We’ve tried and tested the best yoga mats, from budget options and reliable all-rounders to specialty mats for experienced Ashtanga yoga enthusiasts.
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The best yoga mats are those that provide excellent traction, even when performing difficult yoga poses like Bikram or Downward Dog. Choosing the best yoga mat can be a daunting task, especially given the wide variety of materials available. That’s where Live Science comes in. We’ve tried and tested a ton of yoga mats to help you find your new one.
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The Primasole yoga mat is the perfect travel companion: it folds into a neat square and is light enough to easily fit into a suitcase for frequent travelers.
If you’re eco-conscious but don’t want to sacrifice traction and versatility, the Jade Harmony Yoga Mat may be the choice for you, as it’s made from eco-friendly materials and natural rubber.
This yoga mat is very thin, measuring just 3mm thick. While cushioning isn’t its main selling point, it’s definitely a great yoga mat if you plan on traveling. It weighs just 2.8 pounds, making it ideal for daily yoga on the go, but not for strenuous workouts.
Recommended by yoga teachers, the Manduka PROlite yoga mat is spacious and available in three sizes. It features superior cushioning and an antimicrobial, closed-cell design that helps extend the life of the mat. Ideal for busy teachers.
For those with a budget under $50, the Gaiam Premium is a good choice. The 6mm thick mat is made of moisture-wicking PVA material that is latex-free and therefore suitable for allergy sufferers.
The design of this yoga mat includes a calibration system that is ideal for beginners to practice yoga poses. The mat is 6.35 mm thick, providing additional comfort for beginners to practice yoga.
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Overall, user reviews for this mat are very positive, with many calling it “the best mat they’ve ever used.” One Lululemon user commented that it’s “the perfect mat, unmatched quality, versatile for everything from yoga to HIIT, and durable, making it great value for money.” However, one Lululemon user wasn’t too happy with the color of the mat compared to the photos on the site, saying it “looks like a piece of ham.”
This time, you can finally believe the hype: Lululemon’s 5mm Double-Sided Yoga Mat is a godsend. It’s well-made, durable, and provides excellent traction on both wet and dry surfaces, making it a yoga mat that’s built to last.
In our review of the Lululemon 5mm Double-Sided Yoga Mat, we found it to be flexible enough to move comfortably and well-cushioned to provide support for your bones and joints. The thin polyurethane coating and “sweat-wicking” natural rubber base wick moisture away from your skin, while the antimicrobial additives in the yoga mat prevent bacteria from growing.
There is a slight smell when you first open it and it is easy to scratch. It is also a bit heavy at 2.38kg, but that is fine if you are driving to class or just exercising at home. Plus, the 5mm thickness means you get support where you need it most.
The Yogi Bare Wild Paws yoga mat is one of the more expensive brands we tested, costing just over $100. However, we highly doubt that this mat will need replacing in the next few years.
The 4mm elastic thickness provides enough support for practices like Yin Yoga, while still allowing you to feel grounded and in close contact with the earth and the mat. However, we recommend traveling yogis look at other brands in our recommendations, as this mat weighs 2.5kg and feels heavy under the arms. The good news is that it is heavy enough to prevent the mat from slipping or rolling.
If you value eco-friendly design, this mat is definitely for you. Made from natural rubber and PU (polyurethane synthetic leather), it’s non-slip and completely recyclable. We love that Yogi Bare encourages shoppers to send their old mats back for reuse as part of their recycling campaign, which gives you a discount on your next purchase.
The Yogi Bare Wild Paws Yoga Mat has a 4.7 out of 5 star rating on Amazon, which isn’t bad. It’s been described as “beautiful and functional,” with one buyer even stating that they’re a “loyal Yogi Bare fan.” One user noted that the stickiness went away after about 10 hot yoga classes, while another noticed some wear and tear, but that was a year and a half later.
After the first use, we noticed scuffs and paw prints (yes, our dog loves the downward-facing pose, too), but the mat is easy to clean (keep warm water and diluted lemon juice handy), and we tested the black design, a color that’s notoriously difficult to hide scuffs on.
If you’re looking to improve your grip and posture, this mat won’t let you down—even during a hot yoga class. The non-slip design makes it ideal for fast-paced, hot yoga classes, and it stays in place even during low-impact classes or even when you’re busy practicing hand balances or handstands.
✅ YOU TRAVEL A LOT: This foldable mat is compact and lightweight, making it ideal for busy people who want to continue their regular yoga practice while traveling for business or on vacation.
✅ YOU ARE LOOKING FOR COMFORT: This mat provides reasonable support for a travel yoga mat, so it is suitable for those who need extra support for their joints.
❌ You are a perfectionist: The fold lines on this mat prevent it from fitting snugly to the floor, so those who prefer to exercise on a neat and clean surface may not like this mat.
❌ Beautiful design is what you are looking for: The Primasole folding mat is only available in 4 colors and is a regular mat without a beautiful design.
One user rated the Primasole Folding Yoga Mat 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon, praising its travel-friendly design and saying it’s “perfect for yoga lovers,” while another called it “perfect.”
