Guide to the Best Scrub Caps for Nurses

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Written by Ayana Dunn, BSN, RN Content Writer, IntelyCare
A nurses uses one of the best scrub caps for nurses.

Like any other part of your work uniform, it’s useful to make sure your scrub caps are the right fit for you. Below, we share our thoughts on the best scrub caps on the market and key questions to ask when you’re choosing a scrub cap of your own.

Scrub caps are head coverings worn by healthcare professionals. They’re a common form of medical PPE worn in the operating room as part of infection control protocols. Some types of healthcare professionals who might wear scrub caps include:

But these caps can be used whenever someone wants to avoid loose strands of hair falling in their face during a shift.

Questions to Ask When Shopping for the Best Scrub Caps

Your search for scrub caps will be much easier when you know exactly what you’re looking for. Ask yourself these questions to solidify your specific requirements:

  • Do you have any needs unique to your nursing specialty?
  • How would you describe the shape of your head?
  • What makes for a comfortable hat, and how does that translate to scrub caps?
  • Are you allergic to any materials?
  • Are scrub cap aesthetics important to you?
  • Do you prefer long-lasting or disposable scrub caps?
  • Do you need a sweatband?
  • Is maintaining your hairstyle important to you?

5 Best Scrub Caps

What makes for good scrub caps? When making our picks, we considered the fabric, comfort, sweat absorption, and overall design. Here’s our list of recommended scrub caps:

  1. ABAMERICA 2 Pack Bouffant Caps
  2. GUOER Hat Bouffant Cap
  3. GUOER Women’s and Men’s Cap
  4. QBA Adjustable Working Cap
  5. WonderWink Tie Back Scrub Cap

Prices were accurate at the time of publication.

1. ABAMERICA 2 Pack Bouffant Caps

ABAMERICA scrub cap.
No one likes sore ears from hours of wearing masks. This two-pack of scrub caps from ABAMERICA saves you that trouble by including side buttons. You can cruise through your shift in comfort.

  • The fabric is 100% cotton.
  • There are side buttons for masks.
  • The terry cloth sweatband ensures no sweat drips into your eyes.
  • You can adjust the size with the elastic string and toggle.

Cost: $18.98

2. GUOER Bouffant Hat

GOEUR bouffant cap.
These bouffant scrub caps from GUOER are great for nurses who prefer their unique shape or often need to start work in a hurry. Do you value simplicity? This no-frills design is for you.

  • They’re made from 100% cotton.
  • There’s a built-in sweatband.
  • The elastic back makes it easy to adjust various head sizes.
  • The unique designs promote personal expression.
  • Their triangle cutting may be just right for the shape of your head or hairstyle.

Cost: $12.98

3. GUOER Women’s and Men’s Cap

GOEUR men's and women's cap.
These minimalist caps from GUOER with beautiful patterns would be a stylish addition to your uniform. If you’re searching for a blend of functionality and fashion, these could be a great choice.

  • These scrub caps are 100% cotton.
  • They’re one-size-fits-most with a cord lock for adjustments.
  • They have a built-in sweatband.
  • Their compact frame could work well for nurses with petite heads.

Cost: $12.98

4. QBA Adjustable Working Cap

QBA adjustable cap.
Do you have long locks that are a pain to fit in most scrub caps? This adjustable cap from QBA allows you to cover a wider variety of hair lengths than most.

  • They’re made of 100% cotton.
  • The ponytail pouch helps you cover various hair lengths with ease.
  • There’s a moisture-wicking sweatband.
  • They’re handmade and durable.

Cost: $12.99

5. WonderWink Tie Back Scrub Cap

WonderWink tie back cap.
Looking for something simple? This no-frills scrub cap from WonderWink has everything you need to get the job done well.

  • They’re composed of 65% polyester and 35% cotton.
  • There’s a drawstring in the back to adjust for comfort.
  • The terry cloth sweatband helps minimize distraction.

Cost: $8.98

How Will You Know You’ve Made the Right Purchase?

You won’t want to wait until your shift starts to learn that your cap isn’t the right fit. Save yourself some trouble by going down this checklist shortly after you’ve bought your scrub caps.

  • It fits your head snugly with little to no adjustment.
  • You’re content with its color or pattern.
  • You can put it on with ease.
  • Your hair is fully covered and isn’t falling out of the cap.
  • It doesn’t irritate your skin.
  • It feels durable.

Which Are the Best Scrub Caps for You?

Now that you’ve seen some great options and asked yourself helpful questions, which ones would you choose? Put your new gear to the test when you use IntelyCare to get matched with personalized nursing jobs today.