Helmets & Catcher's Gear · The picks
Best youth batting helmets with a face guard, jaw guard or cage (2026): attached by the maker, certified as one
The safest way to buy a guarded helmet is the one where the maker attached the guard and certified the pair. Six helmets that ship that way, from a full wire face guard for a 7-year-old to an either-side jaw guard for a 13-year-old, with the certification line quoted from each page.
By Mike M.Updated Researched · every figure sourced
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Top pick · Best Helmet With Face Guard
Rawlings CoolFlo Max with Face Guard
The CoolFlo Max with the RX2 face guard already attached.
#ad · Price as of November 5, 2026 · Disclosure for the link to Rawlings CoolFlo Max with Face Guard
Quick picks
The rankings at a glance
| # | Product | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rawlings CoolFlo Max with Face Guard The CoolFlo Max with the RX2 face guard already attached. The helmet to buy for a 7- to 10-year-old's first year facing kid pitching. | Best overall / best full face guard (7–10)Youth size | 9.1 /10 | $54.99Amazon |
| 2 |  Easton Z50 with Multi-Adjust Jaw Guard The Z50 with the Multi-Adjust jaw guard pre-assembled and mountable on either side: a jaw guard that follows a switch hitter, on a certified shell. | Best jaw guard, either side (8–14)Small/Medium 6 1/2–7 1/8, Medium/Large 7–7 5/8 | 9.4 /10 | $69.99Amazon |
| 3 |  Easton Z5 2.0 with Universal Jaw Guard Easton's other guard option: the Z5 2.0 shell with the Universal jaw guard, SEI certified to NOCSAE ND022 as a helmet-plus-guard combination in senior and junior sizes. | Best certified pair, runner-upJunior and Senior shells (maker: BZ5-04JR, BZ5-04SR) | 9.1 /10 | $54.48Amazon |
| 4 |  All-Star JawLine Face Guard (right-hand batter) All-Star's cheek protector, bought on its own and bolted to an All-Star shell: the maker states the Jawline is the only jaw protector usable with its helmets without affecting the SEI certification. Sold handed, so buy the right-hand-batter version for a righty. | Best youth cheek guardFits All-Star batting helmets | 9.3 /10 | $19.95Amazon |
| 5 |  Easton Pro Max with Jaw Guard Easton's top helmet: computer-simulated shell thickness, multi-density foam, 'Halo' fit, pre-assembled Multi-Adjust jaw guard, NOCSAE for all levels. For the 12- to 14-year-old who will wear it for years. | Best premium jaw guard (12–14)Medium/Large 6 5/8–7 1/4, Large/XL 7 1/8–7 1/2 | 8.9 /10 | $84.99Amazon |
| 6 |  Easton Z50 Softball with Mask The Z50 with a pre-assembled softball facemask, in Small/Medium (6 1/2–7 1/8) and Medium/Large: the mask helmet that fits a 7- or 8-year-old fastpitch player. | Best fastpitch mask helmetSmall/Medium 6 1/2–7 1/8, Medium/Large 7–7 5/8 | 9.7 /10 | $69.99Amazon |
#ad · Prices come live from Amazon, last checked November 5, 2026. Scores are ours, built from the governing bodies' certification rules, the makers' sizing charts and published specs. Photos are illustrative stock. Tap a row for the full write-up.
Which guard for which kid
| Guard | Covers | Best for | Pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face guard (wire cage) | Whole face, both sides | 7–10, first kid-pitch seasons; switch hitters; any kid who flinches | CoolFlo Max with Face Guard |
| Jaw guard, either-side mount | The exposed cheek and jaw on one side | 10–14, wants the pro look, does not switch-hit | Z50 with Multi-Adjust, Pro Max |
| Jaw guard, side-specific model | One side | Same, but you buy the RH or LH batter version | Z5 2.0 Universal, S7 Jawline |
| Softball mask | Whole face, spaced for an 11–12 in ball | Every fastpitch player | Z50 softball with mask |
The long version, including what each guard does to a kid's view of the pitch, is on face guard vs jaw guard.
Why “certified as one” matters
Translation: a guard is certified with specific shells, and a guard on the wrong shell is a helmet with no certification, whatever marks are inside. Buying the helmet with the guard already attached by the maker removes the question. That is the entire logic of this list, and why a generic aftermarket cage screwed onto last year's helmet is not on it.
