Best Mouthguard for Sparring: How to Choose One
Sparring is where most of your rounds happen, so it is where your mouthguard does most of its work. The best mouthguard for sparring stays in place without you clenching, lets you breathe between exchanges, and has enough material to take direct strikes. Here is how to choose one, which AlienGuard we recommend for striking and grappling sparring, and how gyms order.
The short answer
- Striking sparring (boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, MMA): Origin (from $104.99), our combat guard with reinforced impact zones and 5 mm thickness, the industry standard for competitive combat sports.
- Step up: Origin Pro ($129.99), the same 5 mm protection with more breathability and comfort, plus an optional High Impact 6mm upgrade (+$15).
- Grappling rounds (wrestling, BJJ): NanoBite ($94.99), our ultra-slim, lowest-profile guard.
What a sparring mouthguard needs to do
- Stay put. If your guard slips, you end up biting down to hold it in place, or taking it out between rounds. A custom guard is made from an impression of your teeth, so it doesn't slip or fall out.
- Let you breathe. Sparring rounds are hard cardio. Custom guards are thin and precise, so most athletes breathe and talk normally while wearing one.
- Take direct strikes. Combat guards are 5 mm thick, compared with 4 mm for non-combat sports, because the extra material absorbs more force from direct, heavy hits. More in how thick a mouthguard should be.
- Hold up to regular sessions. If you spar every week, your guard sees a lot of use. We recommend replacing it every year, or sooner if it is damaged or worn.
Stock, boil-and-bite or custom for sparring?
Stock guards are pre-formed and offer basic protection. Boil-and-bite guards are softened in hot water and bitten into for a closer fit. Custom-fit guards, like AlienGuards, are made from an impression of your own teeth, so there is no size chart and no guessing. A custom guard is more comfortable and secure than a store-bought guard and is easier to wear through long sessions. Custom guards usually cost more than over-the-counter options. You are paying for that fit, comfort and durability. Here is how much a custom mouthguard costs. More on the difference: why custom mouthguards outperform boil-and-bite.
Our pick for striking sparring: Origin
Origin is our combat guard for boxing, MMA, Muay Thai and kickboxing, sports where direct, heavy blows are part of the game. It has reinforced impact zones and is 5 mm thick. It is formed on a model of your own teeth from our at-home impression kit, so it stays in place without slipping. Choose clear, white, black, green, red, blue or yellow, or 2–3 colors in stripes or marbled, and add custom text, your logo or Apex full custom art.
The step up: Origin Pro
Origin Pro is built like Origin at the same 5 mm. The difference is more breathability and comfort, plus the optional High Impact 6mm upgrade (+$15) for super high-impact training and fights. It can carry your logo and custom text on the same guard. Thicker isn't automatically better: 5 mm is the industry standard for competitive combat sports. Compare both side by side on the model comparison.
Grappling sparring: NanoBite
Rolling in jiu-jitsu or live wrestling doesn't involve the same direct strikes, and breathing and talking matter more. NanoBite is our ultra-slim, lowest-profile guard for wrestling, BJJ, football, rugby and team sports like hockey and basketball. See the MMA and BJJ mouthguard guide and the wrestling mouthguard guide.
Sparring more than one discipline?
Some athletes keep a combat guard for striking sparring and a NanoBite for the mats. If you mostly do MMA with hard sparring, start with Origin, or Origin Pro if you want more breathability and comfort. Choose Impression Storage when you build, and we keep your model on file so you can order a second guard or a replacement without taking a new impression. More in boxing vs. MMA mouthguards.
Sparring mouthguards by sport
| Sport | Our pick | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Boxing | Origin or Origin Pro | Custom boxing mouthguards |
| Kickboxing | Origin or Origin Pro | Kickboxing mouthguard guide |
| Muay Thai | Origin or Origin Pro | Muay Thai mouthguard guide |
| MMA | Origin or Origin Pro | MMA and BJJ mouthguard guide |
| BJJ and wrestling | NanoBite | MMA and BJJ, wrestling |
Lifting on strength days? Any of our guards works for lifting, and PowerBite ($99.99) is built for powerlifting and weightlifting.
Braces, kids and youth fighters
Every order requires a liability waiver. Athletes with braces can get AlienGuards, but their dentist needs to take the impression instead of using our at-home kit, so the braces don't get damaged. Your dentist can take an impression or 3D scan, then ship it to us or email it to impressions@alienguards.com. More in can you wear a mouthguard with braces. There is no age limit, but younger athletes' teeth are still changing, so plan to replace their guard more often. Parents can read our guide to custom mouthguards for kids and youth athletes.
Gyms and fight teams
Gyms, fight teams and schools can order through the AlienGuards Association: 20% off all mouthguards and merch, including Origin, NanoBite and PowerBite, with a minimum order of 5 mouthguards. Every guard can carry your gym logo plus athlete names or numbers, and on-site fitting is available to help each athlete take a good impression (minimum order and location apply). Gym owners can also earn a revenue share through our partnership program, or buy at wholesale and set their own price through the wholesale program. More on team programs: custom mouthguards for gyms and teams.
Care between sparring sessions
Rinse your guard in cool water before and after each use. Brush it gently with a soft toothbrush and mild soap, not toothpaste. Air-dry it in a ventilated case (see our accessories), and keep it away from hot water, dishwashers, hot cars and direct sun so it keeps its shape. The full routine is in how to clean and care for your custom mouthguard, and replacement signs are in how often to replace your mouthguard.
How ordering works
- Build and order. Pick your model, colors and custom logo or text. We ship you an impression kit.
- Take your impression. Follow the impression guide at home. It takes about 10 minutes, and the putty sets in 2 minutes 30 seconds. Then mail the impression back to our lab.
- We make it. Your guard is crafted within 10–14 business days after we receive a good impression, then shipped with tracking. The full timeline is in how long a custom mouthguard takes.
Sparring mouthguard FAQ
What is the best mouthguard for sparring?
For striking sparring in boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai or MMA, we recommend Origin: a custom-fit combat guard with reinforced impact zones and 5 mm thickness. Choose Origin Pro for the same 5 mm protection with more breathability and comfort. For BJJ and wrestling rounds, choose NanoBite.
Do I need a 6 mm guard for sparring?
Not necessarily. 5 mm is the industry standard for competitive combat sports. Origin Pro's optional High Impact 6mm upgrade is for super high-impact training and fights.
Can I spar with braces?
You can get an AlienGuard with braces. Your dentist needs to take your impression instead of using our at-home kit, so your braces don't get damaged. Your dentist can take an impression or 3D scan, then ship it to us or email it to impressions@alienguards.com.
Is there an age limit?
No. Younger athletes' teeth are still changing, so plan to replace their guard more often.
Do gyms get a discount?
Yes. Gyms and teams that order through the AlienGuards Association get 20% off mouthguards and merch, including Origin, NanoBite and PowerBite, with a minimum order of 5 mouthguards.
More answers are in the FAQ. Shop all combat sports mouthguards.