The best wrist braces for carpal tunnel of 2025, according to hand specialists and health experts

For: Carpal tunnel as well as tendonitis, radial nerve compression, arthritis, repetitive strain injury | Sizes available: XS to XL | Material: Thermoplastic

The RCAI wrist brace for carpal tunnel doesn't look like your average drugstore wrist support brace, but that's a good thing. This is a dorsal-style splint with a rigid posterior component on the back of the wrist that leaves the palm side relatively open. "The dorsal brace might seem awkward at first, but this type of brace works best for carpal tunnel symptoms," explains Cummings. She notes dorsal braces are an excellent choice if you need daytime wrist support, but they’re comfortable enough to wear while sleeping. The dorsal support effectively keeps your wrist in a neutral position while the open palm allows for daily activities, such as typing.

While this brace is one of the most expensive on this list, dorsal splints are generally pricier than compression sleeves or wrist wraps. That said, RCAI's brace is more affordable than many of its dorsal counterparts. It's also more accessible since most dorsal splints are only available on medical sites. And not to worry: Its commercial availability doesn't minimize its quality. It's constructed with lightweight thermoplastic and a soft, moisture-wicking liner.

Because this brace is left/right-specific, make sure you order the proper brace depending on your needs.

For: Carpal tunnel, nighttime bracing | Sizes available: One size | Material: Cotton, nylon and neoprene

Morning pain or tingling in your hands can be a telltale sign of CTS, which is why nighttime bracing to prevent CTS flare-ups is an often-recommended therapy. "Wearing a brace at night can help relieve symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome." says Hwang.

The BraceOwl carpal tunnel wrist brace was specifically designed for nighttime comfort and support, so you don't wake up with excessive pain and tingling. Where this brace really shines and sets itself apart is in the built-in bead pocket at the palm that applies gentle pressure to help circulate blood flow while sleeping, even when your arm stays stationary for hours. The brace also features a removable metal splint so you can find the right amount of support and structure for your needs.

For: Carpal tunnel, arthritis, tendonitis, sprain, injuries, wrist pain | Sizes available: X-small, small/medium, medium/large, large/x-large | Material: 75% foam, 15% polyester, 5% plastic, 5% metal

Don't let the low price fool you, the Featol Wrist Brace offers three adjustable straps for customizable comfort and comes in four sizes (x-small to x-large), making it a viable option for a range of people who suffer from carpal tunnel. We do want to note that the brace is not interchangeable between arms, so be sure you purchase the brace for the correct arm. To add to the customizable comfort, the brace has a removable aluminum palm stay and two fixed plastic splints to provide stability and wrist support.

With over 27,000 5-star ratings that praise it for its fit, feel and structure, this is an effective, budget-friendly brace that has loads of endorsements that speak to its performance. One reviewer even got their doctor's approval: "The doctor's office said the brace probably looked as good or better than what they would give me." 

For: CTS, arthritis, compression | Sizes: XS to XL | Material: Copper-infused soft breathable fabric

If you have arthritis, you're likely all too familiar with the pain, inflammation, stiffness and swelling that comes with the often-debilitating condition. Couple that with morning CTS pain, and you're spending the first few hours of your day trying to get your hands to work. There's only so much that arthritis pain relief creams can do. These copper compression gloves offer an easy-on, easy-off functionality that can help provide support during flare-ups without the immobilization and finger restrictions that come with traditional wrist braces.

The compression gloves are made with moisture-wicking material to keep your palms and fingers sweat-free. And thanks to the durable, copper-infused machine-washable material, you don't have to worry about the gloves getting dirty with daily use — just throw them in the laundry with your other washables.

For: Carpal tunnel, minor wrist injuries, arthritis, tendonitis, sprain, wrist pain | Sizes available: One size fits most | Material: Proprietary high-quality breathable fabric

This ComfyBrace wrist brace was explicitly made to be worn overnight and offers unparalleled comfort to those who find sleeping with a rigid brace difficult. You can use this brace on either wrist, and it provides gentle pressure to relieve pain and reduce inflammation and swelling that tend to flare up at night. It also has a removable palm splint for ergonomic support. The easy slip-on sleeve design offers comfortable wear day and night.

Customers love this wrist brace. There are over 35,000 five star reviews. One customer raves, "I wear these braces overnight following weeks of waking in the middle of the night by bothersome tingling and numbing in my hands. These braces have [eased] the discomfort tremendously, I’m able to sleep through the night again!!"

For: Carpal tunnel, tendinitis, cysts, sprains and arthritis | Sizes available: One size | Material: Copper-lined 65% neoprene, 35% nylon

You can use the Dr. Arthritis Copper Wrist Brace during the day or at night. Unlike the other braces on this list, it covers only the palm and wrist, rather than the length of your forearm, allowing for more dexterity and comfort. 

This low-profile brace is also the favorite of our in-house tester who suffers from CTS. She says it's the best she's ever used: "I've found that this one has better durability than any other brace I've used — the Velcro is still going strong after multiple machine washes — which can likely be credited to it being doctor-designed with typical patient pitfalls in mind." 

She adds that it's especially good if you're looking for a wrist brace that helps with other conditions, like arthritis. She prefers to wear it while sleeping but also wears it during the day for flare-ups because "it's not too restricting but stiff enough to reduce swelling."

For: Carpal tunnel, arthritis, tendonitis, repetitive strain injury, sprains | Sizes available: XS, S/M, M/L, L/XL | Material: Neoprene, Velcro | Structure and design: Removable palmar stay

While heat and cold therapy haven't been extensively researched when it comes to the conservative management of carpal tunnel syndrome, one small pilot study suggests that using heat and cold therapy may help reduce CTS symptoms. This is why the Featol wrist brace, with a reusable hot or cold therapy gel pack, may be worth trying. The brace runs from your palm to halfway up your forearm and features a removable palm stay and three large adjustable straps to ensure a snug, yet comfortable fit. There is only one gel pack included with the brace, but you can always buy replacement packs if needed.

For: Carpal tunnel, tendonitis, stroke recovery, rheumatoid arthritis, fractures and sprains, post-surgery recovery | Sizes available: X-small, small, medium, large, X-large | Material: Breathable cotton and neoprene 

A resting hand splint is — you guessed it — best used while at rest. Whether that's as you're sleeping or just lounging around, resting splints promote healing by keeping your wrist immobilized and in a proper position. This brace features four straps — one for your thumb, one for your fingers and two for your wrist. Of course, the design of the brace means that it restricts your hand and finger movements, but in doing so, helps reduce compression of the median nerve to relieve pain and discomfort.

The resting hand splint from BraceAbility is available in five sizes, from extra-small to extra-large. It's made with padded materials, so it's also comfortable.