How these were ranked
Certification (35%): every pick ships with a guard the maker attached and, on the Easton and All-Star pages, an explicit SEI/NOCSAE statement; the Rawlings CoolFlo Max FG page states the RX2 guard is pre-attached but does not print the certification line, so its card tells you to check the mark inside. Fit range (25%): youth shells and, for Easton, printed hat-size ranges. Ventilation (15%), guard compatibility (10%) and value (15%) make up the rest. We have not worn any of these.
In detail
The picks, in full
Rank 1
Best overall / best full face guard (7–10)
Rawlings CoolFlo Max with Face Guard
The CoolFlo Max with the RX2 face guard already attached. The helmet to buy for a 7- to 10-year-old's first year facing kid pitching.
Spec sheetEvery figure sourced and linked
| Category | Batting helmet |
|---|---|
| Fits | Youth size |
| Certification (quoted) | NOCSAE mark: check inside the shell (this listing does not state it; Rawlings states NOCSAE certification on its RX2 listing) |
| Construction | Ventilated shell, moisture-wicking liner |
| Sizes | Youth (maker spec, Level: Youth) |
| Included | Pre-attached Rawlings RX2 face guard |
The rubric points behind the 9.1
- Certification (NOCSAE / SEI) (35%)
- 10
- Fit range for the age (25%)
- 8
- Ventilation and comfort (15%)
- 7
- Face-guard compatibility (10%)
- 10
- Value (15%)
- 9
Rubric points are scored out of 10 per criterion. The weighted result is published on this site's 8.4–9.8 recommendation scale, because everything listed here is a product we would tell a parent to buy — how the scale works.
Why we picked it
- Face guard comes attached by the maker, which keeps the certification simple
- Full-face wire guard, not a one-side jaw guard, so it works for a switch hitter
Good to know
A cage narrows the view for some kids; try it before a game.
#ad · Price as of November 5, 2026 · Disclosure for the link to Rawlings CoolFlo Max with Face Guard
Rank 2
Best jaw guard, either side (8–14)
Easton Z50 with Multi-Adjust Jaw Guard
The Z50 with the Multi-Adjust jaw guard pre-assembled and mountable on either side: a jaw guard that follows a switch hitter, on a certified shell.
Spec sheetEvery figure sourced and linked
| Category | Batting helmet |
|---|---|
| Fits | Small/Medium 6 1/2–7 1/8, Medium/Large 7–7 5/8 |
| Certification (quoted) | SEI certified: meets NOCSAE standard for all levels of play (maker) |
| Certification | SEI Certification: Meets NOCSAE Standard For All Levels Of Play (maker spec) |
| Construction | Exovent slats; zonal foam; BioDri liner; diagonal halo padding |
| Sizes | Medium/Large 7–7 5/8; Small/Medium 6 1/2–7 1/8 (Z50 size spec) |
| Included | Pre-assembled Multi-Adjust jaw guard, mountable on either side (maker spec) |
The rubric points behind the 9.4
- Certification (NOCSAE / SEI) (35%)
- 10
- Fit range for the age (25%)
- 9
- Ventilation and comfort (15%)
- 8
- Face-guard compatibility (10%)
- 10
- Value (15%)
- 8
Rubric points are scored out of 10 per criterion. The weighted result is published on this site's 8.4–9.8 recommendation scale, because everything listed here is a product we would tell a parent to buy — how the scale works.
Why we picked it
- Jaw guard covers the exposed side of the face without a full cage
- Either-side mounting
- Certified as an assembly
Good to know
A jaw guard protects one side; a switch hitter has to move it.
#ad · Price as of November 5, 2026 · Disclosure for the link to Easton Z50 with Multi-Adjust Jaw Guard
Rank 3
Best certified pair, runner-up
Easton Z5 2.0 with Universal Jaw Guard
Easton's other guard option: the Z5 2.0 shell with the Universal jaw guard, SEI certified to NOCSAE ND022 as a helmet-plus-guard combination in senior and junior sizes.
Spec sheetEvery figure sourced and linked
| Category | Batting helmet |
|---|---|
| Fits | Junior and Senior shells (maker: BZ5-04JR, BZ5-04SR) |
| Certification (quoted) | SEI certified: NOCSAE ND022 batter's helmet with the Universal jaw guard (maker) |
| Certification | SEI Certification: NOCSAE ND022 Newly Manufactured Baseball/Softball Batter's Helmet; certified as BZ5-04SR + UJG-01OS and BZ5-04JR + UJG-01OS (maker spec) |
| Construction | Dual-density foam liner |
| Included | Universal jaw guard; extended jaw guard available in left- or right-hand batting (maker spec) |
The rubric points behind the 9.1
- Certification (NOCSAE / SEI) (35%)
- 10
- Fit range for the age (25%)
- 8
- Ventilation and comfort (15%)
- 7
- Face-guard compatibility (10%)
- 10
- Value (15%)
- 8
Rubric points are scored out of 10 per criterion. The weighted result is published on this site's 8.4–9.8 recommendation scale, because everything listed here is a product we would tell a parent to buy — how the scale works.
