Best Yoga Mats

Pros

• Variety of sizes and colors to choose from
• Eco-friendly and nontoxic
• Offers extra cushion and grip for comfort

Cons

• Pricey
• Complaints of rubber flaking over time

JadeYoga’s Harmony Yoga Mat is one of the best on the market, and while it runs on the pricier end, it’s worth every penny. This mat is supported by extra cushion (thanks to its thickness) and offers an impressive performance grip. It’s also made from eco-friendly and nontoxic material.

JadeYoga was the first brand in the US to create a natural rubber mat free from PVC, EVA, or synthetic rubber. Further, for every mat sold, the company plants a tree.

Whether it’s bone dry or sweaty as can be, this mat has one of the best no-slip grips around. While this can be great for sweaty yogis, it’s important to mention that when the rubber absorbs the sweat, it can take some time to dry, so it may not be the best mat for regular hot yoga use.

The Harmony mat comes in several sizes and colors, including extra wide and extra long for those who need more room. Along with the standard 68-inch length, it also offers 71-inch and 74-inch mats. Most companies don't provide a variety of sizes (unless you’re buying a specialty mat), so this brand is perfect for those who like to have a little more covered space for their yoga practice.

Material: Natural rubber

Tickness: ~4.75 mm

Dimensions: 68 x 24 in.+

Weight: ~5 lbs.

Pros

• Travel-friendly
• Lightweight
• Sweat-resistant

Cons

• May contain a rubber smell
• Limited color options
• Made from PVC

Sunny Health & Fitness is a great brand for exercise equipment. The company offers everything from booty bands to yoga mats to larger equipment like treadmills. The brand’s padded, sweat-resistant, and nonslip mat is made from PVC material — durable enough to withstand intense workouts without tearing it up. Weighing just two pounds, this thin yoga mat is lightweight, travel-friendly, and can easily be rolled up to take on the go.

Although this may be the perfect, simple yoga mat for some, there are a few downsides to it. It only comes in one size: 68 by 24 inches. While this is a typical yoga mat size and does work for most people, those taller than 5 feet 8 inches won’t be able to comfortably practice on it. On top of the lack of sizes, the brand only offers two colors: purple and blue. Color may not matter to everyone, but those who spend significant time with their yoga mat might like to get a little more out of it than just the feel.

Despite the two potential flaws, this is a quality product with an inexpensive price tag, and most importantly, it gets the job done comfortably.

Material: PVC

Thickness: 4 mm

Dimensions: 68 x 24 in.

Weight: 2 lbs.

Pros

• Made from tree rubber
• Protects against injuries
• Can be used for a variety of yoga classes, including hot yoga

Cons

• Might be a little sticky for regular yoga
• Complaints of a strong odor upon opening

IUGA is known for its buttery-soft leggings and other athletic wear, but the brand also designs yoga mats that are eco-friendly and nonslip. The mats are biodegradable and sustainably harvested from tree rubber, 100% free from PVC, latex, and other toxic materials. Being eco-friendly doesn’t stop this yoga mat from being high-quality, though. The 5-mm mat is perfectly cushioned for all types of yoga, including Bikram, Vinyasa, and Ashtanga, and it’s also SGS-certified for hot yoga.

If you’re planning on taking a few hot yoga classes, this is the perfect option for just that. IUGA's mat claims to have unbeatable nonslip performance and is also super lightweight. It’s travel-friendly with a carry strap, so you can easily haul it back and forth from class to class.

One potential drawback some have found with this mat is that it emanates a fair rubber odor upon opening that can last for a few days. That said, we love this mat for its high slip-resistance and comfort (and the eco-friendly factor is a plus!)

Material: Polyurethane, rubber

Thickness: 5 mm

Dimensions: 72 x 26 in.

Weight: 2.5 lbs.

Pros

• Can be used for stretching, cardio, weights, etc.
• Eco-friendly and nontoxic materials
• Covers larger surfaces (lower chance of injury)

Cons

• Expensive
• Heavier than other yoga mats
• Not as portable

One of the downsides to using an average yoga mat is that sometimes it’s just not big enough. For certain stretches and workouts, having a larger mat makes all the difference, as the last thing you want to do is feel cramped. Yo Gorilla Mats are perfect for giving yourself more room to perform each exercise successfully without worrying about sliding or slipping off a smaller mat.

