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The best yoga mat for every practice

Looking for the best yoga mat to enhance your practice? We've compiled a list of top-rated yoga mats that cater to your various needs, be it hot yoga pilates or barre.

Published Jan 17, 2024
7 min. reading time
Image of people rolling out yoga mats

Yoga is more than just a physical exercise; it's a journey of self-discovery and mindfulness. The right yoga mat can make a significant difference in your practice, providing the necessary support and comfort. 

We've curated a list of the best yoga mats that offer grip and functionality. You’ll find the unique features of each mat, which will help you make an informed decision. Whether you're a seasoned yogi or a beginner, there's a mat for everyone. 

Shop your next yoga mat here today.

Read more: Discover the best leggings for women to workout in

Black and white half-folded yoga mat
Best for meditation
Lululemon The Mat 5mm
$98 at Lululemon
Rose gold sheer yoga mat
Best for staying fresh
Alo Yoga Warrior Mat
$128 at Alo Yoga
Blue yoga mat with colorful lines
An eco-friendly option
Liforme Printed Yoga Mat Collection
$194.95 at Amazon
Rolled black yoga mat with round red logo
For a unique design
Manduka PRO™ Yoga Mat 6mm
$138 at Manduka

Best for meditation

Specifications:

Thickness: 5mm

Material: Natural rubber

Pros & Cons
  • Thick cushion for comfort

  • Non-slip rubber material

  • Needs specific care

  • Colors may fade over time

Coming from one of the best yoga mat brands, Lululemon The Mat secures the first position on our list. If you’re looking for the best nonslip yoga mat, your quest ends here. 

This 5mm-thick mat made from natural rubber offers generous cushioning and sturdiness for most yoga practices. The unique feature of this mat is the natural aging process as the color subtly changes over time, adding character to your mat.

Take note though, after use, it's recommended to wipe this mat down with a natural cleanser and keep it out of direct sunlight to preserve its appearance – a small price to pay for such a high-quality product.

The Lululemon The Mat can be a game-changer in your yoga practice. With excellent grip, great comfort, and an aesthetically pleasing look, it's easy to see why it's among the top-rated yoga mats out there.

Best for staying fresh

Specifications:

Thickness: 5mm

Material: All-natural rubber

Pros & Cons
  • Moisture-wicking

  • Anti-odor

  • Strong grip

  • Carry bag not included

The Alo Yoga Warrior Mat is a perfect choice if you’re seeking the best yoga mat for different types of sequences, from the sweaty to the healing. As one of the top yoga mats on the market, it is designed to support you both literally and metaphorically. 

Its luxe, matte finish and oversized design help you stay on the mat, no matter how intense your session gets. Not only is it nonslip, but it's also dry-wicking and anti-odor, so it stays fresh and dry even during hot yoga sessions. It also provides excellent joint support, making it a yoga mat that offers both comfort and durability. 

Additionally, it’s 100% formaldehyde-free, non-toxic, and PVC-free With the Alo Yoga Warrior Mat, you're investing in next-level performance and supporting a life of purpose through your practice.

An eco-friendly option

Specifications:

Thickness: 2mm

Material: Liforme “GripForMe” material

Pros & Cons
  • Guided yoga design

  • Biodegradable material

  • High price point

The Liforme Printed Yoga Mat Collection makes a great companion if you’re just about to start your yoga journey. Thanks to its guided design, you can start your practice without worrying about positioning your hands and feet. 

This is because this special edition mat features a bold and beautiful rainbow variant of their unique “AlignForMe” system with markers to guide you. Not only is it visually appealing, but it also helps prevent injuries in yogis of all experience levels. You’ll also love that it's truly planet-friendly as it’s printed using non-toxic and eco-friendly ink and is biodegradable.

Made by yogis for yogis, the Liforme Yoga Mats are perfect for those who are new in the practice and those seeking an eco-friendly option.

