Whether you’re new to yoga or looking to up your practice in the new year to reach your fitness goals, a high-performance yoga mat is a good choice. The best yoga mat should keep your body stable as you move into deeper poses, stabilize you as you transition into Warrior III, and provide the support your knees and joints need to stay comfortable during your practice. “A yoga mat is like a good pair of jeans. It should fit you well,” says Marisa Barsotti, an Ayurvedic health educator, yoga instructor, and founder of Digest Peacefully. And, like a good pair of jeans, the best yoga mat isn’t necessarily the cheapest one you can find. “While it may seem like a good deal to buy a yoga mat for $25 or less, it will likely start to deteriorate within a few months,” she explains. Sure, buying a yoga mat seems like a simple enough task. After all, it’s just a rectangular mat that sits on the floor. But as our experts explain, there are many different types of yoga mats, and the type you choose can make a big difference in the comfort, effectiveness, and safety of your practice. “Different yoga mats are best for each person based on their individual needs, preferences, and the specific type of yoga practice they do,” says Erin Cohen, a nutritionist, yoga teacher, and certified yoga therapist based in Los Angeles. Plus, some yoga mats are more eco-friendly than others or offer other benefits, like being machine washable or easy to travel with. To better understand the different types and benefits of yoga mats, our team surveyed five yoga experts and researched more than 25 products. We then tested 16 popular yoga mats to determine the best yoga mat on the market. Whether you’re looking for the best hot yoga mat, the best affordable yoga mat, the best yoga mat for travel, the best yoga mat for practicing poses while practicing at home, or the best yoga mat for tall people, we’ve got you covered. Here are our picks for the best yoga mats of 2025.
Updated 01/17/2025: We’ve checked prices and availability for all products and added a handy comparison chart of features below. Our top pick for the best yoga mat remains the same.
Material: Natural Rubber | Size: 68″ x 24″; 74″ x 24″ | Thickness: 4.7mm | Weight: 5 lbs | Special Features: Superior Grip Construction, Eco-Friendly, One Tree Planted for Every Mat Sold, Available in 74″ Length
The JadeYoga Harmony Yoga Mat strikes the perfect balance between comfort, grip, and stability, making it our favorite yoga mat. The cushioning is 4.7mm thick, which is slightly thicker than standard yoga mats and provides comfort even on hard surfaces. What’s impressive, however, is that we didn’t notice any reduction in stability despite the increased thickness. In fact, this yoga mat is one of the most stable we’ve ever tried.
During my testing, I always chose the Harmony yoga mat. I’ve tried a lot of yoga mats over the years, and this is the first one that made me feel like my practice improved. Its durable, grippy surface allowed me to dive deeper into yoga poses without worrying about slipping, even when I was sweating profusely. This yoga mat also ranks as one of the best hot yoga mats by Barsotti for its durability and superior grip.
The pad unrolls easily and stays flat—no need to worry about one end curling up during your period—and rolls up tightly when you’re done. At 5 pounds, it’s not too heavy, but it can be a bit of a hassle to carry around all day.
It is important to note that some people may find the mat too sticky. My husband noticed that when he lays on his stomach, the mat pulled at the hair on his chest. The mat also had a distinct rubbery smell, which dissipated after a few uses. We didn’t find the taste offensive, though.
JadeYoga yoga mats are made in the USA. The company is committed to sustainability and uses eco-friendly natural rubber to make its Harmony yoga mats. JadeYoga plants a tree for every yoga mat sold and has launched the Color Cause project, donating profits from the sale of Harmony yoga mats of a certain color to various charities and organizations.
Materials: Oeko-Tex Certified PVC | Dimensions: 71″ x 26″ | Thickness: 6mm | Weight: 7.5 lbs | Special Features: Textured Top Layer, Lifetime Warranty, Closed Cell Construction, Available in Long and Extra Long Sizes
Our experts consistently rate the Manduka Pro as one of the best yoga mats. “The Manduka Pro yoga mat is my go-to! I’ve had it for over a decade now and it still looks just like the day I bought it. I use it for yoga five or six times a week and have spent countless hours on it in yoga teacher training,” says yoga instructor and registered dietitian Mandy Enright.
With a lightly textured top layer, grippy bottom layer, and comfortable colorways, the Manduka Pro looks and feels like a luxurious yoga mat. During testing, I appreciated the extra padding for floor poses, as I often had to prop my knees with a rolled-up towel. For restorative practices like Hatha yoga or less intense Vinyasa Flow, I found this mat to be comfortable and supportive enough.
