Best Ear Guards for BJJ: Ultimate Comparison + Review 2025
Understandably, you want to jump right into the BJJ sessions, and you are adamant to win. Nothing can keep you from your victory, and an ear guard will do no help you in achieving that. However, if you jump into the sessions without ear guards, you may end up developing cauliflower ears, whether you win or not.
During BJJ sessions, your body will be covered by Gis, rash guards, finger tapes, and knee pads. But sadly, many people don’t protect the most sensitive portion of their bodies, their faces.
Due to this, the ear is heavily affected. And a lot of BJJ trainees as well as experts develop a condition named Cauliflower ears.
In this article, we will provide you with an a guide and review on cauliflower ears and how to prevent them. Read on.
Quick Overview of Top 3
What’s a Cauliflower Ear?
As we all know, our cartilages don’t get much blood flow as other organs. Our ears are made completely of cartilages. When the ears suffer from heavy impacts, blood starts to clot in our ears. This clot cuts off even the minimum amount of blood flow to the cartilages of our ears, cutting them off from the necessary nutrient flow.
When the ears get damaged, the cartilages break. Once they break, they can’t heal because of the low blood flow. That’s when the ear starts swelling up, and the condition is known as cauliflower ear.
Although cauliflower ears can be healed by draining regularly, the process is very painful, and so is the condition. The people who have a cauliflower ear reported that it’s very painful before it becomes painless.
Ear Guard for BJJ is the Only Prevention
There are a lot of people who see cauliflower ears as a mark of honor. If you ask me, I’ll say that’s nonsense, and there’s no credit in disfiguring yourself. You can avoid this pain and condition with an ear guard.
But then again, don’t rush into the marketplace and get the first one that you see. There are a lot of factors that you must consider for getting the best ear guards for BJJ. And unless you get the best ear guards for BJJ, you’ll suffer one way or another.
Now, the best ear guards for BJJ don’t have to be expensive. There are a lot of affordable products that you can get for yourself, and they can be very good!
Factors to Consider when Buying the Best Ear Guards for BJJ
If you want to get the best ear guards for BJJ, you need to look at some factors. If you find a product that satisfies all of these criteria, you can take that ear guard without any hesitation. Now then, let’s take a look at the factors!
Comfort
Although this is not the primary reason why you’re getting the ear guards, the comfort comes into play when you’re in the middle of the session.
With a comfortable ear guard, you’ll be able to concentrate completely on your session, and the fact that a huge guard is clasping your ears won’t bother you. If it does, however, your concentration might be diverted.
The best comfort is provided by the lightweight ear guards, and that comes with lesser clasping force. Nowadays, there are a lot of ear guards that are made of nylon and neoprene. These ear guards are lightweight, and some of them are lined with extra cushion for added comfort.
Protection
The protection is one of the most vital aspects to look for, if not the most. You need a pair of ear guards that are robust and strong enough to protect your ears from the intense friction.
To protect yourself, you need a headgear that comes with protection against abrasion and one that can soften the blows. However, there are ear guards that come with a hard shell, although these will protect you from the friction as well as the blows, it will end up hurting your opponent as well.
So, you should avoid the ear guards that come with a hard shell, otherwise you’ll find yourself in an empty arena with no partners.
Fit
The last thing you want is an ear guard that wiggles around your ears. You can’t afford it to come off easily, neither do you need one that will suffocate you with an unimaginable clamping force.
So, you have to find an ear guard for BJJ that’s not a loose fit, and not to tight either. Finding such an ear guard won’t be challenging, especially if you look at the products that we’ll provide.
Price
A cheap ear guard isn’t always bad, and the expensive picks aren’t good every time. You can get the best ear guards for BJJ in almost every price range, and we’ll give you enough options at a variety of price ranges.
Design
Who doesn’t want a headgear that will suit his taste and looks? You’ll get some options here, but remember this, don’t sacrifice better protection and comfort for looks.
Top 7 Best Ear Guards for BJJ
We are starting with the Venum Kontact Evo ear guard. Venum is a renowned brand when it comes to different gears related to martial arts, and the Kontact Evo ear guards surely live up to their name.
The Kontact Evo is made of neoprene. As we’ve said before, neoprene is one of the most comfortable materials. So, the ear guard is smooth and soft, but it will save you from the blows as well as friction. Not only that, but the fabric used on the interior as well as the exterior is very smooth, which is convenient not only for you but for your partner as well.
The neoprene fabric allows ventilation and amazing breathability for you, so your ears will not sweat that much. You can also adjust this with the adjusting straps attached to the gear, which is very useful. With this strap, you’ll be able to make sure that the ear guards fit perfectly, and they aren’t too tight or too loose.
Pros:
- Very light and comfortable
- Doesn’t block vision
- Molded shell for added protection
- Made of smooth fabric, doesn’t cause irritation
Cons:
- Blocks auditory abilities to some extent
- The ear cups are a bit tight
As Adidas isn’t known for making BJJ gears, the Adidas Response comes with a surprise for all of us! The Response provides everything you may expect from a globally acclaimed brand, and it’s a beautiful product.