The material is made from eco-friendly, nontoxic, and nonslip grippy foam for ultimate comfort. The mat even has a unique circle pattern on the bottom for an extra grip to prevent sliding around. It also comes with a microfiber towel (perfect for cleaning the mat after an intense workout) and a carry-on bag with not one but two storage straps for traveling.

One thing to mention with these mats is that they’re noticeably heavier because they’re so large. This 6-foot by 4-foot mat weighs a whopping 9 pounds! While 9 pounds isn’t all that much, and you wouldn’t typically think twice about carrying something that weight, yoga mats generally weigh between 2 and 5 pounds. And, this Premium Large mat is the smallest of the line, with options ranging from 6 feet to 9 feet. The Gorilla mats are perfect for any type of exercise, including HIIT workouts, yoga, and strength training.

As a bonus, the company offers a lifetime guarantee and will replace your mat for free if it gets damaged. A downside to this mat is that it’s a little pricey, but when compared to most of the other average-sized, high-quality yoga mats on our list, it’s right in the same ballpark, so its size may be worth the extra spend.

Material: Natural rubber, PER foam

Thickness: 8 mm

Dimensions: 72 x 48 in.

Weight: 9 lbs.

Pros

• Affordable price point
• Provides extra support
• Free from toxic chemicals

Cons

• Thickness increases the chance of tripping over mat during exercise
• Initial odor from mat

While yoga has a long list of health benefits, it’s not a magic cure for the joint pain that many suffer from. The Retrospec Solana mat is perfect for those experiencing pain or discomfort through its extra-thick layer of cushioning. The typical thickness of a yoga mat is around ⅛ of an inch (3 mm), but Retrospec Solana yoga mats offer up to 1 inch of cushiony support. Using a thicker mat can relieve pain not only in the joints, but also in the hands, hips, and knees when performing certain positions.

The Solana mat is offered in 15 different colors. It’s made with a nonslip foam material that provides a ribbed surface texture to help with grip. It’s also lightweight and comes with a strap, perfect for taking on the go. Although the material is free of phthalate, heavy metals, and latex, this mat may come with an initial odor upon opening. The brand suggests unrolling it and leaving it to air out for a day or two.

While the mat is nonslip, it’s not as strong as some of the other high-quality nonslip mats, so although a great mat, you just have to be more cautious when you use it.

Material: NBR foam

Thickness: 12 mm or 25 mm

Dimensions: 72 x 24 in.

Weight: 3 to 4 lbs.

Pros

• Machine-washable
• Folds down to the size of a pair of pants
• Unique, fun designs
• Surface grip increases when wet

Cons

• Might be too thin for some who need extra cushion suppor
• Concerns about the thin material tearing or wearing down easily
• Expensive

Anyone who regularly practices yoga should have a travel mat ready to take on the go. While many options are too heavy or bulky to lug around, Australian brand Mikkoa creates the best of both worlds with its travel yoga mats. The yoga mat offers a high-performance, eco-friendly, and moisture-wicking experience with each use.
These mats are ideal for hot yoga, as they’re exceptionally resistant to sweat (or any moisture). In fact, the mat’s grip is better when a bit wet. They’re also nonslip with their natural base layer, and when it gets dirty from all the adventures, you can simply throw your mat in the washing machine. When you’re ready to take it back on the road, you can fit it in almost any bag, as it conveniently folds up into the size of a pair of jeans.

Mikkoa yoga mats also get extra points for having the best aesthetically pleasing options on this list. The mystic marble and galaxy aurora travel mats are unique, fun, and needed just for the designs. They cost about $100, but Mikkoa offers free shipping. This cuts the cost significantly, considering the mats are coming all the way from Australia. Plus, you get free access to online yoga classes. Talk about a win-win.

Material: Natural rubber base, vegan microfiber suede top

Thickness: ~1.5 mm

Dimensions: 72 x 26 in.

Weight: 2 lbs.

Pros

• Organic, vegan, biodegradable, and recyclable
• The company is just as eco-friendly as its products
• Provides extra cushioning

Cons

• Expensive
• Not reversible

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly yoga mat, Brentwood Home hits satisfaction on all levels. The brand’s mats are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton on top and have an FSC-certified natural, nonslip rubber base sourced from trees. The material is also nontoxic, vegan-certified, biodegradable, and machine-washable.

