With the fitness industry booming, consumers are stocking up on every type of equipment in hopes of boosting their health. Yoga — the calming, slow flow of mind and body — can be a soothing way to burn calories while toning muscles and increasing strength. And more and more pregnant women are practicing yoga for better sleep and increased flexibility. But before all of these benefits comes the task of finding the perfect yoga mat.
Brands are constantly coming out with the newest innovative mats, and while many appear almost identical, each can differ in texture, thickness, color, size, and other unique qualities. When shopping for a new mat, you’ll want to consider factors, such as material, length and thickness, weight and travel convenience, and more. There’s such a thing as finding the ideal yoga mat, and our list includes the best for all of your needs.
Top 10 yoga mats
- Best overall: JadeYoga Harmony Yoga Mat
- Best budget: Sunny Health & Fitness Thin Yoga Mat
- Best nonslip: IUGA Eco-Friendly Pro Nonslip Yoga Mat
- Best extra-large: Yo Gorilla Mats Premium Large Yoga Mat
- Best for thickness: Retrospec Solana Yoga Mat
- Best for travel: Mikkoa Travel Yoga Mat
- Best eco-friendly: Brentwood Home Organic Nonslip Yoga Mat
- Best for hot yoga: Manduka GRP Adapt Yoga Mat
- Best for beginners: Lululemon Take Form Yoga Mat
- Best cork: Gurus Roots Premium Cork Yoga Mat
Best overall: JadeYoga Harmony Yoga Mat
From
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Best nonslip: IUGA Eco-Friendly Pro Nonslip Yoga Mat
$62.99
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Pros
- Made from tree rubber
- Protects against injuries
- Can be used for a variety of yoga classes, including hot yoga
Cons
- Might be a little sticky for regular yoga
- Complaints of a strong odor upon opening
IUGA is known for its buttery-soft leggings and other athletic wear, but the brand also designs yoga mats that are eco-friendly and nonslip. The mats are biodegradable and sustainably harvested from tree rubber, 100% free from PVC, latex, and other toxic materials. Being eco-friendly doesn’t stop this yoga mat from being high-quality, though. The 5-mm mat is perfectly cushioned for all types of yoga, including Bikram, Vinyasa, and Ashtanga, and it’s also SGS-certified for hot yoga.
If you’re planning on taking a few hot yoga classes, this is the perfect option for just that. IUGA's mat claims to have unbeatable nonslip performance and is also super lightweight. It’s travel-friendly with a carry strap, so you can easily haul it back and forth from class to class.
One potential drawback some have found with this mat is that it emanates a fair rubber odor upon opening that can last for a few days. That said, we love this mat for its high slip-resistance and comfort (and the eco-friendly factor is a plus!)
Material: Polyurethane, rubber
Thickness: 5 mm
Dimensions: 72 x 26 in.
Weight: 2.5 lbs.
Best extra-large: Yo Gorilla Mats Premium Large Yoga Mat
Pros
- Can be used for stretching, cardio, weights, etc.
- Eco-friendly and nontoxic materials
- Covers larger surfaces (lower chance of injury)
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavier than other yoga mats
- Not as portable
One of the downsides to using an average yoga mat is that sometimes it’s just not big enough. For certain stretches and workouts, having a larger mat makes all the difference, as the last thing you want to do is feel cramped. Yo Gorilla Mats are perfect for giving yourself more room to perform each exercise successfully without worrying about sliding or slipping off a smaller mat.
The material is made from eco-friendly, nontoxic, and nonslip grippy foam for ultimate comfort. The mat even has a unique circle pattern on the bottom for an extra grip to prevent sliding around. It also comes with a microfiber towel (perfect for cleaning the mat after an intense workout) and a carry-on bag with not one but two storage straps for traveling.
One thing to mention with these mats is that they’re noticeably heavier because they’re so large. This 6-foot by 4-foot mat weighs a whopping 9 pounds! While 9 pounds isn’t all that much, and you wouldn’t typically think twice about carrying something that weight, yoga mats generally weigh between 2 and 5 pounds. And, this Premium Large mat is the smallest of the line, with options ranging from 6 feet to 9 feet. The Gorilla mats are perfect for any type of exercise, including HIIT workouts, yoga, and strength training.
As a bonus, the company offers a lifetime guarantee and will replace your mat for free if it gets damaged. A downside to this mat is that it’s a little pricey, but when compared to most of the other average-sized, high-quality yoga mats on our list, it’s right in the same ballpark, so its size may be worth the extra spend.
Material: Natural rubber, PER foam
Thickness: 8 mm
Dimensions: 72 x 48 in.
Weight: 9 lbs.
Best for thickness: Retrospec Solana Yoga Mat
Pros
- Affordable price point
- Provides extra support
- Free from toxic chemicals
Cons
- Thickness increases the chance of tripping over mat during exercise
- Initial odor from mat
While yoga has a long list of health benefits, it’s not a magic cure for the joint pain that many suffer from. The Retrospec Solana mat is perfect for those experiencing pain or discomfort through its extra-thick layer of cushioning. The typical thickness of a yoga mat is around ⅛ of an inch (3 mm), but Retrospec Solana yoga mats offer up to 1 inch of cushiony support. Using a thicker mat can relieve pain not only in the joints, but also in the hands, hips, and knees when performing certain positions.
