If you have ever tried a new, challenging position in yoga and found yourself sliding across the mat, you will know that the best yoga mats provide stability and comfort.

We tested out a range of yoga mats across a variety of budgets to see what worked and what didn't. The majority of yoga mats look the same, but there are hundreds of different shapes and sizes to choose from.

If you are still considering starting yoga, it may be worthwhile to know that regular yoga practice is possible.

  • Reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and improve overall mental health
  • Relieve low-back and neck pain and knee osteoarthritis
  • Help you lose weight by burning calories
  • Help you quit smoking
  • Reduce menopause symptoms
  • Help you manage the symptoms of chronic diseases
  • Improve sleep
  • Reduce tension headaches

According to Harvard Health, yoga lowers blood pressure. It can reduce the need for medication in people with diabetes.

Our list of the 8 benefits of yoga may be enough to convince you to take up yoga.

It's important to have the right kit in place to reduce the risk of injury and give you the confidence to try new positions. Taking the time to consider what is important to you, how much your budget can afford, and your level of yoga experience is worth it.

If you are just starting out, it is best not to blow your budget out of the water on a mat you will not use in a year. If you still use your old college mat, why not upgrade? You're deserving of it.

Some of the best yoga mats on the market include vegan, eco-friendly, and mats that are naturally antimicrobial. We look at which yoga mats are best for rolling up and taking your class, and which mats are better for home use. It's all here, from affordable options to the next level.

Best yoga mats

Best yoga mats: image of lululemon reversible yoga mat 5mm

(Image credit: Lululemon)

The yoga mat is worth every penny.

Users say what they want.

Many people claim that the best mat they've ever used is the one on this mat. One reviewer said it was the best mat they had ever seen. It's quality that's unbeatable. This mat is versatile and will last you for a long time. The color of the mat was compared to a piece of ham by a user of the yoga studio.

The yoga mat is durable and has good traction in both wet and dry conditions.

It has great support for bones and joints. The mat has a thin layer of foam and a rubber base that does a good job at absorbing water and it also has an anti-bacterial component in it.

It is a bit stinky when you first open it. Even though it is a little heavy at 2.38 kilogram, it doesn't matter if you drive to class or workout from home. The 5mm thickness gives you the most support.

Read the full review of the mat.

Best yoga mats: sweaty betty super grip yoga mat

(Image credit: Sweaty Betty)

The Sweaty Betty Super grip yoga mat provides excellent support and stability for all yoga practices.

Users say what they want.

There are a lot of five star reviews on Sweaty Betty of the Super Grip yoga mat. The design and look of the mat is very attractive to customers. Reviewers claimed the mat had the perfect amount of grip and thickness. The mat is too hard and loses its grip after a year, according to negative reviews.

It's non-slip nature makes it great for stability, meaning that you can stay in balance poses like the downward dog for longer.

The yoga mat is sticky, which makes it a dust and dirt magnet. This is nothing that regular cleaning and a carry bag for storage can't fix.

If you have a latex allergy, you should avoid this eco-friendly mat. This doesn't last in time. The mat is a little thin for headstand, so you may need to add a towel to make it thicker.

There is a Sweaty Betty Super Grip Yoga Mat review.

Best yoga mats: image shows JadeYoga Travel Yoga Mat

(Image credit: Amazon)

The Jade Yoga Travel Yoga Mat is light and portable.

Users say what they want.

The JadeYoga Travel Yoga Mat has a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 on Amazon, with over 70% of reviews giving it the full five stars. The design is lightweight and portable, which is praised by positive reviews. The customers liked the grip and support it offered. It was made from renewable resources. The mat is not easy to clean and leaves hands and feet feeling greasy after a workout.

It folds down to the size of a yoga block, and has a textured design that makes it easy to hold. While this mat will take up very little space in your luggage or your closet, the downside is that there is no padding in it. The mat should be rolled out after you unpack it to make sure it doesn't crease.

If you have a latex allergy, you should avoid this yoga mat because it has a rubbery smell for a few weeks. It has an open cell construction and is really sticky, which makes it ideal for yoga because you won't slip and slide.

The mat can be slippery when wet, but it doesn't stain, which is a big bonus. Jade Yoga has a plant-based mat wash that can be used for cleaning, but we found regular sprays to be just as effective. The mat is a great value and performs well for yogis.

best yoga mats: image shows PREMIUM 2-COLOR YOGA MATS

(Image credit: Gaiam)

You can choose which side of the yoga mat you prefer.

