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Best Yoga Mats

Updated

We reviewed yoga mats across grip quality when dry and sweaty, cushioning thickness, material safety, portability, and durability across types of yoga from gentle to hot power flow.

Grip is the single most important variable. A mat that slips in downward dog undermines every pose that requires stability. Grip performance changes significantly with sweat -- some mats grip better dry and become slippery when wet, while others actually grip better with moisture. If you practice hot yoga or sweat heavily, prioritize mats with wet-grip performance over dry-grip specs.

Mat thickness is a comfort and portability tradeoff. A 6mm mat provides significant cushioning for joints on hard floors but rolls into a large bundle. A 3mm travel mat fits in a bag alongside gear but may feel thin on hard studio floors. Most practitioners at home can use a 4-5mm mat as the all-around solution.

Quick picks

Use this table for the fastest answer, or jump into the full review cards below.

Pick Best for Verdict Review
Best OverallLululemon Reversible Regular yoga practitioners, Hot yoga Buy Read review
Best Budget PickGaiam Premium Beginners and occasional practitioners, Home practice on a budget Buy Read review
Premium PickManduka PRO Serious daily practitioners, Yoga teachers and studio owners Buy Read review

Best Overall

Best Overall

Lululemon The Reversible Mat 5mm

Grip is excellent dry or sweaty, 5mm is the right balance of cushioning and stability for most practices, and the antimicrobial top layer holds up to years of daily use.

Buy
TL;DR

Excellent grip both dry and in sweaty hot yoga conditions

Pros

  • Excellent grip wet and dry
  • Dense 5mm cushioning
  • Reversible smooth and textured sides
  • Antimicrobial top layer
  • Holds up for years of daily use

Cons

  • Expensive for a yoga mat
  • Heavy at 5 lbs
  • Not ideal for travel

Best Budget

Best Budget Pick

Gaiam Print Premium Yoga Mat 6mm

6mm cushioning is forgiving for new practitioners, the price is low enough to buy without knowing if yoga will stick, and it performs fine for casual home practice.

Buy
TL;DR

Extra thick 6mm cushioning comfortable for beginners

Pros

  • Extra thick 6mm cushioning for beginners
  • Free yoga class included
  • Lightweight
  • Wide color and print selection
  • Accessible price

Cons

  • Grip degrades when wet
  • Top layer peels with heavy use over time
  • Not suited for serious daily practice

Best Premium

Premium Pick

Manduka PRO Yoga Mat 6mm

The closed-cell surface is built to keep sweat out, the dense 6mm base gives firm support, and Manduka backs it with a lifetime guarantee. The right mat once you are serious about daily practice.

Buy
TL;DR

Lifetime guarantee

Pros

  • Lifetime guarantee
  • Closed-cell surface resists sweat absorption
  • Dense supportive base

Cons

  • Heavy at 7.5 lbs
  • Needs a break-in period before the grip fully settles
  • Expensive

All Yoga Mats reviews

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Outdoors / Yoga Mats Buy

Lululemon The Reversible Mat 5mm

Grip is excellent dry or sweaty, 5mm is the right balance of cushioning and stability for most practices, and the antimicrobial top layer holds up to years of daily use.

Read review →
Outdoors / Yoga Mats Buy

Gaiam Print Premium Yoga Mat 6mm

6mm cushioning is forgiving for new practitioners, the price is low enough to buy without knowing if yoga will stick, and it performs fine for casual home practice.

Read review →
Outdoors / Yoga Mats Buy

Manduka PRO Yoga Mat 6mm

The closed-cell surface is built to keep sweat out, the dense 6mm base gives firm support, and Manduka backs it with a lifetime guarantee. The right mat once you are serious about daily practice.

Read review →