The Best Yoga Mats Tried and Tested by Experts
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When it comes to choosing a yoga mat, there’s more to it than meets your third eye chakra. Sourcing a stylish design might look good in a yoga class, but a mat that feels easy to move on and offers essential grip is key to perfecting your poses. From dynamic moves such as dolphin plank or crow pose to a restorative savasana at the end of your practice, using a supportive and comfortable yoga mat can make all the difference.
“Grip is important to me when deciding which mat to use so that I won’t slip when the yoga session gets sweaty,” says celebrity personal trainer Peter Maciver of PMac Fitness. “Material that feels good underhand is also crucial as I want to be able to lie down and feel relaxed and balanced. Choosing a mat with durable materials that don’t easily damage after frequent use and can be easily wiped clean will also help prolong the life of the mat.”
Flexibility is also something to bear in mind when deciding which yoga mat to buy. A mat that travels well and isn’t too heavy to carry to class might be an important factor in your decisionmaking. Or perhaps you’re after a design that you can use for Pilates, body balance, and a body pump class too? If so, look out for a versatile mat that is built to cater to all forms of exercise, not just pigeon pose.
Be sure to read our other health and fitness guides, including the Best Climbing Gear for Beginners, Best Heart Rate Monitors, and Best Earbuds for Working Out.
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- Photograph: Maite Brines von Melle
Best Yoga Mat Overall
Lululemon The Mat 5mmFor comfort and support when you’re stretching and moving, this yoga mat is an excellent option. At 5 mm, it’s a little thicker than the average mat, which makes it a little bulkier to transport. But I think if you get yourself a good yoga bag, it’s a great choice at home or the gym. It provides a plush yet balanced feel underfoot, and has good grip. I felt secure while in downward dog, but felt that the mat was equally supportive when I was doing a weights session with bare feet.
It’s made with FSC certified rubber and contains latex, which helps to provide a luxurious finish, and it comes in a selection of colorways. The mat is designed to absorb moisture so you don’t slip in high-sweat practices, which makes it a particularly good option for anyone who loves hot yoga.
I chose the Soft Denim/Pastel Blue/White/Pastel Blue option to test, and the cool blue finish made me feel calm. There’s also grounding Black, striking Dew Pink, and an invigorating Sonic Navy to choose from, too.
Health coach Maite Brines von Melle was impressed with this mat too. “This was my favorite of the bunch,” she says. “I like the design and it’s very versatile—I taught Pilates and resistance training on this mat and it worked well. It’s cushioned, which makes it comfortable to lie on for restorative yoga such as yin. It is larger in size than average but not too heavy to carry across town to class—it wipes clean easily so stays fresh too.”
- Photograph: Amazon
Best Budget Yoga Mat
Signature Fitness Extra Thick High Density Anti-Tear Exercise Yoga Mat with Carrying StrapHaving focused on mainly premium yoga mats, I was surprised by how much I liked this $20 design. Made from a basic foam, both sides of the mat are designed to be nonslip, and while its grip could be better, it did well to keep me in place while in challenging poses. It’s hard to say whether its grip would maintain over time and not get slippery, but for now, it was more than good enough.
Time will also tell as to whether the foam is durable, but I think it feels well made, and for this price I don’t think you can complain.
At half an inch thick, I really appreciated how comfortable the mat felt when carrying out poses that were hard on the knees. It felt nice to relax on once I’d finished a series of dynamic stretches too.
The mat comes in a range of bright colors including punchy purple (pictured), black, blue, green, pink, and red. It’s also moisture resistant so was easy to clean. The foam is lightweight, and while this may make it feel rather cheap, it actually makes it easy to roll up and carry. I also like the fact that, in addition to a basic, plastic-mesh carrying bag, it comes with a carrying strap. While this doesn’t sound too generous, it makes a difference when you’ve rolled up your mat and need it to stay in place.
- Photograph: Maite Brines von Melle
Best Yoga Mat for Grip
Manduka Prolite Yoga Mat 4.7mmThis yoga mat has a closed-cell PVC construction that seals out moisture, sweat, and bacteria so it’s durable and easy to maintain. But the real appeal here is the no-slip dot pattern on the bottom layer that keeps the mat firmly in position whatever the surface. It’s a latex-free mat too, which might make it a better option than the Lululemon if you suffer from allergies.
I found this mat very comfortable to practice yoga on, and its texture feels good. It has just the right amount of grip without feeling too sticky, and its smooth, tactile finish felt relaxing to lay on. Importantly too, the cushioning was dense enough to support my knees when in a kneeling plank.
It comes in a lush choice of colors, including a Black Sage green that looked great in my living room, and it didn’t pick up every bit of dirt, dust, and hair like some mats can. It’s also very easy to wipe clean.
“The Manduka ProLite is one of my favorite yoga mats and has a fabric-like finish that gets grippier with age,” says Brines von Melle. “This mat is very versatile for all types of exercise—from yoga to strength training—and I didn’t find myself slipping, which is always testament to a good design.”
- Photograph: Emily Peck
Best Yoga Mat for Alignment
Liforme Cosmic MoonAt 70 by 26 inches wide, this mat is slightly longer and wider than your average design. While this makes it a bit heavier than a standard mat, the supplied zip-up Liforme bag makes it easy to carry.
I love the style of this mat, and while at first I thought it would be all style over substance, Liforme has managed to balance comfort and support to create a design that seems to have it all.
The mat is printed with ecofriendly, nontoxic inks to give you Liforme’s “alignment system” that’s designed to help you perfect your practice. The lines are there to help you position your hands, feet, and body, and make it easier to perform poses such as warrior or to carry out a sequence.