Users say what they want.

The mat has a score of 4.1 stars out of 5 on Target and 59% of reviews give it the full five stars. The thickness of the mat and the price are praised in positive reviews. Customers who are taller liked the size and length. Users appreciated the quality and thickness, while negative reviews said the grip made them sweat more.

It is a budget friendly option for people new to yoga.

It is a good size for taller people who need a bit more mat space. It's a good choice if you want to use it for circuits or high intensity interval training.

It doesn't last very long and is easy to mark. It isn't compatible with hot yoga. It comes with a lifetime guarantee and is latex free.

Best yoga mats: image shows Alo yoga warrior mat

(Image credit: Alo )

Does the Alo Yoga Warrior Mat deliver on performance?

Users say what they want.

Reviewers praise the mat for being high quality with a premium look and feel. The Alo yoga warrior mat is ethicallysourced rubber and has an incredible grip. The mat was heavy and easy to pick up dirt.

This is one of the best yoga mats you can buy, even though it's one of the most expensive. It is made from ethicallysourced rubber and has an excellent grip.

It has an extended length and thickness that makes it comfortable and durable. It was very hard-working during our hot yoga sessions, as the material helps it hold onto it.

The yoga mat has a matt finish and is bold in color. When you buy the Alo Yoga Warrior Mat, you will get a free 30-day trial of Alo Moves, which will give you access to unlimited yoga, fitness and meditation classes.

best yoga mats: image shows Manduka Pro Yoga Mat

(Image credit: Amazon)

The Manduka Pro Yoga Mat is skin-safe and OEKO-TEX certified, which makes it a favorite of yoga teachers.

Users say what they want.

The Manduka pro scored 4.5 out of five stars on Amazon, with more than 80% of reviews giving the mat the full five stars. The yoga mat is heavy and stable and allows people to feel secure when in balance poses. The mat was said to be too slippy and not suitable for hot yoga by many reviewers.

It is firm enough for tree/balance poses and has an ultra thick 6mm cushion. The textured top layer of the mat makes it easy to move without sticking to the mat.

It is recommended to use a sea salt scrub to speed up the break in of this mat. The mats are handmade and made from closed-cell material, which helps to keep the environment clean.

It comes in two sizes, so taller people can enjoy not hanging off the mat for once, but the bigger mat may take up valuable space in smaller yoga studios.

best yoga mats: image shows Heathyoga TPE Body Alignment System Yoga Mat

(Image credit: Heathyoga)

Do you know of a new yoga class? There are marks for hands and feet on the yoga mat.

Users say what they want.

The yoga mat has a 4.5 out of five star rating on Amazon, with over 75% of users giving it the full five star rating. Many reviewers appreciated the alignment guide on the mat, which helped people get into the right position. There were issues with the smell of the mat when you first opened it. The mat lost its grip after a while.

It's helpful for beginners to yoga as you can work on proper technique and positioning with less risk of injury.

It is easy to clean and stays flat once it is unrolled. It has good grip and is thick enough to do long Yin practice poses with comfort. It has the right amount of cushion for standing poses.

The yoga mat has a carrying strap and is longer and wider than standard mats.

best yoga mats: image shows Manduka EKO Superlite Yoga Travel Mat

(Image credit: Amazon)

Are you going to go on vacation? There is a yoga mat in your life.

Users say what they want.

The lightweight travel mat got a 4.5 stars out of five on Amazon and was given the full five stars. The customers love how portable it is. They liked the fact that it didn't weigh a lot. It can be uncomfortable on the knees according to negative reviews. Many people commented on the smell of the mat.

The mat is easy to fold or roll and can be used for all types of yoga practice.

The mat is very thin and can be placed on top of a thicker mat in a yoga studio. It is thin and has a good grip, but it is tightly woven.

It is made from sustainable harvester tree rubber and is latex free. It's a good investment for people who love traveling.

best yoga mats: Yogi Bare Paws Extreme Grip Yoga Mat

(Image credit: Yogi Bare)

The Yogi bare paws extreme grip yoga mat is made from eco-friendly natural rubber and PU, meaning you can stay in poses for longer.

Users say what they want.

