Abstract: Material testing system (MTS) and spilt Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) were employed to investigate the mechanical response and the failure modes of 2D plain laminated composites (2DWCs), 3D orthogonal woven composites (3DOWCs) and 3D braided composites (3DBCs), respectively. From the stress-strain curve results, the strain rate effect, strain rate sensitivity and energy absorption properties of the three kinds of the composites under different strain rates compression could be concluded. The damage mechanism was also studied. It is found that all kinds of composites have obvious strain rate effect. And when subjected to out-plane compressive loading, 2DWCs shows the highest stiffness, strength, and rate sensitivity, 3DBCs shows the weakest. However, in case that the strain rate is greater than 1 500 s^-1, the 3DBCs have the highest energy absorption capacity, while 2DWCs has the lowest. 2DWCs and 3DOWCs happens shear fracture failure, the failure mode of 3DBCs is mainly in the form of collapse. When loaded with in-plane compression, 2DWCs has the maximum compressive stiffness and the minimum energy absorption capacity, and delamination occurs. 3DOWCs has the highest compressive strength. 3DBCs has the maximum failure strain and strain rate sensitivity, and the failure form is the loaded face expansion damage.