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Designed to give independence and optimal control to people with limited hand or arm use, or grip strength problems, utensil foam grips are a great tool to keep in your daily arsenal.
Below are some great utensil foam grip options that are comfortable to use and compatible with a wide array of items including utensils, pens, toothbrushes, and many other everyday necessities. These foam grips come in a variety of colors, sizes, and diameters and can be cut to size for a perfectly comfortable and ergonomic grip.
This specialty adaptive foam tubing is also lightweight, non-slip, and will stay securely in place on any tool or utensil. It is also hand or machine washable and the foam will not absorb any unsightly odors from hands or food.
Our Favorite Utensil Foam Grip Worth Considering in 2024
Vive Foam Tubing Utensil Padding Grips — Best Overall
These foam tubing grips have a wider grip for greater control and give a more secure grip on everyday objects such as pens, silverware, utensils, toothbrushes, and more. Included are nine assorted pieces of tubing in three different color and diameter options. Made from high-density foam, this tubing is also soft, non-slip, stays securely in place and won’t slide easily from the hand.
Pros
- Each tube can be custom cut with scissors to fit multiple objects
Cons
- Individual colors cannot be purchased separately
Impresa Prodcuts Foam Grip Tubing — Runner Up
Comfortable to hold, this six-pack of foam padding works by building up handles on every day items to provide greater strength, control, and a wider, more comfortable grip. Compatible with a wide array of items, these grips come in several colors and diameters and can be used with utensils, tools, pens, razors, crochet hooks, and other objects with small handles. These tubes are also easily cut to the desired length with kitchen scissors and the slip-resistant material does not absorb water.
Pros
- These tubes are BPA, phthalate and latex-free
Cons
- These tubes may be too large in size for those with limited hand mobility
Rehabilitation Advantage Closed Cell Foam Tubing — Honorable Mention
This 72-inch pack of foam tubing includes four, 18″ red tubes that work with a variety of utensils, tools, pencils, toothbrushes, pens, and more. These tubes provide a comfortable, non-slip grip on your everyday items and can be easily cut to size with kitchen scissors or a knife. By offering the perfect amount of firmness and cushion, these tubes are ideal for those with nerve damage or anyone with poor grip strength.
Pros
- These grips can be washed by hand or in the dishwasher
Cons
- These are not available in longer pieces
Mars Wellness Easy Grip Foam Tubing — Contender
Ergonomic, adaptive, and wide for an easy and steady grip, this pack of nine foam tubing provides a wider grip for greater control and security on everyday objects. This assorted set comes with three different colors in various diameters for many different uses – use the blue for knives and thicker utensils, the red for spoons and forks and the yellow is best for small objects including pens, pencils, and toothbrushes.
Pros
- This tubing can be cut to any size and have a soft, non-slip grip
Cons
- Only one length is available
Lemon Hero Foam Tubing Grips — Also Consider
These easy-grip foam utensil handles will add a comfortable, secure grip to everyday objects. This pack of nine, color-coded handles includes three different sized tubes that cover all types of items and are designed for thicker, wider and smaller handled items. Each tube can be cut down to build up the handles of 2-3 different items and can be easily washed without removing due to their non-absorbent foam.
Pros
- This pack comes with two extra small pen or pencil grips
Cons
- The pen grip is slightly snug fitting
Trim-lok Grip-Tek Black Foam Tubing Grips — Another Option
This set of two foam tubing grips is made to conform to the shape of your hand for increased softness, stability, and an overall more comfortable grip. Use these to form a new grip where one wasn’t before or to replace an old, worn handle and their specialized rubber foam are ideal for handles on treadmills, hammers, brooms rakes, and the like. They will also protect your hands, offer durability, and are perfect for indoor or outdoor use.
Pros
- This rubber is made to resist damage from oil, gasoline, heat, and abrasion
Cons
- These are not recommended for use where they will be exposed to extreme weather conditions
Buying Guide: Utensil Foam Grips
Removable foam grips can seem like an easy purchase. But, you might also wonder why you would need a foam cover over your utensils and everyday items in the first place. Fret not, we’ve covered everything you need to know below.
Why Should You Get Foam Tubing Grips?
