34 Best Lacrosse Heads Reviewed
The heads worth your money at attack, midfield, defense, goalie and faceoff, with specs, pros and cons for every one.

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Your lacrosse head is the single most important piece of equipment when it comes to performance. Sure, helmets and pads are important for safety, but your lacrosse head helps determine how well you pass, shoot, catch, pick up ground balls, check, and much more.
We broke this list down by position so you can jump straight to the heads built for how you play. Every pick has its specs, pros and cons, and a link to buy.
Our top picks
- Best for attack: StringKing Mark 3V
- Best for midfield: Maverik Tactik 3.0
- Best for defense: STX Hammer 1K
- Best for goalie: STX Eclipse 2
- Best for faceoff: StringKing Mark 2F
Compare all 34 heads
Best attack heads
Speed and accuracy: tight faces, low to mid pockets, quick release. We ranked 12 heads for attack.
1. StringKing Mark 3V Top pick

Position Attack Weight 4.5 oz Price $119.99
Specs: Wide face shape, mid-pocket location, 8 top string holes, 32 sidewall holes, tapered throat design.
- Durable enough to maintain shape under extreme weather
- New ultra-strong plastic build
- Good long-distance shooting accuracy
- Secure cradling with mid-pocket design
- Ample stringing options for customization
- Very stiff to cradle in tight situations
- Requires extra strength for clamping
2. Maverik Optik Force

Position Attack Weight 4.85 oz Price $109.99
Specs: Low to mid-low pocket location, 6 top string holes, 20 sidewall holes, extremely stiff, short throat design.
- Lightweight and extremely stiff
- Accurate long-distance shooting
- Multiple sidewall holes for customization
- Better ground-ball control and cradling
- Stylish honeycomb ball stop design
- Requires pocket customization for optimal control
- Slightly wider face may not be optimal for some players
3. STX Surgeon 1K
Position Attack Weight 4.83 oz
Specs: Redesigned face shape, maximum offset, Speed Scoop design.
- Lightweight feel
- Enhanced shooting accuracy
- Great for ground balls
- Exclusively for attack-minded players
- Higher price point
4. Gait Torq 3

Position Attack Weight 4.5 oz Price $99.99
Specs: Wider face profile, moderately angled and parallel sidewalls, reduced weight.
- Lightweight and durable
- Well-spaced sidewall holes for pocket customization
- Wide face for easy catching
- No spread on shots
- Lower walls offer minimal flex, which can sometimes result in slight rattling on off-centered hits
5. Maverik Kinetik 3.0

Position Attack Price $109.99
Specs: Slightly narrower face shape, Duratuff material, curved scoop, Tension Lock feature, shorter throat, dual screw holes.
- Narrow profile for better control
- Tension lock system for improved stringing
- Warp resistant
- Durable Duratuff material
- Less surface area for angled catching
- Higher price point
6. ECD Mirage 2.0
Position Attack Weight 5.0 oz
Specs: Pinched face, deep offset design, high pocket placement, stiff top rail.
- Durable and weather-resistant
- Warp resistance
- Offers a smooth release
- Heavier than some alternatives
- Fewer sidewall holes for customization
7. Maverik Optik 3.0
Position Attack
Specs: Shorter throat, 20 sidewall holes on each side, tight pinch, stiff, low offset.
- Lightweight
- Stiff & durable
- Tight face shape
- Shortened throat gives more control when one-handed cradling
- Not great for mid-to-high pockets
8. STX Surgeon 900
Position Attack Weight 4.4 oz
Specs: Narrow face shape, EnduraForm plastic, Speed Scoop.
- Extremely light
- Narrow face shape
- Great scoop
- Not as stiff as some alternatives
9. StringKing Mark 2A
Position Attack
Specs: Slightly wider face shape, pinched towards throat, flares lower, traditional offset, numerous sidewall holes, flat scoop.
- Many sidewall holes
- Great scoop
- Very light
- Low offset helps w/ one-handed cradling
- Wider face than alternatives
10. Gait Mustang

Position Attack Price $99.99
Specs: Wider face profile, slightly pinched-in side rails, aggressive scoop, 6 top holes, 18 side holes.
- Aggressive scoop design for high-speed shooting
- Durable and stiff
- Many side holes for pocket customization
- Heavy
11. Warrior Burn XP2-O

Position Attack Price $119.99
Specs: Wider face with high pinch and flare, maximum offset, deep channel, rounded scoop with ridges, 20 side holes, Thermaloc+ material, X-TRUSS technology.
- SPINE TRACK design for consistent throws
- Protecting diffusers and thermaloc+ built
- Slightly expensive
- Scoop design may cause trouble for beginners
12. Nike Surge Elite
Position Attack Weight 4.7 oz
Specs: Lakota 3 face profile, aggressive scoop, mid-high pocket, 6 top string holes, 18 sidewall holes, moderately stiff, narrow throat design, PowerForm material.
- Accurate high-speed shooting
- Durable PowerForm material construction
- Weather resistant
- Warp resistant
- Plenty of sidewall holes for pocket customization
- Long break-in period
- Stiff for beginners
Not currently sold at BattleLax
Best midfield heads
All around heads that balance stiffness, weight and a scoop built for transition. We ranked 5 heads for midfield.
13. Maverik Tactik 3.0 Top pick

