Any yoga mat will do, right? Not quite. Taking your practice to the next level with different types of yoga (or getting started in the first place) requires a surface that works just as hard as you do—and depending on your needs, the best yoga mat for you may be entirely different than the one you’re currently using.
Although most yoga mats look similar, not all mats are the same, and there are some important factors to consider when shopping for the best mat for you, your practice, and your lifestyle.
How we chose the best yoga mat
We consulted with fitness experts and researched top-reviewed products, deeply examining specs and even testing some ourselves, to find the only yoga mats worth buying—no matter what level you’re at in your practice.
To help you find the best yoga mat for your needs, we asked yoga instructors to round up the best picks you can find online right now, on top of combing through thousands of reviews from shoppers just like you. Check out their top-rated choices below.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: Manduka eKO Lite Yoga
- Best Value: Gaiam Classic Print Yoga Mat
- Rave Reviews: BalanceForm GoYoga Mat
- Best Extra Thick: Lululemon The Mat
- Best Non-Slip: Jade Yoga Harmony Yoga Mat
- Best for Hot Yoga: Yoga Design Lab The Combo Yoga Mat
- Best for Travel: JadeYoga Voyager Yoga Mat
- Best Reversible: Gaiam Reversible Yoga Mat
- Best Non-Toxic: Guru Sprout Yoga Mat
- Best for Beginners: Heathyoga Non-Slip Yoga Mat
Manduka eKO Lite Yoga Mat
✔️ BEST OVERALL
When we asked the experts about the best lightweight yoga mat, yoga teachers kept coming back to one mat in particular: the Manduka eKO Lite. “This is my mat of choice and has been for nearly six years,” Chen says. “It’s supportive with the right amount of give without too much sponginess and great for Vinyasa classes.” Although it isn’t super heavy, it has enough weight to keep it in place during your practice.
At just five pounds, it’s also lightweight enough that Alicia Hansen, a Cleveland-based yoga teacher, likes to take it on the road. “I’ve put it in my checked luggage for a cross-country trip, unfolded it and it settles back out in no time. It’s also one of the more affordable Manduka options, which my wallet appreciates too.”
Gaiam Classic Print Yoga Mat
✔️ BEST VALUE
Yoga mats can get pricey. The Medallion Yoga Mat by Gaiam is a wonderfully affordable option that yogis can trust. Feel your feet connect with the earth through its 4-mm width, which offers just enough cushion without throwing you off-center. Its double-sided texture also provides traction, so you’ll be able to get into a downward-facing dog or a triangle pose without slipping. And did we mention it has a beautiful, yet simple design?
“This specific mat lasted quite well in the several months I’ve been using it,” says an Amazon reviewer who is new to yoga. “This was the first yoga mat that I purchased for myself. When I began practicing yoga, I didn’t know if I’m going to be consistent. That’s why I preferred to start with something simple and upgrade over time.”
BalanceFrom GoYoga Mat
✔️ RAVE REVIEWS
This best-selling yoga mat boasts over 70,000 raving reviews on Amazon, meaning it’s the real deal. With a 24-inch width and a 71-inch height, it’s ideal for students of all sizes. Plus, it’s half an inch thick, providing cushion and support for those with sensitive backs, hips, knees, and elbows.
Even better, it comes with an adjustable strap so you can easily travel with it or store it in a small nook for workout gear. Use it to do yoga, bodyweight exercises, Pilates, and more. “It feels like heaven on my back,” one reviewer says. “I could even sleep on it, in the event of an emergency. Lastly, it has Velcro straps to hold it together, and a nice shoulder sling. It is perfect!” The only drawback? It’s bulkier and therefore tougher to transport than other options.
Lululemon The Mat 5-mm
✔️ BEST EXTRA THICK
Jake Ferree, a Los Angeles-based yoga teacher, says that Lululemon’s The Mat 5-mm is “the best mat in my opinion.” It’s 5-mm thick, which means it’s pretty comfy, making more intense classes all the more easier to enjoy. “It has awesome grip and support, which makes it a great mat for classes you get sweaty in.”
