Stabilizing your wrist may help reduce pain and inflammation. (Getty Images)
Pain, discomfort and numbness in your fingers can make everyday tasks like pushing a shopping cart or pulling the garbage can to the curb incredibly painful. And while hand and wrist pain can arise from any number of causes, a common culprit is carpal tunnel syndrome. CTS is a neurological condition that occurs when there's compression of the median nerve — one of the three major nerves of the forearm and hand. Pressure on that nerve often results in a tingling sensation, pain and numbness that can make living everyday life more challenging. While it's important to see a health care provider for wrist pain or numbness, one of the most common treatments for mild-to-moderate CTS is bracing. Dr. Raymond Hwang, vice president and medical director at Lantern, says, "Braces help keep the wrist in a neutral, slightly extended position, which relieves pressure on the median nerve as it travels through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. This can reduce numbness, tingling and pain."
Certified hand therapist Brenda Cummings says, "Wrist braces for carpal tunnel work by keeping your wrist in a neutral position to alleviate pressure from the median nerve." To be effective, Cummings says, a brace should prevent you from being able to bend your wrist more than 15 degrees in any direction.
To help find the best wrist braces for CTS, we spoke with orthopedic experts to learn what to look for in carpal tunnel-specific braces, and what to avoid. We learned that a rigid insert or stay (typically made of metal) is key to stabilizing the wrist. These stays may be found on the back of the wrist, the palm of the hand or on both sides. A dorsal support brace (those with stays on the back of the wrist) is often best for CTS since it prevents flexion, but depending on your level of pain or discomfort, a simple wrist brace or wrist wrap worn while sleeping may be the better choice.
Using our experts’ feedback, we evaluated more than 20 wrist braces for CTS, rating each based on construction, materials used, breathability, brand reputation, user and in-house tester reviews, cost, comfort and efficacy. These are the eight wrist braces for carpal tunnel that made our cut.
Update, June 25, 2025: We checked all product prices and availability. Our No. 1 pick for the best wrist brace for carpal tunnel remains unchanged.
Three stages categorize the symptoms and level of severity of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Stage 1: Frequently waking in the night with a sensation of a swollen, numb hand or severe pain that radiates from the wrist to the shoulder. There is also tingling in the hand and fingers. After waking, hand stiffness usually persists.
Stage 2: The symptoms are present during the day, especially if you stay in the same position for prolonged periods or perform repeated movements or tasks with the hand and wrist. This is the stage where you may have lost so much feeling in your hands and fingers that you frequently drop things.
Stage 3: This is the final stage where atrophy can set in and the median nerve may respond poorly even to more advanced treatments like surgical decompression. In this phase, sensory symptoms decline.
Comfortable fit: Carpal tunnel braces keep your wrist in a neutral position. Immobilization is important because wrist flexion puts pressure on the median nerve; bracing prevents this pressure. However, in order for the brace to work, it needs to fit correctly. It should be snug enough to provide adequate support, but not so tight that it restricts circulation or causes skin irritation.
Material: A big part of comfort has to do with quality materials. Neoprene is one of the best material choices since it offers compression, warmth, elasticity and breathability. Mesh fabric can also add to a brace's overall breathability. Softer materials, like memory foam, can provide padding for additional comfort. Some braces use copper-infused fabrics, which can help deodorize the brace. Most of these wrist braces are not machine-washable, but you can hand-wash some of them.
Structure and design: Most braces have a rigid insert on either the dorsal side (i.e., the back of the wrist), the palmar side, or both. Small studies indicate a dorsal support brace may be best for carpal tunnel since it prevents flexion without adding more pressure to the median nerve. Palmar support can be beneficial, too; just make sure that the rigid stays don’t press in on the median nerve or that they’re removable.
Length is also important. "A wrist brace that is too short may apply more pressure to the median nerve," says Cummings. Look for a wrist brace that doesn't stop directly at the wrist and instead extends about halfway up the forearm.
Cost: Finally, cost is something to consider. The best wrist brace for you is one that is comfortable and effective, but more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean better.
To determine the best carpal tunnel braces, our team looked at over 20 different wrist braces and evaluated each based on their efficacy. The truth is, there are many wrist braces on the market, but not all of them work well to alleviate the specific symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. We considered factors like the overall structure and design of the brace, the amount of stability it provides and how comfortable it is to wear. Finally, we consulted two orthopedic experts, including a hand pain specialist and an orthopedic surgeon to get their input on which braces are the best options for CTS.
Dr. John Thomas, a board-certified hand surgeon, says that wrist braces can be extremely beneficial for mild to moderate carpal tunnel, especially when used overnight. "Most people like to curl up and fully flex their wrists at night," he says. "This places pressure upon the median nerve in the carpal tunnel and increases symptoms."
In addition to bracing, treatments for CTS include oral anti-inflammatory medication, steroid injections and, in severe cases, surgery to decompress the carpal tunnel and increase space for the median nerve.
You shouldn't consider wrist braces as a permanent fixture in your life. Instead, Thomas says, they’re best worn for a few weeks. If symptoms don’t improve, it’s a sign you might need to try a more intensive form of treatment. Dr. Melissa Boyette, an orthopedic surgeon, says, "I would caution against wearing a brace longer than a few weeks if a physician has not evaluated you." She warns that prolonged bracing can lead to stiffness and weakness in the forearms and wrists.
Hwang recommends taking frequent hand/wrist stretching breaks, especially for those with repetitive hand motions at work. He also says, "Prevention through ergonomic workstations, exercises, and avoiding excessive wrist bending is important for those at risk." You can also try oral anti-inflammatory medication or a pain-relieving cream for immediate relief.
Dr. Melissa Boyette, orthopedic surgeon; hand and wrist specialist, Bradenton, Fla.
Brenda Cummings, OTD, OTR, CHT, certified hand therapist, Fort Collins, Colo.
Dr. Raymond Hwang, orthopedic surgeon and medical director at Hinge Health
Dr. John Thomas, orthopedic hand surgeon, New York City
Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
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