Three-dimensional（3D） braided composite tubes， including 3D multi-layer braided， 3D five-directional surface-core braided， and 3D seven-directional braided tubes， were fabricated by vacuum assisted resin transfer molding. The yarn traces of the 3D braided composite tubes were systematically analyzed. The quasi-static axial compression tests were carried out to investigate the effects of different braiding processes on the compression bearing capacity， failure mode and energy absorption performance of three-dimensional braided composite tubes. The results showed that the axial bearing capacity and failure mechanism of circular tubes with different braided structures were significantly different. 3D multi-layer braided tubes maintained a high volume content of circumferential yarn， which can effectively bear the axial load， making its axial bearing capacity significantly higher than the other two types of braided circular tubes. However， due to the weak load transfer performance between fibers， brittle failure was easy to occur， resulting in the worst energy absorption effect. 3D five-directional surface-core braided and 3D seven-directional braided tubes had closely interwoven yarn structures， and the radial braided yarn can effectively limit the shear crack growth， thus leading to gradual and stable flowering failure. Such failure had better energy absorption characteristics. The fiber of the 3D five-directional surface-core braided tube broke more fully， and the energy absorption effect was the most excellent.