The Solana mat is offered in 15 different colors. It’s made with a nonslip foam material that provides a ribbed surface texture to help with grip. It’s also lightweight and comes with a strap, perfect for taking on the go. Although the material is free of phthalate, heavy metals, and latex, this mat may come with an initial odor upon opening. The brand suggests unrolling it and leaving it to air out for a day or two.
While the mat is nonslip, it’s not as strong as some of the other high-quality nonslip mats, so although a great mat, you just have to be more cautious when you use it.
Material: NBR foam
Thickness: 12 mm or 25 mm
Dimensions: 72 x 24 in.
Weight: 3 to 4 lbs.
Best for travel: Mikkoa Travel Yoga Mat
Pros
- Machine-washable
- Folds down to the size of a pair of pants
- Unique, fun designs
- Surface grip increases when wet
Cons
- Might be too thin for some who need extra cushion suppor
- Concerns about the thin material tearing or wearing down easily
- Expensive
Anyone who regularly practices yoga should have a travel mat ready to take on the go. While many options are too heavy or bulky to lug around, Australian brand Mikkoa creates the best of both worlds with its travel yoga mats. The yoga mat offers a high-performance, eco-friendly, and moisture-wicking experience with each use.
These mats are ideal for hot yoga, as they’re exceptionally resistant to sweat (or any moisture). In fact, the mat’s grip is better when a bit wet. They’re also nonslip with their natural base layer, and when it gets dirty from all the adventures, you can simply throw your mat in the washing machine. When you’re ready to take it back on the road, you can fit it in almost any bag, as it conveniently folds up into the size of a pair of jeans.
Mikkoa yoga mats also get extra points for having the best aesthetically pleasing options on this list. The mystic marble and galaxy aurora travel mats are unique, fun, and needed just for the designs. They cost about $100, but Mikkoa offers free shipping. This cuts the cost significantly, considering the mats are coming all the way from Australia. Plus, you get free access to online yoga classes. Talk about a win-win.
Material: Natural rubber base, vegan microfiber suede top
Thickness: ~1.5 mm
Dimensions: 72 x 26 in.
Weight: 2 lbs.
Best eco-friendly: Brentwood Home Organic Nonslip Yoga Mat
Pros
- Organic, vegan, biodegradable, and recyclable
- The company is just as eco-friendly as its products
- Provides extra cushioning
Cons
- Expensive
- Not reversible
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly yoga mat, Brentwood Home hits satisfaction on all levels. The brand’s mats are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton on top and have an FSC-certified natural, nonslip rubber base sourced from trees. The material is also nontoxic, vegan-certified, biodegradable, and machine-washable.
These features are ideal for those who need more support, as the absorbent cotton provides more cushion than most yoga mats and can even be used in hot yoga. With no pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, EVA foam, PVC, TPE, or synthetic rubbers, it’s pretty safe to say this is one of the most eco-friendly yoga mats on the market.
While cotton is cushy, it only lasts so long. After a certain period of time, that fluff won’t support you. On the bright side, cotton is absorbent, so you can truly use it anywhere — inside or outside — because either way, the mat will absorb any sweat you produce. When necessary, just throw it in the washing machine, and it’s ready to use again.
This mat is pretty pricey, coming in at just under $160, but the brand offers seven different colors, and you also get a free 30-day trial. If you’re not completely sold on the organic cotton and nonslip grip, you’re eligible to send it back for a full refund.
Material: Organic cotton, natural latex
Thickness: 5 mm
Dimensions: 71 x 24 in
Weight: 5.7 lbs.
Best for hot yoga: Manduka GRP Adapt Yoga Mat
Pros
- Highly sweat-absorbent
- Soft cushioning to help protect joints
- Holds a super grip on the floor
Cons
- Expensive
- Lack of color options
- Initial odor upon opening
Yoga mats can get extremely sweaty during a hot yoga class, and slips are bound to follow with that first drop of sweat. Manduka’s GRP Adapt Yoga Mat does the exact opposite. A proprietary open cell material and unique weave maximize the support and grip regardless of the sweat that comes into contact with the mat. Not only is the mat nonslip, but it offers twice the absorption capacity of many competitors.
The mat has a patent-pending foam rubber cushion with a thickness of 5 mm, and at 71 or 79 inches (depending on the size you choose), it’s longer than most options. Unfortunately, the GRP Adapt only comes in black and deep sea — but your mat’s color is probably the last thing on your mind during a hot yoga sesh. Despite the lack of color options, this mat is lightweight, durable, and easy to travel with.
Material: Polyurethane, foam rubber, rubber composite
Thickness: 5 mm
Dimensions: 71 x 26 in. or 79 x 26 in.
Weight: 6 lbs.
