our top picks are comfortable and adjustable and can be switched between the left and right hands. Waist Support
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) can start as a slight pain in your hand or an itch that runs down to your fingers, but over time, the symptoms can worsen into persistent pain or numbness. Besides seeing a doctor or physical therapist, a wrist brace is an affordable treatment option at home to reduce your symptoms. Since carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve in the wrist is compressed, a brace can keep your wrist in a neutral position, reducing that compression and strain. Physical therapist Susan Eby of Eby Physical Therapy in New York City says wrist braces can effectively relieve carpal tunnel symptoms, particularly in the early stages.
To find the best on the market, we tested 12 carpal tunnel braces by having editors each use one at night while they slept for four weeks. During testing, we evaluated the braces for effectiveness, comfort, adjustability, and value. We also had a doctor of physical therapy from our Medical Expert Board review this article for medical accuracy regarding carpal tunnel syndrome, how to use carpal tunnel braces, and the best way to evaluate them.
The experts we spoke to recommended only wearing the brace at night unless your symptoms prevent you from being able to function during the day without one. It’s also important to make sure your symptoms are actually due to carpal tunnel syndrome and not something like arthritis. But in the right circumstances, a brace can go a long way toward providing relief.
Can be worn on left or right hand
Works quickly with just a few uses
A true superstar at relieving wrist pain, the BRACEOWL Carpal Tunnel Wrist Brace impressed us with its easy adjustability and nighttime comfort, making it our best overall pick. After just a few uses, one of our editors noticed that most of her pain was gone when using her computer during the day. It also performed well regarding adjustability. The straps were easy to adjust, and the brace adapted to both the left and right hand without any trouble.
The BRACEOWL remained completely compatible with sleep. It didn't interfere with a comfortable night's sleep, and its benefits (legitimate effectiveness at preventing carpal tunnel pain) were well worth it. Compared to some of the other braces we tested, the BRACEOWL was as comfortable and offered as much relief.
The brace could be more breathable for sleeping, but almost every carpal tunnel brace will be somewhat noticeable at night.
Key Specs: Sizes: One size | Adjustable: Yes | Material: Cotton/nylon/neoprene | Washing Instructions: Not specified
Not ideal for daytime use
The Action Tribex Wrist Support Brace is another great carpal tunnel brace option. We couldn’t have been happier with how comfortable the brace was to wear at night, and we thought the brace was highly adjustable for how securely it fits around the hand. The brace gave us a nice, snug fit that kept the wrist in a neutral position and relieved the ache from being on the computer all day,
The bottom line? If you’re looking for a sleep brace exclusively, the Action Tribex may be more comfortable than the best overall pick. It does wonders for relieving hand pain, so while it can’t be worn throughout the day, anyone seeking all-night support will find this the perfect option.
It's in the runner-up position because the product packaging is a bit misleading. The product descriptions and marketing give the impression that this brace can also be used during the day while working at a desk, which our experts advise against. Plus, when we attempted to use the brace at a desk to see how it performed, we found it too confining and uncomfortable.
Key Specs: Sizes: One size | Adjustable: Yes | Material: Neoprene | Washing Instructions: Not specified
Sized for women, so may not accommodate larger wrists
Takes time to find the right fit
The Wellgate PerfectFit Wrist Brace is often marked down to astonishingly low sales prices, but even when it’s full-priced, our testing showed it is still a good-quality, comfortable, and effective carpal tunnel brace. It felt secure during sleep, the material was light and breathable, and wearing it at night reduced wrist pain the next day. Getting the right fit took some time, but initial tightness disappeared once we adjusted the straps correctly. Overall, we thought the Wellgate brace was a good budget pick that was generally comfortable and useful in relieving pain.
This one isn’t a miracle worker, and it’s sized for women’s hands (according to the manufacturer), so adjustability is limited.
