Best Mouthguards for BJJ and Grappling 2026

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You do not need a mouthguard to train BJJ, but every grappler who has been clipped by an accidental elbow or had their lip split by a stray knee wishes they had been wearing one. A good mouthguard costs $20 to $40 and prevents emergency dental work that costs $2,000 plus. Here are the six best options for 2026.

Our Top Picks at a Glance

• Best Overall · SISU Aero NextGen 1.6mm
• Best Premium · OPRO Power-Fit Custom
• Best Budget · Shock Doctor Gel Max at $20
• Best for Breathing · SISU Aero NextGen
• Best for MMA Crossover · Venum Predator
• Best for Kids · SISU Junior Aero

Why You Should Wear a Mouthguard in BJJ

BJJ is lower impact than striking sports but accidents happen. The most common injuries that a mouthguard prevents are:

• Lip cuts · A knee, elbow or accidental head clash can split a lip badly enough to need stitches
• Chipped or knocked out teeth · Same mechanism, far more expensive to fix
• Tongue bites · Surprisingly common during scrambles and submission defence
• Jaw protection · Bite force during a heavy roll can damage molars and the jaw joint over time

Dental insurance does not cover most sport injuries. A $25 mouthguard pays for itself the first time anything happens.

1. SISU Aero NextGen 1.6mm — Best Overall

The SISU Aero NextGen 1.6mm at $30 is the best mouthguard for BJJ on the market in 2026. Custom moulded, ultra thin (1.6mm), and designed to let you breathe and talk while wearing it. Unlike most boil and bite mouthguards, SISU does not feel like a giant rubber blob in your mouth.

Pros. Comfortable, talks-through-clearly, comes in multiple colours, holds up to a few years of daily use.

Cons. The thin profile is less protective in high impact sports like MMA. For pure BJJ it is perfect.

2. OPRO Power-Fit Custom — Best Premium

OPRO Power-Fit at $50 is the closest to a dentist made custom mouthguard you can get without going to a dentist. Multi layer construction with shock absorption, true custom fit, and very high comfort.

The Power-Fit comes with an extended five year guarantee on shape retention.

3. Shock Doctor Gel Max — Best Budget

Shock Doctor Gel Max at $20 is the classic budget mouthguard that has been around for decades. Boil and bite, gel cushioning, and proven across multiple combat sports.

Pros. Cheap, widely available, easy to fit.

Cons. Bulky, makes talking and breathing harder than the SISU.

4. Venum Predator — Best for MMA Crossover

The Venum Predator at $25 is built for the higher impact demands of MMA training while still being usable for BJJ. Thicker profile than SISU, with reinforced front teeth protection for stand up exchanges.

Best for grapplers who also train MMA or kickboxing alongside BJJ.

5. SISU Junior Aero — Best for Kids

The SISU Junior at $25 fits kids ages 7 to 11 and uses the same thin profile and breathable design as the adult version. Comfortable enough that kids actually keep it in during sparring.

6. SISU Aero NextGen 2.4mm — Best for Heavy Impact Training

If you want SISU comfort with more protection for harder training, the 2.4mm NextGen at $40 is a thicker option. Still much more comfortable than a standard boil and bite, with extra impact absorption.

How to Fit a Boil and Bite Mouthguard

1. Boil water in a kettle. Let it stop bubbling for thirty seconds (not boiling hot when you fit it).
2. Drop the mouthguard in for the time specified on the package (usually 30 to 60 seconds).
3. Remove with tongs, dunk briefly in cold water for two seconds.
4. Place in your mouth, bite down firmly, and use your tongue and fingers to press the guard against your teeth and gums.
5. Hold for thirty seconds. Then dunk in cold water again to set the shape.

If the fit is bad, you can re-boil and try again. Most mouthguards can be re-fitted two or three times.

Care and Hygiene

• Rinse with cold water after every use
• Store in the ventilated case it came with, not just thrown in your gym bag
• Brush gently with a toothbrush and mild soap once a week
• Replace every 12 to 18 months of regular use or sooner if the fit deteriorates
• Never share a mouthguard with anyone, ever

Final Recommendation

For 2026, the SISU Aero NextGen 1.6mm at $30 is the best mouthguard for BJJ training. It is the only mouthguard most grapplers find comfortable enough to actually wear consistently, and the protection is more than adequate for grappling. Buy it, fit it correctly, and keep it in for every session.