Yoga mats are a highly versatile piece of fitness equipment that is an essential component of many home workout routines. Whether you practice at a local studio or at home, having a quality yoga mat that provides the right amount of grip and support is critical. While selecting a mat may appear simple, there are other variables to consider, including mobility, grip and feel, cushioning and thickness, and overall value. Here, we’ve rounded up the best yoga mats to adding to your routine—in any form.
Is there a difference between a fitness mat and a yoga mat?
An exercise mat will be somewhat thicker and more resilient, able to withstand the impact of dropped dumbbells and harsh footwear as users’ blitz through HIIT and weights workouts. If that seems like your cup of tea, check out our tried-and-true list of the greatest fitness mats money can buy. Yoga mats, on the other hand, are often thinner, measuring between 0.4mm and 0.6mm thick. They’ll normally be constructed of more fragile materials like rubber or latex, giving your hands and feet a stickier surface. To avoid damaging these mats, it’s best to avoid wearing shoes on them and complete your practices barefoot, unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise.
The Reversible Mat 5mm Textured
This natural rubber mat features a gripping top layer that helps you achieve balance in a variety of poses, from hot to hatha. For low-sweat routines, the natural rubber base provides cushioning and a textured grip. The polyurethane top layer absorbs moisture, allowing you to keep your grip during sweaty training.
- Pros: Natural rubber, antimicrobial additive,
- Cons: scratch nonresistant
The Reversible Mat 5mm
This natural rubber mat has a grippy top layer that helps you find balance in a variety of poses, from hot to hatha. The polyurethane top layer absorbs moisture, allowing you to keep your grip during sweaty training. For low-sweat practices, the natural rubber base provides cushioning and a textured grip. An antimicrobial additive aids in the prevention of mold and mildew on the mat.
- Pros: Wick moisture, Natural rubber, an antimicrobial additive
- Cons: scratch nonresistant
Take Form Yoga Mat 5mm
Allow your senses to lead you. The unique 3D texture allows you to feel your way around the mat and stay centered in postures without having to glance down. Made from sustainably sourced natural rubber that has been FSCTM (Forest Stewardship CouncilTM) certified to help protect forest ecosystems and the people, plants, and animals that live in them.
- Pros: natural rubber, sustainable,
- Cons: Fades and become brittle in sun exposure, has a strong odor
Athletic Dynamat (5MM)
You should be able to keep up with your mat. This Athletic Yoga Mat is larger and longer than standard mats. This means greater room and stability for those challenging longer positions. An extra-sticky 5mm surface will help you get through even the most difficult lessons. Ideal for usage at home, in the studio, or at the gym.
- Pros: Extra large size, non-slip textured, Includes straps
- Cons: has a strong odor, requires spot cleaning
Extra Large Yoga Mat (7MM)
With this Extra Large Yoga Mat, you’ll have plenty of area for two yogis. Made entirely of PVC, with a textured sticky surface that is non-slip and meant to hold you in position. This mat is supportive and robust enough for outdoor usage or advanced inversions, with 7mm of superior padding. It comes with straps to keep the mat folded up and easy to store.
- Pros: Lightweight and durable, wick-moisture
- Cons: has a strong odor, brittle over sun exposure
Performance Longer-Wider Dry-Grip Yoga Mat (5MM)
The Performance Longer and Wider Dry-Grip Yoga mat from the premium range of yoga mats made for yogis will keep you safe and secure. The mats are 10″ long and 2″ wider than regular mats, with a topcoat that claims to drain away moisture and improve grip as temperatures climb. The rubber-free structure is ideal for individuals who are allergic to latex, and it is free of the top six most dangerous phthalates, making this mat a healthy choice for both you and the environment.
- Pros: All-natural cork, lightweight, durable
- Cons: has a strong odor, brittle over sun exposure
Performance Cork Yoga Mat (5MM)
A cork yoga mat is one of the most amazing materials yoga has ever encountered. Cork is a sustainable, naturally cushioned material that is antimicrobial in the sense that it can handle sweat while repelling germs and odor. Our lightweight and sturdy mat may well be your new best buddy, with cork on one side and eco-friendly TPE on the other.