Position Midfield Price $109.99
Specs: CoreControl technology, level 3 bottom rail, great stiffness-to-weight ratio, great scoop, more pinched face than Tactik 2.0.
- Very stiff
- Relatively light
- A ton of sidewall holes
- Great scoop
- Sidewall holes are a bit small
14. STX Stallion 1K
Position Midfield
Specs: Speed Scoop, narrow pinch that opens toward scoop, Innerlock technology, offset toward middle to top of head.
- Stiff & durable
- Speed Scoop is amazing
- Lightweight
- Great face shape
- Not great for low pockets
15. Nike L3
Position Midfield
Specs: Smooth face shape, wider face, smooth flare, offset toward middle, average number of sidewall holes.
- Very lightweight
- Easy to string
- Stiff
- Good for a variety of positions
- Wider face shape than alternatives
Not currently sold at BattleLax
16. RC1
Position Midfield Weight 4.9 oz
Specs: Mid pocket location, average stiffness, 6 top string holes, 23 sidewall holes on each side, wider face shape.
- Budget-friendly price
- Suitable for all-rounder positions
- Good balance between flexibility and stiffness
- Numerous side holes for customized stringing
- Mesh quality could be improved
- Average cradling hold
- Not ideal for face-offs
Not currently sold at BattleLax
17. Nike CEO 3
Position Midfield Weight 4.9 oz
Specs: Mid pocket location, slightly wide face shape, 4 top string holes, 16 sidewall holes, stiffer build, shorter throat, zero-friction scoop.
- High durability
- Sharp shooting accuracy and speed
- Strong side rails with multiple holes for pocket customization
- Versatile for midfielders and face-off specialists
- Long break-in period
- Uncomfortable throat edges
- Less flexible for beginners
Not currently sold at BattleLax
Best defense heads
Stiff, durable heads that throw checks and scoop ground balls in traffic. We ranked 6 heads for defense.
18. STX Hammer 1K Top pick
Position Defense
Specs: Improved EnduraForm plastic, pinched toward throat, high offset, Speed Scoop, InnerLock technology, 15 sidewall holes on each side.
- Very stiff
- Durable
- Great scoop
- Nice face shape
- Fewer sidewall holes than competitors
19. StringKing Mark 2D
Position Defense Weight 5.2 oz
Specs: Sharp angle scoop, dramatic forward cant, above-average stiffness, locking bolt in throat, numerous stringing holes, high pocket.
- Very light
- Above-average stiffness
- Great scoop design & head shape for ground balls
- Tons of stringing holes
- Hard to string a low pocket in it
20. Maverik Havok
Position Defense
Specs: Tighter pinch toward throat, opens toward scoop, decent stiffness, Ground Control scoop, forward canting top half.
- Face shape helps give more control in transition
- Great for ground balls
- Relatively light
- May take getting used to for D players used to wide heads
- Not as stiff as some D heads
21. ECD Delta
Position Defense
Specs: Stiff construction, X-shaped sidewall struts, 18 side holes, wider face, tighter throat design.
- Stiff and durable design
- It doesn't warp on strong checks
- Smooth ground ball pickups for get-and-go
- Minimal spread on long shots
- Limited ground ball control in traffic
22. Warrior Burn XP2-D
Position Defense Weight 5.6 oz
Specs: Highly stiff, thermalock hybrid build, wider throat design, steeper face, deeper pocket, recessed stringing holes.
- Durable and weather-resistant
- Perfect Offset for consistent performance
- Minimal impact on checking
- The pocket needed minimal break-in time
- Scoop design is not good for offensive middies
23. Maverik Tank 2.0

Position Defense Weight 5.5 oz Price $109.99
Specs: Low pocket location, moderately stiff construction, 6 top string holes, 20 sidewall holes, moderately wide face, rounded scoop.
- Durable construction designed for aggressive play
- Excellent ball control and quick release
- Smooth ground ball pickups
- Ample stringing options for customization
- Stiffness may challenge cradling in tight situations
- Heavier than some attack-focused heads
- Not ideal for offensive play styles
Best goalie heads
Big catching area, stiff rails and a throat you can control. We ranked 5 heads for goalie.
24. STX Eclipse 2 Top pick
Position Goalie
Specs: New throat design, doubled stringing holes, offset design.
- Stiffer than the original Eclipse
- Upgrade ergonomic throat gives you more control
- Plenty of stringing holes so you can customize your pocket
- Slightly heavier than some alternatives
- More expensive than other options
25. StringKing Mark 2G
Position Goalie Weight Under 11 oz
Specs: Extremely light, good surface area, good stiffness, shortened low-profile throat, 42 sidewall holes.
- Extremely light
- TONS of stringing holes
- 6-month warranty
- Not much room for grip on throat
26. Warrior Nemesis 3
Position Goalie
Specs: More struts along sidewall, 1.1 oz lighter than Nemesis 2, stiff.
- Stiff
- Many stringing holes
- Pretty light
- No ergonomic throat design
27. Warrior Nemesis Lite