Brines von Melle was also impressed. “It’s got very good grip and I really enjoyed moving on this mat,” she says. “I noticed how good the grip was in downward dog and when doing sun salutations, and I think the alignment points are great for anyone new to yoga.”
If your budget is tight but you like the idea of a mat that offers guide points, check out the less expensive Liforme Classic Yoga Mat. While it doesn’t have this specific moon design, it does have Liforme’s alignment system and is similar in construction.
- Photograph: Emily Peck
Best Yoga Mat for Dynamic Exercise
Les Mils MBX MatLike the Lululemon, the Les Mils mat is just 5 mm thick, but it has a very different finish and feel. It is made up of a red and gray high-density eco-PVC material that is built for working hard whatever your style.
Its surface is made to anchor you during the sweatiest of training sessions. The gray side has an anti-slip coating for high-impact exercise and weight training, while the red surface has excellent grip, ideal for yoga.
While I didn’t find it as smooth or tactile as a standard yoga mat, I did like the versatility. I found it easy to wipe clean, and it lasted well. I positioned it under my spin bike for a month (to protect the floor) and was surprised to find that the dent marks from the bike faded fast.
Brines von Melle thought that this was a good option for all-round exercise. “I like the fact that this mat has two sides to it to suit your goals,” she says. “It’s not the most comfortable yoga mat, but it works well when moving, it’s convenient and easy to store. It has eyelet holes on one end so you can hang it up to air and store if needed too.”
- Photograph: Liforme
Best Yoga Mats for Kids
Liforme Playful Kids Yoga MatIt's a luxury choice for the little yogi in your life, but the Playful Kids yoga mat offers the best quality in a fun-size bundle. There aren’t that many designs for kids out there, but this is the most attractive I’ve found. In truth, it's better looking than many adult designs.
The mat is 36 centimeters shorter than the adult-size Liforme yoga mat and half a kilogram lighter. It also comes with a useful carry bag, which means it's significantly easier to carry than an adult-size option.
A mat like this can be an enticing way to get kids to join in on a yoga session, such as the popular Cosmic Kids Yoga on YouTube. It worked well for my 7-year-old son William, who suffers from tight calf muscles after playing soccer. The mat was a good way to encourage him to stretch more and unwind before bed.
Photograph: Emily PeckHow I Tested Yoga Mats
Having dabbled in yoga, Pilates, and body balance classes for years, I instinctively know what makes for a comfortable and ergonomic mat. Grip, finish, thickness, and design are all key considerations. I also called on the expert help of Maite Brines von Melle from Superhealth Playbook, who was invaluable in assessing each mat and whittling them down to the very best options for your style, size, and budget.
Photograph: LiformeHow to Properly Clean a Yoga Mat
How to Properly Clean a Yoga MatKeeping your yoga mat clean isn't just about basic personal hygiene. A clean mat will simply last longer, but given the range of materials used to manufacture them—from polyurethane, PVC, natural rubber, and cork—it's important to heed the manufacturer’s recommendations before you reach for the bleach.
Some mats benefit from a simple wipe down with a damp microfiber cloth, while others can be dunked in the bath, put in the washing machine, and left to air dry. And then there's specialized yoga mat cleaning sprays that promise to sanitize and prolong the life of your mat, and make it smell a whole lot better. Here's our pick of the best:
Liforme Ultimate Everyday Yoga Mat Cleaner for $23: This plant-based cleaning foam is made from 95 percent natural ingredients and has a subtle, clean scent. I pumped the foam onto a sponge and rubbed it onto my mat. It dissolved quickly and left the surface refreshed.
Manduka Yoga Mat Wash and Refresh for $12.00: I love the lavender scent, which is made from 100 percent naturally derived ingredients. You can spray the surface and wipe down for a quick refresh, or spray generously and let soak for two minutes for a deeper clean before drying.
Moxe Yoga Mat Cleaner Spray, two bottles for $20: With rosemary and lemon essential oil, this solution smells like a sleep spray you’d put on your pillow before bed. It comes with a soft microfiber cloth as part of the price to make it easy to clean and dry. I use it on my mat before class so I can enjoy the scent during the session.
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Photograph: Tobias Titz/Getty ImagesHow to Choose the Best Yoga Mat
How to Choose the Best Yoga MatWIRED asked the popular YouTube yoga teacher Sara Beth for her top tips on buying the best yoga mat:
Thicker is not better. You still want to support your balance by having a firm connection to the ground beneath you, so aim for a 3 to 5 mm thickness. You can always add more cushion for your knees in the center, but too much cushion under the front and back, where your hands and feet go, can disrupt your balance.
Look for good grip. For hot yoga or sweaty people, make sure your mat gets grippier when wet. A washable design is more hygienic. A microfiber-finished mat can be put in the washing machine (manufacturers instruction advised) or you can opt for a “yoga towel” you cover the mat with before wiping down and washing after your session.
Take a travel mat. For holidays, a thin, lightweight, 0.059-inch (1.5-mm) mat can be folded or rolled in your suitcase. They work well on hotel room carpet, but if you need more cushion you can always layer a towel where your knees go. I’ve also practiced yoga in my hotel room with just the bath towel laid out like a mat.
Make it easy to workout. If you plan to use your mat like a gym floor for Pilates, weights, yoga, and HIIT, then consider investing in a jumbo 5- by 8-feet mat (like Gorilla mat), which shouldn't move. These are typically a bit heavier and sturdier, which will help it stay in place while you move.
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