Abstract: An energy dissipating cladding panel connecting method for steel frames was proposed. In order to study the effect of this new kind of connecting method on the seismic behavior of the main structure, quasi-static cyclic tests were carried out on two steel frames with X- or U-shaped steel dampers as the energy dissipating connections and one bare steel frame counterpart. The quasi-static cyclic tests of the two kinds of dampers were carried out as well. The test results indicated that local buckling occurred on the X-shaped dampers during the fatigue loading stage, and the final failure was governed by the fracture of the core board; the U-shaped dampers only presented slight cracks in the fatigue loading stage and showed better fatigue performance; the hysteresis loops of the two kinds of dampers were plump and showed hardening stages, and the X-shaped damper showed a more obvious hardening effect owing to the membrane effect of the core board; the failure modes of the three steel frames were similar, and the damage mechanism of the steel frame was not altered by the cladding panels; cracks occurred on the cladding panel of GKJ-1 in the final loading stage due to the membrane effect of the X-shaped dampers, and the final failure mode of the specimen was governed by the broken of the connecting bolt between the cladding panel and the beam; no damage was observed in the U-shaped dampers and cladding panel of GKJ-2; the cladding panels with energy dissipating connections could increase the stiffness, strength and hysteresis energy of the steel frame.