For a unique design

Specifications:

Thickness: 6mm

Material: OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 PVC

Pros & Cons
  • Vegan-friendly

  • Mat stays in place

  • Easy to spot clean

  • Comes with lifetime guarantee

  • High price point

  • Might be heavy for some

If you’re looking for support, the Manduka PRO offers ultra-dense 6mm cushioning, perfect for providing comfort and support during your practice. Its no-slip dot pattern guarantees your mat stays in place during even the most intense yoga sessions. 

Sweat all you want! Its closed-cell construction will seal out bacteria, making it easy to spot clean. Plus, because it is hand-processed, every mat comes with a unique design so you won’t mistake your mat for someone else’s in a class. So if you’re looking for a reliable yoga mat that is uniquely yours, the Manduka Pro is the one to get.

Best with design

Specifications:

Thickness: 3.5mm and 5.5mm

Material: Recycled PET microfiber and natural rubber

Pros & Cons
  • Available in two thickness options

  • Eco-friendly material

  • Ultra-absorbent

  • Carrying strap included

  • Might trap water and sweat

  • Takes a long time to dry

If you’re looking for a mat with colorful designs, the YOGA DESIGN LAB The Combo Yoga Mat will be your perfect partner for a sweaty practice. Its ultra-absorbent microfiber top layer is designed to manage sweat effectively, providing stability so you don't have to worry about slipping mid-pose.

But it's not just about performance. This yoga mat is also eco-friendly. Its top layer is made from recycled PET microfiber while the base layer is made with sustainable, non-Amazonian natural tree rubber. This is a yoga mat that doesn't just feel good under your feet but also feels good for the planet.

The attractive designs are printed with water-based inks, adding a splash of color to your yoga practice. For optimal grip, wet your hands or spritz a little water on your mat before practice. Sweat also helps you adhere to your mat better, making it the best yoga mat for hot yoga.

A budget option

Specifications:

Thickness: 3mm

Material: PVC

Pros & Cons
  • Affordable price

  • Easy to spot clean

  • Free from harmful chemicals

  • Doesn’t have  much grip

This yoga mat from All in Motion is great for yogis who are looking to save money on their yoga mats.  It’s portable and lightweight, with a blend of comfort and practicality at an unbeatable price.

Whether you're powering through Pilates or finding your zen in a child's pose, this yoga mat provides the perfect amount of cushioning for any floor-based workout. Its textured non-slip surface ensures you stay grounded during your session.

Best with guide

Black yoga mat with different yoga pose printed
Photo: Amazon

Specifications :

Thickness: 5mm

Material: PVC (BPA Free and Phthalate Free)

Pros & Cons
  • 70 yoga poses printed on mat

  • Moisture-wicking

  • Easy to spot clean

  • Doesn’t come with a carry strap

  • Reports of mat being thin

Make your next yoga class a game-changer with the NewMe Fitness Yoga Mat. This mat is thick enough to be a firm yet comfortable foundation during the most intense workouts. The bonus? It comes printed with 70 different yoga poses, making it ideal for all levels, from true yogis to starting stretchers.

Its size not only provides you enough space to stretch and pose but t  also has moisture-wicking to keep you dry when you get sweaty.

So, whether you're looking to gift your loved one or treat yourself, the NewMe Fitness Yoga Mat is a good yoga mat, guaranteeing both value and quality.

Specifications:

Material: Eco-friendly TPE

Thickness: 8mm

Pros & Cons
  • Slip-resistant

  • Multi-use

  • Lightweight

  • Tear resistant

  • Mat is not as  thick as some prefer

This 1 extra thick mat from COCOBELA is a standout among top-rated yoga mats, boasting a substantial 8mm thickness for maximum comfort and support.

Crafted from high-quality, earth-friendly TPE material, this mat is flexible, durable and recyclable. It's designed to provide superior cushioning, ensuring optimal protection for your joints and knees without compromising your connection to the ground. This mat is also uniquely slip-resistant. Its dual-sided adhesive texture provides excellent traction and grip.