Investing in foam grips might make you scratch your head, and you'd wonder why you even need them in the first place. So, here's the answer!
Adaptive solution for proper grip
As people age, they tend to lose muscle strength in the palms and hands. The foam grips over the utensils and other everyday items enhance their grip. Foam tubing is a lifesaver for individuals who suffer from muscle atrophy and other disabilities affecting their movement and proper grip.
Reduces the risk of slipping
Stainless steel cutlery can slip at times for people suffering from arthritis and hand tremors. Inserting the utensils into the foam tubing reduces the risk of them slipping from your hands. In addition, the ergonomic foam grip makes it easier to tackle the thin and flat steel utensils.
Perfect feel and physical comfort
If you do not like the feel of cold steel cutlery and its tendency to leave scratches on the countertop and smooth surface, foam grip covering is an efficient solution. Plus, putting on foam grips also reduces the unnecessary clattering sound typical of steel utensils.
What Are the Parameters to Find the Right Utensil Foam Grips?
Finding the best foam grip tubing for utensils narrows down to certain parameters and factors discussed below.
Look for an ergonomic grip
The top utensil foam grip is all about how it feels in your hand. So, look for foam tubing that provides an ergonomic grip, which will not cause strain on your muscles. In addition, the proper grip of the foam tubing is attributed to the right thickness. Therefore, instead of opting for bulky foam tubing, find a foam grip that has a streamlined design to mold in your hands without losing its shape.
Lightweight tubing for easy hold
The foam grip is essentially helpful for assisting older adults suffering from degenerative diseases and aging. In this regard, it is appropriate to opt for a lightweight foam grip that does not add extra bulk and weight to the objects you intend to cover.
Easy to wash
Foam grips can become messy and gross with consistent use. Some foam grip variants are dishwasher safe, making the cleaning extremely easy and hassle-free. Additionally, foam grips are also suitable for hand or machine wash.
Free of toxins
One of the essential facets of foam grips that many people ignore is investing in a product that is manufactured from high-quality material. We highly recommend opting for foam grips free of phthalates, lead concentration, or BPA elements. Toxin-free foam grips are not only environmentally friendly but also keep you safe from any potential allergies.
What Are the Essential Considerations When You Are Buying Utensil Foam Grips?
There's so much you need to know about when deciding to buy foam grips. Here are a few essential pointers.
Diameter of foam grip
One of the crucial steps of selecting the foam grip is determining which diameter will fit over your utensils and other objects. Wrestling with smaller diameter foam grips to fit over a thicker object will only cause rips and tears, whereas loose grips won't serve any purpose. Unfortunately, many people find it challenging to figure out which diameter tubing would fit over a specific object. An easier solution to this confusion is to buy a foam grip tube that comes into a bulk pack offering various diameter options.
The diameter of foam grips mostly ranges between 0.2 to 0.8 inches. The lower diameter is suitable for pens, toothbrushes, or other sleek objects. The bigger diameter ranging from 0.4 to 0.6 inches is mostly suitable for spoons, knives, and spatulas.
Foam tubing length
The standard foam grips come in tube form with a length of 12 inches, which you can easily cut into required strips depending on your utensils or objects. However, depending on the brand and manufacturers, the foam tubings can come in even longer lengths, going up to 26 inches. So if you have spatulas and longer spoon handles to cover with foam grips, it is better to invest in long-length tubing. Plus, there are endless options for foam tube length and diameter, so you won't have to worry too much about finding the right dimensions and fit.
Material of the foam grip
You cannot overlook the material when you want the best-padded grips to provide relief and comfort to sore hands. Mostly foam grips are made from a high-quality rubber material. Some closed-cell foam grips are manufactured with nitro PVC for added durability and flexibility.
Color options
Foam grips are available in various neutral to bright-colored options. It's not just the visual aesthetic for bright-colored foam grips. Instead, for elderly patients with Alzheimer's and other degenerative diseases, the eye-catching colors increase attention span and result in focused eating patterns. Other than that, multiple colored padded grips are perfect for color-coding so that you can designate each color for a particular item. Some manufacturers also color code the diameter variances for easy understanding and identification.