These features are ideal for those who need more support, as the absorbent cotton provides more cushion than most yoga mats and can even be used in hot yoga. With no pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, EVA foam, PVC, TPE, or synthetic rubbers, it’s pretty safe to say this is one of the most eco-friendly yoga mats on the market.

While cotton is cushy, it only lasts so long. After a certain period of time, that fluff won’t support you. On the bright side, cotton is absorbent, so you can truly use it anywhere — inside or outside — because either way, the mat will absorb any sweat you produce. When necessary, just throw it in the washing machine, and it’s ready to use again.

This mat is pretty pricey, coming in at just under $160, but the brand offers seven different colors, and you also get a free 30-day trial. If you’re not completely sold on the organic cotton and nonslip grip, you’re eligible to send it back for a full refund.

Material: Organic cotton, natural latex

Thickness: 5 mm

Dimensions: 71 x 24 in

Weight: 5.7 lbs.

Pros

• Highly sweat-absorbent
• Soft cushioning to help protect joints
• Holds a super grip on the floor

Cons

• Expensive
• Lack of color options
• Initial odor upon opening

Yoga mats can get extremely sweaty during a hot yoga class, and slips are bound to follow with that first drop of sweat. Manduka’s GRP Adapt Yoga Mat does the exact opposite. A proprietary open cell material and unique weave maximize the support and grip regardless of the sweat that comes into contact with the mat. Not only is the mat nonslip, but it offers twice the absorption capacity of many competitors.

The mat has a patent-pending foam rubber cushion with a thickness of 5 mm, and at 71 or 79 inches (depending on the size you choose), it’s longer than most options. Unfortunately, the GRP Adapt only comes in black and deep sea — but your mat’s color is probably the last thing on your mind during a hot yoga sesh. Despite the lack of color options, this mat is lightweight, durable, and easy to travel with.

Material: Polyurethane, foam rubber, rubber composite

Thickness: 5 mm

Dimensions: 71 x 26 in. or 79 x 26 in.

Weight: 6 lbs.

Pros

• 3D texture aids in staying centered
• Eco-friendly
• Non-slip

Cons

• Not for those with latex allergies
• Expensive
• Hand and foot posiitons on mat may not align with users of certain heights

Anyone new to yoga might not know what to look for when it comes to finding the perfect mat. Between the variety of thicknesses, lengths, textures, and portability options, it can be overwhelming to choose one. But Lululemon’s Take Form Yoga Mat may be the perfect fit for any new yogi. This mat is silky smooth yet has a cement-like grip — no matter the sweat — to provide resistance for inexperienced users (hence why the brand created a mat just for them).

The brand’s unique design features a 3D texture to help you comfortably feel your way around the mat and keep you centered during complex poses (so you don’t have to look down to see where you are). These features intend to provide uninterrupted concentration to get the most success out of your first yoga sessions.

The ring design on the mat is great for directing hand and foot movements, but those who don’t need direction or are more advanced might find the texture distracting. It’s also made from sustainably sourced natural rubber that’s certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). One thing to be aware of before purchasing this mat is that it contains latex, so those allergic to rubber or latex should stay far away.

Material: Natural rubber, latex

Thickness: 5 mm

Dimensions: 71 x 26 in.

Weight: 4.9 lbs.

Pros

• Antimicrobial
• The wetter the surface is, the more grippy the mat becomes
• Dual-sided

Cons

• Expensive
• Heavy (compared to competitors)
• Mat may have a tendency to curl up

Cork isn’t just for boards and wine bottles anymore. The material is making its way to yoga mats in an eco-friendly, antibacterial, nonslip form. Gurus Roots Premium Cork Yoga Mat is a 100% plant-based product made from natural rubber and cork, so it’s resistant to moisture.

The no-slip surface improves the wetter the mat becomes, so it’s the perfect equipment for hot yoga. Using a cork mat means having sustainability and comfort for extra cushion and relief for your joints.

Other than being eco-friendly, cork yoga mats are also naturally antimicrobial, meaning they resist bacteria, germs, and odors. You won’t have to worry about foul smells or constantly disinfecting it. If you do want to flip it over at any point, the brand designed a double-sided mat with an open-cell, dual-use natural rubber bottom.

Overall, owning a cork yoga mat is a great investment. Between the eco-friendly materials, antimicrobial properties, and nonslip grip with extra cushion, what more could you ask for?

Material: Cork, natural rubber

Thickness: 5 mm

Dimensions: 72 x 25 in.

Weight: 6.3 lbs.