- Pros: Lightweight and durable, nonslippery
- Cons: Fades and become brittle in sun exposure
Premium 2-Color Yoga Mats (6MM)
For your practice, these Premium 2-Color Yoga Mats provide a 6mm solid non-slip surface. Each mat is reversible, so you may practice on either color you like. All Gaiam products are made without latex and the top six most hazardous phthalates, and they come with a lifetime warranty.
- Pros: Textured, Lightweight, durable, Reversible
- Cons: scratch nonresistant, slippery
Camo Warrior Mat
The CAMO WARRIOR Mat is a yogi-approved and non-toxic “magic” Warrior Mat that is now available in a trendy new print. This new model of our super-sized Warrior Mat has the same never-slip grip, excellent softness, and luxury, matte texture as our original, which is free of formaldehyde and PVC.
- Pros: Moisture-wicking, Anti-odor, non-slip
- Cons: scratch non-resistant
Warrior Mat
Your mat is there for you both physically and metaphorically — in the studio, during heated sequences and therapeutic nidras, and out in the world, where the grounding benefits of yoga help you live a purposeful life. Where the magic happens is on our thoroughly tested Warrior Mat, which is spacious, ideally cushioned for joint support, anti-odor, dry-wicking, and slip-free, wet or dry. It’s also formaldehyde-free, non-toxic, and PVC-free, making it ideal for a clean practice and a calm savasana.
- Pros: non-toxic, all-natural rubber, Moisture-wicking, Anti-odor
- Cons: leaved edge mark to the skin, scratch non-resistant
Long Warrior Mat
There’s much more space for magic now! This extra-long version of our yogi-approved, “magic” Warrior Mat has the same never-slip grip, (super)natural, PVC & formaldehyde-free ideal cushion, and luxury, matte surface as our original, but with an extra 10″ length to dig into poses—especially for taller yogis.
- Pros: Moisture-wicking, Anti-odor, all-natural rubber, matte finish
- Cons: leaved edge mark to the skin, slippery
Chakra Warrior Mat
Improve your alignment by using the asana-guiding grid engraved into the luxurious Chakra Alignment Mat. Based on Alo’s well-known Warrior Mat: no-slip, wet or dry, anti-odor with a dry-wicking surface that pulls moisture away, and constructed with a natural rubber backing that provides the ideal amount of cushioning.
- Pros: Textured Grid, No-slip, Cushioned rubber backing
- Cons: leaved edge mark to the skin, not resistant to scratch
Air Mat
The Air Yoga Mat is a travel-friendly, ultra-light version of our renowned Warrior Mat that rolls thinner for on-the-go yoga. Like the original, this luxurious, matte blacktop is non-slip while wet or dry. Moisture is wicked away by the dry-wicking surface. The optimum amount of cushioning is provided by the natural rubber backing.
- Pros: Ultralight, travel friendly, No-slip
- Cons: hard to clean, non-machine washable
Our Top Pick
Our best pick is the Warrior Mat, your mat literally and symbolically supports you in the studio, amid scorching sequences and healing nidras, and out in the world, where the grounding benefits of yoga help you live a life of purpose. The extensively tested Warrior Mat, which is large, appropriately cushioned for joint support, anti-odor, dry-wicking, and slip-free, wet or dry, is where the magic happens. It’s also devoid of formaldehyde, toxins, and PVC, making it great for healthy practice and a peaceful savasana.
Kristine Decena is a professional editor with over 10 years of experience in the publishing industry. She specializes in editing food and drink, footwear, clothing, and other lifestyle content. She has worked for such notable companies as The New York Times Company, Food Network Magazine, HarperCollins Publishers Inc., Hearst Corporation and Condé Nast International. Kristine is a graduate of Ohio University where she obtained degrees in English Literature and Journalism before embarking on her career as an editor.