Position Goalie Weight 11.4 oz Price $99.99
Specs: Very stiff rails, rugged sidewall design, flared sidewalls, triangular face shape, narrower bottom.
- Large catching area
- Stiff and lightweight
- Uncomfortable throat end
28. STX Eclipse 3
Position Goalie Weight 15 oz
Specs: Firm construction, refined throat design, narrower grip, updated strut pattern, angled scoop, two screw holes in throat.
- Weather resistant and doesn't warp
- Enduro Foam construction
- Smooth throat for better hand placement
- Bulky design
- Stiff pocket
Best faceoff heads
Flex for the clamp, warp resistance for the possession after. We ranked 6 heads for faceoff.
29. StringKing Mark 2F Top pick

Position Faceoff Price $99.99
Specs: Great warp resistance, many stringing holes, excellent scoop, thin plastic, shortened throat.
- Very light
- Great warp resistance
- Good offensive performance
- Many stringing holes
- Shortened throat
30. ECD Weapon X
Position Faceoff
Specs: Full offset, asymmetrical sidewalls, FlexForm plastic, throat plug, many stringing holes.
- Great for offense
- Full offset
- Great warp resistance
- Has throat plug
- Many stringing holes
- Amazing scoop
- Heavier than some alternatives
- Takes time to break in
31. Nike CEO
Position Faceoff
Specs: Sidewall struts designed to collapse, tight pinch, great face flex.
- One of the most popular faceoff heads of all time
- Very flexible
- Best face flex of any head
- Great for "grabbing" balls in 50/50s
- Warps very easily, making it hard to use on offense
- Breaks easily
- Doesn't have shortened throat
Not currently sold at BattleLax
32. Warrior Burn Formula

Position Faceoff Price $99.99
Specs: Flexible sidewalls, stiff scoop, slightly curved scoop, shorter throat design, mid-low pocket.
- Flexible sidewalls to win loose draws
- Aggressive scoop design for easy ground ball pick-ups
- Pocket friendly
- The top strings were torn out early
- Average shooting speed
33. STX X-IT Flex
Position Faceoff
Specs: Mid-pocket location, extremely flexible design, 4 top string holes, 28 sidewall holes, angled sidewalls, rounded scoop.
- Shorter throat design for better control
- Multi-angle flexibility for quicker break-in
- Lightweight and highly durable reflex plastic
- Ample stringing options for customization
- Uneven string hole patterns
- Less effective for delivering strong checks
34. ECD Weapon X 2.0

Position Faceoff Weight 5.15 oz Price $99.99
Specs: Low to mid-low pocket location, hybrid-flex design, 6 top string holes, 14 sidewall holes, rounded scoop, durable flex foam construction.
- Durable flex foam construction
- Lightweight design
- Engineered flex points for better control during clamps
- Two variants available for different flexibility needs
- Spread on long-distance shots
- Average shooting speed
- Not stiff enough for powerful checks
How to choose a lacrosse head
Seven things decide whether a head fits your game.
- Face shape. Pinched heads give more control; wider faces make catching easier.
- Weight. Offensive players lean lighter; defenders favor heavier, stiffer heads.
- Stiffness & durability. Usually rise with weight. Stiffer heads hold shape on checks.
- Pocket placement. Set by where the head reaches maximum offset: low, mid or high.
- Scoop design. Shapes how easily you pick up ground balls.
- Stringing holes. More holes mean more ways to customize your pocket.
- Prestrung vs unstrung. Prestrung is ready to play; unstrung lets you build your own pocket.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best lacrosse head for shooting?
Among our attack picks, the StringKing Mark 3V and Maverik Optik Force lead for speed and accuracy. Both are stiff, light and built for long distance shooting.
Does your lacrosse head affect performance?
Yes. Your head helps determine how well you pass, shoot, catch, pick up ground balls and check, which makes it the most important piece of equipment for performance.
What head should a long stick midfielder or defender use?
Start with our defense picks. The STX Hammer 1K stood out for durability, and the StringKing Mark 2D for light weight with above average stiffness.
Should I buy a prestrung or unstrung head?
Prestrung heads are convenient and ready to play out of the box. Unstrung heads let you or a stringer build a custom pocket for your position.
