Best Boxing & MMA Headgear Reviewed 2024

One of the most valuable pieces of kit and, of course, the essential choice for many, the best boxing headgear works hard to protect your head and face when boxing.

Though not everyone likes or indeed wears such headgear during their sessions, more and more gyms and indeed competitions are now demanding such kit be worn. If you’re not an amateur boxer then you can go without a headgear, so check out our list of other recommended gear.

Our Top Picks

Here we consider a staggering selection of eleven of the very best boxing headgear.

All available for purchasing online, each product here is not only available at a good price, but ultimately gives you that added level of protection. Best of all, by selecting a good choice of headgear, you can get on with the job at hand rather than worrying about the potential of any injuries occurring.

Winner: RDX Boxing Headguard with Removable Face Grill

Our champion on the list here taking the winner’s title is that of RDX’S immensely popular boxing headguard. This also takes Amazon’s Choice Award for the Best Sparring Helmet.

Comprised of Maya Hide leather construction, the headguard is highly durable and works hard to prevent any splitting, fraying or tearing throughout use and indeed over time.

This means the RDX headguard is the perfect accompaniment and one of the best MMA headgear choices. 

Made up with a shell shock gel lining, impacts to the head are reduced while performance is uninterrupted. This is all possible via the head guard’s most robust shock absorption systems.

With a quick and EZ closure made up of a hook and loop technique, not only is protection increased here, but the risk of the headgear falling off is reduced. This allows for a more customized and adjustable fit for each person.

Available in sizes small to X-large, there are also four colors to select from. 

This is a headgear solution that allows you to remove the face grill, but best of all is that the RDX does not restrict your vision, allowing you to train or spar without interruption. 

Pros:

• Removeable face grill
• Tri-slab and shell shock gel lining
• Quick EZ hook and loop closure

Cons:

• Some individual issues stated over design

Product Specifications

Weight	Not specified
Size	Small to X-large
Type	Removable face grill
Materials	Maya hide leather

Elite Sports Boxing Headgear

Designed taking advantage of pre-curved technology, the Elite sports headgear choice is aimed at men taking part in boxing, MMA, sparring, kickboxing, and Muay Thai.

Boasting the most secure of fittings, this offers the more natural of feels and molds perfectly to the head area.

With an adjustable closure, this fitting is enhanced by a comforting fit, but ultimately the more secure of ones.

Available in black with a selection of accent color choices, this is a one size fits all model.

Designed to improve your speed throughout, this is an ultra-lightweight model with an increased shock absorption level. 

Infused with a triple-density cheek and head protective foam, while the idea is increased safety, visibility is kept clear for all-round better performance when wearing the headgear.

A most versatile choice, the Elite sports model offers a chin strap, a head cap, and three adjustments that can be personalized for increased protection and stability.

Pros:

• Pre-curved technology used
• Ultra-lightweight
• Triple density foam protection

Cons:

• Predominately aimed at men

Product Specifications

Weight	13.8 oz
Size	One size
Type	Full coverage
Materials	PU leather

Venum Challenger 2.0 Headgear

Our next choice of boxing headgear comes from the makers at Venum. This is their Challenge 2.0 headgear model and is the most basic of designs.

However, alongside this simplicity comes an ultra-lightweight choice and one which boasts of a triple density of contoured foam throughout its construction.

Available in black and just as a one size fits all piece of kit, it also features a velcro closure. This closure type is the more flexible, offering two-way positioning.

Working hard to protect the head, temples, cheek, chin, and ears throughout use, the use of such foam in the Venum model is designed to prevent any cranial trauma.

Made exclusively in Thailand, Venum believes this is the more affordable of headgear makes but one that can offer the wearer the most perfect of headgear protection. 

With head movement and visibility improved, this certainly works to increase all-round coverage while making sure you feel comfortable at all times.

Pros:

• 100% Skintex leather
• Ultra-lightweight
• Two-way flexible velcro closure

Cons:

• The one size fits all not agreeable with many customers

Product Specifications

Weight	10.9 oz
Size	One size fits all
Type	Two Way velcro closure
Materials	Skintex leather

Sanabul Professional Boxing/MMA Headgear

From their fantastic essential range comes the Professional headgear choice form Sanabul.

Available in a modern selection of color choices and two sizes of S/M and L-XL, this is a highly functioning and neatly fitting of headgear choices from a worldwide brand.

Tested by the professionals and recreated for use within the gym environment, this headgear has been put through some tough tryouts to ensure it will hold up when it’s needed the most for you.

Offering full coverage of the face, the Sanabul is ideal for all striking arts.

With a secure hook and loop system that locks into place, sweat and impact will not loosen the Sanabul headgear. Alongside a superb shock foam, here you can concentrate on your sparring without interruptions.