It appears that the thickness of the mat is the cause of some negative reviews, with some even stating that they bought two to get more cushioning. Other comments included reports that the mats wore out after five months.
Yoga lovers who love to travel will love this mat. The Primasole yoga mat weighs only 2 pounds and folds into a small cube, making it very convenient to carry in your suitcase without taking up too much space.
The Primasole comes in four colors, is made of PVC, and costs less than $20 on Amazon. In our Primasole Folding Yoga Mat review, we found that it provides good traction, but unless you’re doing hot yoga, we recommend using a scratch-resistant towel. The 4mm thick mat should provide enough protection during restorative poses, but we also recommend using yoga aids for added comfort.
The Primasole Folding Yoga Mat is easy to pack and carry. It can be easily unfolded and folded in both the classroom and hotel room, which is simple and practical. The gray color is also less prone to stains and scuffs.
✅ YOU CARE ABOUT THE CLIMATE: This mat is made of natural rubber and can be flipped, which extends its life and helps the planet.
✅ DO YOU LOVE HOT YOGA: This mat has excellent grip and is suitable for people who frequently attend hot yoga classes.
❌ You are going to class: Since this mat is heavy, it is not suitable for those who have to walk long distances to class.
❌ You have a latex allergy: Made from natural rubber, so not recommended for people with latex allergies.
Reviews on the JadeYoga website are overwhelmingly positive. Some have said, “Thank you! I fell in love with it the moment I used it.” Others have said, “Thank you for creating the perfect yoga mat. Your yoga mat is by far the best I have ever used… You have truly created a feeling of being able to relax and not worry about slipping.”
Reviews come from all over the world, covering different climates and conditions, which speaks in favor of the brand and its versatility.
This yoga mat, which bills itself as “Nature’s Best Yoga Mat,” has the rough, grainy texture of natural rubber. Rubber is harvested from rubber trees, a rapidly renewable resource, and is free of any harmful substances. However, JadeYoga recommends avoiding this mat if you have a latex allergy, as the mat may contain traces of latex.
In keeping with sustainability, we don’t compromise on quality. This yoga mat doesn’t have the soft PU coating of other yoga mats, and while it may not be for everyone, it’s perfect for those who like balance, sweat easily, or enjoy hot yoga. In our Jade Harmony Yoga Mat review, we found that this makes the texture difficult to clean and it’s sensitive to sunlight and chemicals, so water and a damp cloth are your best bet. It’s also reversible, which should improve its durability.
We recommend this mat for most levels and practices, and while it’s 5mm thick (a little thicker than the Yogi Bare Wild Paws yoga mat), it actually feels thinner and isn’t quite suitable for restorative practice. The design will appeal to creative exercisers, but beginners or those with bad knees may want to try one of the other mats in the series.
The rough texture of the rubber easily attracts dirt and sweat stains, but this is a common problem with anti-slip mats and can be solved by simply cleaning after each session. If you plan on taking your mat with you, we also recommend choosing a more portable model from our product line. Overall, if you want to buy from a brand that is fully committed to the environment, this mat is not only durable, but also perfect for you.
✅ YOU NEED EXTRA GRIP: This mat provides excellent traction for those who need it during Ashtanga or Hot Yoga classes.
✅ YOU ARE LOOKING FOR AN ECO-FRIENDLY CHOICE: This mat is biodegradable and durable, making it ideal for those who want a quality mat that is kind to the environment.
❌ You practice handstand often: If you practice handstand often, it is better to buy a thicker mat for more support.
❌ You have a latex allergy: The mat is made of natural latex, so we do not recommend this mat for people with latex allergies.
The Super Grip Yoga Mat has received numerous five-star reviews on Sweaty Betty, with many praising its durability and support. Customers love the design and look of the mat, as well as its biodegradability. Many reviewers have made multiple purchases and say the grip and thickness are just right. Negative reviews cite issues such as the pads being too hard, loss of grip after a year, and logos peeling off.
The Sweaty Betty Super Grip Yoga Mat lives up to its reputation when it comes to grip, providing excellent support and stability for all types of yoga.
Its sticky latex surface makes it durable enough to withstand hot yoga sessions, and its non-slip properties give it greater stability, meaning you can hold balancing poses like downward dog for longer.
Our only complaint when reviewing the Sweaty Betty Super Grip Yoga Mat was that it picked up dust and dirt very easily as it was very sticky. It also stains easily, but regular cleaning (and using the carry bag for storage) will solve this problem.
Since this eco-friendly mat is made from natural latex (do not use if you are allergic to latex), it may have a strong odor when you first use it. However, the odor will dissipate over time. It is worth noting that this mat is a little thin for handstands, so you may need to place a towel on it for more thickness.
The JadeYoga Travel Yoga Mat has an impressive 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with 76% of reviews giving it a perfect score. Positive reviews note that it’s lightweight, thin, and portable. Customers especially like the grip and support it provides. Negative reviews note that the mats are difficult to clean and that their hands and feet get greasy after exercising.