Three brands, three personalities. Cherokee is the reliable one that comes in every color your unit could ask for. Grey’s Anatomy by Barco is the soft one that feels more like clothes. Carhartt is the workwear one with pockets for days. The quick answer: pick Cherokee if your unit has a color code or you need lots of sets in a hurry. Pick Grey’s Anatomy if comfort and a tailored look matter most. Pick Carhartt if you are hard on your clothes and carry half the supply room in your pants.
You may be wondering about FIGS. It is a popular brand, but it is sold on its own site rather than on Amazon, so it is not in this comparison.
The short version
3 picks- 01 Unit colors and stocking up Cherokee Workwear Scrubs $54.98 Amazon
- 02 Softest feel Grey's Anatomy by Barco Scrubs $38.99 Amazon
- 03 Toughest, most pockets Carhartt Force Scrubs $24.99 Amazon
Side by side
Fabrics vary by line within each brand, so treat this as the general picture and check the tag on the exact style you order.
| Cherokee | Grey’s Anatomy by Barco | Carhartt | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fabric | Varies by line; Workwear Revolution is polyester, rayon and spandex twill, per Cherokee | Soft polyester and rayon blends, with spandex in the stretch lines | Stretch and rip-stop blends; the Force Cross-Flex line is 94% polyester, 6% spandex, per Carhartt |
| Fit | Varies a lot by line | Tailored | Roomy, workwear cut |
| Pockets | Basic to lots, depending on style | Usually fewer, neater pockets | Cargo pockets on most styles |
| Sizes | Wide range, including petite and tall in many lines | Check the style | Check the style |
| Durability | Solid everyday workhorse | Softer fabric can pill sooner | Built for wear and tear |
| Best for | Color codes, multiple sets | Comfort, a polished look | Heavy users, pocket lovers |
Cherokee
Cherokee is one of the biggest scrub makers, which is exactly why it is useful. If your hospital assigns ceil blue to nurses and navy to techs, Cherokee almost certainly has it. Its Workwear Revolution line, according to Cherokee, uses a polyester, rayon and spandex twill with two-way stretch and runs from XXS up to 6XL in women’s sizes.
The catch is that “Cherokee” covers a lot of different lines, and the fit changes between them. If you like one style, note the line name, not just the brand.
Cherokee Workwear Scrubs
The dependable set most hospitals have seen a thousand times.
Cherokee is one of the biggest scrub makers, with stretch lines in dozens of colors and sizes, so matching a unit color code is easy.
- Fabric
- Poly, cotton and stretch blends by line
- Sizes
- XXS to 5XL, petite and tall in many lines
Best for
Units with a set color, and anyone stocking up on several sets.
Worth knowing
Fit varies a lot between Cherokee lines. Check the line, not just the brand.
Grey’s Anatomy by Barco
These are the scrubs people describe as feeling like real clothes. Barco’s Grey’s Anatomy range is known for a soft, peached polyester and rayon fabric and a more tailored cut. If you want to look put together at 7 a.m. and still feel okay at 7 p.m., this is the one.
Softer fabrics tend to pill sooner, especially with rough washing. Turn them inside out and skip the hottest dryer setting.
Grey's Anatomy by Barco Scrubs
Soft, tailored and drapey. Feels nicer than it costs.
Barco's Grey's Anatomy line is known for a soft, peached fabric and a more tailored cut than basic scrubs.
- Fabric
- Soft poly and rayon blends
- Fit
- Tailored
Best for
People who want scrubs that feel like clothes.
Worth knowing
Softer fabrics can pill sooner. Wash inside out.
Carhartt
Carhartt brought its workwear thinking to scrubs: stretchy, tough fabrics, cargo pockets, and quick-drying finishes. On its Force Cross-Flex scrubs, Carhartt lists a 94% polyester, 6% spandex stretch fabric with its FastDry finish. If you kneel a lot, wear holes in your knees, or carry tape, shears, pens, a phone and three flushes, Carhartt has room for it.
They are heavier than soft fashion scrubs and run a little roomy, so check the size chart before you order your usual.
Carhartt Force Scrubs
Workwear toughness with a lot of pockets.
Carhartt brings its workwear build to scrubs: rip-stop and stretch fabrics, cargo pockets and quick-drying finishes.
- Fabric
- Stretch and rip-stop blends
- Pockets
- Cargo pockets on most styles
Best for
Heavy users who wear through knees and pockets.
Worth knowing
Heavier than soft fashion scrubs. Runs a little roomy.
Which should you buy?
- Your unit has a strict color code: Cherokee. Widest color range, easy to match.
- Med-surg or tele, on your feet all day: Grey’s Anatomy for comfort, or Carhartt if you need the pockets.
- ED or ICU: Carhartt. Tough fabric holds up to kneeling, spills and constant movement.
- OR: many ORs provide hospital-laundered scrubs, so check before buying. For what goes underneath, see the scrubs guide.
- Clinic or outpatient: Grey’s Anatomy. A polished look matters more when patients are sitting across a desk from you.
- Petite or tall: start with Cherokee, which offers petite and tall in many lines.
- Student on a budget: Cherokee, since you can often buy several sets for the price of a premium one.
Whatever you pick, set up your pockets well: our pocket kit guide covers what to carry.
What to skip
- Scrubs with no fabric content listed. You want to know what you are washing at high heat.
- Buying five sets before you try one. Fit varies between brands and even between lines.
- Ultra-thin fabric in light colors. It turns see-through under hospital lighting.
- Ignoring the care label. Stretch fabrics last longer on lower dryer heat.
How many sets do I need?
A simple rule: one set for each shift you work in a week, plus one or two spares. Three 12s means four or five sets. That way you are never washing scrubs at 11 p.m. so they are dry for the morning, and there is always a clean set in your locker for the day someone’s lunch, or something worse, ends up on you.
You do not have to pick one brand, either. Plenty of people wear Cherokee for the unit color on most days, keep a Carhartt set for the shifts they know will be messy, and save the soft Grey’s Anatomy set for a long day when comfort matters most. Mixing brands also helps you learn which fit you actually like before you commit to a full week of one.
How should I wash scrubs?
Follow your hospital’s policy first, because some units launder scrubs for you. At home, wash after every shift and keep them separate from your regular laundry. The CDC’s laundry guidance for healthcare facilities and NHS England’s uniform guidance are useful background on how workwear is handled. Our scrubs guide has the full washing routine.
What about compression socks under scrubs?
Good idea for long shifts. Read 15 to 20 vs 20 to 30 mmHg to pick a level and our compression socks guide for the pairs. Choosing a stethoscope too? See Classic III vs Cardiology IV and Littmann vs MDF.
Your unit’s own dress code and uniform policy come first, so check them before you buy.