Key Specs: Sizes: One size, left or right | Adjustable: Yes | Material: Memory foam | Washing Instructions: Hand wash in cold soapy water and air dry
Doesn’t overheat during sleep
Lots of adjustability for larger sizes
Too big for smaller wrists
Needs to be hand washed
Although the ComfyBrace Night Wrist Sleep Support Brace would be most effective for someone with larger wrists, we appreciated how comfortable and adjustable it was. With a soft, squishy cushion and breathable fabric, the brace didn’t heat up during sleep. It also offered a lot of flexibility in sizing down to a certain point (and can be used on either hand, eliminating the need to buy two).
That said, if your wrists are smaller, getting a secure and snug fit can be difficult. People with smaller wrists should consider a different product.
Key Specs: Sizes: One size | Adjustable: Yes | Material: Neoprene | Washing Instructions: Hand wash
More expensive than other options
The Copper Compression Arthritis Gloves are a snug and comfortable option for anyone looking for streamlined support for their carpal tunnel. In testing, we found these gloves to be flexible and supportive but not cumbersome, providing firm support that molded to the hand.
They did a good job of keeping hands from twisting or turning (i.e., preventing movements that can aggravate carpal tunnel symptoms). While the gloves aren’t technically adjustable, their stretchy construction allows them to adapt to various hand sizes. If you’re looking for glove-style wrist support, these gloves are top-notch in effectiveness and adjustability.
If you run hot at night or usually have sweaty palms, you might want to search for more breathable gloves.
Key Specs: Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large | Adjustable: No | Material: Nylon | Washing Instructions: Not specified
To find the best carpal tunnel braces, we tested 12 by having editors each use one at night while they slept for four weeks. We assessed the braces based on expert guidance and the following criteria:
We also spoke to experts to discuss what to look for when selecting carpal tunnel braces. The experts we spoke to included:
Braces are generally effective as long as your symptoms are actually caused by carpal tunnel syndrome. But it's hard to know exactly how effective they are since people are often misdiagnosed. If your symptoms aren't caused by carpal tunnel, a brace designed for carpal tunnel won't help much.
Eby says braces that stabilize the wrist in a neutral or slightly extended position should help ease symptoms. The brace should be snug but not tight, allow comfortable finger movement, and not worsen symptoms by placing too much pressure on the wrist. Most of our experts warned against one-size-fits-all braces, though if you have an average-sized hand and wrist, you may be able to wear one comfortably.
Swain says you should wear a brace for six to eight hours, even at night. Avoid wearing the brace all day, as this can negatively affect your muscles and circulation. Take frequent breaks if you need to use the brace during the day and at night. Eby says you can wear the brace regularly for about four to six weeks, then gradually decrease use for about four additional weeks. You don’t want to wear a brace indefinitely or for long periods unless under the supervision of a doctor.
There’s no definitive answer. For most cases of mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome, says Eby, symptoms should resolve within six to 12 weeks. More severe cases, however, may require carpal tunnel release surgery.
You can maximize the results of your brace, Eby adds, by addressing any underlying causes that might be contributing to your symptoms; consider making workplace modifications, improving your posture, increasing therapeutic exercises, and seeking care for medical conditions that can exacerbate carpal tunnel syndrome, like arthritis and ganglion cysts.
Sarah Bradley has been a freelance writer since 2017, tackling health commerce articles, product reviews, and shopping guides on everything from dry skin moisturizers and wart removers to menstrual cups and toothbrushes for braces. As someone who spends several hours per day on a computer, she has suffered carpal tunnel pain before and knows how important it is to find a comfortable and well-fitting brace to alleviate her symptoms.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (n.d.).
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. American Society for Surgery of the Hand. (n.d.).
By Sarah Bradley Sarah Bradley has been writing parenting content since 2017, after her third son was born. Since then, she has expanded her expertise to write about pregnancy and postpartum, childhood ages and stages, and general health conditions, including commerce articles for health products. Because she has been homeschooling her sons for seven years, she is also frequently asked to share homeschooling tips, tricks, and advice for parenting sites.
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