The work aims to establish a corresponding finite element model to study the ability of out-of-plane cushioning energy absorption of the rectangular and X-shaped combined honeycomb and analyze the energy absorption, dynamic plateau stress and deformation mode of combined honeycomb under different impact conditions. A reliable finite element model was established based on the array of cells with ANSYS/LS–DYNA software. Then, on basis of this model, the simulation analysis of out-of-plane dynamic impact was carried out under different structural parameters and impact velocities, and the results were displayed in the form of charts. The out-of-plane cushioning performance of combined honeycomb was better than those of the rectangular and X-shaped honeycombs. When the relative density was fixed, the cushioning performance of the combined honeycomb became better with the increase of expanding angle. For the combined honeycomb with the expanding angle of 90°, the volume energy absorption value was increased by 3.77%, 4.53% and 26.95%, in comparison with those of 70°, 50° and 30°, respectively. Some curves could be used to fit the correlations of out-of-plane dynamic plateau stress with configuration parameters and impact velocity. There is a strong coupling effect between the rectangular and X-shaped honeycomb, and the values of contact load and total energy absorption are greater than the sum of both. The impact velocity has a great effect on the deformation modes of combined honeycomb, and three deformation modes are observed. However, the cell wall thickness has no obvious effect on the deformation mode. When the expanding angle and impact velocity are constant, the relationship between the out-of-plane dynamic plateau stress and the ratio of cell wall thickness to edge length of the combined honeycomb is shown as a quadratic curve. When the expanding angle and cell wall thickness are fixed, there is a linear relationship between the out-of-plane dynamic plateau stress and impact velocity.