Star-shaped　lattice　structures　with　negative　Poisson’s　ratio　(NPR)　effect　have　a　prospective　application　in　the　fields　of　aerospace,　vehicle　and　civil　protection　due　to　their　excellent　capabilities　of　energy　absorption.　However,　existing　gradient　lattice　structures　with　NPR　effect　require　significant　deformation,　making　them　unsuitable　for　small　space　deformation　collision　buffers　in　equipment　like　aircraft　and　automobiles.　To　address　this　issue,　this　study　designs　several　new　star-shaped　cell　structures　(r1,　r2,　r3),　homogeneous　structures　(R1,　R2,　R3),　and　gradient　structures　(“X”,　“V”,　“Λ”,　“O”).　Then　the　NPR　effect,　stress–strain　curves,　specific　energy　absorption　of　these　structures　are　studied　by　the　means　of　quasi-static　compression　experiments　and　finite　element　analysis.　The　results　indicate　that　among　the　cell　structures,　r3　shows　the　best　equivalent　elastic　modulus,　NPR　effect,　and　energy　absorption　effect,　particularly　for　small　deformation.　In　the　case　of　homogeneous　lattice　structures,　R3　exhibits　the　highest　compressive　strength　and　energy　absorption.　For　gradient　lattice　structures,　the　type　of　gradient　has　minimal　impact　on　the　mechanical　properties,　but　the　stress　strength　and　energy　absorption　improve　with　an　increase　in　the　number　of　layers.　These　results　could　provide　a　theoretical　guidance　for　the　application　of　NPR　structures　in　buildings,　vehicle,　and　other　security　protection　fields　to　meet　practical　engineering　needs.　©　2023　Taylor　&　Francis　Group,　LLC.