The Manduka Pro mat has a closed-cell structure, which means it won’t retain moisture, and it has an antimicrobial coating. This makes it easier to clean and less likely to harbor bacteria or cause odors. However, the downside is that the mat’s surface can become slippery if it gets wet.
My biggest concern is that my feet often slip on this mat during fast Vinyasa practices. According to the company, the Pro mat’s traction will improve with use, so the lack of traction may only be temporary. However, Barsotti said this mat wouldn’t be her first choice for hot yoga.
Finally, while this mat isn’t cheap, its durability and Manduka’s lifetime warranty make it a safer investment.
Material: PVC | Size: 65″ x 24″ | Thickness: 5mm | Weight: 3.5 lbs | Features: Variety of colors and prints, Lifetime warranty, Latex free, Access to online yoga library
I’ve been using my Gaiam Classic yoga mat weekly for over five years now and can attest that it’s still in great condition. This $25 yoga mat is durable and has a textured surface for extra grip. It’s a great choice for those on a budget or who don’t want to spend more than $50 on a yoga mat.
As someone with sensitive knees, I initially chose this mat because of its affordability and the thickness of the padding. While there are thicker mats on the market, I appreciate that this mat is just the right thickness to not hurt my knees when used on hard surfaces, but not so thick that it interferes with my balance.
Another highlight is the textured design of the upper, which provides extra grip. However, if you have sensitive hands, this texture may be a bit of a nuisance.
This yoga mat weighs 3.5 pounds, so it’s easy to carry to the yoga studio, but don’t expect it to fit in a backpack. The company also offers a foldable yoga mat that weighs 2 pounds and is 2mm thick for easy portability.
Gaiam yoga mats are sold online and in major chain stores, including Target and Whole Foods Market. They also come with a lifetime warranty and access to Gaiam’s online yoga library.
Materials: Open Cell Polyurethane Foam (PU) and Natural Rubber | Dimensions: 71″ x 26″; 79″ x 26″ | Thickness: 5mm | Weight: 5.5 lbs for standard length, 7 lbs for extended length | Special Features: Smooth Top Surface, Super Absorbent, Vegan Friendly, Available in Multiple Sizes
If you tend to sweat during your vinyasa practice or prefer hot yoga (and the sweat that comes with it), you’ll want a yoga mat with good traction that will give you stability and support as you move through each pose. The Manduka Grp Adapt yoga mat is designed for just that purpose. Unlike the Manduka Pro, the Grp Adapt yoga mat has an open-pore surface that allows moisture to penetrate and be absorbed.
I took this mat out into the hot Texas sun to see how it held up during a more challenging Vinyasa Flow yoga practice. Even with sweat dripping off my face and down my arms, the mat stayed fairly dry and my hands and feet didn’t slip. The 5mm thickness also provided support and comfort for my wrists and forearms, allowing me to stay stable in balancing poses.
The back of the mat is also designed to provide maximum grip, preventing the mat from sliding across the floor. It certainly lived up to its promise, and the mat never slipped out from under me as I glided smoothly across it.
When I first unrolled this mat, I noticed a slight rubbery smell due to its natural rubber backing, but it quickly dissipated. The edges of the mat are also not quite straight. This issue gradually disappeared with practice, but it was still a bit annoying at first.
It is worth noting that the official Manduka website states that due to the open-cell structure of the polyurethane, the mat will wear out over time. Therefore, it is especially important to wash and care for the mat according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Materials: Natural rubber base, eco-friendly polyurethane (PU) upper | Dimensions: 72.8″ H x 26.8″ W | Thickness: 4.2mm | Weight: 5.5 lbs | Features: Travel bag included, Leveling system, Top handle, Multiple colors
This Liforme Classic Yoga Mat was a clear winner for the top prize in the category of “Best Yoga Mat for Hot or Sweaty Workouts.” Its surface and structure are very similar to the Manduka Grp Adapt Yoga Mat: the smooth surface provides excellent traction, while the natural rubber underside provides comfortable cushioning. In this category, they are neck and neck. If you plan to regularly practice hot yoga or do grueling high-intensity interval training, this yoga mat will not let you down.
One of the best features of the Liforme yoga mat is that it has markings on the top that help you maintain your balance and posture during your practice. As someone who regularly practices at home and doesn’t have a trainer to tell me where to place my hands and feet, I’ve found these markings to be especially helpful. They can’t guarantee that you’re doing each pose exactly as intended (you really need a trainer to help you with that), but they can provide some external feedback that will help you maintain your balance.
The super-grippy surface and precise positioning markings make this mat worth the investment—and we say “investment” because this mat isn’t cheap. The classic model costs $112, but some of the brand’s more colorful and designer pads cost around $150 (they can even be custom-made for around $200). Clearly, a mat in this price range isn’t for everyone—which is one reason we can’t call it the “best overall” yoga mat.