Why we picked it
- The maker lists the exact helmet-plus-guard model pairs that carry the certification
- Junior and senior shells
Good to know
Guard is fixed to one side by model.
#ad · Price as of November 5, 2026 · Disclosure for the link to Easton Z5 2.0 with Universal Jaw Guard
Rank 4
Best youth cheek guard
All-Star JawLine Face Guard (right-hand batter)
All-Star's cheek protector, bought on its own and bolted to an All-Star shell: the maker states the Jawline is the only jaw protector usable with its helmets without affecting the SEI certification. Sold handed, so buy the right-hand-batter version for a righty.
Spec sheetEvery figure sourced and linked
| Category | Batting helmet |
|---|---|
| Fits | Fits All-Star batting helmets |
| Certification (quoted) | SEI certified helmet; Jawline does not affect SEI certification (maker) |
| Certification | Maker: the Jawline is the only cheek/jaw protector usable with All-Star batting helmets without impacting the helmet's warranty or SEI certification |
| Construction | Matte-finish JawLine cheek guard with mounting hardware (Amazon listing) |
| Included | One JawLine guard; sold in right- and left-hand batter models |
The rubric points behind the 9.3
- Certification (NOCSAE / SEI) (35%)
- 10
- Fit range for the age (25%)
- 9
- Ventilation and comfort (15%)
- 8
- Face-guard compatibility (10%)
- 9
- Value (15%)
- 8
Rubric points are scored out of 10 per criterion. The weighted result is published on this site's 8.4–9.8 recommendation scale, because everything listed here is a product we would tell a parent to buy — how the scale works.
Why we picked it
- Certification statement is explicit about the guard
- Youth-specific shell
Good to know
Jawline is batter-side specific.
#ad · Price as of November 5, 2026 · Disclosure for the link to All-Star JawLine Face Guard (right-hand batter)
Rank 5
Best premium jaw guard (12–14)
Easton Pro Max with Jaw Guard
Easton's top helmet: computer-simulated shell thickness, multi-density foam, 'Halo' fit, pre-assembled Multi-Adjust jaw guard, NOCSAE for all levels. For the 12- to 14-year-old who will wear it for years.
Spec sheetEvery figure sourced and linked
| Category | Batting helmet |
|---|---|
| Fits | Medium/Large 6 5/8–7 1/4, Large/XL 7 1/8–7 1/2 |
| Certification (quoted) | Meets NOCSAE standard for all levels of play (maker) |
| Certification | SEI Certification: Meets NOCSAE Standard For All Levels Of Play (maker spec) |
| Construction | Shell thickness varied by computer-simulated impact; multi-density foam; game-ready 'Halo' fit |
| Sizes | Large/Extra Large 7 1/8–7 1/2; Medium/Large 6 5/8–7 1/4 (maker spec) |
| Included | Pre-assembled Multi-Adjust jaw guard, mountable on either side |
The rubric points behind the 8.9
- Certification (NOCSAE / SEI) (35%)
- 10
- Fit range for the age (25%)
- 7
- Ventilation and comfort (15%)
- 10
- Face-guard compatibility (10%)
- 10
- Value (15%)
- 5
Rubric points are scored out of 10 per criterion. The weighted result is published on this site's 8.4–9.8 recommendation scale, because everything listed here is a product we would tell a parent to buy — how the scale works.
Why we picked it
- Top-of-line padding and shell
- Either-side jaw guard included
Good to know
Smallest size starts at 6 5/8.
#ad · Price as of November 5, 2026 · Disclosure for the link to Easton Pro Max with Jaw Guard
Rank 6
Best fastpitch mask helmet
Easton Z50 Softball with Mask
The Z50 with a pre-assembled softball facemask, in Small/Medium (6 1/2–7 1/8) and Medium/Large: the mask helmet that fits a 7- or 8-year-old fastpitch player.