Claiming the most perfect of fits, the Sanabul kit works against your headgear becoming loose, keeping your vision free at all times.

Pros:

• Created and tested by the professionals
• Full face coverage
• Super impact-dura shock foam

Cons:

• Some find it can become lopsided during use

Product Specifications

Weight	Not specified
Size	S/M & L-XL
Type	Full coverage
Materials	Engineered leather

Winning Boxing Headgear

If you’re looking to make a substantial and solid investment in your choice of headgear, then look no further than the Winning model.

One of the most expensive headgear models on this list, this is undoubtedly a brilliant performer and made exclusively in Japan.

Available in a selection of custom bright color choices, the sizes cover both medium and large. 

This is a full-face design with built-in ear protection, which makes use of a quality and handcrafted leather finish.

The back of the headgear provides a lace-up construction for ease of putting on and taking off, thus ensuring a snugger and perhaps increased personalized fit each time. 

One of the more lightweight of headgear choices, this is a high-quality choice and safe all-round construction of headgear.

Pros:

• Handmade design
• Leather finish
• Full face protection

Cons:

• Extremely high price tag!

Product Specifications

Weight	9.5 oz
Size	Medium & large
Type	Full face design
Materials	Leather

Hayabusa T3 Boxing/MMA Headgear

Alongside gaining Amazon’s Choice Award for Best Kickboxing Headgear, the Hayabusa is also our best kickboxing headgear choice on this review list. 

Though a higher than average priced kit, this is certainly a perfect addition to your boxing kit.

Available in four colors and as a one size fits all, the Hayabusa offers a wider field of vision along with one of the lower profile designs seen in a headguard.

Thus, a unique design ensures that strike deflection is maximized, and therefore, the most increased protection is offered all around. 

With a T-cross style closure, any unwanted shifting is prevented. This guarantees a more customized fit.

Utilizing a Crush Zone core for the ultimate shock absorption action, the headgear forces dispersion. 

With all these fantastic features combined with most detailed craftsmanship, the Hayabusa is the most durable and resilient of options for all athletes.

Pros:

• Wider field of vision
• T-Cross closure
• Crush Zone core

Cons:

• Some would prefer individual sizes rather than a one size option

Product Specifications

Weight	13.9 ozs
Size	One size
Type	Full coverage
Materials	Engineered leather

Everlast Everfresh Boxing Headgear

From an industry revered giant at Everest comes their black and one size fits all choice, which claims to protect you like those most professional of boxers solutions.

This is made up of a combined rugged and most resilient of Everhide.

Thus, the result is an optimal safety for the face and head area with increased cheek protectors inserted too. 

With the inclusion of an increased and excellent visuality aspect, the Everlast offers an adjustable chin strap.

With the most secure and indeed comfortable of fits, this adjustable headgear claims to fit most adult head sizes. 

Best of all, with the inclusion of a closed-cell technology, you aren’t only kept safe but also fresh throughout use! This is employing the Everest antimicrobial treatment that is automatically included in the make-up of this piece of kit.

Pros:

• Highly resilient material 
• Adjustable closure
• Additional cheek protection

Cons:

• Various sizing issues mentioned

Product Specifications

Weight	1.1 Ibs
Size	One size
Type	Full coverage
Materials	Everhide

Title Boxing Gel Training Headgear

In two bright modern colors alongside two sizes of large and regular, Title Boxing present their Gel and Full Face training headgear.

This an all-leather style of kit that benefits immensely from a gel lining and a multi-layered of designs.

Incorporating the use of full padding in the cheeks, the forehead, the ears, and back, this is a hook and loop closure headgear choice. 

The inclusion of a full-face style also boasts an added chin protection. 

Title Boxing claims this headgear makes the most unbeatable of combinations regarding fitting and indeed impact resistance.

Providing the wearer with the optimal of wraparound coverage and comfortableness, the rear entry design is a super convenient choice. Thus, taking it both off and putting it on, the Title Boxing headgear is a swift piece of kit.

Pros:

• Cushion gel lining
• Fully padded throughout 
• All leather design

Cons:

• Many complain of a lack of nose protection

Product Specifications

Weight	1.1 Ibs
Size	Large & regular
Type	Full face design
Materials	All leather

Ringside Ultra-Light Sparring Headgear

For a most comfortable fitting of headgear choices, Ringside present their ultra-light and Sparring headgear specific model.

This comes in striking and most modern color choices of red/black and offers two sizes of medium and large. 

However, what’s brilliant about this particular kit is its most comfortable liner, which is comprised of a polyester/elastic inner and is moisture-wicking.

The Ringside headgear has an adjustable hook and loop chin strap for further comfort.

What’s more, the use of a quick tie tech lace system further allows the rear of this headgear to be tightened by one simple pull of the laces.