“The top layer absorbs moisture to help you get a grip during sweaty practices while the reverse side’s natural rubber offers more cushion,” Quinn Suplina explains. Pro tip: Ferree recommends unrolling the mat and keeping it outside for a few days before you first use it, which helps air out its strong initial scent. And for best results, be sure to wipe your mat off and let it dry after each use, too.
JadeYoga Harmony Yoga Mat
✔️ BEST NON-SLIP
There’s nothing worse than your hands slipping in the middle of a flow or a difficult pose—and strong grip is the perfect way to keep that from happening. This one is Quinn Suplina’s personal pick: “It’s made of non-toxic natural rubber and offers just the right amount of cushion for beginners to advanced yogis,” she says. “The mat is very stable and is quite durable.”
Reviewers note that the mat is sticky, which might feel odd at first, but this allows even the sweatiest students to remain stable throughout a flow—no towel needed. “It can make transitions like upward dog to downward dog a little more challenging than on other mats,” Quinn Suplina notes, but that’s not an issue for those with a bit of practice. Who knows? This mat might make you a stronger yogi, too.
Yoga Design Lab The Combo Yoga Mat
✔️ BEST FOR HOT YOGA
When you practice hot yoga, you need a mat that not only supports your body but also handles a sweat-drenched practice with ease. Say hello to The Combo Mat from Yoga Design Lab. “It combines a mat and towel in one to prevent slipping around when you get sweaty,” says Los Angeles-based yoga instructor and run coach Theodora Blanchfield. It also gets a thumbs-up for its velvety feel and gorgeous designs. The best part? It’s machine washable, and comes in two sizes: 3.5-mm and 5.5-mm.
“If I had to describe what this mat is like, it’s basically like a huge mousepad,” one reviewer writes. “It’s soft on top and doesn’t feel as rough on my old lady knees. I’ve always had a hard time with my hands slipping everywhere with my old mat. This mat is SO much better so far.”
JadeYoga Voyager Yoga Mat
✔️ BEST FOR TRAVEL
Yoga mats aren’t exactly the most travel-friendly accessory. But if you’re frequently on the go and plan to keep up with your practice, you want a mat that you can easily take with you. Your best bet: Jade Yoga’s Voyager Mat. It weighs only one and a half pounds and folds into the size of a yoga block. “This mat is incredibly compact, yet durable with a great grip. I fold it to fit into my backpack or suitcase and it never creases,” says Sara Clark, a YogaGlo instructor and mindfulness coach. Plus, Jade Yoga plants a tree for every mat sold.
“I was shocked when I received the box from Amazon because it was so light; I thought it was empty,” one reviewer raves. “Although it's super-thin, it's very durable and it provides enough padding for me to do yoga in hotel rooms without any problem.”
Gaiam Reversible Yoga Mat
✔️ BEST REVERSIBLE
Gaiam’s thick, reversible yoga mat is one of Amazon’s most popular picks. It features a non-slip surface that’ll keep you grounded, even when you start to sweat, but the star attraction here is the thick cushioning that provides ample support and stability for sensitive joints. And while it’s designed for yoga, you can easily turn it around and take on a core workout as well.
“I’m a yoga instructor and I love Gaiam mats because they’re not outrageously expensive, are a good value, and do the job you need them to do,” one Amazon reviewer writes. “5-mm thickness is great for basic yoga and most traditions, including flow practices. I also recommend a 5-mm thickness as a comfort for older students or anyone with minor joint issues.” Plus, it’s on sale right now!
Gurus Sprout Yoga Mat
✔️ BEST NON-TOXIC
Anyone with sweaty hands and feet can attest to slipping on a yoga mat at least once, but this travel mat is made of a sustainable material that’ll keep you in place. Unlike foam mats, cork reacts to the sweat on your body by becoming more grippy, giving you extra traction even if you’re doing an impressive handstand. And because cork is naturally antimicrobial, you won’t have to clean it as much.