First thing’s first, the Adidas Response Jr isn’t for grownups. It’s for the kids and the teen who aspires to become a great BJJ competitor someday.
The Adidas Response Jr comes with three straps. While one strap will go around the back of your head, the other will go around the forehead, and the third strap will go from below your chin to stabilize the rear guard.
The ear cups are black and you’ll find the Adidas logo on each cup, and the straps follow the white and black strips color scheme, classic Adidas. Undoubtedly, it’s one of the most beautiful looking ear guards out there.
The ear guards come with three holes that enable the user to listen more clearly. These are quite light, and the material is soft as well. It will protect you from blows but won’t end up hurting your opponent.
Pros:
- Comfortable
- Ear cups come with three holes for better listening
- Comes with molded plastic for more protection
- Offers the third strap for better stability
Cons:
- For kids and teen only
There aren’t many people in the BJJ circuit who haven’t heard of the Gold BJJ gears. Gold BJJ makes one of the best gears, and they make the best ear guards for BJJ as well.
The Gold BJJ headgear has a size that fits everyone! That is, it comes with Velcro straps that can be adjusted to fit any head. The ear cups are reinforced with molded plastic, and there are three holes in each ear cup to allow sound to pass to your ears.
The holes also allow breathability, so your ears won’t become warm or sweaty. The chinstrap is reinforced, and it will make the ear cups very stable on your head.
The Gold BJJ ear guards are one of the best ear guards for BJJ, and you can get them without a second thought.
Pros:
- Fits everyone
- Comes with lasting Velcro straps
- Offers high protection
- Ear holes for better listening
Cons:
- Blocks peripheral vision to some extent
If you’re looking for something at a more affordable price, you can go for the adapt athletics headgear. These are one of the cheapest and best ear guards for BJJ. These ear guards don’t seem to be much at the first look, but they are pretty durable and protective.
The Adapt Athletics ear guards provide EVA ear cups that offer great protection. No matter what they go through, they won’t deform. The ear cups will also offer three holes each cup, these allow breathability, and they offer better hearing ability.
The ear guards also come adjustable straps. With these straps, you can adjust the ear guards with flexibility.
Pros:
- Offers amazing comfort
- Can be adjusted easily
- Machine washable
- Won’t cut into your skin
Cons:
- The Velcro seems a bit cheap
The ASICS ear guards are unisex. These ear guards are available in three colors. You can get them in black, red, and blue color. The ear guards come with three adjustable straps. One strap will go directly over your head, one will go from behind your head, and the last one will go underneath your chin.
Each of the straps is divided into two, that’s why you will get better stability than most other ear guards. This makes the ASICS ear guards one of the best ear guards for BJJ. The ASICS aren’t that expensive as well, so if you’re on a tight budget, you can go for this.
Pros:
- Gel-infused ear cups
- Adjustable straps
- Affordable
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Might feel a bit cheap
The Cliff Keen ear guards offer amazing performance. The Cliff Keen ear guards are very stable. Three straps keep the guards stable, and each strap is divided into two for better stability.
The cups are one of the best that you can see. But why? You see, the ear cups are perforated so much, that they offer 80% more audibility than any other ear guards.
There’s another feature that allows the user to tighten or loosen the ear guards on the go, which is very convenient.
Overall, if you’re looking for one of the best ear guards for BJJ at a moderate price range, you can go for these.
Pros:
- Offers 80% more audibility than other ear guards
- Air vent system for more ventilation
- Can be adjusted on the fly
Cons:
- Pricey
The last product we’ll talk about is the Matman headgear. The ear guards are very soft, and they are made of ultralight neoprene fabric. The ear cups are great at absorbing the excessive moisture which will keep your ears cool.
Not only will it keep your ears cool, but it will keep them protected as well. The rear guards aren’t hard, so your partner won’t feel any pain or discomfort during the session.
Pros:
- Ultra-soft and comfortable
- Made of neoprene
- Provides great protection
Cons:
- Uncomfortable strap
- The ear cups offer small space
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Should You Wear Ear Guards for BJJ Every time?
Ear guards for BJJ can protect against blows and friction to ears. If you wear ear guards in every session, you’ll be protected from these harmful and you can prevent a lot of ear-related injuries.
Can Cauliflower Ears be Treated?
Cauliflower ears can be treated in some cases through draining. Even so, the process is very painful, and it can cause you a lot of pain before the state becomes painless.
Conclusion
In the end, it all comes down to your protection and your comfort. Trust me, even if you’re a professional or aspiring to become one, you don’t want a cauliflower ear. It will not only be painful, but it will scar you for the rest of your life. And to be honest, most people regard it as ugly, which you don’t want.
So, we highly recommend that you get one of the best ear guards for BJJ from the aforementioned products. All of these products were tried and tested, and you won’t face any problem with them. Even if you do, they come with a warranty or guarantee, so you’ll be compensated in full.
So, why wait? Get the best ear guards for BJJ now!