Spec sheetEvery figure sourced and linked
| Category | Batting helmet |
|---|---|
| Fits | Small/Medium 6 1/2–7 1/8, Medium/Large 7–7 5/8 |
| Certification (quoted) | SEI certified: meets NOCSAE standard for all levels of play (maker) |
| Certification | SEI Certification: Meets NOCSAE Standard For All Levels Of Play (maker spec) |
| Construction | High-impact ABS shell, Exovent slats, zonal foam, BioDri liner |
| Sizes | Medium/Large 7–7 5/8; Small/Medium 6 1/2–7 1/8 (maker spec) |
| Included | Pre-assembled softball facemask |
The rubric points behind the 9.7
- Certification (NOCSAE / SEI) (35%)
- 10
- Fit range for the age (25%)
- 10
- Ventilation and comfort (15%)
- 8
- Face-guard compatibility (10%)
- 10
- Value (15%)
- 8
Rubric points are scored out of 10 per criterion. The weighted result is published on this site's 8.4–9.8 recommendation scale, because everything listed here is a product we would tell a parent to buy — how the scale works.
Why we picked it
- A Small/Medium shell for the youngest fastpitch players
- Mask assembled by the maker
Good to know
Softball mask spacing is for 11 in and 12 in balls; not a baseball guard.
#ad · Price as of November 5, 2026 · Disclosure for the link to Easton Z50 Softball with Mask
Before you buy
- Measure first. A guard does nothing on a helmet that slides. The size chart has the method and every shell's range.
- Batter's side. For side-specific jaw guards (Z5 2.0 Universal, S7 Jawline), a right-handed batter needs the guard on the left side of the face (the side facing the pitcher). Buy the “RHB” model for a righty. Either-side mounts (Z50, Pro Max) sidestep this.
- Softball is a different mask. Softball masks are spaced for an 11–12 in ball; Easton says its Ghost and Z50 softball masks are “for 11 in softballs and larger only.” Do not put a softball mask on a baseball helmet or the reverse.
- Try the view. Some kids hate a cage and track the ball worse for it. A jaw guard preserves the view; a cage covers more. Let the kid hit off a tee in it before opening day.
- Certified life. Easton prints five years from manufacture under normal play; replace sooner after a hard hit.
The bottom line
Our recommendation
Buy this one
9.1 /10Rawlings CoolFlo Max with Face Guard
Best overall / best full face guard (7–10)
#ad · Price as of November 5, 2026 · Disclosure for the link to Rawlings CoolFlo Max with Face Guard
Or the runner-up
9.4 /10Easton Z50 with Multi-Adjust Jaw Guard
Best jaw guard, either side (8–14)
#ad · Price as of November 5, 2026 · Disclosure for the link to Easton Z50 with Multi-Adjust Jaw Guard
How we picked these
Researched, certification-checked and sized for the age
Every pick on this page earns its place the same way: the certification is checked against the governing bodies' rules and the maker's stated stamp, so the gear is legal for the division it is bought for; sizing comes from the makers' own age, height and hand charts; the published specs (drop, barrel, construction, closure, cleat type) are read from the maker's page; and the patterns in verified buyer reviews sharpen the “best for” line on each card. Every figure links to where it came from, with the date.
Scores are editorial judgments built from that documented research, applied with the same weights to every product in a category, so the ranking is comparable top to bottom. Commissions never set a score or decide a pick. The rubric and its weights are published.
Questions parents ask
Frequently asked
Face guard or jaw guard for a 9-year-old?
Can I add a jaw guard to any helmet?
Is a C-flap legal in youth baseball?
Which helmet with face guard is best for tee ball?
Keep reading
Related on Bat & Bucket
- Helmets with a jaw guardThe one-sided alternative.
- Face guard vs jaw guardCoverage, view and who each suits.
- Best youth batting helmetsThe bare helmets, pre-drilled for a guard.
- Batting helmet size chartMeasure before you add a guard.
- What does my daughter need for softball?Where the mask helmet fits in the softball list.
Receipts
Sources
- Rawlings: CoolFlo Max batting helmet with face guard
- Easton: Z50 batting helmet with Multi-Adjust jaw guard
- Easton: Z5 2.0 helmet with Universal jaw guard
- Amazon listing: All-Star JawLine face guard, matte finish, right-hand batter (read 2026-10-03)
- Easton: Pro Max helmet with jaw guard
- Easton: Z50 softball helmet with mask
- Easton: Universal jaw guard
- Easton: Multi-Adjust jaw guard
- Easton: Ghost softball helmet with mask
Certification rules come from the governing bodies' own pages (Little League, USA Baseball, USSSA, NOCSAE), sizes from the makers' published sizing charts, and specs from the maker's product page or the retailer listing named on each product. Every figure above links to the page it was read from, with the date. Amazon prices move often, so each buy button takes you to the current price. Read the full method.