85% of reviewers gave the full five stars to this mat on Amazon. The customers liked that it had premium features. It is praised for being non-slip and a good size for tall people. The reviewers appreciated the alignment marks. The grip had an initial rubbery smell and showed up with water and grease after a few months.

The mat keeps you in place no matter how sweaty you are.

If you are concerned about your knees, you might want a thicker Yogi Bare Paws Extreme Grip Yoga Mat. It was put on the wooden floorboards. There was some movement on the carpet, but nothing compared to mats. It picked up dirt and fluff from the floor.

It is easy to clean and comes with laser etched alignment guides on the mat. The rubber is vegan-friendly and won't cost the earth.

Best yoga Mats: image shows With Every Atom Cork Yoga Mat

(Image credit: With Every Atom)

The larger the yoga mat, the taller it is.

Users say what they want.

The yoga mat is praised for its looks and feel. It is the ultimate in yoga luxury according to one reviewer. The eco-friendly mat was made from sustainable resources and had anti-bacterial qualities. The mat got easily marked and stained due to sweat.

The grip is made from rubber and cork and it improves the sweat flow. It is a great choice for all types of yoga, including hot yoga and other floor based workouts.

It is light and supportive for daily practice. The With Every Atom Cork yoga mat is made from sustainable and recycled materials.

Low maintenance is one of the benefits of cork. It isn't hard to clean. A tree is planted by Every Atom when you buy a yoga mat. The yoga mat only comes in a single color.

Which yoga mat is best?

How do you choose the best yoga mat? When selecting a yoga mat, what should you consider?

The style of yoga you will be doing is the first thing to consider. Are you a regular at one of the heated yoga studios? If you prefer this type of yoga, you will want a yoga mat with lots of grip. It's important that your mat is made from a material with sweat-wicking properties.

If your yoga studio is not too far away from home or work, your mat will be light. If you want to experience the benefits of yoga while you are away from home, you need to take your yoga mat with you.

If you are on the tall side, you may want to look for an extra-long yoga mat. If you practice yoga on a mat that is too short, you won't be able to fully extend in some poses, which would be a bad idea. If you do need a longer mat, it is worth checking with your studio how much space they allocate per person so that you don't end up with your mat creeping over the edge of someone else's class.

You can find mats in a variety of thicknesses, from slender as 1/16-inch to a super-squishy 1/2-inch-thick. If you have to carry your mat to class, you may want to go for the middle path. A thicker mat may be a good option for you if you are interested in Yin yoga. You want to be comfortable because you will be spending a lot of time sitting and lying down.

If you want to hold your balance poses without fear, you need a yoga mat with a good amount of grip. If you can't get enough of hot yoga, you'll want a mat with plenty of grip to stop you from sliding around, whereas if you're more into fast yoga styles, like Ashtanga or Rocket, then you'll find a grippy mat actually interrupt the flow of your

If you are new to yoga and want to improve your flexibility, you may want to buy a yoga mat with alignment marks etched into it.

Make sure you choose a mat that is well-designed and of a high quality. It is possible to get a decent yoga mat for less than you would pay for the most expensive one.

Where is the best place to buy a yoga mat?

The amount of yoga mat choices can be a little daunting if you don't know where to start. If you invest in a premium model from a company like Sweaty Betty, you should notice the difference, but other less-pricey makes are also a good bet.

Alo yoga mats are designed to suit all yoga practices. Premium yoga-specific workout clothes are sold by all these brands.

There are often big discounts on yoga mats at places like Amazon, Best Buy, Target and Walmart. The yoga mats are cheap. They may be made of poor quality materials that don't last well, and may not have much grip, leaving you at a higher risk of slipping and hurting yourself.

There are six yoga myths that have been discredited.

If you want a mat that has a minimal impact on the planet, then sustainable brands such as Manduka, Heathyoga, With Every Atom and Yogi Bare Paws are the right choice for you. Although many of these mats are made from natural rubber, they may still have latex in them, which makes them unsuitable for people with latex allergies.

Ro Grogan is a yoga teacher and she suggests a cork mat from somewhere like Cork Space. You want a yoga mat that makes you look good. The mat should spark joy.

Look for a lightweight yoga mat if you want to practice while on vacation. Both JadeYoga and Gaiam have mats that are easy to pack.

Rosee Woodland updated the article on March 24, 2022,

The article is not meant to give medical advice.