Materials: Natural Rubber, Synthetic Rubber, Polyurethane, Polyester, Nylon | Dimensions: 71″ x 26″ | Thickness: 5mm | Weight: 5.24 lbs | Features: Double-sided, Antibacterial, Multi-color.
There’s a reason Lululemon’s 5mm yoga mat is such a fan favorite. The top layer is incredibly smooth and grippy, wicking away moisture during sweaty workouts, while the other side is textured and cushioned for slower, more balanced yoga moves.
While this mat isn’t our top pick for yoga, it’s the most versatile of all the mats we tested. The dual-sided design and springy cushioning provide great support during high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and strength training.
The rug also contains antimicrobial additives to help prevent mold and mildew, but you should still follow the rug’s care instructions to keep it looking its best.
Both Cohen and Enright recommend this yoga mat for its durability and good cushioning. However, Cohen warns that it may take a day for the yoga mat to dry after a hot yoga session, and its non-slip coating may wear off after about a year of continuous use.
Material: Natural Rubber, Not from Amazon Tree | Dimensions: 71″ x 24″ | Thickness: 1.5mm | Weight: 2 lbs | Features: 79″ version available, foldable, vegan friendly.
For those who want a foldable and lightweight mat, the Manduka eKo Superlite is our hands-down favorite. Unlike the Manduka Pro, the eKo Superlite holds up surprisingly well and provides excellent traction without any break-in period. We were also impressed by how easy and compact it is to fold up. And for those over 6 feet tall, there’s an extended version of the mat that’s 8 inches longer and weighs just half a pound.
Like any travel mat, the eKo Superlite is very thin, so if you have sensitive joints, it may be a good idea to place a towel under your knees. You may also want to consider our recommended Liforme mat, which can be used in conjunction with this travel mat to create a complete travel solution.
This yoga mat has a closed-cell structure that effectively prevents moisture and bacteria from penetrating. It is also easy to clean, but the company recommends using Manduka Natural Rubber Yoga Mat Repair Spray to avoid damaging the mat.
At $52, this yoga mat isn’t cheap, especially compared to other travel yoga mats on Amazon. However, Manduka is known for making high-quality, durable yoga mats, so you won’t have to replace the eKo Superlite very often (or at all, if you’re lucky).
Materials: Recycled Microfiber, Natural Rubber (Not Amazon) | Size: 70″ x 24″ | Thickness: 5.5mm | Weight: 5 lbs | Features: Mat + Towel design, Multiple colors and patterns, Eco-friendly water-based ink, Comes with travel strap
The Yoga Design Lab Combo mat is the softest, most comfortable mat we’ve tried, thanks to its recycled microfiber surface and 5.5mm of cushioning.
The microfiber towel is highly absorbent and provides a secure grip, even during hot, sweaty yoga sessions. However, during my testing, I liked using this mat most for slower practice, where I hold poses for longer periods of time. It’s worth noting that this mat is slightly narrower and shorter than a standard yoga mat, so if you’re closer to 6 feet tall or like to move around a lot on your mat, you may find it a bit cramped.
Yoga Design Lab was founded by Chad Turner, who is dedicated to creating beautiful yoga mats from eco-friendly materials. The Combo mat, in particular, has a biodegradable natural rubber base covered with recycled microfiber. Even the colorful patterns are made using eco-friendly water-based inks.
The Combo Mat comes in 21 styles and comes with a convenient carrying strap. For those who like to practice yoga on the go, Yoga Design Lab has also released a travel version of the Combo Mat, which is only 1.5 mm thick and weighs only 3.5 pounds.
Materials: Recycled microsuede and natural rubber | Dimensions: 72″ x 24″ | Thickness: 3mm | Weight: Approx. 5 lbs | Features: Machine washable, vegan friendly, includes a bonus strap.
Some yoga mats have a textured surface that makes them difficult to clean, while others require careful adherence to specific cleaning instructions to maintain the integrity of the mat. Know what’s great about this colorful and fun yoga mat from Wild Mingo? You can wash it in the washer and dryer (on low) and never have to worry about cleaning it.
This mat stands out because it’s super easy to care for, but we also like its grippy microsuede surface and the fact that it’s easy to unroll and lay out (no rolled edges). It’s one of the thinnest mats on this list, with a standard thickness of just 3mm, so it doesn’t offer as much cushioning as some other options. If you’re prone to joint pain, or if hard surfaces cause knee or wrist pain, keep a towel handy for extra support.
We also love that all Wild Mingo designs are created by Australian artists, so when you buy a rug you are supporting their work.