The Best Rugby League Mouthguards in Australia for 2026, and What the NRL Actually Recommends
The NRL’s mouthguard policy strongly recommends that every rugby league player in Australia, of any age, wears a mouthguard at contact training and in games. Here is what the policy says, which type to buy, and four off-the-shelf mouthguards Australians are buying on Amazon this month.
Custom, boil-and-bite or stock: what the NRL says
The NRL policy describes three kinds of mouthguard. A stock guard comes ready-made and gives the least protection; the policy says players find them bulky, loose and uncomfortable. A mouth-formed guard, usually called boil-and-bite, is softened in hot water and moulded to the teeth. A custom-fitted guard is made by a dentist from an impression of the mouth.
The custom guard is the one the NRL calls ideal, and the one dentists recommend. It costs more, but the policy points out that it costs far less than fixing broken teeth. If a dentist’s guard is not an option right now, a well-fitted boil-and-bite guard is the next best thing, and it is what we list below. We have left out stock guards.
The mouthguard that flashes red
Mouthguards now do more than protect teeth. From the start of the 2026 Super League season, players in England wear instrumented mouthguards made by Prevent Biometrics that flash red when a head impact passes 75g in the men’s game or 65g in the women’s. The team doctor is alerted straight away. The RFL is clear that the guard does not diagnose concussion; it tells the medical staff to check the player. Instrumented mouthguards have been used in rugby league since 2022. Our page on CTE and rugby league players covers why head impacts matter so much.
Those guards are for professional players. For juniors and park footy, a good fit matters most.
Four mouthguards Australians are buying
All four were in stock for delivery in Sydney on 13 November.
d3 Double Gel. A double-gel boil-and-bite guard sold in adult and junior sizes, with a case. It comes in several colours, which helps when a team’s guards all end up in the same kit bag.
SAFEJAWZ Elements Junior. A dual-layer guard made for under-11s, with a case. SAFEJAWZ says the Elements guards passed the industry impact standard by more than three times in its own tests.
Shock Doctor. A multi-layer boil-and-bite guard with a front bumper. Shock Doctor says it is compatible with braces, which matters for a lot of teenage players.
Elastoplast Youth. The pharmacy brand most parents already know, in a youth size. It is a thermoplastic guard, free of BPA and latex, that moulds to the teeth.
| Mouthguard | Type | Best for | On Amazon (affiliate link) |
|---|---|---|---|
| d3 Double Gel | Boil-and-bite, double gel | Adults and juniors who want a choice of colours | See it → |
| SAFEJAWZ Elements Junior | Boil-and-bite, dual layer | Children under 11 | See it → |
| Shock Doctor | Boil-and-bite, multi-layer | Teenagers with braces | See it → |
| Elastoplast Youth | Mouldable thermoplastic | A simple first guard for juniors | See it → |
Getting the fit right
Follow the instructions in the pack, because each brand’s boiling time is different. A guard that fits properly stays up without biting down, and the player can talk and breathe through it. Replace it when it gets loose, chewed or split, and after a growth spurt. Keep it in its case and rinse it after every session.
Most players add headgear once they start tackling. Our rugby headgear guide covers sizes. For juniors stepping up to contact, our guide to junior shoulder pads covers what the rules allow.