“I have very sweaty palms and feet, which is always a problem with yoga, but with this mat I never have to even think about slipping, let alone feel it,” says one Amazon reviewer. “I’ve found much more stability in my practice, even in poses like crane where I never thought there’d been a problem before.”
Heathyoga Non-Slip Yoga Mat
✔️ BEST FOR BEGINNERS
Suited for yogis just starting their practices, this eco-friendly yoga mat includes alignment lines on the top layer to help you make adjustments with your hands and feet as you’re moving through poses. The double layer also provides grip so you don’t slip and can maintain balance. We love that it also comes with a carrying strap so you can bring it with you wherever you go.
“I highly recommend this mat, whether you’re a beginner or a little more seasoned,” one Amazon reviewer writes. “The quality and features are on par with $80+ ‘pro’ mats, but at a much friendlier price point!” You can save over 30% if you order it right now!
Suga Recycled Wetsuit Yoga Mat
✔️ Best Eco-Friendly
Eschewing new materials altogether, this nonslip yoga mat is made from recycled wetsuits, which keeps them out of landfills and gives them a whole new life as part of your practice. They’re thick, too, which means you won’t feel the floor no matter how many Chaturanga-to-up-dogs you take on, and they have a slight texture that’ll keep your hands and feet firmly in place without slippage.
“I love this mat for hot yoga—no need for bringing a towel to cover your mat,” a reviewer explains. “This is thicker and slightly heavier than other mats I’ve used, but I LOVE how it feels. I feel extra grounded when using this mat. It looks super-cool, too, and I enjoy seeing the small bits of really colorful wetsuits.”
Manduka PRO Yoga Mat
✔️ Best Investment
Most pros agree that if you’re going to invest in a yoga mat, you should consider investing in the Manduka PRO, which has been dubbed the Cadillac of mats. “I’ve had the Manduka PRO since 2009 and it’s the only mat I use. I was going through two to three cheap $20 mats a year with my Ashtanga practice so the investment was worth it,” Romine says. It’s also super cushioned, easy to clean, and quick to dry on its own. “The closed-cell surface is designed to prevent dirt and sweat from absorbing, which can lead to funky smells over time,” says Quinn Suplina. Plus, Manduka offers a lifetime guarantee for its mats.
But this isn’t your lug-around-in-your-backpack thing: “It’s hefty compared to other mats, but it’s incredibly durable,” Hansen says. “I find the extra weight helps keep it in place during practice. The mats can be slippery to start and may take a little while to break in, the experts note, but will last practically forever—it’s worth the money and time up front.
How to choose the best yoga mat
Pick one with plenty of grip. “Many cheaply made yoga mats are slippery both on the floor and underfoot, and require you to brace and grip in your poses,” says Amy Quinn Suplina, owner of Bend and Bloom Yoga in Brooklyn. “You want a mat that has enough texture and grip so you can easily find your foundation without extraneous effort.” Otherwise, you’ll end up focusing more on trying not to slip than on improving your postures.
Know which type of yoga you practice. “If you’re practicing the most popular style, Vinyasa, I would stay with a 4-mm or 5-mm thick mat so you don’t sink into the mat and you can feel the floor underneath you,” explains Christine Chen, a bestselling yoga book author and national teacher trainer. If you’re sticking with restorative practices, she says, you can get away with a thicker mat. Also, “consider how sensitive you are when bearing weight on your shins and knees or reclining,” Quinn Suplina suggests.
Balance comfort with mobility. Good cushioning can feel amazing during longer yoga sessions, but it also tends to be bulkier and heavier when moving around town. If you mostly practice at home, having a thick mat probably won't be an issue, but if you commute or travel a lot, you might need a thinner mat—or a better way to carry yours around.
Additional research by Sanah Faroke
