To develop a high performance buckling-restrained brace (BRB) with less weight, an innovative type of the BRB with transverse rib restraints is proposed and studied through experiment. Three BRB specimens are cyclically loaded in the investigation. Specimen 1 adopts a Q235 core member and transverse rib restraints. Specimen 2 adopts a LYP160 low yield point steel core member and transverse rib restraints. Specimen 3 adopts a LYP160 low yield point steel core member and mortar restraint. The experimental results indicate that the transverse rib restraining mode can provide sufficient lateral stiffness for the core member and effectively restrain its buckling. The BRB specimens with a LYP160 core member exhibit better hysteretic performance and energy dissipation capacity than the specimens with a Q235 core member.