A most lightweight of kit at just ten ounces, the company claims this provides the wearer with the most freedom during sparring while continuing to protect against impacts and shocks and effects involved with such activity. 

To make sure the fitting here is the more customized, Ringside has inserted dual flex panels into the headgear. This works to expand and contract in response to the person wearing it, making it the most customized of items.

Pros:

• Exclusive flex-panel technology
• Moisture-wicking inner liner
• Quick Tie Tech Lace System

Cons:

• Some struggle with the lace element

Product Specifications

Weight	10 oz
Size	Medium & large
Type	Full coverage
Materials	Synthetic leather

MaxxMMA Boxing and MMA Headgear

From the makers of MaxxMMA, comes a specialized MMA specific kit from those who really know their stuff in the world of martial arts.

For this reason, the MaxxMMA model also gets Amazon’s Choice Award for Best Boxing Headgear.

This comes in just the one size of L/XL and in the color black. However, when it comes to covering all activity types, the choices offered here are vast!

From boxing to MMA training, kickboxing, sparring, and karate to Taekwondo, MaxxMMA believes you can not only do it all well in their headgear but ultimately safely every time.

Promoting greater all-round visibility in use, this benefits from shock reducing and closed-cell thick foam in its construction.

What’s more, with a shock-absorbing inner of foams, which is also multi-layered, this protects specific areas including chin, cheeks, forehead, ears, and the back of the head. This means full 360-degree coverage. 

Pros:

• Works well for many activity types
• Offers greater visibility
• Uses shock reducing closed-cell foam throughout

Cons:

• Some feel it’s a more basic and thinner of headgear choices

Product Specifications

Weight	8 oz
Size	L/XL
Type	Full coverage
Materials	PU Leather

Sanjoin Boxing Headgear Full Face Style

Our final selection for a fantastic boxing headgear choice is Sanjoin’s helmet type model.

This is also an Amazon Choice Award winner for Best Boxing Headgear for Kids.

This is a fully adjustable guard that indeed fits both kids and adults.

In the color black, the Sanjoin benefits from a double layer of foam padding. This actively works to protect the cheek, chin, forehead, temple, and back of the head.

Made up using synthetic leather, this is not only a softer headgear type but one that is the more comfortable throughout use. 

Water and sweat resistance for increased practicality, Sanjoin offers a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee with this model, thus highlighting their confidence in their product!

Finished with a hook and loop closure, this also works to ensure your visibility is enhanced throughout training as well.

Pros:

• Excellent visibility promoted
• Impact-Dura shock foam used
• Soft and comfortable

Cons:

• Some quality issues noted

Product Specifications

Weight	7 oz
Size	One size
Type	Sparring helmet
Materials	Synthetic leather

Boxing Headgear FAQ

When should I wear boxing headgear?

Regardless of your age, you should consider the importance of wearing boxing headgear whenever you are in contact with someone else’s punches or kicks. This also means whenever you’re sparring or boxing competitively.

Though there has been some debate over the years with many still refusing to wear such vital kit, more than often, most gyms and clubs insist on it.

Therefore, it’s worth weighing up the pros and cons, but ultimately, boxing headgear is designed to protect the face and the cranium throughout your sessions. Blows to the face during boxing can not only be painful, but, in some cases, can lead to major trauma. So, the addition of headgear is one of the best safety precautions you can ever take.

Pros of using headgear

Wearing headgear throughout boxing has its many advantages, including:

• Safety throughout sessions
• Minimizes injuries
• Allows you to focus more on techniques
• Reduces the worry of punches to the head and face
• Often deemed essential in gyms and clubs
• Promotes safety first to other boxers

Cons of using headgear

However, you may well find some people believe there are some disadvantages when wearing boxing headgear, including:

• Can make you feel claustrophobic
• Some believe it impairs their vision 
• Isn’t 100% safe proof
• It’s an extra cost for the kit
• Some more experienced boxers feel it can add to a false sense of security

Different styles of headgear

• Open face headgear
• Headgear with cheek protection
• Full face headgear (also known as face savers)

How to decide on the right size

Most boxing headgear is sold in standard sizes all the way from X-small to X-Large. Therefore, because each product varies from supplier to supplier, we recommend consulting with the seller’s size chart to start. This should give you a clearer guide as to what fit is the best for you.

Most can be decided upon by measuring around the circumference of your head. However, you will also find several suppliers selling a one size fits all option as well.

Conclusion

With so many of these review models offered at some fantastically low prices, getting the best protection for your head throughout boxing has never been easier.

With this most crucial piece of kit holding up extremely well regardless of what is thrown at it, the best choice here can ensure safety and protection remain your highest priority throughout.

Thus, you’re left to get on with improving your performance while enjoying your sessions every time.