Disclosed herein are HAMR-enabled write heads for data storage devices, data storage devices comprising such HAMR-enabled write heads, and methods of fabricating such HAMR-enabled write heads. A HAMR-enabled write head comprises a leading side, a trailing side, an air-bearing surface (ABS), a main pole disposed between the leading side and the trailing side and extending to the ABS, a return pole comprising a tapered portion at the ABS, wherein the tapered portion is disposed between the main pole and the leading side and extends toward the main pole, and a waveguide disposed between the main pole and the return pole.