Additionally, because of its superior moisture and dust isolation, it can also be used as a  mat for outdoor and indoor activities as well as travel. You can take it along with you in your yoga bag, thanks to its lightweight design, weighing just 2.2 lbs.

And did we mention it’s reversible? Switch colors and textures as you please and add a dash of fun and personality to your yoga sessions.

A 2-in-1 option

Specifications:

Material: Recycled polyester, polyester, nylon

Thickness: N/A

Pros & Cons
  • Machine-washable

  • Elastic strap to keep mat in place

  • Lightweight

  • Quick drying fabric

  • Not as thick as other options

  • Only available in one color

An excellent addition to your yoga accessories, this Yoga Mat Towel with Grip offers an improved yoga experience. It has a towel that boasts an ingenious design with corner pockets and an elastic strap that anchors it to your mat, eliminating mid-pose distractions. Designed to be a good fit for most standard-sized yoga mats, this towel adds an extra layer of protection and grip to your mat.

In addition, the towel is easy to carry and fits snugly in any yoga bag, making it a gym essential. It's a smart investment for a more comfortable, distraction-free yoga experience.

Best grip

Sheer red and black yoga mat
Photo: Manduka

GRP® Adapt Yoga Mat 5mm

You save $18.80 (20%)
$75.20$94

Specifications:

Thickness: 5mm

Material: Satin Grip top layer, Versa-Grip bottom layer

Pros & Cons
  • Moisture-wicking

  • Vegan-friendly

  • Grips well even in sweaty conditions

  • Requires specific cleaning care

  • Mat can be squeaky

The GRP Adapt Yoga Mat offers the ultimate grip in wet and dry conditions, earning its position as the grippiest yoga mat on our list. Its all-grip-no-slip design guarantees a smooth and balanced experience no matter how hard you sweat. 

With a Satin Grip top layer intended for unmatched traction and a Versa-Grip bottom layer put in place for zero mat slippage, this mat ensures that you get your posture right without slipping or losing your balance. Its 5mm thickness offers added resilience for those tougher poses, making it a good yoga mat for any level of yogi.

What is the best quality for a yoga mat?

The best quality for a yoga mat depends on its material, thickness and grip. A good yoga mat should be made of durable, eco-friendly materials like natural rubber or TPE. It should have a thickness that provides ample cushioning for your joints, typically between three millimeters to six millimeters. It should offer excellent grip to prevent slipping during your practice. Brands like Lululemon, Alo Yoga, and Manduka are known for their high-quality yoga mats.

What is the best thickness for a yoga mat?

The best thickness for a yoga mat depends on your personal preference and the type of yoga you practice. If you prefer more cushioning for your joints or practice restorative yoga, a thicker mat of around five to six millimeters would be ideal. If you need to feel a strong connection to the floor for balance poses or travel frequently, a thinner mat of around three millimeters would be more suitable.

Which yoga mats get our stamp of approval?

You can’t go wrong with any of the yoga mats on our list, but if you need more help in narrowing down your choices, we recommend the Lululemon The Mat 5mm and the Alo Yoga Warrior Mat

The Lululemon mat offers excellent grip and comfort, making it ideal for various yoga practices. It’s also a popular pick amongst people who workout and comes in four shades including three with a marble design.

If you’re looking for premium quality and don’t mind splurging on a yoga mat, the Alo Yoga mat impresses with its larger design and eco-friendly materials. It’s also dry-wicking and comes in seven shades.

Investing in a good yoga mat can significantly enhance your yoga practice. So, roll out your mat, strike a pose and let your yoga journey begin.


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Prices updated on 01/17/2024. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.

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Written by
Afina Najib

A journalism graduate from Curtin University, Afina Najib specializes in writing tech, finance, automotive and wellness content. Now residing in Kuala Lumpur, Afina spends her weekends hitting the gym or watching Formula 1 races.

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